'38 and '39 Banjo Difference?

J

jkflathead

Well-known member
Which one of these banjo steering wheels is 1939 and which is 1938, based on the center core? Thanks. John
 
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jkflathead said:
Which one of these banjo steering wheels is 1939 and which is 1938, based on the center core? Thanks. John
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525937


525938
 
2 pictures from the top might be better. I have a 38 that looks like the top picture. Are you sure the bottom wheel has not been modified?
 
The 38-39 Ford Book states the only difference between the banjo wheels is the little tie bar and the color of the rim with no difference in the hubs.
I remember in a talk given by the author Gary Mallast he said he was surprised when he reviewed the engineering drawings for the deluxe steering wheels and found there was any difference at all between the wheels other than the paint.
I too suspect one of the wheels has been modified, either an original after production, or as a reproduction wheel with a modified design from stock.
 
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I wonder what the core of a standard '38 and '39 look like? The '37 is quite sever in its cone shape at the core. The one that I have that I think is the '38, is also cone shaped but not as sever. The flat one seems to make sense that it is a '39 because the design seemed to be going in that direction. I have studied the pictures in the V-8 Club book. And the tie bar is very similar. Is one of the tie bars noticeable different in size? Thanks for your help.
 
I have had many '38 and '39 wheels, there was no difference between the two. The horn buttons are different of course.
 
There is a difference that is so small almost noone notices it. The tie bars ends are more rounded on the 38 banjos and are more squared off on the 39 banjos.
 
1939 deluxe
 

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I was wrong. This wheel that I have has had the bottom sliced off to fit another kind of column. Does anyone know why somebody would do that? And what kind of column does it now fit. Thanks. jk
 
The wheel probably has been "sliced" to more closely match the cup on a '40 & later Ford column.
I have done this in the past.
 
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