Posted on 04/25/2025 10:58:57 AM PDT by ProtectOurFreedom
I was getting gasoline yesterday in Coeur d'Alene, ID and this beauty was at the gas pump next to me. It's a rare 1940 Ford Cabover truck. The owner was a very nice young man who picked it up from a family friend after the guy who restored it passed away from a stroke. That gorgeous candy-apple red metal flake "paint" job is actually a wrap! In the 60s, the restorer / restomodder worked on cars in Southern California and he was able to buy two Ford 427 CI engines that had been custom made by Ford for drag racing. Only 100 of the engines were made.
I asked Grok about the 1940 Ford Cabover:
The 1940 Ford Cabover (COE, or Cab Over Engine) truck is a rare and iconic vehicle from Ford’s lineup, reflecting the Art Deco and Streamline Moderne styling of the late 1930s. Introduced in 1938, Ford’s COE design was innovative for its time, placing the cab directly above the engine to create a shorter wheelbase and tighter turning radius, ideal for navigating growing urban environments. Below is a general overview of the 1940 Ford COE truck, covering its design, specifications, historical context, and modern appeal, drawing on available information and addressing your interest in historical vehicles (as seen in your reference to Bonanza Railroads).The COE design positioned the driver above the engine, maximizing cargo space and maneuverability compared to conventional trucks with long hoods. This was a response to urban delivery needs, as cities expanded in the U.S. Styling: The 1940 Ford COE featured a distinctive, bulldog-like appearance with a rounded grille, vertical slats, and smooth, aerodynamic lines. Its Art Deco aesthetic included chrome accents, a tilt-out windshield, and optional roof-mounted horns. The design was considered futuristic, almost “space-age,” as noted in custom builds.
Many COEs were sold as chassis-cab units, allowing coachbuilders to create bespoke bodies (e.g., flatbeds, tankers, car haulers). This flexibility led to unique, low-production designs, often tailored to specific industries like fuel delivery or retail.
Stock interiors were utilitarian, with vinyl upholstery (often dark green), a simple dashboard, and manual controls.
Most 1940 Ford COEs were powered by Ford’s legendary flathead V8, a 239 cubic-inch L-head engine producing 95 horsepower. Some models used a 226 cubic-inch straight-six, rated at 90 hp, introduced in 1941 but available in trucks earlier. The flathead V8 was prized for reliability and became a hot-rod favorite. It was typically equipped with a 3-speed manual transmission, paired with a 2-speed rear axle for versatility in hauling. Built on a heavy-duty ladder frame, with leaf spring suspension front and rear. Custom restorations often swap in modern chassis (e.g., Chevy 1-ton) or air-ride systems for better handling.
Exact specs varied by body, but COEs had a compact wheelbase (100–130 inches) compared to conventional trucks, enhancing city agility. Gross vehicle weight ratings suited medium-duty tasks.
Ford’s COE, debuted in 1938 and was among the first factory-produced heavy-duty cabover trucks in the U.S., following pioneers like Autocar (1899) and White Motor Company (1930s). The design maximized payload in tight spaces, a game-changer for urban commerce.
COEs were special-use vehicles, produced in small numbers compared to Ford’s standard pickups. Few survive today, especially in original condition, due to heavy use and low production. Restored examples are prized by collectors.
The 1940 COE’s sleek design made it a commercial workhorse but also a style icon, used by companies for delivery, towing, or fuel transport (e.g., a 1940 COE Streamliner Fuel Tanker). Its Art Deco look later inspired hot-rodders and custom builders.
Well-preserved or restored 1940 Ford COEs are rare and valuable. A South Jersey Classics example won an Antique Automobile Club of America Senior National First Prize (2002) and the Early Ford V8 Club’s Dearborn Award, reflecting meticulous factory-spec restoration. Features like flathead V8s, chrome horns, and oak beds elevate value.
Many COEs are hot-rodded, as seen in Bob Dron’s 1940 COE (Classic Trucks Magazine, 2006), with a Chevy 355 small-block, Turbo 350 transmission, air-ride suspension, and 1939 Lincoln Zephyr headlights. Such builds blend vintage style with modern performance, though purists prefer stock.
Prices vary widely. Unrestored COEs can sell for $2,500–$7,000 (e.g., a 1940 COE on Kijiji, 2010), while restored or custom units fetch $45,000–$100,000+. Rarity and condition drive costs.
Their “weird” yet striking design, as noted on Reddit’s WeirdWheels, makes them stand out at car shows.
And I asked Grok about the engine:
The Ford 427 cubic-inch V8, part of the FE (Ford-Edsel) engine family introduced in 1958, was developed in 1963 as a racing powerhouse to dominate NASCAR, NHRA drag racing, and international competitions like Le Mans. While it saw street use (e.g., Galaxies, Cobras), Ford custom-built high-performance variants specifically for drag racing, where raw power and durability were paramount. The 427’s actual displacement was 425.98 cubic inches, but Ford branded it “427” to align with NASCAR’s 7-liter (427 cu in) limit, a marketing and regulatory nod. Ford produced several 427 configurations for drag racing, with the side-oiler and SOHC “Cammer” being the most iconic. These were engineered for NHRA’s Super Stock, A/Factory Experimental (A/FX), and Top Fuel classes, where Ford competed against Chrysler’s 426 Hemi and Chevy’s 409/427.
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you.
I think this was the first such "Cabover" I have ever seen.
Nice!
I dont know about this one... although it may be dated, I wouldnt take a corner to sharp and unless the breaks are calibrated for 30% forward and 70% rear, I wouldnt hit the breaks too hard either! just sayin...
Fuel stations are a good place to run across gas hogs. My 1970 Cadillac used to get a lot of attention at the filling station.
Damn that’s cool
Wonder how it drives. Seems like it would be prone to tip over around curves or turns. Also seems like it would do spins in the rain or smooth surface. I have a hard time visualizing someone taking this out in the mud. Why didn’t someone didn’t put a standard height suspension and tires so it would be drivable?
This is like a large coffee table. IMHO. Whatever floats your boat I guess.
Very cool.
No kidding! Caution is the watchword when driving that beast!
The owner was going to his kid’s baseball game after he left the station and I saw it a few minutes later at the local ball field.
POF- Thanks for sharing this with us.
Check this out PING !!!
I thought huge Mickey Thompson Baja off-road tires would have looked good on it rather than those big semi-truck tires. They almost look like aircraft landing tires.
My pleasure. Glad you liked it, Ma. And thanks for pinging your list!
How or WHERE are the Photos???
Yeah, that one will not take long to end up destroyed.
Hopefully the owner is a smart feller.
Yes, I believe it has the handling characteristics of a Conestoga wagon.
Banned At Le Mans: The Ford Calliope V8 - What Could Have Been, What Will Be!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FuE6YtivHKg
That is so cool! Looks like a Tonka Truck. Thanks for posting.
“Yes, I believe it has the handling characteristics of a Conestoga wagon.”
More like a Herkimer Battle Jitney.
That is very cool!
I have a mid-90s Ford truck with the next-gen (from the FE) 385-series big block 7.5 liter V8. Ford made that engine series from 1968 to 1997.
I tend to frequent gas stations when driving it a lot. I would have to incorporate the truck if it were a daily driver so I could write off the fuel expense.
Someone seems to want to buy it off me every time I go to an auto parts store in it.
Photos are right after the first paragraph in the “excerpt.”
I see them and others see them.
I’ve had a lot of problems with ExpressVPN blocking photos from showing. I hosted the pics at catbox.moe. Are you using a VPN? If yes, try turning it off.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.