'32 woodie - holes in cowl

[ro]

Hello, all. I'm wondering what these holes are for? They are cleanly cut and appear original, yet I haven't seen them on other '32s. Please remember, I'm a novice . . . so if the answer is obvious, please shame me nicely :-)

[rockfla]

Spare tire bracket, maybe BUT then again they don't mount through the cowl?????

[deuce lover]

Aftermarket antenna

[v8nut]

They are to mount a spare tire bracket. Is there a well in the fender for the spare tire? Jim in San Jose

[tubman]

Originally Posted by v8nut

They are to mount a spare tire bracket. Is there a well in the fender for the spare tire? Jim in San Jose

Yep, you can see it if you look hard enough (or put your glasses on).

[rockfla]

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The spacing sure looks too wide!!!! AND way to far back towards the door opening

[ro]

I assumed spare tire at first, but the bracket only appears to attach to the frame and to two smaller holes near the front edge of the cowl.

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by ro

I assumed spare tire at first, but the bracket only appears to attach to the frame and to two smaller holes near the front edge of the cowl.

[deuce lover]

Yes guys put your glasses on.The 2 holes for the side mount bracket are at the lip edge of the cowl near the hood.

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Yes guys put your glasses on.The 2 holes for the side mount bracket are at the lip edge of the cowl near the hood.

Nicely disguised by the "Patina" of the paint job I might add. More apparent with the "enlarged" photo!!!

[DavidG]

The big holes where your arrows were for an aftermarket antenna, as stated above. Sheldon is correct as to the purpose of the two small holes just behind the lip at the front of the cowl.

[ro]

I'd love to see a pic of one of those antennas, if anyone has one. Was this a period aftermarket piece? Dealer installed? Or are we talking something much later? Thanks so much for the replies.

[Bob C]

Originally Posted by ro

I'd love to see a pic of one of those antennas, if anyone has one. Was this a period aftermarket piece? Dealer installed? Or are we talking something much later? Thanks so much for the replies.

Here you go.

[ro]

Originally Posted by Bob C

Here you go.

Thanks, Bob. Do you know when these were available?

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by ro

Thanks, Bob. Do you know when these were available?

They're still available > https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pic...cAAOSwSVdbwTBn

[ro]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

They're still available > https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Pic...cAAOSwSVdbwTBn

Cool. Might be fun to figure out how early they were available and find an old radio to go with it. I'll have to do some research. Obviously, I won't do anything to compromise the woodie's originality, but the holes are already there, so what the heck.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by ro

Cool. Might be fun to figure out how early they were available and find an old radio to go with it. I'll have to do some research. Obviously, I won't do anything to compromise the woodie's originality, but the holes are already there, so what the heck.

I don't believe I've ever seen an antenna like that on a car anywhere near that early, although that is probably what those holes were for. I remember seeing those on late '40s and some earlier '50s vehicles. Probably available at the likes of Western Auto, Pep Boys, Sears Roebuck, etc. FWIW, if it were mine and in keeping with your theme, I believe I'd pop a couple of appropriately-sized Wilke buttons in those holes, painted to closely-match body color. Later on down the road when folks ask WTF 'those' are, just have a 'fun-like' BS story that just MAY be slightly plausible....something like "that's where a very early, experimental police radar unit was mounted before someone stole it." DD

[ro]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

I don't believe I've ever seen an antenna like that on a car anywhere near that early, although that is probably what those holes were for. I remember seeing those on late '40s and some earlier '50s vehicles. Probably available at the likes of Western Auto, Pep Boys, Sears Roebuck, etc. FWIW, if it were mine and in keeping with your theme, I believe I'd pop a couple of appropriately-sized Wilke buttons in those holes, painted to closely-match body color. Later on down the road when folks ask WTF 'those' are, just have a 'fun-like' BS story that just MAY be slightly plausible....something like "that's where a very early, experimental police radar unit was mounted before someone stole it." DD

I do like a good story

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by ro

I do like a good story

Yeah, and two Wilke buttons are cheap-cheap! DD

[Mart]

I have an aerial like that on my 33. probably retrofitted sometime in the 50s. I have to make sure it is extended somewhat, with it down there is a danger of getting it in my eye or up my nose when getting into the car.

Mart.

[deuce lover]

I worked for Pep Boy's in Lakewood,CA after high school in the early 1960's and sold tons of those antennas.Port A Walls were also a hot item.

[ro]

Since the antenna is not period correct for the woodie I will likely fill and paint them. HOWEVER . . . the topic got me to wondering if there were radios in 1932. The earliest models, beginning in 1930, had a control/speaker box that mounted somewhere under the dash and a head unit that attached to the steering column.

So, the "survivoration" will now feature an early 30's RCA Victor radio. It needs a little TLC, but it has the look. Seems to me that someone able to afford a '32 woodie back in the day would certainly splurge for a radio to go in it. It appears that these radios cost about 1/3 the price of a brand new car.

[DavidG]

Please ee pages 19-5 and 6 plus Appendix 19 in the Early Ford V8 Club's 1932 Ford book for a complete treatise on the first Ford-released automobile radio.

[ro]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Please ee pages 19-5 and 6 plus Appendix 19 in the Early Ford V8 Club's 1932 Ford book for a complete treatise on the first Ford-released automobile radio.

Just great, David! Now I want one of those! I guess I'll settle for the aftermarket one until then.

[bobH]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

I worked for Pep Boy's in Lakewood,CA after high school in the early 1960's and sold tons of those antennas.Port A Walls were also a hot item.

Well, heck, I must have been 'styling', back in the 50's. Here's one of my high-school cars, with BOTH the antenna, and the port-a-walls. Little hard to see in the pictures, but they are there. It also has one of those 'newfangled' dropped axles, from Bell Auto Parts. Close as I could get to a Ford, at that point in my life. In my own defense, I also had a 35-5W, and a 36-5W.

[BoxCar Tom]

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Period piece

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Down here in NZ back in the day, no self respecting "Bodgie" would be without one of those 12 foot aerials on his old V8 or Mark 1 Ford Zephyr.

GB

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by BoxCar Tom

Period piece

[V8COOPMAN]

Here's what's left of the 'real deal' on a '32 Ford roadster recently found in a real barn on the northern California coast, sitting un-molested since 1955. DD








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[29]

I have seen holes like these on some 32's. They where used for the early radio antenna. Can't say for sure that was the purpose of these, just an observation.

[JSeery]

Was looking a some photos of a car my dad had and guess what? They have to go back to at least the early to mid 40s because he purchased it in 44 and sold it in 46. He said the antenna was on in when he bought it.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by ro

I'd love to see a pic of one of those antennas, if anyone has one. Was this a period aftermarket piece? Dealer installed? Or are we talking something much later? Thanks so much for the replies.

Hey ro .....Here's a good picture of Mart's sweet ol' '33 coupe running hard around the course way over there in Prescott, England. You can very plainly see the antenna on this one, still suckin'-up sweet tunes after all these years. Below is the link to this action-packed event, where you get to ride 'shotgun' along with Mart on three 'Bonzai runs, as well as getting to view many of Her Majesty's best old Ford hot rods out for a wee drive! DD

https://youtu.be/ifmDzYR7ZC4




........

[petehoovie]

Originally Posted by JSeery

Was looking a some photos of a car my dad had and guess what? They have to go back to at least the early to mid 40s because he purchased it in 44 and sold it in 46. He said the antenna was on in when he bought it.