1939 ford convertible

G

gajeepguy

Senior Member
Guys, right now there is a 1939 Ford convertible on ebay (232112107474) In the really detailed photos of this car it plainly shows a 1940 standard dash with a column shift transmission. What gives with this? Even if it is 39 sheet metal on a 40 body, it is my understanding that there were no 40 standard convertibles. I'd like to hear other's opinions on just what this is. Thanks.
 
I've seen that car. It is a '39 convertible with a '40 dash, etc. Quite a common swap back in the day.
It (the car) is nothing like what that eBay ad describes. Rather, it is a pretty much a piece of poopy.

There were no '40, so called "standard" (properly: Ford V8) convertibles built.
 
It's obviously a '39 body with the short, convertible top and the rumble seat. Did you not notice the add-on '40 taillights and headlight doors? Kind of typical of easily added upgrades. I'd surely be hesitant about buying something like that from a dealer!!!!! DD

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For a dealer, he seems not to glorify it TOO much. He says " The manual convertible top condition mirrors the finish of the lower body." They show pictures of the torn and tattered top and pretty much admit the body is in like condition.

You have to read between the lines :)
 
I stopped by their showroom when I was in St. Louis once. They had what, on the surface, looked like a really nice 50 baby Lincoln convertible for sale a year or so ago. They had an interesting collection of cars in there. Worth the visit as I was in the area.
 
I don't know what the reserve is but they will probably haggle with someone who they suspect is a real buyer. Anybody have a guess as to what it is worth in its present condition?
 
I gotta say that's a nice combination of parts, really like 39 deluxe models. The 40 dash and column change is prettier in my opinion, as are the headlight assemblys. I prefer the 39 tail lights though. The big thing here for me is the top and rear deck, this is far prettier on the 39. The 40 version with its longer roof looks kinda klumpy in comparison.
These are my opinions.
There are enough pics to see quite clearly the condition (to me anyhow) I'd also be interested in the value of something like this? Can't see me ever being able to afford a nice one. Although, a lottery win would have me beating down Mike's door.
A question, this car has a rumble seat, was the convert available with out the rumble but with a proper size deck lid? That would be my preference.
Martin.
 
The '39 Convertible Coupe came with the Rumbleseat. In '39 Ford only built two convertible styles, the Convertible Coupe with Rumbleseat and the Convertible Sedan.
 
A lot of hoopla over nothing, the car is very clearly a '39 Ford conv with some '40 added features..
To my knowledge the '39 conv's only came with the rumble seat option, that being the last year that Ford offered that option. The column shift was not a '39 Ford option, it was for DeLuxe models of GM and Chrysler built cars.
I guess the seller could have been a little more clear about the modifications to the car, however, when all is said and done, the pictures tell the whole story.
 
The car looks pretty nice. I wonder when all the mods were made? If they were back in the day when a 39 Ford was just considered an old car, then wouldn't seem pretty ops normal? Isn't that what many folks did? Steve
 
Steves46 said:
The car looks pretty nice. I wonder when all the mods were made? If they were back in the day when a 39 Ford was just considered an old car, then wouldn't seem pretty ops normal? Isn't that what many folks did? Steve
Click to expand...

Yep Steve, lots of cars were modified similar to this one "back in the day". No issue with that.
The issue is the totally bogus description.
 
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Roger-that. I have read some pretty entertaining ones on some of the cars advertised on other classic car dealership websites and even private owner's. :)
 
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