The 1937 Ford featured several major changes and improvements. Let’s take a closer look.
Among Ford’s early V8 models built between 1932 and 1940, the 1937 model year often gets less attention than the 1932, 1936, and 1940 cars. Those models have long been favorites among classic car enthusiasts and collectors. Yet 1937 was an important year for Henry Ford’s automaker, bringing several meaningful engineering and design changes. Here’s what made the car stand out.
For 1937, Ford abandoned its wood-framed roof construction with fabric inserts and switched to an all-steel roof, following a move General Motors had made in 1935. By eliminating the last wooden structural components, Ford could offer a body made entirely of metal.
The redesigned car featured a modern, front-opening hood with a distinctive shell-like shape and headlights integrated into the front fenders. The new styling marked a significant step forward. Although the wheelbase remained unchanged at 112.2 inches, the redesigned body was about 3.5 inches longer than before.
Following testing in Europe, Ford added a smaller, less powerful V8 to its lineup in 1937. The new 136-cubic-inch engine produced 60 horsepower, joining the familiar 221-cubic-inch V8. The smaller engine initially attracted considerable interest, with 39% of buyers choosing the V8-60 in its debut year.
By 1940, however, the V8-60 had lost much of its appeal because it lacked the low-end torque many drivers wanted. Even so, its early popularity showed that a significant share of Ford customers were willing to trade performance for improved economy.
Ford also dropped the traditional roadster body style and introduced a new Club Coupe. Styled like a conventional coupe, it featured a longer, taller roofline that made room for a small rear seat. Traditional coupe and sedan models, however, continued to account for most sales.
Buyers could choose between Standard and De Luxe trim levels. The Standard model came with a black grille instead of chrome, along with a single windshield wiper and one taillight rather than two. The De Luxe offered a more upscale appearance.
With two V8 engine options, updated styling, and a sturdy, quieter all-metal body, Ford marketed the 1937 lineup as a high-quality car at an affordable price. Many buyers appeared to agree. Ford and its main rival, Chevrolet, finished the year competing closely for the top spot in U.S. vehicle sales.
The 1937 Ford V8 may not receive as much attention as some of its better-known siblings, but its combination of modern body construction, distinctive styling, and accessible pricing made it an important entry in the history of American automobiles.