1938 Coupe Door Handle

[1938 Coupe]

Hello.....I am new member to Ford Barn......
I have a 1938 Standard coupe. It is titled as a 38, but the outside door handles that are on the car look like the ones from a 1937 coupe. Did Ford use this handles on early 38 Standard cars? Also when I tried to remove the handle I noticed that the shaft is somehow attached inside the door mechanism and won't release. Do I need to remove the inside door panel?
Thank you for any information in advance!

[TonyM]

Welcome to the FordBarn:

1937 and 1938 exterior door handles are not the same. The 1937 outside door handles have three grooves in the handle. The difference can be seen on page 236 of the current Drake's catalog. A photo of a 1938 exterior door handle can be found on page 2-14 of the EFV-8 C/A 1938-1939 Ford Book.

[1938 Coupe]

Originally Posted by TonyM

Welcome to the FordBarn:

1937 and 1938 exterior door handles are not the same. The 1937 outside door handles have three grooves in the handle. The difference can be seen on page 236 of the current Drake's catalog. A photo of a 1938 exterior door handle can be found on page 2-14 of the EFV-8 C/A 1938-1939 Ford Book.

I know they are different, but I am still trying to figure out why someone would have 37 handles on a 1938 Coupe. What would be the point of putting older handles on a newer car? Could they have been carried over from Ford to start the new model year with what they had left over at the end of the model year?

[V12Bill]

When removing the handle, press in on the latch while pulling out on the handle.

[TonyM]

1938 Coupe, Welcome to FordBarn.

How about some photos of your coupe? Love the 1938 Ford.

It's anybody's guess why you have older door handles. I have found non original parts on my car too. Some reference materials indicate that Ford did carry over parts until used up. Good luck with your new car.

[1938 Coupe]

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[TonyM]

Great Lookin car. Thanks for posting.

[Fe26]

You have a really nice car, wish I still had my Standard Coupe.

[tubman]

That is a beautiful car! Whoever said '38 Fords were "ugly ducklings" never saw this car, that's for sure!

[cmbrucew]

38Coupe
You have a beautiful coupe. I like black coupes.
Bruce

[BLACKNRED]

me too

[JSeery]

Nice looking coupe, I have a 38 std 2dr, always loved the 38 standards!

[1938 Coupe]

Thank all that responded to my questions. I did notice that the original door handle shafts are shorter than the reproduction door handle shafts and have a notch cut in the shaft about a 3/4" from the end. I realize the reproduction handle shafts have to be cut down to work, but what about these notches. Are they necessary?

[TJ]

The notches are in fact necessary as they fit into the latch a certain way. I see you live in Cloverdale. If you are not a V-8 Club member, but interested in joining, the club meets once a month on the second Tuesday at 6:00pm. We meet at the Round Table Pizza at the intersection of Occidental Rd. and Stony Point in Santa Rosa. Next meeting will be in January.

[1938 Coupe]

Thanks for the info.....I guess the only way to make these reproduction handles work would be to cut and weld the original shafts unto the new handles unless you have a better idea? Thanks for the invite, but I already belong to two car clubs now and one more may make the wife more crazy then she is now about car clubs. (356car and Cloverdale Road Runners)

[TJ]

Use a file and file the notches in the new existing shaft.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

That has to bee the nicest 38 standard cpe I've ever seen. wow you don't see these every day.

GB

[swoopNZ]

There is a black one in the same condition in the South island.
They had $60K on it in Trade Me earlier this year or last year..

[El Rat]

My 38 standard has lots of "cross-over" parts. g