The seller tells us that this 1934 Ford pickup has been off the road since the 1970s but that they have a clear title with current registration and license–which implies it runs, but there’s no indication of that in the ad (and a lot of visual cues that imply it doesn’t). Whatever the case, it’s being auctioned here on eBay where bidding has topped $4,200 as I write but has not yet met the reserve. I’m not surprised to find the truck is in California, Willow Creek to be exact.
Somehow I think I’d spend money on tires before I licensed and tagged this truck, but I know California has some odd non-operating tax rules so there might be a real reason to do it. Perhaps some Golden State reader can enlighten us? In the meantime, check out the relatively solid body on this truck. I’ve seen far worse sheet metal than this turned into great hot rods — which begs the question, what would you do with this truck? Patina rat rod? Gleaming hot rod (my choice in this case)? Show-winning restoration? We frequently hear from the anti-patina folks here in the comments (don’t stop writing now!) but how about those that would leave it visually alone? By the way, notice the period repair to the outer edge of the fender! Character, my friends, character!
That smallish spot of rust at the base of the cowl may well be an indicator of worse issues inside, but you are still seeing remarkably solid metal here.
Obviously, something will have to be done here, but what? I’m still thinking street rod, which means starting from scratch, but I suppose the patina folks would be happy with a couple of blankets? Share what you’d do in the comment section!
For example, would you keep this old (possibly original?) flathead V-8? Or put something more modern in? I’m thinking of a 300 hp late model Ford V-6 from a 2012-2014 Mustang with a six-speed (I know, sacrilege). So correct me and let me know what you’d put in. Minus ten points for any SBC suggestions! I’ll choose my favorite after a day or two!
My ’34 made it to the solid black primer stage after a total nut and bolt restoration. Loved it, but college got in the way and I sold it. Wasn’t long that I wish I hadn’t. The V8s make good runners and cruise well on the interstates. A dropped front axle and hydraulic brakes along with bodywork and paint would really make this old guy shine.
It might be a little odd, but I could see this being resto-modded into a functional shop truck. Steel back then was built to take a beating, it’d be a shame to see a work horse like this confined to showrooms and car meets just as much as it would to see her rust in a junkyard. Give her a new coat of paint, probably a new engine for heavier loads, and use her for what she’s meant for!
Time for someone to pioneer an electric conversion?
I’d add juice brakes if not there. A wash job and some simple upholstery in oem style fabric. And maybe some tires Then use it as it was meant to be.
Very cool, Jamie.
2 weeks ago my friend asked me to “drag home a truck” that he’d gotten (see attached). Had no idea what it was til I got there..
Though it too has been off the roadways since the ‘70’s when it was taken apart for restoration (1976) it’s probably going to need the same amount of work minus the paint and interior, as his has a bunch of new spare parts but currently is just a 4 cylinder roller.
Photo won’t upload when taken with a iPhone HEIC camera 🤬
FWIW my friend now has a green 1930 A pickup
Try try again?
personay i would do a period hot rod, keep the flat head, go with aluminum heads, offenhouser, elderbrock, weian or something like that and a 2-2, 3-2, or even a 4-2 intake, with stromberg 97’s, 39 ford trans or leave the one thats in it, drop axle up front, and re-do the interior. maybe a coupe after market gauges, fix the rust in the cowl, banjo stering wheel, and a quick change rear, and either go primer or paint it black or go with a cheap quick single stage paint job and take a skuff pad to it and some white hand lettering on the doors or bed sides and rock it.
Next owner can do whatever they want to.As long as they don’t put a chevy mtr in her.
Not that it matters much, but the motor shown is a ’37 or later 21-stud type (water pumps on the motor mounts. And as for the registration – In California, it is far easier to send the semi-paltry registration fees every year and just park the stick–em tags in an envelope and save several wasted days of your life in a local DMV trying to re-register, even with a valid (and oh-so-valuable pink slip).That old a vehicle requires NO inspections or emission checks – just send in the Yankee dollars….
I’d keep it stock appearing but add juice brakes (maybe discs in front) and Cherry it out. Offenhauser heads, performance exhaust, add ponies for pulling up to speed from the on ramp.
Great place to start. I wonder what the next owner will do with it.
That’s a 59A 24 stud motor from a postwar flathead. Looks like a crazy angle on #2 sparkplug, so pretty sure it is not a runner. Anyway it should be a winter project for someone.
Hopefully that spark plug is just broken and the head is okay.
“I think I’ll swap a V6 engine from a late model Mustang into this antique, classic truck” said no one ever.
When you ask what would you do with a certain Barn Find, I think you need to have an explanation ,of what you are asking. The reply’s are very interesting,
based on the assumption, that is money is no problem and even though it would cost a fortune and you could not sell it for close to the cost it took to build it. The reply’s should fall into one category or the other. #1 Fantasy Build and #2 a Realistic Build, all I seem to are people who are into fantasy builds.
Updating the registration means that it was probably long expired, not that the vehicle runs. I’d guess that that was done to give the next buyer a more hassle free experience down at the DMV. In many states (like Oregon) registering old vehicles can be a gamble, subject to the whims of whoever is behind the counter or in the back office. Been there. :-) Terry J
I’d do modern drive train and suspension,,Rebuild the Flattie with a period correct flat head supercharger,,,and paint it white with blue stripes to match my 2006 ROUSH F-150 stage 3
Anyone who suggests that this should get anything but a bone stock restoration should have toungectomy w/o anesthetic. Far too many original cars have survived 8 decades only to have their souls ripped from them by arrogant, souless rodders believing that they are “improving them.” Want to build a rod? Get a replica body and chassis and stop gang raping history! It’s automotive cancel culture!
STOP! lets start by putting some freakin tires on it!
On the way I feel about it is to rebuild a flat head tranny and where you can change the gears in the rear before the flat head as much as possible but with the max with reduces not a supercharger replace the interior with original quality replacements put some tires and wheels on it and dry the heck out of it every weekend
Drop an early Pinto motor,trans, diff.-juice brakes, drop axle. Run your vintage wires or solid wheels with center cap. It would be a nice cruiser or shop truck. Drive it as you work the fenders and body. Give it a vintage paint scheme and interior. Flatheads are expensive to build.
This is my winner!
Thousands of dollars to make this old things run people that bid on these will have sticker shock just not worth it
Well before one gets dogmatic about keeping it stone stock it would be necessary to decide how you were going to use it. Garage relic? Only drive in town occasionally to car shows? Or put it back to work as a fun transportation vehicle? If the latter, then you might want to at least upgrade the poor mechanical brakes and recall that the engine is not original anyhow. Then have the engine & drivetrain inspected thoroughly. Late last century it was already hard to find a flathead that didn’t have a crack or cracks in the block. Sure, many things can be repaired at no small cost but machine shops that can do that work are getting rare. The last flatty I had ran pretty good but needed a cylinder sleeved (at least) and the old tranny had a couple bad gears, plus the banjo gear ratio was more suited to climbing trees than hitting the highway. No matter what you do you will have a significant investment in it. :-) Terry J
More old fords have been saved by hotrodders than restorers. Restorers wont pay the money that hotrodders will. Tom
So its kinda cool finding this truck on the internet as I am ceuisin thru finding ideas and parts. This is my truck. Bought it last year and I can tell you that it is currently in Arizona and completely disassembled. The truck was in very bad shape. I have a new frame being made (since April), everything has been rusted too far to use anything. I have the cab, hood, front fenders may or may not be repaired. I keep going back and forth between repairing or just buying new… Motor and rear end were locked up. My original dream of this truck was to have the flathead in it. But as I started looking for flathead parts and pieces the price was pretty extraordinary and have decided to go with 302. Rearend just got ordered a couple weeks ago and am going with a quick change from Winters. Have a complete front drop axle for front(everything is show polished btw). The cab is in pretty bad shape.. I have gotten all the subfloor and patch panels. But it is Arizona and been WAY too hot to work on it yet this summer. Should be a roller Im guessing by November….? Could this truck have gotten back on the road without buying everything new, maybe. But the vision I have for this truck is requiring everything to be rust free and built solid.
Even though I don’t remember this particular truck (Dec 2021) it’s fun to see the update from the purchaser. Good luck.