Introduction and What Do I have Here?

[dbstovall]

First, let me introduce myself since I am new to the Forum. My name is Dave and I have recently purchased a 1946 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe 77B (short door). I am normally a Buick guy, owning a 1938 Century coupe (photo included ) and a 1940 Super coupe. I like coupes. I do the vast majority of my own mechanical work but I leave interiors and body work to those who know what they are doing. Unfortunately, as I am getting older it is getting more difficult to do the on-your-back stuff under the car but I have some young neighborhood helpers to ease that pain.


I retired in 2013. I was an electrical and embedded software engineer for a big defense firm. We designed and built reconnaissance systems for the USAF, mostly on the U-2 high flyer platform. I retired as Chief Engineer of this group, so I went from the bottom to the top over the course of my career. I had a lot of fun and it was interesting work.


I got interested in old cars when I was young. My first car was a 1953 Buick I bought for $50 and hauled home while my folks were out of town. They were not pleased but all the work I did on it taught me a lot. I sold it shortly after and then just admired these great machines at car shows for quite a while since I had no wherewithal or a location to keep one. Fast forward to 2011. As I was preparing to retire, my wife urged me to get an old Buick as she knew I always wanted one. So I got the 1940 and soon after the 1938.


A few weeks ago I was idly perusing car ads - a very dangerous activity - and spotted the 46 Ford. I always admired the flathead V8 and this car was definitely not a project, although it needs some things here and there. I have buried myself in Ford arcania (you Ford guys have a plethora of information, thankfully) and shop manuals, etc, as I am now learning a whole new paradigm after being knee deep in pre-war GM for the last 15 years. Time to learn something new! I promise I will endeavor to check all of my sources before inquiring here so I don't waste your time with dumb questions!


Now for my question in the subject line. What exactly do I have here? It certainly has the looks of a 1946, but the serial number is 1416206. According to what I have read, this was built sometime in early 1947, maybe late February. I know Ford kept the 46 line running well into 47, shifting over sometime before April or May. But one book says all coupe production stopped in October 1946, not to restart until the 47s emerged in late Spring. My car seems to say different. Anybody have any ideas? The title says 1946, by the way, but the insurance company wanted to say 1947 due to the serial number, however I convinced them otherwise.


Thanks, Dave