Revell Monogram 1937 Ford Panel Truck 1/24 Scale

In 1937 Ford had one of it’s best truck sale years ever. Milk was .14 cents a quart, gas was 5 gallons for a dollar and the average American workers yearly salary was $1,368 dollars. Franklin Roosevelt was trying to help the 48 states recover from the depression with the New Deal. Money was scarce, so people spent wisely. Route 66 was completed in 1937 and people bought cars and trucks to travel Americas new highways.

Although Ford mass produced trucks in the 1930’s, to find one in good condition today, is rare. The average truck purchased in the 1930’s was used for hard work. Recreational vehicles were a luxury that few could afford. American life was very hard in those days. Trucks were used locally to haul everything from furniture to produce, typically on dirt roads or through fields. Because they were used for such hard work, few trucks have survived in good condition. Most ended up rusting away in a field or cannibalized for parts.

With features very different from earlier 1930's years the 1937 model trucks were one of a kind and very popular. The 1937 model included running boards, bug eye headlights and a tilt front windshield. It was the last model year to have a side opening hood and ribbed radiator grill. Because Ford dramatically redesigned the model in 1938, finding replacement parts for the 1937 is difficult. Many of the parts such as the ribbed radiator grill have never been manufactured after 1937. So collectors must try to locate a rare used piece or have one custom made.