V8-60 front axles: an appreciation

I've always thought that the tubular axle used on Ford V8-60s was gorgeous. I don't know everything about them -- were they used on all 60's in all years? I imagine that they were developed to save a little weight from the beam axles, although they might have been more expensive to make. I know that they've always been scarce, and I imagine that many have rusted away.

Probably the most famous and widely seen application was on Grabowski's T, although Ivo and others used them on cars in the same style:



I'm kinda surprised, given the number of expensive and ambitious repop parts that have been made over the years, that the 60-style tube axle hasn't been reproduced. I'm also a bit surprised that the manufacturers of dropped tube axles never made one with the graceful curve of the 60 (yeah, ground clearance, I know; but when has hot rodding been about what was sensible and practical?).

Anybody who knows more about these, like actual production years? Am I wrong in thinking that they've not been repopped? Any other observations about these most beautiful of early Ford front ends?

 

These were a one year only deal - 1937. No they have never been re-popped thank God.

Terry

 

I had the chance to jump on one for a really god price but I didn't for some stupid reason. I regret it, those things are beautiful for sure.

 

Apparently they weren't used on '37 anything or on any 60's except some '40's, which were assembled from leftovers...that is the conclusion from production letters found and published by V8 researchers so far, not necessarily definitive.
They were definitely used on 85's at experimental/beta test levels of production. Use advanced search...tube axle as key words...several discussions.
Another version was used on Model 62 Fords, which were 60's, but they were only sold in England and Europe. All is very murky, but so far no use in 1937 anything and at least much use, possibly all before '40, was 85! There are published pictures of '38-9 85's on the assembly line with these. Biggest published source so far is in '38-9 resto book by V8 club, which published many production change letters.

 

I also really like the V8-60 axles...they were apparently common enough in the '50s because they show up on lots of drag and dry lakes cars...I do wish someone would repop them.

 

the V-8 60 axle has been discussed here before. i believe the last time we concluded that they were used on cars later than 1937.....i saw one on a untouched original 1938 Ford tudor with a 60

 

Bought one for $75.00 (weeks pay check) in 1961, came out of '40 Ford Canadian Woody Wagon.
Could have bought whole car for not much more.

 

I've had three of them since 1976, One came with a garage full of sprint car parts and two cars. Second one with a 1960's era sprint car chassis, sold chassis got the axle for free. Last one was a drilled & chromed one I found at Hershey. It would be interesting to know how many steps there were in manufacturing them.

 

I haven't seen a stock out of the car tube axle in a few years, did they all have the open center ends. The chrome one I had had that area welded up.

 

It would appear that the center tube started out round and was then flattened by running it through a press a number of times.....hence the ripple effect on the front and back flat sides. Also the ends look like they were forged and then welded on by some process.
Anyone have a means to x-ray one ???
Carey

 

Everyone I had, had the open ends. I had one that was drilled, didn't look to cool.

 

My son and I have an original V8 60 1938 running/rolling frame and it doesn't have the tube axle.
Ol Blue

 

I parted out a 1940 standard tudor that had a running 60 horse and the tube axle. The 60 horse, we installed in a 30 model coupe, where it was way underpowered but it would wind forever. The axle was sold or traded for somthing of lesser value.

 

I got a good look at a early bell axle over the weekend and it looked very much like it was made from a 60 axle. If not, they went to a lot of work to make it look like one.


Very cool axles, I cant imagine how they were made.
Someday I will cut open a badly rusted or bent one, but for now……………

 

Beautiful for sure, but not any more so than on one of the tubes from a Franklin, and probably not as sensuous as the double dip mid thirties Mopar ones.

 

Don't forget the husky Chrysler tube front axle from the late 1920's

 

Now, THAT's a pretty piece! Never seen one before.

 

man those axles look sexy

 

I like to see those Ford tube axles come in..Every one that has ever come in the shop needed the spindle eyes sleeved.

 

About 7-8 years ago I took one out of a 40 standard two door. The motor was long gone so I don't know if it was a V8 60 or not. From what I could tell the axle looked original to the chassis.

 

Why only the V8 60, what was the rational behind that particular design? (they sure are pretty, whatever the reason!)

 

I think the reason was to reduce weight and give the anemic little 60 less to pull around. I doubt that they were any cheaper to make, though.

 

I had 4 about 10 years ago, one went to Dave Engemann to restore the Bud Mitchell spl., one went to Dave Lukkari for a future project, one I can't remember where it went,..... and the best one,.... is on the shelf in the garage,... they were all extras from Frank Mack's "just-in-case pile"







Frank started building this car in 1948,...

Also the Bill Niekamp roadster ran one,.....

 

Carey, I have the means to X-ray one if you could get one to me.

 

I have a good friend who has a 37' tudor V-8 60 car and too my surprise it has a beam axle not a tube axle. Not 1 thing has been changed on the car since new. In fact it still has every service record receipt since the early 40's still in the glovebox. He says at every cruise people ask if he had changed the axle or not.

 

It is, I dropped it.

 

I have an original 39 Std coupe. It is a V8 60 car. It has the tube axle