Late Australian 1937 Fords got an updated Grille

[mercman from oz]

Check out the Grilles on this pair of 1937 Fords. Both are Deluxe models, and both are correct for Australian assembled 1937 Fords. The one in the foreground is how they were when first introduced, Chrome Plated. Then, towards the end of the model year, Ford Australia decided to paint the Grilles Body Colour, and added 3 Chrome Strips on each side. These Chrome Strips are genuine 1937 Ford, and are not off a 1938 Ford Standard model. I don't believe that these Chrome Strips were ever offered on USA Built 1937 Fords? I think that the late 1937 Ford Grilles look great.

[jimTN]

no pic

[rockfla]

Trevor
Just like in Germany, sans the headlights.

[rockfla]

Trevor
Not exactly sure how in the German market what and when delineated 37, 38, 39 but there were several grill's in that time frame. I believe that the third picture is 1938......but obviously by the other two pictures there were two 37 offered!!

[mercman from oz]

Here is a close-up shot of the updated Painted Grille with added Chrome Trim. This change applied to all 1937 Fords, whether they were the Standard or the Deluxe model.

[Gary in La.]

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It appears that the 2 1937 cars in #1 have the 1938 U.S. bumper configuration, smiley face, ends turned up. The 1937 U.S. cars had the frown face, ends turned down.

[mercman from oz]

Gary in La. was very observant. Here is an early picture of the same "late" 1937 Ford Fordor sedan, when it was owned by an elderly owner. As you can see, the Bumpers are mounted correctly. The above two 37 Fords are owned by father and son. Dad owns the Club Coupe while the Son owns the Fordor Sedan. As you can see, they have removed the Over Riders, so while they were at it, they must have thought that the Bumpers looked better fitted up-side down?

[ford1937]

Hi im looking to for a buick straight 8 , my phone is 804 506 1332 from 34 to 48 no more please i dont know how create a new post , im working in a 1933 indicar replica , baquet also i will need wire wheels , like indy style , no ford a or ford t .. Maybe a bufalo but i would like a 22 '' knok off .. Need front axle too.... If someone have parts please thanks .. 804 506 1332

[Zeke3]

I like the look on the updated grille. I have seen a similar treament on the Lincoln Zephyrs of the same vintage. The trim pieces in the German photo looks too wide to me.

Thanks for posting the close-up photo, it allowed me to count the number of painted bars between each trim piece. I counted 10 painted bars in the top section, 11 in the middle section and 12 in the bottom section.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by mercman from oz

Gary in La. was very observant. Here is an early picture of the same "late" 1937 Ford Fordor sedan, when it was owned by an elderly owner. As you can see, the Bumpers are mounted correctly. The above two 37 Fords are owned by father and son. Dad owns the Club Coupe while the Son owns the Fordor Sedan. As you can see, they have removed the Over Riders, so while they were at it, they must have thought that the Bumpers looked better fitted up-side down?

Whether you realize it or not, 1938 Fords AND '39 STANDARD Fords did use that same bumper mounted upside down from the factory. DD

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of an early Australian 1937 Ford Deluxe Club Coupe. The Club Coupe was the only type of Coupe that Ford Australia sold. Notice that it has the Bumpers fitted correctly for 1937.

[Gary in La.]

They did use the same basic bumper for '37 & '38 but for the '38 the holes were drilled different than for '37 to keep the orientation correct.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Gary in La.

They did use the same basic bumper for '37 & '38 but for the '38 the holes were drilled different than for '37 to keep the orientation correct.

Not sure I understand what you mean by "orientation" in this case. Ya just flip the bumper 180 degrees, end for end, and bolt 'er up! Holes are similarly-dimensioned, side for side. DD

[Gary in La.]

The holes are the same end to end but they are not on the center line of the bumper. Being off center the orientation is corrected on the up - down position putting the correct for year bumper guards in the correct location. The '37-'38 bumper guards look the same from the front but the rear contours are different to match the proper bumper. That's why they left the guards off those 2 cars when they flipped the bumpers.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of an updated 1938 Ford Standard Coupe. Initially, they didn't get the Chrome Trim. As you can see, the Bumper is "flipped", as pointed out earlier in this Thread, however, the Holes appear to be on the same offset location as the bumpers fitted to the 1937 Fords?

[Gary in La.]

IN '37 they were below the center line and in '38 they were above the center line. These pictures are somewhat misleading maybe due to the angles shot. The '38-'39 Ford book from EFV8CA gives a better description and closer pictures of the bumper/hole location. I sold my '38 so I can't run out to see but I remember some years ago I had a '37 bumper and did compare it with the'38 so I could identify and sell.

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of a "late" 1937 Ford Club Coupe from Australia, advertising Ford Barn. These painted Grilles with the added Chrome Strips look great.

[mercman from oz]

Here is another Australian 1937 Ford Deluxe Club Coupe with the updated Grille. They sure look good, and a genuine improvement. Why wasn't it released in the USA?

[Brian]

The above photo of the coupe shows an extra strip, missing in the earlier pix. Balances it better.

[mercman from oz]

Very observant. I think that the lower strip is not original. Also, this car has the Ford 85 V8 Badge located in the wrong panel. It should be in the top panel.