View source for 1937 Ford

{{see also|Deluxe Ford}}
{{Infobox automobile
| name = 1937 Ford
| image = 1937 Ford V8 Convertible.jpg
| caption = 1937 Ford convertible
| manufacturer = [[Ford Motor Company|Ford]]
| production = 1937&ndash;1940
| predecessor = [[Ford Model 48]]
| successor = [[1941 Ford]]
| class = [[Full-size Ford]]
| body_style = 2-door [[coupe]]<br>2-door [[convertible (car)|convertible]]<br>2-door 1-ton [[pickup truck]]<br>2-door [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]]<br>2-door [[station wagon]]<br>2-door [[van]]<br>4-door [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]]<br>4-door [[station wagon]] (Woodie) <br> 2-door [[coupe utility]] (Australia) <ref name=1938_Utility>[https://web.archive.org/web/20170127031918/http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1938-FORD-V8-UTILITIES-SALES-BROCHURE-RARE-RHD-AUST-VERSION-100-GUARANTEE-/182413387488?hash=item2a78af66e0%3Ag%3ATakAAOSwCGVYAY2d 1938 Ford V8 Utility Sales Brochure, www.ebay.com.au, as archived at web.archive.org]</ref> <br> 2-door [[roadster utility]] (Australia) <ref name=1938_Utility/>
| layout = [[FR layout]]
| assembly = [[Atlanta, Georgia]]<br>[[Chester, Pennsylvania]]<br>[[Chicago, Illinois]]<br>[[Long Beach, California]]<br/>[[Dearborn, Michigan]]<br/>[[Ford-Vairogs|Riga, Latvia]]<br>[[Ford Romania|Bucharest, Romania]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|2845|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| engine = 136&nbsp;CID (2.2&nbsp;L) ''[[Ford Flathead engine|Flathead]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]]<br>221&nbsp;CID (3.6&nbsp;L) ''[[Ford Flathead engine|Flathead]]'' [[V8 engine|V8]]
| transmission = 3-speed [[Non-synchronous transmission|sliding-mesh]] [[Manual transmission|manual]]
}}
The '''[[Ford Motor Company|Ford]] line''' of [[Automobile|cars]] was updated in '''1937''' with one major change &mdash; the introduction of an entry-level {{cvt|136|CID|L}} V8 in addition to the popular  {{cvt|221|CID|L}} [[Flathead engine|flathead]] [[V8 engine|V8]].  The model was a refresh of its predecessor, the [[Ford Model 48|Model 48]] (itself based on the [[Ford Model B (1932)|Model 40A]]) and was the company's main product.  It was redesigned more thoroughly in [[1941 Ford|1941]]. At the start of production, it cost US$850 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|850|1937}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}). The Ford Line bore several model numbers during this period, each related to their respective HP numbers. In 1937, 85&nbsp;HP cars were known as Model 78 while 60 HP cars were known as Model 74. This changed to Model 81A and 82A respectively in 1938, and Models 91A and 92A in 1939.

==1937==
[[File:1937 Ford Truck Jugtown NC.jpg|thumb|left|1937 Ford pickup with [[Ford flathead V8 engine|V8 engine]].]]
The 1937 Ford featured a more rounded streamline look with fine horizontal bars in the convex front and hood-side grilles.  The front grille was V-shaped, rather than following the fenders into a pentagon shape, as on the 1936 model.  Faired-in headlights installed in the front fenders were a major modernization found on both the Standard and DeLuxe trim versions, as well as the introduction of a single piece lifting hood panel, and an all steel top for the passenger compartment. The Standard could be distinguished from the DeLuxe by the body color radiator grilles and windshield frames while the DeLuxe had walnut woodgrain window mouldings, chrome exterior trim brightwork, and a woodgrain finish applied to the interior window trim.<ref name="1938_Utility" /> A larger water pump was used to help aid in cooling.<ref>{{cite book|last=Weiss|first=H. Eugene|title=Chrysler, Ford, Durant, and Sloan|year=2003|publisher=McFarland|isbn=0-7864-1611-4}}</ref> 'Slantback' sedans gained a rear trunk door, though trunk space was limited with the spare tire, and 'Trunkback' versions continued gaining in sales. The station wagon had seating for eight passengers. A 4-door "convertible sedan" with roll up windows was offered in small numbers in the DeLuxe series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1937_Ford/1937_Ford_V-8_Wagon_Folder/1937%20Ford%20V-8%20Wagon%20Folder-04.html |title=Directory Index: Ford/1937_Ford/1937_Ford_V-8_Wagon_Folder |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |access-date=2012-05-31}}</ref> Also, new seats were used.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Ford/1937_Ford/1937-Ford-Full-Line-Brochure/slides/1937_Ford_Full_Line-16.html |title = The Old Car Manual Project Brochure Collection}}</ref>

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==1938==
The [[Recession of 1937–1938|1938 recession]] hurt sales, as did Ford's continuing of the 1937 cars, including most body panels. 1938 DeLuxe models were differentiated with a heart-shaped grille, though standard models retained the 1937 look.  The fading Slantback sedan design was cancelled for good. Only a V8 was offered, either a {{cvt|60|hp|kW PS}} V8 or an {{cvt|85|hp|kW PS}} V8.<ref name="oldcarbrochures1938">{{cite web|url=http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Ford/1938_Ford/1938_Ford_Folder/1938%20Ford%20Folder-06.html |title=Directory Index: Ford/1938_Ford/1938_Ford_Folder |publisher=Oldcarbrochures.com |access-date=2012-05-31}}</ref> A new dash was used, with recessed controls for safety.<ref name="oldcarbrochures1938"/>

The 1938 trucks were finally updated, having continued with 1935 looks. Changes included a vertical oval grille and substantial fenders and bumpers.

<gallery mode="packed" heights="150px">
Image:Ford-Vairogs-V8-front.jpg|[[Latvia]]n-assembled 1938 Ford Deluxe Fordor sedan
Image:17 03 303 little white house.jpg|1938 Ford on display at the [[Little White House]]
</gallery>

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==1939==
[[File:1939 Ford V8 (13403967823).jpg|thumb|1939 Ford V8 De Luxe Fordor Sedan]]
The Ford's look was again modernized for 1939 &mdash; the Deluxe used a low pointed grille with heavier vertical slats, while the standard Ford had a higher grille with horizontal dividers.  The headlights (the example illustrated has been converted to '40 Ford sealed beam headlamps - '39s used bulb and reflector lamps, the last year for them) were moved farther apart, sitting almost in front of the wheels.  The side grilles and louvers were removed in favor of chrome strips on Deluxe models.  The "alligator" hood opened deep from the top of the grille back, eliminating the side panels found on previous models.

Mechanically, Ford put hydraulic brakes on their cars for the first time.<ref>{{cite book |title=1939 Ford Mailer |date=1939 |publisher=Ford Motor Company |url=http://oldcarbrochures.org/United%20States/Ford/1939_Ford/1939-Ford-Mailer/slides/1939_Ford_Mailer-01-02.html |access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=((The Editors of Consumer Guide)) |title=1939 Ford Deluxe |url=https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1939-ford-deluxe.htm |access-date=28 May 2020|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210124004922/https://auto.howstuffworks.com/1939-ford-deluxe.htm|archive-date=24 January 2021}}</ref>

<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: [[File:39Ford.jpg|left|thumb|180px|1939 model differences.]] -->
The phaeton, club coupe, and convertible club coupe models were discontinued.  The engine was also revised for 1939 with downdraft [[carburetor]]s widening the torque band but leaving power unchanged at 85&nbsp;hp (63&nbsp;kW).  Hydraulic brakes were a major advance across the Ford line.

Ford's upscale [[Mercury Eight|Mercury]] line also made its debut in 1939, filling the gap between the Deluxe Fords and the [[Lincoln-Zephyr]] line.

==1940==
{| cellpadding="5" style="float:right;"  border="0"
|- 
| [[File:1940 Ford DeLuxe convertible 2.jpg|thumb|160px|1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible Club Coupe]]
| [[File:1940 Ford Standard Business Coupé (01A) front.jpg|thumb|160px|1940 Ford Standard Business Coupe]]
|}

A high flat-topped hood dominated the front look of the 1940 model, as the grille spread out to reach the fenders to differentiate the Deluxe line and the headlights were pushed wider still. The standard Ford inherited the grille of the 1939 model with blackout on each side of a heavy chrome center; heavier headlight surrounds serve as another major differentiator from the 1939. 1940 was the last year of the 1937 design and its smaller V8 engine, with a [[straight-six engine]] to be reintroduced the following year. Sealed-beam headlights were one of the few major advances for 1940, while a hydraulic top was new on the convertible.

==Legacy==

The 1937-1940 generation of Fords is one of the most popular automobiles for [[hot rod]]ding. Early [[stock car racing]] drivers also used Fords of this generation among other cars. This Ford also formed the basis for a style of [[dirt track racing]] car.

==See also==
*[[Ford Taunus G93A]]
*[[Ford Prefect]]

==Sources==
{{reflist}}
* {{cite book|title=100 Years of Ford|author=David L. Lewis|isbn=0-7853-7988-6|publisher=Publications International|year=2005|pages=97&ndash;110}}
* {{cite web|url=http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=93327 |title=Generations: Ford Model T to Crown Victoria |work=[[Edmunds.com]] |access-date=August 21, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060905193428/http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId%3D93327 |archive-date=5 September 2006 |url-status=live }}

==External links==
*{{commonscat-inline}}

{{Early Ford cars}}
{{Ford}}

[[Category:Ford vehicles|1937]]
[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:1930s cars]]
[[Category:Motor vehicles manufactured in the United States]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:Cars introduced in 1937]]
[[Category:Streamline Moderne cars]]