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Old 12-01-2020, 10:59 AM   #1
60Buick
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Default Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

I need a little advice here on my new acquisition. Its a 34 Ford 4 door sedan.

I have been walking past this car for 15 years waiting on the 34 4 door that was put in a basement the day it left the factory so I could find it and buy it cheap. I don't think it exist anymore. Original ones don't come up too often and when they do the timing is off or the money is not there. I'm not getting younger and these cars are getting harder to find. Had I of bought this car 15 years ago I'd be driving it and not just getting started.

The skill set to put this car together exist. The car is not butchered at all it is just pretty incomplete. The gentleman I got is from is a great metal guy and we are going to get started on this shell this spring. The question is direction. I want to build it as original as practical. He builds them all as hot rods. So he is nudging me in the hot rod direction. Its very easy to open a catalog and order a front suspension and drop in a 350. That's just not my taste. Can you bring something so incomplete back to something that resembles Henry Fords car? Is it going to be so cost prohibitive it's not practical? Is a more street rodded version better for a car this incomplete? He's a hot rodder, I'm a purist. This car is much older than the cars I typically restore so I'm a little in the dark.

I located the original front crossmember and an original radiator. I would still need the front and rear suspension, seats and motor/trans. With all the street rodded 34's you would think the stuff would be plentiful.
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Old 12-01-2020, 12:03 PM   #2
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

One thing I'd be doing is combing through eBay, "Hot Rod" Forums, and anyplace else I could think of. You might find some one who is "Street-Rodding" a restored car (it happens more often than we would like) and is selling of the complete rolling chassis a lot cheaper than you could build one. That would be a big step forward.
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Old 12-01-2020, 12:57 PM   #3
60Buick
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

That is really good advice, I had not even considered that yet.
Why would anyone street rod a 34 that was already restored? They are valuable stock. I did see this happen to a late 20's T model. It was an all original car other than a repaint in the 70's. It ran and drove and was enjoyable as it was. They deliberately rusted the rust free body and chopped it. The chassis was hauled to the scrapper. Luckily a friend of mine secured the original motor. The cut up body now sits on a S-10 frame and is a rat rod. Its a collection of bad welds, rust, licensed plates, blue jean seats and re bar.

There was an all original unrestored 40 Willys coupe survivor around the corner from me as well. How rare is that? It is now a back halved chevy powered street rod that looks like all the other tubbed out black willys. Some cars should be left alone.

Last edited by 60Buick; 12-01-2020 at 01:06 PM.
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Old 12-01-2020, 01:08 PM   #4
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

I think you just answered your own question.

I had a friend who said : "Every extra dollar you spend on the front end for a better car will save you a lot more dollars when building it". Some of these "baby-boomer" street-rodders are taking that to a ridiculous extreme. Nothing is inviolate to them when it comes to satisfying their personal desires.
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Old 12-01-2020, 01:19 PM   #5
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

It's happening all the time and is a good source for what you will need, That also could be a potential source for fenders. There is an accurate reproduction to replace or patch your car's floor. '33-'34 engines, transmissions, and axles turn up regularly and are not expensive when you exercise a little patience and perseverance. The front seat could be a bit of a challenge, not in terms of expense, but in terms of finding one as it is unique to '33-'34 Fordor sedan. The same goes for the window garnish moldings. Perhaps the two most expensive items will be a good grille and hood. While not unique to any body type, they command fairly hefty prices in good condition.
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Old 12-04-2020, 05:06 PM   #6
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

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It is good to see a 1934 Ford Fordor Sedan being saved, but what about that Tudor Sedan body in the background?

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Old 12-04-2020, 06:06 PM   #7
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

I picked up a 34 221 running frame , engine trans , frt end rear end and non working brakes from a street rodder ,price was a little high at $1850.00 . Yes i stole it . Currently its under a 30 chevy 3 widow . Looks like a 3 window model A .
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Old 12-04-2020, 06:16 PM   #8
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ggmac View Post
I picked up a 34 221 running frame , engine trans , frt end rear end and non working brakes from a street rodder ,price was a little high at $1850.00 . Yes i stole it . Currently its under a 30 chevy 3 widow . Looks like a 3 window model A .
That is a pretty good Chevy with a Ford Flathead running gear. Love it!!!
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Old 12-04-2020, 07:16 PM   #9
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

I was going to stick a fiberglass body on it but had this 30 chevy 3 window in 2 55 gal drums all waiting to be reassembled. Chevys were all wood framing with the steel tacked to the body frame wood . Thats why it was in 2 55 gal drums ,steel all rolled up . Problem was some 4 dr chevy sheet metal was mixed in .
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Old 12-04-2020, 10:34 PM   #10
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

Quote:
It is good to see a 934 Ford Fordor Sedan being saved, but what about that Tudor Sedan body in the background?
The 34 Tudor has a future, nothing goes to waste with them. Parts are being acquired for it currently but "everything's for sale". If your in the market I can ask about putting you in touch to purchase it or one of the other ones. I have to respect everyone's privacy. If you look in some of the other pictures you will see a 35 Delivery (I love that one), a nice 34 fordor, 58 Chevy, a 50 Ford f1, 48 Ford F1 and another 33 - 34. This is just what's hidding behind the shop. There are more in the woods and the nice stuff is inside. It's not my place to say what is there but the family has been saving them since they were jalopies. I have seen them turn some sure enough garbage into a high end all steel cars. They are now 4 generations of building cars. And its not a business, they genuinely love the cars. My Fordor is in good hands! It sat so long because it was bought with a few others and parts, it was never a front burner car being a Fordor. I just so happened to be the weirdo that wanted the "Bonnie and Clyde car". Coupes are the money cars so they get priority. Build a coupe, sell a coupe buy much more rusty gold! For me unless it's a 41 Willys as my grandfather had one after the war, I'm not interested in coupes. I like the Woodies, deliveries and sedans.
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Old 12-04-2020, 10:38 PM   #11
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ggmac View Post
I picked up a 34 221 running frame , engine trans , frt end rear end and non working brakes from a street rodder ,price was a little high at $1850.00 . Yes i stole it . Currently its under a 30 chevy 3 widow . Looks like a 3 window model A .
Wow, that is a steal! I think that is my best course of action, get some cash saved up and jump on a running chassis.
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Old 12-05-2020, 03:25 AM   #12
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

There is a 34 more door just listed on the V8 Club Website classifieds and to me priced right considering what it is and what is included.A huge savings from what you have ahead of you.JMO.
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Old 12-05-2020, 10:43 AM   #13
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

X2 what Duece-Lover said, you would have a much better starting point with the car posted on the Early V-8 website.
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Old 12-05-2020, 10:58 AM   #14
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

X3 on the car listed on the V-8 Club website. The price may even be negotiable. All the key and expensive pieces are there(grille, which appears to be rechromed, hood, fenders, garnish moldings, rebuilt running gear, new Drake running boards, etc). Buying that car would save you a ton of time and a lot of money. it must have been a nice car as the ad states it has the original upholstery.
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Old 12-05-2020, 11:54 AM   #15
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

Quote:
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X3 on the car listed on the V-8 Club website. The price may even be negotiable. All the key and expensive pieces are there(grille, which appears to be rechromed, hood, fenders, garnish moldings, rebuilt running gear, new Drake running boards, etc). Buying that car would save you a ton of time and a lot of money. it must have been a nice car as the ad states it has the original upholstery.

And not to mention the Potter Trunk with restored hinge/latch hardware....WOW!
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Old 12-05-2020, 12:21 PM   #16
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

Sheldon:
You are correct that it will be much less money to start with the $14k car than finish the rusty one in photos above but.....will the finished $14k car be worth anything close to what it takes to finish it being a fordor?


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Old 12-06-2020, 09:40 PM   #17
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

Wow! That is an excellent car and a fair price especially considering the finished car I am after. I was in good shape to snatch it up several months ago and I would have. Its above my price point currently, it's been a tough year. I have some flip cars to sell during "tax time." If this one doesn't sell right away and my flip cars sell on schedule I may be able to swing it putting me in a much better position. It is on my radar so thank you so much for the tip! I am tempted to call on it anyway and express interest but I need to hold off until some stuff sells.

We did get the rough one off it's belly today. I plan to keep it either way. It will get saved. I'm not sure it's direction if I get a better car but the money for the car, labor and patch panels is already spent.
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Old 12-06-2020, 11:01 PM   #18
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

I like your desire to restore to stock or very near stock. I find restored cars to be the unique ones. There are so many hot rods that they feel generic to me. Also, if I want to know how independent front suspension, automatic transmission, disk brakes, power rack & pinion steering, etc feels to drive, well I get in my late model car and drive to work. It isn't special.
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Old 12-07-2020, 12:30 PM   #19
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

without thought...... I would sell your body to a rodder and buy something better.


time is a wastin as you say and cant be bought back! will you even be able to drive it when you get it done?
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Old 12-07-2020, 02:47 PM   #20
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Default Re: Rough 34 Ford 4 door project.

You should at least contact the seller of the car on Early Ford V8 website to let him know your situation and interest level.
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