My dad bought a new project over the weekend. Turns out to be a 1934 chrysler coupe. We don't know much about these cars. I thought I would ask a few questions. Does anyone know if the bodies are the same stampings as 1934 dodge, plymouth? Anyone know how many were made? Wheel base? Someone bolted a later model frame under the original frame. The plan is to build a hi boy on 32 rails. If anyone has any pics or is building one please let me know. We need to locate a grill and maybe a hood, hopefuly chrysler but dodge would work too. So if anyone can help, pm me. Also the fenders and running boards will be for sale if anyone is looking. Here are a couple of pics. Thanks in advance for any help
Sure looks like the 1933/34 Dodge/Plymouth body. Why on earth would you want to put it on Ford rails? It is not a Ford and you could do so many cool things with it like stick a Dodge, De Soto or Chrysler hemi in it or, just as cool - a mopar Poly, and keep it all Mopar. If you want a Ford buy a Ford....
If I was looking for the advice of a sixteen year old I would go to the local high school and ask. DUDE.
Don't listen to the nay-sayers... I think Johnny Cash had one of those, maybe a few years earlier. Bodies are probably not the same. DeSoto came between Dodge and Chrysler in brand pricing, so interchangability will be iffy at best. Maybe fenders, trunk lid, that sort of thing. Find a restorer site and pretend you are one of them and ask questions. Chrysler was the luxury line. 1934 was not a good year for the economy, I think that's the year a few luxury makers went under, so a 'luxe' car from that era should be preserved. I'm not saying restore it, just that you don't have a Ford, so celebrate that fact in the build. Probably a good bit longer than a '32 Ford, and that's a good thing for legroom. Shoot some pics of existing later model frame and see if someone can ID it. That may be your best starting point. On '32 rails, the body would be too long (unless you lengthened the frame Google is your friend for pictures, wheelbase specs, etc. I think someone makes a fiberglass grill shell for that year, maybe... not sure.
putting it on 32 ford frame . 34 ford frame or building your own..will be cool .but please take it off of the frame it's on now. if you look for posts from astrozombie he had a dodge on a 34 ford frame.
I like the idea. Something different and with taste is alway a refreshing change. Check out Westcott's website under the tech section and find the dimensions of the 32 frame. Check them against you Mopar body and see if its at least close. That may indicate the feasability of the project. Just an idea. Good luck.
I'm not real sure on this but I have a '32 DeSoto. All the demensions are the same as a '32 Plymouth. There is a lot of knowledge on this board but for a more focused group you might try the Chrysler Club website. I know there are some guys over there that are going to jump on your sheet metal parts you want to sell. They may be able to help you find a frame. That coupe looks pretty good sheet metal wise. You have a good project. I've seen a couple of them rodded and they were cool. The Hemi idea is really cool. I wish I could have afforded it in my build. You appear to have an sbc there and they work fine, are inexpensive. I think a '32 frame is a bad idea size wise. If your locked in to the Ford frame idea I'd consider a '34 as a more likely candidate. Just think the Mopar frame is a better way to go. Good luck.
Cool score! I am also building my '33 on a '32 ford frame because that is my version of a hot rod, I think it looks great. (Take what you have that might fit, make it fit and look decent, and then make it go fast; To me that is a traditional hot rod attitude) I only like these cars w/o fenders or hoods and channelled, open engine in a highboy or lowboy. IMO, they look kind of clumbsy with fenders, but others trip over themselves looking at one fully fendered and say they are perfect. Some of the sheet metal and parts interchange, but they are year, wheelbase, and coupe specific. Speedway, and others see some glass parts if needed. Good luck with your project!
The 32 frame must be cut, spread, bobbed, and then "back-halved" to clear for rear tires, etc. Your wheel base will be quite a bit longer than the 106" stock duece, most likely 114"to117". Reason: the quarter "B" post back to the fender is much longer than a 32 ford. It takes a bunch of layout and mock up to get the look you are after. No bolt it together deal here, rather from scratch fab work to fit the Mopar body. BTW, the 33 and 34 bodies are different from the back of the doors forward. So doors and moldings do not interhange. Hope this helps you. I had to invest hours figuring all this out, and I am not certian I have it fully figured ; )
I think it would look very nice when done, un-chopped and channelled. Good luck with your new project.
I'm not aware of anyone doing a glass repop grille shell. I build an insert for the '34 Chrysler, if you find the shell.
1934 Chryslers had several models including the first Airflows. The CA/CB Six were the only conventional models and the CA series were the only coupes. They rode a 117 inch wheelbase. They made 1650 Business Coupes and 1875 Deluxe Coupes (4 passenger, probably with jump seats), so they're incredibly rare. It would be a shame to hack one up to stick a too short, too narrow Ford frame under it, like some sort of half-assed rat rod. If the original frame is there, cut the BS off it and use it. The Ford wheelbase is 11 inches shorter (!) -
Like rustynewyorker said that a fairly rare car. In 34 Chrysler focused most of the production to the Airflows. A friend of mine has a 34 5 window also, I'm sure he has alot of info on them sure he will chime in. I know one sold on ebay a few weeks back nice original "barn find" needed full restoration went somewhere around $35,000 might still be able to find it in the compleated listings.
Why would you want to backwards engineer the thing to a ford frame. Chrysler frames were strong, over engineered, boxed from the firewall forward, hydraulic brakes all around, and no buggy springs. The dual sidemounts usually indicat an upscale model. Car is probably 700 lbs heavier than the ford coupe. but if sombody has hacked and whacked at it and most of the good stuff is gone, then have at it. Bodies were similar to Dodge Plymouth, cowl longer as Chryslers were longer. They weren;t much to look at even when new.................
Speedway motors offers a glass 33' Mopar grille shell, no insert. I think I know where there is a 33'-34' mopar grille I would have to do some checking. Go on www.allpar.com they have some good info on early Mopars
LOVE THE CAR! put it on the Ford frame and call it a day. Its not their car...its yours. Do what you like...not what others say is "wrong". Nothing is "wrong" in the world of hot rodding...unless you literally butcher it. Its an art-form. Enjoy it.
In 1934 Chrysler was fazing out the C A model and pushing the Airflow and made only 1650 trunk and 1700 rumble seat models! The fire wall is extended about 3 or 4 inches similer to some Dodges. It requiers a longer hood.
The body picturred appears to be a 34 dodge/plymouth/chrylser - from cowl back. THe WB was different from the cowl forward for plymouth/dodge chryslers, Grill shells for chryslers are tough to locate. I would buy a like chrysler 4 door and keep the good parts and sell off the rest. If you go hiboy you are okay - if you try and put a 32-34 ford frame under full fenders you will increase your headaches.
HI: As far as I know, the Dodge and Plymouth body parts are the same. If you still have the rear fenders and running boards for sale, I would be interested. Dick
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