80th anniversary for the 1936 Ford

Question about Ken's roadster; The sides of the cowl have lacing running down them. 35's have that feature, 36's [all the ones I've ever seen] have rubber bumpers down there. Is that roadster actually a 35 with 36 sheetmetal?
 
This 36 Woodie was once owned by film star Gloria Swanson. I bought it from the prior owner of 55 years. Original except for repainted fenders. Runs great and I use it for local travel around town.
 

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Question about Ken's roadster; The sides of the cowl have lacing running down them. 35's have that feature, 36's [all the ones I've ever seen] have rubber bumpers down there. Is that roadster actually a 35 with 36 sheetmetal?

I just reviewed the '35-36 Ford Book. It is a well known fact that the cowl of the '35-36 Fords differ on several points, especially on the cowl.
A '35 does not have the X shaped re-enforcing pattern on the cowl sides. The windlace is on the top and sides of the cowl on the '35, where-as the windlace is only on the top of the cowl, with rubber bumper plugs on the side of a '36.
Since there is no evidence of a raised area where the rubber plugs would have been, but there is the X pattern on Kens '36, one could assume his car is an early car anomaly.
 
My 36 restoration took from 1987 to 2011 and it has been a Joy to drive and Fun to show. Its For Sale *(!@#$#*& =If someone comes along and buys it === Wow! mind numbing!
 

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A '35 does not have the X shaped re-enforcing pattern on the cowl sides. The windlace is on the top and sides of the cowl on the '35, where-as the windlace is only on the top of the cowl, with rubber bumper plugs on the side of a '36.
Since there is no evidence of a raised area where the rubber plugs would have been, but there is the X pattern on Kens '36, one could assume his car is an early car anomaly.

It is well documented that some 35's do indeed have the X in the sides of the cowl. I'm picking that particular car is actually a 35 with 36 sheetmetal.
Not 'nitpicking', it is a nice car, just not authentic, in my opinion.
 
Does Ken's car by chance have the body number tag still attached? All open cars were made by Murry and as far as I'm to understand had a ID plate/tag.
Mine is a March manufacturered car via frame numbers and no X with a lower body ID plate number.
Be curious to know the body number.
 
Early '35's did not have the X reinforcement on sides of cowl, but later '35's did have the X reinforcement. I own original '35's with and without the X pattern on cowls. There have also been claims that some '35's came off the assembly with an X on one side and smooth on the other side
It's also conceivable that some early '36's could have been produced with '35 cowl side panels. Having worked for a large US manufacturing company, I know these kinds of things can and do happen in the name of keeping the assembly lines rolling to make production and keep the cash flowing in.
 
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all Ford Barners. Happy 80th anniversary for may 36 Ford 5W Coupe in front of the St. Paul Minnesota Ford Plant, now only a memory.
 
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