I've been lusting after this 34 since I first saw it. When my friend Steve (SS34) told me he was going to let it go to purchase another, I just had to have it.
My vision for a 34-5 window hasn't changed in over 45 years. It has to be fenderless and it has to be traditional, as I see it. I want it to be the hot rod I would have built when I was 22 years old, if I hadn't had a house full of kids and if I had the skills and patience i have learned since. So I am going to begin this thread here. Last fall, Steve and I took a day trip to the mainland to pick up a couple of engines. Steve bought another 331 Cad and I, a 264 Buick with triple intake and jewellery. Its a stock rebuild, but a good runner. I had no immediate plans for the nailhead and bought it for futures. The future arrived at my home shop in the form of Steve's old coupe.
The body is basically sound, with a few rust issues and dents. My plan is to keep it as original as possible, repairing and patching only rust perforated areas and blowing in those areas with Washington Blue lacquer to match. I started with the left subrail and lower hinge pillar, for a solid foundation.
Put a flatty in that hotrod. Get that feel of the forties before you dump that Buick motor in there. Trade your buddy for that 331 caddy and you sir will have one hot hotrod. Can't get no more traditional than a flat motor. Very bitchin car no matter what heart you give her.
Paintslinger...Thanks for your input but this is my vision. I have a 276-1CM Flathead in my 36-5 window, with a 5 speed and modern rear for hi-way cruising. The 264 Buick is from 1954, mated with a Cad-LaSalle transmission, changed to Ford torque tube output, through an NOS Speed Gems adapter (Modified to fit) , 1934 driveshaft and tube, 36 rear axle and hopefully a quick change centre down the road a bit. Where it may not be your idea of traditional, it works for me.
Sooooo when ya gonna paint it? Sorry I just couldn't resist. I came home from the hospital in in a Willys truck powered by the mill out of a wrecked (two week old)1954 Roadmaster. I really don't remember, but I am going to say that you cannot pick a better mill for that old heap. And patching and blowing in paint to go with the original paint is just cool. That old model 40 is going to have it in spades, well it already does but you'll end up holding a royal flush.
Sorry Duncan, I didn't mean it won't be traditional the Buick motor like pork says is about the coolest ohv motor to choose from to stay away from the trendy hemis and chebbys. I still like it and I like the 50s hotrods when everyone wanted to blow the doors off them ol flattys. I will be watching your build till the end. Good luck and don't forget to post some pics of the trans set up I like them lasalle set ups.
Thanks Beaner and to answer your question regarding paint, it won't be painted while i'm looking after it. I appreciate the humour though.
Here you go Paintslinger and thanks for all the positive comments. Lord knows I need the motivation. Thanks to Steve-SS34 for buying just one more 34 and no longer having the space for this one. I think we all agree, that having 4 is just being greedy.
NOS Hurst Mystery shifter for 38&Up Cad LaSalle transmission. NOS Speed Gems Trans Adapter. Photo of the box it was mailed in, Post dated Oct.24'61 View attachment 3260379
Wow. Very cool! Are you almost done and re capping, or are you truly just in the midst? Looks great, and I love your intentions! Stick to em and build YOUR car!!!
Sadly yes, although not so sad for me. He purchased a finished 34 coupe that belonged to a friend that passed.
Just helpin you build them calluses my friend. I love old paint, if there is enough car to keep it then it will always be the paint job of choice for me. That cad/lasalle tranny is neat. I helped locate one for a '33 5 window coupe here in town a few years back. It is a transmission that we all seem to forget when thinking traditional. Excellent choice.
Argh! You are killing me. I love 33-34s and with something other than a worthless Ford flatty makes it even better!
Thanks, Luck certainly played a part, helps to have a wife that understands the disease though. Credit where credit is due. Worthless Flatty Matt? Those are lynching words in some circles. Luckily, not ours. Saving the world, one old Ford at a time.
Funny part is most of the old "island " cars and guys who were there that I have talked to think Ford flattys sucked. The island was dodge/ply six country until the hemi showed up. They ran boats, yarders and trucks as well as cars. Laughing with an old fellow the other day. He ran a 251 flat six dodge in a street stock class in the 50's. Twin carbs and exhaust off a heavy truck. He laughed about smoking the 265 Chevy v8s
I guess its regional Matt. Where I grew up, (lower mainland) it was all SBC unless your Daddy had money, then it was Big Block Chev. I always went for the oddball engines, 272-312 Ford and FE, now its a Baby Nailhead and a Flathead. I guess I'm just Odd.
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