| SteveC | -- 01-01-2010 @ 8:34 AM |
|
I've been reviewing the '33/34 book ahead of acquiring a car. The paint charts indicate that in 1933 deluxe cars could be ordered with optional black wheels. I don't see this carried over for 1934. Is this an ommission or is there documentation somewhere saying deluxe cars could not be ordered with black wheels in '34. I can't imagine in the depths of the Depression Ford would forgo a sale if the prospective buyer wanted black wheels. For example, Harley and Indian advertised that they would factory paint a bike any color for $5 or $10 extra.
|
|
| deluxe40 | -- 01-01-2010 @ 11:33 AM |
|
According to the Ditzler Antique Ford Repaint Manual, all of the Standard models had black wheels as well as some specific color/body style combinations such as the Duncan Blue passenger cars in '33 and black V8 cabriolet and black Victoria in '34.
|
|
| SteveC | -- 01-01-2010 @ 4:41 PM |
|
You raise an interesting point. During Model A production, Cabs and Vickies were not identified as "Deluxe" cars, contrary to what many hobbiests think today. Only the roadster, phaeton, A400 and tudors were produced as a designated "Deluxe" version. Model A Cabs and Vickies were delivered in deluxe interior trim, same as what I see in '33 and '34 but with black wheels, colored to match stripe special order. Unless the rationale changed, wouldn't the same apply to the '33/34s? I'd be interested how the EFV8 judging standards/judges view this?
|
|
| ford38v8 | -- 01-01-2010 @ 7:01 PM |
|
Steve, Ford factory letters show that a body color wheel option for Standard, and black for DeLuxe would be available for a nominal charge. These letters are not documented for every year of production, however. That said, it is doubtful that the policy would be on-again-off-again. Regarding your observation that Roadsters and Pheatons were designated DeLuxe, I'll remind you that they were also available as Standard through the 1934 model year. Alan
|
|
| 3w2 | -- 01-01-2010 @ 10:22 PM |
|
Alan, With respect, with the obvious exception of black, the first model year that offered body color wheels (as well as unique wheel colors like the previous model years) was 1935. It is well documented for 1932, for example, that the four factory wheels colors (apple green, aurora red, black,and tacoma cream were available (no cost on deluxe passenger cars and optional at extra cost on standard passenger cars at Job #1 and optional at extra cost on commercial vehicles and trucks later in the model year) without regard to the color of the body or the pin striping and numerous original surviving invoices demonstrate that practice was followed. This any 'any wheel color you want (of the four available)' did not carry over to the '33 models. So, the wheel color practices did vary by model year. Notwithstanding, it is highly likely that black wheels were available on '34 model cars and it is a minor oversight in the '33-'34 book.
|
|
| 3w2 | -- 01-01-2010 @ 10:24 PM |
|
The word 'all' was meant to be included in the last sentence. Dave
|
|
| SteveC | -- 01-02-2010 @ 8:22 AM |
|
Alan Sorry, should have indicated these models were designated deluxe in addition to the standard models offered. A/B400 was deluxe only.
|
|
| ford38v8 | -- 01-02-2010 @ 11:49 AM |
|
David, Thanks for the clarification. It had slipped my mind that the earlier cars didn't have a body color option. Shows to go you that a correct answer to even such a basic question can get complicated. Alan
|
|
| Lincoln | -- 01-05-2010 @ 6:17 PM |
|
Steve: I found a Buffalo (NY) Branch Sales Letter dated Dec.15,1933 to its dealers on the 1934 car color options. In essence, it said "If customer has placed an actual bonifide order for a passenger car and insists upon a standard color other than the one specified, it can be furnished through the Detroit Production on a specific retail order, and customer must be willing to wait until that special paint color can be brought through production." I interpret this letter to mean that any color combination on any of the car's exterior parts was available as an option - including Black wheels on a Deluxe. FORD at Dearborn must have issued a similar letter in late 1933 to its Branch Assembly plants (such as Buffalo) on this 1934 option, but evidently that option was not mentioned in The 1933-1934 Book. Hope this helps. Lincoln.
|
|
| SteveC | -- 01-06-2010 @ 4:24 AM |
|
Thank you, Lincoln. Finding documentation is always a wonderful thing.
|
|
| Tom/SC | -- 01-06-2010 @ 9:01 AM |
|
Lincoln, could you possibly make a copy of that letter and mail it to me ,or e-mail a copy to me? I will gladly pay any and all costs in order to have that document in my hands. Thanks, Tom Byrd. toms40insc@ bellsouth.net
|
|
| Tom/SC | -- 01-06-2010 @ 11:13 AM |
|
Lincoln, I would very much appreciate a copy of that 34 Ford paint document. I will gladly pay for any cost in mailing it to me ,or e-mailing it to me. I have a 34 Ford coupe and there is some dispute about its original color. Thanks, Tom Byrd.e-mail,toms40insc@bellsouth.net
|
|
| ford38v8 | -- 01-06-2010 @ 8:16 PM |
|
Lincoln, I wanted to talk to you in Auburn, but you always had a crowd around you. These guys wanting copies of your letter reminds me of what I wanted to talk to you about! (I get fuzzy sometimes) As I understand it, you've got a world class collection of factory letters, which would make one heck of a publication if you wanted to copy and go to print. you've surely got the names of some other avid collectors to go in with. What say you? Alan
|
|
| Lincoln | -- 01-10-2010 @ 7:43 PM |
|
To Tom/SC: Having trouble copying you on that factory letter. At first tried copying it into the Forum so all could see, but that did not work. I then tried to Email you and that's not working either, but am still trying so bear with me. To Alan: Sorry I missed you at Auburn. Auburn was my first V-8 meet since the 80's and I was overwhelmed with the lookers and buyers, so much so that I had to hold out (or should I say hold-it-in) for about 8 hours straight. Anyway, it would be nice to have all of the factory letters that are owned by myself (and others unknown) reprinted and available to all the V-8 clan to answer many of their questions. But the task of doing it would not be easy. For one, if you want to cover just the 1932-1948 years only, I have about 60 thick Binders full of Branch Letters. Granted some are from different branches that say the same-or almost the same-thing. And not all of these letters deal with the subjects that many V-8ers are interested in. Some cover a variety of subjects such as marketing, sales contests, dealer day-to-day matters; as well as the "good stuff" like when and how a particular part was changed, what options were offered, etc. All of this info would have to be organized into some printable and easily understandable form. I know that my collection is not complete as some pages are missing and they represent only select areas of the country. Second, I doubt that many collectors of these letters would be willing to part with them while waiting for someone to review and print them. I have been- and will continue to do so-copy the odd letter and give it to anyone needing documentation. But I doubt if I would copy all of the "goody" pages, nor part with the "originals". After all, I kind of "enjoy" researching my letters for answers to some of the questions that pop up on occasion. I can't answer all - just some of them. I am open to any other thoughts you might have on the subject. Lincoln.
|
|
| SteveC | -- 01-11-2010 @ 4:40 AM |
|
Hello Lincoln. That's a great collection and you are very gracious that you copy the letters for individuals. You certainly helped me just telling us about the black wheels. Regarding publication, maybe this would work. The Model A Restorer's Club published three sets of service letters from the Chicago, Indianapolis and Fargo plants. Obviously I have no idea how you have yours indexed and sorted but perhaps you could select a set from one assembly plant and then separate the letters that pertain to promotions, contests, setting up window displays etc. and have the technical letters printed and bound. Maybe EFV8 would underwrite this and then sell them in the manner of the vehicle guides. I appreciate that this still puts a tremendous burden on you. I had one year of Model A letters from the NYC and Washington DC Service Centers that I copied for a handful of peolple so I understand what the magnitude of '32-48 would be.
|
|
| trjford8 | -- 01-11-2010 @ 7:07 AM |
|
In addition to others comments, these letters would be very valuable to the Judging Standards Committee. They set the rules based on documentation.
|
|
| EFV-8 Club Forum : | https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum |
| Topic: | https://www.earlyfordv8.org/forum/viewmessages.cfm?Forum=18&Topic=529 |