Ron Pilger
Senior Member
Since the 1970's, I have found 1934 Fords to be stunningly beautiful. I began the full restoration of my Cabriolet about thirty years ago. It took me five years to complete.
In this time period came three kids and during this same period of time a chance to buy a decent bare 3W body - my second most favorite body style. With a busy household, and other cars and projects always the priority, this body was simply stored.
A few years ago, I had the chance to buy a true world-class restored 1934 3W Coupe. The build was undertaken by an early V8 Ford genius and craftsman over a whopping twenty-seven year period. The car is truly exceptional.
I have never been fully at ease taking quality cars to events. I seem to attract big belt buckles, swinging purses, baby strollers and occassionaly unsupervised kids with cotton candy fingers who think running boards are the entry point to the 1934 bouncy castle.
A few years ago, after accumulating a garage full of parts for the unrestored Coupe body, I began roughly bolting it together with the intent of selling. Then it hit me. I changed my mind and began a complete chassis restoration: frame, suspension, brakes, clutch, transmission. I pulled a rebuilt flathead out of personal storage and installed it, too, along with new water pumps, coil, engine and chassis, wiring, etc.
The body was treated to only to a my heavy-duty power polishing, and new safety glass. I bought a seat and rumble seats from a car that was being retrofitted for alternative purpose.
Today, these cars can both go to the same events. One will be generally off-limits. The other a true show, tell and hand-on experience for any or all.
Both vehicles perform liek true champions and are a ton of fun.
In this time period came three kids and during this same period of time a chance to buy a decent bare 3W body - my second most favorite body style. With a busy household, and other cars and projects always the priority, this body was simply stored.
A few years ago, I had the chance to buy a true world-class restored 1934 3W Coupe. The build was undertaken by an early V8 Ford genius and craftsman over a whopping twenty-seven year period. The car is truly exceptional.
I have never been fully at ease taking quality cars to events. I seem to attract big belt buckles, swinging purses, baby strollers and occassionaly unsupervised kids with cotton candy fingers who think running boards are the entry point to the 1934 bouncy castle.
A few years ago, after accumulating a garage full of parts for the unrestored Coupe body, I began roughly bolting it together with the intent of selling. Then it hit me. I changed my mind and began a complete chassis restoration: frame, suspension, brakes, clutch, transmission. I pulled a rebuilt flathead out of personal storage and installed it, too, along with new water pumps, coil, engine and chassis, wiring, etc.
The body was treated to only to a my heavy-duty power polishing, and new safety glass. I bought a seat and rumble seats from a car that was being retrofitted for alternative purpose.
Today, these cars can both go to the same events. One will be generally off-limits. The other a true show, tell and hand-on experience for any or all.
Both vehicles perform liek true champions and are a ton of fun.
