A Model 40 – For the First Time

I started a Model 40 Ford group on Facebook for all of you that love the classic 1933/4 Fords. I have been a big fan of all models and especially the roadster and phaeton models. My goal is to have as many members as possible contribute their photos and comments for all to share. Facebook is an amazing tool that allows not only family and friends to share comments and photos but also groups who share interest in specific areas, such as cars. If you have a photo or story to share, please add them to the group. You can request to join the Model 40 Fords group simply but indicating so under the group name. I know the Deuces and 40’s group is much larger but lets see how many we can attract to one of Henry’s best designs.

My first 1934 Ford was a tudor sedan that I ended up purchasing because I couldn’t find a decent Deuce sedan (circa 1973). I was living in South Georgia and traveling all over the “good old boy states.” I normally made my contacts in the morning and stopped at a few salvage yards on my way to the next contact point. I was in New Orleans enjoying some libations at a local bar when I meet up with a boat dealer who was into model 40 cars. As I recall, his name was Arthur and he invited me to stop over at his business when I was through with my dealer contacts. The next day I stopped by the business for a look. Approaching his shop, I could see he had a nice 33 sedan with a spare tire cover that read “Coon Ass” which was a new term to me. If you look up the word you will find that it refers to a native Cajun and the slang word is looked upon as both positive and negative by people of Cajun heritage. Arthur was  true Cajun and proud of it. He was also an astute business man when it came to the model 40 Ford. He invited me to come into his warehouse where he had this unrestored primo 34 tudor sedan that was for sale. I had been a fan of Jim Smith’s (Hot Rod Garage) Potter truck 34 sedan from the NSRA Nationals but really didn’t think I would ever find one. I negotiated a deal for the car and told him I would be back to pick up the car the following weekend. We had agreed on a price of $2500 which was about a grand more than I had saved. He told me that he would give me a few days to come up with the balance which fortunately I was able to do by selling my Deuce 3 window body. Before you think I had lost my mind, let me tell you that a family of four does not fit in a coupe, even with a rumble seat. Besides, the deal hinged on me selling one of my Deuces. I made a tow bar and flat towed the sedan back to Albany. I drove all nigh by myself through some lonely roads but somehow made the trip without incident. My family thought the car was really cool and my son (3 years old) played inside the large interior space. Fast forward a couple of years and we are now living in Atlanta with the sedan stored away in the garage while I worked on a Deuce hiboy clone of Lobeck’s beauty. Work again relocated me to Chicago (home town) and the cars did not make the trip. The sedan was finished by a fellow in Florida and appeared in Rod Action in the late 70’s. I think we can all relate to one of our cars that had such a great tale and that is why I created the “Model 40 Ford Group on Facebook”.

If you have tale about your model 40 please submit a photo and story to the group.

Stay Tooned!

Lynn

I took this photo in front of Arthurs Boat shop in 1973. Old photo but my memory still recalls that experience like it was yesterday.

This is the photo of the car when I first brought it home. The bumpers were in the back seat.

Once home I immediately disassembled the car while my Dr. neighbors wondered who had moved in next door. Fortunately, the Dr. next door loved old Fords.

Now in Atlanta, the Ford was taking shape but would not make the trip to Chicago. Zenith wire wheels were the result of a gift from my wife. I did finish the final assembly and it was a driver with no interior. The Deuce hiboy took preference over finishing the car.

Pete completed his model 40 in 1981 and still owns it. This is a current photo of his pride and joy. There must be a story behind this build.

Kevin has owned this one for a long time and has one of the early Wescott bodies which still looks like new.

Currently on ebay is Mick’s famous roadster. I watched Geoff build much of this car when he was in Huntington Beach. Steve, this one is for you.

I would love to know the story behind this build. I believe this one is from across the pond.

A very fine example of an early 34 roadster that needs nothing. I believe this is my final car on my Bucket List. The TRJ has the full story plus a poster on this special roadster.

A long time builder of classy hot rods, is Rodger, who pieced together this beauty for all of us to enjoy. His car was featured in the May 2002 issue of American Rodder.

To me the phaeton is one of the best models of the era. The Deuce maybe more popular but the Prom Queen is the model 40.

Fat Jack built this one and she still looks good. His signature low stance, straight black paint and orange wheels were applied to this stunning example.

I can’t afford fenders so my tub would look like this for a while.

Jim built his “High End” phaeton that is one of the latest builds of these very desirable cars.

 

 Wednesday’s Model 40!

Dick has owned this classic for many years and until last year kept it as a hiboy. I know there is a story to be told about this beauty.

He added fenders and drove it to the LARS last year. What a life this old roadster has had and always kept in top shape by Dick. Dick is also a Deuce guy.

Proof that Dick did indeed drive his long time friend to LA for a great time. Henry would be proud.

Comments 190

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  189. Very cool to see two “Midwest” ’34s on your site today. Both, Rodger and Dick, are great guys, with a great eye for cool builds. Thanks for honoring them with your post.

    I don’t know much history on Rodger’s roadster, but Dick’s used to be a drag car, known as “Confusion” back in the day. He finished the build back in ’78, as the hiboy version, and put the fenders on in time to make it to LARS this year. Although it looks more tame than as a hiboy, it’s still got the 454 under the hood.

  190. Gosh I am goin’ miss so much, cause I am afraid of facebook, and all the stories my adult kids tell me bout it.
    I lost my info about the H.A.M.B. and can’t get back to it. First, don’t know what went wrong, and can’t understand how to fix it.
    I am a 6 volt guy livin’ in a 12 volt world.

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