Next to the original 1932 Deuce, the 1940 Deluxe could be the most coveted of the classic Ford V8s today.  It’s easy to see why.

With distinctive styling by Ford design chief E.T. “Bob” Gregorie under the ever-watchful eye of Edsel Ford, the Ford Deluxe line had a fresh new look for 1940, but one that has stood the test of time. To this day, the ’40 Deluxe is among the most popular of the prewar Ford V8s, with a number of features that distinguish it from other models. What makes the ’40 Deluxe special? Let us count the ways.

The familiar Ford V8 chassis continued into 1940 in much the same form as the 1939 version, riding on the same 112-inch wheelbase with transverse leaf springs front and rear. A torsion-type stabilizer bar was added to the front suspension to reduce body roll and permit a lower front spring rate, while the hydraulic brakes (new in ’39) were upgraded with larger drums, and the unusual “wide-five” wheels used in 1936-39 were exchanged for conventional steel discs.

The trusty 221 CID, 85 hp L-head V8—more than six million units were produced by then—was treated to a revised carburetor and larger six-volt generator. While the tiny 136 CID 60 hp V8 was reportedly available in both the standard and Deluxe models in 1940, the 60 hp Deluxe was extremely rare—only 161 units, say Ford experts, of the total production of more than 575,000 cars.

The 1940 instrument panel was significant leap forward for Ford, incorporating a modern-looking horizontal speedometer and gauges instead of old-fashioned round dials. There were dual ash trays, one at each end of the dash, and Deluxe models included a 30-hour clock built into the locking glove box door. The IP’s two-tone Maroon and Rose Sand color scheme, found on all Deluxe models, was carried into the steering wheel.

Of course, one notable new development for ’40 was the steering column-mounted shift lever, which Ford called “Finger-Tip Shift.” As was often the case with convenience items, conservative Ford lagged a year or two behind the rest of the industry in offering this feature, which allowed more comfortable three-abreast seating.

Unveiled in October of 1939, the Deluxe was treated to an all-new front end design for MY 1940, while the standard models continued with a ’39-ish look. (In truth, Ford did not use the Standard designation in 1940, referring to the models as simply Ford and Ford De Luxe.) Both Edsel Ford and chief designer Gregorie, who worked closely on styling, were followers of yacht design, hence the sharp nautical prows of the Ford V8 years.

Sealed-beam headlamps appeared for the first time in 1940, as did front vent windows, which allowed Ford to discontinue the traditional hinged, crank-out windshield. The windshield wipers were relocated from above the windshield to below it, and the radio antenna (when equipped) was mounted at the top center of the roof header.

Among hot rodders, the two coupe body styles (Coupe and Business Coupe) are probably the most popular, followed by the long-roofed Tudor sedan. The Business Coupe featured a pair of folding jump seats, also known as opera seats, behind the driver’s bench. Thus this model is often called an “opera coupe” by Ford V8 enthusiasts.

In all there were six Deluxe body styles in 1940: the $721 Coupe and $745 Business Coupe, the Tudor at $765; the sporty Convertible Coupe at $850, and the $810 Fordor Sedan. By far the most expensive style was the Deluxe Station Wagon (below). With its select ash and maple hardwoods cut from Ford’s own Michigan forests and the extensive use of hand labor in its construction, the wagon listed at a hefty $950. It’s also the rarest of the ’40 Deluxe styles with approximately 8,730 units produced. Needless to say, all the 1940 Deluxe models are highly coveted today.