Thread: '38 Ford deck lid vs 37 Ford deck lid

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Originally Posted by randyr

The seller posted more pics of the trunk lid per my request. The big question is whether the flaws make it worth the price....hmmmm eBay - New & used electronics, cars, apparel, collectibles, sporting goods & more at low prices

Randy, there is a guy in Modesto..maybe Manteca, that deals in nothing but `37 to 40 parts, I`ll see if I can get a number for you. It may take a couple of days to track it down, I don`t have it but I think I know of someone that does....

Rich if you find the number I am also interested .

Only good thing is no rust thru , But like you say Randy it needs some work . I think these models are more available then most , that would depend on your shopping times .

Originally Posted by 406Rich

Randy, there is a guy in Modesto..maybe Manteca, that deals in nothing but `37 to 40 parts, I`ll see if I can get a number for you. It may take a couple of days to track it down, I don`t have it but I think I know of someone that does....

Hey Rich, I would definitely be interested in talking to that guy if you find his contact info.

In the meantime, here are some pics of my existing lid and why I'm considering a replacement:
Back in the 80's when my dad and I were building this car the first time, we were learning about welding/body work, etc. My dad had an acetylene torch and a big stick welder. This lid had a big dent in it and the inner framework was pretty bad. He cut out the framework to beat the dent out and then fabbed the framework from a 66 Mustang deck lid to fit it. I currently have the Mustang framework cut out of it for these pics while I'm working on it.

As you can see this is the top of the lid. There is a dent with no access from the back side. The top edge of the lid is also very wavy because he welded the loose framework in solid with the acetylene. It got a bit too hot. This was previously smoothed out with filler and didn't look too bad but it was pretty thick in places. There is no way to hammer it from the backside because it welded with double thickness of steel along the edge.
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This is the bottom edge of the lid, which suffers from similar problems as the top. This also was smoothed with filler previously. The hinges are not attached. It's just resting on the car.
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Another shot of the bottom of the lid.
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These next 2 pics show the inside of the bottom edge. Some of the original framework is still there and for whatever reason, my dad welded it solid, which explains why it's so freakin' wavy. The Mustang framework was fitted and welded to the cut edge that you see. The edge is too thick and too warped to hammer out and I really don't know what to do with it at this point. Even re-skinning it seems somewhat impossible, especially since I don't know how to make a compound curve panel anyway. So, what are my choices?
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For the record, my dad was a self-trained, learn as you go kinda guy. Unfortunately, he would often teach himself on the real piece instead of a "practice" piece. We built this car on a shoestring budget when I was a highschooler. There was no internet back then otherwise, we probably would have made some different choices. He's no longer around.

Originally Posted by bluestang67

Rich if you find the number I am also interested .

Only good thing is no rust thru , But like you say Randy it needs some work . I think these models are more available then most , that would depend on your shopping times .

I'm not in a big hurry Bobby, obviously!! It's been almost 5 year since I started the "build thread"!! Yikes!

I think this is the only pic of have of the lid when we first finished the car. It actually fit really well until we put the rubber seal on, then it stuck out a little at the bottom.
The filler held up well all those years but I was just trying to do it a little more correctly this time if I can.

37 Ford4.jpg

Randy, I've given this subject a lot of consideration and research, talked it over with Lisha, Lexi, and Pepper, and even done some calcultaions... A major difference between '37 & '38 is one year.

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Randy, I've given this subject a lot of consideration and research, talked it over with Lisha, Lexi, and Pepper, and even done some calcultaions... A major difference between '37 & '38 is one year.

Thanks, Dave!!!! That helps soooooo much!! I hope you didn't wear yourself out coming to that conclusion......

Randy, I think it's obvious that if you can find a better part for a resonable price, then that's the way to go. In either case, your going to expend time and effort on the part and what gives you the best bang for the buck?

You and Dad did a fine job of it for the 80's and learning as you went. Like all of us, we've gotten more experienced and better tools and knowledge! Anyway, keep up the good work!

Originally Posted by randyr

Thanks, Dave!!!! That helps soooooo much!! I hope you didn't wear yourself out coming to that conclusion......

Well, we're all pretty tired....My 3 associates are all fast asleep!!!! I will pass along your gratitude, for sure!

Originally Posted by 34_40

Randy, I think it's obvious that if you can find a better part for a resonable price, then that's the way to go. In either case, your going to expend time and effort on the part and what gives you the best bang for the buck?

You and Dad did a fine job of it for the 80's and learning as you went. Like all of us, we've gotten more experienced and better tools and knowledge! Anyway, keep up the good work!

Hey Mike, that's my thinking exactly! Now if I can just find some more bucks to bang with!

Thanks for the kudos on the car first time around. Here's a pic of it in Nov.1994 when I had it loaded down ready to move to SoCal. Made the trip from OK just fine.

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Originally Posted by randyr

Hey Mike, that's my thinking exactly! Now if I can just find some more bucks to bang with!

Thanks for the kudos on the car first time around. Here's a pic of it in Nov.1994 when I had it loaded down ready to move to SoCal. Made the trip from OK just fine.

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That's a great photo with the seasonal change happening. Cool! I'd like a few more bucks too!

Randy / Bobby I`ve got a call out there, still waiting for a reply from friends....

Got a call back guys, the guy is no longer selling out of his house, to many night time visitors were showing up is what he told my brother in law, swap meets only, I`ll see what we can conjour up with this, sinse he knows family.

Originally Posted by 34_40

That's a great photo with the seasonal change happening. Cool! I'd like a few more bucks too!

Looks very timely with open rafters .

No Deck Lid yet LOL almost seems as if I am waiting on it >

Originally Posted by bluestang67

No Deck Lid yet LOL almost seems as if I am waiting on it >

Yes, it came on Friday. I have an email drafted to you and I'm waiting for the pics to upload from my phone to the computer.
In the meantime I'll go ahead and tell you here.

Well, of course, if it looks too good to be true, it probably is! The trunk lid came yesterday and it's not really as "perfect" as I had hoped. It's not as nice as he said either but I'm sure I can make it work. I'm just not sure about the best way to go about it.
It's had some work done on it and that blue is definitely not original. It has a little bit of cancer on the lower portion and a skim coat of bondo on the whole lid. That's why it's so smooth! I feel like I should probably grind it off just to see what's under there. They may have bondoed over some pitted rust the will eventually turn loose. I don't need that kind of headache after I get it painted.

I'm not sure if I should cut the spot welds & removed the inner support to do repairs or what.

I'll post the pics and soon as they upload....Here are the 2 pics the seller sent.

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