CBoz

Hmmm...My floor shift doesn't seem so bad after all, eh? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Hey - I've never been to Hershey or Carlisle, but I've gone on a regular basis to the Charlotte Autofair in Spring and Fall (entered my Mustang a couple of times in the Spring show). So I have no real basis of comparison other than to say: If either Hershey or Carlisle has *two* or more Zephyr parts for sale, then they have more than I found at the entire Charlotte show! I know that Zephyrs are pretty rare, but good grief, how much money can you pour into Chevelles and mid-70s Ford trucks? Apparently, ALOT, if the vendors are any indication. I wouldn't be so bothered if there was a decent representation of pre-war cars there, but there were only a handful of A's, no Lincolns of any sort, and a couple 39/49 Fords. Of course, no full Classics, with the exception of a 46 Lincoln convertible for sale (in terrible condition with what looked to be a 350 shoved unceremoniously into the engine bay <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />). My local AACA chapter has more pre-war cars in a field of 80. I did meet Earle Browne there, with a table pitching the LZOC and his services. A very nice guy, but except for Earle and a couple of other contacts, it's not much of a show for folks interested in pre-war cars or earlier Lincolns. Too bad. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

Hey - They *will* fit, but they won't be correct, as the Ford handles look entirely different. they both have a square female end with a hole for a pin to hold it in. Hope this helps.

Just out of curiosity, Ace, who did you get your carpet kit from? Was it specially made for the '37s? Was it "concours correct"? How does it look to you?

Ace - Was looking at my manual as well as my gas tank -- there isn't any rubber tube attaching them, at least origially. There is a little rubber gasket where the bent metal fill tube screws into the tank, but that's it. Someone must have modified yours at some time. Let me know what you want me to do.

Hey Ace - I've got to believe that these would have been the same as what was used on Fords of the era. Take a look at the Lebaron Bonney site: http://www.lebaronbonney.com/ If they don't have it, nobody will.

Ace - My rubber hose is not on there, but if you want me to go measure the diameter of the pipe, I'll be glad to do it and post. Just let me know via here or email. With regard to your carpet clips, I would bet dollars to donuts that they are the same as that used on Fords of the era. So the Lebonney interiors folks or Dennis Carpenter should have what you need. Let me know!

Hey Ace - Another solution I've heard, which the Ford flathead guys use alot, is to make a modification to the current headlights, adding a small bulb in toward the top of the reflector. I don't know the details, but this is an alternative if you don't have the fogs.

I'll tell you what 600 bucks is, Dale. It's another room in the house I have to paint or new flooring I have to put in <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />. You see, my wife is a firm believer in <span style="font-style: italic">quid pro quo</span> when it comes to this car stuff. Smart woman, even if her taste in men is a little dubious! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

$600. Yikes! But look at it this way -- it's one of the first things you see, it's labor intensive, and no one else does it. When he retires, whaddya going to do? (At least those are the arguments I used on myself.)

Hey Coupe - You might try some of the vendors listed under the "sources" section of the website. I've talked with most of them, and they've all been very helpful. I'm sure one of them can help you out.

Bill - If I'm correct, doesn't the draft tube provide the same function, except that the car has to be moving to create the vacuum that "pulls" the polluted air out? My understanding was the PCV had two main advantages: 1. It worked all the time, even when the car wasn't moving. 2. By reburning the air, it cut down on emissions. Does anyone know for sure? I have seen dealers talk about a PCV conversion kit, but don't know anymore than that.

Great answers, Bill! Every site needs an unofficial guru, and I nominate you! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> You are now responsible for pulling us newbies along... <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

Dale - I'm not sure on the actual glossiness, but I can't imagine that the framerails would have been a different color from the underbody -- they should have been painted all at one time. Also, the pieces I have looked at are definitely not gloss black. I would describe it more as an eggshell -- glossier than flat but not quite satin. With regard to Ace's question, my own car as well as my readings indicate that the unibody was undercoated with what looks to be Body Schultz *prior* to be welded to the frame. So you will see that hard sound deadener stuff along the bottom (up to the firewall), and inside the car along the trunk sides, inside doors, kick panels, and inside quarters. But you will NOT see it on the framerails or the fenders.

Hey Ace - The radiator is a completely different shape -- flat, like a more modern radiator. But either I took it or it might have been thrown out, and if I can trade it for parts I need, even better. Tomorrow, I plan to check out how different the front and rear suspensions are. I know the '38 differential is a hypoid design (shaft hits below the center line of the differential) so I can't just put in the '38 rear axle and keep the car original looking. There are also some subtle differences between the '38 Columbia setup and the '37 which I'll have to think about. I agree that the coupe of ebay looks pretty good and should be worth something (I hope!).

Hey - I guess that if I was the buyer, I'd want a little more providence than "It is thought that this car may have been built for an executive of Ford Motor Company..." as the ad states <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />. It may indeed be real, but a little more homework would be needed to sort it all out. Anyway, back from Florida after picking up the Columbia assembly. Karel (the car owner who is parting out the 38) also told me to go ahead and take the Front axle assembly as well, including shocks, springs, brakes, etc., so I have a nice selection of backup parts now. She was also getting rid of the original radiator so I took that too. It has an interesting shutter mechanism on the front, and the radiator cap is chained to the inside. When I get a chance, I'll post some pics of everything. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />

Well, I have some not-so-good news here for ya. In most states, you cannot get a new title issued for a non-running vehicle. You must first get it running, *then* take out an indemnity bond based on the value of the car, just in case the previous owner shows up. It doesn't matter whether or not title laws were in effect at the time the car was parked. I've heard of some deal where you create a shell "sale" through an Alabama dealer and get a title that way, but I don't have any info on it, and it sounds sorta shaky to me anyhow. If at all possible, see if you can track down the previous owner and get *some* paperwork that might be equivalent to a title of 50 years ago. Good luck.

Ace - I'm sure others like Bill and Dale will have more informed opinions, but that doesn't sound out of line at all to me -- especially for a freshly rebuilt engine, sitting idling on a very hot day. As I recall, the stock thermostats are set to be completely open at 180, which should give some indication about where the operating temp should be.

BTW, Ace -- Congratulations on getting the engine back in and up and running! Tell us how she sounds, especially in comparison to your Mustang. Is it as smooth as people have told me?

Dang it, where were you a few months back when I was looking for a '39? <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> It's really hard to say what the exact value would be, but none of the things you mentioned are "showstoppers." If I were you, I'd take a good set of pics, put it up for sale in the classified section of LZOC, accepting the highest offer that comes in over some period of time. You could do ebay as well, but there is a higher chance that someone will buy it who would "rod" it out (but it's your car to do with as you want). If you do, you may want to check to see if the car has the two-speed rear axle or any other interesting features. The more the better. Either way, the '39 3-window is pretty rare *and* a very popular bodystyle, so I wouldn't be surprised if it broke 10K, even in that condition. Just my two-cents.

Dale - I just sent you a message. Try to return it, and let's see what happens.

Well, Ace shamed me into setting up a website for the car: http://home.mindspring.com/~bozarth/ Seriously, I intend to update it as I go through the restoration, hopefully documenting some of the actual restoration efforts (except opening the checkbook). I hope you all enjoy my agony.

Dale - The car was originally the dark red color you often see on these cars (not maroon). Here is a link to a car with the same color: http://www.bfm.nu/orebro.htm I'm 90% sure I'll stick with it, but if I don't, it would be the maroon. And yes, it's a *long* way down the road! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />