Thread: How do.. "New" 1939 Ford Steel Tudor Owner

Tweet

Maybe you already know this, but if not it will add to your story telling on the body changes. In both '38 and '39 (as well as '40, but that's outside this commentary) there were two styles of front sheet metal each year. There was a '38 Standard that had a nose that somewhat resembled the '37, and the body was also different when compared to the Deluxe. Then there was the Deluxe front that it appears yours has. As was Ford's custom at the time, the following year the '39 Standard had the front end that looked very similar to the '38 Deluxe (grille shape and trim differences). And then there was the '39 deluxe that, to use your reference, was vaguely similar to the Mercury. The '40 Standard then adopted a similar style, which in turn was different from the Deluxe.

The entire front accumulation of pieces is different from Standard to Deluxe in '39, grille, hood, fenders, inner panels, running boards, and to top it off, the cowl sides were different. So, if the main body of yours was actually a Deluxe the builder would have had to change the cowl as well as the doghouse to make the change over. There's a lot more nuance to the differences (believe it or not), but I've prattled enough already.

Originally Posted by Bob Parmenter

Maybe you already know this, but if not it will add to your story telling on the body changes. In both '38 and '39 (as well as '40, but that's outside this commentary) there were two styles of front sheet metal each year. There was a '38 Standard that had a nose that somewhat resembled the '37, and the body was also different when compared to the Deluxe. Then there was the Deluxe front that it appears yours has. As was Ford's custom at the time, the following year the '39 Standard had the front end that looked very similar to the '38 Deluxe (grille shape and trim differences). And then there was the '39 deluxe that, to use your reference, was vaguely similar to the Mercury. The '40 Standard then adopted a similar style, which in turn was different from the Deluxe.

The entire front accumulation of pieces is different from Standard to Deluxe in '39, grille, hood, fenders, inner panels, running boards, and to top it off, the cowl sides were different. So, if the main body of yours was actually a Deluxe the builder would have had to change the cowl as well as the doghouse to make the change over. There's a lot more nuance to the differences (believe it or not), but I've prattled enough already.

yeah, he said everything forward of the windshield was changed.. cowl, firewall, hood, hood side panels, fenders, grille.

he gave me a lot of paperwork on the build (like 3" thick folder) and I am slowly going through it.. and calling him with questions..

I started asking questions because I am searching for parts and finding that the 1939 looks nothing like the 1938.. He did tell me when I bought it that it was a 1939 Deluxe with a 1938 Front End, he said Standard, but I think he meant Deluxe, as the '38 deluxe resembles the '39 standard.. the title says 1939 Ford Deluxe.

my research has led me to figure out a lot of what you posted, though the way you worded it helps to clear things up a bit from my findings.. more of a straight line understanding vs. my chicken scratch.




also excuse my noobness.. but what is the "doghouse?"

Originally Posted by mjeds

also excuse my noobness.. but what is the "doghouse?"

Basically the assemblage of front sheet metal, some call it a front clip, though others mean the front frame section when they use that term.........................all terminology gets bastardized over time. My guess would be the use of "doghouse" is a redneck reference.........implication being that the whole sheet metal front assembly could be set on the ground and be used to house the pup.