1941 Dash

[Big Al]

Hi,
justa quick corection.
Should be

our 41,s used four inst. Panels

the last one wasan aftermarket chromed thing




' al

 

[TK in LA]

The two piece Chrome dash I believe was a Cal Custom production and had hole to accommodate the clock. Also I actually have 4 different emblems for the center of the dash. All have 11A ford part numbers. I will try and get all four together and take a picture.

 

[Big Al]

Hi,
i have had more trouble with this electronic thing. Well here goes again-----
first a correction.

The 41 used four inst, panels, not three

the fourth was an aftermarket thing that was chrome plated

the pot metal one was painted off-white and i think used only on the ford special as i remember, it had no clock hole as the special was the least expensive ford built in 41. Only one windshield wiper, no radio, and only one tail light to mention just a few. Gotta go. Take care.

Al

 

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Fibber - You have an early 41 Ford. Check your window bugs for the exact date if your windows are original. Per The 41-48 Ford Book by the Early Ford V8 Club, Ford switched from the three piece to two piece fenders on vehicles produced after December 12, 1940. The early vehicles with 3 piece fenders typically did not have the stainless steel trim on the fenders either. You can see a timeline of the changes in Appendix D of the book.

Al - Thank you for all the info. Through my four year restoration process, I stumbled across much of what you mentioned, but was unaware of some of the details, especially as it related to the horn ring.

On my convertible, the inner center bar of the windshield was actually made of what looked to be cast brass. Is this the part you said was cast iron? On my woodie (I actually have both a 47 and 41, but I am working on the 47 first), the center bar is pressed steel, like the sedans. I'm guessing the cast piece is for greater structural integrity on the convertible. Any thoughts? I also was missing the small upper and lower center trim pieces that cover the ends of this. Fortunately, I found someone on the internet that made reproductions.

I actually have multiple 41 clocks, but chose to restore and use one of the stemless clocks, so as to avoid cutting a hole in my plastic dash trim.

The dash and instrument cluster that came with my 41 convertible did not have a trip meter, but my 41 woodie originally had one.

Scott

further to the info on the 41 dashes. You may be interested to know that all New Zealand assembled 46/48 Fords carried the US 41 dash in RHD form. we got no 41s here as we were already at war with Germany.

Here is a picture of my dash in my 47 super deluxe. The colours are not original but done to my taste. Note the plastic is split near the glovebox door and not in the centre and that the centre bar in the radio grill is shorter. My car had an trip meter and a clock that wound from inside the glove box. Deluxe cars here had no clock and usually no trip meter. Instead of the dash trim being plastic it was a single diecast strip that was chromed.

 

[Big Al]

Hi...This is just correction in my former message

1. There were four types of instrument panels..not three
The first one was plastic, two peice and a hole for the clock

2. The second one was the same as the first without a hole for the clock

3. The chrome plated steele ones, after market

4. This one is the most interesting as it was only used for the Ford "special"
It was all one peice, all pot metal....
The "Special" only had one windshield wiper, only one tail light, no clock, no radio, and had a real cheap cloth upolsty, and painted white


One other thing about wood graining.
The inside of the glove box was painted with a tan color paint, but it didn't have the wood grain painted over it.
I hope this helps some.

AL

 

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Here's a pic of New Zealand RHD diecast chrome one piece dash trim used on 46/48 deluxe models (no clock)

GB

 

[Big Al]

Hi again,
this will be my fifth try . This electonic thing loves to eat my messages!
Also this message will be a correction.


41 fords used four tnstrumenr panels not three.


The first one was the one we see most. Two piece plastic with a clock hole

the secondone is the same as the first except without the clock hole

the third was an aftermarket type, chrome plates steel

the fourth, the most interesting, was a pot metal, one piece part. It was only used for the "special" car. The spcial had no right side tail light, only one windshield wiper, no horn ring, only a horn button, no colck. No radio, no beauty ring on the wheels, and some other things i can,t think of now.


Now on woodgraining, the inside of the glove box was,nt woodgrained. It did have a light tan finish.

I hope all of this helps some.



Al

 

[41Fordor]

Now on woodgraining, the inside of the glove box was, not woodgrained. It did have a light tan finish.
Big Al

I found SEM Bluebird Brown rattlecan close enough for the woodgrain base. This is original and has a hint of metallic, also found inside the original garnishes: