Barn Find Extraordinaire

Hidden for 70 years: The 1940 Barn Dodge!

You've heard stories of barn finds before, and some sound incredible or unbelievable, so here's one that might rank right up there with the best. It is the true story of one 1940 Dodge Deluxe Sedan.

Back in 1940, life in the Country was running at a different pace. You could leave your house unlocked, and, of course, your car. Television and computers were words without meaning. Pearl Harbor was an event of the future and it would be two more years before the United States would even enter World War II . 

At about this time VIN *30231403* was built by proud American workers in Detroit, Michigan, one of 84,976 Dodge D-14 DeLuxe four-door sedans manufactured in 1940. 

  
A veterinarian from Horseshoe Bend, Idaho, purchased the blue Dodge new at the local Dodge dealer in Boise. He used it to respond to calls all through the war years and beyond. Being a very valuable asset during war times, the car was always parked in a dedicated spot in the barn when not in use. 
In 1948, the good Doctor passed away and the car was put on blocks and covered with bed sheets. 

  

At that time, the car was likely kept for sentimental reasons and left in the barn untouched. The children became adults, parents, then grandparents and the old Dodge was still slumbering in the barn. 
  
Then, early in 2003, someone had a serious look and pulled off the bed sheets to discover what was really hiding underneath. The car was lifted from the blocks and the tires were filled up with air. A new owner was found, who took the Dodge to Southern California.

71 years old and with only 42,342 original miles showing on its odometer, this Dodge personifies the term "reference car."  More importantly, it represents a rare opportunity to experience how it felt driving a new car in the 1940's.  

The body, amazingly, is straight and absolutely rust free, thanks to being stored in a dry, well ventilated barn, away from the elements. The blue lacquer paint is original, factory applied. It's worn thin on the tops of the fenders and shows a myriad of nicks, imperfections, and touch ups from the past, but not an ounce of body filler nor a single rust bubble. Repainting this car would be an unforgivable sin. Its patina is irreplaceable and gives the Dodge its inherent value. 

Another Dodge industry first for 1940 were the safety rims. The wheels still feature their factory triple pin-striping, the heavily chromed hubcaps are beautifully preserved. Even the painted red detailing is still intact. Bias ply tires of the dimension 6.00x16 look original as well. It's not likely they make "Pennsylvania Rx Supertest Cord S-3" rubber anymore. 

Open the doors and be invited into a cabin that's 100% factory original. Unmolested, unmodified, un-restored, it has the special 1940's aroma and charm that cannot be duplicated. 

The dashboard is a masterpiece of Art Deco design. Fabulously painted metal creates the ambiance of lightly stained wood. Nickel plated accents duplicate the look of then-popular costume jewelry. 

Modern technology of the day featured dual electric windshield wipers, sealed beam lamps, floating power, hydraulic brakes, telescopic shock absorbers, a column-shifted, synchronized transmission, tinted glass, a chromed horn ring, and a host of other innovations. 

What was found in the felt-lined, locking glove box is basically a time capsule. There's an owner's instruction book in its original envelope, a "Sentinel" first aid kit, including a bottle of "Mercuro-Chrome", a small upholstery brush, and a promotional lead pencil "Compliments of DeRail Pool Hall, Glenn's Ferry ID." An old bottle opener, a parking stub dated 8/16/1941, from the "Glen Valley Rodeo", a small metal box containing "Buss Auto Fuses", an "Ideal Split Shot" box containing a tire valve and a fishing hook, a pair of celluloid sunglasses, and lastly, a "Travel Idaho with CONOCO" road map. 

Ample space for three on the comfy front bench, featuring "air foam" seat cushions. The original mohair still looks good, with the minimal stains and moth attacks.

Through large, rear-hinged suicide doors, entry to the spacious passenger compartment is easy, even when wearing a top hat. Luxuriously equipped with arm and foot rests, woven grab handles, beveled-glass interior light, and (unused) ash tray, passengers will invariably exclaim: "This feels like Driving Miss Daisy!"

The roomy trunk sports original jute mats and original spare wheel with jacking equipment, as well as a set of new GOODYEAR tires of the proper size (includes new inner tubes too!).

"Let us MARFAK your car!" proclaims TEXACO's old service sticker on the door jamb. The Dodge was just lubed and serviced, 2,000 miles ago, in 1948.

Note the carmine-colored, bakelite 'necker knob', Dodge's early version of power assisted steering. 

A beautiful classic car, ready to be of service.