1940 Ford Tudor Build Thread

[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.

[Dave Severson]

Ryan you could try a pair of nerf's off the frame rails, seen that on a few cars with exposed grilles??????

[cffisher]

Ryan you could try a pair of nerf's off the frame rails, seen that on a few cars with exposed grilles??????

did that a lot back in the 60s

[Scooting]

Ryan, sorry, don't have more photos of the car. Found those on line when I was considering bumperettes. Legen's Hot Rods sell a similar version but too high priced for my blood. McMillan Rod and Custom offer several different nerf/chin bars if that is an interest. Subtle switch is to use Mercury bumpers, they have a dip in the middle. Parked beside a 39 Ford coupe at the Roadster show this year who had Mercury front and rear bumpers, looked nice. Also check out this 37 seen at the Roadsters for something really sweet.

[stovens]

I'm diggin the little push bars on the second vehicle, but the Merc bumper is unique too!

[40FordDeluxe]

Scooting, thanks for the pics! I know a bumper will lessen impact, but only if the impact is 6" or below. It won't help with a deer or a pick up truck. I'd hate to think of any of that too. The grill chin got the most abuse on my car. I learned quickly to keep away from curbs in parking lots. Oops. Haha

[40FordDeluxe]

I've been going back and forth with wheels and trying to do something different on my budget. I think I have settled on Rev Classics and 15" in the front and 17" in the rear. I'm going to order the front wheels first and get new tires so I can get the front end done. I plan on making wood roller templates for the rear bacause I have no idea how wide or tall I can go at this time.

My question for you guys is this: How wide of a tire on the front of a rod is too wide? I see guys saying the wider tires steer and drive bad. I see wide tires on a lot of rods at shows, but I bet they see a trailer more than the street. I can't decide on a 15x7 wheel or a 15x6. The tire height I think I might go with a 25"-26" tall tire. That tire size chart I posted a while back sure has helped me in this area. Any input on the width is appreceiated.