I bought this 34 Ford Coupe 2 months ago on E-bay. This was a fresh build inprocess but there was a ton wrong with this car mechanically and electrically and the builder just got over his head and dumped it. I bought this with the Buy it now Option for $16,500. The front end was so far out of tow that it howled when you drove it. The transmission also howled due to a loose torque converter. Electrical problems galore due to faulty crimp lugs, loose alternator belt causing a no charge scenario and defective fuel pump to name a few. While there was a ton wrong, it was all pretty easy being sorted out over a weekend with a little cussing and head shaking in disbelief. It was sporting a Green frame and Green and cream bucket seat interior in gelcoat. It was however a new build with a GM Goodwrench engine and new TH350. All the right stuff with a chrome dropped axcel and hairpins. All parts were new, it was just a matter of going through the car and fixing the prior builders mistakes and verifying every nut and bolt wasn't going to fall off. The most amazing part on this car was the $2700 Bob Drake Grill. I realized it had that after hitting the buy it now. The interior was tore out and I found an apholsterer on e-bay that built a bench seat frame, sized it to fit and covered it, redid the door panels, front kick and rear panels, trunk panels and beaded carpet for $1200. I installed the package and vinyl dyed the headliner. I added a rootlieb 4 piece Hood for $1000 and locar swan shifter, valve covers, rear mirror for about $300 and had a painter block and paint with SEM hotrod Black for $500. Current build cost is up to $19,000 and I'm going to hold for now and enjoy it. Future plans will include a machine turned stainless dash, new guages, either some 18" torque thrusts on the rear, or skinny bias plies with 40 Ford Caps. Possibly some flames. A 34 Ford highboy coupe is by far one of my favorite cars but getting into a nice one can get expensive. While this is a fibergl*** car, getting into one finished for $19K seems pretty well under budget. Nice to be ahead on one for a change. Ford Coupe as purchased: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=20171 Ford Coupe updated: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/album.php?albumid=20169 .
WOW night and day difference I think the wheels are the right style but totally the wrong size! Good find!
It needs at least an 18" on the rear. What are your thoughts? The skinny Bias Plies have been nawing at me also though. I love that Salt Flats look.
you did real good on that 34! it looks good! You can spend 1,000.00 OR 100,000.00 on a car and yer still going to end up working on it.
i think you need to try not to be a street rodder. i know you have it in you to be a hot rodder, make us proud!
Not bad...not bad at all. I personally like a bigger, tall, fat tire on the rear of a hotrod unless you plan to go with a set of gum-dipper Firestones [that's what I'm using on my 34 coupe] like the photo of the 2nd car...it's exactly the same hubcaps, wheels and tires I have for mine.
I'm sorry, but that is just plain perfect. That is the end of the debate for me. PLEASE send me exact specifications on rims and tires. That it IT! A louvered trunk, kick out windshield and cowl vent and I'm there. Damn nice car, and I'm very close to being dead nuts exact to it.
Both the coupes in this thread are very cool... Oh, and that interior job was a smoking deal IMO. The seat building and making the framing is quite a task and that one looks great!, and looks comfy to me.
Ya, that deal was hard to beat. He measured and made the seat height referancing me sitting in the car and adjusted rake width etc. He gave me two inches above my head with adjusting tracks underneath and built the seat referancing my driving style and body position in maximum comfort. I'm 6'2 and when the seat's all the way back I have to stretch to touch the pedals. I had a 32 Coupe that would strain my neck due to hunching down to see and cramp my legs and back within 1/2 hour. This car is a stretched out, arm out the window all day cruiser. I thought that was pretty darn cheap. I'll take mine over a $2000 tea's seat any day of the week, simply because it was custom fit to me. Got lucky finding him.
the rim's are 16x4" the front tire's are 5.50-16 the rear's are 7.50-16 steve's auto restoration in oregon sell's the deck lid with louver's if your car is not set up for a roll out winshield it will be alot of work.... my body takes all the original henry parts even roll down rear window... here are some pic's of my hinge's I'am sorry I did not mean to hiJack your thread.. .
2 tall custom interior. He has an ebay store. http://stores.ebay.com/2TALL-CUSTOM-AUTO-INTERIORS The guy does great work and can work from patterns if you provide them. He has the patterns from my 34. How can I tell if my car is set up for the hinged windshield? Also, any kits out there for the cowl vent and any experience installing them? JustplainJ, you didn't highjack the thread, you gave a perfect example of the steel wheels and it looks killer! I appreciate it!
To check for the hinged windshield, pull the garnish molding above the windshield and look for the hinge brackets like in the previous picture. As far as the deck lid and louvers go, I can probably help you as well.
I'm sure it wont have the brackets, so I guess I'm looking for the "hump" to attach them to? If not present, is there more involved than simply building up an area in fibergl*** to install them? I guess significant t******* in the frame area.... Anyone know of a complete cowl vent kit and how difficult to install? As far as the louvered trunk goes, could I simply purchase the trunk skin and bond to the fibergl*** trunk lid? (maybe I should start a different thread for build advice) Thanks to all.
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