Hot Rods Anyone know anything about this 40 Ford sedan?

Ran across this 40 Ford sedan in my area for sale. Present owner buys and sells a lot of collector cars and I believe he is honest. He says this is a California car (now in the midwest) that was built by a guy name Vern Williams in the 80s. I am sorry, but I never heard of Vern Williams. (hope that doesn't offend anyone) I think the car may have come to the present owner from e-bay but he never said that. I was told it was in Hot Rod magazine in the early 90s. I like the car and am scheduled to drive it on Wednesday this week. I am just trying to find any history about the car that some of my Hamber buddys might know. Its not cheap and the more I can learn about the car the more I am able to make a wise decision about purchasing it or not. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

All I can do is confirm the info he gave you based on my memories of it in mags in the past. I have always admired the car. Good luck.

 

Okie, thanks! Looks like you may know about 40 fords! Anything I should look for that is a common problem on 40s? any ch***is issues?

 

Vern Williams was a true Hot Rodder. He had a real nice 38 Convert at one time. He also had a 27 T With a Rajo head. That 40 he built a number of years ago - it had Moon disc's on it for a long time. The interior was done by the legend Eddie Martinez of So Cal.
At the time of his p***ing (Around 2008 I think) he was a member of the Mountain Top Street Rodders of Prescott AZ, so someone from that club may know more.


A list of other cars he had
1 Early '16 Ford Br*** Touring
3 '20 Model A RPUs
2 '32 Ford Roadsters
1 '30 A Ford Fordoor
1 - '34 Ford Phaeton
1 '34 Ford 5-Window coupe
1 '32 Ford PU
1 '32 Ford Fordoor
1 '32 Ford Cabriolet
2 '32 Ford 5-Window coupes
1 '36 Ford 5-Window coupe
1 '32 Ford 3-Window coupe
1 '31 Model A Tudor phaeton
1 '40 Ford Tudor Deluxe
1 '50 Ford Convertable
1 '55 Ford PU
1 '57 Ford Ranchero
1 '60 Chevy 2-door Hardtop
1 '67 Chevy 2-door Hardtop
1 '54 Austin Healy 100-4
1 '57 Ford T-bird
1 '56 Triumph TR5 Motorcycle
These he owned at the end of his life;
1920 Centerdoor T
Early 1923 T Touring
1920? T Speedster
1927 T Roadster
1932 Ford Phaeton
1932 Ford Roadster
1967 Cougar XR7

 

I know the car well, helped Vern build it back in the 80's in Orange County. He then moved to Prescott, Arizona in 1997, and drove the wheels off it until selling it to a cop in Florida, as I recall. Vern p***ed away in 2008, and we sold off his cars and related parts. His wife Dottie has relocated to Nevada.
The car has a lot of miles on it, he would frequently drive it from Arizona to California, sometimes towing a trailer.
If you have specific questions about it, PM me, I know the car inside and out, doesn't look like its changed since Vern had it. Nice to know its still around, Steve

 

A great HOT ROD.... enjoy the test drive..... from what I know about this car "you gonna LIKE"

 

a very nice looking 40 sedan

 

Great info! Thanks guys!

 

I remember that car - it was used in a regular ad in Street Rodder as I recall. Glad to see it still looks great, even if it does have a 'wrong' motor in it!

Eli

 

I remember a few years ago an article on interiors in SR, and they pointed out this one done be Ed Martinez. I always wanted an upholstery job like that, but could never afford it.

 

Wow! Sure is a beauty. Reminds me of the Bob McCoy 40. If possible, put it on a lift so you can see the bottom.

 

One of my favorite '40 sedans. Never have seen it in person but it had gotten a ton of press.

 

Make sure the pan under the deck lid is solid. They have a tendancy to rust at the bottom of the tool tray. Looks like a nice car.

 

rear window leakage is common, bottoms of quarters below rear side windows rust. bottoms of front firewall mounts rust. as mentioned tool tray. that car was a good build back when it was done. i would think it would be a pretty solid car. recently sold to fortys, and did a complete on a third one.

 

Drove the car on Friday of last week. It is still very cool but has signs that it needs attention. Brakes have to be pumped on every stop, A/C does not work, no headlights at all, some minor paint issues on left rear quarter. But the worst thing is I think it needs a flex plate. It grinds and skips terribly on every start-up. I am sure the starter drive is shot but I suspect so are many of the teeth on the flex plate. The good news is it runs and drives good and still has LOTS of appeal. The interior is killer! I have not given up on it yet but with all the issues it has, it is not worth the $30K asking price.

 

I know a fellow who just bought a perfect "killer" 40 Ford tudor in excellent condition - and I mean EXCELLENT -for $26K. Perhaps the seller will come down in price.

 

Wow, neat car but for that price you'd think the dealer could address those relatively minor issues.

Its frustrating to make an inspection trip to see a car that isn't prepped for a test drive!

 

30 seems like a lot, it depends on what you want. If the flames and interior are exactly what you want, well neither are cheap to have done. From what I see that will buy you a very nice 40 tudor these days.

 

Lots of do***ented history about the car & how it was featured in mags and part of the "hot rod scene" throughout the years.

I agree most of the "things" that are wrong with the car in most cases should have/would have been repaired when offered for sale at that price...... but then maybe there is a reason why they have not been addressed.

A great car.... possibly a bit pricey in the state it's in ..... but still worth it for the right buyer.

 

Well for "better or worse"...its now mine! Brought it home today and having fun detailing it here and there. Its a nice car!!! First thing I did was install my HAMB plaque on it!

 

Congrats...... Glad to see this hot rod has found a good home.

It's always fun (and memorable) to finally get the newly purchased car home & to start going over it.

Looking forward to seeing & hearing more about this car.

 

Anybody else have pics of this thing? Especially the interior, it's bad *** for sure.

 

You can see LOTS more pics of the car at this site where it USED TO BE for sale!
http://www.hardwaygarage.com/show.php?id=16&p=50&page=1&srt=make ASC

 

Interesting note: The flames on the Vern Williams '40 Sedan were originally painted by my friend, Sam Bivins. Sam still plays the game here in his home town of Leesburg, Florida. Sam speaks very highly of Vern and knew him well.

 

My dad is Vern Williams! I came across this thread whole trying to search for my dad’s car in Hot Rod Magazine. How cool that you bought my dad’s car! Do you still have it? Here’s a picture of my parents with the car in the early 90’s! Sadly my dad p***ed away, but I’m glad his legacy lives on.

 

Welcome to the HAMB. Made your picture big for you............Don.

 

Thank you!

 

How cool is that? Dang!


Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app

 

Vern and Dottie Williams were great people to hang out with. Vern had a sense of humor that was unparalleled and he was the president of Forties Ltd. of Orange County in the '80's when my wife and I were members there. I was saddened when I got news of his p***ing a few years ago.

 

Welcome to the HAMB. No I do not still own that car. I kept it for a few years and changed very little on it. It was super reliable and my wife loved that car. I sold it to a HAMBer in Sweden. This picture is the last day I drove the car out of my yard to load it onto the shipper's trailer. I have lots of pictures of the car if you need any.