Rumble Seat! 1939 Ford Deluxe Convertible Coupe
After serving one family since World War II, this 1939 Ford Deluxe Convertible Coupe in Lutz, Florida comes to market in non-running condition, but the seller reports the starter turns the motor even though it does not fire. With 98,466 miles on the odometer, the Ford seems to have avoided a comprehensive restoration, and shows a mixture of worn original parts, replacement parts, and non-original aftermarket pieces. The listing here on eBay features a host of excellent pictures and a good description. At least 17 bidders have elevated the market value of this drop-top classic beyond $19,000.
Ordinarily we’d expect a large rumble seat release and license plate holder at the rear. Perhaps our Ford experts can comment on whether relocating the release and smoothing the trunk lid was a common modification back in the day. Note the two simple steps allowing rear seat passengers to ascend into the standard equipment flip-up seat, the perfect opportunity for a private conversation with your sweetheart, weather permitting.
The “wide seat accommodates three,” according to Ford’s brochure, and I suggest you choose those two passengers wisely because it looks a bit tight to me. Art-deco instruments and the banjo steering wheel add style, while DIY carpeting on the floor and door panels promises to deaden sound and blend with the durable-looking vinyl upholstery.
What looks like late ’60s “Ford Blue” suggests an application before a time when originality mattered little and this was probably just “the old Ford” or “Grandpa’s old Ford.” The flathead V8 would have worn a deeper steely blue from the factory. Thanks to Wikipedia and lov2xlr8.no for some details. Deluxe models got the 85 HP flavored V8 while the base or “Ford V-8” models came with a thriftier 60 HP flathead by default. Though not running, this engine offers a much more optimistic starting point than many vehicles we see here.
A solid-looking undercarriage is worth showing off. For 1939 Ford finally abandoned mechanical brakes and implemented hydraulic or “juice” brakes, “a feature that will be appreciated by women drivers,” according to period Ford marketing. Personally I’d fix the safety and necessary items and drive this car as-is. Why not enjoy it without fretting about where you park your precious baby? The new owner could jazz up the flathead with period hot rod parts, go back to stock, or something in between. Would you take this mostly-stock Ford back to factory or customize it?
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Comments
This is a nice car, and yes, “shaving” the hoods and deck lids was a popular modification for a lot of years. Ever see a Mercury tail dragger with emblems on it? My lowered ’54 Chevy looked good without all the emblems and I found a bumper piece that I bolted to the rear bumper that made a “halo” around the license plate and had a small light in it. Don’t remember what brand car it came off of but it was neat. I’d clean the underside and paint the underside of this car, repaint the black, do the things to get the engine running and hit the streets on the weekends.
Deluxe sheet metal and accessory features.
Weren’t grills bright (?) pick-ups maybe not. One of you Ford guys will have answers..
Wow that is very cool. Great to see this and the Model A from earlier ‘side by side.’
Flexy hose? Don’t tell Mortske!
Oh how this is the next car for me. Just something. I’d take a 40 too. Think I’m gonna sell the 71 Ford big block 4speed and make room for a Sunday driver.
Actually that shade of blue isn’t all that far from the post war Fords—until ‘49 anyway. The blue from the ‘60s was darker than that. The actual ‘39 engine should have been dark green. Regardless, I wouldn’t turn a car like this one down if I could afford it. Three of my favorite convertibles/roadsters/cabriolets were ‘32, ‘35 and ‘39. Full driver-quality restoration would be the order of the day for me. But driving it would be mandatory…
that may be a 1940 Standard hood. the grill appears to be from a 1940 standard car. the cable pull on left side of the dash is a mystery as the hood latch was on the front of the hood on that model.
Based on stories from my father (RIP), I believe that from 38 – 40 they had a progression where the 38 Deluxe grill became the 39 Standard, 39 Deluxe became the 40 Standard. I can’t swear to it, but I know I liked the 39s better because the front windows rolled back before they went down (to allow smokers to flick their ashes). I believe that they went to Vent windows on the 40.
Joe, you are almost right. The Standard grills resembled the previous years Deluxe, but there are differences. This car definitely has a ’40 Standard grill. It looks flat black, it would have been body color with the chrome center. Most ’40 Standards I’ve seen (including mine) have a fully chrome grill, most likely aftermarket. The ’40 Standard has full length grill bars from center to edge. With the ’39 Deluxe grill the bars at the outer edge are shorter and they get longer as they head to the center. I believe that the hood is a ’39 Deluxe.
Yes, vent windows on the ’40. This being a convert it has wipers on the bottom of the windshield, but ’39 and prior closed cars, they were on top to allow the windshield to tilt outward. ’40 saw the wipers move to the lower location and the addition of a cowl vent
Thanks
You are correct on all you said
A whole lot of pictures at the end of the description, the car looks pretty solid and would benefit from a coat of paint underneath , a question for anyone who might know, what is that “garage door” looking spring that is below the front spring. I had a ’40 deluxe and I don’t recall seeing anything like that. I got up close & personal with my ’40’s front spring when I had to replace a broken front spring. Too bad the car is screaming for a repaint, otherwise I’d just get it running and safe and enjoy some top down cruising, very nice old Ford, I like it.
I’d bet the T handle on the dashboard opens the trunk in lieu of the removed outside handle. Did the same on a couple of my cars with kits from JC Whitney and other accessory companies. Never saw a spring setup like on the front suspension but that looks like a home grown piece that someone thought would make a steering stabilizer. Haven’t figured out how it works and what it’s supposed to do. Nice Ford moosie!
Thank you bobhess, I figured that spring was some kind of home grown mod too. I wish I still owned that ’40, had plans to hot rod it but couldn’t give up driving it so it stayed basically stock except for a 12v volt alternator and 15″ radials.
If someone gets this for $20K it will be a steal in my thoughts. I’m searching for a stock 40 coupe and after looking at several, I realize many sellers are outrageous in pricing for a bucket of rust with parts missing. There are a lot of them out there, but wondering if I need another old convertible in my garage. No, want the coupe.