The ’38 Fords might not be as familiar to enthusiasts as some other years of the classic Ford V8. Let’s see if we can expand our view a bit.
All the Ford V8s from 1932 through 1948 are rightly considered classics, but some might be more classic than others, it would seem. The ’32 is the quintessential hot rod, many will say. However, the ’33, ’34, ’36, and ’40 model years have their admirers as well, and the ’37 was highly prized among the dirt track crowd back in the early days of stock car racing. That leaves a few model years that, while not truly forgotten, aren’t as familiar to car enthusiasts as the others—the ’38 model line, for example.
As the Dearborn carmaker emphasized in its advertising that year, there were two distinct Ford lines for 1938. Both the Standard (above) and De Luxe (below) were based on Ford’s familiar 112-inch wheelbase chassis, but as we can see, the exterior sheet metal on each was remarkably different. The Standard, which was largely a carryover of the ’37 look with a minor facelift up front, was limited to three body styles: Tudor and Fordor Sedans, each with a humpback, touring sedan-style trunk at the rear, and a five-window coupe. Standard buyers could have their choice between the big 85-hp flathead V8 or the “Thrifty Sixty,” Ford’s baby 60-hp V8. (See our feature on the 60-hp V8 here.)
Meanwhile, the De Luxe for ’38 (below) featured a wider, roomier body shell with a fully integrated trunk at the rear, a more modern look that Ford would carry forward through ’39 and ’40. Front-end styling featured the pointy, yacht-like nose that Edsel Ford favored and his chief designer, the talented Bob Gregorie, was happy to give him. De Luxe body styles were plentiful: They included a Coupe, a Club Coupe, Tudor and Fordor Sedans, and a Station Wagon. While Ford no longer offered a roadster, there were three other open body styles to choose from: Convertible Coupe, Phaeton, and Convertible Sedan. (Some ’38 De Luxe body styles were a hybrid of ’37 and ’38 elements.)
Other differences: The Standard was equipped with a single tail lamp, windshield wiper, and sun visor, while the De Luxe was blessed with a pair of all three. Instrument panels were similar (stamped steel with an imitation walnut finish) while the De Luxe sported a fancy banjo-style steering wheel. Naturally, De Luxe interior appointments were more refined. For a cinematic depiction of the Standard vs. De Luxe differences, see our ’38 Ford dealer film here.)
If it seems like the ’38 Fords aren’t as plentiful on the collector scene today as some other model years, that’s perfectly natural. They weren’t as plentiful when they were new, either. Due largely to an economic downturn (a nasty recession in 1937-38 within the Great Depression) Ford production plunged from almost 849,000 vehicles in calendar year ’37 to only 410,00 for ’38. For their relative rarity if nothing else, the ’38 Fords—in both flavors—are interesting cars. If you happen to see one at a local show, look it over.
