Name another car with the enduring appeal of the 1934 Ford. Nobody made a bad-looking car in 1934, but Ford’s iconic design has transcended the decades to the point where there are more than 20 companies cranking out various replicas of the design. Sure, you can buy one of those and spend a few years building it, but when you’re done some guy is still going to ask you if it’s steel or ‘glass. Instead, take a good, long look at this beautiful 1934 Ford 5-window coupe, which is 100% Henry Ford steel and is built pretty much the way you’d do it yourself anyway: great-running 302 Ford V8 (yes, a Ford in a Ford!), cold A/C, comfortable interior, and a traditional look that will always be in style. If you want one that looks right, drives right, and IS right, then this all-steel coupe will not disappoint.

Starting with an original steel car is probably a lot more work than getting a fresh fiberglass body in a kit, but the results are worth it. They do feel different, from the moment you slam the door to the way it drives down the road. Built about eight years ago, this cool coupe uses a few of the standard custom tricks to create a gorgeous car that looks unique without needing to shout about it. You’ll note the hood ornament, cowl lights, door handles, and spare tire have all been shaved, and the iconic heart-shaped grille was filled and painted to match the bodywork, although that little strip of stainless trim really makes it work. On the other hand, you still have big, beautiful polished headlights instead of the goofy little King Bees, functional running boards, and those gorgeous bumpers that are dipped to show off the car’s most attractive features. The hood is a 3-piece steel Rootlieb unit that opens from the driver’s side and has a neat sliding latch, and 1950 Pontiac taillights were neatly recessed into the rear fenders. In between there’s high-quality bodywork and laser-straight sheetmetal that shows very well. It has been driven about 15,000 miles since it was finished, but they were obviously careful miles because there are very, very few signs of use. The fenders aren’t nicked, the nose hasn’t been bashed on a steep driveway, and the paint still has a great shine. This is a car that still looks contemporary and probably always will.

The interior was reupholstered more recently to create something more upscale than what was there originally. Bucket seats from a late-model wear custom-stitched taupe and burgundy leather that works beautifully with the Mercedes-Benz carpets and custom door panels—it has an artistic touch that many rods lack. There’s plenty of room even for taller drivers and with a tilt wheel it’s easy to get comfortable in one of those buckets for a long cruise. Billet panels replicate the original dashboard inserts, with the driver getting a full complement of Auto Meter dials that all work correctly (although we’re not sure on the fuel gauge’s accuracy). There’s a custom panel underneath for the A/C vents and a tachometer, and a consolette in the headliner houses a Pioneer AM/FM/CD stereo head unit. Power windows, Vintage Air A/C, a crank-out windshield, and roll-down rear window ensure that it’s always easy to stay comfortable inside and there’s a great deal of insulation underneath to keep it comfortable and quiet on the road. This car also has a rumble seat, which is probably best for kids with the battery stashed on the floor in its own enclosure. This is a very well-trimmed car.

Thankfully, this Ford carries Blue Oval power in the form of a Ford Motorsports 302 cubic inch crate motor that was rated at 295 horsepower. It isn’t radical and remains eminently drivable, offering an easy 750 RPM idle and plenty of torque at any speed, so the little Ford feels quite quick and pulls hard in all three gears. A Holley carburetor on top, chrome accessories, and that tall conical air filter make it look interesting under the hood without making it difficult to service—reliability matters in a rod you’re going to drive. A giant radiator with electric fan keeps it cool without much effort and the car seems to run at 180-190 even in traffic. Turn the key and it fires quickly and after a few seconds on the choke, the idle smooths out and you’re ready to rock. Parts are easy to find and service is a snap since the hood’s side panels are removable.

The original Ford chassis was modified and reinforced for duty in the hot rod coupe, but it doesn’t break any new ground. There’s a dropped I-beam axle up front with power disc brakes and a Vega steering box, the X-member was removed and the center of the frame was reinforced, and a 9-inch Ford rear end hangs on leaf springs. A C4 3-speed automatic transmission is unobtrusive on the road and with 3.25 gears out back, it’s a comfortable highway cruiser at 70 MPH with the A/C blasting. There’s also a mellow-sounding dual exhaust system with glasspack-style mufflers and chrome tips that look great peeking out from under the rear valence. It tracks straight, rides reasonably well for a hot rod, and just works like a car should work, no excuses needed. Those beautiful Wheel Vintiques wire wheels are brand new and were custom painted to match the interior, then fitted with a set of staggered 195/60/15 front and 235/70/15 rear whitewall radials from Diamondback Classic.

This is an extremely well built steel rod with many recent updates that’s ready to enjoy right away. Admit it, this is the car you were going to build anyway—why wait? Get in and start having fun in a car that needs no excuses when one of the guys comes up and asks what it’s made of. Call today!

Harwood Motors welcomes and encourages personal or professional inspections of any vehicle prior to purchase.