Introduction and What Do I have Here?

[dbstovall]

First, let me introduce myself since I am new to the Forum. My name is Dave and I have recently purchased a 1946 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe 77B (short door). I am normally a Buick guy, owning a 1938 Century coupe (photo included ) and a 1940 Super coupe. I like coupes. I do the vast majority of my own mechanical work but I leave interiors and body work to those who know what they are doing. Unfortunately, as I am getting older it is getting more difficult to do the on-your-back stuff under the car but I have some young neighborhood helpers to ease that pain.


I retired in 2013. I was an electrical and embedded software engineer for a big defense firm. We designed and built reconnaissance systems for the USAF, mostly on the U-2 high flyer platform. I retired as Chief Engineer of this group, so I went from the bottom to the top over the course of my career. I had a lot of fun and it was interesting work.


I got interested in old cars when I was young. My first car was a 1953 Buick I bought for $50 and hauled home while my folks were out of town. They were not pleased but all the work I did on it taught me a lot. I sold it shortly after and then just admired these great machines at car shows for quite a while since I had no wherewithal or a location to keep one. Fast forward to 2011. As I was preparing to retire, my wife urged me to get an old Buick as she knew I always wanted one. So I got the 1940 and soon after the 1938.


A few weeks ago I was idly perusing car ads - a very dangerous activity - and spotted the 46 Ford. I always admired the flathead V8 and this car was definitely not a project, although it needs some things here and there. I have buried myself in Ford arcania (you Ford guys have a plethora of information, thankfully) and shop manuals, etc, as I am now learning a whole new paradigm after being knee deep in pre-war GM for the last 15 years. Time to learn something new! I promise I will endeavor to check all of my sources before inquiring here so I don't waste your time with dumb questions!


Now for my question in the subject line. What exactly do I have here? It certainly has the looks of a 1946, but the serial number is 1416206. According to what I have read, this was built sometime in early 1947, maybe late February. I know Ford kept the 46 line running well into 47, shifting over sometime before April or May. But one book says all coupe production stopped in October 1946, not to restart until the 47s emerged in late Spring. My car seems to say different. Anybody have any ideas? The title says 1946, by the way, but the insurance company wanted to say 1947 due to the serial number, however I convinced them otherwise.


Thanks, Dave

[cas3]

Welcome dave, interesting career, thanks for you service. While the Buicks were a fine automobile, I think you will enjoy the old Fords as there is quit a bit more customer support for parts . Nothing like the sound of a flathead Ford! I'll let the experts takeover here

[hueyhoolihan]

there's no telling what the car companies ACTUALLY did WRT production and parts, as even authoritative books on the subject involve research that may or may not prove valid. might as well just deal with whatever you've got. if it's a mix of '46 and '47, so be it. in any event it looks like a '46 to me.

as a new owner of a '41, and an owner of a few 50's british models (couple of MGs and a Jag), i can say that i find the parts readily available and inexpensive, support is excellent, and the engineering is top notch and most importantly simple, but probably not all that much different than the Buicks from the same era, assuming you're not planning on disassembling the engine. looks like henry loved his 4-cylinder so much, that when forced to design a v-8 he simply slapped two of them together at about a 45 degree angle and called it good. after all there are two w

and BTW, i'm with you on the interiors and body work. i'll do my part on making them run smoothly, but i want no part of sanding or sewing! blech!

[ford38v8]

Dave, That's a beauty! You do have a problem there, however. The car having been restored, it is certainly possible to be comprised of mix-and-match parts, but the title is a mystery that possibly happened in a similar manner as your convincing your insurance that it's vintage is 1946.
The seller would be the one to ask, as he'd likely have been through the same issue himself. If you could determine the original restorer, that's where the answer lies.
I'd compare the transmission number to the frame number and title first, for a possible easy answer. If the transmission is original to the car or to the title, and if the frame is original to the title. (The title must match the frame number, or you've got trouble.) If the title number does appear on one or the other, look closely comparing the two 6's and the single 0. This is speculation only, understand, but if the first 6 is actually a double-hit 0, that could solve the mystery. You can always ask the DMV to get involved, but that's like playing Russian Roulette.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by dbstovall

Now for my question in the subject line. What exactly do I have here? It certainly has the looks of a 1946, but the serial number is 1416206. According to what I have read, this was built sometime in early 1947, maybe late February. I know Ford kept the 46 line running well into 47, shifting over sometime before April or May. But one book says all coupe production stopped in October 1946, not to restart until the 47s emerged in late Spring. My car seems to say different. Anybody have any ideas? The title says 1946, by the way, but the insurance company wanted to say 1947 due to the serial number, however I convinced them otherwise.

Thanks, Dave

[ms fowler]

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Welcome to the Ford Barn, Dave.
THIS SATURDAY there is a car flea market not far from you. The AACA Chesapeake Region has their annual flea market at the Howard County Fairgrounds. Past experience is that there will be Flathead people--as well as the guys who feel the need to push the season by wearing tank tops and short shorts.... Bring your car!!

https://chesapeake.aaca.com/wp-conte...yerAlone01.pdf

[corvette8n]

Welcome to the barn, see the link below to see how to check the glass for date codes.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...ass+date+codes

[TJ]

Dave I recommend you join the Early Ford V-8 Club of America. Their magazine, The V-8 Times would also add to your knowledge about old Fords. They have also put out a book on the 41-48 Fords that would also help you. The magazine will also give you access to parts vendors when you need parts. www.earlyfordv8.org. The club's web site and this site will give you lots of information for a new(old) Ford owner. Welcome to the "Ford Club".

[38 coupe]

I second the recommendation to join the Early Ford V8 Club. In addition to the book mentioned above I also recommend purchasing a copy of the club's magazines in pdf format, link here: https://shop.efv8.org/collections/me...es-flash-drive. You can see a list of articles specifically about 46, 47, and 48 Ford changes in an index the club has on their website. The club V8 Times index includes all articles through the 2019 year, link here: https://www.earlyfordv8.org/pdf/V8Ti...al-w_links.pdf

[1942deluxe]

Dave, what is the prefix in front of the serial number? Is it 99A? Very nice looking car regardless!

[19Fordy]

Both those cars are beautiful.

[Darrell S]

Originally Posted by cas3

Welcome dave, interesting career, thanks for you service. While the Buicks were a fine automobile, I think you will enjoy the old Fords as there is quit a bit more customer support for parts . Nothing like the sound of a flathead Ford! I'll let the experts takeover here

When I was just a kid a neighbor had a 41 Buick Century. He split the exhaust manifold 5 and 3, boy did that old straight eight bark.

[dbstovall]

Thanks so much for the replies! Yes, I have joined the club and I will get the back issues. The prefix on the VIN is 799A. I think I found the frame number and will see if I can make it readable. The seller did not restore the car so I probably will not get any info there. I do plan on going to the Howard County meet next Sat.


I did manage to get back to the car on Sat and mounted the carb I rebuilt. Started right up and runs very smooth so far. I do have some issues to track down like no charging, but I have run the same race on my Buicks so I will get it sussed out pretty soon.


Cheers, Dave

[Mac VP]

Some states in those years used the year of manufacture of the vehicle rather than the company’s model year for the title. The 799A certainly suggests that it was a 1947 title. The front parking/turn signal lamps are 1946. However, all of the auto manufacturers were scrambling to assemble cars right after the war ended, so using previous versions of some parts probably happened. The number stamped into the frame rail is going to be Ford’s model year ID…..the states that used the calendar year would not have required the manufacturer to restamp the vehicle number.

[tetanus]

your parking lights and the body trim(hard to see should have some ribs 47-48 had smooth trim) are 46. 46s had tool tray area in trunk that had 2 wood pieces that covered it, 47 it was eliminated i believe.. 46s had 1 piece rear bumper filler piece then it went to a 3 piece in 47. 46 have red in gages

[dbstovall]

I got a pic of the frame number. It matches the title. I do have the red gauges and the front grille pieces look correct. I will check on the tool tray and bumper filler.


I am pretty sure this was a frame-off restoration as the bottom is extremely clean (I looked at it on a lift). Is it possible someone put a 46 body on a 47 frame? Or is this just a late 46 that got a 47 number. From what I have read it sure seems possible. In any case I am going to to to the MD MVA and just keep my mouth shut. If they insist on titling it as a 47 I can't see any issues. Usually MD does not demand to see the car to confirm.


Cheers, Dave

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by dbstovall

I got a pic of the frame number. It matches the title. I do have the red gauges and the front grille pieces look correct. I will check on the tool tray and bumper filler.


I am pretty sure this was a frame-off restoration as the bottom is extremely clean (I looked at it on a lift). Is it possible someone put a 46 body on a 47 frame? Or is this just a late 46 that got a 47 number. From what I have read it sure seems possible. In any case I am going to to to the MD MVA and just keep my mouth shut. If they insist on titling it as a 47 I can't see any issues. Usually MD does not demand to see the car to confirm.


Cheers, Dave

[ford38v8]

Dave, in the close-up of your serial number, the second 6 looks like it was also hit with the number 4. Being as how serial numbers were all hand struck, people make mistakes, and this might well be one of those hangover Monday Morning mistakes.

[1942deluxe]

Dave, with a strong amount of certainty I would say your car is a very early 1947. Per the Branham Automobile reference book, the first 1947 serial number was 799A-1,412,708. Your car is 799A-1,416,206 which would be the 3.498th unit made. Branham states the 1947 serial numbers started February 19th,1947. Well, documented in the Early V8 Club the first 47's looked identical to the 1946 until somewhere in March of 1947. I think it would have been made in the first day or two of 1947 serial numbers. The V8 Album goes into detail about the 4 versions of 1947 Fords and is still available from the Early V8 Club.

[FortyNiner]

Welcome!

To reinforce previous comments that postwar vehicles were a bit of a mishmash, my otherwise original '46 Deluxe has both the expected trumpet horn set AND the snail horns used on 47-48 models. Further, the speedometer face didn't seem to quite match the documentation in the Early Ford V8 book for the 41 to 48 cars. Go figure.