Original 30 -31 Brass Dash

[Pete in Michigan]

Maybe the 'B' was used to designate brass during and after the plating process. Once they were plated, it would be easier to tell the difference between a brass and steel panel.
The J.S. state it was an optional panel. Does this mean it was used on a specific model? The 'B' would also be useful in a case like this.

[Craig Lewis]

Isn't there something in the new revisions stating that the brass dash was only used 2 or 3 months in early 31?

[Deluxe Delivery Don]

The Brass ones were only used in Jan.- Feb 1931

[Arlen]

Roadster62 asked a good question. Who got a brass dash? Open cars or just random? Of the dash was brass to prevent rusting on open cars, shouldn't there also be brass shift levers and park brake handles?

[RonC]

why were brass panels allowed as an option and then only used Jan-Feb 1931? The "B" stamp is a mystery. Maybe Ford specified the stamp for identification before use or for in service tracking?

[Charlie Stephens]

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Originally Posted by Roadster62

Is it true the brass dashes went on open cars since they were exposed to the eliments more than a closed car? True or false please keep passing this story around. Took me over 2 years to get $50.00 for one that needed to be replated.

My '31 RDPU which is fairly original came with a brass dash. Anyone out there find one in a closed car that appears to have been with the car when it was built?

Charlie Stephens

[Jerry Parr WI]

Don't know what it means but all of the brass dashes I've seen had the B.

[peters180a/170b]

Well not only the NEW STANDARDS put the BRASS dash only in early 1931 for a month or so but now i changed my super nice plated brass dash i had in my car for a very nice STEEL "BRIGHT" NICKEL " only for mid 1930 ..So lets see ONLY for 4 months [mid 1930] ,,,,BRIGHT NICKEL STEEL DASH , STEEL STAMPED HEADLIGHT BAR,, POP-OUT SWITCH WITH EARLY KEY.... Well keeps the parts people in the money....L.O.L. I should of been a judge and get the early start on what parts to buy and stack up on.. Guess someone gotta make the money...If you want to make the changes.. Is that called inside trading???l/o/l/

[HoarseWhisperer]

All the more reason to become a "hoarder", not a "trader".

[Stinch]

Isn't the correct term "instrument panel" rather than "dash"?

Rich

[Chris in WNC]

Originally Posted by Roadster62

Is it true the brass dashes went on open cars since they were exposed to the eliments more than a closed car? True or false please keep passing this story around. Took me over 2 years to get $50.00 for one that needed to be replated.

our MARC of Originality 31 Coupe has a brass instrument panel, but if you prefer calling them "dashes" that's OK by me :-)

[Craig Lewis]

Hey man have you got your calander set wrong? This thread is 1 year old already.
Funny thing is I thought it was a new thread and emailed the guy for pictures of his dash!
He came back saying it sold long ago and I thought he was being a smart-ass till I checked the date of this thread

[RonC]

Ford called them instrument panels and the firewall the dash

[George Miller]

Originally Posted by RonC

The the Scovill Manufacturing Company in Waterbury, CT made the brass dashes. They had a Brass Works division which is probably where the dashes were made. So why would a brass works company stamp a "B" on a brass stamping? Is the the steel mounting bracket for the speedometer different on the brass and metal dashes? I would think the "B" stamp and Scovill logo would have been stamped prior to assembly with the dash panel? They are still in business in GA. http://www.scovill.com/html/Scovill_About_Us.html

I use to work for Scovill in the cylinder Division. The brass division at that time was tire valves. We used lost of brass in our division also. They had plants all over at that time. I worked for them in Alpena Mich and got transferred to Wake Forest NC. They got split up over the years. My division was bough out by Parker.

[400A-64]

For those NOT in the "know" You can also be in the"know" by purchasing your very own set of MAFCA/MARC Judging Standards. VERY interesting reading!!
Bruce Davis [email protected] btw...my brass "dash" is stamped "B"

[Roadster62]

Scovill also made BRASS buttons during the Civil War in Waterbury, Ct. and custom made them for different units, both NORTH and SOUTH. I'd like to know how they shipped them south of the Mason/Dixon.