Deluxe Coupe Custom 502 V8 TH400 9" Rear

They say that nothing succeeds like excess. With that in mind, we're proud to present this killer 1940 Chevrolet deluxe coupe that has been given the full Pro-Street treatment. From the 502 cubic inch big block under the hood to the massive tires out back, this is an incredibly well built and sorted rod that can cruise the show field and hammer the track with equal skill. This car's excess is truly addictive, as you won't be able to resist tipping into those huge reserves of horsepower every chance you get.

First off, this is a real, steel 1940 Chevy coupe, not a fiberglass reproduction, and that gives this rod an integrity and a feeling you just can't duplicate with fiberglass, no matter how high the quality. Built by Zimco Fabrication in South Windsor, Connecticut, the original body's lines were left largely unaltered, which gives this car a vintage elegance that you don't get from one that has been chopped and channeled. It also makes it totally usable, with good headroom and excellent visibility, things that often get tossed out the window when tops get chopped. The body is all original steel except for the running boards and rear fenders, which were supplied by Chicago Fiberglass. “Fat fendered” rods are great for packing a lot of features and excellent road manners into a tidy package, and this car's proportions are spot-on. The dark red metallic base has a lot of candy and metallic in it, and was applied over well-prepped steel. The car fits together beautifully, and all the panels are exceptionally straight. Ghost flames have been applied, with subtle blue, orange, and red licks that cover the nose of the car. It has been coated in several layers of clear for a miles-deep finish that's completely seamless from end to end, in the very best hot rod tradition.

Of course, hot rodding is about taking production pieces and giving them a unique look, so while some of the chrome on this car remains, select pieces have been given a matching coat of dark red metallic paint, including the grille, the vents on the sides of the hood, and the trim around the windows. The bumpers have been removed and the door handles shaved, while details like the King Bee “peep” style mirrors and billet windshield wipers have been added. The rear license plate has been frenched into the deck lid, and the flush-fitting taillights are all but invisible until they light up. Look closer and you'll notice that the original 2-piece windshield has been replaced by a V-butt setup that looks like a single piece of glass for a subtle, but trick update thanks to Jeffries Autobody.

Horsepower is compliments of a 502 cubic inch big block GM Performance Parts. Making 440 horsepower, it's more than capable of snapping some necks when you stand on it (remember that this car originally came with a 216 cubic inch six cylinder making a whopping 85 horsepower). Holley supplied the 750 CFM 4-barrel carburetor living under the billet air cleaner, which matches the trick billet valve covers. And since this car was built to cruise, you'll also notice smart upgrades like A/C, power steering, and a big alternator to power everything. Up front, there's a custom 4-core radiator from Brassworks that's cooled by a custom SPAL electric fan with thermostat and an Edelbrock aluminum water pump. Bitchin' Products supplied the smooth firewall, which really cleans up the entire area. Highly detailed with polished stainless, brass, aluminum, and chrome, it's a well-designed and arranged engine bay that makes servicing the big block easy (ever tried to change the plugs on, say, a late-model Camaro?).

The big block is ably backed up by a TH400 3-speed automatic, which is about the most bulletproof automatic transmission ever conceived by the mind of man. Out back, there's an equally tough 9-inch Ford that carries 3.73 gears on a limited slip, and has been narrowed to handle those large-by-huge Mickey Thompson meats. Denny's Drive Shaft supplied the custom stainless steel drive shaft, and is more than up to the task of handling all that torque. There's an independent Mustang II front end from Fat Man Fabrications, while the differential is held up with a modified 4-link setup that makes hard launches possible with a minimum of fuss. Disc brakes live at all four corners behind those super-traditional Weld Convo-Pro wheels that wear 205/60R15 Cooper touring radials up front and a set of massive 33x21.5-15 LT Mickey Thompson Sportsman M/Ts out back.

I have to give two big thumbs-up to Al's Interiors for creating this very traditional and authentic driver's environment. The power seat is a split bench, which tilts forward to allow access to the back seat area. Done in red and white leather, it looks very appropriate to the 1940's style and era, and the work was beautifully done. The original dash has been smoothed and filled, then stuffed with a complete set of modern Stewart Warner gauges, which use a retro font and arrow style that fits very well with the rest of the car's character. A fresh billet steering wheel is wrapped in matching white leather, and sits atop a tilt Ididit steering column with Borgeson U-joints. There's a Hurst shifter on the floor, and the seat has been skillfully molded to clear the mini console constructed to hold it. Overhead, a matching red leather headliner has been stitched up, and matches the red carpets underfoot. Controls for the Vintage Air A/C and powerful entertainment system are in the center console, while vents have been discreetly installed under the dash. Billet touches abound, tying the interior into the engine compartment, and the doors, windows, and locks are all power actuated. The remote pops the doors open, and if you happen to lock your keys in the car, a hidden switch opens the window for access (for obvious reasons, we'll show the new owner where the switch is hidden, but will refrain from mentioning it here).

Documentation is all that you would expect from a top-end rod, including build photos, receipts, and instruction manuals to give a new owner the confidence that this is a high-quality piece.

It's awfully easy to go too far with a custom built car. Outrageous components, spectacular paint, and 1000 horsepower engines are common, But if you want to actually drive your rod, you need a reliable, sturdy platform and power train. This 1940 Chevy coupe has exactly that; it is fully sorted and ready to go today. The bugs have been worked out, and it drives and handles properly. It's safe and comfortable, and still monstrously fast. And speaking from personal opinion, I also think it's one of the best-looking fat-fendered rods out there, with tidy proportions and crisp detailing. This is one that will still draw appreciative crowds anywhere you park it, but more importantly, will make you smile whenever you're behind the wheel. Call now!