38 fordor questions.

[Equipped28]

Trying to find info on garnish mouldings and dash colours for my 38 deluxe fordor. I'm seeing a lot of wood graining on photos but these seem to a gold/copper on the underside. The car has what's left of original paint so have no reason to argue that it's not genuine.

Any help would be great

Thanks
Harley

[swoopNZ]

1938 deluxe cars had a darkish brown woodgrain called " straight walnut grain ".
You'll see it on original cars on ebay from time to time.
Very nice finish.

[ford38v8]

Harley, As your '38 has apparently been exposed to the weather, it is doubtful that any woodgraining remains. The dash, door and window garnish had a tan basecoat and brown straight grain walnut graining. The gold color you see may be the remains of the basecoat combined with rust color. It appears that your door handle is correct, but lacks the brown plastic overlay. Everything else appears correct and original but for the unique suicide knob, the 1940 style brake & clutch pedal pads, and that very nice Indian blanket!

[Equipped28]

Yeah it's had a tough life but it sure is solid that old ford steel held up well, the tan side was on the underside of the garnish once I had unscrewed it.

Also are the windshield frames chromed? There's gonna be a lot questions on this car!

[petehoovie]

Does it run???....

[rotorwrench]

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The Deluxe windshield should be chrome plated. Here is a link to an old thread on the subject.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...ndshield+frame

That looks like an older frame that may have been painted.

[Equipped28]

Doesn't run unfortunately and has a 21 stud so I guess it's early 38?

[ford38v8]

Harley, Your windshield frame should be chrome, with rustless steel joint clips. The interior surface of the chrome was painted black, to prevent sun glare. Yours is the early version having the joints midway in the frame. As you are in England, how is it that you have a left hand drive? And the right hand hood trim appears damaged as would be expected on the left side due to the hood prop design. I would have thought the picture reversed, except for the interior picture. Your headlights have aftermarket frames to use sealed beam bulbs. Very straight looking car! The 24 stud was introduced alongside the 21 stud on job 1, but the 21 stud was not produced in sufficient quantity to complete the 1938 production year. Supplies would have been depleted on different dates at the various assembly plants.

[Equipped28]

Originally Posted by ford38v8

you are in England, how is it that you have a left hand drive?

Because the car arrived on Tuesday after a trip across the sea from New Hampshire. The car apparently was originally in New Mexico so the dry done the car good except for sand blasting the paint!

It's a bit tired on the mechanical side but I'm gonna go through everything get the car roadworthy and start the restoration from the inside out whilst I enjoy using it.

[Tildadog]

I am by no means an expert on my new to me 1938 Deluxe, but I believe it was a low mileage example before a restoration about 16 years ago. I know my 8BA engine is from a 49 and wrong for the car and the blue seat covers are incorrect, but if you need any pictures of parts you are curious about just ask anytime. I am sure some more experienced guys on the forum can keep me straight in case something is not original. I have included a pic of the wood grain. It's amazing how many people swear it is wood.

Kyle

[TonyM]

I love 1938 Fords.

Good luck with your project. You might want to purchase this book--The 1938 - 1939 Ford Book, which is published by the Early Ford V-8 Club of America. Great amount of information concerning 1938 Fords. Here is a photo of a very nicely done 1938 instrument panel.

[Fredb_]

Welcome to the 38 Ford Sedan Deluxe club! Mine was in a little better shape than yours when I towed it home three years ago. I tore it down, stopped the rust and basically assembled a "driver". I have the original 24 stud motor at a nearby shop for assembly, but have been running a 46-48 59A block in the car for the past two years. Mine is probably 95% stock down to the dreaded mechanical brakes. I will also try and help where possible. Welcome to the barn!

[Equipped28]

Thanks for all the help so far, found out that the NOS rear fender that came with the car as a spare is a 38 standard fender. I'll just use the rear as a pattern for when I repair the fenders on the car, I guess it's just the flanges and gas filler that's different?

[JSeery]

Everyone wanted to convert to the sealed beam lights when they came out and added the conversion kit. I'm not a fan of the way they look and much prefer the original teardrop shaped lights.

[Equipped28]

another question as were heading over to california in Oct' i'm starting to put a list together of stuff i need that i can buy there and bring home with me and save of the killer shipping prices these days.

i can't seem to find repro running board rubbers for the 38 deluxe, i can find them for standard and the 39 deluxe. whats the difference? does anyone make them.

[rotorwrench]

They were originally vulcanized to the metal at manufacture. Hunley Acuff rebuilds them just like OEM. The 38/39 book should give you all this information. If you decide to use the glue on covers, you may have to smooth out the boards so they will fit. The surfaces usually have contours that help hold the OEM rubber together but these have to be leveled out to install the glue on covers.

[40cpe]

Originally Posted by Equipped28

i can't seem to find repro running board rubbers for the 38 deluxe, i can find them for standard and the 39 deluxe. whats the difference? does anyone make them.

Here is my take on the running board covers: Body parts for these cars are often listed for "'37-'39 standard". These parts are for all '37 and '38 cars and for the '39 standard models. The '39 deluxe was different.

If I misinterpreted the descriptions, I stand corrected.

[fordlovr]

Originally Posted by Equipped28

Yeah it's had a tough life but it sure is solid that old ford steel held up well, the tan side was on the underside of the garnish once I had unscrewed it.

Also are the windshield frames chromed? There's gonna be a lot questions on this car!

Hi, cant help sorry, but I have found your long lost twin!! Blenhiem ,NZ . And its RH Drive.