Hey guys! I just thought I would share my new project! Here is my new to me 1940 Ford Convertible. I wasn't really looking for another project, but I could not p*** this one up! Long story short - I was talking to my old boss and long time friend since. He is a popular Mustang guy (80's and 90's 5.0's in particular), and not really into old cars. In conversation, he mentioned he needed to get rid of his father in-laws '40 Ford. My ears perked up, and I started asking questions. He made me a deal I could not turn down, so needless to say, I made the 250 mile adventure back to my old stomping grounds in SoCal and picked up a new project!! Feb 10th, we dug the car out of a 2 car garage that it had been sitting in for 4-5 years in a partially dismantled state. I brought the car home to Lake Havasu AZ, and enlisted the help of my buddy Karl, who lives down the street. He is an avid car guy, and loves metal work. I asked him to get me on the list for help. The car went to his house on Feb 26th to "help me". Helping me has turned into him running away and killing it!! There has been a ton of progress in just about a month. I am going to try to keep this momentum and get this thing drivable this calendar year! Here was pickup day 2/10/25! I was so excited, I forgot to take any more pictures! Feb 26th, it was delivered to Karl's house, and we were looking it over with my dad and uncle: It didn't take too long for Karl to begin the tear down and discover how bad the floors were: Shortly thereafter, the body came off the frame, and the floors got cut out: Test fitting the floors: And finally, here is the new floors tack welded in place with the body setting back on the frame: I am currently waiting for wheel tubs (due in the next couple of days, and then we will begin focusing on the ch***is. I am going to do Mustang II IFS, a cut down explorer 8.8 disc brake rear axle with triangulated 4 link and coil overs front and rear. I am going to do a 302/5.0 SBF and a 5 speed trans, and the plan is to stay kind of "traditional" hot rod on the exterior/appearance.
Great project. No offense amigo but IFS and related components are persona non grata around here so don’t mention it or the might get deleted.
I don't see the supports that go between the A and B pillars They are about 3/16 in. thick and curved. They are there because it's a convert and are not used on closed cars.
You should have run into them as you removed the rusty floors. They are under the door "sills"; the sills go over the edge of the floor under the doors and back as far as the "kick up". Look up "full length rocker panel" at Dennis Carpenter web site. You might get in contact with Mike Kubarth ( Kube) on the Fordbarn. He was key in producing the new 40 Ford restoration book and has restored convertibles , coupes, sedans and pickups.
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