Elite Dealer

1934 Ford Model 40

Michigan

$70,495

Vehicle Details

Make

Ford

Model

Model 40

Year

1934

Mileage

100,000 miles

Body Type

Coupe

Transmission

Automatic

Drivetrain

RWD

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

289 V8

Condition

Good

Description

This 1934 Ford street rod delivers authentic hot rod appeal with a modern mechanical foundation. Under the hood sits a 289 cubic inch automatic transmission, providing reliable power and smooth highway manners that make this classic genuinely enjoyable to drive. The car runs and drives exceptionally well, with the condition throughout matching its polished appearance.

The build quality speaks for itself—this is a street rod that's as nice to experience behind the wheel as it is to admire from the outside. Whether you're seeking a driver-quality classic with proven performance credentials or a weekend cruiser ready for immediate enjoyment, this 1934 Ford represents a well-executed blend of vintage character and practical usability.

Ford Model 40 Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Jim Vasquez

Hot Rods

1933–1934

~4 min read

Updated Apr 2026

The 1933–34 Ford Model 40 is the first generation of Ford's V8-powered full body line after the transitional 1932 Model 18 Deuce — refined proportions, improved flathead reliability, and the same foundational hot rod DNA that makes every prewar Ford V8 a legitimate classic.

This guide covers

✓ 8-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 4 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full Model 40 Buyer's Guide

Ford Model 40 Market Overview

Based on 20 Ford Model 40 listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$58,733

Avg. Asking Price

1933–1934

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Average Range

This car: $70,495

Low: $8,995 High: $134,995

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 70% ◄

Manual 15%

Condition Distribution

Excellent 10%

Good 10% ◄

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 20 listings →

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What is this car worth?

Check sold prices for the 1934 Ford Model 40

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Ford Model 40 Buyer's Guide

Jim Vasquez here. People always talk about the Deuce — the 1932 Ford Model 18. And it deserves everything said about it. But the 1933 and 1934 Fords are where the flathead V8 program actually matured. The 1932 was an engineering debut that had its rough edges. By 1933, Ford had two years of production data and the engine was significantly more reliable. The body was updated into a cleaner, more streamlined form. These are better cars than the Deuce in most practical ways, and they cost considerably less — which means more of them are available for people who want to actually build something rather than just own something.

The 1933–34 Ford culture is tight. Goodguys, GNRS, SEMA show circuit — these cars show up with serious builds and nobody looks twice at the non-Deuce status. They're legitimate hot rod material and they always have been.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Lower Door Rust — Probe lower door skins and sills — universal rust location on 90-year-old steel regardless of storage.

✓

Cowl and Firewall — Inspect cowl and firewall for rust — water accumulates in these areas over decades.

✓

Flathead Cooling System — Warm to operating temperature — overheating from blocked scale means serious engine work.

✓

Engine Casting Numbers — Verify casting date and numbers against 1933–34 production records for matching-engine premium.

✓

Mechanical Brake Function — Test all four brakes — mechanical brakes require balanced adjustment for safe stopping.

✓

Transmission Engagement — Test second and third gear synchronization — first is non-synchronized (correct condition).

✓

Body Panel Condition — Assess all steel body panels for rust, pitting, and prior repair — metal work is expensive on this vintage.

✓

Glass Completeness — Verify all glass is intact — period-correct 1933–34 glass profiles are difficult to source.

Common Issues

Lower door skin and sill rust — universal on unrestored examples regardless of climate. Cowl and firewall rust from age. Flathead V8 overheating from 90-year-old cooling system scale buildup. Engine casting cracks from prior overheating — visible with magnetic-particle testing. Mechanical brake adjustment drift — four-wheel mechanical brakes require regular adjustment for balanced stopping. Three-speed non-synchronized first gear requires double-clutching — not a defect but requires technique. Original glass sourcing for period-correct profiles is difficult. Body trim piece sourcing increasingly challenging.

What to Look For

The body condition is paramount — inspect for rust in the lower door skins, the sill areas, and the cowl. These are 90-year-old cars and rust is the primary structural concern regardless of where the car lived. On claimed original flathead V8 cars, verify the engine casting date and casting number against production records — the 1933–34 engine should have specific casting identifications. The three-speed transmission is non-synchronized on first gear (double-clutch required) but second and third should engage cleanly without grinding. The mechanical brake system (no hydraulics until 1939 Ford) requires proper adjustment and all four drums must function correctly — test carefully before any road driving. Original glass completeness matters for valuation on preserved cars.

Price Guide

1933 Model 40 tudor/fordor sedan: $12,000–$25,000. 1934 Model 40 tudor/fordor sedan: $13,000–$28,000. 1933–34 three-window coupe (original): $28,000–$55,000. 1933–34 roadster: $22,000–$45,000. Show-quality period-correct hot rod build: $45,000–$120,000+ depending on build quality and provenance. 1934 phaeton (rare): $25,000–$50,000.

Did You Know?

Ford produced the Model 40 (1933) and Model 40B/730 (1934) at a time when the Great Depression had reduced American car sales to their lowest levels since 1918. The flathead V8's relatively low price point — Ford insisted on keeping the V8 available in their mainstream cars rather than relegating it to expensive models — made it accessible to working-class buyers and created the supply of affordable V8-powered cars that the hot rod movement would later rely on. The 1934 Ford's distinctive V-shaped chrome grille is considered by many car designers to be one of the finest prewar American grille designs — clean, modern, and perfectly proportioned.

Elite Dealer

$70,495

1934 Ford Model 40

Michigan

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