The Ford Barn

swoopNZ · 03-08-2013, 04:46 PM

Last year I bought a '39 convertible coupe from the USA and had it shipped down to New Zealand.
Work is progressing at a steady pace - new original floor etc.
Anyhow the body plate # is 73. Seeing as around 10500 were made in 1939 this would put my one in the first week of production.
Anyone have an earlier one ?
Cheers,
Chris.NZ.

TonyM · 03-08-2013, 05:08 PM

Let see some snaps. I love the 1939 Ford-- the groovy tail lights , banjo steering wheel and floor shifter. The height of pre-war Ford Styling. TM

swoopNZ · 03-08-2013, 08:34 PM

e-mail me and I will send some.
Not sure how to do it on Ford barn.

[email protected]

52merc · 03-08-2013, 09:14 PM

swoop is it in folkstone gray

swoopNZ · 03-08-2013, 09:29 PM

Trev - it will be eventually.
e-mail me for some pics.

Tudortomnz · 03-09-2013, 01:44 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I once saw at an all Ford display [ ChCh, QE2 Park] a very nice RHD '39 Deluxe NZ new convert which was said to be the ónly one here. It had the rumble deck lid.
Then there was the one chopped up for the show rod ''Wild Honey'' in the '60's. It was said to be a ''40 but seeing how no '40 Deluxes were imported due to the War, it was probably a ''39 ?
1939's are one of my favourite V8 models.

swoopNZ · 03-09-2013, 04:54 PM

There are 5 '39 convertible coupes and 2 '39 convertible sedans that I am aware of in NZ.

TonyM · 03-10-2013, 01:32 PM

Chris sent me this photo of his 1939 Ford. It's getting there.

Lanny · 03-10-2013, 03:04 PM

I bet you are really happy to have scored a rare '39 convert, looks great.

Woodie1 · 03-10-2013, 04:51 PM

It should be nice when done.

flatjack9 · 03-10-2013, 08:32 PM

What is the serial number?

ford38v8 · 03-10-2013, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatjack9

What is the serial number?

Somehow that question is like asking a girl her bra size! I wonder why that is?

swoopNZ · 03-10-2013, 09:48 PM

It's had another '39 passenger car chassis under it since at least 1965.
Also since that photo it's had new rear 1/4 panels, under trunk area redone,rear wheel wells, and the the entire " hot rod " floor replaced with an original one.

Old Redneck · 03-11-2013, 01:02 PM

I enjoy driving my 39 very much. I did put a columbia in the 39 and what a big difference it made. If you get a chance to get one do it. It will put a big smile when you are driving it.

Vic Piano · 03-11-2013, 02:15 PM

That's a beautiful car, have fun with it. I love '39 rag tops!

This is our '39 CS.

swoopNZ · 03-11-2013, 04:41 PM

Mine has a Columbia in it.
Not sure if I will use it.
Chris.NZ.

Mike/NY · 03-13-2013, 03:55 AM

Chris, congratulations on the 39, looks great. My 39 Conv Coupe is VERY early as well as you might recall. The car was finished in 2008 (after collecting parts for 18 yrs). The engine was built 10 September 1938, just four days from the 1939 Ford production begin on 6 September 1938 and is probably the earliest 39 Convertible known. The serial # is 18-46653XX. My car does NOT however have a body # tag however, never had one. We researched this quite a bit during the restoration and it never had holes drilled for one in the firewall either. Body, frame, firewall are all original to the car and all features typical for very early 39 Fords. Firewall for one, is different from later cars.

A fellow in Southern CA (formerly Upstate NY) has a very early car too, but not as early as mine. It does already have a body tag and it is # 127 but the serial # #18-47136XX is much higher. I know of another early 39 Conv in Iowa that never had the body tag, the serial number is in the 18-467XXXX range, much earlier than # 127. It would appear, that very early in the production run there were no tags and at some point they started riveting a tag at the Lincoln Plant where the bodies were built. If your tag is # 73, then maybe the tag was missing on the very first cars only and this is the lowest tag # I have ever heard of.

Correct me if I am wrong, but the 38 Conv Coupe did not have body tag either and this is why very early 39´s never had it but the bodies were sequental of course?

Mike/NY (now in Vienna, Austria)

swoopNZ · 03-13-2013, 05:56 AM

Mike,
Good to hear from you again.
Call me.
regards,
Chris.NZ.

[email protected]

Mike/NY · 03-13-2013, 09:43 AM

Chris, sent you en email with pics.
Regards,
Mike

Old Redneck · 03-13-2013, 09:53 AM

Mark my word Chris that Columbia will put a smile on your face!You will love it as I do mine.

03-08-2013, 05:08 PM	#2
TonyM Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: West Hammond, Illinois Posts: 2,793	Re: 1939 convertible coupe Let see some snaps. I love the 1939 Ford-- the groovy tail lights , banjo steering wheel and floor shifter. The height of pre-war Ford Styling. TM

03-08-2013, 08:34 PM	#3
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: 1939 convertible coupe e-mail me and I will send some. Not sure how to do it on Ford barn. [email protected] Last edited by swoopNZ; 03-08-2013 at 09:28 PM.

03-08-2013, 09:14 PM	#4
52merc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: new zealand Posts: 1,054	Re: 1939 convertible coupe swoop is it in folkstone gray

03-08-2013, 09:29 PM	#5
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: 1939 convertible coupe Trev - it will be eventually. e-mail me for some pics.

03-09-2013, 01:44 AM	#6
Tudortomnz Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Canterbury, New Zealand Posts: 1,242	Re: 1939 convertible coupe Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I once saw at an all Ford display [ ChCh, QE2 Park] a very nice RHD '39 Deluxe NZ new convert which was said to be the ónly one here. It had the rumble deck lid. Then there was the one chopped up for the show rod ''Wild Honey'' in the '60's. It was said to be a ''40 but seeing how no '40 Deluxes were imported due to the War, it was probably a ''39 ? 1939's are one of my favourite V8 models.

03-08-2013, 04:46 PM	#1
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	1939 convertible coupe Last year I bought a '39 convertible coupe from the USA and had it shipped down to New Zealand. Work is progressing at a steady pace - new original floor etc. Anyhow the body plate # is 73. Seeing as around 10500 were made in 1939 this would put my one in the first week of production. Anyone have an earlier one ? Cheers, Chris.NZ.

03-09-2013, 04:54 PM	#7
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: 1939 convertible coupe There are 5 '39 convertible coupes and 2 '39 convertible sedans that I am aware of in NZ.

03-10-2013, 03:04 PM	#9
Lanny Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mn Posts: 2,411	Re: 1939 convertible coupe I bet you are really happy to have scored a rare '39 convert, looks great. __________________ If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy. But if daddy ain't happy...RUN

03-10-2013, 04:51 PM	#10
Woodie1 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: W. Mich. Posts: 471	Re: 1939 convertible coupe It should be nice when done.

03-10-2013, 08:32 PM	#11
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,527	Re: 1939 convertible coupe What is the serial number?

03-10-2013, 09:48 PM	#13
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: 1939 convertible coupe It's had another '39 passenger car chassis under it since at least 1965. Also since that photo it's had new rear 1/4 panels, under trunk area redone,rear wheel wells, and the the entire " hot rod " floor replaced with an original one.

03-11-2013, 02:15 PM	#15
Vic Piano Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Odessa, FL Posts: 7,611	Re: 1939 convertible coupe That's a beautiful car, have fun with it. I love '39 rag tops! This is our '39 CS. __________________ Imagination is more important than knowledge.

03-11-2013, 04:41 PM	#16
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: 1939 convertible coupe Mine has a Columbia in it. Not sure if I will use it. Chris.NZ.

03-13-2013, 03:55 AM	#17
Mike/NY Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 57	Re: 1939 convertible coupe Chris, congratulations on the 39, looks great. My 39 Conv Coupe is VERY early as well as you might recall. The car was finished in 2008 (after collecting parts for 18 yrs). The engine was built 10 September 1938, just four days from the 1939 Ford production begin on 6 September 1938 and is probably the earliest 39 Convertible known. The serial # is 18-46653XX. My car does NOT however have a body # tag however, never had one. We researched this quite a bit during the restoration and it never had holes drilled for one in the firewall either. Body, frame, firewall are all original to the car and all features typical for very early 39 Fords. Firewall for one, is different from later cars. A fellow in Southern CA (formerly Upstate NY) has a very early car too, but not as early as mine. It does already have a body tag and it is # 127 but the serial # #18-47136XX is much higher. I know of another early 39 Conv in Iowa that never had the body tag, the serial number is in the 18-467XXXX range, much earlier than # 127. It would appear, that very early in the production run there were no tags and at some point they started riveting a tag at the Lincoln Plant where the bodies were built. If your tag is # 73, then maybe the tag was missing on the very first cars only and this is the lowest tag # I have ever heard of. Correct me if I am wrong, but the 38 Conv Coupe did not have body tag either and this is why very early 39´s never had it but the bodies were sequental of course? Mike/NY (now in Vienna, Austria) Last edited by Mike/NY; 03-13-2013 at 06:22 AM.

03-13-2013, 05:56 AM	#18
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: 1939 convertible coupe Mike, Good to hear from you again. Call me. regards, Chris.NZ. [email protected]

03-13-2013, 09:43 AM	#19
Mike/NY Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 57	Re: 1939 convertible coupe Chris, sent you en email with pics. Regards, Mike

03-13-2013, 09:53 AM	#20
Old Redneck Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Waynesburg,Pa. Posts: 1,910	Re: 1939 convertible coupe Mark my word Chris that Columbia will put a smile on your face!You will love it as I do mine.