The Ford looks like it might have a column shifter and hydraulic front brakes, making it newer than the Chevy (I thought I saw the “Knee Action” there) – probably a 1940.
I think that this is obviously is a staged shot. Those are some very clean young mechanics! Even almost eighty years, later there’s still a need for well trained mechanics, although they might be referred to now as “automotive technicians.” There is less of a need Today since modern cars are so long lived and require a lot less maintenance and repair. However, I still find plenty of opportunities to get my hands dirty with my old cars.
So 4 guys working on the Ford, 2 on the Chevy. Does this mean that everyone wanted to work on the cool, high performance Ford V8 and a couple of guys got stuck on the boring old Chevy? Or does it mean that it took twice as many mechanics to keep a Ford running as compared with a Chevy. 🙂
I agree that this was a promotional shot of some kind, perhaps in the Detroit public school program? Those engines/chassis were spotless and beautifully painted. I suspect that most students of the mechanical arts never saw one that looked half as good as either of these.
^^^^^Jon1790,that thought does strike me when looking even at more recent photos. If taken in 1938, a then-16-year-old would be 96 today. My father is just two years younger, but very aware (and a little amazed) that he’s “last man standing” of his HS, WWII, and college cohort—the one who’s been to the others’ funerals, as these things work out. Interesting that he did a FoMoCo career, at that.
BTW, do we know whether this is/isn’t a colorized photo? Paul, can you point us to the source?
Very cool.
Must be about 1937. Chevy has the peculiar Dubonnet suspension and Ford has the good old solid axle.
The Ford looks like it might have a column shifter and hydraulic front brakes, making it newer than the Chevy (I thought I saw the “Knee Action” there) – probably a 1940.
Dubonnet was gone around 1940 in Chevs a similar setup lingered in Vauxhalls until 52, Fords got juice brakes belatedly in 39,
The fans tell a story. Six blades on the hot blooded Ford. Only four on the cooler running Chevy.
And the Ford had 2 water pumps to the Chevy’s one….
All Male and All European Americans.probably 80+ years ago USA was a very different country.interesting photo. Thanks for sharing.
Did whitewall tires back then have the white walls on both sides of the tire?
I think that this is obviously is a staged shot. Those are some very clean young mechanics! Even almost eighty years, later there’s still a need for well trained mechanics, although they might be referred to now as “automotive technicians.” There is less of a need Today since modern cars are so long lived and require a lot less maintenance and repair. However, I still find plenty of opportunities to get my hands dirty with my old cars.
So 4 guys working on the Ford, 2 on the Chevy. Does this mean that everyone wanted to work on the cool, high performance Ford V8 and a couple of guys got stuck on the boring old Chevy? Or does it mean that it took twice as many mechanics to keep a Ford running as compared with a Chevy. 🙂
I agree that this was a promotional shot of some kind, perhaps in the Detroit public school program? Those engines/chassis were spotless and beautifully painted. I suspect that most students of the mechanical arts never saw one that looked half as good as either of these.
Jim, I believe the Ford had a thundering 90 hp and Chevrolet a tepid 85.
To adjust idle, first remove body from the frame.
Is it a German Ford?
Melancholy thought: Time keeps marching on. All the young men in this photo, even if they lived to be very old men, are probably deceased now.
^^^^^Jon1790,that thought does strike me when looking even at more recent photos. If taken in 1938, a then-16-year-old would be 96 today. My father is just two years younger, but very aware (and a little amazed) that he’s “last man standing” of his HS, WWII, and college cohort—the one who’s been to the others’ funerals, as these things work out. Interesting that he did a FoMoCo career, at that.
BTW, do we know whether this is/isn’t a colorized photo? Paul, can you point us to the source?
Sorry; I can’t. It was posted at HAMB/Jalopy Journal, by a reader.
The photography and image quality is outstanding.
The guys who are stuck with the Ford are wondering WTF is this excuse for a distributor?
Silly Chevrolet Person! Ford distributor is visible in the photo. With radiator out it’s even possible to touch it without shredding skin.