Ford Blitz Restoration/Rebuild

[David Dunlop]

Tony, your gun shield project is looking awesome! Nice work!

With regards to the stiffeners you found in the Blitz windscreen frame, could these be another 'country of origin' modification implemented in Australian production, similar to the change in outline from rhomboid to rectangular found in the cowl side vent doors?

David

[Private_collector]

Hi David, that sure is a possibility. To be honest, it has me stumped. I really want to get to the bottom of WHY these things were there. They certainly are a damn good idea, and there won't be any crushing of the window frame post, that's for sure.

Wow, I didn't know that was reason for the different shaped air vents. I always thought it was a Chev VS Ford thing. Would you believe I used the vent on my truck for the first time, just a couple of days ago. It was real hot, and I thought the flow of fresh air might make things a little cooler. You know, it really didn't! I'm sorry to say I couldn't even notice a difference. Opening up the window, on the other hand, made a hell of a difference. Glad I cut my hair recently!

[Keith Webb]

The rectangular vent was a Holden production thing only, because they built the entire cab here as opposed to the Ford front shells which were all Canadian built.
I've found the cast pieces for the windscreen frames on all the Fords I have disassembled.
Best guess as to why Holden used that shape is because it was an existing die used for cowl vents on cars and trucks. They also redesigned the windscreen frame profile and used the little diecast closers which can be found on other Holden built vehicles of the era.