I know there's someone on here with one of these so I need some questions answered and maybe a little advice. First of all, I love 36-40 coupes. They keep growin on me more and more everyday. I've found a 38 standard with a hopped up running flattie in it that is reasonably priced and pretty solid (at least from the pics). This thing is gonna blow my budget but it runs and drives. It will have to have at least new front and rear gl*** and the interior is shot. Will it be easy to get a doner bench seat out of a common vehicle or are they an odd size (kinda small)? What is the rear suspension? I would die if I couldn't get it on the road legally by next summer but at the same time, this is the cheapest these things will ever be. Are there any companies that specialize in the 36-40 cars? I saw a small section in the speedway catelog but not much. I know these are kinda petty questions but the car is about nine hours away and the people that own it are struggling to answer my questions. What should I expect to pay for new gl*** for the front and rear? Never done much wiring and it needs it all. Do I buy this thing and pray I can get it done or wait for a more ready to go ride that just needs a little here and there? Keep in mind that I'm not the most talanted guy with a wrench, but I want to learn. Mootz
Mootz, Your local junk yard should yield a $20 seat. If finding one for a little Model A is easy enough your larger coupe won't be a problem at all. Kick the old gl*** out and make some cardboard templates. Take them to your local gl*** shop. $100 should get you far on that project. The rear is a banjo on a buggy spring. If the rear is OK run it and see how you like it. Ch***is Engineering makes a bolt in parallel leaf spring kit that would allow you to install an 8" or 9" Ford rear if you decided to do that later. If engine, trans, and rear are OK I'd focus on brakes. If it is still mechanical you'll probably want to look into swapping over to juice. Not rocket science, not too expensive. Just a little leg work finding the parts, little $$, and some time. If you want an early Ford coupe I'd think hard before p***ing on an affordable one. Those are getting rare - '38 Standard or not. It is a simple car that you could probably drive as-is (with a little work and $$) until you could make the modifications that you WANT. Don't be afraid of it. Keep us posted. And let me know if you want to trade it for a Model A roadster pick up. JH
Harrison is on it.. just buy it. The 35-40 coupes will be next to reach unobtainium price levels, as the 32s, and 33-34s are there already.... sob..**** i want a 35/6 3window so bad..sob.
If you can afford it buy it. I've wanted a 35-40 coupe for years but could never quite afford one, they just keep going up. I settled on a 41 coupe instead. I dont like it as well, would rather have the earlier one but was affraid if I didn't grab this It too would be outa reach. The flatties are fun and simple I also have a 34 truck and it is easy to work on. You will love it- good luck- Mark
I got my ex boyfriend set up with a nice all steel 36 Ford 5 window for little money. He has a parts book......they repop ALL SORTS of stuff for these cars and for reasonable. I'll punch him in an eye and find out the name on the catalog. Til then, I'm just waiting for him to get bored with it..........then it's MINE! **x Brandy
Probably the wrong guy to ask........but as already said these things are getting real hard to find, i wouldn't worry about the minor details you describe just go for it & sort things at your own pace, it'll be worth it in the end.......trust me! Bob drake has a good catalog covering alot of stuff, also Dennis Carpenter has the best quality in rubber parts & **** Spadaro is another one to remember, most of the vintage Ford guys that are located around the country carry stuff too. Then there's ebay for some of the harder to find parts.....just be prepared to pay if you want old original parts.....they do turn up in the end. Here's a pic of my '39 std for inspiration ;-) now go get it!! Ps; open this thread & see what i did with mine earlier this year! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=66760&highlight=32LIMEY
Limey...what parts do you need?...I have a friend with alot of stuff ,,is that the car you picked up in Ottawa?......Bob Booth?......shore is nice!!!!!!
Brush thanks.....no this not the car from Bob, his was nice but i needed something i could drive when i picked it up. Yorgatron put me onto this little beauty in NorCal! I have most everything i need but would like some original cloth door cards to match the seat......these have been covered in vinyl at some point & they look a little ****py, Le Baron Bonny still make 'em but we're talking $$$. Kev.
The '38 Ford coupe. Back in the day it was considered a disposable car. The only use most guys had for them was on the circle track and it was in these ranks where we saw most of our '38 coupes meet their destiny. There just aren't a whole lot left out there... I'm not sure why the '38 was considered so lowly back then. I personally think the bull nose is one of the most thoughtful designs Ford ever put to production. I'd go so far to say I like the '38 design more than the '37 and as much or more than '39 - '40s. Of course, I am pretty biased. A big consideration with these cars is stance. They don't have to be slammed to be cool, but they have to have a well proportioned rake. 32Limey's car is perfect - It's not slammed at all, but sits aggressively. Very important with '38s in my opinion. I think 32Limey made some good suggestions as far as parts suppliers. Also, get a subscription to Hemmings and check eBay daily for parts. If you see any NOS deluxe exterior stainless (all of it), let me know!
Yes, but how difficult is it to find doors and a truck lid? (and front clip, frame, rear fenders...) I should join the clud right after Tahnksgiving... r
Luckily, the body on this one is in pretty good shape with only a few dents. The only rust they speak of is in front of the rear fenders. My hopes are that the car is in driving condition and they say it is. Just can't see out of the windshield due to the fogged gl***. It has no gauges so temp and oil pressure gauges would be the first things. They will have to come down on price a little which you never know. The thing is in Colorado so I'd have to make a trip in hopes the car is what they say it is. I've seen about 5 pictures and it looks to be a good deal. I have to look at it in terms that the car will never depriciate, but I want it to be on the road by spring and with my small budget, that may be difficult. I wish it were a little closer...we'll see. Oh ya, I have a wife, part of the problem also(love her to death but damn.) Mootz
Well this post of course caught my eye too. I you can pick up a running complete 35-40 between 12 and 18 big ones you better not p*** it up. Yes, they are going up as all old fords.. Ryan mentioned he like the 38's front styling better than the 37's. Well, I'll have to kinndly disagree. Of course i too am bias. Once you buy it and are ready to get started please don't hessitate to give me a yell too. I'll be happy to help. Can you find a Hamber willing to go see this car?? I'm sure for alittle gas and or beer money someone would be happy to take it for a test drive. Oh boy...another chance to show a pic of my baby. i love these because the side panels are removable which shows the engine area.
Damn Pete... How many cars do you have and can I have one? Sharp '37 for sure... I'd like to see someone build a hoodless '38... I actually think it would be pretty sharp as the hood sides have a great shape and the firewalls are goreous. I can't get away with it cuz my motor is too modern lookin, but with something like a nailhead, early olds, cad, etc... Wow, that would be cool... When I first started my car, I was building a race car... I did a huge NOno and changed directions half way through the project and went with a "pseudo-traditional" hot rod... The illustration below is what did it to me:
These are rapidly becoming my favorite body style. The one I'm looking at is a standard so the front end is kind of a cross between the 37 and the 38. you guys have some gorgeous cars. Maybe this deal will work out. Mootz
Hey Mootz, Good choice. If You can swing it, grab it now before they get any higher. I have a good buddy here in Missouri that will probably have most of the parts you may need for it. I can also help with some of the mech. stuff. And you won't require a inspection in Mo. if you register it as a historic vehicle. That may help get it on the road sooner. If you need any help,just ask. Mike I had to slide this pic in of my 4D sittin on the salt. Ryan, that drawing of your coupe without a hood is *****in man. Pull it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vagabonds cc
Man, this is a great example of what I really admire about the hamb. The p***ion that goes into these answers. I have never really paid to much attention to the '37's and '38's, the few comments in this thread have made me appreciate them much more. I've learned some thing today, some thing intangible. There is so much information and talent, so many opinions and so much p***ion on this board. It's nice to see the good stuff come out. I do like it here. Woody
Brush no this was another i found here..... http://www.villageservice.com/38 Ford Deluxe Cp.htm Bob had a '38 dlx & a '39 std both his cars were around the $11,000 price range, neither one had interior or motor but they were very good other than that. Kev.
Mootz check this one out......just spotted it on egay, its going to be a lucky man that scores this one. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=4585527282&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT Kev.
Ya, I've been watchin that one. There was a beautiful 40 at the KC GG this year. I think I like the 36-38 style better but the 40 has been growing on me also. I'm sure I'll let you all know how this deal comes out. Mootz
wow, you found him a car..............whata gal...... i thought the '40s were always more money, but i liked the '36s better anyway. a few places (there's more resto shops near you).......... www.sachotrod.com/index.htm www.cwmoss.com www.earlyfordstore.com/home.html
BUY,BUY,BUY!!! 38 standards are pretty rare. Especially coupes! I can tell you that for a fact. I've had my STD.Coupe since 1966 . Body parts for these have never been in abundance but are now even harder to find and gotten farely expensive. Ch***is Engineering is a good place for any front and rearend changes you want to make. [I used there rearend kit,and a few other pieces]. Gl*** and patch panels are no problem. I may be able to help with some body parts depending on what you need. If you need any at all. It sounds like you're looking at a pretty nice complete car. If you have any pictures I would like to see them. I agree that stance is a very important factor. LOW IS THE WAY TO GO! I don't know where" Bumpkinville" is , but if its near St.louis you are more then welcome to take a look at my car. It's not a show car by any means ,but may give you some ideas. Hell, I've been driving it for the last 10 years in primer with out any of the stainless trim on it. Why rush into anything? Pm me with any questions.
Moot, damn man, make your best deal and grab it!! If you don't like it, I'll take it off your hands. Then Knuckle and I will have fun with it and you'll kick yourself for selling it to us!
Ryan I've had this one for three years now. Its not a rolling gem but I'll never ever sell it. I love it!! Built to drive not show. This is the one I had recently installed the 8BA into. 4000 miles after the new transplant. Here's a pic of it with the hood off. I just about left it that way but the design of the grille at the edges kinda detract from it with the hood removed. You mentioned about how rare these are.. Yep at the time they were considered the ugly ducklings and were used as stock cars. I can't count the number of old guys who came up to me and said they wish they had a quarter for each one they totalled
I saw this car while getting fuel at the Charlotte Fall Swap Meet. He had the description and price in the window. I think the posted asking price was $75,000 or more. I never talked with the guy 'cause that price left me out in the cold with nothing on but my shorts . An outstanding traditional car, but you'd have to want THAT car real bad to "step up" that much. Let's watch the auction and see what happens. I think stock in all '38's and '39 standards is going up . That's good, 'cause I own a '38 4-dr convert .
This post is too wide for me to read the whole thing, but I say jump on it. A running early Ford within your budget is going to be a rare find (unless you're a high roller) and the '38 Standard is one of the most beautiful, Art Deco designs around.
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