My first attempt at a 40's custom- "round 1"

As some of you know I recently bought an old 41 Ford convertible...a car I have always wanted. It has sat untouched since the early 60's. I got it running and driving, made it reliable as I can (for now) and started cleaning it up. I wanted to make it a late 40's era custom. Nothing radical, more of a stock car with some small modifications. I have never dealt with a "custom" car before. I have always messed with hot rods. I knew I wanted the nose high look. So I looked on here and old books, and diggin for treasures.

I lowered it 1" in the front, and 2 1/2" in the back. It's not supper low. Thats not the point. I was not around in the 40's but from what I have seen, this is the proper stance. It had a pair of ugly miss matched spotlights already in it, and I got a set of nice Appletons 112's from Curbspeed on here. The car has the nose and center hood shaved, as well as the cowl vent filled (I'm going to open the cowl vent back up). I picked up a set of skirts on Fordbarn, some new firestones from a good friend Couverkid, and my best score of all was the caps. We have a weird hub cap guy here in Spokane. He sells hub caps and has THOUSANDS. A little digging revealed two VERY VERY NICE real deal Hollywood flippers for Ford rims. Yes please! Thats about it on modifications aside from some trinkets and such.

The heading mentions "Round 1". This is the first go-round for the ol tub. I have plans to put a new engine in it as this one is tired. It will be another flathead and have a little speed equipment. I do eventually wanna chop it, do the body work, full upholstery and such down the line. Like all my past cars I will enjoy it how it is for now- an original. It's not that bad of a car, but I want it REALLY nice. Rechromed Super Deluxe bumpers are in the works, and maybe...maybe 1" lower all the way around.


This is the car I have lusted for over the past couple years...I'm nearly certain these two pictures are the same car






Heres what I stared with 2 or so months ago:








And here it is as of tonight. Like I said not too fancy and note near done yet, but getting there. Car is stock under the hood.

 

I quite like it.

Clean and subtle.

 

It looks awesome Chris!

 

Definate improvement!
I agree with 1 inch lower all around, being careful to keep the perfect speedboat stance. Beautiful car with loads of potential to be a perfect 40s custom, but as it sits, its already perfect!
The jealousy is overwhelming

 

everytime i come on here you have a new project

 

Like I said man, I think it's perfect. Little photoshop on my iphone.....

 

You devil, you. That looks righteous just the way it is.

 

this is going to be so cool I cant wait to see her done.

 

I like it understated but period. Don't need no chop as the top goes down.

 

Boy. that is right out of my era. I would think twice before I continued. Maybe a new seat cover. Very cool.

 

From the moment you bought this thing Chris I was hoping you'd go this route (of course it wasn't my car so why should I chime in.) Love it as it is, but I really really like the direction you are headed. Damn jealous you found those flipper hubcaps.

 

Very cool!

 

Looks good. You know what these old Ford's need.

Is the white and blue house your new "crib" ?

 

It looks really good. Something you would have seen in the mid to late 40's. A total working class guy mild custom. Doesn't need much to look good. You nailed what you were going for.

 

Looks great! Spot-on.

 

Very nice! I like it a lot.

 

You hit it right on the head ! Beautiful Job...!

 

Chris, Thats looks great... Are you going to do any body mods ? It screams for 41 Studebaker Tail Lights. Keep us posted !

 

Dig the direction you're going with it. Something about 41's really grab me. You got any plans for bumpers?

 

Looks real good,im really diggin it.

 

That is a beauty!

 

Chris: You are headed in the right direction my friend. I rode to my first drag race in 1952 at Arlington,Wa. drag strip in a 1941 Ford primered convert that was chopped 3" and had a "Carson" style top on it. Had a hopped up flathead also. Hope to see you and your Dad at Monroe in a couple of weeks. The 112's look bitchin. Terry

 

Very Nice Chris! It looks great the way it is but eventually a mild chop would be cool!

 

Hero status...

Next on my list is a 40's Custom too. Can't wait to see what happens next.

 

Looks great Chris.
The whitewalls and caps make such a difference!
Part 2 will be that very mild chop right?


Marcy

 

Dang,love the 40s styling!I envy you finding those hubcaps..If the car was mine I`d lose all the stainless on fenders and would give a serious thought about mild chop and padded top.What a beautiful ride,congrats.

 

Thats my plan this winter- spruce up the interior best I can (and cheap...I'm broke ). I have a set of NOS red plaid covers for it already...

 

No, I'm still at my ol place. This house is around the corner...late 40's house and nothing really around it to say otherwise so it looked like a good place for pics.

 

yeppers!

 

Thats it exactly. I want a car that maybe a richy high school kid or college kid would have driven. I like the working class guy thing. Nothing over the top, It will never be the new cool thing. Just a simple, honest TRUE 40's style car.