My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

My 1939 Ford Deluxe with Rumble Seat has just been acquired by me and I am a real novice to this new hobby. My previous experience was with home made Go Carts using lawn mower engines as the Soap Box Derby was getting a lot of attention then, and I had my first car a 1951 Chevy Coupe and a 1974 VW Beetle. This Flathead will run, just not stop so we are undertaking a complete brake rebuild using new master cylinder, wheel cylinders and brake shoes. It is a slow process as one wheel had 2 lug nuts which refused to budge and had to be burned off.



A couple of things I noted while inspecting the vehicle closely.



1. The transverse Spring rear of the axle and forward of the front wheels has a metal cover over it and has a grease fitting on it. The Shop Manual or Service Handbook which I have implies this improvement was made in 1940.


2. The front shocks have been replaced with Tube Type Shocks but the mounting plate is from the original shock absorber.


3. There are no rear shocks that I can find nor any evidence where they might have been attached.



4. On the front of the hood, the 1939 had a FORD emblem on the passenger side of the hood and a DELUXE emblem on the driver's side of the hood. Mine has a FORD on each side of the hood.



5. I am thinking that perhaps I have a 1940 Standard model rather than a 1939 Deluxe model? Any opinions on this?

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

Welcome to the Fordbarn. Pictures are always helpful & appreciated when possible. To my knowledge there was NO 1940 "Standard" Convertible....Just Coupes, 2 & 4 Door Sedan's and the Station Wagon!!!! There should most definitely be shock absorbers on the rear. I would highly suggest you purchasing the EFV8 club 39 Ford restoration book as that will be a mighty valuable source for you and "MANY" answers to question you may have!!!! I'm NOT a 39/40 Ford guy BUT most assured that several VERY capable 39 40 guru's here on the "Barn" will chime in here......One or two wrote the books for the EFV8 club OR were at least contributors!!!

Good luck and enjoy it!!!

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

Welcome! It's not uncommon for parts from different years to get swapped in over time. Please post pics of your new '39 as soon as you are able.

BTW Savannah is my favorite town. My wife and I often talk about moving down someday.

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

Welcome. To know for sure if 39 0r 40, several things, but most noticeable is where the
windshield wipers are located. 39 shaft above the windshield, 40 below the windshield,
and of course the dash, floor shift for the 39, column for the 40. Best wishes.

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

And of course NO rumble seat in '40.
Dash boards, floor shift vs. column can and were often swapped.
Sounds like a '39 to me.
The hood should have Ford on one side and Deluxe on the other.

The springs could have covers as an option in 39. However, they would not have had a grease fitting in the cover(s). That would be later, '46 - '48. So, my guess is the springs were replaced with incorrect parts.

Does your car look similar to the photo I've attached?

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

The center bolt on those springs was a lube point I believe from maybe 37.

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

He said the grease fitting was in the cover, a feature that started in 46.

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

RockFla ....... Thanks

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

Roger that

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

more picture Capt'

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

Welcome to the barn, nice looking car.

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

The single picture that you attached, is that of a 1939.

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

Ramblin Reck!!
I’m only about an hour and a half or so south of you, iF you ever need some help, shoot me a PM here on the barn, my wife always likes weekends in Savannah!!! OR Hilton Head which is where my avatar was shot!!!

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

There is a grease fitting on the 39 springs in the canter. It needs a special bolt. I have it on my39 Ford and 40 Merc. More later.
My 40 merc has the spring shields

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1627184245
1939 Ford Deluxe Convertible Coupe, from the Original 1939 Ford Sales Brochure.

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attac...p;d=1627184540
1939 Ford Deluxe Convertible arrives home in Georgia.

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

Unless a 39 back half of the car was grafted on, like Kube said 40s didn't have rumble seats. I think it must be a 39. A picture of the dash would help. If it was stuff grafted on a 40 it would be detectable. Does the VIN on the frame fall in the 39 production sequence? VanPelt has those listed on his web site I believe.

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

Roger That. More to come

Re: My 1939 Foed Deluxe Vert w/Rumble Seat
 

Here is one more pic