1939 Ford Custom Roadster
Original price: $624.00 (2-door coupe) (In 1939: Average car cost, $700.00; average household income, $1,730.00; average home cost $3,800.00; gallon of gas, 10 cents)
On loan from: Terry Klatt, Hastings, NE
Previous owner: Car is from Wisconsin
Number made: 38,197 (2-door coupe)
Engine, etc.: 350 ZZ4 small block Chevy engine; 355 hp;405 ft./lbs/torque @ 3500 rpm; automatic
This car has a Coast to Coast body and complete chassis and a “Shock Wave” suspension.
It has a new GM performance parts ZZ4 crate engine and flamed Billet Specialties valve covers and air cleaner.
Wheels are custom made and the custom interior includes power windows and a Sony stereo system.
The look of Fords was modernized in 1939. Grilles were changed and headlights were moved farther apart to sit almost in front of the wheels. The hood opened from the top of the grille back, instead of from side panels.
The engine was revised with a downdraft carburetor but this did not change the horsepower it generated. Hydraulic brakes were introduced across the whole Ford line. Cars could be ordered with an 85 hp or 60 hp V-8 engine. Standard equipment included dual sun visors and windshield wipers, a locking glove compartment, chrome around the windshield, an electric cigar lighter and ash trays in the back seat of sedans, a battery condition indicator on the dash, and more.
Several models were dropped in 1939 including the phaeton, club coupe, and convertible club coupe.
Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1937_Ford#1939
http://classiccardatabase.com/search.php?year=1939&make=Ford&series=106
Original brochure for 1939 Ford V-8’s: http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1939_Ford/1939_Ford_Brochure/dirindex.html
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1939_Ford/1939%20Ford%20Flipup%20Brochure/index1.html (Original flip up brochure)
http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1939_Ford/1939%20Ford%20Mailer/index1.html (Original mailer brochure)
