Rare '40 convertible restoration project

Thought you guys may find this sway bar interesting. It's the first design used in 1940. VERY rare these days as most (nearly all) that were installed (well in to January, 1940) had been swapped at dealerships for the second and final design you are most familiar with.
I've seen three of these assemblies in all of my years. One was on the last coupe I'd restored and one is on a car not far from here.
These may be as rare as the electric clock - perhaps more so.
 

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Even from the bottom side, the 40 Ford has sexy body lines!
 

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Mike if it’s already covered In this thread I apologize for asking, but a mercury in a Ford question. Would the engine be ford green or the mercury engine color when installed in a 1940. Whilst on this topic what does the original mercury color look like? Blue?
 
35fordtn said:
Mike if it’s already covered In this thread I apologize for asking, but a mercury in a Ford question. Would the engine be ford green or the mercury engine color when installed in a 1940. Whilst on this topic what does the original mercury color look like? Blue?
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Ford did not start painting the Merc engines blue until 1941 I believe. Before that, they were green.
 
Just stamping the blocks with a "99" wasn't working out to ID them at the factory so the dark blue color change was the what they came up with. It probably was in late 1940 or early 41 when they changed the casting cores and shell mold to the later design which eliminated the core sand holes in the pan rail and changed the profile of the intake deck to have the raised appearance. The 239 engines kept this color thru 1948.
 
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rotorwrench said:
Just stamping the blocks with a "99" wasn't working out to ID them at the factory so the dark blue color change was the what they came up with. It probably was in late 1940 or early 41 when they changed the casting cores and shell mold to the later design which eliminated the core sand holes in the pan rail and changed the profile of the intake deck to have the raised appearance. The 239 engines kept this color thru 1948.
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Very good and accurate information Rotor... as usual!
To add a bit: The so called "program" with which a person might get a Merc engine installed in a '40 Ford was unofficial in 1940. That, and the very cumbersome requirements to even seek permission for such an install no doubt kept the number so built extremely low.
In 1941, this "program" became official but remained largely "unannounced". The number of '41 Fords built with a Merc engine was quite a bit higher than the previous year.

NO 1939 Fords were built with a Mercury engine. Sorry guys - it simply didn't happen.
As a side note of sorts, the "raised deck" blocks were not introduced until August 1940, far too late to have been installed in any 1940 Ford.

By the way, I have witnessed first hand a total of four (well documented) 1940 Fords built with a Mercury engine. All engines were painted green as were the transmissions. I had owned one of these cars and still own one other.
 
I managed to get the "rear" assembled and installed in the car late yesterday. I am so thrilled this car is coming together.
 

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Mike,

I am sure you have been asked this a hundred times but I'll ask once more; what paint do you use on the frame and suspension? Thanks.
 
Kube,

Your top notch. One word "amazing". I'm 74 over the years I have done a number of restorations, lots of work. I don't have the drive and time to do any more. I'm still working full time at my business. Wish I could still burn the midnight candle ! Keep up the posts. By the way I have a friend that just purchased a 39 convertible coupe, would you know where the spare tire was keep on them? Frank pkny
 
DavidG said:
Mike,

Looks great; no grass growing under your feet!

Dave
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Kube
Also admirable is the determination and the "depth of the well" to keep it going!! As the new F150 commercial says "you don't raise the bar, you are the bar!!"
 
FRANK PKNY said:
Kube,

Your top notch. One word "amazing". I'm 74 over the years I have done a number of restorations, lots of work. I don't have the drive and time to do any more. I'm still working full time at my business. Wish I could still burn the midnight candle ! Keep up the posts. By the way I have a friend that just purchased a 39 convertible coupe, would you know where the spare tire was keep on them? Frank pkny
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Frank, Like you, I'm slowing down a bit as well. Between businesses, horses (lots of them) and well, "life" in general - doesn't leave a lot of time for playing with cars. Still, it's probably my favorite thing besides my wife.

I've attached a photo of the spare tire in a '39 convertible coupe. There is a flap that folds over it once installed. Hope this helps.
 

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rockfla said:
Kube
Also admirable is the determination and the "depth of the well" to keep it going!! As the new F150 commercial says "you don't raise the bar, you are the bar!!"
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Thanks for the kind and surely undeserving words.

Sometimes my 'well" seems to be getting quite shallow :)
 
Stiff upper lip you guys; while I only get to work on them every other week and then only seasonally, when I do, sixteen hour days are the norm for this 78 year old.
 
DavidG said:
Stiff upper lip you guys; while I only get to work on them every other week and then only seasonally, when I do, sixteen hour days are the norm for this 78 year old.
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Sixteen? That sounds about right in total for what I want to do and what needs to be done. Folks question why we eat our dinner around 9:30 / 10 each night. Why? There's stuff to be done!

Dave, I only pray I can do what you do at 78. Good for you my friend!!!
 
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