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1940 Ford 2 Door Deluxe Sedan
Dennis and Carol Lebbin - Towanda, KS
Dennis Lebbin's current project is a 1940 Ford Deluxe 2 Door Sedan. The car was purchased from a Rusty Nuts Club member shortly after Dennis joined the Club. The 40 sedan had a nice body and frame, with a previously modified Bobcat or Pinto IFS and a Ford 8in rear end. The floor was complete and had a pair of bucket seats included. There was no steering column installed, but one was included. The IFS modification was poorly done and Dennis decided to restore the frame and then install a Mustang IFS. The following pictures show the car as it was when Dennis got it, followed by the frame restoration , the new modification and installation of the new Mustang IFS. Dennis also installed a Chassis Engineering rear spring set up with a '69 Cougar 9 inch rear end.
Click on a small picture below to see a larger version
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Picture 1 through 3 show the car still loaded on the trailer in Dennis's shop. Picture 4 shows the frame after the body was removed (Dennis was installing the new rear springs). Picture 4 shows the original front cross member and frame horns that were removed by a previous owner.
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Pictures 6 through 10 show the frame before , during and after the original cross member was re-installed, and a new Mustang IFS was installed.
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Pictures 11 and 12 show the rear bottom pan removed and a portion of the trunk area (rusted bad) removed and new metal cut and formed for replacement.. Pictures 13 and 14 show the new spring assemblies with a Ford 9 inch rear housing installed.
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Pictures 15 through 18 show the car with the body mounted on the chassis.
While the car was on the lift, the brake calipers, pads and lines were installed as well as the electric fuel pump and fuel line.
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Pictures 19 through 22 show the car with the front and rear fenders mounted to check for tire clearance and wheel center in the wheel wells. Dennis found a nice set of Mustang wheels and tires at a local wrecking yard, and will be installing them soon. A drive shaft was picked up and will be sent out for shortening and re-balance.
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Picture 23 shows the car with the grill assemble mounted. Picture 24 is the car on the trailer, getting ready to take to a professional body shop for estimates. Also note the Mustang wheels. Picture 25 is a show of the new rear bumper with the third brake light mounted behind a Ford script cut out.
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Dennis has been busy this summer. He decided that he wanted to see the '40 finished to the point that he could enjoy it . Due to personal restrictions, he farmed out the body and paint work. He is working closely with the body shop, chasing parts and doing whatever he can to see that the progress on the forty is moving forward. Picture 26 above is the frame after it was painted Black enamel. Pictures 27 through 29 are pictures of the firewall which was painted a 2011 Ford color called Candy Red Metallic. Picture 30 is a shot of the underside of the floor after it was undercoated..
Picture 31 is a shot of the engine after it was placed back into the painted frame with the body mounted. The engine was fired up and seems to run great, even though it had been setting idle for a few years. Picture 32 is a shot of the '40 at the body shop after is was sprayed.
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Shots 33 through 38 were taken after Dennis brought the car home for the winter . The car will go back in the spring for a final touch-up, body sanding, extra clear-coat, and then a final rubout.
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Pictures 39 through 43 were taken after Dennis put some trim back on the car. He also put the seats in to get them off the floor for the winter. The car will be taken back to the Body Shop in the spring.
Be sure and revisit the project for more pictures as the car is put together.
