I wish I really understood.

Gary in Mozarks

Gary in Mozarks

Senior Member
Ive always messed with pickups and panel trucks so I have never really understood the delux vs standard thing. I understand that a 39 standard is alot like a 38 delux but whats the difference? when did it start and was it a last years model etc? How did it effect 34's 35's 36's I bet I'm not the only one that is confused.

Gary
 
Usually it is trim package mostly, but body style can be different as well. 39 Standard and 38 Deluxe do look similar. 39 Deluxe has different grill and hood, well, whole front end sheet metal is different. On 34's Deluxe had cowl lights, wood grained dash, fancier garnish moldings, two tail lights usually. Things like that, too many to remember. I am sure someone will chime in and give you a better explanation. (Man, I wish this thing had a spell check. I have tried to down load the spell check several times but to no avail.)
 
This is how I understand it. I guess that starting with '32, there were standards and deluxe cars. Items such as right tail lights, cowl lights and other goodies were included on the deluxe models. Starting with '38, standard cars were styled differently than the deluxe cars with the styling resembling the previous year's car. They also only had only one taillight. With the '41s, styling was the same for both, but trim levels were different. I'm sure others will have a lot more to say.
 
PeteVS said:
This is how I understand it. I guess that starting with '32, there were standards and deluxe cars. Items such as right tail lights, cowl lights and other goodies were included on the deluxe models. Starting with '38, standard cars were styled differently than the deluxe cars with the styling resembling the previous year's car. They also only had only one taillight. With the '41s, styling was the same for both, but trim levels were different. I'm sure others will have a lot more to say.
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I think the Deluxe and Standard started with the Model A Ford.
 
Some of the difference between a 38 Deluxe & 39 Std. Juice brakes being the main one. Other small ones are hood side panels, grill, interior, hood latch, hubcaps, mostly cosmetic differences.
 
I think this was a better idea by Ford that didn't catch on. I bet it confused everyone even back then and that is why they only did it for two years, 1939 and 1940. You can imagine what the parts guys thought about it. And too, why would you want to buy a new car that looked like last year's car back when they changed looks every year? I don't know of any other car manufacturer that did it.

It amazes me too the difference in value one year can make in today's market. `34-`35 for example.

Nowadays with the new cars it doesn't make much difference. They all look alike and at a distance I can't tell one from the other, let alone what year it is.

Shadetree
 
Lawson Cox said:
Usually it is trim package mostly, but body style can be different as well. 39 Standard and 38 Deluxe do look similar. 39 Deluxe has different grill and hood, well, whole front end sheet metal is different. On 34's Deluxe had cowl lights, wood grained dash, fancier garnish moldings, two tail lights usually. Things like that, too many to remember. I am sure someone will chime in and give you a better explanation. (Man, I wish this thing had a spell check. I have tried to down load the spell check several times but to no avail.)
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Lawson, the spell check i use is the one on the Fordbarn it downloaded ok for me. i use it all the time. can't spell my way out of a paperbag
Brendan
 
OK, let's see if I can pull it all together here... First, I'm not sure about before 1932, so, starting from that point forward:

Trim items; a second windshield wiper; a second tail light; arm rests; hand straps; paint options; upholstery options; a second horn; cowl lights; these and more were on DeLuxe models with no body style changes up until 1938. Most of these items were available at the Dealerships, and many Standards were upgraded with one or more DeLuxe options. The open cars were not available in Standard trim after 1934.

Three years only, '38; '39; '40 had differing body styles in addition to the above listed differences. (Not all those differences for all the years)

Beginning in 1941, there was a single body style again, however, there were three trim levels, but without a "Standard", which was at that point forever banished from Fordspeak. The DeLuxe no longer had a Convertible, and was joined by a Super DeLuxe, and by a Special, which was devoid of everything that could be legally stripped from it. The Special was available as a Coupe; Tudor; or Fordor, in the color grey.

I hope it's just a bit clearer now!
 
The confusion existed in Model A's also. Usually a deluxe had a different trim scheme, different upholstery, cowl lights and interior lights. Some of the items that were standard on the deluxe being available as accessories, like cowl lights. Commercial vehicles were less predictable. A 30/31 deluxe pickup used a different body than the standard pickup. Then you have vehicles like the Funeral Car and Town Car Delivery that have no standard version.
 
ford38v8 said:
OK, let's see if I can pull it all together here... First, I'm not sure about before 1932, so, starting from that point forward:

Trim items; a second windshield wiper; a second tail light; arm rests; hand straps; paint options; upholstery options; a second horn; cowl lights; these and more were on DeLuxe models with no body style changes up until 1938. Most of these items were available at the Dealerships, and many Standards were upgraded with one or more DeLuxe options. The open cars were not available in Standard trim after 1934.

Three years only, '38; '39; '40 had differing body styles in addition to the above listed differences. (Not all those differences for all the years)

Beginning in 1941, there was a single body style again, however, there were three trim levels, but without a "Standard", which was at that point forever banished from Fordspeak. The DeLuxe no longer had a Convertible, and was joined by a Super DeLuxe, and by a Special, which was devoid of everything that could be legally stripped from it. The Special was available as a Coupe; Tudor; or Fordor, in the color grey.

I hope it's just a bit clearer now!
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Okay I have an added question regarding one year and one body style,the 36 roadster. Was it available rumble seat only or could it have been ordered with trunk? I think years before it could have been like Model A and 32,but I don't believe a 37 up rumble seat car(cabriolet) could have had a trunk .:confused:
 
The '36 Roadster and Cabriolet both had rumbleseats. The Club Cabriolet had a trunk. 3W Coupes had the option of either. This applies to the North American Ford only, as the rule changes on other continents.
 
For the 39 peeekup, I think it was interior light, second wiper, chromeed windshield frame, maybe clock in glove box, extree womens in back
clem
 
Now then, that's a difference that makes a lot of sense! Extra women in the back! Clem, I think you just cleared up all remaining confusion!
 
Gary in Mozarks said:
Ive always messed with pickups and panel trucks so I have never really understood the delux vs standard thing. I understand that a 39 standard is alot like a 38 delux but whats the difference? when did it start and was it a last years model etc? How did it effect 34's 35's 36's I bet I'm not the only one that is confused.

Gary
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You might want to check out Gary Mallast's excellent 1938-1939 Ford Book available through the Early Ford V-8 Club of America.

TM
 
If nothing else, Henry was shrewd. The Standard & Deluxe formats allowed him to market to both the liberal and the conservative customers with nearly the same basic car. For a few years there, it also allowed FoMoCo to keep using body dies and tooling for manufacture just a little longer with some parts carrying over to the next model year and so on. That was just the way ol Henry's mind worked. It made him a considerable fortune that's for sure.

Kerby
 
Kerby, Actually, there may be a little truth in that, even though the body parts themselves are not interchangable. The '37 hood, for instance, is just similar to the '38 Standard, and the same with the '38 to the '39 Standard. Sheet metal dies don't last forever, they get worn out due to the constant abrasive action in use, so perhaps a mild redesign took advantage of the old dies... just a guess here.
 
ford38v8 said:
Kerby, Actually, there may be a little truth in that, even though the body parts themselves are not interchangable. The '37 hood, for instance, is just similar to the '38 Standard, and the same with the '38 to the '39 Standard. Sheet metal dies don't last forever, they get worn out due to the constant abrasive action in use, so perhaps a mild redesign took advantage of the old dies... just a guess here.
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This is whaI have wondered. For instance the 1937 Ford front fenders had a much sharper peak on top then the following two years,as you just a hunch.
 
Here's a pic of my 37 standard stake bed. Like Alan says deluxe's had a second windshield wiper, crome windshield trim, two horns, beauty rings I believe, bumber guards, etc. I did add some bumber guards so some so and so would ruin my nice grill! Nolan Cason give me a ford book that lays it all out. I can zerox a few pages if you wish. JBD
 

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JBD, I'll bet that Nolan took more than just a passing interest in your truck! Beauty!
What book are you referring to?
 
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