The Ford Barn

mvonhobe · 05-14-2012, 03:30 PM

Have been having some work done on my '39 1-½ ton flatbed and it's time to pick it up from the shop. One of the next steps is to repaint it. Going to use it, very occasionally, in the business, delivering materials to the job site. I think it would be somewhat sacrilegious to put a vinyl sign on it and I have an employee who also hand-paints signs. Over the years, we've seen old company trucks with logos and company names on the cab but I need help putting a name to a font that would be appropriate for the year.
Any suggestions?
Thanks!

51 MERC-CT · 05-14-2012, 04:22 PM

Just do a google search for 30's fonts and you should come up with something like this.

http://www.fontspace.com/category/1930s
http://www.fontscape.com/explore?7EH

Tinker · 05-14-2012, 04:40 PM

Another helpful google (image) search would be 1930s signs or ads.

Found this too....

19Fordy · 05-14-2012, 05:31 PM

Please don't do Gothic capital letters.

SUHRsc · 05-15-2012, 05:48 AM

What is the name of your business? and what all do you want to have painted on the truck?

Hoop · 05-15-2012, 07:54 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Interesting subject and difficult to find specific information on fonts.

I found this guy online who has a third-generation background and may be able to answer your question. His contact information is there.

http://dustysigns.com/

http://typedeck.com/traditional-sign-painting/

Tinker · 05-15-2012, 08:43 AM

Great links Hoop. And a good read.

When I think 30s type, I think of mostly block lettering, some serifs but not overly fancy. Art Deco.

mvonhobe · 05-18-2012, 11:27 PM

SUHRsc

Alpine Fencing
Cañon City, COLORADO
phone number

We have a registered logo and I suspect we'll want to have a version of that as well.....

Old Henry · 05-21-2012, 05:25 PM

Here are a few more 1939 truck signs:

CHuDWah · 05-21-2012, 06:21 PM

My Dad was a trucker for 40+ years starting in the early-30s. He had a number of trucks over the years and his signs were always similar to post #3 above. Block letters with maybe a little secondary info (city name, etc) in script for a little pizzaz. Keep in mind the signage was meant to be functional for ID and advertising purposes - and painters often charged less for the simpler fonts.

05-14-2012, 03:30 PM	#1
mvonhobe Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cañon City, CO Posts: 19	Era-appropriate font Have been having some work done on my '39 1-½ ton flatbed and it's time to pick it up from the shop. One of the next steps is to repaint it. Going to use it, very occasionally, in the business, delivering materials to the job site. I think it would be somewhat sacrilegious to put a vinyl sign on it and I have an employee who also hand-paints signs. Over the years, we've seen old company trucks with logos and company names on the cab but I need help putting a name to a font that would be appropriate for the year. Any suggestions? Thanks!

05-14-2012, 04:22 PM	#2
51 MERC-CT Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: East Hartford, Ct Posts: 5,898	Re: Era-appropriate font Just do a google search for 30's fonts and you should come up with something like this. http://www.fontspace.com/category/1930s http://www.fontscape.com/explore?7EH __________________ DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

05-14-2012, 05:31 PM	#4
19Fordy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Coral Springs FL Posts: 10,944	Re: Era-appropriate font Please don't do Gothic capital letters.

05-15-2012, 05:48 AM	#5
SUHRsc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: near Hershey, PA Posts: 875	Re: Era-appropriate font What is the name of your business? and what all do you want to have painted on the truck? __________________ -WANTED- Pre-War Speed Equipment Davies or Morrison Intake Manifold 77-6050B, 81AS - 81SB - 99AS - 99SB 19AS cylinder heads

05-15-2012, 07:54 AM	#6
Hoop Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 1,137	Re: Era-appropriate font Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Interesting subject and difficult to find specific information on fonts. I found this guy online who has a third-generation background and may be able to answer your question. His contact information is there. http://dustysigns.com/ http://typedeck.com/traditional-sign-painting/ __________________ "Remember that when it comes to intelligence, half of all of us are below average."

05-14-2012, 04:40 PM	#3
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Era-appropriate font Another helpful google (image) search would be 1930s signs or ads. Found this too....

05-15-2012, 08:43 AM	#7
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,053	Re: Era-appropriate font Great links Hoop. And a good read. When I think 30s type, I think of mostly block lettering, some serifs but not overly fancy. Art Deco.

05-18-2012, 11:27 PM	#8
mvonhobe Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Cañon City, CO Posts: 19	Re: Era-appropriate font SUHRsc Alpine Fencing Cañon City, COLORADO phone number We have a registered logo and I suspect we'll want to have a version of that as well..... Last edited by mvonhobe; 05-18-2012 at 11:28 PM. Reason: additional info.

05-21-2012, 06:21 PM	#10
CHuDWah Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Kritter Krick, Flaw-duh Posts: 1,158	Re: Era-appropriate font My Dad was a trucker for 40+ years starting in the early-30s. He had a number of trucks over the years and his signs were always similar to post #3 above. Block letters with maybe a little secondary info (city name, etc) in script for a little pizzaz. Keep in mind the signage was meant to be functional for ID and advertising purposes - and painters often charged less for the simpler fonts.