Many feel that Ford produced the most beautiful low-priced cars in the prewar period. One could make a good argument that the 1933-1934 Fords were the most beautiful of all the company’s products. Consequently, they have been very popular with both restorers and hot rod builders. This makes finding a good example at a reasonable price a rare event. Every once in a while, the stars align and you discover a project car like this 1934 Ford sedan for sale on Facebook Marketplace in Wabash, Indiana. While cars such as this one may not be ready to drive, they can be the start of a good project regardless of your final product. With real Ford steel, an arguably solid body, and the presence of all the major parts and pieces, this 1934 could be a good start to a great project. With an asking price of $6,500, does this Ford stand a chance of returning to the road any time soon? Thanks to TJ for this great Flathead Ford find!
So, for the sake of argument, let’s say that this 1934 Ford showed up in your garage this morning. The pictures of the car tell a tale of a car that was neglected and left to the elements at one time. Finally, someone figured out that 1934 Fords bring good money even if they are a four-door. Effort was made to strip everything that wasn’t made of metal from the car minus a seat frame and get it to the point that prospective buyers could see the condition of the sheet metal. The seller tells us that the engine is there, but the crankshaft, valves, transmission, and flywheel have been removed. The crankshaft and flywheel will come with the car, but it seems that the valves and transmission have left the building in a style reminiscent of Elvis.
Transmissions for early Fords can be had relatively inexpensively, and Flathead parts are easy to find. This car looks to have the early block with a set of iron replacement heads. If you want to restore the car to factory fresh condition, the process will be expensive and time-consuming. After stripping the metal and priming it, the wooden framework no longer inside the car will need to be replaced. That is not an easy or inexpensive job, and it requires some woodworking skills. From there, start adding up the cost of new and used parts, upholstery material, a complete engine rebuild, and just about everything else. Your time is, as always, free.
Or, as much as it pains me to say this about a 1934 Ford, building it onto a mild hot rod would make more sense. Treat it as an old-school build with as many junkyard parts as possible. The missing wood is still needed for structural rigidity, or you could truss it up with square tubing if you are talented enough. The hot rod option is not going to be cheap either, but it should come out a lot less expensive than a full restoration as long as you don’t go crazy.
Hopefully, someone will take on this project and get it back on the road. As previously stated, 1934 Fords are beautiful cars. Seems a shame for this one to make it this far only to be stripped for parts. Maybe a call with a reasonable offer will pull it off death row.
What would you do with this Ford if it were in your garage? Please share your dreams in the comments.
Never owned a ’34 car but consider them and the ’33 the best looking cars of the era. One of the TV’s Street Outlaws has a ’34 sedan drag car with a big Ford engine and all the other stuff it takes to make a fast car. Neat looking cars.
I’m a street rodder but wouldn’t mind if someone restored this car. Just don’t hack it up and turn it into a crappy ratrod. Anyone that would wreck the lines of this car should be strung up.
The Street Outlaw’s 4 door wasn’t modified on the outside but beefed up underneath to take the Ford engine and transmission. I’m assuming the same was done with the rear end. Hauls the wife and kids for weekend rides etc.
strung up and spend eternity suspended from the side of a barn with a rusty spike through their privates. Spot on RKS! There isn’t a line out of place on this design masterpiece or any other member of the ’33-’34 Ford line up. Look what you got in a low priced car.
A perfect example of the “buy ’em done” dictums. Not saying that it shouldn’t be saved, because it should.
Bonnie and Clyde
I can’t remember where I saw it (or exactly what make/model it was) but an owner/builder had replaced all that wood with aluminum. If I did that I would leave it all exposed. Probably keep with a flathead but use a T5 behind it. The spoke wheels would be cool if they can be saved.
CT Dave