Lot 5328-NSH: 1940 Ford Standard / Deluxe

Great question! For the 1940 model year, Ford Deluxe was an upscale alternative to the base Ford Standard — essentially a separate “marque within a marque” that existed to bridge the gap between the affordable Ford line and the more luxurious Lincoln offerings. In 1940, they were marketed as distinct lines rather than just trim levels.

The Big Difference: The Grille The easiest way to tell them apart at a glance is the front grille:

• Standard models: Featured body-colored vertical grille bars with chrome accents mainly on the wide center trim piece
• Deluxe models: Featured a distinctive three-part horizontal bar grille (often called the “toothbrush” style), which was considered more upscale and sophisticated

Other Typical Upgrades The Deluxe generally included additional brightwork and interior appointments compared to the Standard, though exact equipment varied by body style. Ford used this two-tier approach through 1940, after which the Deluxe reverted to trim-level status for 1941.

Interestingly, the 1940 Ford coupes (like the one we’re looking at) are legendary in hot rod history — they’re often called “moonshine haulers” due to their popularity in the South during that era!

If you’re curious about values, the Deluxe models typically command a premium due to their rarer status and more distinctive appearance. You can find more examples and check current market values at https://classic.com/m/ford/standard-deluxe/standard-variants/.

Want me to show you some similar 1940 Fords currently available, or dig deeper into anything specific about this era?