What and why your preference: 3 window coupes vs. 5 windows

Regarding '32 Fords, I definitely prefer the 5-window, not only beause I happen to have one. I gew up with the image of the '32 5-window as the prototypical hot rod. My older cousin bought one in 1958 and that sealed it for me.
Regarding other makes and models, I prefer the 3-windows for '33 to 36 Fords. For Chevy's and Mopars, the 5-windows from that era are definitely better looking than the 3-windows. In fact, I actually like the looks of a '34 Plymouth coupe over a '32 Ford, but looks aren't everything.

 

i like the 3 window myself but it is almost out of my price range. so the chances of me owning one will probably be never. the 5 window is a little more affordable but even they are getting very expensive.

 

! like a 5w 32, because 3w could be another brokeville clone. 5ws are real.

 

This one is "real" fibergl***.

 

Everyone is en***led to there own opinion, thats what is so cool about street rodding .There are no rules. IMO I like 32 Ford 3W, my favorite. cuz no rain gutters,wide suicide doors.



Ago

 

You know? It'a interesting how time; and tastes change. When I was a kid in the fifties, when it came to Deuces , '33s (nobody wanted any of them), and '34s (folks tolerated them); the five windows held a premium over three windows. I think the reasons where, one: The five window has better visability; and two: "suicide doors" were just that, and guys DID NOT want'um. Today, I have a Deuce Five Window. It took me 40 years to find it.

 

Agree with Deuce roadster on all counts. But, I hard enough time buying a 5w.........would have never gotten a 3w.

 

Getting in and out of a 3w is neat...you back into it, and step forward out of it.

You can hang your arm out of a 3w.

In AG, Milner looked goofy trying to hang out of the window and talk to the chicks...he had to lean forward past the B pillar.

Would I own a 5w?...I'm trying to buy one now.

 

Edsel's '32 three window coupe design does it for me.
Simpler and cleaner without the quarter windows and I dig the suicide doors.

 

5 windows look sharp and clean and make beautiful hot rods but, to me, 5 windows seem more agressive and sinister. It's like taking Grandma's daily driver and transforming it into a road burning,fire breathing beast. That, and they have nice proportions, chopped or unchopped. Having said that, I'd take either. Great arguments can be made for both.

 

I like the 28-31 as a 5 window but past that the 3 window rules.

Just a little biased though

 

I like them both couldn't afford the 3w so I bought a semi rough 5w and fixed it up. Just put over 1500 miles on it this month and having a ball!

 

I am 5window. Guess.

 

In a 32 my favorite is a 5 window. in a 33-36 its a 3 window.
I love the roof line on a 32 5 window!

 

5Ws were always the ho-hum cars, the 3Ws had STYLE.

Still true today... I wouldn't kick any of em out of bed for eating crackers. But hands-down Fords look better as 3Ws every year they were available.

 

I have a '36 Ford 3 window and wouldn't trade it for a 5 window BUT would trade for a '36 chopped roadster.......... go figure!

 

I like 5 windows best...They look even better with my wife in it.....

But 3 windows are also beautiful....

 

Here are the Ford 5 & 3 windows side by side, taked last week. Owned the 3 window for 12+ years,sold in 2007.Had the 5 window since 2001. The leg room in the 3w was a little short for me. Moved the seat back 5" in the 5w by removing the shelf behind the seat. It's now the most comfortable hot rod I've owned or driven.Drive it every day , over 1500 miles last 30 days.Which one do you like best? It's a little like asking whos the most beautiful woman in the world? Your answer better be "the one I'm with now"...........

 

If you had had done the same to the 3W you owned ... would the results not be the same ??



I moved my original seat frame back ... and I think I have enough room ... but do not have upholstery yet ... so maybe not

 

Your Poll options says 28-32. I'll ***ume you mean Fords? So, 32's the only year in question here as there are no 28-31 3 windows that I know of. If yes, there is something I like better about a 32 5 window better than a 3 window even though some accuse the 5 window of being a glorified Model A. I DON'T agree with THAT at all, but I've heard it. Anyway, I can't put my finger on what it is, but the 5 window 32 looks better to me. Beyond that, I'm not nuts about 33-34. And in a 36, I like em BOTH ways

 

Getting OT a little but... I am leaving the self in my 5w and I was just going to use foam instead of the springs that way I can make the seat and back not as thick so I gain the room. Good idea or Bad?

 

Start your own thread?

 

I am lucky to have a 3-window and a 5-window,but my father has a 32 sport coupe. Personally I would pick a sport coupe because you dont see many of them.But this thread is asking between a 3 or 5 window so I have to go with the 3-window hands down.

 

I have ALWAYS preferred the cleaner look of the 3W body style, not only a**** '32-'36 Fords, but even a**** '50 Plymouths and Studebakers, T-Birds with the non-porthole top, and that *****in' shoebox 3W that Steve Stanford designed and Billy Gibbons had built.

BUT -- after owning a '36 3W for 10 years, particularly after having it chopped, I now find that the blind quarters are kinda spooky. Lane changes to the right are a ****shoot anyway, and as I get older and stiffer it's awkward to twist around and look out the back window.

Soooo... It's now apparent to me that the best body style for me is a post-'48 hardtop. With the windows down they have the clean lines of a 3W (thanks, Shifty, I never thought of it that way), but much better visibility all around.

Lucky I have two of those, huh?

 

Talking fords, I think the bias towards 32 3 windows started because that was the first 3window offered after the model A (which were all 5 windows, except for rare sport coupes). Personally, if your gonna hammer it to the limit, a 3 window just looks right, like 3w Larrys or the rolling bones guys. If your going for a mild chop, then either looks right, if your going unchopped, I think the proportions of the 5 window look better. On 33/34's, never been a fan of 5 windows, always thought 3 windows looked better no matter if they're chopped or not. On 35/36's, once again either if your not chopping, 3 window if chopped. Oh, and not that anybody asked, I've alway prefered sedans over coupes in the model A ranks.

As far as other makes, I prefer 5 window 32 Chevys to 3 windows. I (personally) don't like how the 3win's are square along the back upper corner of the door., and the drip rail ends abruptly. The five windows allow the drip rail to flow on over the back window making a more elegant ending. Having said all that, that little black 3 window chevy with the straight six here on the Hamb is one of the coolest coupes I've seen, and is THE coolest 32 Chevy coupe out there. On 34 Chevys, I like 3 windows. As far as other makes, not really famillar with anything else exect willys, a 33 willys were all 5 windows (I think).

 

I agree.

 

well I`m kinda fond of 5 window`s my dad had one in the 50`s
and we started mine in 79, but I like them all

 

I like the 3 window...
But there is just something about a 5 window coupe! Even a rough one...