Highlights

• Fully restored over 10 years ago
• Rare in Europe, especially in this condition
• Upholstery by the famous Le Baron Bonney company
• Converted to 12V with electronic ignition
• Imported to France by its American owner

The Appeal

The Ford Model 40 captures the essence of early twentieth century American automotive design and shows how rapidly the automobile was developing at that time. Introduced in 1933, they represented a real lesson in modernisation, with their elegantly curved shapes and distinctive aerodynamic profile - as well as an increase in power for their remarkably advanced V8 engines for the time.

Their historic impact is undeniable. The high speeds and enduring performance offered by the '40' made it a car favoured by both Al Capone's henchmen and the notorious Bonnie & Clyde outlaws. It was virtually a pop culture icon of the 1930s - the car was not only a remarkable piece of design, it was rebellious and romantic.

This particular example, imported to France by its American owner and in his possession until 2021, is a rare find in Europe, especially in such remarkable condition. Featuring the sought-after 'Tudor' body style, the car is powered by a 3,621cc flathead V8 engine, which was a real revolution in its day. This engine has been converted to a 12V system with electronic ignition, while retaining its original 1930s character.

Everything was fully restored just over 10 years ago, and since then the car has been beautifully maintained and obviously pampered. During the restoration, the interior was not only redone, but also upgraded with upholstery from the legendary LeBaron Bonney. There's no doubt about it, this is a spectacular classic that will impress even the most discerning enthusiast.

History and Paperwork

• Built and registered in 1933
• Spent most of its life in the USA
• Based in Pennsylvania until 2016
• Imported to France by its American owner and owned until 2021
• Fully restored more than 10 years ago
• No maintenance or restoration records available
• MOT expires August 2019 - certificate on file
• Currently shows 99,475 km on five-digit odometer

The Condition

• The car has been painted in acrylic black and shows beautifully
• This could be taken to a very high standard with a good polish
• The bodywork is in very good condition with no dents or deep scratches
• There is no corrosion to be noted, and the underside is particularly clean
• The wheels are 16" and the tyres are a different size to the original: 175/75-16 and 215/75-16
• There are two small defects at the bottom of the rear doors
• We also note a very small crack at the bottom of the windscreen
• Some marks and wear around the fuel cap
• The gold stripes are adhesive and not painted
• Inside, the car is beautifully presented
• The upholstery is from the famous LeBaron Bonney company
• Cloth seats and door panels are free from tears
• Fitted with modern seat belts
• All instruments are clean and legible with a charming and evocative design
• The dashboard is clean and well presented
• The carpets are very well maintained, with no tears or unusual wear and tear
• All in all, this is a very evocative and incredibly impressive car.

The Mechanics

• 3,621cc V8 flathead engine
• It's a '36' with 21 studs and runs well with no sign of smoke
• 3-speed manual transmission
• The car has been converted to 12V with electronic ignition
• The vendor reports that the clutch shows no signs of wear, and the gears shift well
• However, he notes that second gear sometimes does not stay engaged
• The rod brakes are apparently effective and present no problems
• The same applies to the suspension
• The seller tells us that the car is pleasant to drive, with a very powerful and fast engine for a 90-year-old car.
• It should be noted, of course, that the brakes are rod-type!
• We understand that the car drives straight and is apparently ready to take to the road.

BEFORE YOU BUY