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Posted

Does anyone know if a 1931 Ford Woody's wheelbase was the same as the 1931 Panel delivery van? I bought a Minicraft 1/16 panel van that I want to transform into a Woody... just wondering if the wheelbase would be the same?

Posted
Does anyone know if a 1931 Ford Woody's wheelbase was the same as the 1931 Panel delivery van? I bought a Minicraft 1/16 panel van that I want to transform into a Woody... just wondering if the wheelbase would be the same?

Harry, the short answer is yes (but since when am I given to short answers?).

Model A Fords were all the same wheelbase, used the same chassis, engine and suspension, wheels and tires, the "Commerical Cars" (Station Wagon, roadster and closed cab pickups, Sedan Deliveries, and the standard 1/2 ton Panel Deliveries getting slightly heavier front and rear springs. All front end sheet metal was the same as the passenger car, with the pickups and panel deliveries using a black painted radiator shell and headlight buckets (for 30-31, the commercial radiator shell also had its opening straight across, no "widow's peak" shape at the top of the opening, as with the polished stainless steel shell).

The heavier springs made no noticeable difference in the stance, nor the ride height of any of these, except that pickups sat slightly higher in the rear when unloaded, due to their heavier rear spring.

BTW, the Revell '31 Station Wagon, or the Revell (old Monogram) 30 Woody would make a perfect reference model for building that body shell in a larger scale--both are quite accurately done.

Hope this helps!

Art

Posted

Art, I had a feeling you'd be the one to answer this! :wacko:

Thanks for the info. I was assuming the wheelbases would be the same, based on looking at photos of both, but it's nice to have a definitive answer!

But while I have your attention... is it correct that '31 Woodies had no glass other than the windshield?

Posted

Glass was used in the instruments, headlights and running lights. Oh, and one taillight. Beyond that, all 1931 woodies used plastic and canvas curtains snapped to the doors and side panels to seal up during colder weather.

1935 was the first year for roll up front windows in Ford front doors and 1938 first year for glass all around.

Posted
Glass was used in the instruments, headlights and running lights. Oh, and one taillight. Beyond that, all 1931 woodies used plastic and canvas curtains snapped to the doors and side panels to seal up during colder weather.

1935 was the first year for roll up front windows in Ford front doors and 1938 first year for glass all around.

Thanks, J! BTW... it was seeing your post on building a slot car Woody that got me going on this! ;)

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