Sweet Tweety 41 Ford Hauler!

Ford pickups from this era were built primarily as workhorses, serving as farm and delivery trucks rather than everyday transportation—unless, of course, it was the only vehicle you had. The timeless Art Deco “waterfall” hood, a one-year-only design, stands out as a particularly rare and iconic feature. This author added a waterfall hood to our ‘40 Ford truck and can’t help but admire its charm. It’s hard to believe Henry Ford himself approved such a stylish design—truly a “way kool” piece.

This hauler is powered by a 221ci Ford Flathead V8 (8BA) producing a solid 100 horsepower, respectable for a stock flat motor. It retains its original oil bath air cleaner and stock exhaust headers, with Ron opting to run 91-octane “Ethyl” gasoline—named for its tetraethyl lead additive and originally developed for aviation fuel. For those born after 1974, Ethyl gas has been around for over 100 years! Cooling is critical for flat motors, so Ron installed a Champion CCR radiator paired with a powerful Spal fan pulling 1,918 CFM—so effective it almost propels the truck forward on its own!

The interior features a clean black bench seat and well-maintained stock gauges that accentuate its vintage charm. True to its era, the truck has a column shifter (“on the tree”), which can be tricky to master as long as you avoid reverse! Door panels are painted (in bright yellow here) rather than upholstered, a standard feature for farm-use trucks. The radio? Not included—this vehicle’s soundtrack is the smooth purr of the flat motor paired with a modest exhaust. For air conditioning, you get two roll-down windows and a cowl vent, while the heater—essential in snow country— works superbly. Ron even has a torpedo cooler that clips to the window for extra relief on hot days.

Some modifications enhance this vintage ride’s usability, such as adding a passenger-side windshield wiper and rearview mirror—both absent in the original design. The body remains classic Ford, with oak side rails for practicality and a playful Tweety Bird mascot on the tailgate. A spare tire carrier was added to the passenger side for convenience. This project, purchased in Cody, Wyoming, in 2000, took over two decades to complete, finally wrapping up in 2023. Along the way, Ron and Darlene endured their fair share of challenges, including dealing with unscrupulous shops and
spending time in “paint prison.”

Now fully restored, this beauty, owned by Ron and Darlene—proud members of the Prescott Antique Auto Club (PAAC)—can be seen cruising around town. It turns heads wherever it goes, earning smiles and admiration as it collects bugs on the windshield. This “sweet Tweety ride” is a true testament to their dedication and love for classic Ford pickups.