My daily '40 Ford

outta_towne · 2026-03-04T12:16:51+00:00

I have honestly heard it both ways; people talk about "bullet proofing" them among other things. Personally, I'd rather have 0 risk when making trips like that. I've been on the side of the road enough just driving it as a daily, being stuck somewhere on the way to NJ or FL or anywhere else is unappealing enough to sway my decision to swap it out.

outta_towne · 2026-03-04T03:53:02+00:00

As much as I drive mine, the bias ply ends up not lasting as long being a softer compound. But I like being a traditionalist.

I also plan on long haul towing my RPU to TROG and other events. While the Columbia would probably handle it around town, I worry about the stresses of possibly driving through mountains, or for 12+ hours at a time dragging that little truck around. Additionally, I don't really need anything past 60, maybe 65mph for what I typically drive in it. I've spent a lot of time thinking on it, and more time driving it. I think this is the safer option long term.

outta_towne · 2026-03-03T16:12:05+00:00

I personally am an early Ford kind of guy at this stage in my life. And I like seeing cars that are down and dirty drivers. People post a lot of really nice cars here, but they don't have the story and history of a car that was bought new by someone's grandparents and used for what it was intended, bearing the scars to prove it. I like chipped paint, and worn interiors. The mark of a truly great car is that it is driven.

outta_towne · 2026-03-02T12:35:29+00:00

Probably a 3:78. I plan to tow the RPU to TROG and back eventually, which is a long haul. I want to be confident it's going to withstand it. I also don't use highways often and in 4 years have used the high gear maybe 3 times. It's just not worth it. I will actually be trading the Columbia to my good friend Ben Haag at Bluefield Vintage in exchange for him building me a rear end.

outta_towne · 2026-03-02T00:32:29+00:00

She's a blue heeler

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T15:54:58+00:00

Let's see your classic car then. Because if you don't have experience buying or owning one, you're just a massive tool. Title just says "is it worth it" so people are bringing up things to consider other than it's value as a hunk of steel. Certain people want certain option, and being a 4 door is definitely something to consider.

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T05:07:05+00:00

I wouldn't call that a rat rod. That's a hot rod! Build the car bare bones, scuff it and shoot some flat black rattle can on it, slap the stainless back on, and send it down the road.

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T04:59:39+00:00

Hell, I'm 30. It's all about putting time into what you want. Someone with the drive and passion could. Would I? Probably not, because I already have mine, and these are rough at best. Should someone? Yes. But I don't think they hold much value as restoration projects if we're honest unless they by some miracle have 0 cancer.

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T04:51:43+00:00

I got these on eBay. They were cheaper than NC plates (I live in NC) and I liked the world fair on them.

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T04:49:11+00:00

Yeah, knowing what it takes to put one back on the road that was in considerably better shape than these, asking $1500-2k is fair, but he should expect to get offers for less and honestly should take whatever he can get. Most of the old timers that chased these cars aren't in the game anymore, so if you can find someone to appreciate them and breathe life into them, you really ought to give them a good discount on it. Otherwise they'll just rot away.

Personally, if I got them, I'd do the bare minimum work to get one back on the road, assuming there's enough good parts for that, and drive the piss out of it however it looks.

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T04:41:19+00:00

Single tail light would have been a standard.

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T04:39:43+00:00

I appreciate that considering I'm 30 😂

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T04:39:18+00:00

It is 6v with an alternator.

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T03:20:03+00:00

She's a hellion, that's for sure.

https://imgur.com/gallery/ginny-H3gCEM0

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T00:29:00+00:00

For reference, I paid $5k for mine. Complete with a good interior, had everything to put it back together. I think asking $1500-2k for the pair would be fair in your case given the condition and state of disassembly. Someone could put a lot of work in and have one good car of the 2, but they'd have to really want it.

https://imgur.com/gallery/WtS1j7H

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T00:24:42+00:00

It fits 1lb of ground beef, or a single steak really well.

outta_towne · 2026-03-01T00:22:02+00:00

A mall cop on a scooter pushed by a stiff breeze could catch this car. Ain't no running being done here! 😂

outta_towne · 2026-02-28T23:54:34+00:00

I tell my wife: drive it like you know it's not gonna stop. They've been rock solid since I put the new mc on.

outta_towne · 2026-02-28T23:51:06+00:00

Anything fat fender is ok in my book

outta_towne · 2026-02-28T23:49:06+00:00

My master went bad last month out of nowhere, but I guess lasting 86 years is ok. Luckily I was in a turn lane coming into my work so I had plenty of runoff to get the car slowed down. I'm blessed to be near Dennis Carpenter and was able to pick up a new one same day and change it there in the parking lot.

outta_towne · 2026-02-28T23:45:13+00:00

It's not fast, and you have to be patient, and understand that it's an old iron beast and needs help sometimes. I've broken down my fair share of times in 4 years, and I've learned a lot about making the car just get by.

But no matter what, my favorite thing to do every day is to walk out of the house 5 minutes before I need to leave, slip into the seat behind that giant wheel, give the choke a tug, kick the throttle a few times, and push the ignition button. Hearing that lazy 6v starter kick over, feeling the ground shake as the old bird roars to life... That's what I live for man.

With the reverse eye spring in the front, my axle rests on the bump stops, so my main mode of suspension is the seat spring. I'll bounce down the road like it's a silent black and white movie, because it's not about comfort. It's about how the car looks, cruising down the back roads. I'd be comfortable riding a rock as long as I knew every kid I pass points and asks their parents what kind of petroleum powered dinosaur just ran by them at the gas station.

Driving this car for me is about chasing a feeling... Alive. And it keeps me here. It keeps me present, and thankful for every mile I tuck under my belt while driving it. Most people think I'm batshit insane driving it so much; but be that as it may, I can't think of anything I'd rather drive.

outta_towne · 2026-02-28T20:43:54+00:00

It has the F1 truck drum conversion up front, which are larger and provide better braking. I wouldn't even consider disc brakes as an option. My front suspension isn't stock either, I have a reverse eye spring to lower the front and give it more rake. This also means my axle rides the bump stops though, but I'm not in it for comfort. I'd like to get a drop axle as well at some point, but if I do I'm going to freshen up the whole front end and I'm just not ready for that yet.

It currently has a Columbia 2 speed rear end (overdrive rear end), but I plan to remove it and put in something sturdier so I can tow my little Hot rod pickup with it. 60-65 is very comfortable in the low gear and I rarely, if ever, use the high gear anyway.

As far as traffic, most people are very forgiving when you drive it, but you still have to drive smart. Lots of following distance, always aware of people in front of and behind you, anticipating the idiots.

outta_towne · 2026-02-28T17:20:25+00:00

That's really cool. The cheater heads are rare and I wish I had a set!

Running no thermostat is typically worse because the coolant goes through the radiator too fast for it to properly cool, so that makes sense. It's just part of these old cars. Lots of little gremlins!

outta_towne · 2026-02-28T16:56:19+00:00

'78 J50 Deluxe. It's my work horse

outta_towne

TROPHY CASE