What was it in its previous life?

[George V]

Picked this up for a possible build. The frame is butchered up pretty good. It has a 9inch reared in it and a tube front axle. The work is crude at best.

 

[Kube]

Looks like it was a 40 coupe at one point. Not much there worth saving I'm afraid.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

Looks like it was a 40 coupe at one point. Not much there worth saving I'm afraid.

Awe, c'mon man! We've all heard that YOU can make Chicken SALAD out of Chicken SCSHT! Well.......CAN'T YA? DD

 

[tubman]

"Not much there"; I agree, but what is there appears to be pretty solid. Up here in Minnesota, we'd find them rusted 6 inches up the body behind the doors.

 

[Tim Ayers]

With the firewall cut out like that and a later rear, I wonder if was an old drag car that had the engine set back

 

[tomcarman]

With the firewall cut out like that and a later rear, I wonder if was an old drag car that had the engine set back

I'm no expert but in my opinion it appears someone had it set up as a "Gasser". Given the extensive fire wall and floor pan surgeries, the straight tube front axle and rear end modifications it certainly fits the description.

 

[tubman]

I think you guys are correct saying drag car, but from what I see, it was an attempt and never saw the track.

 

[V8COOPMAN]

I think you guys are correct saying drag car, but from what I see, it was an attempt and never saw the track.

Thousands of guys with 'dreams' of a race car like this one likely saved many thousands of these cars from going straight to the crusher. Typically, a guy like this found a clapped-out coupe that SHOULD have been destined for the crusher, until "Race Boy" acquired it, mounted his prized set of 'RACING' GAUGES in the dash, torched that huge firewall hole for the dreamed-of "gi-hugic race engine", as well as to save weight. Crammed-in that "racing" Ford rear end with Daddy's welder for the massive drag racing torque expected. Girls, and a newer Mustang changed the direction and the car was pushed right out there amongst the trees like you see it, thus saving one more coupe for us restorer-types to be able to piece back together from the dead. So, who still says that "Wanna Be" hot rodders are bad souls? That coupe that the kid inadvertently saved is in way better shape than Kube's avatar. DD

 

[19Fordy]

V8: YOUR PHOTO OF THE 40 being demolished is painful.

 

[Ronnieroadster]

Looking closely I can see traction bars on the rear axle a straight tube front axle tube shock absorbers in the front and a nice matched set of front tires. The dash has a very nice selection of gauges. This may have been a Hot Rod or a Gasser for drag racing. Body looks to be maybe 46 to 48 or?
Ronnieroadster

 

[34pickup]

Looks like it was a 40 coupe at one point. Not much there worth saving I'm afraid.

Looks like a LOT there worth saving to me.

 

[Ggmac]

Ive saved MUCH worse . That isnt bad . But Im alot older now

 

[alanwoodieman]

I pulled a former dirt track 40 coupe out of a ditch at the back of the old race car shop--looked a lot worse than that. took a few pictures of it to commerce swap meet and a lot of guys came up and cut repair panel off of it. cost my 40 for the tow and I sold over 300 in patch panels and still have the cowl, rear window section and a goo front crossmember-so yes there is a lot of good in that car

 

[46HARLEY]

Yard art

 

[George V]

Yard art

The rusty one next to it is the yard art for sure. Although it does have an unmolested frame under it.

 

[George V]

It looks way worse than it is. Most of the panels are pretty solid. The window cranks are interesting. Never seen a hinged window crank. Heck the 9inch is worth a couple bucks. It came with a hood too.

 

[George V]

Thousands of guys with 'dreams' of a race car like this one likely saved many thousands of these cars from going straight to the crusher. Typically, a guy like this found a clapped-out coupe that SHOULD have been destined for the crusher, until "Race Boy" acquired it, mounted his prized set of 'RACING' GAUGES in the dash, torched that huge firewall hole for the dreamed-of "gi-hugic race engine", as well as to save weight. Crammed-in that "racing" Ford rear end with Daddy's welder for the massive drag racing torque expected. Girls, and a newer Mustang changed the direction and the car was pushed right out there amongst the trees like you see it, thus saving one more coupe for us restorer-types to be able to piece back together from the dead. So, who still says that "Wanna Be" hot rodders are bad souls? That coupe that the kid inadvertently saved is in way better shape than Kube's avatar. DD

It saw the track I believe. It came from Kokomo, IN. US 41 Dragstrip is located there. When I was a kid I spent many a weekend at US 30 Dragstrip my brother in-law ran a 67 Camaro there.

 

[34pickup]

It looks way worse than it is. Most of the panels are pretty solid. The window cranks are interesting. Never seen a hinged window crank. Heck the 9inch is worth a couple bucks. It came with a good too.

Those window cranks came off of an early 50s Chrysler product.

 

[George V]

Those window cranks came off of an early 50s Chrysler product.

Really. They are cool in my opinion. They still work like new. Not the window but the hinged cranks.

 

[George V]

I'm no expert but in my opinion it appears someone had it set up as a "Gasser". Given the extensive fire wall and floor pan surgeries, the straight tube front axle and rear end modifications it certainly fits the description.

Thats what I was thinking also.