Lost and Found overflow – DeSotOlds?

Reader jimfathome recently posted a photo of his father with an unidentified car on the Hemmings Forum and was hoping we could help him pin down the year, make and model of the car. Responses on the forum have included 1938 DeSoto and 1937 GM something. The former seems closer to the mark, but ‘37 DeSotos had a series of slats down the center of the grille, along with a small beak to the hood at the top of the slats, so maybe Jim’s father was showing off his customizing work in the photo? The 1937 Oldsmobile Six also had a barrel-shaped grille and chevrons underneath, but a two-piece windshield; other 1937-1938 GMs don’t even come close. Anybody want to take a stab at it?