The ‘40 Ford was sitting beside Chris Carlson’s barn for several years. Chris sold the project to a customer and the project took off. Chris Carlson Hot Rods uses Martin Senour Automotive Finishes produced by Sherwin Williams and sold exclusively in NAPA stores. When Martin Senour caught wind of the ’40 Ford project, they wanted to be involved. The truck was revealed at SEMA 2013 in the NAPA/Martin Senour booth in a media reveal.
The truck has over 224 body modifications. No panel was left stock. Chris Carlson Hot Rods started by chopping the top 4 1/2″, sectioning the body 2 1/2″ and channeling it 2″. Next, the doors were stretched 2 1/2″ and the cab was stretched an additional 2 1/2″ to keep it in proportion. The cab was reshaped and the back of the roof and doors were leaned forward 12 degrees, giving the truck a look of being in motion even when sitting still. The Carlson Hot Rod Crew went to work fabricating rear windows, reshaping the belt line, rounding corners, sectioning the doors, shaving and smoothing.
The truck bed was totally customized as well. The entire bed was leaned forward to match the cab, shortening the front 5″ to keep it in proportion. A 2″ bed rail was added and the corners of the cab were rounded. The bedsides were lengthened to follow the frame rails, it was channeled 2″ and the front of the bed was flared to match up to the cab.
The Carlson Hot Rod Crew went crazy with the rear fenders adding 12 1/2″ in length, 1 1/4″ in width and 5″ in height. The fenders were peaked and hidden mounting structures with inner fender panels were added. The wheel opening was reshaped and the fenders were lowered 1″ on the bed sides. Dual ’59 Cadillac taillights were frenched in to finish them off.
The ’40 Ford features a pie cut hood that is pancaked at the belt line with a reshaped front nose. A custom made one-off Alumicraft Grill sets off the front end of the truck. The front fenders were widened 1 1/2″ with custom inner fender braces and the headlights were reshaped. The back of the rear fenders were reshaped to attach to the top of the hourglass running boards.
A crate LS1 350 motor with a 4L65E transmission was added to the TCI chassis. A complete custom leather interior is was created by Chris Carlson Hot Rods own upholstery shop. It is two tone grey leather with a one piece molded headliner and a molded back panel.
The paint is a custom mix that Chris & Martin Senour cooked up in the Carlson Hot Rod paint shop. It has ridiculous amounts of crushed glass and galaxy crystals that make the paint dance under the lights. Because of the glass and crystals, the paint cost $2600 per gallon. The beautiful blue was named Bankrupt Blues and it will remain a one-off color exclusive to this build.
Chris Carlson Hot Rods is a family owned business with a talented crew of 15. Their 15,000 square foot, state of the art facility features a paint shop, body & fabrication shop, custom exhaust fabrication, hot rod mechanic shop, upholstery and a hot rod parts and accessories store.
Many collectors believe the iconic 1940-41 Ford Pickup was one of the best looking Pickups ever designed; thus very desirable. Fender integrated head lights, eyebrow shaped rims and passenger car styling with vertical bar grill. The cab was strengthened and altered to give it more of a car like appearance. Spare tire was mounted on passenger side bed. This beautiful restored truck is laser straight; clad with battle ship gray and black – highlighted with orange pin stripe. All Ford steel body and fenders, and doors fit like a glove. Original bed with varnished oak floor. Rides on new set of Goodyear radials. Engine and transmission inspected, restored and tuned up as needed. Dual exhaust with nice rumble. All glass as new, most all chrome including front and rear bumper is very presentable. The 221 inch V8 runs and drives smooth and shifts smooth with the 3 speed floor shift. A rare opportunity to own a very desirable 1941 Ford Pickup; nice ride. Youtube video available upon request. Call our classic car division at 815-385-8408 for video and/or vehicle information.
