The Ford Barn

jeff47wl · 06-18-2023, 04:16 PM

Are there early 1939 ford characteristics?
I recently purchased a 1939 ford deluxe coupe, and it has what would be a 1938 ford trunk handle and the hood latch have two catches/latches one on each side of the radiator to hold a rod that is attached to the underside of the hood and rotates as the hood handle is pulled to unlatch the hood. The paper work staes first sold i 1938.

jeff

swoopNZ · 06-18-2023, 04:58 PM

March 1939 seems to be the cut-off date between early and later 39's.
Because of the ongoing labour disputes at Briggs and Murray, Ford bought a lot of the previously out-sourced work back in-house. Early 39's front fenders have ( or had ) a more concave area between the grille and headlight opening. Your hood catch is the earlier type. Later ones have a single hook in the centre. Also the rear fenders on later ones were attached by removable clips rather than spot welded ones.Your 38 trunk handle is incorrect. Get a copy of the EFV8 Club's 38/39 book. It has all that information in it.

jeff47wl · 06-18-2023, 09:40 PM

Thanks for your reply swoopNZ,

also, on the hood at the front by the nose latch there is no FORD DELUXE emblems on either side of the hood latch. I see no holes for emblems either.
Did emblems come on later 1939's??

I will try and upload some pictures
jeff

swoopNZ · 06-18-2023, 10:40 PM

Have a look inside the hood.You should see where the holes were.
Probably covered over on the outside by body filler when painted last.

Kube · 06-19-2023, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff47wl

Are there early 1939 ford characteristics?
I recently purchased a 1939 ford deluxe coupe, and it has what would be a 1938 ford trunk handle and the hood latch have two catches/latches one on each side of the radiator to hold a rod that is attached to the underside of the hood and rotates as the hood handle is pulled to unlatch the hood. The paper work staes first sold i 1938.

jeff

The trunk handle was more than likely replaced at some point in this car's past.
While Ford did use some parts from previous models, they would not use pieces that would easily be identified as "last years".

flat 39 · 06-19-2023, 08:15 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have an early '39 that has a '38 clock and no dome lite.

jeff47wl · 06-25-2023, 04:56 PM

added pictures of trunk handle, hood emblems and hood latch for early 1939 ford coupe.

jeff

petehoovie · 06-25-2023, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeff47wl

added pictures of trunk handle, hood emblems and hood latch for early 1939 ford coupe.

jeff

Kube · 06-25-2023, 05:43 PM

I'm sticking with my initial opinion in that this car has been modified.

deuce_roadster · 06-25-2023, 05:51 PM

Mike, there seems to be some evidence of that.

Kube · 06-25-2023, 05:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

Mike, there seems to be some evidence of that.

You're funny. Yeah, some...

DavidG · 06-25-2023, 07:17 PM

Just a little bit of evidence.

DavidG · 06-25-2023, 07:26 PM

repetitive.

ford38v8 · 06-25-2023, 10:12 PM

This thread has taken an unfortunate turn. The OP (Jeff) is obviously proud of his new acquisition, as he should be. The ‘39 Ford Coupe is right up there among the most beautiful of Ford’s creations. Jeff is seeking information on its original details and I’m sure we all applaud that effort.
Jeff, welcome to the fold, you’re already more of a Fordophile than the previous owner of your ‘39 Ford ever was. The info you seek and much more can be found in the EFV8CA publication “The 1938-‘39 Ford Book.” You’d be welcome to join the club also!

deuce_roadster · 06-27-2023, 08:26 AM

Jeff, looks like you have pretty solid sheetmetal which puts you ahead of the curve. If you are new to early Fords, almost every year has "early", "most of the production year" and "late" features which can be challenging if you are looking for either the "early" or "late" parts that identify the car as such. As others have said, the EFV8 38/39 book is well worth buying since you have a 39 deluxe. Many people (including me) think the 39 deluxe is very near, or at the top of early Ford styling influenced by Edsel.

Bored&Stroked · 06-27-2023, 08:42 AM

From the pics, the body seems to be in excellent shape . . . now if we could just get him to remove the SBC and build a really nice flathead for it. We have patience . . .

All kidding aside, welcome to the Ford Barn and congrats on your 39' purchase. Over time we will all attempt to get you to return the drivetrain to a flathead - so you'll have to put up with us nudging you along the way! LOL

tubman · 06-27-2023, 11:39 AM

I agree with the '39 DeLuxe being at the top of early Ford styling. That is why I will make one suggestion : Get rid of the '40 headlights and get some stockers back in there! Even before dealing with the SBC (you can always keep the hood closed).

06-18-2023, 04:16 PM	#1
jeff47wl Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 20	early 1939 deluxe coupe??? Are there early 1939 ford characteristics? I recently purchased a 1939 ford deluxe coupe, and it has what would be a 1938 ford trunk handle and the hood latch have two catches/latches one on each side of the radiator to hold a rod that is attached to the underside of the hood and rotates as the hood handle is pulled to unlatch the hood. The paper work staes first sold i 1938. jeff

06-18-2023, 04:58 PM	#2
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? March 1939 seems to be the cut-off date between early and later 39's. Because of the ongoing labour disputes at Briggs and Murray, Ford bought a lot of the previously out-sourced work back in-house. Early 39's front fenders have ( or had ) a more concave area between the grille and headlight opening. Your hood catch is the earlier type. Later ones have a single hook in the centre. Also the rear fenders on later ones were attached by removable clips rather than spot welded ones.Your 38 trunk handle is incorrect. Get a copy of the EFV8 Club's 38/39 book. It has all that information in it. Last edited by swoopNZ; 06-18-2023 at 08:23 PM.

06-18-2023, 09:40 PM	#3
jeff47wl Junior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 20	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? Thanks for your reply swoopNZ, also, on the hood at the front by the nose latch there is no FORD DELUXE emblems on either side of the hood latch. I see no holes for emblems either. Did emblems come on later 1939's?? I will try and upload some pictures jeff

06-18-2023, 10:40 PM	#4
swoopNZ MEMBER EMERITUS Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 1,380	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? Have a look inside the hood.You should see where the holes were. Probably covered over on the outside by body filler when painted last.

06-19-2023, 08:15 AM	#6
flat 39 Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clermont FL Posts: 99	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have an early '39 that has a '38 clock and no dome lite.

06-25-2023, 05:43 PM	#9
Kube Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 9,007	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? I'm sticking with my initial opinion in that this car has been modified. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

06-25-2023, 05:51 PM	#10
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? Mike, there seems to be some evidence of that.

06-25-2023, 07:17 PM	#12
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? Just a little bit of evidence.

06-25-2023, 07:26 PM	#13
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,102	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? repetitive.

06-25-2023, 10:12 PM	#14
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,646	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? This thread has taken an unfortunate turn. The OP (Jeff) is obviously proud of his new acquisition, as he should be. The ‘39 Ford Coupe is right up there among the most beautiful of Ford’s creations. Jeff is seeking information on its original details and I’m sure we all applaud that effort. Jeff, welcome to the fold, you’re already more of a Fordophile than the previous owner of your ‘39 Ford ever was. The info you seek and much more can be found in the EFV8CA publication “The 1938-‘39 Ford Book.” You’d be welcome to join the club also! __________________ Alan

06-27-2023, 08:26 AM	#15
deuce_roadster Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Shelton, WA Posts: 3,800	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? Jeff, looks like you have pretty solid sheetmetal which puts you ahead of the curve. If you are new to early Fords, almost every year has "early", "most of the production year" and "late" features which can be challenging if you are looking for either the "early" or "late" parts that identify the car as such. As others have said, the EFV8 38/39 book is well worth buying since you have a 39 deluxe. Many people (including me) think the 39 deluxe is very near, or at the top of early Ford styling influenced by Edsel.

06-27-2023, 08:42 AM	#16
Bored&Stroked Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 5,070	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? From the pics, the body seems to be in excellent shape . . . now if we could just get him to remove the SBC and build a really nice flathead for it. We have patience . . . All kidding aside, welcome to the Ford Barn and congrats on your 39' purchase. Over time we will all attempt to get you to return the drivetrain to a flathead - so you'll have to put up with us nudging you along the way! LOL

06-27-2023, 11:39 AM	#17
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: early 1939 deluxe coupe??? I agree with the '39 DeLuxe being at the top of early Ford styling. That is why I will make one suggestion : Get rid of the '40 headlights and get some stockers back in there! Even before dealing with the SBC (you can always keep the hood closed).