Projects 1937 Ford Pickup with DeSoto Hemi

My first venture into the custom world. Has anyone ever put a 1954 DeSoto hemi in a 1937 Ford frame? (I would love to hear from you. Email me at [email protected]) The engine is built and ready to install. I think I have all of the adapters, but have some questions about what to do about a radiator. Any suggestions?

Here are pictures of my cab as I am working toward finishing the metal work. Thanks to Nick Soloutzoff. . Plenty of top of cab dents from farm use as a 1 ton flatbead. Rust in one rear and both front corners. Entire rear panel, header and dash loaded with rat nests. Big dent in one rear corner. Entire cross bracing broken from what appears to be vibration cracks.

 

Probably not all that common today, but back in the 'old-days'....The old catalogues had mounts and adapters for just this kinda deal.
Get-er-done.

.

 

I love old trucks I have a 41 ford with the hate sbc DONOT give up on this project I think it will be a cool project Tom

 

This '40 was for sale elsewhere.
Radiator was said to be "6 Ford truck...never overheats even in traffic".
Trans and rear were '40.

(photo from SMclassiccars.)

 

Looks like it was installed at the factory.....now, who needs a Hemi?

.

 

Looks like a nice cab.

 

That's a hood full in that '40. I hope all that engine will fit under the hood of the pickup. I guess that's something to look forward to.

 

I have one fresh Desoto, and a 40 coupe and a pickup.
Decisions, decisions.
Thanks for the pics!

 

A hemi into a Ford is not a 'custom'. It is a hotrod

 

Here are the latest project pictures. Metal work on the cab is almost complete. Here, the cab has been put back on the frame to ensure proper fit and alignment. I'm posting these with pictures of the engine which is rebuilt and ready for install as well as an Anthony bed.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who may know anything or have some information on Anthony beds. I know they were manufactured by the company that invented the lift gate. This one is a long bed and I speculate it was available from an aftermarket supplier in the thirties just as custom beds can still be bought today. Prospective buyers would have removed their stock pickup rear fenders and they fit right on the new bed. It is built from what I imagine is 10 or 12 gauge steel. It is heavy and as you see, it is very straight. (It's tough to bend or dent such thick metal) The tailgate has "Anthony" embossed in it as well .

 

And so the HAMB history revisionist bullshit begins....

 

For some reason that rusty bed looks like an old wheel drive manure spreader.

 

Needs the auger thingy at the back...

 

Just had a thought, man that would make a great push bar for a "GASSER"!

 

I have a '38 Ford pickup with that exact same bed. No cylinder or mechanism left, but it has a brass Anthony plate in front of the driver side fender. In the '70's , I blew up seven different built up flatty's, and 4 tranny's in it ; by the time I parked her in 1982. I've often thought of sticking one of my 392's in her and calling it Lil Anthony and the Imperial!

 

What George said, and he says it so well!!!

 

This one has the brass tag on it as well. Do you know anything about the history?

 

I don't have any history on these tilt beds, but I do remember seeing a couple Anthony made utility beds that had been made in the 50's,going by the vintage of the trucks they were on.

 

Beginning to look more like a truck

 

I like where this is headed. I was a little worried till the fenders made an appearance.

 

Here is a 55 Desoto that was hooked to stock 39 trans and rearend when I got it.
I changed it to use a S-10 5 spd with CE kits for X member and rear suspension with a Granada rearend.
One I should have kept. Firewall not modified around engine. I believe they used the orig Desoto radiator.
Hope this helps.
Good luck and Merry Christmas!
Al

 

Thanks Al. I was wondering about the radiator and the firewall. Fortunately, I got the DeSoto radiator with it. Also, bought a bunch of Model A stuff from you years ago and still have it.

 

Well, progress is being made. Had the frame powder coated. I got the cab back from the paint shop. Installed the DeSoto hemi. Installed the cab. The Anthony bed is in primer and will be painted soon. I even put wood in the bed (was not originally wood) from a tree my wife played in as a child.

 

Getting closer every day.

 

Looking good.

 

A Desoto Hemi in a vintage Ford truck? This I have to see. Following along.

 

Well Billy you are putting one in a 41 and his 37 frame is the same. The only trouble I see he may not be able to run the hood sides Tom

 

Already had the hood and sides on for pre-fitting. They clear, but just barely.

 

At last, it's 99% finished. I only need to install the front bumpers, horns and finish wiring it. It's a '37 Ford deluxe cab with all steel fenders along with an original Anthony bed. It's powered by a '55 DeSoto hemi. Lots of work.

 

wow!!!