1939 Ford Coupe Internal Framing Question

[FatFndr]

I have a 1939 Ford Coupe that I am currently working on. The framing behind the seat going into the trunk area has been “modified” and I am trying to put it back together the way it was originally. I have a pretty good idea how it’s suppose to look but am missing the “fine details”, such as how and where was the original package tray installed. If anyone has built or is building a 1939/1940 Ford Coupe, I would like to see what stock framing looked like. I put a sheet behind the framing to enhance the photo, the “thing” hanging down in the middle is a clamp. Picture one is what I need showing behind the seat looking towards the trunk. Picture 2 is from the trunk looking towards the front seat.

[Vic Piano]

KUBE can help you with that, but first he'll have to know if it's a Coupe, Business or an Opera Coupe...LOL... Just kiddin' Mike... The Devil made me do it... Vic

[19Fordy]

Perhaps this will help re: looking from the inside of the trunk towards the front of the car. As I recall the curved angle piece that has been cut off in your photo curves right across the back of the car under the back window. The plywood for the shelf then rests on this.

[19Fordy]

Here's more. My car has the package tray with the flip up front seat back. From the looks of the curved piece in your interior photo, it looks like yours has the package tray also. Come to think of it, all 1939 Ford coupes had the package tray as there were no other options offered.

[19Fordy]

Here's more pics. Again, this 40 has the package tray.

[19Fordy]

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And a few more of what my package tray looks like. I bought this kit from LeBaron Bonney. However, I distinctly remember that when I bought the car from the original owner it had the original interior in it and the package tray was covered with the same material as the original headliner. I was surprised with the LeBaron Bonney vinyl. I know my 40 is an early production car, so maybe it used the left over OEM 39 package shelf material. For some reason, the vinyl, just doesn't seem correct to me -although LB is suppose to "know their stuff." But I installed their entire interior and upholstery kit in 1988 and have lived with it. I still have some headliner material. Maybe i'll redo it someday.

[19Fordy]

This is THE END. Hope it helps.

[cmbrucew]

19Fordy
What does the material between the seat and package tray look like with the seat folded forward?
Thank you

Bruce

Works good
Lasts long time

[OldDad]

KUBE can help you with that, but first he'll have to know if it's a Coupe, Business or an Opera Coupe...

Having corrected a similar hack job on a '40 coupe body, and also having converted it to a "business coupe" (with jumpseats, as the original car had), I can assure you that you would indeed have to know the difference to do it properly. Mostly in the floor pan, but there are also differences in the support structure under the quarter windows. But this somewhat off topic for this thread, about a '39 standard. . .

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by cmbrucew

19Fordy
What does the material between the seat and package tray look like with the seat folded forward?
Thank you

Bruce

Works good
Lasts long time

That piece of material of which you speak remains in place and does not vary in width when only the seat back is moved because the seat back does not fold forward as it is hinged to the wooden seat frame at the top. It lifts up from the bottom. You have to put your hand down in between the back edge of the bottom seat cushion and pull the seat back out and up in one motion. Then there is a curved side latch that holds the seat back up. I used to use it before I installed the LB kit, but have not used it since 1988. The material between the top edge of the seat back and the package tray simply varies in width as the entire seat is adjusted either forward or back on its tracks. There is enough "slack" in the material to allow for the full seat travel. And when the seat is adjusted all the way back, that piece of material just folds up as needed. In the last photo the seat is moved forward quite a bit, hence not too much "bunching'" of that piece of material.

[Vic Piano]

Originally Posted by OldDad

KUBE can help you with that, but first he'll have to know if it's a Coupe, Business or an Opera Coupe...

Having corrected a similar hack job on a '40 coupe body, and also having converted it to a "business coupe" (with jumpseats, as the original car had), I can assure you that you would indeed have to know the difference to do it properly. Mostly in the floor pan, but there are also differences in the support structure under the quarter windows. But this somewhat off topic for this thread, about a '39 standard. . .

You missed my point... I was joking with KUBE... from an earlier post

[FatFndr]

WOW! That is more than what I expected and EXACTLY what I needed, I'm overwhelmed with the info. Thanks 19FORDY and the others who offered support.

[39 STD]

Here's a few more of a 39 Std interior framing.

[ford38v8]

FatFndr, Please take note of what 19FORDY said about the package tray material. His original upholstery was correct with the headliner material on the package tray, not the vinyl as shown in his pictures. This is a good example of why advice from a V8 Club advisor trumps advice from a supplier. LeBaron Bonney kits are the best to be found, but always do your own research rather than depending on what a supplier tells you. They are only human and capable of making mistakes too.

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by 39 STD

Here's a few more of a 39 Std interior framing.

The info you posted is exactly the way my 40 looks prior to package tray install.

[19Fordy]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

FatFndr, Please take note of what 19FORDY said about the package tray material. His original upholstery was correct with the headliner material on the package tray, not the vinyl as shown in his pictures. This is a good example of why advice from a V8 Club advisor trumps advice from a supplier. LeBaron Bonney kits are the best to be found, but always do your own research rather than depending on what a supplier tells you. They are only human and capable of making mistakes too.

Yes, I had a gut feeling the LB kit was incorrect, but I made the incorrect decision.

[OldDad]

You missed my point... I was joking with KUBE... from an earlier post

Naw, I got your point -- should have just kept my mouth shut! Anyway, I'm sure you are more than aware of differences I mentioned there, Vic! If not, ask Kube for his advice . . . or, well, oh, uh . . .

[FatFndr]

Originally Posted by 39 STD

Here's a few more of a 39 Std interior framing.

In picture 3 you show the assembled package tray. Do you have a picture of it prior to installing the large vertical panel?

[VeryTangled]

olddad your avatar is awesome!

[39 STD]

Originally Posted by FatFndr

In picture 3 you show the assembled package tray. Do you have a picture of it prior to installing the large vertical panel?

Nothing that shows it better that picture 2. It shows the metal framing of the interior. The rest of the shelf frame was/is made of wood as seen in the third picture.