VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 How to identify a 1932 Passenger Cowl

Are there any unique features that would help to identify a '32 cowl that does not have a tag on it? I know the '31 has outside hood latches and the '32 has hooks on the front of the cowl for the inside latch. Are the hooks on a '33 the same as a '32 or did they move them to the side of the cowl as they did on the later years?
Thanks, Cleon

My '33 has the hooks on the front of the cowl for the inside latch. I'm guessing they would be the same as the '32 hooks. :)

Roger

The cowl vent is larger on a '33 and has a built in screen.14 3/4" wide on a '32 and 17 5/8" on a '33.

Also, not all '31 models had cowl vents and I believe all the '32's did.

Roger

Cleon,
Are you referring to the commercial cowl or passenger? It makes are difference. Essentially the '32 commercial cowl and the '33 are the same. The dashboards are different.

Chipper Dipper, here is the topic heading:

"Topic: How to identify a 1932 Passenger Cowl"

Guess I missed the title and knowing that Cleon was working on a '33 truck and trying to find a cowl for it just assumed that was what he was asking about. Need to read everything first!

Chip, Your right I am working on a '33 truck. I have been in contact with a person that says he has what he was told is a 32 chassis with cowl.
Which should work on my project. I'm trying to confirm that it really is a '32.
Cleon

According to the topic heading, you are inquiring about a 1932 passenger car cowl, and as Chipper Dipper mentioned, the 1932 passenger car cowl is not the same as the 1932 truck cowl. The two cowls are not interchangeable, but the 1932 truck cowl is interchangeable with a 1933 truck cowl.

Is the cowl for a passenger or truck? Is the chassis for a car or truck? The passenger and 1/2 ton truck are very similar in 1932 and 1933. There are enough differences that it also can be used to help ID the parts.

OK, JYD and Chip, What I really need is a 1933 Truck Cowl. I have a 1966 Clymer publication titled Early Chevrolet History and covers pasengers cars 1912 to 1928 and Trucks 1918 to 1945. For 1933 trucks, the book states that the radiator shell grille and headlamps and front fenders were the same as '32 pasenger cars. And in the 2nd paragraph it says the hood was the same shape as the 32 hood except for the louvers in place of the '32 doors that is why I thought I could use the cowl off a '32 passenger car. The book could very well be wrong. I have a '32 Cabriolet and compared the hood panel measurements to the '33 truck hood and they are identical with the exception of the doors versus louvers that is why I assumed I could get by with '32 passenger cowl.

I have the same book and what Doug Bell says is basically correct.....except that the 1932 passenger car cowl is totally different than the 1932 truck cowl. So, what you need is either a 1932 truck cowl (large truck, or the 1/2 ton pickup) or a 1933 truck cowl.

JYD, What is the difference in the big truck cowl and the passenger cowl. The hood panels measure the same. That is why I figured the contour would correspond. I'm building a open tour bus or mountain wagon type vehicle and basicly just need something to support the hood. The rest of the body after the cowl will be wood.
Thanks
Cleon

The windshield posts are different, the body mouldings are different, the windshield header panel is different and etc. It's like night and day between the passenger car cowl and the truck cowl.

The front curvature of the cowl where the hood fits is the same as the passenger car, but the rest of the truck cowl is different. If you are building an open tour bus, then the truck cowl would be perfect.....unlike the passenger car cowl.

As I said a few weeks ago, I have a complete '32 truck cowl that would be great for your project, but you would have to come and get it.

Cleon,
There is only one commercial cowl for 1932. It is used on the 1/2 ton and 1 1/2 ton trucks. In fact the cabs are also the same. The '31 hood was used on '32 trucks. It has the same upper dimensions as the '31 and '32 passenger and '31-33 trucks. You could use a '31 or '32 passenger cowl but they you will need to use the passenger dash board. The passenger and truck dash panels are not the same length. Then there is the instruments. The '31 and '32 gages are the same except for the glass but there are four holes versus the three in a '33.

Maybe you can find someone near the Dogface to get the cowl and ship it to you by bus. It sure is not worth a trip to get it even if he pays you to take it.

I have a '32 commercial cowl with doors and instrument panel. It's free to any VCCA member.

d2d2, I would definitly like to have and I love the price. Would you consider shipping it, at my expense of course.
Cleon
cleoneck@aol.com

Good news for the old mutt! The 1932 commercial cowl with the complete windshield assembly and instrument panel sold this morning. And, the best part of all, the buyer is coming to get it!

Thanks guys, for the education and information on the Chevy cowls. It looks like d2d2 has solved my problem