‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

I’m helping out on a mild restoration on a very complete ‘42 Ford Army staff car. The car itself is very original and complete except for the interior which was reupholstered some time in the 70’s.

Does anyone know of an unrestored ‘42 Staff car with an original interior? We’re trying to get a sense of what came in it originally. My gut says tan mohair, but that’s just a guess. Firewall plate is missing...

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

The MVPA Military Vehicle Preservation Ass. has a web site and the G-503.com has a staff car specific section. Newc

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

It could have been about any of the colors offered in 1942. Most military cars were chosen of the four door cars available. They could have been any one of the quality levels offered too such as Special, Deluxe, or Super Deluxe. Ford kept manufacturing right up till it was completely halted in early 42. I don't think they would have changed materials for a government contract unless it was specified by contract. Ford was already manufacturing jeeps by that time. Maybe the Early Ford V8 Clubs book for the immediate prewar and postwar cars would have more info.

Just to add: https://olive-drab.com/od_mvg_vehicle_id_staffcars.php

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

I probably can't show you the exact color it used to be, but here are the photos of a tired 42 Ford Fordor Sedan, non-military.

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

My 65,000 mile original Special Deluxe 4-door

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

I found this on flea-pay. It's the Tech Manual for the Ford Staff Cars. It list both a 6 cylinder and a V8 models with what appears to be registration numbers for the contracted cars. They might have affixed a plate to the cars but I haven't read the manual.

I've seen a lot of 41 & 42 fordors that folks have converted to look like staff cars so something like this gets more specific. https://www.ebay.com/itm/ORIGINAL-TM...75.c100623.m-1

The one listed is an original but the TM 10-1375 is available as a reproduction. The photos might not be as good as the original though.

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

Ford built about 10,000 1942 similar to Special Fordor Sedans which were produced on contract as U.S. Army staff cars at the end of civilian production in February of 1942. These were hybrid models, featuring allover olive drab finish, military lighting and a few selected additional accessories. A good manual to have and has been reprinted is the army technical manual, TM-10-1374. The seats are done in the same material as the 1942 Ford Special. I do not know of anyone that would have 1942 Ford Special seat material. The door panels are done in the same sidewall cloth as the 1942 Ford Deluxe with the same deluxe upper trim piece. The rear carpet is also 1942 Ford Deluxe. The front floor mat is 1942 Ford Super Deluxe. I hope this has been helpful.

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

Here is a sample of the fabric used in the 'Military contract' Staff Cars as opposed to the 'Buy Back' cars. There are a couple of very good articles published on the Ford staff cars, one was in an issue of the Early Ford V8 Club magazine the 'V8 Times' and another in an issue of the MVPA magazine. I have copies of these if you PM me I can copy them for you. They outline all the differences between the contract and buy back cars, along with much more information that is needed for a correct restoration. I have restored one of these cars but a New Zealand version that was different again to the US version and a lot rarer too.

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

Nice car, John. Mine could be the twin, similar mileage and same interior. Obviously parked in different garages though! But 'it ran when parked'.....

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

I have a few early ford restorers for model A's. A wealth of information (everything from cars to clothing they wore, interesting, maybe for the wives/ladies. Guess more a life style). Early v8 times is probably the same. Moharir

Had a early Feb 2 door sedan 42 about 10 yrs ago (clean car). Was chromed out. Cross of a merc and a 46 ford. Sold it and received a criticism from the buyer that there was some paint checking in a couple spots. He then flipped it for a 5 grand profit 3 months later.... oh well, I had fun with it and sold at profit (not my objective to make money). I always wonder whom ended up with the deal. Hope they didn't ruin it.

Look forward to more posts on your project.



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Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

Tinker,
I’ve never seen the gas door trim piece yours had, is that 42 specific?
Or aftermarket?

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

I have a '42 Tudor Special Deluxe with an all original interior built toward the end of civilian production. The interior is tan mohair on the door panels and headliner, but a stripped cloth pattern, very similar to the sample above, on the seats.

Re: ‘42 Staff Car restoration questions
 

I couldn't really say definitive. It was just a car I owned for a bit then sold it, as I was working on my 38 and just bought my 36 coupe. Car came out of minnesota off ebay (To be honest, I accidentally purchased it in a bid, thinking it would go higher). Was really clean and not much changed, that I could tell. Floors were really solid, probably should have kept it. :). I just drove it for a year and replaced worn electric harnesses (with new/stock harnesses), as you get older you know what you want or not. Tried being a decent caregiver.


Interior looked just like what John posted. Other then the rear seat was recovered in what I'd call Colman camp blanket (not what meric42 posted). Was not the same as the rest, but that's how I received it.