Sometimes, a car deserves public acknowledgement for simply being old, belonging to one family, and experiencing no alterations. That’s what we have here: a 1934 Chevrolet Master five-window coupe, barn-kept by the same family since new. Anyone ever worked on a car with moss growing on its sheet metal? Uh huh, another accolade accrues to this Chev – mossed-over sheet metal is sort of exceptional in a weird way. Offered here on eBay, with bidding at $3750, reserve not met, this early coupe may well be headed to a hot rod shop. A buy-it-now price offers the car at $9500, but you’ll likely conclude, as I did, that achieving a price that high is unlikely. The new owner will need a trailer to bring it home from Madison, Florida.
Here’s Chevy’s 181 cu. in. six-cylinder engine, dressed with a single-throat Carter carburetor. The engine’s compression ratio was up slightly over 1933 to 5.35:1, and output was 60 hp. Chevy had come up with the Stovebolt Six in 1929, wreaking pain upon Henry Ford, whose Model A was still soldiering along with a 40 hp four. The gearbox is a three-speed manual. Of course, locating an early coupe in factory condition isn’t easy (though we found one, see below!); many Chevy Masters have been rebuilt with modern mechanical components.
Needless to say, the upholstery has seen better days, and the bottom seat cushions appear to be missing. This dash panel supplied what passed for “full instrumentation” back in the 1930s. The seller gives us a peek under the floor covering – no rust or rot is present, at least in that corner of the car. Looks like several of the interior handles are missing from the door panels. I hope the cobwebs don’t cost extra, because there’s a lot of ’em…
The Master sits on a 112″ wheelbase, and body styles range from this desirable coupe to sedans, all the way up to a phaeton. A couple years after this car was produced, the wheelbase was lengthened and sportier body styles were offered. By then the engine was larger as well. Still, these early coupes are appealing. This factory-stock running, driving example with the slightly larger 207 cu. in. engine sold for $17,050 a few days ago at Mecum’s Indy auction. At the other end of the spectrum is this custom ’34 coupe that brought $50k. If I were selling our subject car I wouldn’t take less than $5k, but I wouldn’t hold out for anything near his buy-it-now price either. What do you think?
This whatever-is-left doesn’t come anywhere close to the running and driving example pictured. A person will be at least $20k in the hole including purchase price to get this car in decent condition. There are projects, and there are parts mules. This one is the latter and not worth the asking price.
I see some algae but there’s no moss on this car. It’s not worth the ask but there’s lots to work with here if you wanted to build a simple little rod.
Aha! I am going to make my case for moss: Algae are aquatic, belonging to the various of phytoplankton, dinoflagellates, seaweeds, and whatnot. Basically need water. All the time. Moss, however, is terrestrial. Moss have stems and leaves, like trees. I bet that if you put a microscope on that green stuff, you’ll find it’s moss.
I live in a rainforest in British Columbia. I know moss. That’s not moss.
A good power wash…some Meguires ultimate wax treatment, WD-40…and just as new back in ’35…not….but good luck on the sale.
That’s the “Protect-O-Moss” option offered in the day, isn’t it? With the spider web roll cage?
As Jeff said, good going over and wa-la. I would most definatly buy this for the buy it now, and have it back in action before to long.. Only real issue I see is the coil may have lost all it’s spark being up side down. Run the coons off and hoe it out I think a person might be supprised.. This is my type of project.. May have to bolt down that drivers bucket seat.. If in fact the rust is minimal. Hold fast on your price. It wold be a grate resto mod.
And upper sheet metal is attached to wood framing – it could be fine but odds are against it, and replacement, unless you are a skilled cabinet maker with a great workshop, is not worth the price of admission.
Does the title say: Herman Munster???
Great write up as usual Michelle, and I totally agree with your final assessment. A ton of work, but this could be one seriously cool hot rod if done right.
My dad had a 21 & 32 Chevy I don’t know what models they were.
I think it would be fun to work on getting back on the road, I wouldn’t do a full restoration just stop the current rust and see if I can get it running and driving again
Believe it or not you can still find some good solid old vehicles in central to North Florida middle part of the state. I bought a 1957 Chevrolet pickup around 1995 just north of Orlando and a 1970 Scout 800A in Monticello 30 miles west of Madison in 2013. Both very solid and I still have the Scout.
Poster boy for how “NOT TO STORE A CAR” Having said that, the car is restorable with the right motivation.
Wow! I just took a peek at the ’34 3 window custom that Michelle mentioned in her write up. What a beautiful automobile. I would pay 50K for that car all day long.
No kidding, that is one really gorgeous car. I’d love to go cruising around in that baby.
Having grown up in Southwest Florida that looks like Green mold to me. Left it in a shady area on my house too long and it took the paint off when I pressure washed it.
I’ve seen it on metal and Florida is so humid it can probably even grow on a vehicle undercover