Another 1940 Dodge.......YIPPEE!!!

[Andydodge]

I have had my 1940 Dodge 4Dr Sedan since 1971, over the yrs I have wrecked out another five 1940 Dodges for parts, none of these other cars were even remotely anything other than a parts car. Apart from 2 other 1940 Dodge sedans that I had seen in the 1970's, my car is the only other one I had personally seen..........until today.

About 12 mths ago there was a metallic turquoise green/blue 1940 Dodge Coupe on US ebay, it looked to be a nice stocker and had a particular identifying mark.......below the fuel cap a fuel spill had burnt thru the paint resulting in a grey stain that was very distinctive....I had a good look at the various pics on ebay and thought it seemed a good buy.

I have a mate who is a very skilled mechanic, working at a local tyre shop.........a few weeks ago he mentions that there is supposed to be a "1940's" Dodge Coupe coming in for a wheel alignment.......and that it has had 2 previous appointments cancelled........"yeh Geoff, sure Geoff"......says I......well this morning I was just making my 1st cup of coffee for the day b4 opening the shop and theres a garbled phone message......."Hey, its me, Geoff, that Dodge is here".....I replayed the tape 4 times b4 it dawned on me who it was......didn't even have a sip outa the coffee cup, closed the front door, got in the van and round to the Tyre shop.................and there it was.......grey fuel stain and all..........the VERY FIRST USA 1940 DODGE I HAVE EVER SEEN..........lol............after 40 years I finally get to see a genuine, real 1940 USA Dodge, and its the very same coupe I'd seen on ebay 12 mths ago........after spending 10 minutes going around it and pointing out all the differences it has compared to my Oz built car to Geoff the owner returned.........what an amazing feeling seeing another 1940 Dodge and finding out it lives about 15kms from me. And yep, its the same car I saw on ebay, ex Arizona no rust, still LHD, the original wheels had been replaced by a set of Cragar SS mags, otherwise its just a nice original stocker..........the owner Leigh has seen my 40 Dodge many times he says outside of the shop and intended to call in once he had got the car registered, which was planned to happen this week, the wheel alignment that Geoff was doing was to that end..........anyway will post a pic of it when I get one.........tho' if anyone kept a pic from when the coupe was on ebay I'd be pleased if you could post it.........o/k..thats my story for today.........I'm a happy camper......lol.....andyd

[1940plymouth]

I know the feeling, there are no 1940 Plymouths in my area at all, but I don't suppose the feelings are actually the same as what you are having as they are two different cars with the same year and name, AWESOME. I hope I worded this correctly:)

[Andydodge]

Bob, thanks for the comments, the weird thing is that since the advent of the internet I have had the chance to really see a wide range of 1940 Dodges and compare the differences between the US cars and mine it has only been thru photos & pics.........little things like the way the grille is held into the sheet metal(the US one with screws accessed thru the bars from the front...my Oz grille is held from inside, from behind as it has the Plymouth hood that allows access), the chrome window moldings, the proper Dodge headlight surrounds, overiders, the correct Dodge tailights(I've never seen a set here in Oz) etc.......lots of things to compare.......lol.........andyd

[BobT-47P15]

Good story, Andy.

The world has indeed gotten smaller, hasn't it??

Sounds like the other fellow had already thought about you, which

is a good thing. Have fun.

[P-12 Tommy]

I'm the only one in the Melbourne, Fl area that has a '41 Plymouth.

Tom

[BobT-47P15]

It's always amazing to me that we don't see many, and sometimes no,

other old Mopars from the 30s thru the 50s at shows and cruises.

There must be a bunch in the restoration process as the parts keep

selling for more money on ebay. Sometimes you have to fight with

other bidders to get an item. Just wonder where they are.

(Now, I know there are 3 or 4 in Tim's garage.....but the rest are

a mystery.)

[captden29]

bob is so right about not seeing old mopars at the shows. as far as 1940 dodges go. i have never seen one. i wonder how many were produced. seems like all these old mopars were just not that collectible, which does mean lower prces for them, but not as many around.i have a 1954 chrysler windsor convertible, only 500 made, so my chances of seeing another one is about zero. usually i am the only chrysler at a show. capt den

[Frank Elder]

Awesome for you Andy! Did you introduce him to the site?

[Andydodge]

Frankie, yep I told him about it but am gunna try & catch up with him this weekend, will get some pics and post them.........andyd

[Frank Elder]

Super duper!

[oldodge41]

Great story Andy. Your enthusiasm is contagious.

[40phil41]

That's very cool Andy. Here's a couple of teasers comparing my 1940 Dodge D14 4dr. (made in Canada) and my friends (since sold) 1940 D16 business coupe (made in Canada). I have several photo comparisons showing the many differences. Another teaser, note that my Canadian D14 is not quite identical to the US D14's.

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Phil