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Old 11-25-2020, 05:55 AM   #1
mercman from oz
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Default 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"




A friend of mine owns this 1932 Ford Deluxe Three Window Coupe. When he removed the Fenders and Running Board, he was shocked to find a "false" panel similar to the shape of the genuine 1932 Ford Chassis in this area.
Can anyone identify this unusual panel? Any help with suggestions would be appreciated.
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Old 11-25-2020, 06:13 AM   #2
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Is the frame itself embossed with the ridge on both sides?
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Old 11-25-2020, 06:37 AM   #3
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

I didn't check, as it was only a quick visit. However, I would suspect that the Frame is smoot, like later models, otherwise, why would you add these false panels to cover a Frame that was already shaped?
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Old 11-25-2020, 06:49 AM   #4
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Might have something to do with not having to paint the frame with body color when not 'black'.
Or maybe a process of manufacture specific to those in Australia.
Don't recall ever seeing the panels here in the US.
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Old 11-25-2020, 07:17 AM   #5
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

A first for me and like 51 MERC-CT, the question as to what the frame looks like beneath that panel immediately comes to mind. Given that it is a deluxe coupe, the body is of North American origin as none were manufactured elsewhere. There are some surviving very early '32 frames that are completely flat along the side rails, but where they have shown up has been on commercial vehicles and no covering formed panels were in place.


Trevor, It would be informative if you could provide the body number, if it survived, from the tag on the #1 steel floor cross sill and the engine number stamped on the frame (just the number of digits will do in the case of the engine number).
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Old 11-25-2020, 03:35 PM   #6
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

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Could this be a 1933 to 34 frame that someone added the cover to thus making it appear to be a 1932 frame?
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Old 11-25-2020, 03:36 PM   #7
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronnieroadster View Post
Could this be a 1933 to 34 frame that someone added the cover to thus making it appear to be a 1932 frame?
The number will tell!!!!
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Old 11-25-2020, 04:47 PM   #8
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Wow, that is incredible. Would love to know more from the poster and see more photos if possible.
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Old 11-25-2020, 04:56 PM   #9
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

model 40 frames are not even close to a match for a 32 body
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:18 PM   #10
mercman from oz
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"


Here is a picture of the imported 1932 Ford Deluxe Three Window Coupe with the false covers on the Frame. I have asked the Owner for a body number and additional details. It has been converted to Right Hand Drive.
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:19 PM   #11
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

There is the minor matter of six inches more of wheelbase in a '33-'34 frame. Another clue are the holes for the steering gear on the right side. The are simply round like all but very late '32 frames and all '33-'34 frames.


The panel is missing a fender attachment hole in front and another at the back for the rear fender.
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Old 11-25-2020, 05:26 PM   #12
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Ask your friend to put his hand up the back of the frame rail and feel if it is smooth or has the distinctive shape of the stock reveal. The lower curved edge is much sharper on the actual chassis than that rolled bead on the cheater panel. In a similar vein it is also sharper on a gennie frame than a lot of the repro rails.

The rails may be fabricated and not gennie or even a better repro which do have the reveal shape. It would be funny if it has one of the mega rare smooth sided gennie chassis and the covers were made to give it the appearance of the more common frame.

Edit: David, it is stated that it has been converted to RHD so the round holes may have been recently drilled. I think they look marginally lower down the frame rail than stock. The upper bolt on a gennie rail is very close to the radius at the top.

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Last edited by Mart; 11-25-2020 at 05:38 PM.
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Old 11-26-2020, 07:31 AM   #13
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

hello Trevor , does the guy still have the fenders , I have a set of fenders very similar colour that came from a 32 3 window in queensland a few years ago scott
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Old 11-26-2020, 09:48 AM   #14
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Speaking of interesting metal work...Did you notice the top on the 5W Coupe in post #10? Is it me, or does it look a little "domed"? Perhaps it's just an optical illusion! Nice cars though!

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Old 11-26-2020, 09:55 AM   #15
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat/Ohio View Post
Speaking of interesting metal work...Did you notice the top on the 5W Coupe in post #10? Is it me, or does it look a little "domed"? Perhaps it's just an optical illusion! Nice cars though!

Stay Safe,
Pat
In the same vein of questioning, did anyone notice the holes in the hood corners of the 3 window for what looks like rubber corners??? Is that normal??!
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Old 11-26-2020, 09:55 AM   #16
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

I see the same as you Pat.
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Old 11-26-2020, 10:09 AM   #17
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

I must say, haven't seen this little "splash pan" trick before!
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Old 11-26-2020, 10:35 AM   #18
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pat/Ohio View Post
Speaking of interesting metal work...Did you notice the top on the 5W Coupe in post #10? Is it me, or does it look a little "domed"? Perhaps it's just an optical illusion! Nice cars though!

Stay Safe,
Pat

The 5W looks like it may have a filled roof.
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Old 11-26-2020, 10:35 AM   #19
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Robert,


Yes, that is normal for an original hood. The rubber bumper is held in place with a tubular rivet. (I've noticed that while your hood corner is formed like all of the others, it lacks those attachment holes.)
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Old 11-26-2020, 12:32 PM   #20
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Thank you David, another learned difference and hence why it caught my eye.
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Old 11-26-2020, 01:08 PM   #21
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

34 steering box has two holes at the top as opposed to a 32 flange that has one ,the triangle is inverted
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Old 11-26-2020, 04:38 PM   #22
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"


Here is a picture of the 1932 Ford Five Window Coupe, and yes, it does have a filled roof. The chrome grille shell with disappear when this car is restored.
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Old 11-26-2020, 04:44 PM   #23
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Just a real wild guess but perhaps the middle of the frame was so buggered that new sections were installed and the faux style lines were done in sheet metal as that would be a lot easier than doing it in the replacement steel.
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Old 11-26-2020, 11:53 PM   #24
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

I have seen that before.
A friend had one. He said the frame and body came from Australia.
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Old 11-29-2020, 08:37 PM   #25
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

The mystery deepens? I phoned the owner last night and asked him what the chassis was like behind this false panel? He told me that it was the usual 1932 Chassis, complete with the usual elaborate pressings. He could tell this from rubbing his hand on the inside of the chassis. He is going to remove this false panel in the near future and send me some photos of the false panel and chassis without this panel attached. He is also going to get the Body and chassis numbers when he has time. Keep watching for updates.
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Old 11-29-2020, 09:08 PM   #26
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

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The odds are growing that it is a non-Ford innovation.
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Old 11-30-2020, 12:20 AM   #27
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

David,
An after market frame, could it be in the archives as a spurious replacement
item ?
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Old 11-30-2020, 12:54 AM   #28
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

in the 70's I believe they made fake deuce rails (covers ) in fiberglass to cover a model A frames for hot rods
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Old 11-30-2020, 12:46 PM   #29
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Quote:
Originally Posted by mercman from oz View Post
The mystery deepens? I phoned the owner last night and asked him what the chassis was like behind this false panel? He told me that it was the usual 1932 Chassis, complete with the usual elaborate pressings. He could tell this from rubbing his hand on the inside of the chassis. He is going to remove this false panel in the near future and send me some photos of the false panel and chassis without this panel attached. He is also going to get the Body and chassis numbers when he has time. Keep watching for updates.
Maybe the panels were just designed as a sort of "accessory" - to make it easy to paint them to match the body, without trying to paint he old frame underneath? Just pondering the purpose . . .
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Old 11-30-2020, 01:44 PM   #30
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Having had some experience in the matter of attaching '32 fenders, its thickness would compromise the fit of both the front and rear fenders (apart from its lack of the requisite number of holes for their attachment).
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Old 11-30-2020, 02:00 PM   #31
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

As I get older I've decided to give up trying to work out what other people may or may not have done in the past. It just seems a strange one that the frame appears to have the reveal, yet it has a reveal cheater panel over it. Without hearing from the person that did the job, all we can do is guess.

It is fun, though.

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Old 12-01-2020, 09:08 PM   #32
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

I have seen this done to simulate a non'32 frame, but if the org. has the reveal, don't understand why.
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Old 12-09-2020, 02:19 AM   #33
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Has anybody found anything else about these covers.
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Old 12-09-2020, 05:16 AM   #34
51 MERC-CT
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Default Re: 1932 Ford Frame - "false shaped panel"

Just some speculation.
Perhaps the panels were part of the early production design until someone determined that the fabrication of the panel was an added expense that could be eliminated by just painting the frame in that area with body color.
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