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EFV-8 Club Forum / General Ford Discussion / 1937 Ford Pickup Coupe Model 81A

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Posted By Discussion Topic: 1937 Ford Pickup Coupe Model 81A -- page: 1 2 3     TomO 05-29-2020 @ 7:24 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7243 Joined: Oct 2009 I tried again and finally made my way through the original post. It is a very interesting story and the current owner should make attempts to verify it. Search the internet for photos of the Naval base in Hawaii from 1938-1947 to see if you can find photos of the car at the base with it unusual paint scheme. I would also research Commander Bowman's history and make sure that you have a copy of his involvement with your car. If it were my car, I would not restore it. The story that goes with the unrestored car loses it impact when the car is restored. I would do things to preserve the car from rust and further damage. As to value, I would not be able to venture a guess what it would be worth in either restored or as found condition. Most of the unrestored value come from the story and the restored value will come from its rarity and demand for 1937 Fords. If it is a 38 Coupe, it would be worth slightly less according to the Old Cars Report Price Guide. https://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/old-cars-report-price-guides-gift-to-you Tom 37RAGTOPMAN 05-30-2020 @ 7:50 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 1941 Joined: Oct 2009 37 COUPE,, Model 78 if it is a 81A it is a 1938 MODEL,[ more photos, needed to tell which year it is,,] with out seeing the nose it, can not tell which year, Very Interesting story for sure, I have been to PEARL HARBOR about 5 years ago, a Very Very Solemn place for sure, they are still burying sailors that were on the ARIZONA , I was wondering why after 50 years, that this 37 coupe is going to be restored. 50 years, ! it would have make a great parade car on MEMORIAL DAY,, VETERAN DAY. 4th of JULY and at car shows, for many years, bringing back memories,for many people,and VETS,that SERVED , as for restoring it, I would say it would cost more then it might sell it for, but is still would be nice to have, if cost is no object, not unless the owner was going to restore it,, but in a shop with the hourly rate, a no no, as is complete maybe a MILITARY MUSEUM would really like to display it, my 2 cents 37Ragtopman 39 Ken 05-30-2020 @ 10:16 AM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 380 Joined: Oct 2009 The Early Ford V8 Club Album, published in 1985 has an extensive write-up on pages 100 and 101. It includes a copy of the Factory Sales Letter dated February 8, 1937. The letter states that the new "Pick up box" will be available in about 10 days on the 770-A Coupe with either the 60 or 85 H.P. motor. The nomenclature, dealer cost and retail prices: Standard 74-830 * $518 * $567.50 Standard 78-830 * $558 * $608.50 Deluxe 78-830 * $603 * $671.50 No explanation as to why the coupe/pickup had a 1938 identifier but the photos and diagrams are definitely 1937 as is the OP's car. As already mentioned, that is definitely a candidate to get running for the road (brakes, tires, electrics, motor, etc.) but maintained as an original with all the patina that has accrued over the decades. I can't copy and post those two pages from the "Album" here on the forum. Hopefully someone here can. It's interesting. Ken This message was edited by 39 Ken on 5-30-20 @ 10:19 AM cpipp01@aol.com 05-31-2020 @ 8:27 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 146 Joined: Oct 2009 From V8 Club Album. cherokeeman34 06-01-2020 @ 7:28 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 2 Joined: May 2020 well I'm looking for the letter and pictures Commander Bowman gave me, my wife died from Leukemia and I'm still going through stuff and finding things, I have the letter he wrote to me and also the pictures of the car at Pearl Harbor in the aftermath, its got some very good history and I just don't know if I should restore it or put the engine back in it and put the front end back on as is like I got it and like it was at Pearl Harbor. I've got pictures of Commander Bowman standing next to it at Pearl Harbor in the aftermath of the bombing. So I really don't know which way to go and what its really worth. Thanks, Jimmy efv8CofAAdmin 06-01-2020 @ 8:59 PM reply profile send p.m. Administrator Posts: 412 Joined: Feb 2016 I would like to recommend that when you find the pictures, letters and other paperwork, that you spend a night and write down the story and send it to our editor of our award winning magazine, The V-8 TIMES. These are stories that will be lost over time and being that this one is interesting and has documentation it is all the more important. You can contact the V-8 TIMES editor at v8time@cox.net Thank you for sharing the story -- and condolenses on the loss of your wife. Web Administrator TomO 06-02-2020 @ 7:46 AM reply profile send p.m. Senior Posts: 7243 Joined: Oct 2009 My condolences on losing your wife. With the documentation that you have, the car would appeal to Ford collectors, WWII memorabilia collectors, and general history collectors. This is a much wider audience than a restored car would have. Another option is to bring it back to the "as found" condition and then donate it with the documentation to a museum, where it could educate and be enjoyed by many people. The story of the car does belong in the V-8 Times. It is too important to lose. Tom v8teditor 06-02-2020 @ 12:56 PM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 146 Joined: Dec 2009 I have been following the comments here about your 1937 Coupe and the rare Pickup box accessory. Hopefully you'll find the paperwork and photos to verify the car's history and I definitely would be interested in it for the V-8 TIMES. Keep me posted. v8fordman 08-13-2020 @ 5:12 PM reply profile send p.m. Member Posts: 10 Joined: Oct 2009 Cherokeeman34, I am truly amazed with your story and the history of your pickup be for a coupe. If you look back at V8 Times, you will find an article that I did concerning my coupe bed. At the time, I asked for any knowledge of another existing one and never heard from anyone. I am glad another one exists. I have the factory blueprints from The Henry Ford archives. I would be interested in seeing the documentation that only 14 were produced. That in itself is truly amazing, but as you have probably noticed, the bed itself was made from bits and pieces of a factory bed that were reduced to meet the needs of such a low production number. The true distinguishing features are the special covers that allow the bed to slide into the trunk area. Anyway, you have a great story with your bed while mine just came from an auction sale in Colorado. v8teditor 08-21-2020 @ 9:09 AM reply profile send p.m. New Member Posts: 146 Joined: Dec 2009 can you send me your email address.i have a member with info about the pickup bed accessory. jerry windle V-8 TIMES EDITOR

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