1938 Ford Standard Coupe

[mercman from oz]

Book - The Early Ford V8 as Henry built it
This is the book that 38 coupe recommended in Post 78
It was endorsed by Seth Swoboda in Post 79
I also highly recommend this book if you are into Early Ford V8's
This book can be purchased from the Early Ford V8 Foundation Museum for $30

[38 coupe]

For anyone who is interested and does not already have a copy, I'll put a link to the V8 Foundation store where you can get that book: click here.

[38 coupe]

Given my user name it probably surprises no one that I'm a bit biased towards this thread. To keep the party going I'll add two more pictures of 38 standard coupes.

I like the unmodified, not accessorized, look of the coupes in these pictures.

First, a neat old photograph I found somewhere.What I find really fun is in addition to the coupe on the left there is the front of another 38 standard Ford peaking into the photo on the right edge.



Next is a another plain coupe at a service station.

[mercman from oz]

1938 Ford Standard Coupe - 38 coupe

[mercman from oz]

1938 Ford Standard Coupe outside Joe's Place - 38 coupe

[30ccpickup]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

38 Standards

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by 30ccpickup

38 Standards

Unique side-view mirror on this one...


And, what's that sticking out of the cowl under the gut's right elbow on this one?

[Phil Gillespie]

Leithfield JUly 2023.jpgA

1938 Deluxe Coupe recently purchased. Note with this car there is a separate control for each side under sunvisor for wiper operation.
Was this a standard fitting?
Phil NZ

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by Phil Gillespie

Attachment 524083A

1938 Deluxe Coupe recently purchased. Note with this car there is a separate control for each side under sunvisor for wiper operation.
Was this a standard fitting?
Phil NZ

[kiwi nz]

Originally Posted by Phil Gillespie

Attachment 524083A

1938 Deluxe Coupe recently purchased. Note with this car there is a separate control for each side under sunvisor for wiper operation.
Was this a standard fitting?
Phil NZ

Hi Phil


I think I recognize that car, if I am correct it was restored in the 1970's using all the best original parts available at the time. The wipers do have individual controls, my 37 is the same, the passenger wiper was not needed most of the time so it was easy to find a good one in the day. Drivers side not so easy.


Geoff

[38 coupe]

Originally Posted by Phil Gillespie

A 1938 Deluxe Coupe recently purchased.
Phil NZ

Nice coupe Phil, I like the look with fender skirts. Fender skirts seem to be popular in New Zealand. I would love to have a correct set of 38-39 Ford fender skirts for my coupe.

[mercman from oz]

Illustration of the Updated 1938 Ford Standard Coupe from the original Sales Brochure

[mercman from oz]

Illustration of the "as originally released" 1938 Ford Standard Coupe from the original Sales Brochure.
Note absence of chrome trim on the Grille, no full length body chrome strips and painted Windscreen Frame.
It is apparent that sales of these early Standard models was disappointing and Ford added extra trim very early on to entice buyers.
Today, these "plain" early 1938 Ford Standard models are very rare.

[38 coupe]

For years I have had a framed copy of the early "as originally released" 1938 Ford Standard coupe page. I find it interesting that the small drawing of the black coupe in the bottom right corner uses a reflection to make a bright line about where the stainless trim was later added.

[mercman from oz]

From the attached Sales Figures, you can see how popular the 1938 Ford Standard Coupes were, outselling the other coupes:-

Standard 5 Window Coupe - 34,059
Deluxe 5 Window Coupe - 22,225
Deluxe Club Coupe - 7.171

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

From the attached Sales Figures, you can see how popular the 1938 Ford Standard Coupes were, outselling the other coupes:-

Standard 5 Window Coupe - 34,059
Deluxe 5 Window Coupe - 22,225
Deluxe Club Coupe - 7.171

The times, they were tough. Save a buck wherever you could.

[30ccpickup]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

From the attached Sales Figures, you can see how popular the 1938 Ford Standard Coupes were, outselling the other coupes:-

Standard 5 Window Coupe - 34,059
Deluxe 5 Window Coupe - 22,225
Deluxe Club Coupe - 7.171

The below website is an interesting read with information on the 38. I am not sure how accurate it is the production numbers vary from the above.

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1937-1938-ford.htm#pt2

[ford38v8]

Originally Posted by 30ccpickup

The below website is an interesting read with information on the 38. I am not sure how accurate it is the production numbers vary from the above.

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1937-1938-ford.htm#pt2

Regarding accurate reporting, consider the previously published reports relied on for “new” reports, where inaccuracies and typographical errors become “fact” by reason of repeated sloppy research. One example here being the reported discontinuance of Ford’s DeLuxe Tudor Sedan for 1938.

[38 coupe]

I find it interesting to compare the various production numbers reported by various sources. One source I trust more than most others is the previously recommended book The Early Ford V8 as Henry Built It. There is a section listing domestic USA production, which is lower than worldwide production. My understanding is these values were arrived at by careful research by the two authors while they were Ford employees.

[mercman from oz]

Sales Figures as quoted in the book " The Early Ford V8 as Henry Built it" - 38coupe