New 1940 Ford coupe bodies released in US

Officially licensed in the US by Ford Restoration Parts, the '40 coupe steel shell is the latest addition to Ford's existing stable of licensed bodies for 1965-70 Mustangs.

The new body comes rustproofed from the factory and is ready to be assembled as either a custom hot rod or faithful tribute to the original. Available with a stock firewall that accommodates the original Ford flathead V8, the body can also be ordered with a recessed firewall that will allow much larger modern engines to be installed.

As with the officially licensed reproduction parts available for the 1965-70 Mustang bodies, Ford USA supports the 1940 Ford with an array of correct mechanical and trim restoration parts, available through www.fordrestorationparts.com.

Dennis Carpenter, owner of one of the nation's largest classic Ford restoration parts companies, owes his start in the business more than 40 years ago to the 1940 Ford.

Carpenter was having trouble locating a good used set of dash knobs for a car he was restoring - and still owns - so he approached Ford and obtained permission to reproduce the knobs using original factory blueprints and designs. Today his company, Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts, produces many Ford-licensed parts for the 1940 Ford. With the body now back in production, Carpenter is gearing up to add even more trim parts for the car.

"When you see a beautifully restored 1940 Ford, it is like a piece of jewellery," Carpenter said. "People just really love the lines of that car. It is timeless and appeals to all ages."

At SEMA, Ford have both a custom 1940 Ford hot rod built using a reproduction body and a bare body shell on display that demonstrates the high-quality construction. The full body shell, as well as individual steel panels, are available through Dennis Carpenter Ford Restoration Parts, http://www.dennis-carpenter.com. Prices start at $11,900 (US pricing) plus shipping.

The fully built, copper-colored SEMA show car sports a new 5.0-litre V8, four-speed automatic transmission and Mustang II front suspension. The roof has also been chopped to give the car an even meaner look.

"Like its older 1932 Deuce Coupe and younger Mustang siblings, the 1940 Ford is a bodystyle and design that represents Ford at its best," said Dennis Mondrach, Ford Restoration Parts licensing manager. "The 1940 Ford Coupe has always been highly sought after and collectible. Unfortunately, good, solid restorable examples have become hard to find and expensive, so this faithful reproduction is bound to prove popular."

Images: Ford Media