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.
lol... sigh... I dont think any excuse I come up with would work so I’ll just hang my head and go back and sit down!...
lol
Photos are coming through. If I remember, I’ll check out the car show in July.
“When I was a kid in the 50s and 60s, every car was unique and distinct.”
I KNOW! I loved those cars.
As kids, we prided ourselves on recognizing as many brands and models as we could. And every fall, we’d learn about the new season models being introduced. It was great fun.
These days? Meh.
“As kids, we prided ourselves on recognizing as many brands and models as we could.”
So did we! It made road trips almost tolerable.
Cool find. I think candy apple red is usually a little darker shade of red, maybe that’s just my bias. Looks like a beast to drive - reminds me of a hot wheels design.
“It made road trips almost tolerable.”
I know what you mean. We had relatives all over the United States and we took huge road trips all around the country every two years. Upstate NY to Idaho, down to Albuquerque, and over to Fort Worth. We also kept track of license plates and wanted to be first to collect all 48 (later all 50). I’ve still got a couple of scrapbooks from those trips.
Slug Bug. Cadillac whack.
On your road trips, did you play “Zip!” with horses and graveyards?
I don’t recall “Zip.” What was that?
Our eldest daughter would always hold her breath while we were driving past graveyards. I have no idea where she picked that up.
I remember when I was about 9 and my sister saw a couple of cows in a field in Iowa copulating. She said “Oh, look at the cows playing!” Mom, dad and I just about bust a gut laughing. I don’t think anybody told her what was really going on. That was about 65 years ago and I still remember it! Mom & Dad probably weren’t sure if I knew what was going on.
“Zip!”:
First person to see a horse says “Zip!” and gets one point. White horse 5 points. Buckskin horse 10 points. 🐎
First one to see a graveyard yells “graveyard!”, keeps his points, and everyone else loses theirs. ⚰️
Entertaining when you’re six - LOL!
How fun!
We used to give each of our three kids about 12 quarters. Each time one of them whined “How much longerrrr.....” they had to give a quarter back. On our six hour trips to the lake, the two girls would be $3 richer and our son would be busted flat broke. LOL! All three of them are still that way, too, in their mid 30s.
“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.”
Last summer Mrs. BBB333 & I were filling up our RV in Glendive, MT (vacationing for a few days in MAKOSHIKA STATE PARK: https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/makoshika) early one morning — I was going to make Bloody Mary’s but had no straws, hence the 7:00 AM fill up — so after filling up I went into the ‘convince store’ and grabbed four straws...there was a line of folks getting pastries and coffee. I bypassed the line and said the the cashier: ‘I just filled up with $200.00 of gas, may I please have these straws?”
She said: ‘Of course” and several folks in line said: “ooooh...” at the thought of that much gasoline...
The Bloody Marry’s were excellent and we tried our hand at frisbee golf on one of the worlds hardest FG courses - we quit after two holes but had a great day!
Gas station stories!
Cool post and thanks for the ping mabarker1.
An annual event not too far from C’DA where this truck was spotted,
SUN VALLEY TOUR DE FORCE
NO SPEED LIMIT
JULY 17 – 19, 2025
https://sunvalleytourdeforce.com
A few years ago I saw a Bugatti Veyron in my smallish town of Bozeman, MT — and I thought ‘what the heck is that doing on campus (MSU) — then I learned that 6 of them had competed in speed day earlier in the week.
I’m going to have to catch it some year...
✅
Ultimately GM’s control of NASCAR killed off the 426 HEMI and 427 SOHC engines, and stepped in again when FORD started dominating NASCAR again in the 80’s with the restrictor plate rule.
It’s been on my bucket list for years. There are lots of great videos of the cars running in that event.
I own a 39 Ford coe (with the oval grille, not the waterfall). The 427 didn’t come out until the 60s.
These trucks came with a flathead v8.
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