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Projects french matford 1937

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by bob miller 32, Mar 28, 2020.

  1. bob miller 32
    Joined: Jan 14, 2013
    Posts: 72

    bob miller 32
    Member
    from france

    hello , i have a french imported in 1937 ford tudor sedan . badged matford for the french market ( remember ford and mathis where associated to pay less taxes on imported cars in 1934 ) .these cars are differents from usa models , the headlanps , le dashboard ,the license plate implantation .

    actualy had a 24 stud , electronic ingnition , 12 volts converted , dropped i beam . i want to install 2 inch lower drop for the rear , may have to drop all the transmission ( tube and rear end) or can i do it without this work ? thank you

    [​IMG]


    [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
    mgtstumpy, Stooge, hfh and 23 others like this.
  2. BJR
    Joined: Mar 11, 2005
    Posts: 9,896

    BJR
    Member

    Never seen one of those before. Very cool dash with the upside down speedometer.
     
  3. nunattax
    Joined: Jan 10, 2011
    Posts: 3,058

    nunattax
    Member
    from IRELAND

    tres bon
     
    Early Ironman likes this.
  4. oj
    Joined: Jul 27, 2008
    Posts: 6,457

    oj
    Member

    Its perfect just like it is! I'd be looking at period correct badassed flattie, aluminum heads and couple carbs and stuff like that. Dropping the rear would be the very last thing I would consider, its got great stance.
    Its beautiful, congratulations.
     
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  5. Petejoe
    Joined: Nov 27, 2002
    Posts: 12,280

    Petejoe
    Member
    from Zoar, Ohio

    What a cool car. Thanks for sharing. Just beautiful.
    Be aware. If you do decide to lower the rear you will sacrifice ride quality.
    I lowered my 37 with a mono leaf rear spring. I like the look but a sharp bump on the road is a lot more noticeable.
     
  6. Stance is perfect.As said beauty car.
     
    nunattax likes this.
  7. sdroadster
    Joined: Jul 27, 2006
    Posts: 425

    sdroadster
    Member

    You can easily put additional length shackles in the rear. Usually 1 to 2 inches, over the stock length will work, and you can make them yourself.
     
  8. alchemy
    Joined: Sep 27, 2002
    Posts: 20,505

    alchemy
    Member

    Or, you can flatten the spring a little to get the couple inches. There are many threads on the HAMB showing how to re-arch springs. I'd shoot for one inch less arch, using all the stock leaves.
     
    Hnstray likes this.
  9. Hnstray
    Joined: Aug 23, 2009
    Posts: 12,355

    Hnstray
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from Quincy, IL

    My recollection is (possibly in error) that Ford’s before about ‘41 or so, did not have rear track bars. If that is the case, merely lengthening the shackles will lower the car, but also induce ‘sway’ , especially in turns. A rear track bar, aka Panhard bar (coincidentally French) would be a highly recommended addition if that method is chosen.

    on the other hand, @alchemy offers a better solution by lowering the car without altering the factory rear axle control provision.

    An even better suggestion, IMO, is to leave it as is......looks great!

    Ray
     
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  10. mkubacak
    Joined: Jun 20, 2005
    Posts: 201

    mkubacak
    Member

    That is Bad Ass! Love the stance.
     
  11. 62rebel
    Joined: Sep 1, 2008
    Posts: 3,232

    62rebel
    Member

    Outstanding car. Wouldn't change it one bit.
     
    nunattax likes this.
  12. Rustygt
    Joined: May 18, 2014
    Posts: 204

    Rustygt
    Member
    from Emeryville

    Don' t change it
     
    nunattax likes this.
  13. that's what I want to be, when I grow up !
     
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  14. seb fontana
    Joined: Sep 1, 2005
    Posts: 8,483

    seb fontana
    Member
    from ct

    Not only is the Speedo upside down but goes to 150? Oh wait must be kilometers..I vote no change, visually perfect stance..
     
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  15. Fit smaller diameter rear tires.
     
    mgtstumpy and warhorseracing like this.
  16. I remember back in the late 1960's a guy in the Boston area ( John Vivian) had a blue Matford sedan.
     
  17. Garpo
    Joined: Jul 16, 2016
    Posts: 293

    Garpo

    Beautiful.
    There was a European Ford V8 here years ago. Had the 37 style grille, but with 36 fenders and headlamps. Stylish two door fabric topped sedan. Wood framed body. possibly German ?. Seems the owner tore it apart to restore, then Mum said "get it out of here" so it went to the dump. There were several of us would have paid money for it rather than see it lost
    Garpo
     
    deadbeat likes this.
  18. roger didonato
    Joined: Aug 24, 2016
    Posts: 136

    roger didonato

    Leave it alone! Its gorgeous!
     
  19. GordonC
    Joined: Mar 6, 2006
    Posts: 3,150

    GordonC
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Have a friend whose father imported one of those, but a ragtop sedan version. He was talking about selling it a few years back and my friend knew I was into old cars and asked me if I was interested. He wanted too much money for it though so I passed on it.
     
  20. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,273

    brady1929
    Member

  21. rusty bill
    Joined: Oct 7, 2010
    Posts: 242

    rusty bill
    Member

    How do you get the hood open.
     
  22. bob miller 32
    Joined: Jan 14, 2013
    Posts: 72

    bob miller 32
    Member
    from france

    by rotating the hood emblem
     
  23. bob miller 32
    Joined: Jan 14, 2013
    Posts: 72

    bob miller 32
    Member
    from france

    as you like french matfords , i show you the difference between french dodys. the french cars are produced by chausson ( a body maker like fisher) the look is similar from american models but are différents . this is an example with my 37 cabriolet friend . the french model is bigger than the américan ![​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
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  24. sliceddeuce
    Joined: Aug 15, 2017
    Posts: 2,981

    sliceddeuce
    Member

  25. Make 4 or 5 inch shackles and you'll be set.
     
  26. Yours looks nice as well as your friends - thanks for sharing !
     

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