Late Australian 1937 Fords got an updated Grille

[mercman from oz]

Check out the Grilles on this pair of 1937 Fords. Both are Deluxe models, and both are correct for Australian assembled 1937 Fords. The one in the foreground is how they were when first introduced, Chrome Plated. Then, towards the end of the model year, Ford Australia decided to paint the Grilles Body Colour, and added 3 Chrome Strips on each side. These Chrome Strips are genuine 1937 Ford, and are not off a 1938 Ford Standard model. I don't believe that these Chrome Strips were ever offered on USA Built 1937 Fords? I think that the late 1937 Ford Grilles look great.

[jimTN]

no pic

[rockfla]

Trevor
Just like in Germany, sans the headlights.

[rockfla]

Trevor
Not exactly sure how in the German market what and when delineated 37, 38, 39 but there were several grill's in that time frame. I believe that the third picture is 1938......but obviously by the other two pictures there were two 37 offered!!

[mercman from oz]

Here is a close-up shot of the updated Painted Grille with added Chrome Trim. This change applied to all 1937 Fords, whether they were the Standard or the Deluxe model.

[Gary in La.]

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It appears that the 2 1937 cars in #1 have the 1938 U.S. bumper configuration, smiley face, ends turned up. The 1937 U.S. cars had the frown face, ends turned down.

[mercman from oz]

Gary in La. was very observant. Here is an early picture of the same "late" 1937 Ford Fordor sedan, when it was owned by an elderly owner. As you can see, the Bumpers are mounted correctly. The above two 37 Fords are owned by father and son. Dad owns the Club Coupe while the Son owns the Fordor Sedan. As you can see, they have removed the Over Riders, so while they were at it, they must have thought that the Bumpers looked better fitted up-side down?

[ford1937]

Hi im looking to for a buick straight 8 , my phone is 804 506 1332 from 34 to 48 no more please i dont know how create a new post , im working in a 1933 indicar replica , baquet also i will need wire wheels , like indy style , no ford a or ford t .. Maybe a bufalo but i would like a 22 '' knok off .. Need front axle too.... If someone have parts please thanks .. 804 506 1332

[Zeke3]

I like the look on the updated grille. I have seen a similar treament on the Lincoln Zephyrs of the same vintage. The trim pieces in the German photo looks too wide to me.

Thanks for posting the close-up photo, it allowed me to count the number of painted bars between each trim piece. I counted 10 painted bars in the top section, 11 in the middle section and 12 in the bottom section.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Gary in La. was very observant. Here is an early picture of the same "late" 1937 Ford Fordor sedan, when it was owned by an elderly owner. As you can see, the Bumpers are mounted correctly. The above two 37 Fords are owned by father and son. Dad owns the Club Coupe while the Son owns the Fordor Sedan. As you can see, they have removed the Over Riders, so while they were at it, they must have thought that the Bumpers looked better fitted up-side down?

Whether you realize it or not, 1938 Fords AND '39 STANDARD Fords did use that same bumper mounted upside down from the factory. DD

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of an early Australian 1937 Ford Deluxe Club Coupe. The Club Coupe was the only type of Coupe that Ford Australia sold. Notice that it has the Bumpers fitted correctly for 1937.

[Gary in La.]

They did use the same basic bumper for '37 & '38 but for the '38 the holes were drilled different than for '37 to keep the orientation correct.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Gary in La.

They did use the same basic bumper for '37 & '38 but for the '38 the holes were drilled different than for '37 to keep the orientation correct.

Not sure I understand what you mean by "orientation" in this case. Ya just flip the bumper 180 degrees, end for end, and bolt 'er up! Holes are similarly-dimensioned, side for side. DD

[Gary in La.]

The holes are the same end to end but they are not on the center line of the bumper. Being off center the orientation is corrected on the up - down position putting the correct for year bumper guards in the correct location. The '37-'38 bumper guards look the same from the front but the rear contours are different to match the proper bumper. That's why they left the guards off those 2 cars when they flipped the bumpers.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of an updated 1938 Ford Standard Coupe. Initially, they didn't get the Chrome Trim. As you can see, the Bumper is "flipped", as pointed out earlier in this Thread, however, the Holes appear to be on the same offset location as the bumpers fitted to the 1937 Fords?

[Gary in La.]

IN '37 they were below the center line and in '38 they were above the center line. These pictures are somewhat misleading maybe due to the angles shot. The '38-'39 Ford book from EFV8CA gives a better description and closer pictures of the bumper/hole location. I sold my '38 so I can't run out to see but I remember some years ago I had a '37 bumper and did compare it with the'38 so I could identify and sell.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of a "late" 1937 Ford Club Coupe from Australia, advertising Ford Barn. These painted Grilles with the added Chrome Strips look great.

[mercman from oz]

Here is another Australian 1937 Ford Deluxe Club Coupe with the updated Grille. They sure look good, and a genuine improvement. Why wasn't it released in the USA?

[Brian]

The above photo of the coupe shows an extra strip, missing in the earlier pix. Balances it better.

[mercman from oz]

Very observant. I think that the lower strip is not original. Also, this car has the Ford 85 V8 Badge located in the wrong panel. It should be in the top panel.

[mercman from oz]

This is the Cover of the original Australian Sales Brochure for the 1937 Fords showing the Chrome Plated Grille.

[mercman from oz]

Partway through the 1937 model year, Ford Australia issues a new Sales Brochure reflecting the change to a painted Grille and added Chrome Strips.This is the cover of the updated Australian Sales Brochure. Personally, I love the new look for 1937 Fords. Why didn't the USA adopt this new look?

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Personally, I love the new look for 1937 Fords. Why didn't the USA adopt this new look?

Merc.....I really like the look too, and I have a '37 coupe. USA most-likely didn't adopt because Henry was a cheap-ass.....he hated spending unnecessary money on the cars. DD

[mercman from oz]

Australian 1937 Ford Roadster with the updated painted Grille with added chrome strips. This one has the extra strip each side of the crank-hole.

[mercman from oz]

Another late 1937 Ford with the updated Australian Grille.

[TonyM]

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Early 38?

[TonyM]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Why didn't the USA adopt this new look?

Because the US 1937 De Luxe grille was all bright and standard grill was painted. So the De Luxe Grille could not be adopted to the "new look".

[marshall k]

Anybody know what to use or where to buy these pieces? Looks like a nice way to dress up a standard grille. Thanks

[mercman from oz]

Another Australian 1937 Ford Deluxe Roadster with the updated painted Grille. They look very sharp.

[mercman from oz]

Period photo of an Australian 1937 Ford Sedan with the updated Painted Grille with added Chrome Strips. This photo was taken in 1938 at Hobart, Tasmania. A friend located this great photo at a recent Swap Meet.

[mercman from oz]

These late Australian 1937 Fords look great with the painted Grille with added Chrome Strips. Why didn't Ford of USA offer this Grille?

[mercman from oz]

Another Australian Ford Roadster with the updated painted Grille and added chrome strips. This one fitted with later wheels.

[SMLBound]

Originally Posted by TonyM

Because the US 1937 De Luxe grille was all bright and standard grill was painted. So the De Luxe Grille could not be adopted to the "new look".

That looks an awful lot like the 1937 Lincoln grill... probably my favorite grill of all time.



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[mercman from oz]

SMLBound, now that you mention it, you are absolutely correct. Very similar indeed.

[mercman from oz]

Late Australian 1937 Ford Roadster with updated painted Grille.

[mercman from oz]

Just found this old photograph of my Grandfather with his Australian 1937 Ford Sedan with the updated Grille.

[tub1]

Trevor ,grandfather was a tall man do you know what happened to his 37

[FlatheadTed]

Boy that late 37 is nice looking car with the widened rears ,it has side curtains I just worked on one that had wined ups fitted,

[mercman from oz]

Tub1, Here is a picture of my Aunt with the 37 Ford on an outing with the girls in her Sunday School Class. My Grandfather sold the 37 Ford to his daughter, my Aunt when he purchased a new 1946 Ford Deluxe Sedan. Unfortunately, my Aunt traded the 1937 Ford in on a 1951 Vauxhall Velox in 1951, and that was the last the family saw of the 37 Ford with the "late" Grille. The family still own the 46 Deluxe Sedan but it has not been running since 1966 but has always been stored undercover.

[tub1]

another nice picture thank you, at the Bendigo swap the other week I purchased some old rod and custom magazines , great reading in some of those its like tex smith is talking to you when you read he had a great style of writing , in one of the magazines was a couple of pictures from yourself of one of your 34 phaetons at a vintage car event and also a 1936 phaeton you had just purchased do you still have the 36 some pics and info of it be great regards scott

[mercman from oz]

Tub1, Here are the pictures of my 1936 Ford Phaeton, as purchased back in 1970.

[tub1]

wow nice car, I assume you still have it

[mercman from oz]

Here is another picture of that 1937 Ford Sedan. My Aunt bought it when her dad, my Grandfather purchased a new 1946 Ford Deluxe Sedan. This picture shows my Aunt with her 1937 Ford on an outing with the girls in her Sunday School class. While this 37 Ford Sedan was a Deluxe model, as evidenced by the Chrome Trim on the Running Boards, it lacks a passenger side Tail-Light.

[marshall k]

General thoughts: to dress up a std grille with the strips use door edge guards. Fit the guards to the grille bars, cover the ends if possible with the side and center grille trim. Have not tried yet, but thinking it might work?

[mercman from oz]

Attached are two pictures of the updated Australian 1937 Ford Touring Sedans. As you can see, both models came with body coloured Grilles, however, only the Deluxe had the extra Chrome Strips added. I don't know why Ford Australia updated these 37 Fords partway through the model year, as USA never adopted this feature? Maybe it was cost, as paint would have been cheaper than chrome plating? There is no-one left now who would know the real answer.

[mercman from oz]

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Here is yet another late Australian 1937 Ford with the updated Painted Grille with added Chrome Strips. This one was on display at the All American Car Show in Sydney. These updated Grilles certainly make 1937 Fords look good. Another bonus is that you don't have to spend big money Chrome Plating your Grille, just clean it up and paint it body colour. I can't believe that Ford of USA never offered them?

[purpleaa]

Hi I am looking for an original 1937 ford grill in good condition please contact me if you can help.
Garry.