Mike Bamber ‘40 Ford

[crossfire 2004]

This ‘40 Ford coupe was owned and raced by Mike Bamber prior to his Silver Dollar Willy pickup and was last ran in anger in 1959. Originally powered by a Latham supercharged small block Chevy, which went onto power the Willys, it ran constant 10s at the drags before gaining an injected 283 punched out to 348. When he ran as part of the Dragmasters team he refused to paint the car gold but agreed to add the stripes as a compromise. Rather than chop up the original rear fenders to fit the slicks, replacement used panels were sourced hence the single tail light. The original uncut hood also survives with the car. There is still an exit hole on the upper bulkhead alongside the battery where the clutch departed when things became a little to much for it. The rear end is an early Chevy item on the original Ford spring.

I was delighted to find that the Ford had been purchased by a U.K. buyer, then when I saw it at the recent Dragstalgia event, pleasantly shocked to find that it was someone I know !

Once I had seen the car close up I knew I had to build a scale version as close as reasonably possible within my capabilities.

Body is a mixture of various ‘40 parts that I had to hand, Hilborn injected Chevy is I believe from the ‘55 nomad kit along with the rear axle, rear wheels are 4 slot mags from the Orange Krate.

I have included the damage to the bulkhead and scratched the forward mounted fuel tank with bizarre regulator made from a 4 barrel carb, and deleted one tail light.

The body was painted yesterday and is currently in the dryer, the interior is not totally accurate but uses the tuck n roll pieces from a Revell ‘48 Ford.

 

[TarheelRick]

Love those fat-fendered Fords.  Looking good.  That injected SBC from the Nomad kit is a nice piece.  I used it in my AMT Willys pickup.

[Rocking Rodney Rat]

Kool build, bring it on home! -RRR

[PappyD340]

Looking real good, keep it going!!

[larman]

That is a super cool car and you are really nailing the look!

[Ace-Garageguy]

Nice. 

[Ralph Henderson]

Now this looks like a fun project!!  Nice job!

[David G.]

Great start!

David G.

[Jantrix]

I like it. Nice work.

[vintagercr]

I'll be watching

[Deuces]

?

[crossfire 2004]

The finish line is in sight for this build, some BMF and a few details to complete the ‘40.

The paint is a little too shiny and the interior is not totally correct but as they say, it’s close enough for jazz.

I had to buy a Maverick Dodge just to get the cam decals for the side glass and the stripes are decals from a Revell Jagermeister VW panel van.

[Deuces]

That turned out nice.....

[crossfire 2004]

Finally buttoned up the last few bits on this build today, aerial, truck handle, correct license plate, BMF etc.

Thanks to everyone for looking, I have enjoyed recreating this piece of history and hope to present it to the new owner of the 1:1 in a couple of weeks.