Vehicle Description
1934 Ford 40 Coupe
Dirt track racing started in the United States before World War I
and became widespread during the 1920s and 1930s using both
automobiles and motorcycles. Two different types of race cars
dominate - open wheel racers in the Northeast and West and stock
cars in the Midwest and South.
Take me back to Anytown, USA and the dirt track fairgrounds,
cheering in the stands for my favorite car and driver, wearing my
printed T shirt with a graphic of said favorite car printed on it.
Also, a novelty seldom seen but often worn in those days was a
brimless felt hat, airbrushed with said favorite driver name or car
painting emblazoned on it. Those "beanies" were a product in
cooperation with several airbrush artists who carved a niche
souvenir which everyone had to have at the time! But I digress to
our consignment, the iconic and timeless body of a 1934 Ford Model
40 coupe as an open wheel dirt track racer. Old school stock car
dirt track racing at its best.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Exterior
Sadly, this particular build did not see any actual dirt track time
according to our diligent research, it definitely has the look
though with a cutoff 34 Ford shell, and a custom fabricated hood
with open cowl engine bay. A football helmet front guard for the
steel frame, complete with open suspension and factory Ford
steering, which was used heavily to saw at the wheel while sliding
through those slippery turns, trying to gain any advantage on the
driver beside you, outside or inside. It truly was like a dance,
and when the final race came around there were at least 25 to 30
cars dancing on this dirt all synchronized and making lots of
noise! Bringing up the sides are black steel tubular "rub rails"
for when the competition gets a little dicey and in the rear is
more factory Ford steel in the form of a sloping trunk lid that
leads down to a red steel push bar/bumper. Big Hoosier dirt track
racing tires with deep dish white steel wheels and red hubs are on
all 4 corners. Yellow is the main color with some red accenting,
and Winona Auto Sales and Jerry's Auto Sales sponsorship painted
badges. Differing from the norm are non staggered tires, so take
those turns with caution...
Interior
Semi-modified for racing, a pair of late model gray broadcloth
bucket seats sit behind a large steering wheel. This is surrounded
by a white steel roll cage, and a factory black steel dash with
just the essential gauges in the dash front. Black steel makes up
the flooring and while the passenger's door has a smooth black door
panel, the driver's door is simple Ford steel. A gridded wire mesh
is up front to offer a view of the track ahead, but protecting you
from any shrapnel which was sure to come your way during racing
with numerous drivers blowing the "chrome horn"
Drivetrain
A naturally aspirated 221ci V8 sits in the open sided engine bay.
Also, a single 2-barrel carburetor is feeding this mill just the
right mixture of fuel and air. The transmission is a Ford 3-speed
manual unit and the factory style 4.11 axle is on the back.
Undercarriage
Built for the dirt but unchanged from the factory with transverse
leaf spring suspension seen on both the front and rear. "Juice"
drum brakes help you avoid wrecks on the oval when there is a
pileup...otherwise its full go all around the track. Providing the
backbone for this undercarriage is a factory Ford steel frame and
flooring, both in good condition but with a sprinkling of surface
rust. We note a removed section of the trunk flooring, allowing us
to see the red fuel cell mounted within.
Drive-Ability
With an empty fuel cell and no battery, and in need of being "push
started" a test drive could not be had.
Imagine 30 of these rolling around turn 4 all bunched up and
waiting to release their energy on the dirt when that green flag
waves. It's a sound that shakes you to your core and creates a
cloud of dust that will have you covering your french fries and
slice of pizza. It is unknown if this one has never seen track
time, but is the perfect look before the dirt cars became
ubiquitous wedges and the personality was gone. But it's alive and
well in the spirit of this with all the track fixins.
NO TITLE-SOLD ON A BILL OF SALE ONLY
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our
showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just
1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The
website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888)
227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come
see the vehicle in person.
