Featured here is a great looking 1934 Ford Model 40 Roadster.
Ford’s New V-8 Powered Automobiles of the Early Thirties
In 1932 Ford introduced their new range of full-size V-8 powered cars. For 1932, this new V-8 powered automobile was known as the Model 18, and then as the Model 40 from 1933 until 1934. Ford’s first V-8 produced 65 HP.
Ford’s Model B which replaced the Model A was dropped after the 1934 model year. Ford’s Model 40 was produced for the 1933 and 1934 model years and was replaced in 1935 with the Ford Model 48.
Popular Automobile For Collecting and Restoration
The 1934 Ford is popular among vintage car collectors and people who have an interest in restoring older cars. Fords of 1932–1934 are also very popular with hot rodders and chances are you’ve seen some of these chopped and lowered 1934 Ford hot rods at local car shows.
This was the time when the Ford Motor Company began producing several different models during a single year. For the 1934 model year Ford offered ten different types of Fords from which to choose. With that being said, Ford used only one chassis, one engine and one drivetrain for all its automobiles. In regards to trucks, the Ford Pickup frames were the same except for different locations for body mounting holes.
The 1934 Ford Roadster with the Ford Flat Head V8 is one of the most sought after early Fords with classic styling and the rear rumble seat. Another reason the Ford’s from 1932 through 1934 were popular with buyers at the time was the automobile’s excellent V-8 performance and relatively low price.
As a side note, the 1934 Ford V-8 is known as being the Bonnie and Clyde “death car”. Both were killed in their stolen 1934 Ford in a May 1934 ambush by law enforcement officers in Louisiana.
1934 Ford Styling
The 1934 Ford Roadster with the Ford Flat Head V-8 is one of the most sought after early Fords with it’s classic styling and the rear rumble seat.
The Ford Model 40 did not have a substantial styling change as the previous models in 32 and 33 had seen. Looking for differences in the 1934 model you’d notice a flatter grille with a wider surrounding edge and with fewer bars. You would also notice straight hood louvers, two handles on each side of the hood and the bare metal dash insert was replaced with painted steel.
1934 Ford Roadster Model 40 Specifications
As mentioned above, the 1934 Ford Model 40 was offered with a Ford Flat Head V-8 engine. This was a 221 cubic inch V-8 delivering 85 HP which was an increase from the previous mode year. The horsepower increase was achieved with a Stromberg two-barrel carburetor. If buyers were looking for a smaller engine the four cylinder Ford Model B was still available.
Top speed for Ford’s 1934 V-8 was said to be 65 MPH.
The V-8 actually had been around long before Ford decided to put them on mass produced automobiles beginning in 1932. The first V-8 Ford’s came out as the Model 18.
Transmission is a three speed manual.
Brakes are four wheel mechanical drum.
Suspension is solid front and ¾-floating rear axle with transverse leaf springs.
Dimensions include a 112.0 inch wheelbase, 182.9 inch overall length, 68.0 inch height.
New car price for the 1934 Ford Roadster was about $550.
Total 1934 Ford production were 563,900 vehicles. This was an increase of over 200,000 vehicles from the previous year. 1934 Ford Roadster production was estimated to be 5,100 vehicles. These were years during the Great Depression and this significant increase in sales helped Ford greatly.
Related Auto Museum Online articles are found on the links below..
Reference material for this article includes..The Ford Century : Ford Motor Company and the Innovations that Shaped the World by Russ Banham…Old School Hot Rods by Alan Mayes…Street Rodder: History of 33-34 Ford Model 40 by Noel Wambolt.
The 1934 Ford Model 40 Roadster Collector Car
The 1932 through 1934 Ford V-8’s remain very popular with collectors. You’ll likely see these Fords in both fully restored stock examples as well as in modified and chopped hot rod forms. Street rod builders have been very creative with these Ford models.
The 1932-34 Ford’s represented the company’s venture into V-8 power with their new 221 Cubic Inch Flat Head engine. These mass produced V-8 Ford’s are truly milestone automobiles. The attractive styling and V-8 performance of the 1933 and 1934 Fords make them very popular to this day.
Auction results for the 1934 Ford Model 40 Roadster in excellent restored condition have been in a range of from about $70,000 to $100,000. The originality, degree and age of restoration effect selling prices.
(Article and photos copyright Auto Museum Online)