1934
Ford
Model 40
Deluxe Roadster
A stunningly beautiful car in its design lines, and presentation, this Deluxe roadster, 1 of only 19,579 examples produced, believed by the Early Ford V8 Club to be one of 125...
A stunningly beautiful car in its design lines, and presentation, this Deluxe roadster, 1 of only 19,579 examples produced, believed by the Early Ford V8 Club to be one of 125 surviving original or restored units. Purchased new on April 1st 1935 from the Burke Motor Company in Morganton, NC for the princely sum of $512 then restored by the president of Piedmont Airlines in the 1980's and finally put in a museum for many years. Come 2009, the car was purchased and removed from the museum and treated to a mechanical restoration, this car comes with a binder of receipts for work done and is ready to be driven to the show field. Everywhere you look you just have to shake your head and smile, as it is just a work of automotive art.
Exterior
The lines of this car give one the feeling that they are looking at a British car, only on a larger scale. From its shield shaped front grille which fronts a new for '34 longer cowled hood, beautiful curvaceous fenders and gracefully sloping rear, this knight in shining armor is bathed in Coach Maroon. Laser straight steel panels all accented by correct Vermillion pinstriping, suicide doors, and the “trunk” which houses a mother in law seat, and are flanked by pristine undulating fenders and a perfectly curved running board. Up top is a very clean canvas top in tan, and it has a glass rear window. Aurora Red colored 17-inch wire wheels are seen all around including one hanging on the back of the car which is enveloped in a metal covering. Mirror-like finish would best describe the front and rear bumpers which utilize a downward sloping center to pump up the aesthetics even more. Just a wonderful symphony of color, line and use of materials, and we have a magnum opus on our hands, hopefully soon to be your hands.
Interior
Much like a minimalist painting, saddle leather is put to use, and accoutrements are kept to a scant few, but all present in elegant fashion. Door panels are beautifully crafted, making use of some stitching to create the design in a field for chromed actuators. A pristine saddle leather bench with added lap belts stretches from door to door and there is not a mark on it. Fronting this bench is an artfully rounded shiny lacquered burl dash, which houses a simple burl panel with warm original instruments within. A near perfect steering wheel is in front of this woodworking, and a tight tan clean vinyl floor covers everything nicely on the bottom. A veritable visual mix of 1930's materials showing off as new here in almost 2022.
Drivetrain
A lift of either cowl, and we are bedazzled by a wonderfully shiny 221ci flathead V8, fully restored and ticking like a fine pocket watch. There is a 2-barrel carburetor on top, and a 3-speed manual transmission on the back. All has been well attended to and its pure music to your ears and eyes.
Undercarriage
A fine restoration as such in front of us, one would expect the undercarriage on her like new and with only a very light dusting of patina, it is! Straight black steel, some black floor pans, transverse leaf spring suspension all-around as well as an upgraded to hydraulic drum brakes can be noted.
Drive-Ability
An absolute honor and pleasure to drive this showpiece, it runs beautifully, and handles like the British sports cars of yore, but offers easy access and egress, with plenty of interior room.
Truly in my opinion certainly one of the nicest cars to grace our Hallowed Mall Halls, with its big sports car like design and lines. All perfectly and meticulously restored, we have a masterpiece of automobilia with a great known history!