The Ford Barn

Graham Freeman · 10-31-2025, 01:50 AM

Some 40 years ago before starting the restoration of my 34 cabriolet 2 passengers and myself did a 600 mile round trip to a V8 Club meeting sitting in the front seat (not using the rumble).
Shortly after this trip the cabriolet was pulled down to start a full restoration that i did not realize would take 36 years.
I used the original seat with a Le Baron interior kit but now I only seem to be able to fit 1 passenger in (at a squeeze).
Is it possible that because i took so long to do the restoration the vehicle has shrunken somewhat or could there be another reason.

Mart · 10-31-2025, 04:05 AM

Ha ha yeah, that's it. They shrink over time. What other explanation could there possibly be?

deuce lover · 10-31-2025, 05:47 AM

Front and rear spring gets weaker over time also.

The Art Doctor · 10-31-2025, 06:29 AM

Thank you for the morning chuckle.

Terry,OH · 10-31-2025, 06:31 AM

Why does the floor get lower?

oldbugger · 10-31-2025, 06:36 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Steering column gets longer also, the things you want to get bigger get smaller and the things you want smaller get bigger, and gravity sucks

Kube · 10-31-2025, 08:06 AM

You guys are hilarious!
I have noted a couple of my cars got lower. How? No clue.

I have also noted (not car related) that many things have become heavier. I am certain that is due to increased gravitational pull.

mfirth · 10-31-2025, 10:01 AM

Like the old blues song says, "I'm built for comfort, I ain't built for speed". The incredible shrinking man is expanding in circumference......... I know what you guys are talking about.
How about a picture of that 34 Cab. .....

Cool Kat with Hot Car · 10-31-2025, 10:53 AM

This is a common discovery. Not only has the car shrunk, but also your bank balance and future lifespan.

KiWinUS · 10-31-2025, 11:18 AM

Graham’s 34 cabriolet is stunning in every sense of the word.

KiWinUS · 10-31-2025, 11:30 AM

Graham’s gem.

petehoovie · 10-31-2025, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

Graham’s gem.

tubman · 10-31-2025, 11:46 AM

Boy! That must be only for older cars. My '99 F150 has actually gotten so much larger that i can't climb up into it anymore.

hueyhoolihan · 10-31-2025, 04:31 PM

the skin on the top of my head has grown through my hair!

Roger W Gerow · 10-31-2025, 04:52 PM

There is no such thing as gravity. The earth sucks.

Flathead Fever · 10-31-2025, 06:31 PM

You should see me try and get into my '29 roadster. I analyze the best approach for about ten-minutes and then give up on the driver's side and slide in from the passenger side.

hueyhoolihan · 10-31-2025, 09:07 PM

1953 MGTDs have no defrosters. i own one and when driving it for the first time, my face felt like it was close enough to the windshield to lick the mist off it myself, if necessary.

34fordy · 10-31-2025, 09:18 PM

Quit smoking 52 years ago but can't seem to push myself from the table far enough to shed 20 pounds.

95476 · 10-31-2025, 10:46 PM

I bought my '34 W Coupe in around 1974 when I was about 18. It was the second car I ever owned. One Friday night I took it for a ride and stopped at the local A&W. On the way home there were three girls hitchhiking back to town. I stopped and told them I would take as many as c ould fit in the car when they needed to go. All three got in and we were off. They sat on each other's laps.I still remember it. Now when we take it for a ride my other half and I barely fit.

cas3 · 10-31-2025, 11:00 PM

When I first got my 34 coupe drivable...I wanted to drive it. My seat, that I rebuilt myself, was still at the upholstery shop ( about a year ana half) So I borrowed a couple low back buckets from a mid 60's VW from my neighbor, a pro VW guy. Mounted on a hunk of ply wood to fit the car.

Well, keep in mind, the VW had a parking brake between the seats, and a few inches to spare. In the 34 the seats were touching together in the middle, and touching the doors. So, The model 40's are indeed small...and a few extra notches on your belt won't help.

10-31-2025, 01:50 AM	#1
Graham Freeman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: New Zealand Posts: 350	34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration Some 40 years ago before starting the restoration of my 34 cabriolet 2 passengers and myself did a 600 mile round trip to a V8 Club meeting sitting in the front seat (not using the rumble). Shortly after this trip the cabriolet was pulled down to start a full restoration that i did not realize would take 36 years. I used the original seat with a Le Baron interior kit but now I only seem to be able to fit 1 passenger in (at a squeeze). Is it possible that because i took so long to do the restoration the vehicle has shrunken somewhat or could there be another reason.

10-31-2025, 04:05 AM	#2
Mart Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Solihull, England. Posts: 9,239	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration Ha ha yeah, that's it. They shrink over time. What other explanation could there possibly be?

10-31-2025, 05:47 AM	#3
deuce lover Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Rockwall TX Posts: 6,018	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration Front and rear spring gets weaker over time also.

10-31-2025, 06:29 AM	#4
The Art Doctor Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 226	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration Thank you for the morning chuckle.

10-31-2025, 06:31 AM	#5
Terry,OH Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 5,394	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration Why does the floor get lower?

10-31-2025, 06:36 AM	#6
oldbugger Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Holland Mi Posts: 761	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Steering column gets longer also, the things you want to get bigger get smaller and the things you want smaller get bigger, and gravity sucks

10-31-2025, 08:06 AM	#7
Kube Super Moderator Join Date: May 2010 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 10,539	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration You guys are hilarious! I have noted a couple of my cars got lower. How? No clue. I have also noted (not car related) that many things have become heavier. I am certain that is due to increased gravitational pull. __________________ "I can explain it for you. However, I can't understand it for you".

10-31-2025, 10:01 AM	#8
mfirth Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: ohio Posts: 1,165	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration Like the old blues song says, "I'm built for comfort, I ain't built for speed". The incredible shrinking man is expanding in circumference......... I know what you guys are talking about. How about a picture of that 34 Cab. .....

10-31-2025, 10:53 AM	#9
Cool Kat with Hot Car Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NorCal Posts: 305	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration This is a common discovery. Not only has the car shrunk, but also your bank balance and future lifespan.

10-31-2025, 11:18 AM	#10
KiWinUS Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Charlotte NC KiWi-L100 available here Posts: 3,415	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration Graham’s 34 cabriolet is stunning in every sense of the word.

10-31-2025, 11:46 AM	#13
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,132	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration Boy! That must be only for older cars. My '99 F150 has actually gotten so much larger that i can't climb up into it anymore.

10-31-2025, 04:31 PM	#14
hueyhoolihan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: central coast california Posts: 593	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration the skin on the top of my head has grown through my hair!

10-31-2025, 04:52 PM	#15
Roger W Gerow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Walla Walla, Washington Posts: 197	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration There is no such thing as gravity. The earth sucks. __________________ DD658

10-31-2025, 06:31 PM	#16
Flathead Fever Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,492	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration You should see me try and get into my '29 roadster. I analyze the best approach for about ten-minutes and then give up on the driver's side and slide in from the passenger side.

10-31-2025, 09:07 PM	#17
hueyhoolihan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2024 Location: central coast california Posts: 593	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration 1953 MGTDs have no defrosters. i own one and when driving it for the first time, my face felt like it was close enough to the windshield to lick the mist off it myself, if necessary.

10-31-2025, 09:18 PM	#18
34fordy Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Fort dodge, Iowa Posts: 1,453	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration Quit smoking 52 years ago but can't seem to push myself from the table far enough to shed 20 pounds.

10-31-2025, 10:46 PM	#19
95476 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2018 Posts: 482	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration I bought my '34 W Coupe in around 1974 when I was about 18. It was the second car I ever owned. One Friday night I took it for a ride and stopped at the local A&W. On the way home there were three girls hitchhiking back to town. I stopped and told them I would take as many as c ould fit in the car when they needed to go. All three got in and we were off. They sat on each other's laps.I still remember it. Now when we take it for a ride my other half and I barely fit.

10-31-2025, 11:00 PM	#20
cas3 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Beverly Kansas Posts: 5,557	Re: 34 cabriolet got narrower after restoration When I first got my 34 coupe drivable...I wanted to drive it. My seat, that I rebuilt myself, was still at the upholstery shop ( about a year ana half) So I borrowed a couple low back buckets from a mid 60's VW from my neighbor, a pro VW guy. Mounted on a hunk of ply wood to fit the car. Well, keep in mind, the VW had a parking brake between the seats, and a few inches to spare. In the 34 the seats were touching together in the middle, and touching the doors. So, The model 40's are indeed small...and a few extra notches on your belt won't help.