1934 Ford 'Hot Rod' Coupe (RHD)

Description

By 1934 production of Ford's flathead V8 was in full swing - the economy was improving, albeit slowly, while early reliablity issues had been well and truly resolved and the Blue Oval reclaimed top spot from Chevrolet with a 68 per cent rise in sales. Ford had already improved the car for 1933, with better cooling, a new ignition system and aluminium cylinder heads while raising the compression ratio to give an additional ten horsepower. The trend towards more streamlined styling, already begun in 1933, was continued on 1934 models, with a revised grille, bonnet and radiator shell while the hubcaps were given the V8 logo. The wings, which had previously only been available in black, were now finished in body colour. A new ?Clear Vision? ventilation system on closed models was another big improvement while the choice of body styles remained largely unchanged, most available in either Standard of Deluxe versions. Underneath the Ford retained the same X-member frame introduced in 1933, with its slightly longer 112-inch wheelbase. Two other noteworthy events took place in relation to Ford's V8 in 1934 - alcohol was served at the press preview for the first time since prohibition and Clyde Barrow wrote his famous letter to Henry Ford extolling the virtues of his automobiles. Ford posted its first profit since 1930, the one millionth V8 rolling off the assembly line on June 20 and such was its success that the four-cylinder Model B was killed off at the end of the year. The '34 Ford three-window coupe has long been a favourite of hot rodders, from the immediate post war period through the 1960s and beyond. Popularised by customisers like Boyd Coddington, the '34 Ford's sharp lines have been the inspiration for many street rods, combining modern power with classic looks.