1937 frame

Mike in Mass

Mike in Mass

Well-known member
I bought A somewhat complete frame this summer and only recently picked it up . . the story is that its a 37. No title .It has been in a dry garage for the last 40 years standing straight up against a wall . front end , 3.78 rear end ,tube , allready converted to juice breaks . breaklines,e-break,,,looks like the guy just took the body off an left it lite surface rust that wipes off on your fingers !It is just a beutiful mint frame(factory paint) with no repairs. The only thing missing are the rear drums /hubs Now the question what do you think this is worth ? I,m thinking 2500.00 all day.(close to what I paid) My brother helped me get it and after seeing it in the daylight ,,HE WANTS IT !. Put his 35 coupe on it ,cut it up ,mustang 2 front end . streetrod the thing . If I wasnt struggling moneywise, I would give it to him ,but I can,t . YOU can tell me its worth what sombody will pay ,I know. I,m looking to sell it at a fair price . thanks Mike
 
Wow....it's your brother man. Don't you think you could work out a deal with him. Karma goes along way and this is a prime example of it.

Blood is thicker than water on each side of a deal.
 
1937
 

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I knew that I will get this REPLY ,,, Ishould have mentioned that I told him he could have it for what I paid for it . ****,, hes done enough for me ,,But he wants to pay me what it is worth ,,,so he said "ASK THE GUYS ON THE FORDBARN " THE,LL TELL YOU WHAT ITS WORTH !
 
Hopefully you can sell it to somebody who won't "cut it up" to put a pinto/mustang II front suspension on it.
 
Is what a truck? the frame, no its a car frame, based on those pockets on the outside rails. I can't quite tell for sure from the photos but it looks like two drums are for the front axle with dust caps on near the rear axle. The drums are just typical car and 1/2 ton commercial vehicle 37-39 wide bolt pattern. If you're missing drums you need rears with a key way. Look at your front tire size, they look kinda fat, you might have some rare 15" wide five wheels, normal is 16 in.
Your brother is wrong, the worst place to ask value is the Ford Barn, case in point, do a search for... Barn find 1940 Ford conv value, and you will see why.
 
It's not a 37 frame.
Looks like a 39 deluxe or 40 going by the front cross member engine mount positions.
 
Look for a fairly large 91A stamped in the front crossmember, indicates 39/40 frame, if not changed. Also serial # will tell the year, front brake line looks kinda factory 1940.
 
What is the serial number on the frame. That will tell you the year number. Wide 5 wheels says 39, going with only 39 - 40 as a choice.
 
Just as a bare frame I see them for $750 to $1000 but a good friend of mine just got a complete running 40 chassis bone stock with working brakes out of a 41k mile car in NJ for $1800 and its very nice. Just think of driving a nice stock car in and lifting the body off condition..

That said I really don't know. I just know they are hard to find when you need one
 
I would agree with others here saying that your frame is not a '37, is more likely a '39-'40, and appears to be in excellant condition. Maybe a picture or two shot from the front and a couple from the rear would help to firm up ID'ing this. It almost looks to me like someone could just drop a nice '35 to '40 body right on that frame, plunk an engine up front, and drive it away :D. If it were mine, I personally would not want to sell, or give it to someone who would chop it up to use it for a streetrod build. There are plenty of aftermarket, made to order, frames that can be bought for streetrod use.
 
My sentiments were well covered by JM35. There are plenty of non-original options for rodding. That frame appears identical to the 39 frame I have awaiting clean and paint.
 
Do what ever you can to hang on to this frame, it's almost impossible to find a mint frame as you describe this one. In a very short time you will regret letting it go, you or your brother may find a body to build a flathead powered car. This is one of those Ford pieces where you will hear yourself saying "I never shoulda sold that frame, wish I had it now" don't let that happen. If your brother wants to cut up this frame he's not gaining much, a bare bones new Fatman frame is about $3000, so for $500 difference you loose a mint 39/40 frame....not a good option.
Your frame appears to be 39/40 with 37/39 axles used to make it a almost roller.
 
Frame in the picture below started out as a rolling chassis with a flathead (stuck) and trans, and a banjo steering wheel...but no radiator. 1938 car frame frome California. Bought it off a guy in Northern Illinois a few years ago for $800.

image.jpg
 
Your brother needs to do his homework with DMV. They may look up the frame number in their "book" and insist on registering it as the year of the frame. Hopefully his '35 is a complete car and he convince DMV he is just doing a frame change and not a year change.

Charlie Stephens
 
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Its a 39 DLX because it has deep drop crossmember with brake line routed in front. In 40, ford used a stamped "V" bracket to secure the inner fenders and it mounted where the brake line was in 39, so on a 40 the front brake line routes behind the crossmember. I sold a rolling 39 std chassis (nice shape, no pits, etc) about two years ago here in the southeast for $800...
 
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