A few upgrades mixed in with a total restoration make this classic Ford pickup a real gem.
Just Right
To us, the sweet spot of the custom truck world are classic vehicles that have just the right amount of upgrades to make them even cooler. And this 1940 Ford pickup that we spotted over at Gateway Classic Cars fits that bill perfectly. The previous owner put quite a bit of effort into restoring the truck, but did so in the style of an older hod rod, which makes it rather unique and a bit more fun to drive.
Photos: Gateway Classic Cars
Period Correct
For starters, it's worth pointing out that the original Ford engine is long gone, replaced by a 322 cubic-inch Buick V8. This may seem like sacrilege and will likely cause quite the stir among Blue Oval fans, but this swap was very common back in the 1950s as hot rodders sought to make their pickups more powerful. The older engine is backed up by a three-speed manual transmission as well, which also adds to the fun factor.
Photos: Gateway Classic Cars
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Timeless Combination
The old Ford certainly looks the part, with timeless black paint, Moon wheel covers, wide white wall tires, and plenty of chrome to set it all off. Ford's old school "V8" emblem has also been painted on the tailgate to let everyone know what lurks under the hood, which is a nice touch.
Photos: Gateway Classic Cars
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Attractive Cabin
The interior is very attractive as well, with two-tone pleated vinyl covering the seats and door panels, with a few extra gauges added so that the driver can better monitor what's going on under the hood. Outside of those and an AM/FM/CD player head unit, the steering wheel and dash remain in stock but tip-top condition.
Photos: Gateway Classic Cars
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Additional Mods
Little information is provided about any other potential mechanical modifications, but the seller does note that the truck has front disc brakes, which is always a welcome upgrade. There's also a tonneau cover over the bed that both looks good and provides a bit of security for storing items in the back.
Photos: Gateway Classic Cars
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Mostly Stock
We can also spot dual exhaust tips protruding from beneath the bumper, which we imagine belt out some pleasant sounds from the upgraded V8. Otherwise, much of this truck remains stock, and that's certainly not a bad thing with one of the more attractive trucks ever made.
Photos: Gateway Classic Cars
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Nail, Meet Head
This 1940 Ford pickup is proof that it doesn't take much to make a Blue Oval truck from this era better, but it is very easy to go overboard modifying one. Hitting that sweet spot isn't always easy, but in this case, we think they hit the proverbial nail on the head.
Photos: Gateway Classic Cars
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