The 1940 model year brought the ultimate version of the Ford that had first debuted in '37. It could be had in Standard or De Luxe trim levels and debuted several new features for Ford. New with this model was a column-mounted gear selector, touted as "Finger-Tip Gearshift", as well as sealed beam headlights, and Controlled Ventilation, which featured side windows that could be rolled down all the way with a crank, combined with a pivoting vent window in front of them.
The base engine in the Standard models was a 136 cubic inch (2.2L) version of Ford's Flathead V-8. With a 6.6:1 compression ratio and a single-throated carb, it made sixty SAE gross horsepower and wasn't very popular. Optional was a larger 221cid (3.6L) Flathead V-8 with a two-barrel carb and 85 horsepower.
The larger engine came standard in the De Luxe, along with such luxuries as a spare tire, floor mounted high-beam control, ash trays, sun visors, a clock in the dash, and a locking glove compartment.
The car is a favorite of hot-rudders, and the Coupe in the picture is lightly and tastefully modified and repainted in a vibrant red that was nowhere to be found in the 1940 Ford catalog. The De Luxe could be had as a Businessman's Coupe, Coupe, Tudor or Fordor Sedan, or Convertible, and the convertible version even had a vacuum-operated power top.
This one was photographed using an Olympus OM-D E-M1X and an M. Zuiko Digital 12-200mm f/3.5-6.3 zoom lens in September of 2024.
