1937 Ford Model 78 Images, Information and History (Standard, Deluxe, Seventy-Eight, 78B)

1937 Ford Model 78 news, pictures, and information
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			Deluxe Phaeton Chassis Num: A183820126
Sold for $45,700 at 2006 Worldwide Auctioneers.

This 1937 Ford DeLuxe Phaeton finished in Washington Blue over a deep Brown LeBarron Bonney leather interior was offered for sale at the 2006 Worldwide Group Auction held on Hilton Head Island. It was expected to fetch between $50,000-$70,000. It has a wood grain dash, tonneau cover for the rear, wheel trim rings, chrome exterior trim, AM radio, fog lights, and a 221 cubic-inch engine. For 1937 there were only 3,723 examples built of the Phaeton four-door, five person body-style. At the conclusion of the auction, this vehicle found a new owner for the price of $45,700.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2006

Station Wagon

Ford became the first manufacturer to produce and assemble their own station wagon. The year was 1937 and was the same year that Ford began putting their headlights in the front fenders. The front grille had horizontal bars and a center vertical bar which came to a point in both sides of the hood. Located on the side of the hood were cooling vents. Under the hood was a eight-cylinder engine which produced 85 horsepower. It was mated to a three-speed manual gearbox which sent power to the rear wheels. Fender, radio, heater, clock, cigar lighter, radio antenna, sat covers, and more were offered as optional equipment. White sidewall tires were also offered at an additional cost.

This station wagon was found in a barn in New England after sitting for 30 plus years. The restoration took over two years.

There were 9,304 produced, about half of them had the plastic side curtains. Glass was an option for the rear doors and quarters for $20. The wood frame parts are made from hard maple, the panels are made from birch and the roof slats are made from basswood.

Deluxe Cabriolet

The big styling changes at Ford for 1937 were headlights mounted in the front fenders and an all-steel top. And the redesigned grille featured a sharper vee.

One of the more attractive body styles for 1937 was this two-door cabriolet, which cost $850 new. The model shown here features an unusual color, turquoise blue, which became available in Spring 1937.

Both Standard and Deluxe models were available from Ford in 1937. Although this car was restored more than 16 years ago, it still shows well.

			Station Wagon Chassis Num: 184005090
Sold for $121,000 at 2009 RM Auctions. Sold for $121,000 at 2009 RM Auctions.

The Lincoln-Zephyr and the designer E.T. 'Bob' Gregorie had influence on the 1937 Fords. The pointed front-ends and the teardrop-shaped headlights recessed into the fenders were examples of this influence. This would be the first Ford with an 'alligator' hood, and be remembered as having its battery in the engine compartment. The 221 cubic-inch Flathead V8 engine was revised for bettering cooling. The water pumps were placed at the bottom and the water outlets were moved to the middle of the cylinder heads. A cable arrangement was added, replacing the rod-operated mechanical brakes.

Station wagons were given a bench seat in the place of the individual seats in the second row. They were positioned to the left to allow easier passenger access to the third seat via the right side. The third seat rested on a raised platform that was rounded at the front corner, also for passenger access. Ford added a lift-gate with a glass window at the rear, another first for the Ford wagon.

By this point in history, Fords Deluxe Accessory Group had become so popular that a separate series of body numbers, signified by 'B', was adopted.

This 1937 Ford was purchased in 1997 after just emerging from long-time storage. It is an original car except for refinishing of the wood and reupholstering of the front seat cushion. The brown imitation leather roof is original and shows some signs of age. There are flaws throughout the vehicle but the sheet metal is straight and the doors shut well with even gaps.

In 2009, this Ford Deluxe Station Wagon was offered for sale at the Sports & Classics of Monterey auction in Monterey, California presented by RM Auctions. The car was estimated to sell for $75,000-$100,000 and offered without reserve. The lot was sold for the sum of $121,000 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2009

	Station Wagon Chassis Num: 183519459
Sold for $85,100 at 2013 Bonhams.

Ford redesigned their Woodie wagons in 1935 by moving the engine forward to between the front wheels. The passenger compartment was lengthened and several other changes were implemented to complement the four-door station wagon. Ford's vertical integration had led to the acquisition and maintenance of large timber holdings in Iron Mountain in Northern Michigan. The timber was originally used for framing the steel panel bodies of the Model T and Model A. By the mid-1930s, the use of wood in passenger car bodies had basically disappeared. The work had been outsourced to Mengel Body in Kentucky, however in 1935, production of all the wood panels and frames for Ford's station wagons was brought in-house at Iron Mountain. Iron Mountain's had a large supply of old growth hardwood and a high quality saw and planing mill. The assembled panels were then shipped to Ford's assembly plants where they met up with Murray's special stampings for final assembly.

Once completed, the wagons featured high quality lumber and a nicely styled utilitarian design. The long winters of Michigan's Iron Mountain region produced slow-growing trees with dense rings and brilliant color and unusual grain.

The 1937 Ford Woodie was given the same landmark revisions that the entire range received for that year. Updates included forward thinking aerodynamic styling distinguished by its 'bull nose', split windshield and teardrop headlights faired into the wing tops. All of these changes were inspired by the upmarket Lincoln Zephyr.

This black Deluxe Station Wagon was ordered new with dual windscreen wipers, dual side-view mirrors, fog lamps, Deluxe-model-only banjo-spike steering wheel, Deluxe dash, and wide-whitewall tires. It was given a comprehensive restoration in 2008 where every effort was made to preserve the maple and birch wood. A few tasteful upgrades were carried out including dual-tip exhaust, period correct alloy heads, and an all-wood rear hatch in place of the original metal- framed unit.

In 2013, the car was offered for sale at Bonhams Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $85,100 including buyer's premium.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013

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1937 Ford models

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Average Auction Sale: $58,238

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1937 Ford Model 78 news, pictures, and information