33 vs 34
- Thread starter itsa52
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Old Redneck
Well-known member
Easy 33 has one hood handle on each side and 34 has 2 on each side.
Tom/SC
Senior Member
The 33 grille is more "flattened " in the middle. The 34 grille is more "peaked" in the middle straight down the front. If it had the hood sides on it, the 33 louvers in the hood are curved slightly while the 34 louvers are straight. There is a difference in headlight diameter, I think the 33s are larger diameter. I hope this helps! Tom
Uncle Bob
Well-known member
Additional commentary on the grille. The outer rim on the '33 is thinner, some would say more graceful, and the bottom of the grille curves forward in side view. Also the vertical bars are thinner looking.
On the doors there is a stamped portion on the rear vertical end of the window opening (roughly an inch in width at it's center) on the '34 (to accommodate the glass movement for the venting feature).
The gauge cluster on the dash is a debossed stamping on the '34, on the '33 it's an insert with a stainless trim ring.
There's more but I'll leave something for others to point out.
On the doors there is a stamped portion on the rear vertical end of the window opening (roughly an inch in width at it's center) on the '34 (to accommodate the glass movement for the venting feature).
The gauge cluster on the dash is a debossed stamping on the '34, on the '33 it's an insert with a stainless trim ring.
There's more but I'll leave something for others to point out.
'34 coupe and sedan doors have an extra sheet metal fold at the rear of the window opening. The '34 windows will crank back a bit (maybe 3/4 inch?) for ventilation before they lower. The extra flap is to seal the window opening when the window is fully raised. Doors will interchange from year to year, so then one needs to look at other details mentioned before.
'33 dash also has engine turned gauge panel that is removable, while a '34 gauge panel is integral with the dashboard. Firewall has differences for hood latching on '34 and '34 also has a notch to hold the hood when it is open. I'm not sure about the headlamp diameter, but the '33 is more pointed to the rear, '34 is a bit more rounded and the cowl lights have the same touches as well. '33 Frame at front cross member has fewer rivets to hold it in, the '34 was beefed up in that area. Plenty more other detail differences I have not mentioned, Ford styling/engineering was in much transition in that era.
'33 dash also has engine turned gauge panel that is removable, while a '34 gauge panel is integral with the dashboard. Firewall has differences for hood latching on '34 and '34 also has a notch to hold the hood when it is open. I'm not sure about the headlamp diameter, but the '33 is more pointed to the rear, '34 is a bit more rounded and the cowl lights have the same touches as well. '33 Frame at front cross member has fewer rivets to hold it in, the '34 was beefed up in that area. Plenty more other detail differences I have not mentioned, Ford styling/engineering was in much transition in that era.
Wow, the '33 Victoria pictured is a very early production example. When first designed the '33 front and rear fenders were not skirted on the sides as shown above. For some reason most of the early skirtless '33's seem to have been assembled in the NW area of the country. Kinda like they never got the memo or something.
millersgarage
Senior Member
The hood vents are curved on a 33, and straight on a 34. If the hood is off, then you need to go by the grille.
the 33 is more petite looking, due to the thinner edge, and has a curve top to bottom that would match the hood sides.
the 34 is heavier looking, and the bars are straight top to bottom.
the 33 is more petite looking, due to the thinner edge, and has a curve top to bottom that would match the hood sides.
the 34 is heavier looking, and the bars are straight top to bottom.
Are you referring to the length of the h/l bucket? A believe the headlamp door, lens, and reflector is interchangeable between years.
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Robert/Texas
Well-known member
The cowl vent on the '34 (at least the later ones) has a screen. The earlier ones do not. The bumpers on both years look alike but the spacing between the bolt holes is different.
Kirk Hanning
Junior Member
On a 33' the wheel wells are smooth while the 34' has crows feet embossed in them, although I have heard there are slight year/model variations.
A clarification...the claw feet pattern in the wheel well for 33 versus 34....I know this is not true for roadster which are ALL flat.
Also on the rear floor panel with the hole for the differential there is a set of ribs front to back. On 33 they are more like half round with a couple of V bars attached underneath the floor. In 34 the ribs where made into a much deeper V and thus the need for the V bars was removed and thus not installed.
Also, the strut to support the panel between the rear panels forward of the truck/rumble lid is attached to the floor on 34 roadster and welded to the side of the wheel weld on the 33 .... thus the 33 is a shorter strut...ONLY for the roadster
Also on the rear floor panel with the hole for the differential there is a set of ribs front to back. On 33 they are more like half round with a couple of V bars attached underneath the floor. In 34 the ribs where made into a much deeper V and thus the need for the V bars was removed and thus not installed.
Also, the strut to support the panel between the rear panels forward of the truck/rumble lid is attached to the floor on 34 roadster and welded to the side of the wheel weld on the 33 .... thus the 33 is a shorter strut...ONLY for the roadster