For Fan Car Friday this week we bring you Bill and his awesomely beautiful ’40 Ford Super Deluxe Opera Coupe.  Fan Car Friday is a segment where we want to share with the world the automobiles that our fans have. We have absolutely no affiliation/relationship with the cars, the build or the owners. This post was made with written consent from the owner.

“I purchased it out of a private collection. It had been in storage for many’s years in an old barn and had to winched up and on to the trailer.

Once home the work began. All the mechanicals were gone through engine freshened up, carb rebuilt, cooling system, transmission rebuilt with new clutch assembly, u-joints, rear end, brakes and tires.

The electrical was updated to 12v and turn signals added.

The complete interior was replaced to factory original.

The paint was touched up and buffed out.

It is a numbers matching car.

I searched for a 1940 Ford Opera coupe because I always loved the style and were the same age, although it’s in better shape! It runs fantastic and I really enjoy driving it around town.“

The Ford line of cars was updated in 1937 with one major change — the introduction of an entry-level 136 CID (2.2 L) V8 in addition to the popular 221 CID (3.6 L) flathead V8. The model was a refresh of its predecessor, the Model 48 (itself based on the Model 40A), and was the company’s main product. It was redesigned more thoroughly in 1941. At the start of production, it cost $850. The Ford Line bore several model numbers during this period: For domestic 1937 production in the United States Ford Model Numbers for 85 hp V-8 equipped cars was Model 78 and 60 hp V-8 cars was Model 74. Models 81A and 82A in 1938, and Models 91A and 92A in 1939.

A high flat-topped hood dominated the front look of the 1940 model, as the grille spread out to reach the fenders to differentiate the Deluxe line and the headlights were pushed wider still. The standard Ford inherited the grille of the 1939 model with blackout on each side of a heavy chrome center; heavier headlight surrounds serve as another major differentiator from the 1939. 1940 was the last year of the 1937 design and its smaller V8 engine, with a straight-six engine to be reintroduced the following year. Sealed-beam headlights were one of the few major advances for 1940, while a hydraulic top was new on the convertible.

The 1937-1940 generation of Fords is one of the most popular automobiles for hot rodding. Early stock car racing drivers also used Fords of this generation among other cars. This Ford also formed the basis for a style of dirt track racing car.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1937_Ford

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