Former Dry Lakes and Bonneville Racer: 1940 Ford 01A Deluxe Coupe





























As the year winds down to a close, I not only reflect on the year, but I look also to next year and the events lined up. For automotive enthusiasts, the offseason for cars is like an offseason for sports: nothing and so much going on at the same time. One of the big events many enthusiasts and racers are preparing for is Bonneville Speed Week; typically held at the end of August each year, the anticipation for Bonneville is always high, especially considering Bonneville has been rained out a few times over the past seven years. Featuring some Bonneville and dry lake racing pedigree is this 1940 Ford 01A Deluxe Coupe, which has been garaged since 1975. Find it here on Hemmings in Yuma, Arizona, with an asking price of $23,000 negotiable.



























After being used as a street car throughout the 1950s and 1960s, this Ford 01A Deluxe coupe was converted to a Bonneville and dry lakes racer in the early 1970s. Run through So-Cal and on the Bonneville Salt Flats, this car was also featured in Street Rodder in January 1974 before being parked the following year. Painted in Dupont dark metallic green lacquer, the paint appears to have held up well and is covered in a nice layer of dust. Chrome and stainless appears to have held up very well too, and I dig the black push bumpers and front-bumper mounted fuel tank. The wheels are mismatched Buick Riviera and Cragar S/S wheels; I would replace them with a set of Halibrand mags wrapped in a set of pie-crust bias-look radials and a set of M&H Racemaster slicks in the rear for a period, vintage look. 



























Wait, that's not a Ford motor! Before all of you Blue Oval fans have a conniption that the seller dropped a GM motor in and assume it's some kind of Chevrolet motor, calm yourself and let me point out that this motor is a 394 Oldsmobile. Bored out to 405 cubic inches, this motor is hopped up with a bunch of performance parts, which the seller lists in his listing. Said to have run 137 mph back in 1974, the 394 is an interesting motor to build up. I dig the dual 500 CFM carburetors and Offenhauser valve covers, and the burly T10 four speed that backs the motor nicely complements the souped-up Oldsmobile. I would take this car to Bonneville for a few nostalgic runs.



























Doesn't get much simpler than this, does it now? Inside, the floorboards are cut away to expose the T10, and there are a few wires exposed from hiding. I dig the root-beer brown metalflake dash, Stewart Warner gauges, and the wood-rimmed aftermarket wheel. I would redo the seats, dash and door panels similar to the Stones, Wood and Cook Willys gasser, but in brown and white or green and white. Though in need of a few things, this former Bonneville racer has a lot of potential, and once refinished deserves to be run down the salt a few times for old time's sake. What are your thoughts on this Ford 01A Deluxe Coupe dry lakes and Bonneville racer?
Location: Yuma, AZ, USA

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