OVERVIEW
1941 Ford Pickup
VIN: 9T-238
Concours-level restored Ford Pickup “Resto-hot rod”
100% cosmetic and mechanical restoration
All original Henry Ford steel body (cab, fenders, hood & bed)
Custom trimmed black leather interior
Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8
Turbo Hydramatic 350 automatic transmission
Ford Cloudmist Grey paintwork
1940 was the awaited year that the famous Ford half-ton pickup received a host of improvements. Improved engineering and refined aesthetics proved to make the pickup a popular choice among truck-buyers in the 1940s. With the 1940 models receiving a crisp and clean front end, nicknamed the “prow front”, from Ford’s exisiting passenger cars, this carried over to the 1941 model line. With these light-duty trucks standing the test of time with their era-defining design, there is no wonder why these utility vehicles become the choice for many hot rodders.
This 1941 Ford pickup began its journey to restoration perfection by being a perfect preservation-class contender from Northern California. With it’s all-original Henry Ford steel body, it was an ideal candidate for a restoration. Spanning over 6 years to completion, this passion project yielded one of the finest and well-appointed ’41 Ford Pickups to ever be restored.
The entire body was lifted off the chassis to perform a full restoration. The original paint was stripped down to metal, beginning the long process of preparing the car for its new paintwork. Countless hours were spent on ensuring that panel gaps were perfect and that its panels were laser straight. Once the iconic Ford Cloud mist Grey paintwork was applied, the process of wet-sanding and polishing to a perfectly smooth sheen began. So much attention was paid to the faultless paintwork that you’d expect this car to win any show it might arrive at from looks alone. Upon the mating of the body with the well-prepared chassis, all trim was either re-chromed or replaced with new items, including polished stainless-steel front and rear bumpers, with new rubber and seals throughout. 1940 model year hood trim was fitted for its understated look, and the finishing touch of hand painting the rear Ford emblem in Ford blue completed the transformation.
As with any hot rod project you might expect a newer engine with modern performance, with the engine being from a different manufacturer, and this pickup hot rod is no different. With the owner winning a brand-new Chevrolet 350 cubic inch V8 engine in a contest, he decided that the engine would replace the factory V8 flathead, giving the engine bay a modern look and modern performance. A Turbo Hydramatic 350 3-speed automatic sends power to the 9” Ford rear axle complete with road-ready gears. A fully rebuilt suspension compliments the extra power, combining traditional leaf springs behind a Mustang II front clip, with power front discs and rear drum brakes for powerful, drama-free stops.
With the cosmetics and mechanicals dialed in, there was only one place left to address: the interior. Enthused with the idea of a custom black leather interior while maintaining a stock appearance, the owner decided that it was the route to go. The original style bench seat was trimmed in the finest black leather hides, surrounded by matching door panels. Traditional lap seat belts were added for safety. The sound deadened floor was covered in custom-made Wilton-wool carpeting, adding both desirability and durability. Cloudmist Grey was applied to the dashboard, with the original gauge cluster beautifully restored with a subtle addition of indicator lights. The restored steering wheel is attached to a custom steering column with integrated shift level, and minimal aluminum dash knobs control lights, wipers and heat.
Completing restoration in Spring of 2017, the Ford saw very few miles after final assembly and its first drive. Upon arriving at Canepa with only 148 miles, the car presents as it was just finished. It’s flawless exterior, solid mechanicals and expertly crafted interior all give this show-worthy Ford pickup the ability to turn heads around town or while it drives cross country.
