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.
