If you’ve taken stock of the state of the world lately, you’ve probably come to the same conclusion I have: There aren’t enough original prewar Fords in it. Bidders on eBay agree; with seven days left in the auction for this ’34 Standard Five-Window Coupe, the high bid has already reached $25,100, and it has not yet met reserve. Maybe a stocker is today’s hot rod. For that rapidly ascending price, you’ll get a beautiful car that does not run, needs some work, and looks just right. It’s been in the same family for anywhere between 45 and 60 years (the ad bounces around on that point a bit), and the seller proudly calls it “Dad’s pride and joy.” Why wouldn’t you want to be the next owner?
Model 40 Five-Window Coupes were available in both Standard and DeLuxe trim options, the difference between the two being forty dollars ($515 vs. $555). Since forty dollars meant a lot more in 1934, the Standard model easily outsold its swankier linemate, 47,623 to 26,879. One of the easiest “tells” from this rear view is that Standard models only had one taillight (on the driver’s side). From this view we can also see what is perhaps the worst damage to the body; the rear panel has seen better days.
The Model 40 was best known for its 221-cubic-inch flathead V8 (a four, however, was still standard equipment), which saw a ten-horsepower increase to 85 for 1934, partially the result of a new Stromberg EE-1 carburetor (which seems to still be in place under the hood). The seller says that they “have the original keys but have not tried to start it up,” and it may be better that way. If you’re buying a long-dormant car, it’s best to take a few steps before simply tossing a battery in the box and throwing caution to the wind, such as seeing if the engine is even free. Sometimes, pulling the heads and freeing up the valves saves a new owner a lot of time in the long run.
The interior is in decent shape considering that it was most likely sewn during FDR’s second term, but water stains abound, most likely because of a fabric top that has fallen victim to the ravages of time and, most likely, vermin. The seller lists obvious problems with the car, and most of them involve the interior: a separated headliner, a missing rear view mirror, the aforementioned stained upholstery, a “badly damaged steering wheel,” and a cracked windshield.
Clearly, those are small matters in the face of a car that is so obviously what people want in a prewar Ford, a slightly ratty but well-preserved example of the car that gave speed to the masses. It will be fun to see what the final tally will be next Tuesday when the auction ends, but one thing is for certain: The seller’s dad had good taste in cars.
I find it incredible how simply designed and built vehicles were back then. To basically do the same things they do in today’s crazy world but much different. Most back roads we drive on today, and a few main, were dirt and rutted badly when weather was bad. People got out and helped each other when a vehicle broke down or got stuck. If you didn’t have a ride you’d go hitch hiking and someone would pick you up. You offered them a smoke or a few pennies for gas. This car is an awesome find with body panels, grill and bumpers pretty straight and intact. It carries a bit too much originality and patina for me so I would have to replace the interior back to as near stock as possible, rebuild the drivetrain, add some old school flathead goodies, replace that rear panel and probably do a repaint in the stock colors. I picture a set of body matching rims with baby moons or ford center caps with rear wheels and tires offsetting the front, to give it a hot rod stance. Flat black with red rims and interior would look cool if you wanna take it a bit more hot rod! 👀
So rare to see a stone stock ’34. But what to do with it? 25k and haven’t met the reserve yet. If you can do all your own work with no surprises it’ll be a pricy drive and have fun car. Complete show winning restoration and you’re underwater like the Titanic.
If this isn’t sold by the end of the day I’d be surprised. There can’t be many stone cold stock `34’s of ANY variety left these days! Will probably see it on the cover of Rod & Custom in a couple years.
Do not touch it !!
It’s at 27,400 with 6 day’s & 7 hours left in auction. Reserve not hit yet. Who knows where it’ll land up
Why wire wheels on a standard model? Was it cheaper to make wire wheels in 1934 than to stamp out steel ones?
This car is certainly as original as you are ever going to find, but what will you do with it. Maybe clean it up and just let people see what an original looks like, even with all the tear and wear, could be the best option. If you decide to restore it or modify it you are going down a long expensive road. My credentials are I have owned my 34 5-window since 1964. I have seen it all and the game is changing constantly. My car has always been worth more than I have had in it. However, that might not be the case now. The early Fords 32-40 are decreasing in value due price and demand. If you really want a 34 Ford to modify or restore this is as good as it gets. If you want it and expect to make money, you need to do your do diligence , because that’s no going to happen, trust me!
As you probably know, as owner of an early Ford V-8 for many years, the Early Ford V-8 Club has the Rouge Class at yearly regional meets and 5-year Grand National meets at Dearborn, MI. That class is just for cars like this one where they judge originality in three areas: body and exterior, engine compartment, and interior. A car can be entered in any area or all three. So, there is a place for this car, to be used as an example for those who want to restore to originality. As said though, as we age and pass, not as many younger people have the same interest, so values are likely to decline. I am editor of the newsletter for our Delaware Valley (PA) Ford V-8 Club. Today I mailed out just 5 newsletters, down from 11 a year ago, for old timers who don’t have email. More will be emailed soon, but we are fading.
In my humble opinion, the only thing cooler than a ’34 Ford 5 window coupe is a ’34 3 window. One of the coolest hot rods I have ever seen belonged to a couple from Seattle that my wife and I met in Indian Wells Ca. It was a chopped fender less 3 window with a 540 in. aluminum Keith Black BBC, 8-71 Mooneyham blower w/ dual 660 center squirters, 6 speed Tremec, custom 4 link, leather interior, and painted the coolest shade of dark brown w/ gold dust in it that I have ever seen. If I had unlimited coinage and time, (neither of which I possess) that is exactly what I would do with this. Now I know that the purists are going to throw a fit over my suggesting such blasphemy, but damn the torpedo’s that is precisely what I would do.
I just checked and the bid is now $31,900. I put it on my watch list so I can see where the bidding winds up. I find that these mid thirties Ford coupes are so appealing to my eyes. I have been attracted to them since I was a little kid. I sure hope that whoever buys this restores it to original. Beauty like this should not be violated. GLWTS.
Great cars but as others stated this era of cars are falling out of favor, paying $30k for this maybe ok for someone where cost is not a concern for a restoration or street rod, there are better deals out there in both categories when total cost is a concern.
I think 1933/34 was the best looking cars Ford ever made. I Love it. I think this factory body inspired the customizing on everything else so it could be almost as cool. lol. Note: nobody makes money on cars we have classics cos we love them.
Sold on 5/2/2025 for a high bid of $32,250.
Steve R