what body do I have

jim k

jim k

Senior Member
I have a 31 sw 4 dr that has the arch in the back side windows like a Murray body does but the only wood in the car is the roof and front header above the windshield and the front floor boards. would this make it a ford body? I understand that the Briggs and Murrays had wood in the doors and along the body channels plus most of the body had wood reinforcing the sheet metal.
 
You are confusing bodystyles. The 155 series bodies do have wood inside the doors however in mid-31, the "slant windshield" 160 series bodies were redesigned eliminating much of the wood you described. If you go to my website, you will see some differences between the two body styles.

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The info pertaining to Murray and Briggs Fordors does not apply to the slant window Fordors.They were a new design and all by themselves.There are minor differences between the Briggs,Murray,and Ford built bodies.One maker uses cage nuts for fasteners,another uses D-nuts.Being a DeLuxe is a little more than the cowl lights.It seems like everybody added cowl lights to the cars back then.Most of the DeLuxe features were in the interior.Style of armrests,dome light,and garnish moldings come to mind.A slant window Fordor or a steelback Victoria(no pouf tops) are my favorite body styles.The judging standards will give you all the details you need.
 
It does have arm rest in the rear seat and the oval dome light also have the what I call grab straps on the side by the rear doors I will try to post a picture of the car
 
H:%5CMy%20Documents%5CMy%20Pictures
 
The parts vendors carry them,and they are available from the two major clubs.MARC and MAFCA.Some of the big vendors are,Brattons,Snyders,Mikes Affordable.Take your pick.I really think somebody can learn all they need to know,and do everything they need to with a copy of the Judging Standards and a copy of the Service Bulletins.Buy the big paperback copy of the bulletins,you can open it and lay a wrench on it to hold it open.You can actually read it and see the pictures too.The little hardcover copy is nice,but good to sit in your armchair and read.
 
I have Brattons catalog and have gotten some parts from them they're only about a half hour from where I live
 
Ed this is my first model a I have a 26 t and a 51 and 48 ford. the a is all original. Someone did paint it once years ago but the interior has not been touched. I am going to restore it eventually. I'm just having fun driving it now.
 
Jim, does it have a fold down armrest in the middle of the back seat??
PS. Your pictures did not come through on my computer. Can you send them again.
 
Guys I'm not real concerned if its a deluxe or not but would like know that but i would like to know if it's a ford or a murray body my understanding was that the briggs and murray bodies had a lot of structural wood in them which mine doesn't have. Like I posted earlier it has the curve up top on the rear door windows like the murray bodies do.
 
The SW car of 1931 only had a small amount of wood as compared to the earlier models (except the Victoria it still has alot of wood).
 
jim k said:
Guys I'm not real concerned if its a deluxe or not but would like know that but i would like to know if it's a ford or a murray body my understanding was that the briggs and murray bodies had a lot of structural wood in them which mine doesn't have. Like I posted earlier it has the curve up top on the rear door windows like the murray bodies do.
Click to expand...

As previously explained, the slant windshield Fordor bodies were a complete redesign eliminating nearly all the wood. While it is usually possible to identify whether it was built by Briggs, Murray, or Ford there is no obvious difference from the exterior or interior of the car when complete. All component assemblies are physically interchangeable.

Determining which of the three built the body has no real value except as a matter of curiosity. It will have no impact on any of the parts you purchase as they will be the same in all cases.
 
I agree with you Marco I know all the parts as far as drive train and things are the same I guess it is just more of my curiosity here's a picture of the car
 

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