35 Cabriolet Rear Body Structure

[celderton]

I am rebuilding the rear body (and more) of a 35 cabriolet. Years ago it was cut from the rumble opening straight down each side to the floor pan to make a homemade pickup. The cut exposes remains of some structure below the body skin; some reinforcement directly below the rumble cover, and a shaped horizontal rib. The structure for the spare tire mount was also cut off just above the upper mounting holes. The inner and outer tail pans were also badly rusted. I am looking for some information on what this rear body structure looked like. I have the inner and outer EMS pans, with the inner pan fitted to the car, and the spare tire mount also fitted. I will need to fabricate the section between the outer EMS pan and the rumble lid, the lower half of the badly rusted lid, and the reinforcement structure. Does the top of the spare tire bracket tie to the horizontal rib below the rumble lid? Was any of this structure shaped to the body skin, or was it straight and separate from the skin? Any advice is greatly appreciated, pictures are even better. Thanks, Chuck

[Mike/NY]

All 35-39 are similar. There are vertical brackets on both sides of the rumble opening. The Rumble hinges attach to the brackets. The rain gutter also flows down at the brackets. There is a horizontal sheet metal piece attached to the floor between the brackets. It is a water dam to help the water to flow backwards. On both sides there is a water dam block of wood between the inner fender and rumble hinge bracket. I had a spare set of 35-36 horizontal rumble hinge brackets but sold them to Chris in NZ, he is on the forum, ask him if he needs them.

[G.M.]

Did this look like a home made modification or professional?? Ford did this truck box addition to some coupes as far as I know. When I was a teen a neighbor handy man had a 37 coupe with the P/U box he may have made it but I thought it was original. G.M.

[celderton]

Please excuse if this shows up twice - fumbling as I seldom participate in the forums.

Thanks for the question. This was definitely a home done hack job. I bought the car in 1961 and the wood bed insert was rotted away at that time. Long story, but just getting serious about working on it - many projects in between.

General Motors and Hudson built factory coupe conversions, but I don't believe that Ford did so. Aftermarket kits were available for Model A's (and of course T's), but I don't know about the V8 years.

Thank,
Chuck E
San Jose

[celderton]

Mike/NY -

Thanks for the reply; so far you are the only one who has offered technical advice.

My car has the hinges/hinge brackets and a rotted rumble lid in place. What is missing is the section from the rumble lid down to the floor pan level - about 10 inches by the with of the rumble lid. The sheet metal is easy to determine what it looked like, but guessing about the inner structure is a little more difficult.

Larry Lange in the Seattle area gave me some help off-line from the forum, but I am still seeking a photo of what the bracing below the rumble lid and to the spare tire bracket looks like. I can see remnants on either side. If the formed horizontal brace acts as a foil for rain water it must be formed and fastened directly to the body skin. My spare tire bracket is also cut off at the floor pan level. I will try to post a photo / diagram.

Thanks,
Chuck E
San Jose

[rotorwrench]

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This might be an old beat up wreck but it might help some.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1935-1936-Fo...-/181110617837

I've see tail panels available for these but they are just the outer shell.

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by G.M.

Did this look like a home made modification or professional?? Ford did this truck box addition to some coupes as far as I know. When I was a teen a neighbor handy man had a 37 coupe with the P/U box he may have made it but I thought it was original. G.M.

George, yes, there was a Coupe Pickup conversion option available in 1937. Someone is or has restored one, which should show up at a V8 Meet soon.

[Randy in ca]

Away from home and this is the only picture I have - maybe shows some of what you're looking for, although this is of a trunk body, not rumble, and I'm sure there are differences in the framework and opening at the base of the lid.

[wamnram]

Here is a pic of a roadster. If you zoom in you can see the spare tire support , side plates and other supports. Sorry about the quality, but its the only pic I have.

[celderton]

Wow! Thank you to all who responded with great information. I now have what I need. Between the perfect picture provided by Randy in ca and the unbelievable original Ford drawings provided by Don Rodgers (off-line) I have no excuses. Time to get to work!
Thanks again,
Chuck E