Technical What’s up with 1939 Ford Grills?

I’m not a Ford guy but I do appreciate the 40 Ford & it’s very recognizable grill. However, I’d recently discovered or looks as though the 1939 Ford had two grill options. Can someone explain this as I haven’t found any information on it.

Below are two vehicles, both stated to be 1939 Ford Deluxe models yet different grills.






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top is standard, bottom is deluxe

 

^^^ Yep

 

Who likes the standard better? I think I do.

 

^^^X2 difference..Standard not bad depends on color/stance..

 

Is the 38 like the 39 standard? To a Chevy guy they look the same.

 

38 Deluxe is similar to 39 standard.. 38 standard is my avatar...

 

38 are different than 39. I think one of my favorite is a 38 standard. Just dont see that many. I bet scrap metal 48 can tell you how hard it is to find parts for a standard.^^^^

 

I'm not as big a fan of this era of Fords as other years, but I do like them, in my younger years I was always more attracted to the 40 Deluxe model as many people are, but the funny thing is as I've gotten older the 38 Standard has gotten my attention more, maybe because you don't see that many of them.
Here's something else; way back when many people called 37 Fords an "ugly duckling"; I kind of liked them, still think they are neat.

 

Another vote the 1939 Standard, and the similar '38 Deluxe.

 

Obviously, 39 DeLuxe.

 

These grills are like ice-cream flavors. You can get used to one flavor; or, you can like several, or all of them. I am seeing more of the different styles, today, than in the past. I have also seen a totally new look: a '39 Standard hood and grill on a '39 pickup. Totally delicious. I had a '37 Coupe I had to part with, that l loved because it was perfect, to me. And, was a transitional style: solid metal roof and headlights in the fenders. I am currently working on acquiring a Forty pickup. I will use a Forty Deluxe passenger car grill and hood, with a little surgery. Maybe it won't be traditional, but I have always thought there was room for phantoms.

 

I like my standard better. I never thought I would find a solid 39 ford that I could afford, I found my 39 Standard a few years ago and have loved it more than any old car I have ever had. And I haven't even driven it yet.... Few more months and it will be all back together finally!

 

I like the Standard!

 

i like the standard better but would take either one.

 

I’m a big fan of the 38 Standard because it’s what I’m building. The trim though is pretty much non existent to buy. Been looking for some as well as an in inner fender.


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last years deluxe is this years standard....better get out there and upgrade to a deluxe

 

38 Deluxe and 39 Deluxe for me. 39 Deluxe was my first car.

 

I prefer the '39 Deluxe..40's I prefer the Standard over the Deluxe (convertibles in '40 only came as Deluxes).

 

Just for comparison, here is a '38 Deluxe. The grill opening has a different shape at the top compared to the '39 Standard, which is the fastest way to spot the difference between years.

 

Here are the two 38 & 39 standards side by side so you can spot the difference.

 

guess he knows what a 40 standard looks like.....

 

39 standard and 38 deluxe appear to have very similar front fenders. I wonder it they interchange.

 

My '38 Deluxe nose on a '39 Ford cab. I bought the wrong piece of stainless at Hershey, maybe someone here can ID it . Bob

 

40FORDPU as I was reading this thread I thought I was the only one who preferred the 39 Deluxe,
40 Standard and that same year PU in your post. I gather thats a 40 PU. I love that line up.

Pat

 

I prefer the 39 Deluxe also. Working on a 41 PU with similar Grill.

 

I love 'em all.

 

^^^^^^^ X2

 

Yes, I believe the only differences between the 2 models is the hood sides, and stainless trim.

 

In those years Henry used up the previous model years Deluxe sheet metal on the following years Standard models. He changed them up just enough so people could tell the difference. Pretty smart actually!