New Car- New Member- LOTS of questions!

[soonersace]

First of all let me say wow- what a wealth of info on here. Ive been a longtime lurker and this is my first post.

Ive had a 69 Galaxie for 30 years a 55 Tbird for 7 years and now I just bought my first flathead: a 1934 Cabriolet.

Let me start by saying WHY I wanted a 34 Cabriolet. I'd been admiring early flatheads for a few years and was cleaning up some stuff with my mom when I came across this photo.

This is my grandma (who I was really close to) on her honeymoon to my gramps. All it says on the back is New Mexico. I guess Gramps bought the 34 right before they got married in Iowa. They then drove the car to California, then a 2 week boat ride to Hawaii. After a month in Hawaii they came back via the boat and took the car to Oklahoma where they settled. My Gramps died before I was born but my gram died in 2003. I had heard about the trip but never knew what car until I came across the photo. I also have some 8mm film of Waikiki beach in 1934... no hotels... LOL.



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ANYWAY- a few years ago I got a thought it would be fun to own a 34 Cabriolet. I have looked at a few but always passed. I spoke to Cliff Heiling at the 2018 Ford show in Minneapolis and he encouraged me to go forth and find one. Super nice guy. So.. earlier this spring one came up and the next thing I know I own it!

In all honesty Im not sure If I got a lemon or a steal- I have the title from the guy who bought it in 1971. He restored it... some is pretty good- some is not as great as I thought. The "Professional" woodgrain... is paintbrushed woodgrain. To a dumb axe like me it looked pretty good until I learned it needs to be redone. The original owner sold it to a "Car Dealer" who seemed to be more of a car collector who died. Im sure some of you saw this car for sale.
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I had not driven the car until yesterday. (its been too cold- I live in the tundra) My storage place is 20 miles away. I had driven it around the block twice. I filled up the radiator with distilled water and headed home. The wife followed me home expecting the worst and it surprised us both and ran like a top. When I got home there was a little leak from one of the hoses. I suspect I will replace them. I spoke to little dearborn and it sounds like I should just head to NAPA for the hoses-

I did order Diamond backs (I have them on my Tbird) Im having those installed this week. The tires are 2001. I dont think the car has been driven too much the last 10 years or so. I will change that. I drive my cars all summer long.

Im going to post some photos- PLEASE let me know your thoughts.. Good AND BAD. It looks like I have one leak- I hope its from a nut and not from a sparkplug.
there seems to be Some spillage under the carb- but It seems dry and not fresh.
engine wide.jpgcarb.jpgengineleak1.jpgfrontleakwide.jpghosecu.jpgleftnutrust.jpg
The oil leaks a bit- as I suspected- I dont think its anything crazy.

I was headed to Atlanta a couple of weeks ago and stopped by Third Gen Parts... wow what a great family. Michael sold me a great air cleaner which I have cleaned and oiled up.

Id love a suggestion for getting the dashboard redone- I was told Honest Charley was a good vendor- but they seem to be closed. I went by they seemed pretty quiet. Emailed them and got no response.
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Also- Is the rearview mirror correct?
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I did get on the list for a greyhound from Mr Digger.

I know I need a part for the wheel lock- Im not sure what it is called.
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The radio is an aftermarket- it has a newer radio in the box
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Im humbly in awe of the knowledge on this board and I look forward to learning more.



Thank you and Im sure Ill post more- I reached the photo limit!!

[19Fordy]

Welcome! What a great story. Enjoy the rest of your ride.

[TJ]

Nice car. Actually the woodgrain does not look bad to me, but I realize it is a photo and they can hide a lot of sins. Welcome and you might consider Joining the Early Ford V-8 Club to get a subscription to the V-8 Times magazine. In addition the Club has a a great book on the 33-34 Fords that would be a great addition to your learning about your new purchase. www.earlyfordv8.org.

[Zeke3]

Welcome, that is a very nice looking car and it sounds like you have may quite a lot of progress on it already. There are some old discussions on here about the woodgrain on the 33 and 34 model cars not too long ago. You might try a search for woodgrain and see what you can find.

[soonersace]

I bought the book and joined the club before the car was delivered...lol!


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[turnpikecrusier]

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Welcome, the 33-34 cabriolet is on my list of must haves. Enjoy your car a listen to the great advise here.

[mercman from oz]

Welcome to Ford Barn. Love your 1934 Ford Cabriolet, however all the pictures that you posted are small? I realise that when you add pictures, they are small, but usually when you click onto them, they come up large, but not in this case?
The above picture is as large as it comes? I would love to see these pictures in larger form, as you can pick up the detail better. Please give it a try. The 1934 Fords are close to my heart, as I own two of them. Regards Mercman <><

[soonersace]

I think this should be way better

[soonersace]

Some more

[mercman from oz]

Yes, this second lot of pictures are much better and can be enlarged. It looks like your 34 Ford is an early production model, as it seems that the panel where the Instruments are fitted in the Dash is a separate panel, and not part of the Dash, as on later 1934 Fords.

[soonersace]

In the list of repairs I got from the original owners.


It said...



the engine was replaced


Steering wheel replaced


alternator added


Hydraulic brakes added


1936 Transmission



Lebaron Bonny interior (showing a little age-which is totally fine)


rechromed and replaced wood in top- top is a little crunchy but fine.



New hood-



Painted black- There is an old photo of the car in tan with black fenders-



and a professionally restored dashboard... so Im a little skeptical.. LOL



IM guessing most of the work was done in the 90s.



Great driving it! Love it so far- enjoyed a ride around the lake tonight.

[mfagan]

Looks very nice. 34’s are my favorite!

[cas3]

very nice ! are you near little dearborn? long lake

[soonersace]

Originally Posted by cas3

very nice ! are you near little dearborn? long lake

South Minneapolis! Close enough.


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[petehoovie]

Beautiful Cabriolet !

[UKMercury]

That is a stunning car, I hope you have many happy times with it.

[Terry,OH]

Often coolant can slowly seep from head studs. Unless the head is cracked near the spark plugs any apparent leaks there are usually from one of the studs above the plug Sometimes the leaks will stop on their own or you can add some stop leak to the radiator. Do make sure the plugs are snug and not leaking exhaust gases. Very nice appearing car! What are your plans for the car? Keep it as a driver is very nice. The interior rear view mirror looks like a reproduction. The rear view mirrors on the side of the car with the long curved arms are not correct. You may want to get the V8 Club 33-34 restoration book. I do like Honest Charlie wood graining. I have never seen a 36 electric gas gauge added to the dash like yours. The original hydrostatic gauge was most likely removed because the gas tank was replaced. Enjoy!

[Shoovel]

Beautiful car. Enjoy. I to am new to the Ford Flathead. I am waiting on the delivery of a 39 Ford Standard 2 Door Coupe. I know I’ll have lots of questions to.

[jimTN]

Great looking car that appears to have been built to drive. The alt. is a good addition for night driving. Other items I notice were the correct heart shaped chrome wiper, thermostats, correct heads, 34 radio and lots of other original 34 stuff. I must have missed the gas gauge deal cause it sure looked like a gauge with fluid in it that 36 cars did not have. As for your dash, it does look good and removing it and all the pieces related could be a opportunity for messing something up, that is unless you plan on showing it for points.

[soonersace]

Interesting point Jim

I’m certainly not a show guy. It’s gonna be a driver. I really want to eventually drive it to LA and back. (After I’m sure it will run on an extended trip!)


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