1937 Shocks

[Robert/Texas]

My '37 Fordor Touring Sedan has just over 59,000 miles on it and I have some questions.

The shocks are obviously not working. The car drives and handles well on the highway, but takes bumps badly. I have most of the old service records but none indicate they have been replaced or that fluid has ever been added to them. The outside of the shocks appear to be original (rusty but not pitted), show no sign of leakage and the shock arms look good. I want to add fluid but am concerned with compatibility with whatever may be in them. I know that Ford had a part number for this fluid but have no idea what the fluid actually was. All advice will be appreciated.

I seriously doubt that these shocks will work after 72 years and 59,000 miles. I have noted that some vendors carry new front shocks but not the rears. Anyway, I'd prefer to get all four of them rebuilt. As the car is so original, I won't consider tube shocks or any others. Again, all advice will be appreciated.