Frame-off Restoration, Exceptional Driver, Gorgeous Color, Rare Trailer Included

1940 Ford Standard Coupe Additional Info:

How long have you had your favorite car? For the man who owned and restored this gorgeous 1940 Ford coupe, it became a 60-year love affair. Purchased in 1960 as nothing more than a used car, he discovered that it made him happier than any other vehicle before or since. During those six decades, he treated it to a very high-quality restoration, took two cross-country trips in it (without incident, by the way!), and accumulated a comprehensive collection of manuals, tools, and other accessories including a rare Mullins Red Cap trailer from the late 1930s. Not only does this 1940 Ford have a fantastic history, but it’s an extremely high-quality car that runs and drives better than any flathead Ford we’ve ever experienced. It’s hard to say something is unquestionably “the best” but this lovely coupe is certainly in contention.

In 1940, Ford called this color Mandarin Maroon, and it is one of the most traditional of all Ford colors of the pre-war era. It looks particularly good on the coupe, combining a sporty demeanor with a highly functional practicality that we find very appealing. The Standard models retained 1939’s slightly V-shaped grille, which, along with the painted headlight rings, give this Ford a distinctly unique look compared to the far more common Deluxe models. The rest of the sheetmetal is the same, with the coupe body style designed to be appealing to traveling salesmen who needed the vast trunk for storing their samples. It was treated to a frame-off restoration several years ago, after which it won just about every award such a car can win. But winning awards wasn’t why this car was restored—it was restored to drive, and it does that exceedingly well. Despite two cross-country trips to the west coast and back, the lovely paint job still looks spectacular, offering a deep shine and a rich color that makes people want to touch the paint to see if it’s still wet. Fit and finish are exemplary and given that the car was just 20 years old when it was retired to hobby status, it shouldn’t be surprising that it has never been rusty or wrecked. Details like the ornate V8 emblem on the nose, the simple bumpers, and polished stainless trim are all in excellent condition and even the rubber running boards look almost new. Even with some miles on it, this car could probably be competitive on the show field today.

The tan leather interior isn’t quite standard specification, but Ford would have built a car like this for you if you’d asked, so it isn’t incorrect. The materials and patters are quite correct, from the comfortable bench seat to the rubber floor covering that was designed for low maintenance. Subtle woodgraining on the window garnish moldings makes it feel dressed-up, while the body-colored dash and steering wheel work well with the ivory gauge panel. Controls are simple: a 3-speed manual shifter on the steering column, a trio of pedals on the floor, and lots of space for comfort. The gauges are all restored and fully operational, and even the accessory AM radio works like it should. The controller for the Columbia 2-speed rear end is under the dash, along with the knobs for the throttle, choke, and headlights. Lift up the rear seat back and you’ll find a good-sized storage compartment for tools and spare parts, all of which are included with the car, as well as a handy fire extinguisher. The trunk is likewise massive, and includes a matching spare tire and jack assembly, plus more factory tools stashed in the trays under the mat. And you’ll note there’s exactly zero rust in there, which is always where problems start.

The engine is a correct 221 cubic inch flathead V8 that was rebuilt to factory specifications and detailed for show. Ford Green paint on the engine itself, a proper oil bath air cleaner up top, and wonderful little details like the color-coded spark plug wires and Ford script radiator hoses. There’s even a reproduction topper for the battery that simulates an original Ford script 6-volt unit. All traces of Flathead Fever have been eradicated from this car, as it runs nice and cool under any conditions, even while crossing the Rocky Mountains. It starts quickly and easily, idles so smoothly you can scarcely hear it run, and pulls the coupe around with the enthusiasm that has made flatheads so beloved. If you want a tour car that always puts a smile on your face, this is it. It’s just a joy to drive.

This was a frame-off restoration, and while the undercarriage was highly correct and well detailed when the restoration was finished, it does show some minor signs of use since it was completed. The floors are correct red oxide primer, the suspension and brakes have been rebuilt, and the 3-speed manual transmission shifts cleanly with good clutch action. Out back there’s a Columbia two-speed rear end, a popular accessory that gives this coupe 65 MPH highway cruising speeds and a very relaxed attitude. A correct single exhaust system sounds right, just a light V8 burble from the tailpipe, and this well-sorted coupe rides better than almost any other vintage Ford we’ve driven. Ford had adopted hydraulic brakes in 1939, so this one stops straight and true every time. You’ll note a built-in receiver hitch on the rear of the frame, but it was so neatly done that it’s almost easy to think that the factory built it that way. Correct 16-inch steel wheels were painted to match the bodywork and fitted with hubcaps, trim rings, and flashy 6.00-16 Firestone wide whitewall tires.

That trailer hitch was installed so this car could pull that ultra-rare Mullins Red Cap trailer, which was just as meticulously restored as the rest of the car. Wearing the same Mandarin Maroon finish, it complements the Ford beautifully and adds enough storage space that you can take everything you need everywhere you go. In addition, it comes with a very rare accessory pop-up tent that transforms the trailer into a cozy 2-person shelter that was obviously useful for the salesman on a long road trip. It’s awesome for shows and really attracts attention. Experts estimate that fewer than 100 Mullins Red Cap trailers exist (less than 1000 were built) and they’ve become so scarce that the hubcaps along cost more than $1000, never mind the cost to restore them to like-new condition. This combination is a show-stopper everywhere it goes.

There’s also an extensive collection of period literature, including manuals, advertisements, and dealer papers that were accumulated by a dedicated collector over the course of more than five decades. 

It’s hard to say which is more impressive: the car itself or the dedication behind its preservation. Either way, it has a fantastic story to tell and you know that it has been as well cared-for as any car you could possibly own. No stories, no excuses, no asterisks. This is flat-out the most endearing flathead Ford we’ve ever seen.