One of the most iconic body styles among hot rodders is the 1940 Ford Coupe. Since the car has now been out of production for over 70 years, original examples in salvageable condition are getting harder and harder to find. Fiberglass replica bodies and parts aren’t as desirable as sheet metal, leaving those who wanted a 1940 Ford Coupe street rod of their own with few good choices.
Until now, that is. Ford has just announced that it’s again producing an all-steel 1940 Ford Coupe body, which awaits a modern interior, suspension and drivetrain. The body joins other all-steel vintage bodies already in Ford’s parts catalog, such as the 1965 to 1970 Mustang bodies.
Ford’s 1940 Coupe body – image: Ford Motor Company
Unlike the original, this body shell is built from high-strength steel and assembled using modern robotic welding. It’s fully rustproofed, too, meaning that the replica bodies will likely last far longer than their original counterparts.
Ford’s 1940 Coupe body – image: Ford Motor Company
The price for a complete body starts at $11,900 plus freight, and individual panels are also available if you’re already mid-restoration. Ford will show a built-up example from this year’s SEMA show, meant to give attendees an idea of what’s possible given a large enough budget.
Kurt Ernst has been passionate about automobiles and driving nearly his entire life. His early years were shaped working in the family service station, though his real passion was auto racing. After graduating from the University of Colorado, Kurt spent a year club racing with the Sports Car Club of America, before focusing on a business career in marketing and project management. Later, his passion for writing and the automotive hobby found him freelancing for a variety of automotive news sites, including Automotive Addicts and Motor Authority, where his work was syndicated and appeared in several national publications. Recognized as an expert in the automotive field, Kurt joined Hemmings Motor News as an Associate Editor in 2013, and in the years since has progressed to Editor, Hemmings Daily; Managing Editor for Hemmings Motor News, Hemmings Classic Car, Hemmings Muscle Machines, and the Hemmings Daily; and now, Managing Editor, Hemmings Auctions. Kurt was instrumental in organizing the Hemmings Motor News Concours d’Elegance from 2013-2019, and has served as a judge at this event and The Vintage Racing Stable Concours d’Elegance. A Skip Barber Racing School graduate and prolific writer, Ernst is also skilled in copyediting, project management, brand development, and public relations.
