VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1933-1936 '34 Coupe "Back on the Road Again"

After over a year and a half of my work plus all that my father-in-law did back in the eighties and early nineties, the '34 coupe took it's first drive today. I'm guessing that it had not been driven for 50 years or maybe more.

My impressions were as follows: very stiff ride, steering very hard, brakes take a lot of effort (but it does stop), brakes pull slightly to the right (will adjust), car prefers to go straight rather than turn, can monitor the engine noise quite easily, not a four speed like I'm used to, shifts rather nicely but I can feel the gears, horn tooted slightly when the steering wheel was turned left (what is the fix?).

I drove around the neighborhood for a short time and went back to get my wife for a ride. She was 2 years old when she last rode in the (same) car. We drove around the subdivision several loops up to 30 mph and were rewarded with a lot of attention - waves, smiles, etc.

My only regret is that my father-in-law and mother-in-law were not in our place. It was a family car in the early 40's before they were married and their car after they were married and then when my wife was a baby. I know it would have meant much more to them.

He has passed away but she will be coming with my wife and I and the car (towed) to Flint so she will have the opportunity to ride in it again while we are there with my wife following in our pickup.

Youngfalcon,

Congrats on getting you're Coupe on the road! Great feeling to be driving it, is it not?

As for the problems you're having, the brake issue could be as simple as needing to re-centralize the shoes. Or it could be improper linings. Once adjusted correctly, the brakes should operate without much effort. Not like modern 4 wheel disc power assisted, of course, but still, they should work without a great deal of pressure from your foot.

I had a similar issue with the steering. It wasn't too hard to turn, but the horn did beep occasionally when making a sharp turn. Ended up being the worm gear thrust bearings. They finally wore out in a catastrophic fashion, failing completely. Play in the steering wheel went from about 2 inches to about 2 full turns. With no thrust bearings, the worm gear would either screw itself in or out, depending on which way the wheel was turned, until it hit the steering box case. Then it would begin to turn the gear. When the wheel screwed itself in, the horn button was brought in contact with the ground connection, and the horn would sound - continuously. Very annoying.

Anyway, congrats again on getting 'er going.

Happy Motoring,

Dan

Way to go! Have fun with it.

Change the horn bushing to the one that Chip makes and also get a new button rubber. A few years ago Steve Kassis and some friends talked to Steele and had them correct the tooling to stop that problem with the horn.

Thanks for the replies. I think the brakes just need a bit of adjusting. I was also thinking maybe I could just grind off a bit of the two tips of the horn's "S wire". Since there is plenty of travel on the button I would think maybe a 1/16" off would solve the problem. Would that work? It barely makes any contact now unless touched.

I've never seen a "34" Standard Coupe. Can't wait to see your's in Flint!

Jonjet,

You probably have seen '34 coupes but more than likely they had been turned into street rods. I could have sold this car a long time ago for as much as it is worth now restored original. Thankfully there are a few of us who appreciate and enjoy original cars. I will look forward to meeting you. Are you bringing a car? If so, what is it?

I have my 34 Master 5 Window regestered but would love to park my 35 Standard next to yours just to compare them.

You will not find much diffeence between the 1934 Standard coupe body and the 1935 coupe.
The 1934 Standard coupe and 2 door used the 1935 body for the last three months of 1934 production. The way to ID the late 1934 coupe body is - the cowl vent opens from the front rather than from the year.
The late 2 door body has longer quarter windows and a more verticle rear end panel and the 4 door was introduced at that time and looks like the 2 door body as far as the rear section is concerned.
Mechanically the 1934 and 1935 is quite different and the 1934 does not have an X type frame.

Jon,

Let's plan on parking together. I am hoping that all cars of the same year will be able to do just that. From earlier posts with questions and replies I'm not sure that is the way parking will be set up. Anyone know more about how it will be organized? I'm sure some of us with the 33's, 34's, & 35's can figure out a way to get together.