Tell Me Why I Shouldn't Do this?

There is so much hnnngh with this. A running 39 Ford popped up just north of Dallas. Still runs on its original flathead. Fuel tank and lines need replacement due to varnish. Outside is red primer, the interior looks to be complete and intact.

$5,600 or best offer. Good god I  want this. My theory is to rig up a fuel tank on the roof with a rachet strap and let gravity feed the carb.

I dont know dick about flatties. I'd be smart and hire a company to tow it to Illinois. If I went through with it.

https://dallas.craigslist.org/ndf/cto/d/krum-classic-39-ford/7443897366.html

Nope not going to say not to do it.

A same-day round trip plane ticket to Dallas would be money well spent. 

Go look at it in person.

Have you done it yet? 

Or see if theres anyone on the board nearby to go check it out (with gas/time compenstion)

Maybe I've been watching too much Junkyard Digs but you should totally do it. I wouldn't, personally, but only because I know that I can't do it justice.

That's not a bad price for a pretty darn complete Fat Fender Ford.   Has '40 headlight bezels, but that's a minor quibble.  Don't expect a lot of power or cool running from the 85 horse engine.   But it would be a great cruiser.    I have a rough '40 Tudor street rod that my dad never finished that I need to attend to at some point.    The rear gravel pan between the fenders isn't reproduced last I checked for the Tudors, and is known to rust out.    I can't tell if that one is bad or not.

Why aren't you driving it home already?!

Do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it 

Not hearing no from me! A classic hot rod in he making. Price seems good!

I think that  the '39 DeLuxe front end is the best looking of that era. 

Screw the gravity feed, an electric fuel pump and a regulator, plumbed into a boat tank in the back seat.

Do it.  Do it now.

Why haven't you done it already?

Is it done yet?

Woody (Forum Supportum) said:

I think that  the '39 DeLuxe front end is the best looking of that era. 

I owned a 39 Deluxe with 40 headlight buckets from 93-2010, 100% original, running driving car.  It was totally solid with only frame surface rust, sold it to a friend for $2000.  My cousin knows where it is right now.

SkinnyG (Forum Supporter) said:

Why haven't you done it already?

This.

I like it!

Do it.  Either way, you're going to have a great story to tell.  Win Win. 

Sorry I'm late to the enabling party.  I own three Fords of this era (1935-41) and repair/restore a lot of prewar cars.  I think this era of Fords have the absolute best balance of utility, drivability, parts availability, flexibility, and cool factor.  They stop well, even on the stock brakes, will go on 65ish comfortably on the flathead so they're pretty usable and not just scupture like the earlier cars tend to be.  With more engine, they'll drive cross country without issues.

This '37 is original paint (except rear fenders), interior, etc..  It will never be a hot rod since they're only original once.  I don't drive it much but it's a joy when I do.  Still has cable brakes, by the way.

This is mildly hot rodded 1938 and still has a flathead that burns a lot of oil.  Juice brakes, 12V, dropped in the front, big/little tires.  I drive it 1-2 times a week and could easily use it as a daily. It may be getting a small block Chevy swap done the old school way, adapted to the stock trans and drivetrain.

I paid $5500 for the '40 two years ago as is except I rewired it and put bigger tires on the back.  It's super rusty so it will never look nice, but just as much fun as the '38.  Mechanically, it's about the same as the '38 except it's got a column shift (1940 was the first year for that).  I'm going to keep it a flathead.

So, if I'm doing it, you should do it too. Highly recommended!  By the way, I put a fair amount of detail about the '38 and '40 in this build thread if you want to see more about what you're getting into.

The gas tank on the roof part is the only thing that makes me nervous. Gravity will also feed fuel into the cabin if there's a leak, obviously.

That said, maybe I'm just a worrier.

There's a very strong aftermarket for flathead Fords, you should be able to get a tank easily. Join the Early V8 Club.

Ah yes the cable brakes and non syncro 1st gear, such a treat to drive.  I pitched a full juice brake upgrade that my dad had in his garage after he passed and I didn't have room for everything.