39 DeLuxe Tudor in black... I LIKE IT!!! Nice mods, too. I would recommend that you keep the electric fuel pump as a "back up" to the stock mechanical pump- They will work together, and the electric will serve as a "primer" when you turn the key on. I'm sure you've already got a fuel pressure regulator, too. That will help you from weeping fuel out of all the carb crevasses. Congrats Ryan!
Since this has become about driving an original (mostly) old car or truck, I'll share this. Many years ago I found a sweet '68 F-250 with just 45K on it. Simple - 360/4 speed granny, low end Custom, but tight and clean. I drove that truck as a daily for three years and just loved it. It had "soul" - ya' know what I mean? Then I had the "opportunity" to redo it completely - new 428 CJ/ C-6, discs, power steering, air - the works. Well it was a killer truck after the rebuild but I just never felt the same about it again. So I sold it. Not all old cars have that spirit or soul, but when you find one that has survived ages of use and has that magic, I think it has a right to live on.
Very inspiring, this is the feeling when I drive the shoebox. And when it is done I shall drive the crap out of it. She is mechanically brand new, but completely original, dropped the old way and a loud fresh flathead. drives like a dream. But until then I can enjoy my recent purchase. A completely original and very well maintained 65 F250... To truly enjoy the old cars I think you have to experience the old mechanics of them as well.
Awsome car. Used Bob's Auto Glass for my 40 Sedan nothing but good things to say great guy great customer support, you'll be glad you replaced it when its done make sure the fuzzy's you order have the push-in clips already installed.
hey ryan,bluesman here,,,u got yourself a nice car,im the one that drove it to the day of the drags last year!!! I thought to long about buying that car..Im glad to see u have it, and its right here in texas..congrats man.
You're killin' me with those gorgeous shots of your '39, Ryan! I am jonesin' so bad to get mine on the road this spring, fingers crossed. The black wheels and blackwalls are exactly what I have planned for mine, except I'm running '40 Ford steelies. The wide fives were gone when I bought mine. I drove a stock '50 F1 daily for four years. A '39 Tudor is going to be puss, compared to that.
Ryan, just finished reading this post and I must say that I envy you people that can drive these cars all year long. A daily commute must be healing for the soul and the "slowing" down must be known to most of us, owning these great old cars. Driving my 49 Caddy sure sets its own pace, so I look forward to experiencing just that and even "slower" in my Deuce tudor. Thank you for a good read!
My grandpa had a blacked out '39 tudoor sedan just like yours Ryan. The only difference is that he ran one bar flippers up front, skirts out back, Appleton spot, and a Fulton Visor. I would love to clone my grandpas old '39 sedan someday.
You lucky guy, I hope to be following in your shoes once the A is done. Maybe sooner if I happen on a sedan like yours, perfect for the family.
RYAN Maybe Ive got some mild form of OCD, but even a smudge on the tires would put me over the edge. That's funny Ryan. Since I put WWW on my 40, I'm the same way. They got to be clean It's like chrome to me, it's gotta shine! That makes it a double whammy for me, chrome wheels with white walls!
finishing off my pickup at the moment ready to be a daily, you summed up perfectly why I want to drive an old car every day to work. Nothing beats staring at your ride out the office window for a bit of mid afternoon inspiration.
i've been think'n for awhile on builing an all wheel drive slammed 40 fiberglass willys coupe so i can drive it all year round without worry'n about the weather or rust an most of all just to piss people of that see it be'n driven here in the canadain winter....thought about go'n further with a licence plate that reads all steal...that otta turn them heads haaaaaaaaaaaaa...i may do it yet!!!
I corresponded with a company, I think it was Willys Hot Rods, that produces a glass Willys coupe and pickup for use on S10 frames. They didnt see any problem with using a four-wheel drive chassis, though youd have to mess with drive shaft lengths due to the engine relocation required. My wife and I have joked about building a fauxtinad 57 Corvette replica on an AWD Bravada frame to use as a winter beater, just for the freak-out factor. Too bad nobody makes an all glass 41 Willys wagon (hell, they make faux-wood fiberglass entry doors now, why not a woody wagon?), that with some knobby Jeep tires on an old S10 4x4 frame would be an awesome vehicle for the Michigan winter. Steel is real, but Ill take a stylish fake if I have to. -Dave
Your 39 is my new desktop wallpaper...absolutely beautiful. Love everything about the car, especially the black/black rolling stock. Lucky duck!
I really like the 39 deluxe, so of course I am envious. I drive my coupe as a daily for the same reasons, it makes the world right. Just better in an old hotrod. I would love to be in the position to make an old car my true daily, hopefully someday. That car really looks better in black. I am not a real whitewall fan.
Your story reminds me of riding to work with my Dad in his '52 Plymouth when I was 18. I sure miss those days but I get 'em back when I get a chance to drive my '66 Valiant.
That is poetry!!! That is pure utopia. I'll be thinking about that all night! I am jealous. Jeffrey James, your pic of that car is now my computer's background.
39 deluxe and 40 std are ae my all time favorite cars. Yours looks increadible. Great write up! I do have a serious question though. What do you do about insurance? All the classic car insurance companies I have talked to only cover to / from shows events and limited pleasure driving. I would hate to have to deal with someone from Progressive because their client rear ended my "junky old car"
I love the passion of a daily driver. Mine is a "barn truck," but it fits my culture. I hope all goes well for a long time!