35v's 36 in cowl

K

kiwi

Senior Member
Anyone know the scoop with the production between 35 and 36 as to the small differences and the x stamping on the side of the cowl panel?any knowledge out there would be appreciated. thanks Kiwi
 
Here are some things I have found on my early '35 coupe.
It does not have the "X"s on the cowl extensions.
It does not have the louvers in the inner fender panels.
It does not have the wood strip bracing under the floor pans.
It has rubber bumpers on the garnish instead of the "fuzzies".
It has early style window glass lower channels.
It has the early interior handle locations.
It has cast instead of stamped/formed exterior handles.
I think there are a couple of other things also; but can't remember them now.
The V-8 club's '35-'36 book lists this info out too.
 
Here's what little I know about '35 vs '36 passenger car cowl differences:
Early '35's did not have the X on sides.
Mid to late '35's and all '36's have the X on the sides.
Early '35's have different radiator rods and mounting brackets on the cowl as compared to mid-late '35's.
The sides of '35 cowls use hood lacing, while '36's have rubber bumpers.
'35's have an indentation at top of cowl on each side for propping up the hood while '36's have an outward impression that's used for propping the hood.
I'm sure I have missed some differences that others who are more knowledgeable will hopefully mention.
 
In addition to what was already mentioned, early '35s had a radiator with a "surge tank", later models didn't have it (should have). Sometime during the model '35 run a metal plate was used as part of the floor pan under the floor pedals. It was replace by 5/8" plywood. Early deluxe '35 dash and moulding color was changed slightly to a darker shade during the model year. Early '35s have a pull rope door closer later models did not. All '35 coupes (standard and deluxe), have a roll down rear window. No so for '36.

The '36 had several mechanical changes including a change in spindles, steering ratio, wheels and helical-cut first and reverse transmission gears, engine; larger radiator capacity. Late '36s had a '37 type rear transmission mount (a big comfort improvement).

Generally, it is hard to assume that early '35s have specific characteristics not found on later '35s. Ford made a lot of "running changes" during production which often resulted in a blending of model characteristics. This is perhaps even more so on '36s. Incidentally, Ford made available a kit to dealers to "convert" left over year end '35 models into a '36 which can also blur specific model year differences.

Tom
 
I have an early 1935 Model and if anyone needs photos of any of these features, I can take some for you.
MIKE :)
 
My 35 std cp ,had a rear 1934 sedan Nickel coated rear window winder of the 1/4 window. on the wounddown rear .w
 
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Dan Lutz was an Early Ford v8 club member (Fallbrook Ca); years ago his early '36 roadster and late '36 cabriolet were featured in the v8 times. The roadster had all the '36 cowl features talked about above, but did not have any stiffening "Xs" at the cowl sides.
 
Scott/Mn said:
Dan Lutz was an Early Ford v8 club member (Fallbrook Ca); years ago his early '36 roadster and late '36 cabriolet were featured in the v8 times. The roadster had all the '36 cowl features talked about above, but did not have any stiffening "Xs" at the cowl sides.
Click to expand...

Do you possibly know the volume #/issue#/month/year of the V8 Times that article appears in? I would like to go back in my old issues and read that article and see those pictures. We will never know about all the unusual variations that left the different Ford assembly plants over the years the early Ford V8's were manufactured. I'm sure variations like that happen many times in the effort to keep the lines rolling and make the $$$'s.
 
I have seen a 36 Ford Coupe with the top part of the cowl as 36 with hood stops and a bottom half with windlace and not the rubber buttons used in 36. It looks like they used what they had during production to complete a car.
 
flatheadfan said:
In addition to what was already mentioned, early '35s had a radiator with a "surge tank", later models didn't have it (should have). Sometime during the model '35 run a metal plate was used as part of the floor pan under the floor pedals. It was replace by 5/8" plywood. Early deluxe '35 dash and moulding color was changed slightly to a darker shade during the model year. Early '35s have a pull rope door closer later models did not. All '35 coupes (standard and deluxe), have a roll down rear window. No so for '36.

The '36 had several mechanical changes including a change in spindles, steering ratio, wheels and helical-cut first and reverse transmission gears, engine; larger radiator capacity. Late '36s had a '37 type rear transmission mount (a big comfort improvement).

Generally, it is hard to assume that early '35s have specific characteristics not found on later '35s. Ford made a lot of "running changes" during production which often resulted in a blending of model characteristics. This is perhaps even more so on '36s. Incidentally, Ford made available a kit to dealers to "convert" left over year end '35 models into a '36 which can also blur specific model year differences.

Tom
Click to expand...
Tom - If I have a roll down rear window in my '36 5W - would that make it a Deluxe? Tim :-)
 
I saw a 35 roadster years ago that had one cowl side with the X stamped in it and the other side was smooth. This car was original, so Ford did in fact use up parts that were on the shelf to keep the line moving. Always wondered if the original buyer got a discount from the dealer on this one.
 
The original post asked about cowl differences between '35 and '36 so that's what I responded on. Looks like we have most all the differences between the two model years posted here. Interesting reading! I don't recall reading about some of these differences mentioned, so will make a list of these and file in my records for future reference. :)
 
thats why I asked seems everyone knows a little something , thanks for the comments,always nice to learn a few new things
 
There are several other differences between the very early 35 and later versions. Early used the 34 style of transmission with the throw out bearing lubrication cup. The transmission cover is different so as to access the lube cup. Some of the stampings in the floor, the floor cover for the hydrostatic fuel sender.
The transmission cover changed several times during production in 35, two piece to one piece, the # of d-nuts. I have a 35 with the wood under the front floor but not under the rumble floor. As above some have no wood under the floor. Caged nuts on the frame X-member for the mounting of the floor. Shock links and arms varied by assembly plant and time of production. The metal toe board and the solid inner fenders changed about Feb. along with the radiator and the radiator drain tube location and the pan under the radiator Don R. probably has a much longer list of running changes maybe he could chime in.
Very late in production there were other changes.
The die cast out side door handles were Cabriolet and others that do not come to mind, but not a time period difference.
 
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