1934 Ford Model A

1934 Ford Model 40 3 Window Coupe Edsel Ford commissioned several special automobiles from Ford Motor Company for his personal use. Each one spoke to his talents and tastes. Mr. Ford collaborated with designer Bob Gregorie to create this speedster based on the company's Model 40. Its sleek profile, custom aluminum body, and flathead V8 engine anticipated the hot rods that soon appeared on southern California streets. The car was produced in September, 1934. Thehenryford.org  For consignment, a 1934 Model 40 three window coupe showing 5,826 miles, but the true miles are unknown. This one wears the color of perhaps the most famous Ford hot rod, the '32 deuce coupe from American Graffiti. This one may have a few less windows, but retains all the coolness, and perhaps a bit more, than the movie star version.  Exterior Uniformly covered in yellow paint, the coating is interrupted only by the teardrop tail lights and the gas cap. The door handles are shaved leaving the free flowing body line on the shoulder obvious and complementary of the car's lines. If you want a raked body without suspension mods, use 14-inch in front and 20-inch in rear and the tilt will be accomplished, here made possible with polished American Racing Torque Thrust beauties at each corner. Air comes in through the finely straked grille, and leaves through the rear slanted louvers, ever increasing in size as they flow towards the cowl. Low headlights and exhaust tips in front of each rear wheel complete the cool factor for this car. Imperfections are limited to some bubbles in the paint, some uneven paint in a seam and wheel opening, and spider cracks on the engine cover.  Interior In your face! Where we typically find black or brown, here we find bright red, beginning on the door panels which are smooth and have electric window switches at their base, and ending up on the bench seat and the surrounding rear walls. A clean presentation up front begins with the two tone steering wheel  and yellow dash which houses a mirror polished face plate in which dolphin gauges reside. There's an AM/FM radio controller mounted on the column, a Vintage air panel in the center, and a polished glove box door to the right. Red carpet coats the floor with red and black rubber mats and the headliner is button backed shiny red vinyl making for a bright, cozy cabin. The trunk is finished in red as well with carpet and vinyl panels, and a battery box that blends right in! All parts are clean and show worthy on the interior.  Drivetrain Under the hood we have a clean but less showy 307ci V8 with a Holley 4-barrel carburetor, all mated to a 4-speed automatic that routes power to the Ford 8 rear. Headers are on board to start the exhaust process. The car runs on a 12 volt system.  Undercarriage The frame and rear axle are painted yellow to match and there are some polished components here as well. Paint is chipped in places but there's no rust and no errant fluids or drips anywhere. Disc brakes occupy the front and rear. Dual exhaust flows directly to mufflers that lead to side exit exhaust pipes. Suspension includes a 4 bar with a transverse leaf spring up front and ladderbars with coilovers in back.   Drive-Ability Red and yellow are two excitable colors and we're excited to take this one around the test loop. There's good power underfoot and decent straight away speed. Handling is good with this raked rod and along the way, we notice exhaust leaks to our ear. The volt gauge is pegged to one side and the horn is not working, but all other items within the car operate as they should. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.  One can only dream about Suzanne Somers pulling up next to us with some ambient lighting inside her classic Thunderbird. And it's not hard to imagine you're part of the American culture o