A few of you enjoyed my recent feature of a 1949 Ford two-door convertible enough to share a comment about it. How about we go back one decade even deeper into the past? The year 1939 would mark a pivotal year in world history, as World War II kicked off that September. Let’s look at a car that rolled off Ford’s assembly lines just before that.
The Pick of the Day is a 1939 Ford Standard Coupe listed for sale on ClassicCars.com by a private seller in Eagle River, Wisconsin. (Click here to view the listing)
“Henry would be proud!” the listing begins. “90% is factory.”
Boasting a license plate that reads “FINE 39,” the car lives up to the claim. The black exterior comes accessorized in lots of brightwork, including dual mirrors and chrome bumper guards. The wheel and tire setup appears to be inspired by a later-model Rally design, and dual exhaust outlets are seen exiting beneath the rear bumper. One upgrade worth calling attention to: “Standard” Ford models for the 1939 year would have apparently come with only one taillamp. This car has been upgraded to two, like the Deluxe model would have had.
In place of the car’s original flathead V8 now resides a BluePrint Engines 355ci V8 mated to a three-speed manual transmission with Lincoln Zephyr gears and Columbia overdrive. BluePrint is based in Kearney, Nebraska and calls itself “The Authority in Crate Engines.” Added features to the mechanical roster include an electronic ignition system, an aluminum radiator, a dual-reservoir master cylinder and front disc brakes. The odometer of the car shows 52,921 miles, although the seller doesn’t specify whether the number’s validity.
The interior has wood-grain trim, the original instruments, an AM/FM radio and a clock. All in all, the car is a clean machine, and the seller is proud of it. “I have 40-plus years of professional restoration and was involved in the complete restoration of this car,” the listing says.
One thing is for sure, Ford did know a thing or two about vehicle production by 1939. A magazine ad from the period said, “When Ford builds ‘em, I know they’re right!” It continues, “It’s natural enough, I guess. Henry Ford knows more about building cars than anyone else because he’s built more than anybody else in the world.”
Ready to have a piece of history in your garage? The asking price is $59,900 or best offer.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com