Information on this 1937 Ford radio unit

flathead_jr

flathead_jr

Senior Member
So I bought this radio unit online for my 37 Ford sedan, I'm going to have to piece the 2 units together as complete units seem to be expensive. First is this a 37 unit, it appears to be a lot different from others I have looked at. Second what model is it so I can locate information on it. I still need to locate the control head for it.
 

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I just check in the restoration guide I have and there is no mention of a different radio for Canadian Fords...
 
I opened up the bottom half as well to look for tags and there are none. It's clearly a Ford unit but is this some weird obscure model that was discontinued after a short time.
 
Looking at it further, there is no way the radio control head flexible conduits in my '37 would be able to attach to that chassis. I think it's a later model than 1937....
 
So in looking at the unit this one would have only one flexible cable for the tuner, the rest would have been probably a wire harness from the tuning head with electrical on off switch and volume control. This is a Philco unit. What are the differences in the 2 models listed this year?
 
I don't know much about radios but from a couple of 1937 Ford radios that I tried to use I know one difference. The F-1440 required an external antennae transformer that basically looked like an aluminum box with a coil of copper wire. The F-1440 ones I have had a bought over the years as complete takeoff from a 1937 Ford usually had this box attached to the antennae lead in.The box is about and I am trying to remember 2"-3" X 2"-3".The F-1442 ones I have bought complete never had this box as I think the change was it is put in internally in chassis. Just guessing I know on this but definitely the noticeable difference to me. I had the best one rebuilt and it never brought in any thing.Antique radio rebuilder on it couldn't explaint the antennae transformer thing/difference and he had both in front of him. I ended putting a AM/FM knob tuning radio in an empty box and adapted the '37 tuner and on off to the radio.6 volt to 12 volt convertor.
 
So I just looked at some screen shots of the other units I have seen online for sale they are the models F1440, so that would probably say mine is the F-1442?The antenna connection looks just like any other I have seen on more modern radios. Upon opening the box the side with the tubes you can see extensive electronics have been added to the tuner, this must have been what eliminated the antenna box? If anyone has photos or a radio fact on this F-1442 unit it would probably close the case on what I have. The next step would be locating a tuner head.
 
I think there may have been differences between the open and closed car models - especially concerning the speaker.
 
I have a complete '37 setup available (speaker,closed or open car with lead, aerial with mounting hardware, control head with cables) if you are interested.
Regards,
FlatHeadCoupe
 
flathead_jr said:
So I just looked at some screen shots of the other units I have seen online for sale they are the models F1440, so that would probably say mine is the F-1442?The antenna connection looks just like any other I have seen on more modern radios. Upon opening the box the side with the tubes you can see extensive electronics have been added to the tuner, this must have been what eliminated the antenna box? If anyone has photos or a radio fact on this F-1442 unit it would probably close the case on what I have. The next step would be locating a tuner head.
Click to expand...

The transformer box for the antennae that I have had for th F1440 was mounted behind the header with speaker and roof mount antennae than went down to the box.The F-1442 that does not have this externally but I think changed to internally meaning it is in the box.Both boxes look to me to have the same antennae plug in.
 
Okay I think I have this figured out my radio may actually be a 39 not a 37, I guess this happens when I don't know, and neither the seller. Pictured below is a zenith unit from 39 with the same connections. Even though mine is a Philco the connections were still the same.
 

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