1942 Ford deluxe coupe project

[1942deluxe]

ford news.jpg
Found an issue of Ford News introducing the 1942's. It's in pristine condition.

[flatford8]

Great pics John !!!.......Mark

[sugarmaker]

John,
Good job on the photos!
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[1942deluxe]

47763_151858521506646_3037860_n 1942 ford.jpg
Couple of pictures of the 42 after I bought it in Iowa back in 2001.
I guess that would make it a "barn find" or at least a tool shed find.

[Kelly Burns]

Originally Posted by 1942deluxe

drgoetz, I knew Henry's last car was a 1942 with a 1946 front clip installed. It is not displayed at the Henry Ford but my understanding is they still have it. If you can post a picture of your 42 convertible. We love pictures! The son of the family that owned the dealership in Iowa I bought said he had a new 1942 convertible before he left for WW II. He sent me a picture of his Dad's 42 Mercury demonstrator.

How much of the front is different form '42 to '46? I found one for sale and they guy claims that its a '42 with a '46 grill.

[1942deluxe]

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Kelly, the 42 hood is narrower in the front than 46-48. Fenders, fender extensions are the same. Parking light bezels are different 42-46. If you can get some pictures I probably could tell you more. See if you can get a shot of the gauges too.

[meric42]

Originally Posted by Kelly Burns

How much of the front is different form '42 to '46? I found one for sale and they guy claims that its a '42 with a '46 grill.

I'm pretty sure that a '46 - '48 grille will fit in the same space as the '42 grille, there are differences in the pans under the radiator/grille area. the '42 lower pan under the front of the radiator (8208) attaches to the under side of the roll pan (8188) and the '46 - '48 pan attaches to the top of the roll pan as per attached pictures. Hope this helps

[Kelly Burns]

Thank you both for the great information!

Here is what the ad states and what pictures he put in the ad:
"42 ford 2 door super deluxe flat head v8. Car sat at the plant during WWII and when production resumed it was given a 1946 grill."

Thank you for your help, its very much appreciated!

[1942deluxe]

Kelly, I think that is a 42 with a 46 grille. In the second photo notice the bottom of the hood is narrower than the top of the grille. The 46-48 hood is wider in the same location. Henry Ford's last personal car was a 42 Super Deluxe Fordor fitted with 46 front sheet metal as he didn't want to take a badly needed car from the line so it is possible to do so. My opinion is not factory. Someone damaged the 42 grille and installed the 46 as that was what they could find easily. 42 VIN starts with a 18 and 46 VIN starts with 99 if I remember correctly.

[Kelly Burns]

I think your right. I'm not sure I buy the "it was done at the factory", that may be what the current owner was told. I'm concerned that it is some shade tree collision repair work and scabbed in, so to speak. I will have to buy the car based off of pictures and have it transported from Nebraska to Kentucky. I've not talked to the gentleman that owns it yet, just his son. Hopefully I will tonight, but I'm not sure about it.

[meric42]

You can also check the body as being pre '45/6 too. The '41 and '42 firewalls are different. the attached pictures show the difference i.e. the later body's had an additional swage at the top of the firewall on the passengers side as seen in the attached pictures first early '41/2 then late '45 - '48.

[1942deluxe]

42-46-30.jpg
Some of the other stuff that hangs around here outside while I was having the pole building concreted. The Model A is a 1930. The Farmall is a 1946 BN. We also have a 1954 Farmall Super H and a 1949 Ford 8N that are both restored.

[1942deluxe]

Trying to put a set of the correct shocks together for the 42. I have a NOS LF and RR. Bought a NOS LF shock off Ebay, P/N on box is correct and shock body looks right but the arm has F 945 on it unlike my other cars that have F881 on it. Arm is about 1/4 shorter.
Will it still work or how hard is it to change the arm (I have a used frozen shock with one)?

[drgoetz]

Kelly:
Do you remember the picture of Henry Ford hitting the "soybean" trunk lid with a sledge hammer? That was the car !!
I am still fighting with my '42 convertible (windows and top).
drgoetz

[1942deluxe]

42 stone.jpg
I found a NOS 1942 Ford front stone deflector at the Canfield, Ohio swap meet.
The one on the car would be repairable but for $50 it was coming home with me. I can't remember the last time I saw a NOS one, made my day.

[1942deluxe]

46 stone.jpg
While I was at it I bought two 46-48 NOS stone deflectors for the 46 Fordor and the 48 business coupe from the same vendor. I'm just amazed this stuff is still out there after all these years!

[RKS.PA]

Righteous living, John, and your lucky day!!!

[sugarmaker]

Folks,
Helped John with headlight switch. Seems to be getting low voltage at the headlight? What should voltage be? With engine not running?
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

[corvette8n]

Originally Posted by sugarmaker

Folks,
Helped John with headlight switch. Seems to be getting low voltage at the headlight? What should voltage be? With engine not running?
Regards,
Chris and Cheryl

I would think it should be close to 6 volts, how are the ground wires?

[1942deluxe]

Grounds are good and clean. Getting right at 5 volts at the headlight socket with the car not running. 6.2 volts at circuit breaker and 6.2 volts at the headlight switch terminal. Was around 4.2 volts before as were the sockets before the new headlight switch. New Dennis Carpenter harness and new dimmer switch. Took it out last night and an improvement over what it was before but I think could be a notch better.