Yogi Berra famously advised folks facing a fork in the road to take it. If you were the purchaser of this 1934 Ford three-window coupe for sale on eBay in Ozark, Missouri, you would have a real dilemma on your hands regarding moving forward. The car still has a lot of original factory parts. It is also a time capsule-like representation of a home-built hot rod from the 1950s, complete with a handcrafted interior. It is also an uncut example of one of the most desirable bodies for customizers. While it can be claimed that it needs minor work to be more presentable, this flathead-powered coupe could be left alone, lightly refurbished, restored, or used as a basis for a high-end hot rod. At a $49,000 Buy it Now price, is the price on this fascinating 1934 Ford too high, too low, or just right? Once sold, what do you think the new owner should do with it?
Often, the emergence of older automobiles after decades of being hidden away stirs up debate. When a particularly interesting vehicle emerges, everyone has an opinion as to what should be done with cars like this. Those opinions are oftentimes directly in line with the particular tribe the person is in. For example, we have hot rod enthusiasts, originality lovers, restorers, and those who are simply happy seeing the car back on the road in any shape. Looking at this 1934 Ford coupe there is a little something for everyone. It is advertised as a hot rod in its original fifties condition, but the restorers will love it for its uncut body and a smattering of original parts. Originality buffs will have a dilemma. Should it be seen as an original fifties hot rod or a very original 1934 Ford? Vintage hot rod enthusiasts might like to see the fifties theme polished up and completed. Modern hot rod lovers might see a re-power, a chopped top, and a custom paint job in the car’s future. Who is right? Maybe everyone and no one.
Sadly, there isn’t a whole lot in the way of the vehicle’s history relayed in the ad. We are told that it is an original, the seller has owned it for exactly one year, and it has mainly been used to display at car shows. The car is said to run and drive well and is reliable. The only changes from when it was last used back in the day were the replacement of the tires, a brake job, and the rear end needed to be overhauled.
Furthermore, we are told that the car is “original Henry Ford steel.” While making a hot rod out of an original car is a major positive for many hot rod builders, it would be a shame to cut on this car when reproduction three window bodies have been made by an outfit called Steve’s Automobile Restorations. They currently make a 1934 roadster body in steel and have several other reproduction panels available. While they currently don’t make three windows, they hint that it will likely be offered again. As for this body and fenders, the seller reports that there is rust in the driver’s rocker panel and in the rear fender where it meets the running board. The floors are said to be in great shape with minor surface rust, and the doors are also in good condition and shut nicely.
There are some interesting spots in the car. For starters, the roof insert has been replaced with a sheet of ill-fitting and rather ancient black-painted plywood. There are some dents here and there, and the spare tire holder, tire and wheel, and the metal pieces surrounding the tire are missing. We can also see that some vintage stickers on the glass give provenance to the car. Another change is that the factory wire wheels have been replaced with later steel wheels.
Inside the factory, the interior was replaced long ago with an intricate three-color vinyl interior with cross-hatching sewn into the panels. Unfortunately, the seller has not provided detailed pictures of the interior. All we are told is that the dash has not been cut up. It does have what the seller calls a “stand-out gauge cluster.” It is also interesting to note that the running boards, as haggard as they are, are still covered in the original rubber.
We are assured that the car has been driven many miles over the last year with no problems. The original engine has been replaced with a later 59AB Flathead. While it would be nice to have the original engine, there is no mention of it in the sale. All of Henry’s Flatheads in 1934 still had Babbitt bearings, so if you want a driver with a Flathead, the newer engine is a good thing. The current engine is said to run cool and does not smoke or leak. While we assume that the original three-speed transmission is still in the car, there is no mention of it either.
I am not so sure of what the correct answer is regarding this car. My first temptation would be to replace the door and rumble seat weatherstripping and drive it as-is. There are plenty of stock, original 1934 Fords. There are also a lot of 1934 hot rods. What is unusual is finding a fifties custom in drivable condition. Even if you are unhappy with the execution, it is a time-capsule car from an era in American history that we romanticize quite a bit. Perhaps it is better left alone and enjoyed.
What would you do with this 1934 Ford three-window coupe if it were yours? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
Golly, I just don’t know. 1st, an outstanding find, THIS was some old schoolers hot rod. I bet this car, probably restored after the war, turned many heads, and was no slouch. Well known out on “Airport Rd.” As is, 1934 engineering aside, I think it’s fully capable of the speed limit, and then some, but again, when was the last time you saw a 30s car on the street? Got to admit, it was a sharp looking car,,,for the time. 2nd, you know darn well what will happen, and in this case, I say that’s a shame.
Nice old car yes, worth 49K, no. One of my favorite early ’30s cars but with a whole lot of pictures showing nothing but exterior shots and nothing else it’s going to be a hard sell for me. Some of those exterior shots do show rust so there is no telling what’s underneath. Owner is going to have to get real on the price.
About that roof…
Without cutting up the opening, how about a bolt in sun roof sun roof?
Then you will need a shade too.
That’s what I was thinking, replace the plywood with a canvas rollback sunroof.
Love the hotrod body style ofthis ’34. Not enough photos shown to justify the $49,000.00 price tag. No photos of the interior or underneath. Sun roof cover is cracked, paint is subject. Being a old hotrod with many flaws doesn’t make a car worth this much. Maybe half that.
I’ve seen a few of these prewar cars on this site and one thing that turns me off is how the door panels are finished. Ugly. The seats in these old cars look well made and comfortable but the door panels always look home made out of cardboard. The dashboards are usually impressive though. These cars are just to old for me. Drive like trucks, no modern amenities. Put it in a museum.
The door panel looks like the “replacements” offered by Montgomery Ward in the 50’s. I still have a set on my 47 Ford convertible with red inserts, not blue. Been meaning on replacing them since 1960 with a reupholstery in “naughahyde” but holding back until I win the lottery. When that happens going to go full out with dark red leather.
Is your ‘47 a “Sportsman”, woody?
No Jack, just a vanilla version Super Deluxe loaded with options (radio and heater), flathead V8.
In my youth, bought a ’34 Ford 4 door deluxe from a guy in Berkley for $100.00 and drove it home (1966). It was pretty rough but restored it until I ran out of funds. I’d love to see this car with a rebuilt engine, hi-compression aluminum heads, maybe a mild cam and 3, 2 barrel carb manifold. Dual exhaust with 12″ glasspaks will give the sweetest exhaust sound ever! Add hydraulic brakes and you’ve got a great ride. I know the younger set these days won’t like the lack of power brakes and power steering but c’mon — toughen up!! There’s more to “souping” up cars than adding a computer chip!
In my youth, bought a ’34 Ford 4 door deluxe from a guy in Berkley for $100.00 and drove it home (1966). It was pretty rough but restored it until I ran out of funds. I’d love to see this car with a rebuilt engine, hi-compression aluminum heads, maybe a mild cam and 3, 2 barrel carb manifold. Dual exhaust with 12″ glasspaks will give the sweetest exhaust sound ever! Add hydraulic brakes and you’ve got a great ride. I know the younger set these days won’t like the lack of power brakes and power steering but c’mon — toughen up!! There’s more to “souping” up cars than adding a computer
chip! Refresh the interior, take care of the supposedly minor rust issues, paint and you’ve have a great car IMHO.
Perfect, in all proportions. Especially, that distinctive grill!
Back in 1957 my dad did a frame off on a 34 five window coupe, car was perfect, then traded it to a local Ford dealer for a new Ford wagon for my mom. The car was displayed on the showroom floor for a few months and then a employee bought it and made a street rod out of it, broke my dads heart!
Vastly OVERPRICED in current condition.
Not near nice enough condition to be very desirable original car.
Overpriced for the buyer looking to make it a very desirable original car OR update to make it a enjoyable modern driver.
Ditto . . . let the buyer beware.
If it were mine I would have a local glass shop make me a sunroof to fill the hole then this would be a nice weather daily driver.
Troy,
I have seen sun roofs installed in some of these old cars and have wondered how they ran there drain tubes because you are going to need one on each corner.
As far as the price I believe it is a bit too much. I think of an old friend that bought a ’34 standard coupe (5 window) while we were in High School that had been sitting up for a number of years and in perfect condition for $150.00 and had it running in a couple of weeks with a 59AB he got for not much and later put the well know Zephier 2nd gear in the transmission. Those were the days and I miss them like yesterday. He did add hydraulic brakes from a ’40 Ford and drove it through High School that way.
This is not a 50 K Model 40 Ford, It is very rough and what is all the talk about a Sun Roof, it is obvious you experts don’t even know what you’re looking at or why it is there. The short answer is they were originally canvas padded top made out of wood and chicken wire and were built to fill the void caused by body panels, that didn’t make a full top. They were not designed to be opened and shut. They had lots of issues and over the years many of them were filled and sealed in various ways. I have seen people try and make the sun roofs, most of them were not very successful. There is rust and probably way more than you expect, where the running boards meet the body might be the worst. The car also has mechanical brakes. The dash board is about the worst that I have ever seen, hung to look alike panel over where the dash should be, its kind of the right shape. I don’t know how you could even think of that. The picture of a series of numbers , is probably what the owner thinks is the VIN. It’s not the right prefix for a 34 or even in the right location. The prefix is 32, but I doubt it is even that. I could go on but Why, it is not a great car at 50 K. However there is enough to make a good car ,if you want to spend the time and money. As usual it is simple math what would the value be when you’re done and do you care if you loose money. If the answer is NO, knock your lights out. WARNING! Make sure your math is correct . It usually isn’t
Don’t you just love RUDE people.
I’m sorry,but 5k would be top 🔝 dollar,where is the value?
Hay Ken, If you think a 1934 Ford 3 window coupe, original steel body, is only worth $5,000, you need to look deeper. The rare , uncut body alone is worth north of $20,000 !! There would be a line of hungry people willing to slap down $30,000 + for this car !!!
Sadly, the days of sane prices on anything from the 30’s that has a blue oval on it are way, way over. Most know that this car isn’t worth $40g’s. But they also know that there is a rich guy out there who’s ego will make him pay the asking price.