By 1934, Ford’s Model 40 was selling quite well. Ford was still resting on the laurels of the 1933 model and the new-for-1932 flat-head V-8 engine, which was an engine that had enormous public praise and interest for its reliability and its capacity for performance modifications. Even notorious bank robber John Dillinger wrote Henry Ford to give his praise for the engine, who no doubt enjoyed its performance.

Cosmetic changes were minor, and the 1934 Ford retained many physical features of the 1933. Of the body styles offered that year, perhaps the best looking was the DeLuxe three-window coupe, with its flowing lines and short two-person cabin, the car retained the same spirit of the then all-new 1932 model. The DeLuxe models were easily distinguishable from the standard models, as they had two taillights, pinstriping, cowl lights, and twin horns.

The 1934 Ford Three-Window Coupe offered today is equipped with a 1936 “LB” stamped V-8 with dual carburetors. The engine is often considered to be more reliable, serviceable, and less expensive to maintain because of the replacement of the poured main bearings with replaceable shell main bearings and connecting rod inserts. Additionally, this specific engine features an upgraded center intake and aluminum heads by noted hot rod specialist Eddie Meyer. The engine is mated to a 1939 three-speed transmission that has been modified with Lincoln gears. The car also features a Colombia two-speed rear axle, allowing the car to cruise more comfortably at higher speeds. Additionally, the car has been converted to run on a 12-volt battery.

The color combination is menacing, yet elegant, as the body is black with red pinstriping, and the wheels are wrapped in whitewall tires. As such, this is a car that certainly begs to be enjoyed and shown. The interior was restored to original specifications, and the dashboard and window moldings are beautifully finished in wood veneer. This Three-Window Coupe is equipped with a plethora of period features, including 17-inch wheels, a roll-down rear window, mechanical brakes, a rumble seat, and dual gauges that display both fuel gauges and amps, as well as oil pressure and temperature readings. Additional accessories include dual exhausts, bumper guards, dual windshield wipers, and a chrome greyhound hood ornament.

With only 26,000 three-window V-8 coupes built in 1934, this model sold at about a third of the volume of the five-window coupe. This is an excellent example of a beautifully restored, lightly modified survivor. Outfitted to look much as it would have in the period, it provides the experience of driving a genuine 1934 Ford, but one with minor performance modifications made so that it is more pleasant to drive over time.