40 Opera Coupe


For years we were taught Pluto was a planet. Now we know that is not true. Do we continue to teach kids that it is simply because they may understand it better?
No, 'we' changed the definition of a planet and now Pluto doesn't quite fit. It still orbits the sun, exactly as it has since it was discovered and named a planet. So, if we change the rules of what something is called, does it change what it is?

We have known for decades that Columbus did not in fact discover America. Do we continue to teach our kids that he did because it 'fits' in to the common myths easier?
While we now know that Leif Ericson discovered North America prior to Columbus, it was Columbus' 'discovery' that led to settlement and European colonization of America and North America.

While the list of examples goes on and on my reasoning remains the same. That is, we know the correct terminology. Call them whatever you choose but given the opportunity, teach correctly please.
What is the purpose of teaching? It is to further understanding. Knowing exact facts does not necessarily do this, knowing facts in context does. That's why Pluto is still a planet & Columbus discovered America & the Wright brothers were the first in flight...these things further our understanding of the topics they represent - Pluto made us re-evaluate what it means to be a planet by being a new class of planetoid, Columbus may not have been the first, but was certainly the most pertinent to our history - Ericson left nothing. And the Wright brothers spawned the golden age of aviation.

Lawson is the most correct. ;)
 
Thanks Barry, The ID that seems correct and matches the time honored description of most Ford lovers is " a 1940 Ford coupe with opera seats" and then most everyone knows what the hell car you are talking about.
 
So... There are Opera Seats in Business Coupes?

Maybe Lawson should co-author that chapter!

Alan, you've already surmised we are fighting a loosing battle here.
I was taught years ago, if ya can't be right, be loud. Or, as some guy might say, "if ya can't be smart, be tough".
Some guys just don't care to learn, especially when it goes against something they believe and / or have invested in.
I hope Lawson is keeping a careful eye on documentation as he's writing his book. Are you Lawson?
Personally I like to learn. Writing this '40 book has taught me much already and subsequently changed prior beliefs. I can only imagine the backlash by some when it is published - never mind the documentation! With all the very high point 40 Fords I've restored, I have found that there were mistakes made. If I made them, you can bet LOTS of others did as well. How much would you like to bet nearly all will NOT accept the documented proof but rather insist their cars remain correct?
Oh well, all I can do is be a good messenger...

What gets me most in instances like this post is the original post asked what terms the two coupes were given. Only a few of us actually answered the guys question. The rest, while perhaps adding to our discussion did little to answer the question posed. I only hope the original poster got what he desired out of this...
Alan, kind regards to you sir.
Mike
 
First........Sorry to bring back an old post.....but, What is the difference in the floors? Last time I called PB, he was running about 6 months out on floors & said that "Spardo" may have some.

Chris Nelson
Kansas



Paul Bradley can also explain the differences in the jump seat coupe as opposed to the package tray coupe...they are built into the floors he manufactures!
 
I have a friend that has a '41 "Coupe" with a package tray and split bench seat. He found a set of "Opera/Auxiliary" seats at a swap meet (not sure what year car they came out of), that he wants to install in his '41. My question is; is the mounting hardware the same from say '39 to '41, and does anyone re-pop it or will he have to keep searching? I've always known Coupes, with Opera/auxiliary seats, to be referred to as "Opera Coups", right, wrong or indifferent. My preference is to refer to them as "Opera Coupes", as everyone seems to know what you are talking about, and it just sounds a lot better than "Auxiliary Coupes"... It really comes down to semantics, as it appears Ford used both nomenclatures as a reference, and in this case I agree with what Lawson said. :)
 
You may be interested to know a guy here(Richard Pears) flew a powered flight 9 months before the wright Bros
No, 'we' changed the definition of a planet and now Pluto doesn't quite fit. It still orbits the sun, exactly as it has since it was discovered and named a planet. So, if we change the rules of what something is called, does it change what it is?


While we now know that Leif Ericson discovered North America prior to Columbus, it was Columbus' 'discovery' that led to settlement and European colonization of America and North America.


What is the purpose of teaching? It is to further understanding. Knowing exact facts does not necessarily do this, knowing facts in context does. That's why Pluto is still a planet & Columbus discovered America & the Wright brothers were the first in flight...these things further our understanding of the topics they represent - Pluto made us re-evaluate what it means to be a planet by being a new class of planetoid, Columbus may not have been the first, but was certainly the most pertinent to our history - Ericson left nothing. And the Wright brothers spawned the golden age of aviation.

Lawson is the most correct. ;)
 
You may be interested to know a guy here(Richard Pears) flew a powered flight 9 months before the wright Bros

Yep, and the Germans claimed their guy did it first.

My point was that it really doesn't matter - none of the others changed powered flight the way the Wrights did. Just like no other auto manufacturer changed automobiles like Henry Ford did.

It comes back to - if a tree falls in the forest and there's nobody there to hear it, did it make a sound? :D
 
I grew up in the back jump seats of a 41 business coupe. In 41 I was four and always rode on a junp seat. I kept toys and stuff in the little galley to the rear of the seats. I learned to l drive in that car. I hade even doubled date in that car. The kids in the back hadda be very friendly as there was very little space. I loved that car.
Clem
 
Not to be "picky" or argumentative, but those of you that have a 28 to 48 parts book (green book) look on page760 where the models are shown and you will see;
model 67A Standard Business Coupe
model 67B DeLuxe Business Coupe
model 77A Standard (5- window ) Coupe
model 77B DeLuxe (5- window) Coupe
So, you could have a Business Coupe or a 5-Window Coupe. Selah!!
 
It now appears from recently discovered archives that Richard Pearse did not even get started building an aeroplane until around 1910.
Chris.NZ.
 
Not to belabor the point,:( but the Early Ford V8 Club list the following Car Codes for 1940 on their web site (see below). Included on that list are two Coupes identified this way:

1940 Ford Deluxe Business (Opera) Coupe 01A-67B
1940 Ford Standard Business (Opera) Coupe 01A-67A

So, if the EFV8 Club recognizes the term "Opera Coupe" as it applies to 1940 Ford automobiles, that should be enough evidence for everyone that 1940 Ford "Opera Coupes" were built by Ford and referred to as "Opera Coupes" in various Ford written material relating to 1940 Ford automobiles. Imagine that.:eek:;)

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YearManufacturerModelCar Code1940Ford(deluxe) sedan delivery01A-78B1940Forddeluxe 5-windowcoupe01A-77B 1940Ford deluxe business (opera) coupe01A-67B 1940Forddeluxe convertible club coupe01A-76A1940Forddeluxe fordor sedan01A-73B1940Forddeluxe stationwagon01A-79B1940Forddeluxe tudor sedan01A-70B1940Fordpanel delivery01A-80C1940Fordpickup01A-80A1940Fordstandard 5-windowcoupe01A-77A 1940Fordstandard business (opera) coupe01A-67A 1940Fordstandard fordor sedan01A-73A1940Fordstandard stationwagon01A-79A1940Fordstandard tudor sedan01A-70A
 
I dont believe that for a minute .I would like to know your source .?? Eye witnesses verify by affidavit that he flew twice at the end of march 1903 .his engine produced exceptional power due to its innovative design .
It now appears from recently discovered archives that Richard Pearce did not even get started building an airplane until around 1910.
Chris.NZ.
 
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