1939 Ford - Mc Nutt Coupe

https://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Bob_McNutt%27s_1939_Ford
1939 Ford Coupe owned and built by Bob McNutt of Ada, Oklahoma. The car was built over a 4 1/2 years period. The first version of the car was featured in Custom Cars July 1960. By then the car had attended 4 shows, and brought Bob 4 first place trophies. One of these shows was the 1st annual Dallas Autorama. This version of the car was chopped 4 1/2 inches, and sectioned 5 inches. 4 1/2 inch shortened and 4 inch sectioned 1948 Lincoln quarter panels were molded on to the car, giving it an illusion of extreme length. The stock 1948 Lincoln taillights were retained. A shaved 1941 Mercury bumper was fit in the rear. License brackets on the rear were made from bumper guard components. The deck lid was shaved, and operated by a pull latch. Stock fenders and headlights were used up front, but the wheel wells were radiused. A shaved 1941 Mercury bumper was also chosen to protect the front of the car. Once the bodywork was done, the car was painted in an iris hued lacquer. Bob stitched the upholstery himself in Natural leather and white Naugahyde done in a pleat and roll manner. The ashtray was filled in, and the dash knobs replaced by 1949 Ford knobs. The trunk was upholstered in white Naugahyde by Ada Top Shop in Oklahoma. Ruel Hopper of Ada, Oklahoma made the blue carpeting for the trunk. [4]

Custom Cars July 1960.










After being featured in Custom Cars July 1960, the front was restyled drastically. Bob pancaked the hood, and the front fenders were modified to accept a pair of 1959 Chevrolet quad headlights with vent scoops. The stock grille was replaced by a grille handmade in copper, and chrome plated. Under the hood, the car was powered by a 1957 Chevrolet 283 Power Pack with a Rochester 4 barrel. The engine was hooked to a 1946 Ford 3 speed transmission. Bob handbuilt the adapter between the engine and transmission in order to save the $25 the adapter costed to buy. A 1940 Ford rear end and hydraulic brakes were used in the rear.[5]


In 1964 the car was retired and put in storage. The car was sold in 1976 and towed to a dirt floor barn were it sat untouched until 1994. In November 1994 David Guymon of Cartright, Oklahoma bought the car. David restored the car in 31 days, in order to exhibit it at the 1995 Dallas Autorama. The restored version was painted in a 1957 Studebaker Azure Blue color. After Guymon restored it, the car was invited into the Darryl Starbird's National Rod & Custom Car Hall of Fame. The car was the 1st non Darryl Starbird creation to be shown at the museum, and was shown there for 2 years.[5]


In 2010 the car was shown at the 60th annual Dallas Autorama. After that the car was advertised for sale in Arlington, Texas. The asking price was $47,500.00

The car as it looked when David Guymon bought it in 1994.

The coupe at the 1995 Dallas Autorama just after David Guymon had restored

Bob Mc Nutt's Ford at the 2010 Dallas Autorama.

http://public.fotki.com/Rikster/11_car_photos/customcars_i_like/ford_custom_cars/40_ford_custom_cars/40s_-_50s_built_40/1939-ford-coupe-bob/
1939 Ford Full Radical Custom Coupe
Built in 1959 by Bob McNutt in Ada, Oklahoma
1957 Chevrolet 283 Power Pack with Rochester 4 barrel shifted through a 1946 Ford 3 Speed tranny. Bob hand built the Chevy to Ford adapter to save $25 back in 59 (bout like $400. Today). All this passes onto a 1940 Ford Banjo rear end including it’s 40 Ford juice brakes.
Air Conditioned back in 1959 with a 59 Chrysler York A/C compressor vented behind the seat, controlled by Novi under dash controls (which were discontinued in the mid 60’s)
The Chrome reverse wheels are custom made with 50 Mercury centers welded to 14” rims then chrome plated.
The body work is all done in lead Hence Lead Sled (No Bondo)
It’s chopped, sectioned, channeled, nosed, decked, pan-caked hood, canted 59 Chevy quad headlights (with vent scoops), 47 Lincoln rear ¼ panels, hollow handmade copper grille then chrome plated, note the scoop for ventilation below the grille
Customized 1940 Mercury bumpers
All the chrome was done back in the day (not new)
1957 Studebaker Azure Blue
When finished in 1959 it was powder blue with wide whites and 56 Buick spinner hubcaps
The current Azure blue, chrome reverse wheels, and interior were added as you see it back in 62-63. The chrome buttons are 63 Chevy Impala, and Old steering wheel.
This car was in over a dozen magazines and won 1st place all over the USA. It was driven to most shows and towed with a tow bar towards the end. It was shown in Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Washington, Arizona, Kansas, Nevada, and more. Bob stayed out of California said those guys were too arrogant for him. Didn’t go too far up north said it was too cold during the winter show months.
The car was retired in 1964 and stored until 1976. It was sold in 76 towed to a dirt floor barn and sat untouched until 1994.
In 1994 famous car customizer David Guymon out of Cartright, Oklahoma bought the car in November. At Mr. Don Deere’s (then ISCA director of Dallas AutoRama) request Guymon refreshed it to it’s present stage for the Dallas AutoRama in 95 in 31 days.
The car was the 1st and only car, other than Darryl Starbird cars, to be invited into The Darryl Starbird Museum. It sat in The Starbird Museum for 2 years. Today the museum has a separate wing for cars other than Starbird originals.
Currently the 283 runs strong but smokes. The late 50's Air Conditioning system is still hooked up but currently not working. The tires are new exact reproductions of what it had in 1964.

This car was started in 1958 with a complete 57 Chevy Power Pack 283 (like an LS today)
It had a 47 Ford 3 speed but now has a 700R but still has clutch pedal and looks the same as it did with standard tranny. It still has a Banjo rear end but now open drive shaft. It has all new 40 Ford drum brakes including new drums.
The car has been chopped, sectioned, 47 Lincoln rear fenders, 59 Chevy headlights, full Custom Grill. The color is a 57 Studebaker factory color. I have the interior door panels & seat cover skins from 1962. It just looked too tired for a fresh build.
This car had AC installed in 1959 (even some new Cadillac’s didn’t have AC in 59)
The gentleman Bob McNutt that built the car was 6’-2” and he drove it to most shows back in the day. I’m 5’-6” and it’s right for me. The car is a Blast to drive & Show.
It was in 12 magazines including front cover & full spread in 63.
It won over 40 1st place trophies including Best Custom 1958 NHRA Detroit, MI
I’ve got tons of information & photos of it’s History.
It was just featured in Rod & Kulture Magazine by Trent Sherrill. It’s been in Rodders Journal as well.
It won a Top Award @ Lone Star Roundup picked by famous Jeff Norwell. It won Best Custom at The Invasion in Dallas.
It was at The Customs Then & Now 2011 at Grand National Roadster Show 2011.