Columbia Two Speed numbers

H

Heliflint

New member
I have beautiful 1935 deluxe roadster with a Columbia Two Speed Axle that all works beautifully. Does anyone have any idea how many of these were delivered? I know they were a dealer item so numbers have been elusive. This one was delivered by the Don Neher Ford dealership in Oakland. Just trying to get an idea of rarity or common finding. Thanks
 
Heliflint said:
I have beautiful 1935 deluxe roadster with a Columbia Two Speed Axle that all works beautifully. Does anyone have any idea how many of these were delivered? I know they were a dealer item so numbers have been elusive. This one was delivered by the Don Neher Ford dealership in Oakland. Just trying to get an idea of rarity or common finding. Thanks
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Columbia units were NOT a Ford authorized accessory in 1935.
And while Ford discouraged dealers from installing non-authorized items, well, we know it often happened.
I'm would bet heavily that you will be unable to determine how many units were sold and / or installed.
You would have to access Columbia Co. records that most likely do not exist.
 
You may want to contact John at "Columbia Two Speed" and ask. I also have not seen any production numbers. Columbia did attach brass tags to later units that had numbers but again no documentation as to their meaning. The very early Columbia for Ford did not have the brass tag.
 
Guys here’s an ad from Columbia axle company in 1935. In the ad it states to see your Ford dealer for a demonstration. Dan.
 

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danliveshere said:
Guys here’s an ad from Columbia axle company in 1935. In the ad it states to see your Ford dealer for a demonstration. Dan.
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The critical point here is this is an ad FROM Columbia, not Ford.
Perhaps an attempt to put pressure on Ford to offer their wares?
Regardless, Ford did not authorize their dealers to sell nor install any "option" other than those authorized.
We do have numerous accounts of dealers ignoring Fords instructions.
Still, Columbia was not an authorized option until much later.
 
More non-Ford publications regarding 1934 and 1935 Columbia installation availability. It reads to me that the Columbia Co. had an arrangement with Ford dealers but perhaps not endorsed by the Ford Motor Company.

This is from an article by David Cole, "Some Historical Notes on Columbia 2-Speed Axles"

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I boxed in red the non-affiliation with FoMoCo below:

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In later years you could go to your local Ford dealer and order and pay for your Ford to be picked up new in Dearborn with the Columbia installed. I believe Ford sent the car to a local installer prior to pick up.
 
Terry said:
In later years you could go to your local Ford dealer and order and pay for your Ford to be picked up new in Dearborn with the Columbia installed. I believe Ford sent the car to a local installer prior to pick up.
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Terry, I had one '40 coupe with all of the correspondence between Dearborn, the dealer and the buyer describing how the buyer was to pick up the car directly in Dearborn, what was required, etc.

In regard to "later years" I believe in 1941 Ford did authorize a Columbia. Prior to that there are letters from Dearborn to dealers "reminding " them that non-authorized accessories were not to be sold nor installed.
Of course, most of us have heard of instances where that "reminder" fell on deaf ears.
 
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