Does anyone know was this a factory option, or was it aftermarket? Mine is the locking handle but the chrome could be a little better. All they sell in repops are like the third picture here. I simply like the looks of the locking latch better. Looks more like the grille and side panels.
This pic is a couple of years old, and is representative of how the car's looked for well over 30 years. I'll add it's going through some changes right now.
Thanks! It's surprising to me there was a need to lock the hood in 1937. I suppose evil has a longer track record than my memory.
1937 was one of the worst years of the Depression. Some people might have been tempted to help themselves to goodies under the hood of the new Ford. Scotty the Dog said "Aye and Thifty Too!" about the 1937 V8-60 Fords, but can't get better mileage if someone steals your engine!
The main reason for locking the 37 hood was to prevent it being buckled by improper closing. Secondarily this was the first year for the firewall mounted battery which previously was mounted under the floorboards.
The ribbed one was a factory option. There were also aftermarket versions. 37' battery hold downs also had a non-theft feature, a small tab welded and threaded strap on the hold down over the rear edge of the battery that was bolted forward through the firewall a couple of inches down the back and not accessible from under hood. It prevented the battery hold down from being removed from the top of the battery without getting inside the car, whose doors could be locked. Maybe someone has a picture of one to post.
The Jalopy Journal
