What's it like to drive a '34 Ford?

[ted]

Mine was a 33 Tudor street rod.
No trunk so had to back the back seat.
Extra carful parking never want to prang that lovely shovel grill and front fenders hanging below the front bumper.
Suicide doors on the freeway were noisy when they cracked open onto the safety latch.

[Superman]

A close friend is restoring not one, but two '32 Ford Couples. "Deuce" Coupes. And to top it off, also a '32 Ford van. People pay him to do this, and he LOVES it. Also knows what he's doing. He's disappointed the owners want overhead valve engines. He thinks those cars should rumble with flatheads and I agree.

[pavulon]

Simple, elegant machines that force builders to get the limited number of details dead right. Coonan's car was/is iconic and he drove it a LOT.

[wdfifteen]

I don't know how we got from "What is it like to drive a pre-war car," to pictures of Ford based hot rods, but here we are. Some great pictures.

BTW Supe, "A close friend is restoring not one, but two '32 Ford Couples [SIC]." Sounds like he's building hot rods, not restoring cars.

One of the first model cars I built was a '40 Ford sedan. Black. Inspired by a cover of a Henry Gregor Felsen book.

[herr_oberst]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I don't know how we got from "What is it like to drive a pre-war car," to pictures of Ford based hot rods, but here we are.

I gotta blame myself. I often misunderstand the assignment;
either that or I just can't not be an iconoclast.

(But your story about Jake's AA was wonderful, very enjoyable read)

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I don't know how we got from "What is it like to drive a pre-war car," to pictures of Ford based hot rods...

Thread drift. It happens.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by JackDidley

like everybody said, the brakes can be a problem. They are not hydraulic. A bunch of levers and rods that dont really function well.

Henry Ford did not trust hydraulics. The Ford catchphrase of that era was "the safety of steel from the pedal to the wheel" and he would not allow hydraulic brakes.

[Superman]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I don't know how we got from "What is it like to drive a pre-war car," to pictures of Ford based hot rods, but here we are. Some great pictures.

BTW Supe, "A close friend is restoring not one, but two '32 Ford Couples [SIC]." Sounds like he's building hot rods, not restoring cars.

One of the first model cars I built was a '40 Ford sedan. Black. Inspired by a cover of a Henry Gregor Felsen book.

Umm no. The title of this thread is "What's It Like To Drive A '34 Ford." Answer: Not that much fun, which is why most builders don't restore them to 100% original. That said, those early Ford coupes are fun in a straight line when fitted with the correct flathead V8 which was first available on the '32 "Deuce" Coupe which is why that car is so iconic. The car weighs very little. It can launch excitingly, which was phenomenal at that time.

My friend builds cars to the customer's spec, and by far the hardest part is not the modern parts the customer wants. The hard part is the rest of the car....the original parts. Finding them can be near impossible. One of the cars he is working on now is One of 233 made. He built a '53 Ford pickup all-original for himself. ALL original. But that's not what customers want, generally.

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by Superman

A close friend is restoring not one, but two '32 Ford Couples.

I think it would be so cool to build a hot rod from scratch. Here's how I think I'd look working on one. Haha

[Ayles]

Originally Posted by Superman

Umm no. The title of this thread is "What's It Like To Drive A '34 Ford." Answer: Not that much fun, which is why most builders don't restore them to 100% original. That said, those early Ford coupes are fun in a straight line when fitted with the correct flathead V8 which was first available on the '32 "Deuce" Coupe which is why that car is so iconic. The car weighs very little. It can launch excitingly, which was phenomenal at that time.

My friend builds cars to the customer's spec, and by far the hardest part is not the modern parts the customer wants. The hard part is the rest of the car....the original parts. Finding them can be near impossible. One of the cars he is working on now is One of 233 made. He built a '53 Ford pickup all-original for himself. ALL original. But that's not what customers want, generally.

Ive only driven a 36’ chevy truck… have about 500 miles behind the wheel towing a teardrop trailer.

I have to agree that it was not much fun at all. Hot, loud and uncomfortable (I’m 6’4”).

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Superman

Umm no. The title of this thread is "What's It Like To Drive A '34 Ford." .

“Or any preWWII vehicle.” Read the OP.

[A930Rocket]

I always thought the 32-34 coupe in black, with a chop top and wide wheels was the coolest car.

Sort of like this but no flames. Well, maybe some 🔥

[HobieMarty]

ZZ Top Eliminator!!!

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[Scott Douglas]

[id911T]

Guess I'll weigh in on this in the pre-WWII category. I've got a few thousand miles in a 1930 Model A Ford Tudor. Not a perfect example but a good driver in its intended form (no overdrive, 6V electrics, etc.). It's a great little car. The driving experience is certainly different from later cars (wd's agricultural comment is spot on) but it's also engaging and rewarding to learn how to properly start, drive, shift, adjust mixture and timing, and generally get the most out of it. Motoring is what my Dad called the experience. Worm and sector steering takes some getting used to (no self centering). Contrary to some comments here the brakes work fine, properly adjusted of course. And they do require regular adjustment. Pedal effort is higher than a modern car but that also applies to my 911T with no power brakes. Engine power is fine given the car's handling prowess or lack thereof and it's all low end torque so the clutch work is easy.

The Model A is my daily driver when I'm in New England and performs admirably around town and on country roads. Mundane activities like running to the store, picking up parts from the machine shop, or getting dinner are enriched by the gentle purr of a flathead engine and all the folks that wave and want you to sound the horn. These cars were meant to be driven and maintained by people who had never driven or maintained a car so they are pretty tough actually.

Your local Model A club members will likely be open to a ride and drive.

[pwd72s]

Stephen...a suggestion: Maybe a violin case for the back window?

[Dixie]

Originally Posted by id911T

Guess I'll weigh in on this in the pre-WWII category. I've got a few thousand miles in a 1930 Model A Ford Tudor.

Thank ya for posting. Those are excellent photos of your beautiful car. As I've matured, I've learned cars in their original condition, with all their quirks and charms, are the best.

[Paul T]

My Dad is really into the old stuff, so I’ve had the opportunity to drive a few Model T’s (1914 brass, TT Truck), a 32 Model A coupe and a 1914 Overland Touring, all original spec. As others said, brakes are certainly a challenge! Whenever, I drive one of these I just marvel at how much progress has been made in 100 yrs. He just finished restoring a Metz which I don’t think I can even fit in. He says that’s a very unique driving experience but I’ve not driven it yet.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by Dixie

As I've matured, I've learned cars in their original condition, with all their quirks and charms, are the best.

I agree. I've driven a lot of old cars and trucks and I enjoyed their quirks and charms. The fun thing about driving old cars and trucks is that you are really involved in operating them. The one thing that seems to be universal, and the reason I wouldn't want to drive one on a regular basis, is that the cabs are cramped and the distance between the seat back and the pedals is always too short for my 6'1" frame.

I've also driven my friends '32 Ford hot rod pickup, it's faster and louder, but I wouldn't want to drive it on a regular basis either because the one thing that isn't improved is the size of the cab. It's fine for stylin' at the drive in, but not great transportation.



I restored my '47 Dodge to its original condition, not only to preserve its looks, but also to preserve the driving experience. I used it as a work truck and managed to put a lot of miles on it before I restored it.



To start the truck you have to press on the gas pedal a bit and pull out the choke and the hand throttle knobs. Step on the starter button with the toe of your foot while pumping the gas pedal with your heel.
Once it fires adjust the choke and hand throttle to keep it running until it warms up. I kept the choke in as far as I could when the engine was cold to keep from washing the cylinders with too much gasoline. To accelerate when the engine was cold I had to pull the choke out at the same time I stepped on the gas.



The "air conditioning' was a T-handle on the dash (you can see it through the steering wheel) that cranked out the windshield. How"comfortable" the cab was depended on how fast you were going.




I went to the Model T Driving School at the Gilmore Museum a few years ago - and I have the T-shirt!

[id911T]

Originally Posted by pwd72s

Stephen...a suggestion: Maybe a violin case for the back window?

Indeed, and a pinstripe suit! I'd have the whole ensemble then.