From memory, my 1st '40 coupe handled pretty good through the twistys. Any of the Fordbrain trust have any experience with what made the '40 coupes a favorite of the moonshiners besides a big trunk ? What did the shiners do to improve handling; springs, sway bars, track bars, shocks, etc. ? I have read a few stories on them, but they didn't get into the details except for heavier springs, and big motors. I have seen quite a few '40 coupes at the moonshine festival, but didn't think to crawl under any.
Moonshine '40 coupe moonshine handling
- Thread starter russcc
- Start date
Cool Kat with Hot Car
Senior Member
40 Deluxe cars came with a front sway bar. This allowed Ford to use a softer spring rate. The sway bar eliminated some of the springs role in control of body lean.
alanwoodieman
Well-known member
had a former moonshine hauler, a 40 sedan delivery that had had a tank in it, actually purchased a long time ago at a federal sale. It had dual shocks on all 4 corners, had helper spring on front and rear that looked like a garage door spring, plus extra leaves front and rear and front sway bar. didn't have enough sense, back then, to take pictures
sidevalve8ba
Well-known member
There is an excellent article in the latest issue of Rodder's Journal about a '39 Ford Coupe that was a moonshine hauler in Alabama in the 40's and early 50's. It has been in storage since then and is equipped with a flathead built by Vic Edelbrock, Sr. Quite an article and lots of great photos.
Pretty ingenious how they used a modified Model T rear spring as an overload spring on the rear axle. 15" ambulance wheels and Firestone racing tires were an added feature.
Pretty ingenious how they used a modified Model T rear spring as an overload spring on the rear axle. 15" ambulance wheels and Firestone racing tires were an added feature.
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Bob NH
Well-known member
Word has it that they will take some where in the neighborhood of 132 gallons after the reworking ! When I was in the army in Columbus, Ga. I visited a body shop that was building a "tanker" and made no bones about hiding it either. Of course that was back in 57, no idea what goes on down that way these days .
Thank you all. Great background information. When I was in North Wilkesboro NC, I went to the Wilkes County Heritage Museum moonshine exhibit. Wilkes County was called the Moonshine Capitol. In the museum was one of Junior Johnson's '40 Ford coupe race cars. Never thought to look under Junior's car to see what the suspension was. Thanks for the tip about the '39 in Rodder's Journal.
53F100Jeffie
Member
I saw a 1940 Ford Shine runner at the AACA car show in Hershey last October. If memory serves, it had a Caddy V8 and a lot of spring help.
An interesting part of Americana, I guess this is where Junior Johnson got started driving, before NASCAR....
Jeff
An interesting part of Americana, I guess this is where Junior Johnson got started driving, before NASCAR....
Jeff
V8COOPMAN
Well-known member
I believe they're talking about the start of NASCAR. Watched it last Sunday night, and fairly-well done with beaucoup old Ford hot rods/race car action. Both new, and original footage.........good stuff! Plays again tomorrow night (Saturday) on CH 327, (CMT) on Directv at 7:00 PM CST. DD
V8COOPMAN
Well-known member
You're right.......TV and scripting for sure, but if you know anything about the "charming" Bill France and his clan, some of his infamous personality and business traits are starting to rear-up in the first of this three-part series. Ya almost can't beat the old Fords, though. DD
sidevalve8ba
Well-known member
I believe the show they are referring to is "Americarna" featuring Ray Evernham which is on the Velocity Channel. I think this particular show was aired last season and featured Junior Johnson.
