In the early days of the automobile, the horserace between Ford and Chevrolet saw the companies swap sales leads several times. When the Model A was introduced, the scales gently tipped in favor of Ford. But in 1929, Chevrolet introduced its six-cylinder engine, selling it as a “six for the price of a four”. With about 46 hp from its 194 cu. in. displacement, the Stovebolt’s power bested Ford’s four-cylinder by a few ponies, winning the sales crown back for Chevy in 1931. Chevy’s six grew to 207 cu. in. by 1933, bringing a significant increase in horsepower. This new engine was installed in its luxury Master series, offered in several body styles starting in 1933. Here on eBay is a 1934 Chevrolet Master five-window coupe project, still residing in a barn belonging to the one-family set of owners who have been its caretakers since new. It is bid to $6101, reserve not met. Take your trailer to Madison, Florida to retrieve this graceful coupe.
It’s appropriate that we are nearing Halloween – my favorite holiday – because this car has a spooky aura in that engine bay. The engine hasn’t run in many years, but here we see the OHV in-line six that was tweaked to 80 hp with that single downdraft Carter carb. (The oil-bath air cleaner assembly is missing.) Of course, the engine needed that power, because the Master sat on a 112″ frame, versus the lighter Standard at 107″ – its engine made do with about 60 hp. A three-speed manual was the only transmission available, with synchros on second and third. Notably, the Master received “knee action” front suspension, also known as Dubonnet suspension (yes, named after that guy who inherited a fortune from making vermouth). The subsequent independence of the two front wheels made for easy riding over the still-rough roads of the day. Brakes remained mechanical drums; Chevy introduced hydraulic brakes in 1936.
The interior looks like the Addams Family castle. Only the backs of the seats appear to be … sort of intact. The seller identifies his car as a Master deluxe, which means more interior equipment and trim in and out than a plain ole Master. For one thing, the running boards had a trim strip along their length, which I can’t see in these photos.
The seller has found a few miscellaneous parts in the trunk, including the rear tail light assembly and the spare tire cover, though I believe that should have a lock, which is still missing. I feel a hot rod coming on – many of these coupes have been remade into modern superstars with 327 V8s or in this case, a 502 CID crate motor. I love original cars, but I’d say this one needs too much work to settle for less than modern machinery. What do you think?
Agree on modern machinery. If it’s solid it’s a good candidate for upgrading if for no other reason parts are probably hard to find to restore it.
$6200 its already passed what I would be willing to pay considering what I would have to do to it and its Florida so the humidity has probably rusted it more than the pictures show.
Clean her up and install a nice 428 Cobra Jet in her. You’ll be the talk of next years cruise in.
Why put a Ford boat anchor in a Chevy when there’s so many great Chevy motors?
You bet. Crate 350.
Keep it all Chevy for sure! I would never put a different company engine in.
Why not been doing it to 32 ford’s for decades. Personally I would go for a coyote and a 6 speed
Nobody does that!!!
Of course they don’t. And if they did, no one would come forward and turn it into a stupid pointless debate, over and over.
Well, some people who own old Fords put Chevy motors in them but, I’ve never seen a Chevy with a Ford motor in it. Not that there are around, I just never seen a Chevy with a Ford Motor or even a Mopar motor in it.
No put an Allison Straight 12, with a propeller up front! And a turbo supercharged with 12 electric motors for more boost!
Who exactly is impressed by massive horsepower and hot rod gas hog nonsense? No ladies I’m aware of. Just the fellers.
Go with a Toyota or BMW Straight 6 and parts everywhere, good gas mileage, plenty quick, minimal suspension work. Upgrade spindles/brakes/diff etc. Make it lighter and more efficient and safe. No money in the hot rod swapper slobber games any more. You’ll never see your money again going with a V8 swap mandating suspension, drive line, brakes and other excess weight mods.
I knew I’d get the Chevy boys all riled up! But it’s perfectly alright to put one those driveway oiler Chevy’s in a ’36 Ford. Touche’
One of the nicest Chevys I ever saw was at the 82 Street Rod Nationals, a 37 2 door sedan with a 351 Cleveland. The owner said he was tired of seeing Chevys in Fords and decided to flip it around. He said he took all kinds of crap for it but didnt care and liked it the way it was.I agreed.
I would shoot it up to make it a Bonnie & Clyde hommage, then drive it.
One slight issue with the Bonnie and Clyde reference. Time was of the right era but CLYDE was a Ford lover and if the legend is correct even sent a note to Henry saying how much he liked Ford and was caught DEAD in one,
I like that idea…I’ll add the bullet holes for free!
I agree with a 327 drivetrain build, along with more modern suspension and brakes. Keep the body and interior period appropriate. I’m sure there are purists who will disapprove, but whoever buys it, and does the work can make that decision. $5000-6000 is its value in this condition,IMO.
Put that 428 in a Mustang. This thing wants a 327
A high performance 6 cylinder Japanese engine would turn heads.
…And stomachs.
JK
You oughta buy it, an’ put one of those hi-tekkie foreign jobber’s in her. Just don’t expect a great return on investment.
A very nice 36 Chevy pickup is on the internet for sale and it has a small block Ford in it. See it can be done!!!!!
When I was working as a mechanic, one of my coworkers put a Datsun 240Z motor into an old Ford Bronco. He actually did a pretty good job. 40 years later, he still has it and still drives it regularly.
Bucket Seat! LOL
Whatever John. Has GM ever won Lemans? Chevy is no more special than anything else.🙄 That’s high school B.S. I appreciate them all.
Corvette has won Lemans 9 times. That’s a Chevy BTW.
I agree with the BMW suggestion; put a good, reasonably modern six in it. BMW, Nissan, Toyota, Mercedes have all made them at around 2.5/3 litres. Maybe find a carb/points one (so ’70s, then) so’s it’s not too jarring. There’s a fair amount of extra gubbinry associated with fuel injection.
Chevy did make a 194 ci straight 6 in the 60’s. I had a 64 Chevy II with the 194 and three on the tree. Got decent mpg and enough power. I would likely source one of those and turbo charge it. New suspension at all 4’s with disc brakes. My first car was a 35 Chevy standard.
God Bless America
Well lets put is motor lets put that motor in it REALLY come-on its going to cost someone 50k + to make it nice just not worth it sorry days gone by you can buy one done for 25k
Hey Guys,
A close friend purchased one of these in like new condition three or four years back. Unbelievable condition like I said just like new. I suggested disc or bigger drum brakes. I also suggested a Chevy 261 cu.in. six cylinder truck engine. No cutting just stock appearing but a safer car to drive This would not lead to any problems if he ever wanted to return to stock.
That’s not a master deluxe, they’re was no such a thing as a master deluxe in 34. It is a master series da 2 door business coupe, painted black with cream wire wheels.
How about a Pontiac Sprint SOHC Six? Assuming you can find one in reasonable condition.
Hey Dab,
I am with you on that. I didn’t mention that earlier because most people don’t remember that engine. I love that engine and boy can it be made into something special with a little over 300 cubic inches with the early 292 crank and a few other mods. I have even seen an early HEI distributor on one engine, not sure how they pulled that off.
Bill
Another car left to rot so long it’s at the point of not being worth it to work on.
What’s all the talk about engines? Its a Chev. Put a plastic skeleton behind the wheel, park it on your front lawn and walk away.
For all the purists out there whining about going all original, just try and find all the parts for rebuilding this engine to its original, stock condition. Thats damn near impossible these days, and the reason it’s smarter to upgrade to a more modern, drivetrain with easier to find parts. Like a 50s-60s 216 or 235 6 cyl engine would be a good choice for engine upgrades. A 60s GM 283 or 327 even better. With an Edelbrock or Holley carb and Petronix ignition without points.
All right you f#$% who’s whining? Huh?! And it’s not dumber nor smarter to try to keep one original or to rod. And also some people have no problem w/a challenge. So next time you want to be insulting to people that appreciate history try using some finesse, if that’s possible for you.
My dads buddy had a beautiful candy red 35 master deluxe coupe with white interior, running board covers, trunk panels and for shows inner fender liners, all pleated. He bought off a friend of his mom and made into a gasser back in 63 or 64. He never had any money and made alot of his own parts. He got a 265 and traded for speed parts by working on peoples cars, he made his own blower intake and put a 6 71 on it. He made the shifter for the four speed, etc. One reason he picked it was that the NHRA had no frame specs on them and he was able tomove the fenders back after cutting the runningboards down and moved the front axle back to center it under the front engine cylinders and mounted a Moon fuel tank to help camoflage it ( supposedly NHRA had a rule that the front cylinders of the engine had to be over the axle? ) He did well with it , i remember being at the strip with my dad and him when they were running their cars when i was 7 or eight. Cars got sold, he and a bunch of the guys, inc my dad bought GTOs,442s and Chevelles because of the costs to race, even back then.
If anyone actually spends the money to buy this car, they can do whatever they want to with it. Original or custom build. But the sideliners,, who have no skin in the game dont have any say, on how someone who does buy it, builds it any way they want.
Charles, if you choose to buy this car, you can do anything you want with it. Either all original or a custom build. And by the same token dont criticize others for what they choose to do, and preaching on the sidelines.
I stand firmly by my comments w/no apologies. Period
Charles, it also looks like you’re not a member on Barn Finds, so don’t attack those of us who are.
If you take my comments (which clearly aren’t any kind of attack but merely an explanation) as an attack then I don’t know what to tell you pal. Being that we are all adults well, we should all understand the difference. At least I certainly hope so. Especially since I was speaking facts. But in the end it’s your problem, certainly not mine.
We also know what they say about people with opinions. Fact is youre not a paying member on this site, just another Jacksss with an opinion.
Why not put a 429 small block hemi in it .