Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Hope it's a good omen that my wife has named our new to us 1938 Convertible Club Coupe. We purchased her way back in December and after waiting months brought her home almost two weeks ago. I've started the process of replacing fluids, spark plugs etc. and lubing where appropriately. The previous owner was a friends father who passed away last September after years of ill health. Prior to his ownership it was owned by a member of the Milwaukee Model A club so I contacted him through the club to try and get more history on the car. His two sentence e-mail said he got it from another club member who had it a long time and passed away back in 1996. She's got lots of warts and is definitely not a trailer queen but should be a lot of fun for my family. Posted yesterday about buying some headlights here locally to possibly replace the aftermarket ones on the car currently but projects like that will be in the future with no rush to change things.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

If it has warts....I sure don't see any !

Sweet looking ride !!

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

I don’t think I could see the warts even using the dual spotlights!!!.....Nice!!!.....Mark

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Very nice convertible Gary, if it runs and drives as good as it looks I would name it "Stable Mable".

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Congrats. Very nice.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Always a good sign when the wife names the car something other than “another money pit”


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Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Warts and all it's a good looking driver.
Have to agree with replacing the (ugly) sealed beam conversion with the original lenses and doors.
Would be nice if someone came up with an LED conversion that would fit in the original housing.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Best of luck with Betty, she is a beauty !!

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

GU,
Betty is a super score. I'm liking the sealed beam conversion too. At one time
I tripped across a few of these sealed beam setups.....Western Auto, Warshawskis
Whitney etc. To my 80 year old eye they don't appear at all out of place...very nicely
fitted.
Charlie ny

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

It doesn't seem that we see many 38's. This one is beauty! Love it.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Warts huh? unless there is something hiding under the hood, it looks like it could be right at home on the concourse with a few things that can easily be changed. Nice to see a 38. I think after the Great Depression, there was a second recession in late 37 or 38. I don't see many 38 cars of any make.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Oh to have a wart problem!! Really nice.........

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Great looking 38. Hope you and yours have a great time in it.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

She's a beauty. Enjoy.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Here's a few of the engine compartment. Old wiring and some pieces cobbled together. Has an amp gauge on the dash but appears its been fitted with a voltage regulator and 2 brush generator. Stromberg carburetor which I believe shouldn't be there and a small air cleaner that looks very out of place to me. Have a correct air cleaner that needs paint so will change that soon. The part that really bothers me are the crazy long battery hold down bolts so will switch those as well. I have one of the funky bent hold down bolts that belong there already and will look for another, have an extra hold down frame too.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

That is a real beauty! I don’t see how anyone can call 1938, Fords ugly duckling year. I think they have a unique distinction of their own.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

I was never a fan of the period seal beam conversions, I much prefer the looks of the originals.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Gary, she is a beauty!!! Is the 55K original miles? Be interesting to see how the compression checks out when you get around to it. Otherwise, lots of neat projects to bring her back to more original!!!


Best of luck....Dick.

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Nice car! Love 38s!

Re: Introducing "Betty" 1938 Convertible
 

Very beautiful car, I'd get the original type head lights, air cleaner and a battery that fits better on it. Lots of luck with it.