1937 Ford Model 79

Suburban
Chassis number: 183519459

Ford Model 79 designation meant it was a truck. The 79B classification indicates that it was fitted with the Deluxe Accessory Group package, including whitewall tires, fog lamps, side-view mirrors, dual windshield wipers, and the Deluxe dashboard and banjo spoke steering wheel.

As in prior years, the models were available in Standard and Deluxe versions. This included the popular wood-bodied station wagons, who's timber was sourced from the northern Michigan forest near Ford's Iron Mountain facility. 1937 was the only year the spare tire was mounted on the rear hatch; in prior years, it had been side mounted. The following year, in 1938, it was stored internally.

The designs of the Fords for 1937 became more sleek and streamlined. This was achieved through the implementation of a new V-shaped chrome grille with horizontal bars. The former bullet headlamps were incorporated into the fenders.

This example, a Woodie Deluxe Station Wagon Model 79B, is also equipped with the optional sliding glass window that were newly available in 1937. It was given a comprehensive restoration which was completed in late 2008 by Woodie expert Chris Messano of Long Beach, California. The maple and birch wood paneling have been carefully refurbished and a few upgrades have been installed, including period alloy heads, a dual-tip exhaust and a new rear hatch frame fashioned from matching wood grain.

In 2010, this Model 79B was offered for sale at Gooding & Company's auction held in Amelia Island, Florida. The car was expected to sell for $110,000 - $140,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of 101,750, inclusive of buyer's premium.

by Dan Vaughan

The 1937 model year was a pivotal year in the development of Ford styling, with sleek and streamlined designs, a new V-shaped chrome grille with horizontal bars, and the former bullet headlamps now incorporated into the fenders and complemented with horizontal louvers that ran along the sides of the hood. Like previous years, all Ford models were offered in Standard and Deluxe trim levels. Pickup trucks were a staple of the wide Ford Motor Company product range and styling closely matched that of the passenger-car lines. They had a new, rounder grille design, fender-mounted headlights, and design cues heavily influenced by the streamlined Lincoln-Zephyr. The cargo bed was steel-floored for durability with supporting wood planks for added strength. The Model 79 designation meant that it was a truck, and the 79B classification meant it was fitted with the Deluxe Accessory Group package, which added whitewall tires, side-view mirrors, fog lamps, dual windshield wipers, a banjo spoke steering wheel, and the Deluxe dashboard.

Ford's competition offered four and six-cylinder models, but Ford pickups were equipped with the 'Flathead' V8 engine and buyers had a choice of the 221 cubic-inch V8 with 85 horsepower or the economical 136 cubic-inch V8 with 60 horsepower. The larger engine was more popular and the smaller engine was soon discontinued. The Standard had the 60 horsepower V-8 and the Deluxe trim came equipped with the 85 horsepower V-8.

Both the 221 CID and 136 CID V8s had a 90-degree V-angle, a cast-iron block, a Stromberg two-barrel downdraft carburetor, three main bearings, and mechanical valve lifters. The engines were backed by a three-speed sliding gear transmission with a single dry plate, molded asbestos lining clutch with floor shift controls. Stopping power was provided by mechanical, internal expanding brakes on all four wheels.

by Dan Vaughan

Half-Ton Pickup
Chassis number: 2561708

This 1937 Ford Half-Ton Pick-up was offered for sale at the 2007 Sports and Classic Car Auction presented by The Worldwide Group, in Hilton Head Island, SC where it was estimated to sell for $20,000 - $35,000. It was offered without reserve. It has its original engine and transmission.

The big news from the Ford marque in 1937 was the redesigned V8 engine which had a modified block, crankshaft, and heads. The result of these improvements were better reliability and an increase in power. To keep their product very broad, they also introduced a sixty-horsepower version of the engine to appeal to the economy-minded consumer.

For 1937, the Ford vehicles were given a V-windshield. Most of the product line, both passenger cars and commercial vehicles, rested on a wheelbase that measured 112-inches. In many respects, they were visually similar to the Fords of 1935 and 1936. For the commercial trucks, the same running boards and headlights as in the prior years. The cowl and grill were slight restyled; these changes were necessary to fit the split windshield and various other changes made to the front end. In the back, the bed was lengthened by four-inches than in prior years.

For 1937, there were two trim levels available for the trucks. The standard model had a single windshield wiper, single horn, a grille with a painted center portion, and a painted windshield frame. The Deluxe version had dual windshield wipers, two chrome horns, chrome windshield frame, chrome center portion of the grille, and stainless steel trim around the hood louvers.

Bidding fell short of the estimated value, but since there was no reserve on this vehicle, the lot was sold for $13,475.

by Dan Vaughan