1939 Ford Standard Coupe

Matt Harwood · April 2, 2019

I'm not sure if I think it's a cop-out that Ford used the previous year's Deluxe model as the next year's Standard, but in the case of this handsome 1939 Ford Standard Coupe, it probably created a bit of a conundrum for the new car buyer in 1939. The 1938 styling was gorgeous, no doubt about that, but it wasn't as fresh as the '39 Deluxe which was just as pretty. I like this green coupe simply because it's a little out of the ordinary, a bottom-of-the-line model that's been beautifully dressed up and fitted with a Columbia rear axle to make it a fantastic road car. Either way, it's quite likable.

This one isn't quite as nice as the 1940 Standard Coupe with the Mullins trailer we had a few months ago, but it's not far off. Thanks to a fresh cut-and-buff in our own shop, the single-stage paint shines up beautifully. I love the teardrop-shaped headlights, the hood ornament that also doubles as the hood latch, and the single taillight out back. Even the single fog light up front delights me. Finish work is quite nice and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by the sound of the doors closing--most cars of this vintage have lost the pleasing "THUNK" of a wood-bodied car and ended up with a cheap-sounding "THWAP." Not this little Ford, which makes a somewhat modern-sounding THUMP when it closes. It's quite satisfying and like I said, it's been a while since I've been surprised by something good that a car does. The restoration is probably 10 or 15 years old at this point, but it's been quite well maintained and even the chrome and pot metal pieces are in excellent shape.

The tan mohair interior is where you can see a bit of age, mostly on the driver's seat where there's some light wear. The Standard was, well, standard, so there's seating for two and not a lot of frills. On the other hand, you get a pair of handsome round dials for the gauges, nice woodgraining on the dash, and a big steering wheel that makes this car feel agile. Nothing surprising from this Ford, which has the usual rubber mat, with upgrades including the aforementioned Columbia rear end, a set of accessory gauges under the dash, and add-on wind wings that are attractive as well as functional. The caretaker who brought the car in thought it was originally owned by a moonshiner because of the compartment behind the seat, but I had to burst his bubble and tell him, no, that's how all Standard coupes were built. There's also a giant trunk, complete with a matching full-size spare tire.

The engine is the same 221 cubic inch flathead V8 we've all loved for years. This one runs beautifully and always starts without any fussing. It's completely stock save for a dual exhaust system and includes an electric fuel pump to help with starting and warm days. Correct details include the Ford Green paint, Ford script hoses, and a Stromberg 97 carburetor. It still makes 6 volts of electricity and good oil pressure. Clutch take-up is easy with none of the usual flathead chatter, even in reverse, and hydraulic brakes were finally included on 1939 Fords. The chassis shows signs of a quality frame-off restoration and not a lot of use, and the Columbia 2-speed rear end makes for a pleasing cruiser. I believe those tube shocks were retrofitted (fronts are still lever-action units) and the dual exhaust uses proper Smitty mufflers for the right flathead sound. Pretty cream-colored wheels wear chrome spider hubcaps that look dynamite inside the 6.00-16 wide whites.

These are enormously likable cars. If you don't have a flathead Ford in your collection, you're missing out. This one is a little unusual, very attractive, and the restoration is in excellent shape. Add in a few options and upgrades, and you get a car that's just a joy to own no matter what you're doing with it. Priced at $37,900, ready to enjoy.

PS: I'll throw in a trunk full of flathead parts for the lucky buyer, too. Thanks for looking!