"Strainer", '40 Coupe Body part?

Fred A

Fred A

Well-known member
In the "Golden Era", guys would slash and maim my favorite cars for their immediate purpose. I now have my second coupe that the center brace is removed. Since I'm not hauling a surfboard in the coupe, I'm looking for a replacement but need to know what to call it. Pawing through my books I find a Ford number 01A-7746528 called "strainer". Could that be the missing brace? Do you speak Ford? Thanks: Fred A
 
Fred, Carpenter sells these within a kit. They are not sold separately but still, the cost is reasonable. They are VERY nice.
During nearly each of my restorations, I find these to be so beat up, well, it's easier (less time consuming) for me to replace them rather than repair them.
 
Kube: It may have been a while after the Drake/Carpenter coupe body that I saw them available with the two side strainers (?). They may be available through the secret stock list. The phone guys or girls haven't been too savvy. I was worried about the emaciated Carpenter when he would not buy my Ford V8 hood. He was still trotting out the coupe. Film at 11. Thanks: Fred A
 
Please post a photo or pictorial of 01A-7746528. I have no idea what that part is and would like to know. Never heard of a "strainer". Thanks, JIM
 
Jim: I found it listed in the "Ford and Mercury 1940 Body Parts List" of July 1940, under "Back and Luggage Compartment-Continued". It is the last part before the luggage compartment weather strips.

Kube: I jumped on it and the kit is ordered. Great thanks: Fred A
 
Fred A said:
Jim: I found it listed in the "Ford and Mercury 1940 Body Parts List" of July 1940, under "Back and Luggage Compartment-Continued". It is the last part before the luggage compartment weather strips.

Kube: I jumped on it and the kit is ordered. Great thanks: Fred A
Click to expand...

Looks like about $60. Well worth it...
 
Thanks Fred for the info. I still am lost regarding what you mean by: "It is the last part before the luggage compartment weather strips." I still just can't figure out what it is. Does the 40 coupe have them?
Perhaps someone will post a photo. I have the 1937-41 Chassis Parts Book (shown)but not the body parts book. Thanks
 

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19Fordy said:
Thanks Fred for the info. I still am lost regarding what you mean by: "It is the last part before the luggage compartment weather strips." I still just can't figure out what it is. Does the 40 coupe have them?
Perhaps someone will post a photo. I have the 1937-41 Chassis Parts Book (shown)but not the body parts book. Thanks
Click to expand...

Jim, Here's a photo... the diagonal braces...
 

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THANK YOU Mr. Kubarth for posting that photo. Now I understand and can proudly display my "strainers" (I think). Wonder why mine are different. Car is a coupe with 1939 window bugs and early style push in ashtrays. Is there a "strainer" difference between early and later production? Car is a business coupe. Jim
 

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19Fordy said:
THANK YOU Mr. Kubarth for posting that photo. Now I understand and can proudly display my "strainers" (I think). Wonder why mine are different. Car is a coupe with 1939 window bugs and early style push in ashtrays. Is there a "strainer" difference between early and later production? Car is a business coupe. Jim
Click to expand...

Jim, Your's are correct in every way. During my research, I could not find a "pattern" as to why some cars were built like yours and others like mine.
 
"Kube", "THANK YOU" for the strainer comparison differences. Maybe Henry Ford could save a few pennies and at the same time provide more useable trunk space by relocating the "strainers" and making them shorter. Perhaps the left over "strainers" for the 1939 cars had to be used up in the production of 1940 cars. I am pretty sure my 40 is an early production 1940 as it has 1939 glass bugs.

However, if the early production 40's had short (left over) "strainers" (like mine), it would surprise me that Henry then switched to longer strainers like you have in your car. A design change mystery for sure.

Do you know if 1939 Ford "strainers" were short or long and how they were located?
Is your 40 an early or late production car? Thanks, JIM
 
Strainer is the correct automotive term for the braces, reinforcements, etc., such as those discussed herein. It remains so in current auto industry parlance.
 
19Fordy said:
"Kube", "THANK YOU" for the strainer comparison differences. Maybe Henry Ford could save a few pennies and at the same time provide more useable trunk space by relocating the "strainers" and making them shorter. Perhaps the left over "strainers" for the 1939 cars had to be used up in the production of 1940 cars. I am pretty sure my 40 is an early production 1940 as it has 1939 glass bugs.

However, if the early production 40's had short (left over) "strainers" (like mine), it would surprise me that Henry then switched to longer strainers like you have in your car. A design change mystery for sure.

Do you know if 1939 Ford "strainers" were short or long and how they were located?
Is your 40 an early or late production car? Thanks, JIM
Click to expand...
Jim, I'd restored a number of '39 Fords and found both designs. So, it wasn't a cost savings type of change. I'm not certain if it was a change at all. But rather, perhaps simply a different way of doing things at a different plant(s).
I just don't know for certain.
 
For what it is worth, the strainer (x brace) in the 39 sedans also have two different styles. I attributed it to assembly plant "liberties".
 
JH: That's very interesting to note. Perhaps that was a piece farmed out to sub-contractors who had an option to make both.
 
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