1940 Ford De Luxe convertible club coupe with a frame-off stock restoration, no reserve
A stock, frame-off restored 1940 convertible at no reserve; watch where the bidding ends up by Nov 4.
Why we picked it
Why we picked it: the 1940 De Luxe convertible is one of the best-looking prewar Fords, and this one is a stock car. The seller says it had a frame-off restoration using a large number of NOS parts, Folkstone Gray paint and a red leather interior, with the 221ci flathead V8, column-shift three-speed and a working Columbia overdrive. It has a clean Wisconsin title.
It is offered without reserve and the bid was $7,250 when we looked. Even older-restoration cars like this have been selling for $20,000 and up, so the current number is far under the market. The auction ends November 4 and bids usually climb near the end.
The value check
The current bid is $26,000. Comparable cars in the same condition have sold for $20,000–$50,000, so the middle of the market is about $35,000. That put this car 26% under. Bids usually climb in the final hours, so the discount will likely shrink.
A 1940 De Luxe convertible with an older 1993 refurbishment sold twice on Hagerty for $20,063 and $24,343 in Dec 2025 and Jan 2026, and a fresher restored car sold at Mecum in July 2026 for about the equivalent of $50,000. The $7,250 bid is roughly 70% under the midpoint, but it is early.
- 1940 Ford Deluxe convertible, Hagerty, $24,343 (Jan 2026)
- Same car, Hagerty, $20,063 (Dec 2025, buyer did not complete)
- 1940 Ford Deluxe convertible, Mecum, Jul 2026 (via The Classic Valuer)
What to check
- Bids usually climb in the final days; do not count on the current price.
- The car has been stored for years; the seller says it should be safety checked, and the tires are old.
- The paint has some small checking in spots.
- Check the floors, door bottoms, trunk floor and the lower rear body for rust or old repairs, and make sure the convertible top frame works.
- Flathead V8s can run hot: check the radiator, water pumps and cooling system.
- Sold as-is; the seller welcomes a pre-purchase inspection during the auction.
Making it drive like new
Keep it stock to protect the value. Sensible updates are a 12-volt conversion with a hidden alternator, seat belts, a dual-circuit master cylinder and radial tires.
