How many 1938 Fords were made?
Roughly one million Ford-brand cars were produced in the 1938 model year worldwide, though the exact total depends on counting scope (U.S./Canada only versus worldwide) and whether Lincoln-brand vehicles are included.
Scope and counting methods
To understand what that figure represents, historians distinguish between Ford-brand output for the U.S. market and global production, and they note that Lincoln-brand cars were counted separately. The numbers vary because archival records from the era present totals in different formats and regions.
Below are the common counting methods used when tallying 1938 Ford production.
- US/Canada Ford-brand production: roughly 700,000–800,000 units
- Worldwide Ford-brand production (including exports): roughly 1,000,000–1,100,000 units
- Lincoln-brand production (not included in Ford-brand totals): typically tens of thousands of units
These ranges illustrate how different sources group shipments, regional reports, and model-year lineups. For a precise figure, one must specify the counting method and market coverage used by the source.
Historical context and sources
In the late 1930s, Ford aimed to rebalance production with new styling and engineering while navigating the tail end of the Great Depression. Factory records, trade journals, and Ford's annual reports are the primary tools historians use to estimate annual output for 1938. The Lincoln division, though active, accounted for a relatively smaller share of total output compared with Ford-brand models.
Key caveats
Because 1938 production figures were not always published in a single consolidated global report, modern totals rely on cross-referencing regional ledgers and trade journals. When Lincoln figures are included, the total for the "Ford" brand is higher than what Ford alone might report for its primary line.
Summary
There is no single universal number for “how many 1938 Fords were made.” The best available estimates place Ford-brand production worldwide at about one million vehicles in 1938, with U.S./Canada output representing the majority. Lincoln-brand cars were produced in the lower tens of thousands and are typically counted separately from Ford-brand totals. If you need a precise figure for a specific counting method, I can point to the most credible archival source for that approach.
How much is a 1938 Ford truck worth?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $24,600 for a 1938 Ford Model 81C 1/2 Ton in good condition with average spec.
How common were cars in 1938?
Supporting Information
| Year | U.S. vehicles per 1,000 people |
|---|---|
| 1938 | 229.65 |
| 1939 | 236.93 |
| 1940 | 245.63 |
| 1941 | 261.57 |
What is the rarest Ford truck?
The rarest Ford truck is likely the 1991 Ford Skyranger, a convertible pickup converted from a Ranger by an independent company, with fewer than 20 made. Other contenders for the rarest include a 1979 Dearborn 4x4 F-150 and an early 1950s custom crew cab built for the USAF.
You can watch this video to learn about some of the rarest Ford trucks: 1mDentside DepotYouTube · Jul 28, 2025
Rarest Ford Trucks
- 1991 Ford Skyranger: This is the most commonly cited rarest Ford truck, as it was a limited-production, non-factory convertible pickup based on the Ranger. Fewer than 20 were built, making them incredibly rare today.
- 1979 Dearborn 4x4 F-150: This truck is a special, limited-production model built by a company called Coachman Industries. Production numbers are very low, and some enthusiasts have never heard of them.
- 1950s USAF Custom Crew Cab: A custom-built crew cab from the 1950s, believed to be a 1953 model, was built under special contract for the U.S. Air Force. Only 47 were built.
- 1979 F-150 Freewheeling Package B: Only 892 of these were made, featuring a specific short bed, factory wagon wheels, and chromatic stripes.
This video discusses the rare 1979 Dearborn Edition F-150: 59sDentside DepotYouTube · Aug 23, 2025
How much horsepower does a 1938 Ford V8 have?
85 horsepower
By 1938, the blocks were again redesigned with new cooling passages requiring 24-studs to hold down the heads. Power output remained the same at 85 horsepower with slightly increased torque output. This car still retains its original 81A 221ci Flathead V8 producing 85horsepower with a three speed transmission.
