The Ford Barn - View Single Post - How to tell if a '40 was business or 5 window coupe

drolston · 11-18-2022, 04:36 PM

The term "Business Coupe" is generic, referring to a car designed for a salesman, not for passengers. No frills. No back seat. The term "Sedan Coupe" came about 1941 when Ford made the narrow door "Business" coupe with no back seat and added the wide door "Sedan" coupe. From 1946 on, I think all coupes had the back seat.

From 1932 through 1936 you could get a 3-window coupe or a 5-window coupe with the rear quarter windows. I never have learned why. Maybe just to save a little sheet metal and glass for the 3-window.

So the Business Coupe term is really not related to 3-window versus 5-window. And the so-called VIN numbers on early Fords are not traceable to an exact body configuration like they are in modern cars. The numbers were more of a frame number.

11-18-2022, 04:36 PM	#3
drolston Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Williamsburg, VA Posts: 1,811	Re: How to tell if a '40 was business or 5 window coupe The term "Business Coupe" is generic, referring to a car designed for a salesman, not for passengers. No frills. No back seat. The term "Sedan Coupe" came about 1941 when Ford made the narrow door "Business" coupe with no back seat and added the wide door "Sedan" coupe. From 1946 on, I think all coupes had the back seat. From 1932 through 1936 you could get a 3-window coupe or a 5-window coupe with the rear quarter windows. I never have learned why. Maybe just to save a little sheet metal and glass for the 3-window. So the Business Coupe term is really not related to 3-window versus 5-window. And the so-called VIN numbers on early Fords are not traceable to an exact body configuration like they are in modern cars. The numbers were more of a frame number.