1940 Ford Tudor Build Thread

[40FordDeluxe]

I'm also going bumperless and I found some pics of a couple of them without them as well. These are more for inspiration than anything else.

[randyr]

Hmmm....the fender width is fine if the tire is wide/tall enough to fill it up....that one doesn't in my opinion....

I'm talking about the black one....

[40FordDeluxe]

Hmmm....the fender width is fine if the tire is wide/tall enough to fill it up....that one doesn't in my opinion....

I'm talking about the black one....

I agree Randy. I don't think you'll be able to see how wide the tire is in the rear very well though because my rear end will probably set a few inches lower than this one.

[Whiplash23T]

Yes Ryan,those fenders look good on that car and the only thing I would change on it if I had it, it needs wider wheel / tyres underneath them. I would lose the drain pipe exhausts also but hey, it's not mine so I will shut up.

[Scooting]

Wish I had super wide rear fenders... But then again it would mean a repaint and the cost of that is out of reach. Like the idea of the nose of a forty not having a bumper in front of it. Check out this 37 Chevrolet I met at a show this summer. His solution is kinda neat.

[40FordDeluxe]

Mark, I'll eventually put as wide as a tire as I can fit in there for sure. Lol

Scooting, that's pretty cool. Thanks for sharing it.

[stovens]

I like the wide fenders alot. Wish they repoped wider fenders for a 48 F1 truck! I have always like these 40 sedans with the dual rear windows reminds me a bit of the pre war willys! Very cool body style that has a bit of Gangster in it!

[cffisher]

Wider tires??? You can always push the frame in a bit. This was my 38 Chevy.

[40FordDeluxe]

Charlie, I'd love to tub this car, or even mini tub it, but I'd like to keep all the back seat and trunk room I can so that is out. The only real option was to go with the wider rear fender. Last spring I was going to buy new wheels and tires but now I'm going to get it a roller with a body back on and then decide on wheels and tires. It'd be too big of a guess with everything that I'm changing. I might keep this style of wheel and just go bigger in the front and wider in the rear.

I'm starting to realize I may have to sell my COE or get my brothers to step their end up if we want to get these all done. Originally the COE was supposed to be a project we split the costs on. So far, I'm fully vested in it. I want to rebuild the Hemi this winter and if I want to get the 40 driving by next spring, all my extra money will have to go to it. We're also saving for a house so it's rare to spend money on projects right now.

[Whiplash23T]

That orange Chevy with the front bumper split like that is cool but the owner could of moved them in slightly closer to the body which, to my eye, would of improved the lines better yet still protect the grille. I like the idea of mini tubs and I think one would be surprised as just how much room one can gain by just removing the curvature from the inner guard as it is normally only the top inner side of the tyre that rubs when one adds full size tyres under the car. I am a fan of bumpers and by just moving them in closer to the body panels can make a huge difference in appearance. I also like the smooth filler type panel between the actual bumper and fender etc.

[40FordDeluxe]

I like the looks of the bumpers on these cars, I just feel it takes away from the front of the car. I just love the look of a 40 deluxe with no bumper. I'm not much into the smoothed head light ring and no trim. I guess that might be partly because my uncle drove this car for years with no front bumper. I still have thoughts to paint it black, and patina the paint. That way it looks like I remember it, with him. I don't think I could go back to delaminating 2 piece glass and torn up original tan interior though. Plus it is odd not having a front bumper, but having a rear. I found an old photo album my aunt gave me after I baught Sooner. (That's the car's name) I'll have to try to scan it and post it here as the car looked in the 80's.

I do plan to make a round tube, I guess you can call it a bumper, to go under the tail pan but protect the rear from direct impact. I'd like to try to do something similar in the front. Does this protect the sheet metal or front grill and stuff, no. But it will look cool.

On the rear and the tires, I only will have a 3/4" in between the side wall and my frame. To mini tub it i'd have to move the frame in as well. In my ratarded brain, if I cut it, it'll end up with big ol tires. No moderation.

[cffisher]

My front bumper when finished

[Scooting]

One More Look.

[40FordDeluxe]

Hey, thanks for that! Have anymore pics of that car?!

[stovens]

Bumpers help with latter regrets. I can see wanting to protect the front end from damage. I can't imagine how much a new grill like that would cost or the cost for the fenders. The Half bumpers should help!
Both my brothers had 68 firebirds in high school. The one feature that looked real nice was that long center chrome nose/bumper, bad thing was it stuck out the farthest and always got pushed in in an accident. Hard to find new ones back then.