AutoHunter Spotlight: 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe

Featured on AutoHunter, the online auction platform driven by ClassicCars.com, is this 383-Powered 1940 Ford Deluxe Coupe.

Are you ready to sing the blues? This lovely blue metallic coupe is being sold by a dealer in Dearborn, Michigan, and the auction ends on Friday.

It takes just one glance at the listing to see that this coupe was the product of a one-off custom build, and the key ingredient was a replacement motor. When the car was new in 1940, it could have been ordered with either of two motors: a 136cid inline-six or a 221cid flathead V8. As part of the build, this coupe was instead upgraded with a much more robust powerplant – a fuel-injected 383cid stroker V8 that was sourced from a company called BluePrint Engines in Kearney, Nebraska.

Let’s talk a little more about BluePrint, because we see that name pop up quite a bit in the collector car industry. BluePrint was originally founded in 1982 and has gone on to produce more than 400,000 crate engines over the last 40+ years. Today, BluePrint operates a 210,000-square-foot facility.

The company’s website says, “We’ve tireless honed our engineering prowess, year after year. We now design our own blocks, heads, cranks, and oil pans as an OEM-level manufacturer of new crate engines. We design and patent our own machines in-house to craft every crate engine to perfection.” According to the website, the available engines range in price from a 350cid small-block V8 at $4,649 all the way up to a supercharged Chrysler Hemi 426cid with an accompanying 4L80E transmission for $38,399. Wow!

The video in the listing begins with a start-up where we hear that magnificent 383cid V8 come to life and rev a couple of times. It then takes us on a guided tour through the exterior, interior, and engine bay. While keeping true to the original overall design, there are some special touches that set this car apart from other cars from the era. It features a power-opening trunk, a tilt steering column, an independent front suspension, and a fully refurbished vinyl interior. I noticed in the video that the car has LED turn signal indicators on top of the headlight rings – a subtle yet innovative way to modernize this coupe.

There is a lot to love about the way this build was put together, and the enhancements to the chassis, drivetrain, and interior will make it not only more comfortable but also more reliable.