My 38 front center bumper guard does not have a brace under it like i see on some cars. Is the brace original equipment therefore leaving mine to probably be after market?
Can I add the brace and is it necessary?
Thank you
Mike A

The frame brace came with the accessory package with the guard.
The are four different length braces. One for a 1938 Master, one for 1938 Master Deluxe and one for 1939 Master 85 and one for 1939 Master Deluxe. A small piece forms the "other half" of the clamp that fastens the brace to the cross member.
The brace strengthens the guard considerably and prevents the guard from twisting back on top and damaging the grile.

X2! I bought an aftermarket one and gave it away because it offered no additional protection without the brace plus it makes using the crank to set the points impossible since it blocks the crank hole.

I have driven older Chevrolets thousands and thousands of miles and never enven thought of cranking one. If a battery went dead or? I would just jump it.

I've thought about trying to crank start it just to say I did. I just use mine for turning the engine when setting the points and valve lash.

"I have driven older Chevrolets thousands and thousands of miles and never even thought of cranking one. If a battery went dead or? I would just jump it."

Which begs the question, why did Chevrolet continue to provide a hand crank system that late. By the mid-30's, batteries & starter motors were pretty reliable, I would think.

To keep the oldtimers happy.
The later ones wold have been super dangerous to hand crank for starting purposes.

Thanks for the info. I suspected as much. Original equipment bumper guard is low priority and will be added to the list of nice to have.
Thanks again,
Mike A

Turns out my center bumper guard does have the mount and hardware to attach brace.
-Do original bumper guards have a whole in them for the crank?
-I have never seen a bumper guard with a whole in it.
Thanks
Mike A

They did not have a crank hole.