Automotive customizing has been a part of American culture for nearly as long as the automobile has. Today we see thousands of tricked out cars and trucks of all types, sizes and quality. So many amazing builds have gone away, never to be seen again.  Sometimes though, they are seen again. This is exactly the case for Fred Cain’s 1940 Ford Coupe Custom.

The history of these vintage customs is so intriguing and often convoluted that it can be hard to follow. Fred Cain of Wilmington, Massachusetts finished up his 1940 Ford Coupe in 1948, his first race was at Beverly Airport . In 1953, Bill Harkin wrote a feature article on Cain’s Ford for Honk! Magazine. Titled “Custom-Rod”, Harkin explored the difference between a hot rod and a custom and how Cain’s ’40 was both. In that era, usually it was one or the other. “Hot rod or custom – where do you draw the line?” Harkins askes at the beginning of the story. “Or is there a line at all?”

The Ford Coupe exterior was completely dechromed. The roof was given a moderate chop and the interior was given a full tuck and roll treatment. Under the hood, er rather between the fenders, Cain had a big 3-5/16 by 4 Mercury engine. Cain reportedly left the hood off because it added unnecessary weight. The Mecury power plate was ported and relieved. Evans heads were installed and a three-jug Cyclone manifold was installed. The power plant was a solid hot rod build. Then it was dressed up with tons of shiny externals.

After the Honk! Magazine article published, the car was modified even more. Cain’s father owned a Chrysler Plymouth Dealership which led to a Hemi swap. The front grille was swapped for a Nash unit. Sometime after that, the car went into hiding. In 2001, it resurfaced and began a road to restoration. After passing through a few hands and a partial restoration, the car was fully restored by Ryan Cochran in 2009. The finished car was again sold in 2013 to William Day, who subsequently lived near Beverly Airport where Cain first raced the car.

So much history can be learned by following a custom through the decades. Each car has a unique story that adds to the allure of our culture. For more info and pictures of Fred Cain’s 1940 Ford Coupe, head over to a dedicated page on Kustomrama.