Henry Ford's 1932 introduction of an affordable, V8-powered automobile gave hot rodding a phenomenal boost. Young backyard tinkerers quickly discovered the high speed potential of a light Deuce Roadster or fenderless '33/'34 Highboy Coupe, to be had for a mere $50 at the end of WWII, ushering in the Golden Age of hopped up "Gow Jobs."
Sixty years later, prime examples of these performance enhanced Coupes and Roadsters are routinely invited to mingle with fine European Classics on the lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and other prestigious events.
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Ford's 1934 model has been a perennial favorite. Just think of Pete Chapouris' black-and-flamed "California Kid," Jake's chopped, yellow 3-window, ZZ Top's "Eliminator" Coupe, Jim Lytle's "Big Al" Allison-powered Dragster, or the immortal, blue Mooneyham & Sharp "554" Fuel Coupe.
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First and foremost: "steel is real!"
Due to normal attrition (survivors are now 65 years old, after all), there haven't been enough original '34s around to satisfy the Hot Rodders' demand. Hence, most Rods available today are constructed around reproduction bodies made of fiberglass atop reproduction frame rails.
Not this one, though: The deep blue beauty presented here features a genuine, 1934-vintage, Henry Ford steel body and its original 1934 frame!
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A no-expense-spared build from the ground up, this fascinating Ford has covered a mere 1,000 miles of sunny Sunday afternoon drives annually, on average, since it was completed on May 18,1988. Always garaged and kept in show-ready condition, first in Yakima, later on in Lake Havasu City, it now has become available due to the passing of its dedicated owner of over 30 years.
The car's original Ford frame still proudly displays VIN *18640623* stamped into the left rail at the factory, back in 1934.
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An almost overwhelming amount of documents--including this annotated album of photographs illuminating various stages of its build history--accompanies this fine Ford, irrefutably establishing its provenance.
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Plenty of good reading!
Identifying the various components used in the construction of this Rod is never a problem: the owner not only listed everything in a log, but he also kept every single brochure, flyer, and manual from the parts manufacturers involved, nicely preserved in a blue ring binder.
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No less than 118 receipts for parts and labor, totalling $18,755.49, are chronologically filed in clear sheet protectors, collected in a second blue ring binder.
Let's have a close look at the Coupe now, inspecting it top to bottom, inside and out.
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Impeccable fit and finish set this unchopped '34 body apart from the rest. It's all metal, with a bare minimum of lead and no bondo. Roof has been perfectly filled; there are no cracks or bubbles, anywhere. The 3-hinge suicide doors align wonderfully, opening and closing with precision. As was customary in the olden days, only the passenger door features an outside lock, and the key still works! As an added feature, JDS deadbolt safety locks have been installed. Fenders are 'glass, steel hood is an expensive ROOTLIEB item. Rumble seat lid fits perfectly and is lockable from the inside.
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Thankfully, this car was built before the easter egg colors of the Nineties became popular. 1972 Corvette Mulsanne Blue is an eyecatching but elegant choice. Eight coats of color and six coats of clear were expertly applied by "Old Master" Bill Gardner and polished to a high luster. Finish is exquisitely preserved; apart from a few unavoidable, almost invisible rock chips, there are no fisheyes, nicks, dings, dents, scratches, bubbles, or any imperfections worth losing sleep over. Hand-laid, contrasting blue pinstriping by Mackey of Portland provides the finishing touch.
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Dual air conditioning provided by functioning cowl vent and top-hinged windshield with all original hardware.
Comforting to know that even the electric wiper works, should ever get caught by rain.
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Only in '34: 3-way side windows with integrated vent position. Wow!
Smoke gray laminated glass was custom made for the Coupe.
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Rolling stock consists of sparkly McLean chrome spoke wheels with FORD center caps, size 14x6 up front and 15x8 in the rear, shod with excellent radial tires all around.
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A peek under the bonnet reveals a toothbrush clean engine bay, filled with a 1970 Corvette 4-bolt main small block that was remanufactured, enlarged to 355cu.in., fitted with an OBERG tattle tale remote oil filter, RV cam, electronic ignition, and EDELBROCK Performer intake, topped by a HOLLEY 4-barrel carburetor. Dyno output: 260hp and 360ft/lbs of torque.
A WALKER radiator with thermostatically controlled fan keeps things cool at all times.
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Turning our attention to the interior, we examine the dashboard. Yes, it's the factory steel item!
GM tilt steering column is topped by leather-wrapped LeCarra wheel. The Turbo 350-Hydramatic transmission is controlled via floor-mounted GENNIE shifter.
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A full complement of white-on-black CLASSIC instruments keeps the pilot up to date. Needless to say, every gauge, light, and switch works as it should. A modern SONY CD-stereo is mounted below the dash.
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RON FRANCIS Wireworks painless wiring loom includes this neat hinged fuse panel, hidden beneath the dash. Clean!
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Fully adjustable early Mustang bucket seats upholstered by Sam Rehn in Midnight Blue leatherette with Trenton Silver wide-pleated fabric inserts are very comfortable, even on long distance trips. Elaborate door panels feature nice details, including a chrome trim strip and all original hardware. Carpeting is immaculately clean, dark blue cut pile.
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Just like many Show Rods of the Sixties, the fully finished cabin features a headliner matching the blue and gray theme.
Note working dome light and sun visor.
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DeLuxe Coupes featured this roll-up rear window. The original flow-through ventilation!
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Fully upholstered rumble seat area. Sometimes it's fun to be the mother-in-law!
(Modified '27 Ford Model T Roadster in background is Bill's 208mph Bonneville Land Speed Record machine, dubbed "Low Sodium." Yes, it features a genuine steel body, as well.)
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Ready for a test drive?
So are we, but before we take off, let's take a look at the Coupe's underpinnings.
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Needless to say, there's no corrosion on this '34, anywhere. Undercarriage is so spotlessly clean, you might want to put a mirror underneath the car at the next show you enter.
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No expense spared!
Frame was painstakingly finished by Don Greer; it was boxed and crossmembers were installed. SUPERBELL "wing logo" dropped axle features teflon-coated buggy spring and early Ford spindles, a So-Cal steering damper, chrome shocks, and '69 Mustang disc brakes (with Kelsey-Hayes brake proportioning valve). Steering is Mustang also. Rear suspension consists of a Pete & Jake's 4-bar setup with TCI coil-over shocks. Chrome alternator is cleanly installed below, as are transmission cooler and oil filter. A VALLEY 20gl fuel tank supplies the go juice. The list goes on and on . . .
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Monday, October 26, when we took all of these pictures, was just another lovely autumn day in the old Mission town of San Buenaventura. We were happy to take the Rod out for a spin.
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The '34 starts on the first turn of the key, every time, and idles whisper quiet. No, she's not a tempermental "Diva" by any means. Just put the lever in "D" and off you go!
Note the beautiful stainless headlights (fitted with Halogen bulbs), dual horns, and show-condition grille, which was restored and triple-plated by master craftsman Jim DePasquale.
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Piloting this Hot Rod is effortless fun. It runs, drives, handles, steers, and stops fabulously. It's fast, too. At speed, the dual exhaust with SONIC Turbo mufflers provides a mellow, rumbly soundtrack.
Be it around town or during long highway trips, you'll always feel good behind the wheel of this amazing '34. Just add some appropriate tunes--how 'bout some ZZ Top?--and you'll have a blast, wherever you go.
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Returning home, we are ready to give thanks to the Gods of Speed for a wonderful experience.
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A genuine, Henry-Ford-Steel, Thirty-Four 3-window Rod is quite an unusual discovery. Finding one that has been conceived as thoughtfully and meticulously as this one is almost unheard of. Sure, you could rescue and build your own, but how long would it take and how much would that cost in 2009 Dollars? Figure on five years hard labor and $100,000.00 or more!
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Don't miss this unique opportunity to jump behind the wheel of one of the finest, fully finished and sorted Hot Rod Coupes in existence today.
Addendum:
We sold this exceptional '34 Ford in November 2009.
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