33/34 coupe differances

[Martyb33]

Greetings: I recently bought a '33 5 window. It had been slightly hot rodded in the '80's. It's an "all there" car. No rust, never hit and no patches, unchopped and unfilled. The body is obviously a '33. (chicken feet, wooden header, cowl sides). It does have a '34 grille, but the hood sides are '33. Curved louvers, single latch, no lower reveal and the hood sides are the length of a '34, 42 3/4 (possible reproduction). How do I tell the difference between 33/34 fenders, bumpers. I may be parting out the car and do not want to misrepresent what I have. I do have a load of photos if that helps to I.D. Thanks

 

[David J]

Pics would help as some things you are describing are NOT 33 . I haven't owned them all of course but the ones I have had did not have crows feet . Common problem with 33 hoods is the front lip being cut off so a 34 grille could be used . Post pics as there are plenty folks here that know the differences you ask about . Additionally many items are multiple choice depending on the production date . One example of this is front inner aprons . I know of SEVEN different ones for 33-34 . Pics of the cowl top will be very helpful as there are numerous differences there .

Greetings: I recently bought a '33 5 window. It had been slightly hot rodded in the '80's. It's an "all there" car. No rust, never hit and no patches, unchopped and unfilled. The body is obviously a '33. (chicken feet, wooden header, cowl sides). It does have a '34 grille, but the hood sides are '33. Curved louvers, single latch, no lower reveal and the hood sides are the length of a '34, 42 3/4 (possible reproduction). How do I tell the difference between 33/34 fenders, bumpers. I may be parting out the car and do not want to misrepresent what I have. I do have a load of photos if that helps to I.D. Thanks

 

[Martyb33]

I meant to say "no crows feet". Here's a couple of pix. Thanks guys.

 

[Randy]

That's a reproduction 1934 grille made in Argentina, probably 30 years ago.

 

[Martyb33]

So, are these 33 or 34 fenders? How can I tell the difference? (see photo in post #3)Thanks

 

[BLACKNRED]

Apart from some very very early 33 front fenders, I believe both 33 and 34 front and rear fenders are the same.

The 33 Hood has a swage reveal around the edge, It looks as if your Hood does not have this, although it has the single handle and curved louvres.

33 doors are different to 34, 34 was the beginning of the door glass moving back before going down, finished on cars in 39, the 34 door has extra material on the door near the B pillar, also interior door handle is closer to the centre of the door.

there are many more differences, and others more knowledgeable than me will chime in.

 

[HamerAuto]

there are so many differeneces all mostly minor. differenece behind the header panel door pulls, Headlights are different, wheel wells garish moldings are longer on a 33 than a 34 due the venting of the door glass.

 

[David J]

What is wrong with the hood is described in post 2 . The front fenders are definitely different 33-34 and I am not talking skirtless ones . This has been covered with pics here several times . BUT there is no way to tell on yours with out better pics . Plenty folks here that know these cars - you just have to sift out the guesses !!!

 

[koates]

Hi there, your cowl top edge does not seem to have the notch pressed in to hold the hood side panels open so this would indicate a 33 body. The front bumper inner brackets are fitted incorrectly. The curves go the wrong way and maybe should be swapped left for right and right for left. Also 33 & 34 bumpers had different spacing between the centre bolt holes. Bumper irons were therefore different. More photos of your car would be helpful. Regards, Kevin.

 

[Martyb33]

Thanks for the good info. maybe these will help ID some more parts.

 

[Juergen]

33/34 differences are many as there were mid year changes, not just a model year change. For example, the door latches have at least 3 different styles. The best way to understand the differences is to buy the Early Ford V-8 club book, "The 1933-34 Ford Book". In appendix J is a reprint of an article outlining 65 ways the early and late models differed.

 

[DavidG]

Except for the early '33 skirt-less rear fenders, the '33-'34 rear fenders are same (there are differences in the bead width between Ford fenders and those "Fostoria" aftermarket fenders produced in that era). The front fenders are not the same, however, even after the skirts were added. In the photo below, note the little round tab stamped into the flange on the side of the fender directly inboard for the opening for light stand. That fits into a depression stamped into the fender inner panels on '33s. Neither the tab on the fender nor the depression in the front fender inner panels exist on the '34 versions.

Admittedly, '33 front fenders can be easily modified to fit the '34 inner fender panels and conversely, '34 front fenders can be modified to fit the numerous versions of the '33 front fender inner panels that exist.

Apart from the spacing of the holes for mounting the bumpers (and ignoring the unique early '33 front and rear bumper bracket differences), mainstream '33 front inner bumper brackets and '33 rear bumper brackets are not the same as their '34 counterparts. The unique-to-'33 center (stainless steel-capped) bumper bolts have 7/16-20 threads whereas the '34 versions of those bolts have 1/2-20 threads and the holes in the bumper brackets are sized accordingly. (In other words, a fail-safe way to distinguish a '33 center front and rear bumper bracket from a '34 bracket is to try and insert a 1/2" bolt into the appropriate hole in the bracket. If the bolt won't go through, it's a '33 bracket.)

As David J has indicated, there are numerous other differences between '33 and '34 coupe bodies as well as differences in their frames and front axles.