I’ve owned this car for about 15 years. I had been wanting one and found one in Hemmings. It was located in Maryland. I really loved that it was a ragtop. But I was especially interested in owning a 1939 for the things that were the last year and the things that were the first time. For example, 1939 was the last year for the rumble seat, the floor shift, the light switch located on the horn, and the separate headlight lenses and reflectors. It was the first year for the hot water heater that tapped into the engine’s cooling system to provide cabin heat. It was also the first year for hydraulic brakes. Despite Henry Ford’s insistence that mechanical brakes were superior (“safety of steel from pedal to wheel”) he eventually agreed to switch in 1939.

-John

(transcribed by Val)