Differences Between 1947-1948 Ford Tudor Sedan

[ricklove]

What are the differences (other than colors) between a 1947 and a 1948 Ford tudor sedan? Is there a Deluxe and a Super Deluxe model in both years? If so, differences between the 2 models/years? Many Thanks!!!!

[1942deluxe]

Yes on Deluxe and Super Deluxe both years. Most 1948's have the non locking steering column, tube shocks, aluminum running boards and floorboard, tear drop lock covers. Early 1947 looks like a 1946 trim wise. The next 47 same as a 47-48 with no
hood ornament(bull nose) and 3 ribs on the hood mouldings. I had one but it was the only one I recall seeing. The next 47's houlidalle (spelling?) shocks, steel running boards, locking steering column. At some point the "Ford" chrome deck lid emblem was repositioned. I've had 12 46-48 Fords since 1973 and there were no set rules in that time period. Ford was doing whatever they could do to produce cars in the mist of labor problems and material shortages.

[ricklove]

Great info! What were the differences in the 1948 model between the Deluxe and Super Deluxe? Thanks!!

[1942deluxe]

Clock , full horn ring instead of just the horn button, two dash ashtrays standard on the Super Deluxe. Deluxe dash was a dark brown were the Super Deluxe was a dark gray. Hood emblem says Deluxe 6 or 8 on the Deluxe. Super Deluxe 6 or 8 on the Super Deluxe 8. Door trim was different also as I recall.

[Sal]

Some '48 came with Houlidalli shocks also.

[woodiewagon46]

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Rick, I would suggest joining the V-8 Ford Club of America. They offer a book that covers 1941 thru 1948 Ford. There are numerous small differences between '47 and '48 Ford's.

[1942deluxe]

Sal, that is correct and I owned one that had aluminum r/boards with all the "normal" traits of a 1948 except the shocks.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Horns"buggered off" from the drivers inner fender ( trumpet type) to behind the grill (snail type) sometime in late 47 or it might be just 48...someone will correct me if I'm wrong.

I've put the trumpet type in my 48 because "I like them."

GB

[ricklove]

My '48 has the red script "Ford" on the upper grille trim, red script "8" and "Deluxe" hood emblems, and dual ash trays in the dash. It was represented (and sold) as a "Super Deluxe". Seller claimed that all of the later 48s were the same. Thanks!

[1942deluxe]

Rick, the Ford script on the upper grille trim and Super Deluxe 8 emblem was blue on a 48. 46 (early 47 also) used red . The glove box trim on a 46 had the Ford script and a 6 or 8 number on the other end. If you can put up some pictures we can tell you exactly what you have. Thru the years I'm sure folks took liberties "restoring" our cars!

[adavis]

I just brought my '48 Super Deluxe tudor sedan home last weekend and was really surprised to see hydraulic shocks. I had been told that late 47 and all of 48 were tube shocks, but mine are factory hydraulic. I've verified the frame stamping is correct 1948 so I figured I'd search here to find more info and here it is. Was suspension a customer option on these cars? Is there a good reason someone would choose hydraulic shocks over tube? My car is fresh from storage since 1985 so I've got a little work to do before its back on the road, but I'm wondering if I should be planning a tube shock upgrade? It will be a daily driver/family truckster so ride quality will be important (to my wife). Thanks.

[JSeery]

Tube shocks are fine, but don't think they will be superior to the originals. If you could get the original shocks rebuilt, that might be the way to go.

[Vic Piano]

I've owned '46, '47 & '48's, the '46 & '48 were Super deluxe TuDor Sedans and the '47 is a Convertible. One thing I can tell you for sure is; there is really no right or wrong with mid production '47's through end of '48 production. As mentioned previously, my '48 had Factory early shocks, aluminum running boards, no steering wheel lock, hot water heater with the plenum (air induction) attached to the underside of the hood, and the trumpet style horns mounted to the inner fender on the drivers side. Both my '46 & '47 have early shocks and rubber running boards... The post war Fords are truly a puzzle wrapped in an enigma.

A number of years ago, the V8 TIMES published a series of articles discussing the documented 'running changes' throughout the '46 to '48 production runs.

[Bruce Lancaster]

My '48 (built November '47) from Edgewater export plant has steering lock and lever shocks, all original. It's a one family car, bought by my Father new and used hard on three continents.

[woodiewagon46]

The '41 thru '48 book states that even though Ford had phased them, out lever action appeared on some '48 vehicles. I think what Vic said is the answer. If parts were in the inventory, on the factory floor, they would use them regardless of the so called cut off date. Even though Henry was not in control anymore his "thriftiness" was still obeyed. I would keep them.

[1942deluxe]

One advantage of the "hydraulic" shocks is they are adjustable where the tube shocks are not. I think at one time there kits to install the tube shocks but I would think the angle and all that would matter. Also think the front axle was a different part number with the tube shocks.

[rotorwrench]

The manufacturers of tube shocks had aftermarket install kits for these cars to get there foot in the door. The shock mounts that Ford made are different than the aftermarket ones so a person may be able to tell if the "aircraft type" tube shocks were installed by someone other than the OEM.