How Do you change a 1939 Standard Ford to a Deluxe? Is it as simple as changing the hood and grill? Or do you have to change the fenders as well? I picked up this 39 Standard last night. The 3rd owner had it since 67. I thought if I came across other parts I might pick them up.
Cowl, firewall and running boards are all much different, to name a few... Much easier to make it a '38 Deluxe, as far as the front end goes.
I can only say.....................................But Why????????? IMHO I like the standard much more than the deluxe. Sorry about that, for a moment I forgot that it is your car. That is unless you want to sell it................
I thought if it was as simple as hood and grill and I came across a set I would pick them up. I just picked the car up last night and I exploring options and if I ask questions I can gain great knowledge around this place. I have a lot to learn about 39 fords.
You will need a deluxe cowl to make it work. I have a nice one with a mint firewall if your interested. What body style is your car?
Remove Standard body and sheet metal from frame, install DeLuxe body and sheet metal. Seriously, enjoy the slightly funky looks of these old parts cars for hot rods. They're relatively rare for that reason and now they're popular and desireable to boot! Who'da thunk it?
The 39 Standard shares the cowl and front sheet metal (barring a few aesthetic differences) with the 38 Deluxe. The 39 Deluxe is totally different as already pointed out, as the 39 Deluxe has the one-piece hood. I have a turd of a 39 Deluxe coupe body to which I'm mating 38 Deluxe front sheet metal, and I have to change the cowl sides to do this. The lower cowl section can be purchased as a repo part, but the upper part you'd need to find an original piece. Its a pretty big job! Its hard to describe, but if you could see a 39 Standard and 39 Deluxe parked side by side you'd see how different the cowl area is. Even the back section of the front guards are different, with the Deluxe being more squared off.
I can see the difference here. If you had an original dix firewall would you be able to change that to a standard or at least make it fit?
Just remember though, none of your front sheet metal will fit a Deluxe firewall, so you'd need a hood and front guards, um, and probably running boards too?
I have a 39 standard tudor and was given side curtains that are like the one lying on the fender (short louvers), they don't fit, there is a space of about 1" from skirt to hood up and down at the fire wall. The space lessons all the way to the front of the hood. Do I kneed the ones that are on the car in your picture with the long louvers to fill the space and solve the problem? Cheers Bill
I have a 39 standard tudor and was given side curtains that are like the one lying on the fender (short louvers), they don't fit, there is a space of about 1" from skirt to hood up and down at the fire wall. The space lessons all the way to the front of the hood. Do I kneed the ones that are on the car in your picture with the long louvers to fill the space and solve the problem? Cheers Bill
The Jalopy Journal
