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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / Follow up '33-34 Wheel Color Question

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Posted By Discussion Topic: Follow up '33-34 Wheel Color Question -- page: 1 2     SteveC 01-01-2010 @ 8:34 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 28 Joined: Nov 2009 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 reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 413 Joined: Oct 2009 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 reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 28 Joined: Nov 2009 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 reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2764 Joined: Oct 2009 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 reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 842 Joined: Oct 2009 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 reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 842 Joined: Oct 2009 The word 'all' was meant to be included in the last sentence. Dave SteveC 01-02-2010 @ 8:22 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 28 Joined: Nov 2009 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 reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 2764 Joined: Oct 2009 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 reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 56 Joined: Oct 2009 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 reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 28 Joined: Nov 2009 Thank you, Lincoln. Finding documentation is always a wonderful thing.

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