First in a series, “From YOUR Garage” will feature your cars and your spaces.
Fred’s ’37 – Delhi, Ontario, Canada – Part 1
From Wikipedia:
The 1937 Ford featured a more rounded 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 were a major modernization found on both the Standard and DeLuxe trim versions, though much of the rest of the design was shared between Ford’s two lines. A larger water pump was used to help aid in cooling.‘Slantback‘ sedans gained a rear trunk door, though space was limited
This is the first pre-war car (and hot rod!) I have built. Most of my previous cars have been mid-sixties muscle cars and trucks. A few examples: 1965 Comet 4 speed convertible, 1966 Dart wagon, 1966 Belvedere II and several 60’s Darts.
I found the car on Kijiji and first saw it in a barn in Uxbridge, Ontario. According to the previous owner, it had been brought up from a junk yard in Nevada. There were lots of dents but very little rust. I brought it home on May 31, 2016 just as we were starting to get ready for the ‘Points East 2‘ Canadian Hot Rod Tour.
The original suspension has been removed in this picture and the front portion of the frame boxed. I’ve installed a Welder Series’ Mustang II crossmember that I bought at Horton Hot Rod Parts.
I bought a 1992 302 H.O. engine and AOD transmission that had been removed from a Cougar. It will be mated to a Ford 8″ rear end from a Granada.
Here is the initial engine test fit. I probably had it in and out at least 4 or 5 times during the build process. I had to cut the firewall but tried to maintain as much original metal as possible. The steering rack is also being test fitted as well as the upper control arms.
Here, I’ve fitted the balance of the front end components. I modified the inner fenders to clear the upper control arms. The grill and radiator / AC condenser have also been fitted and the unnecessary holes in the firewall welded up.
Here, the fabrication of the floor has begun along with the remedial work to the firewall and transmission tunnel. I found a 45 gallon drum in excellent condition which I utilized to form the transmission tunnel.
The firewall and transmission tunnel are complete. The AC / heater unit is a dummy Vintage Air unit borrowed from Horton Hot Rod Parts. It weighs only a couple of pounds and this was the final test fit.
I separated the body and frame to continue with the frame work. The body was eventually bolted to a wood, steerable, cart I built to move it around my shop and for transport for body & paint. Sorry for the fuzzy photo but you get the idea…
The frame was in excellent, original, condition. Here, I am continuing with the frame boxing and adding bracing in order to maintain as much as the original factory frame as possible.
The completed frame after hot washing and an application of POR 15. The tank is high-density polyethylene.
More of Fred’s project in a future installment.
Canadian Rodder Note: Comments are open below. “Reply” to leave a message or comment. Thanks for looking.
Cool read, love a 37.