Last fall I ran across this chopped '40 Sedan for sale. Since 40 Fords are my most favorite car and this one had a few modifications that I knew I would never have unless I bought something somewhat done. I talked to the owner and we made a deal. Soon after we were on our way to pick it up. It was about 600 miles one way. Planning to drive it home, a plan that soon vanished. As we headed to the expressway after all the paper work was completed, I noticed it was cutting out. Thinking it was me, we continued. By the time we reached our motel (about 40 miles from where we picked it up), I knew it was either going to be a long trip home, but in my heart I knew it wasn't going to fun at this rate. I talked to my brother in law who drove us down to get the car. We decided to try once more and see how things went. So the next morning we headed up the highway. The car was cutting out, it would restart but often other problems added to our dilemma. We decided to rent a trailer and make it easier for now. I called the seller and told him what was happening, he was concerned for us and stated he hadn't had any trouble with the car. Did I mention he bought the car strictly for resale as he is a dealer of collector cars. He offered to pay for the trailer rental and he did. One part of me wanted to return the car to him for a refund and part of me knew this was my chance to have a chopped '40 sedan plus it has coil over rear suspension which the ride is better than any other Hot Rod I've owned. It's taken 8 months of tinkering in my garage to get the bugs out of this '40. I do plan for other future changes but for now, I plan to drive it. In the trouble shooting the car stalling out, which was intermittent, took this long to finally get it. While trouble shooting and trying to eliminate the problem I have installed a new steering column, new ignition switch,new distributor, new fuel sending unit, fuel line all the way, fuel pump, Master cylinder, calipers, brake lines & proportioning valve. After all winter of working on the running issues, the brakes froze up. So it's been a long winter! We have just found the real problem of it stalling out as it finally!!!! I had pulled the car out of my garage, while I was regrouping and it quit. Did it ever! It wouldn't restart!! After pushing the car back in the garage, we started to diagnose it. We found the wire feeding the distributor had no power, traced it back to the power/fuse panel and found the connection was not wired correctly. So it's been a long winter, now I'm going for another ride! All the time I was going through all the possible problems, I kept coming back to hamb, researching articles that might help me find what was going on. Thanks everyone for all your comments about starting and running problems as well as brake issues! Besides a few close friends, my son, & HAMB, we've made it!!!! I placed this as a project, but it will be a slow project.
.......................WOW, You can say that again, Danny! I've really only seen one a few yrs. ago in Harrington, Delaware that I felt was done "right". It was so subtle, maybe only an inch and 1/2 or two, that you really had to stand there and study it to even be sure it had been chopped. They must have added some metal across the crown of the roof 'cause the back slope was perfect and the windshield had not been laid back. AND, it was BLACK! Wish I had pics.
Glad you are enjoying it. Our world is full of hot rods built only to sell, never intended for driving. All you can do is drive it and sort out problems. I have to agree with the rear bumber [grill], but if you like it, it is your car.
Glad you persevered, that chop is spot on and very tough to pull off. The lines of the car look great. What are your plans for the car? While I agree with the Olds rear bumper, you HAVE to deep six those mirrors! I'd swap the painted headlight doors for stainless ones, pull the wipers (pop them on for rain only), and add stock style stainless to the windshied and rear gl*** (ditching the flush mount glued on style look).
Thanks for the c omments & suggestions. I kinda like the olds grille/bumper, however there's nothing nicer than '40 tail lights! I don't like the mirrors for sure, they are hokey to say the least. I have so many changes that are becoming more necessity and those that I'd like to change. Safety is first, therefore I would say the exhaust system is the next major issue, they have it snaked through the x member running to close to things like the m/c and it leaks through their lousy welding job into the interior. Unsafe like a few other things. Also I don't like the rear fenders molded to the body. I like the caddy tail lights but not as much as the '40 Deluxe. I drove it about 40 miles today and felt safe and comfortable except for the exhaust problem. Also changing out the rad as they have a cheap aluminum one and I have a walker z model for it. Without HAMB and the searches available, I'd still be in my garage!
Well its a nice looking car for sure. Bugs are always there when you buy a vehicle from someone else, once you get them worked out you can breath a sigh of relief until the next little glitch. Keep after it the car is worth owning.
I love it. Olds grille and all. I love stock 40 rears but that one looks good to me and is definitely different than all the others at a gathering. All the problems just gave you builders bragging rights when someone mentions the bought not built thing. Its all good !
I agree, very nice lines on that chop ; kinda Aussie sloper lookn' . Are you the same Hotrod Harry, that I have been talking to at Hershey for the last few decades? A very COOL '40 you have there!
I forgot to mention the exhaust system snakes though the X member and is welded at each spot saving hangers......... UGH!
Leave the Olds bumper, hell, it's a custom, looks good and different. I agree about how the gl*** is mounted, especially the back gl***. Doesn't look right for your car. But it's your car, and I wouldn't pick it apart if I walked up on it, I'd be impressed with the chop.
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