39 vs 40

wickcopland

wickcopland

Senior Member
Since I started on this incredible journey, I have found that the parts available for the 40 models has been easier to find than the parts for the 39. Is this my imagination or is the 40 more popular?
 
I feel I can offer an opinion based on decades of experience.
A "like" car '39 vs. '40, by that I mean model and condition, the '40 will nearly always be valued higher.
There are exceptions of course but again "apples to apples", the '40 will realize a higher sale price.
 
My off-the-cuff guess on this:
It's kinda like the '57 Chevy. Was the '57 any better than a '55 or '56? But somehow the '57 became more desirable. Likewise the '40 Ford was the one everyone wanted, even when I was a teenager. More of them got saved from junkyard fate. More of them are around today. So more parts available today.
 
I have owned both. I think the shift lever on the column, sealed beam headlights and "normal" wheels, of the 1940, are major wins for the 1940.
 
When I was a callow youth, I thought that a '40 Ford DeLuxe was the cat's meow. Now after many decades, as far as styling is concerned, a properly done '39 DeLuxe wins, hands down.

It can be ruined quite easily though, just add an aftermarket sealed beam conversion.
 
When I sold my '40 1 1/2 ton to buy a easier to drive around town p/u of the same era I was focused on a '40'-41 p/u not an "ugly" '38/'39. But in time I realized that everyone(?) had or wanted a '40/'41. So when Rusty came available I reconsidered a '39 and looking back I'm glad I did. The old barrel nose has really grown on me. Yes, the wide fives are a bit strange but it is what it is.
 
I've had both and I agree with Tubman that overall, the deluxe '39 is the better-styled vehicle.


Sorry, Mike.:)
 
tubman said:
When I was a callow youth, I thought that a '40 Ford DeLuxe was the cat's meow. Now after many decades, as far as styling is concerned, a properly done '39 DeLuxe wins, hands down.

It can be ruined quite easily though, just add an aftermarket sealed beam conversion.
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DavidG said:
I've had both and I agree with Tubman that overall, the deluxe '39 is the better-styled vehicle.


Sorry, Mike.:)
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AND that ALSO applies to 1939 & 40 Mercury's too!!!! IMO and with sincere apologies to Kube as well!!!
 
Guys, we all enjoy what we enjoy. No harm, no foul.

The original post was questioning why '40 parts seem more available than '39 parts.
 
Just from my 57 years of memories of chasing, buying and going to car shows with my Dad through today, 1940's have crossed our paths more than 39's, I would say three to one - 40 to 39 Fords.....Mercury.....not so much. I think the ICONIC status of the 40 Coupe a-la "moonshining", "dirt track racing", it was the first car my Dad went on a date in, a coupe was one of the first V8's after my Dad bought our 37 Station Wagon......The 40 coupe (Like Model A's, everyone has a 40 Coupe story at car shows), I believe, help carry over the 40 in popularity and been woven into the past of SO many V8'er's pasts!!!!! I think, of the fat fender era of V8 Fords....The 40 Coupe is the 1932 Roadster in the Early era of V8 Fords. JMO
 
alchemy said:
Not much in this world is prettier than a 40 Standard Ford.
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1940 Standard
1940-Ford-V8-Coupe-630x354.jpg
 
Much better with painted headlight bezels and grill IMO
 

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Yep, the simplicity of the painted grille sides and headlight rings, coupled with the smooth flow from the chin all the way back over the fender, makes it a sight to truly enjoy. No extraneous bends or unnecessary chrome like the deluxe has.
 
39s can be a real mystery as it seems to have been a transition year with some parts carried over from 38 mixed with 39 only and some that carried over into 40s It just keeps the treasure hunt interesting ?
 
I think it was Dave Cole who did an article in the V8 Times years ago about the refinements made for the 1940 Ford. The article explained the changes made the 1940 cars a much nicer place to be. I was skeptical, but after driving and riding in multiple nice 1939 and 1940 Fords I have to agree that the 1940s are much nicer to drive and ride in. That probably helped their popularity, which in turn helps the parts supply.
 
The 1939 Ford.

The 1939 is beautiful. The 1940, while pleasing to the eye, looks like a 1939 with a bunch of stuff tacked on it. That 39 grill is much more attractive, as are the teardrop headlights and tail lights, than the 40 offerings. Pop out windshield, floor shifter, banjo wheel, also add to the charm of the 39.
 
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