All Steel Black Cherry Tudor Sedan ZZ4 TCI 700R4

Think you’ve seen all there is to see in the world of hot-rodding? Tired of the “been there, done that” rods that use the same tricks that guys were using a decade ago? Looking for something that stands out not because it’s over the top, but because it’s so subtle and well-executed? Well, look no further, because this 1940 Ford tudor sedan brings a whole host of new tricks to the party.

You’ve seen the shape before, but look at the details—or rather, the lack of details. The original Ford sheet metal is still there, but all the other stuff like drip rails, stainless body trim, door handles, even the headlight rings, are all gone. The grille is the lone piece of brightwork on the exterior of this car, and even that is culled to a minimum by painting the outer grilles to match the fenders. This was an exceptionally clean original car when they started, so you can see the startling transformation that comes from simply changing small things, and it’s why this car is so remarkable. Look at the headlights—they were frenched into the fenders, but the openings retain the traditional teardrop shape, and the work was all done in steel. Out back, the same holds true for the taillights, which are nestled into their own custom pockets. Hours and hours were spent smoothing the original body panels before that stunning black cherry paint was sprayed. Yes, it looks black when the light isn’t right, but when you get it out in the sun, it looks like it has been painted with shadows, because the red only peeks out here and there where the light is strongest. I don’t know how they did that, but the effect is extraordinary, and only adds to the overall effect of this gorgeous rod.

There’s a one-piece windshield in place now, but the rest of the glass is new stuff that is exactly the same size and shape as the original pieces. Even that cool 2-piece rear window is intact, and it makes the back of this sleek tudor sedan look vastly more interesting. Those cool rear-view mirrors are custom units that house indicators for the turn signals as well. Headlights are modern halogen tri-bar units that light up the front of the car like flamethrowers, and the stance is exactly right.

Motivation comes from a ZZ4 crate motor displacing 350 cubic inches and making 355 horsepower. Everything around the engine is either polished aluminum or stainless, from the cool air cleaner that looks like it was borrowed from a mid-50s Cadillac or Buick, to the billet rocker covers, to the March billet pulley system. The Chevy V8 is a tidy fit in the Ford’s engine bay, thanks to a set of Sanderson headers, and all the wiring and hoses have been thoughtfully tucked out of sight to clean things up. That big aluminum radiator up front keeps everything cool thanks to an electric fan with thermostatic controls. In a rod, it’s awfully hard to beat a Chevy crate motor from GM, which is built like a production line piece and as a result is as reliable and powerful as anything you’ll buy off the showroom floor. This one fires up instantly and settles into an even idle, and pulls cleanly from a crawl all the way up to speeds that will land you in jail in most states. Reliable hot rods aren’t unusual, and this is one you can drive and enjoy without a second thought.

The 700R4 4-speed automatic transmission is the perfect dance partner for the ZZ4 crate motor, and it drives a custom-made Currie Ford 9-inch with 3.55 gears. The chassis is a completely new TCI tubular frame with modern suspension pieces and a black powdercoated finish. Up front, it uses an upper and lower A-arm independent setup with rack-and-pinion steering and big disc brakes. Out back, that 9-inch is hanging on a set of leaf springs. All the components on the chassis are beautifully finished in classic, simple black, again matching the car’s understated theme. Wilwod disc brakes live at each corner, and the exhaust system features 2.5 inch tubing and beautifully finished welds throughout. A new gas tank hangs out back, delivering the high-octane via a frame-mounted pump. Wheels are polished Billet Specialties Hustlers, 17x8 up front and 18x10 out back, wearing Dunlop SP Sport performance radials.

Inside you’ll find a beautifully thought-out and well-designed interior that almost looks OEM—that is, if anyone were building 1940 Fords in 2011. Everything is covered in tan ultraleather, from the custom bench seat to the door panels, and the patterns used look very correct in the vintage sheet metal. Thoughtful touches abound, like the courtesy lights in the doors, the frenched-in vents for the Vintage Air A/C system, and the tidy shifter boot on the Lokar shifter. The gauges have been recessed into their own pods much like the headlights and Haneline gauges have been used. Switchgear, from the door handles and window switches, to the controls for the HVAC, are all billet aluminum. There’s a big glove box, and the hidden audio system is controlled using a remote built into the center armrest. The trunk has been upholstered to match, with removable panels to access things like the battery and audio controls.

And as with any high-quality hot rod, this one comes with a ton of information. We have detailed photos of the build, from the moment the original car arrived on a trailer, to its current condition today. There are manuals, brochures, and instruction guides for all the major components used in the build, so you won’t have any questions down the road when it’s time to service the car. And if anyone’s counting, there are receipts for more than $100,000 worth of work on this car, and I’m not surprised.

So if you’re looking for something a little outside the norm, but still spectacular in its own right, give this beautiful Ford a long look. With hot rods, it’s all about the details, and those on this car (and the ones omitted, too) give it a unique look that you’ll appreciate when you pull it on to the show field. And when it’s time to put it on the road, the reliable, sturdy mechanicals and well-sorted driveline ensure that it will be a willing travel partner wherever you go. There’s more in this car than the asking price, and as we always say, it’s better to buy someone else’s finished project rather than try to build your own. You just can’t go wrong here. Call now!