Early Ford V-8 Club Forum

EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / 1939 Cowl, Dashboard, Rear Fenders, Running Boards

Reply to Discussion | New Discussion << previous || next >>

Posted By Discussion Topic: 1939 Cowl, Dashboard, Rear Fenders, Running Boards     wmsteed 12-23-2009 @ 8:58 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 613 Joined: Oct 2009 A little over two years ago I found a '31 Plym complete chassis with the cowl forward sheet metal in place. The body had been cut away to mount a wood saw on the chassis. The unit was in running condition needing tires, drive shaft and some TLC. Suggestions were made by several people to build up a wooden body for the car or convert it into a speedster. The speedster idea was interesting because the '31 PA's had the Chrysler 4 cyln. which put out 69 hp in stock form. Since ChryCo VIN's are tractable back to '31, I knew the value of the car would be low if I bastardized the car since the VIN identified the car as being a 2 dr sdn. What to do???? I made some postings to the internet under the topic.. '31 Plym PA, can it be saved. Within six months I had a good '31 PA 2dr sdn body and within three more months I had a complete set of fenders, wheels and tires. The tires were donated by a guy that felt his '31 PA needed new tires so he gave me the old tires. I now have a complete car only needing assembly and some TLC. On the money end of the project, I am into the thing less than $1,500. Bill 36 5 win delx cpe stovebolt 12-22-2009 @ 12:31 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 18 Joined: Oct 2009 Thank you all for enlightening me about the huge amount of unique parts. It sounds like the smart thing to do, as was suggested, is to find the best, most complete woodie that I could afford and forget about rebodying a sedan chassis. Joe. supereal 12-22-2009 @ 9:20 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 6819 Joined: Oct 2009 Anyone who undertakes a project to restore an open car, or woodie, should be prepared for an extensive (and expensive) search for parts, as these limited production cars share little with their closed brethren. I literally spent years on my convertible to get it to the place it is today, and when I did find parts, they were usually very pricey. I admire those that can produce a show quality car, as I know what they went through to get there.. Stroker 12-22-2009 @ 5:35 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1460 Joined: Oct 2009 Like 42, I keep thinking of more and more unique wagon details. The front seat back has a fabric covered metal reinforcement that screws to the wooden door post, and also provides for the spare tire mount. There are some additional frame brackets, plus the rear floor and inner fender panels are riveted together. In addition, the rear floor pan has 8 receptacles including 4 spring latches for the malleable "legs" on the removable rear seats. I'm not sure about the top of the cowl, I know it is hollow to allow the wooden header to socket-in, which is retained by a row of screws on the inside. I've never looked closely at a convertible or phaeton cowl top, but just assumed that there was a metal cap piece that filled the opening and provided for the top latches. In short, about the only parts they share are the front sheet metal, basic frame design, engine and running gear. The rear spring also has additional leaves w/longer U-bolts. 42wagon 12-22-2009 @ 3:32 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 584 Joined: Oct 2009 Not mentioned by the other guys but you also will need the floorpan, which is unique to the wagons, and all three seats. The front seat frames maybe common but the rear seats certainly are wagon only. I would also question the ability to use a convertible cowl. The pictures I have seen appear to have an all metal window frame top rail to which the convertible top attaches. The wagon has an open top rail to receive a big chunk of wood that forms the front of the roof. Ted ford38v8 12-21-2009 @ 9:30 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2758 Joined: Oct 2009 The open and wagon dash also differs at the outer ends, as it kicks up to form the bottom section of the windshield trim. The rear fender also has an inner fender that is unique to the wagons. Alan Stroker 12-21-2009 @ 3:37 PM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1460 Joined: Oct 2009 The cowl is the same, the dash of course as you stated lacks the window crank-out, plus there is a provision for the w/s/w motor, which lives under the dash instead of the header. Running boards are the same, but the rear fenders are unique, as they screw to the wood rails, and of course do not have any "tumble-home" to match the steel bodies. I have a 38 wagon, which shares the wood with a 39. I think it is possible build one if you could find an open car cowl, and the rarest of rare: rear fenders. The biggest challenge will be all the unique malleable iron fittings, door latches, front window regulators, hinges, window pulls and latches window tracks, tail-gate hardware etc. Case in point: you can purchase a new rear window frame for a 38-39 via various suppliers, but the frame alone costs $700.00. Similar to Tie Rods dilemma, I believe the best course of action would be to find a 38 or 39 that had really bad wood, and have someone like Wooden Carr (out of California) supply you with the replacement wood. Be prepared to spend more money than the car will ultimately be worth, despite the mind-boggling prices fetched for Nick's collection. When it comes to woodies, buy the best car you can afford, because everything is hard to find, and very expen$ive. The're out there, join the National Woodie Club, and start networking with those members as well. stovebolt 12-21-2009 @ 2:41 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 18 Joined: Oct 2009 Is the 1939 De Luxe Station Wagon cowl & windshield unique or is it the same as the other open cars such as the convertible coupe & convertible sedan? Is the Tudor De Luxe dashboard the same as the De luxe Station Wagon dashboard (aside from the windshield crank handle)? Are the Station Wagon rear fenders and running boards unique to the Station Wagon? Thanks for any help provided. Joe.

<< previous || next >>

NOTE: YOU MUST BE A REGISTERED USER AND BE LOGGED IN TO POST (and reply to) messages in this forum. If you are a first time user, please click the CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT in the masthead above to register and Log In. After that, all you do is LOG IN to enjoy using this site.

DISCLAIMER: The V-8 Club does no independent testing of any of the opinions, thoughts or suggestions presented in the website on the Forum, in the Tech Tips section, or any section. A reader should consider the website to be a forum wherein differing solutions to a particular set of circumstances may be discussed. Ultimately, the selection of an item for an individual's vehicle must be based upon the independent study of the vehicle owner in consultation with people in the hobby and restoration experts.

EFV-8 Club Forum Home | Back to Home Page | Contact the Webmaster

Copyright © 2009 - EFV-8.org
Powered by < CF FORUM > v.2.1