Restored All-Steel Ford Coupe Restomod 350 Ram Jet EFI V8 4spd Auto A/C

Despite being best-known for their classic good looks and pure American swagger, early '40s Fords were the hot rod of choice for many a young gearhead who had a thirst for power and a need for speed. Today, spectacular blue oval resto-mods are much more common than their decades-built stature would lead you to believe. That means, to really turn heads, enthusiasts need unique cars that are exceptionally well-done. A fitting example would be this stunning coupe. Mixing a Ram Jet small block with substantial drivetrain upgrades and a comfortable custom interior, this well-built Ford is a heck of a lot more fun than a restored-to-original car. And if you're looking for a great combination of timeless style and modern performance, it's a choice classic that simply can't be beat!

RESTORATION/APPEARANCE

The beneficiary of a professional, ground-up restoration that was commissioned by a previous owner, this coupe is a supremely handsome street rod that's slick enough to create a one-car parade wherever it goes. During the car's precise reboot, solid sheetmetal was completely striped of its dull, original pigment. With that shell removed, and its foundation massaged into great alignment, creamy Volvo Mellandrod Red base was sealed in mirror-like clear. And today, a close look at our high-resolution photos reveals a handsome payoff in the form of one slick Ford custom!

There really isn't much you can do to make an early '40s Ford more attractive. The car's streamlined styling was a homerun when originally introduced; and today, it's a stunning example of some of the strongest elements of the highly regarded Art Deco movement. At the front of this cherry custom, a nosed hood, devoid of all badging, flows in to a polished and painted grille that's guarded by a mirrored bumper. At the sides of that grille, sculpted fenders center chrome-trimmed, dual-mode headlights in front of matted running boards. Above those boards, a stainless-trimmed profile floats streamlined door handles between delicate mirrors and a polished fuel filler. At the top of that profile, smoked glass frames a polished splitter bar, which perfectly complements a single stainless wiper. And at the back of the car, a second mirrored bumper founds a shaved decklid between bright Blue Dot Taillights.

MOTIVATION

Toss the hood and you'll find 350 cubic inches of reliable Chevrolet small block that's been painted, polished and fitted with proven Ram Jet induction. Revs are created when a polished GM Performance Parts air cleaner floats wind in to a polished GM Performance Parts intake that's piped with multi-port fuel injection. At the perimeter of that intake, bowtie-branded valve covers hang polished breathers and a polished oil cap over coated block hugger headers. Behind those breathers, a hot distributor shoots spark through loomed GM Performance Parts plug wires. Just ahead of those looms, traditional V-belts spin billet pulleys in front of a polished alternator, a polished AC compressor and a polished water pump. And at the front of those ancillaries, a beefy aluminum radiator plays well with a polished cap and a giant puller fan. Despite being a thoroughly massaged piece, the bright red mill looks right at home in the car's body-matched engine compartment. And details like polished hood supports, trick hoses and polished fluid reservoirs mix first-rate looks with first-rate functionality.

POWER MANAGEMENT

Park this Ford on a lift and you'll find a super clean undercarriage that's nice enough to show and tough enough to go. The compact motor twists a predictable 700R4 4-speed, which spins a 9-inch Ford axle. That tough pumpkin is an integral part of a sturdy aftermarket frame. Those bones roll on an upgraded rear-clip, which swaps a factory transverse leaf for a thick sway bar, adjustable QA-1 shocks and modern, parallel leaves. That hardware is tracked by a familiar Mustang II front-half, which centers power rack-and-pinion steering between a second sway bar, polished control arms and modern coil-over-shocks. Quick stops are a cinch thanks to power-assisted Wilwood calipers, which squeeze a quartet of drilled and slotted rotors. Aluminized exhaust pipes spent gases through traditional turbo mufflers and polished stainless tips. And at the corners, attractive Billet Specialties wheels spin 225/40R18 Nexen N5000s in front of 245/45R18 Nexen N5000s.

COMFORT

Peer through the car's tinted windows and you'll find a custom leather interior that was installed by Dave's Auto Trim of Morganton, North Carolina. Plush bucket seats feature full power adjustment for the car's driver and passenger. In front of those thrones, a classy dash hangs hardware for modern climate control between upgraded telemetry and metal foot pedals. Beneath those pedals, clean carpet flows to custom side panels, which hangs billet door handles in front of modern power windows. The tunes keep bumping thanks to a remote-controlled Alpine CD player. The driver minds the lines through a tilting Grant banjo-style steering wheel. And the passengers store parcels in a custom-upholstered trunk.

Sure, there are a lot of '40s Fords on the market. But how many have been refined to this level of drivability and appeal? Mixing a high-quality build with impressive power, custom upholstery and spectacular aesthetics, this coupe is the kind of car that draws crowds and wins trophies! If you're looking for an exceptionally nice cruiser that's twice as much fun and twice as reliable as an all-original roller, you're looking at your next classic!

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SUMMARY

* The beneficiary of a detailed, professional restoration
* 350 cubic inch Chevrolet V8 / GM Performance Parts Ram Jet fuel injection
* GM 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission / Ford 9-inch rear axle
* Custom leather interior / Modern audio
* Modern air conditioning
* Modern chassis / Mustang II front suspension / Substantially upgraded rear suspension
* Power rack-and-pinion steering
* Wilwood 4-wheel power disc brakes
* All-steel body / Volvo Mellandrod Red paint
* 18-inch Billet Specialties wheels