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.
GM had up to four “brands” in NASCAR, you’re right numbers talk. NASCAR also became an entertainment business as is all racing today.
IMHO, the jacked-up carriage and monster tires spoil the show.
Gives it a cartoonish appearance.
Big Hairy Deal.
They found a 1940 or ‘41 Woody inside the USS Yorktown.
Nice. Is yours restored? Lowered? I see lots of project COE trucks that have been lowered.
Wow, that’s a cool story about the Ford Woody on board the Yorktown! Thanks for that link.
I’ll check my VPN...
Thanks
.
The Green Chevy needs a Tow Hook!
Mine is not restored, although it is all stock. It is a Montana farm truck, it has never been titled or registered so with a provisional title I should wait 3 years before putting any money into it.
Mine will be 4x4 and lifted (like the picture) but it will have a modern drive train, a service box with gen/comp/welder and crane. Oh, and a hidden wheel lift (for towing).
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