Notable for its streamlined style and deco details, the '40 Ford has gained in popularity among today's classic car nostalgists and hot rodders who remember the models as monsters of the drag strip and as affordable first cars or hot rod platforms of their youth.

In this illustrated history of the '40 Ford, auto historian Joe Cabadas delves into the archive of The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan, to offer a complete history of the 1940 Ford: the design and production process that led to the car; the various body styles; motorsports (both circle-track and drag racing); and hot rodding. Sidebars feature prominent, key figures within Ford, the cars in popular culture, significant contemporary automobiles from competitors, and more. Two hundred rare photographs and illustrations from the collections of The Henry Ford and from photographers around the country marvelously illustrate the iconic automobile.