The 1934 Brewster - Built On A Ford Chassis - Marketed By Rolls Royce

[trulyvintage]

Monday started off in Visalia, California
with my friend Jim who is helping his
long time Hot Rod buddy sell off his
collection of Ford & Chevy parts
along with a few cars ….

I was taking videos of what was to be sold.

I turned a corner in the last building …
and kinda fell in Love …. ❤️






Jim

[Brian]

Always reminds me of the movie 'Scream'

[mercman from oz]

1934 Brewster Ford

[trulyvintage]

So I startled doing research … 📖

Brewster & Company began operations in 1810.
They survived for nearly 130 years.

They had their own ostentatious line of
automobiles between 1915 - 1925.

Rolls Royce Limited chose them to
provide their car bodies starting in 1914
and Brewster & Company became the
principal supplier of the RRL car bodies for
automobiles sold in The United States.

With their own automobile line languishing
Brewster came to an agreement in 1925
to sell their company & debt to Rolls-Royce of America.

Then came The Great Depression …

Following The Great Depression
Of August 1929 To March Of 1933
there was a pushback from the public
against the wealthy and their large luxurious cars.

So - in 1934 - a plan was developed to
boost sales by introducing a car line
based on The Brewster Name and
built on the 1934 Ford V-8 Roadter Chassis …. 💡






Jim

[RalphG]

There was an article about a Brewster in California in Rod and Custom magazine back in the late sixties. I still have it.

[mercman from oz]

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1934 Brewster Ford on display at the Hemmings Museum, in Bennington, Vermont.

[trulyvintage]

So on Tuesday I spent 9 hours on-site
while we cleared the way for The Brewster
to see the light of day after a 20 year slumber.

Further research revealed it is a known car
that first was researched just about 20
years ago when the current owner traded
a couple of hot rods for it …. 👍





These cars sold for around $3500.
About 150 Ford Chassis orders were made.
But that number had been debated.

Around 50 Survivors remain …. 🤔


Jim

[alanwoodieman]

Edsel Ford had one for his use in NYC, the car is now at his estate in Michigan. Couple of different things about the Brewster, It is a 1934, but does not have the Brewster swoop nose grill, but a 1934 Ford grill. Second Edsel had the engine replaced in 1939 with a 1939 Mercury engine, there exist a letter from Edsel to the Ford dealership in NY instructing this change

[mercman from oz]

1934 Brewster Ford with a 1934 Ford Grille. Is this the car that alanwoodieman mentioned in the above post?

[trulyvintage]

Jim

[mercman from oz]

Here is a picture of a Brewster Ford with the 1935 Ford Grille, as mentioned by trulyvintage in the previous Post.

[RKS.PA]

Jim, great research and thanks for taking the time....which took you a while to dig into the background. Not sure if I like the original grill, or the one Edsel commissioned with the 1935 grill? Also wonder how the '34 grill would have looked in its place??

[tomcarman]

Originally Posted by RKS.PA

Jim, great research and thanks for taking the time....which took you a while to dig into the background. Not sure if I like the original grill, or the one Edsel commissioned with the 1935 grill? Also wonder how the '34 grill would have looked in its place??

Fascinating history. I was unaware of a Brewster. Regarding the grill I wonder if the designer(s) intentions were met. Much like the Edsel grille of the '50's other connotations have been imagined, not unlike the Dagmar bumper of Cadillac fame. Brings another level of imagination in post #2. Of the many things I appreciate about cars of the era is the design. Modern cars not so much. Just my opinion. That being said, in comparison I would take the original grille.

[tubman]

There was a guy in the fifties (Oliver Hines) who built a '33 coupe hot rod and used a Brewster grille.

EDIT : Found it.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Not a great fan, a bit ugly really and it is trying hard to be something it is not...those front fenders look a bit like Marilyn Monroe's dress blowing up over the subway grating...just my opinion. The hotrod Tubman posts is a better job.

GB

[19Fordy]

tubman, thanks for posting that hot rod with Brewster grille. Never saw it before.
It's really unique in a pleasing way. Wonder where it is today. Hope it survived.

[tubman]

I'm sure it's till around. I found the picture in a recent Hemming's article.

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/201...e-window-coupe.

[mercman from oz]

1933 Ford Coupe with Brewster Ford Grille - Built by Oliver Hines - photo from tubman

[mercman from oz]

Brewster Ford Grille on 1933 Ford Coupe Hot Rod.

[trulyvintage]

Having spent a full day with The Brewster
I came to appreciate the subtle nuances
that were restrained luxury appointments.

Keep in mind - this was an attempt at
a Luxury Car right after The Great Depression
when the general population loathed The Wealthy.

Check Out Who Owned Brewsters:





Regarding The Styling:





Jim

[richard crow]

i read some ware they were made in new york i think queens

[Stretch Cab]

Seems like I have seen a Brewster with "caning" work done to the back part of the body. Anyone have a picture?

[Kube]

For history's sake, it's neat that it had survived. Still, in any of its itineration's, it's just plain ugly.

[rockfla]

NO, Butt Ugly!!

[RalphG]

Full article on a 35 Brewster in the
August 1969 ROd and custom
Written by Michael Lamm. Road tested
It too. Claims some 300 were built.

[T Scott]

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I think the stock 33/34 Fords were some of the prettiest designs ever. However, I agree with rockfla. Saying the Brewster is "butt ugly" is being too kind. It reminds me of Lyle Lovett singing she's "ugly from the front".

[Brian]

Another thing that stands out to me with all the pictured Brewsters is the lack of venting from the side panels on the hood. We all know how tough it is to keep flatheads cool, how cool did the engines in these Brewsters run? Especially with that narrow grill?
serious question....can brewsterbuff or any other person with first hand knowledge respond?

[trulyvintage]

Look at the earlier post I made about the list
of famous car owners - these cars navigated
the streets of NYC and other metropolitan areas
without issues.

Those thinking this car is Ugly …
Well having spent more than a full day
with this car - I question your sense of
style ….


Jim

[frnkeore]

I like the Brewster grill. I think it's different, in a good way.

Another interesting grill, to install on it, might be a chromed '36 PU. I'm sure Edsel wouldn't have approve a truck grill on a luxury car.

My favorite grills are the 33/34 car and 35/36 truck.

[RalphG]

The Brewster in the Rod and Custom article was originally owned by Charlie Chaplin. At the time of the road test (1969) it was owned by one John Richie of San Francisco and that is where the road test was done. No mention of overheating or any other problems.

[38 coupe]

My reaction to the Brewster Fords is similar to most of the more modified from stock custom cars, the Ford styling is superior to the replacement.

[Frank Miller]

There were 3 or 4 of these at the western meet in 2017. I know a couple of people who have owned one. They're around and occasionally come out of the woodwork. You either love them or hate them. Seems to be no in between. They are an important part of the ford history in that a formidable coach builder chose a Ford chassis. Anything comparable ever done with a Chevy?

[T Scott]

Originally Posted by Frank Miller

There were 3 or 4 of these at the western meet in 2017. I know a couple of people who have owned one. They're around and occasionally come out of the woodwork. You either love them or hate them. Seems to be no in between. They are an important part of the ford history in that a formidable coach builder chose a Ford chassis. Anything comparable ever done with a Chevy?

I don't know about the Chevy but there were 36-38 Buick Brewsters, most with the stock Buick front clip.

[Graeme / New Zealand]

Originally Posted by trulyvintage

Look at the earlier post I made about the list
of famous car owners - these cars navigated
the streets of NYC and other metropolitan areas
without issues.

Those thinking this car is Ugly …
Well having spent more than a full day
with this car - I question your sense of
style ….


Jim

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Duesenberg's had "style" but not these things in my opinion, no matter which "well heeled" person owned one. The Germans did prettier coachwork on Ford chassis.

GB