'40 Deluxe Grille Side Mismatch Etc..
 

The grille sides on my '40 don't match. One side has fewer vents than the other. The window glass shows an 11-39. Outside of a which ever I find first, which would be more correct? Engine and frame is 5304....
Could I get away with a late dash?
Wiper bracket is a bolt on.
Thanks: Fred A

Re: '40 Deluxe Grille Side Mismatch Etc..
 

With the grills, its an early / late thing. Cant remember which is which but as far as the dash goes, the late dash will fit but its up to you as how correct you want this car to be.

Re: '40 Deluxe Grille Side Mismatch Etc..
 

FredA: Here's the info. you wanted about late and early louvered side panel grilles.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/t...estion.471930/

Re: '40 Deluxe Grille Side Mismatch Etc..
 

If the glass is near correct, and the HAMB link is also correct, then either count will be close to correct. Since I have access to a lot of parts, and other '40 parts seem so common, going to put together the best I can afford. Great to have this site to bounce these questions off of... Even with the great print and online sources, there are so many details to consider. Thanks for the help: Fred A

Re: '40 Deluxe Grille Side Mismatch Etc..
 

FredA: If you want to avoid a mismatch, matching louvre panels are on ebay frequently. Assembling the front sheet metal ona 40 Ford is a lot of work and very time consuming, so consider a matching set.Here's an early production pair.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-1940...55bc51&vxp=mtr
Plus Drake's are the later production style.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/6000/i.html?...+panels&_rdc=2

Re: '40 Deluxe Grille Side Mismatch Etc..
 

The others are correct in that this was an "early / late" design thing.
The early design had fewer louvers and was meant to be installed with square tip stainless trim.
By the time your car was thought to be built, it is unlikely (but possible) that the early grille louvers were installed.

Re: '40 Deluxe Grille Side Mismatch Etc..
 

Fred's comment about his wiper bracket being a bolt on brought me to a question. Every 40 I have owned [several] has had a bolt on wiper bracket, except my current 40 std coupe and it was welded on. Were many welded on?

Re: '40 Deluxe Grille Side Mismatch Etc..
 

That welded bracket is VERY early. Not many were done like that I would suspect as the bolt on method started in September, 1939.