I have not been a member long but I was looking for more of a custom. I know the '34 is more of a rat rod but I wouldn't mind doing some body work and painting. I currently have the '51 pickup for sale and a local guy offered to trade me his '34 so I will post some pictures below and stats about them and I was hoping to get your opinion on which is worth more or a better choice. Thanks! Much appreciated. 1934 Ford Pickup Some Stats: 1934 original cab aftermarket bed 331 caddy motor hydramatic tranny 1940 frame 1957 chev rearend 1959 caddy taillights original 1934 radiator shell remote door poppers 1990s minivan seat - recovered by jimmy f of california new door windows and mechanisms electric fan aftermarket blinkers and heater (heater still in box - not installed) keg gas tank all gauges and lights work and are functional titled and registered as 1934 ford pickup 1951 Chevy Pickup Some Stats: 1951 Chevy New Interior Rebuilt 216 (4k Miles) Oak Bed w/Stainless Runners Disc Conversion on front Electric Wipers Electric Ignition Aftermarket Radio (dash not cut) 12 volt New carpet Just hoping to get your opinions on which is the smarter choice.
Unless that guy is going to throw in some cash with the deal I'd say no way. That 51 is to me worth a lot more, but then now days the r!*%&d guys tend to spend an awful lot on those types of rigs. If you are wanting a custom, you'd be further ahead to customise the 51 or trade the 51 for a real custom and not the 34 truck you are being offered. Good luck.
Keep the 51.If I were you I'd hop up the inliner, maybe install a different trans behind it, and redo the upholestry with some a tuck-n-roll and accessories. (Trico Fan, Compass, nice orignal period correct stuff...etc). Not fuzzy dice or things like that. You can do alot to the motor externally to get the hotrod look you're probably craving and in my oppinion have a nicer vehicle. If you really like the 34 take it for a spin with you at the wheel. How does it stop? Is it comfortable to drive? What does the steering feel like? I konow you're going to do what you want but these are all things to really consider. BTW... nice truck.
Keep the 51 and build a 32-34. Do some reading and seaching on the HAMB. lots of nice trucks to draw some insperation from. O yea less all the rat rod b.s.
Brutally honest opinion... That '34 is stupid silly. If you're 17 years old it would appeal to you. Keg gas tank...hokey taillights...chicken shifter?...flat black/red wheels...door panels? How about cartoon truck? Your '51 shows you have good taste in vehicles...you really want to trade it for a cartoon truck?
The 51 is finished and the 34 needs alot of money to make it yours. You need to be receiving some cash with that trade.
You said you want a custom. Life is short...go for what you want. Don't get side-tracked with the '34 if that's not what you really want. Those Chevy pickups are desireable to a lot of people...sell it and get your custom, or something that can be built into a nice custom.
Looks like you guys like the 51 one. I didn't mean like custom but I meant more custom/hot rod where as my truck to me is more stock ish besides the brakes and wide whites. I like the truck but I have not driven it or anything. More opinions helpful!
why get a truck where the bed looks like its out of proportion. I hate cut down beds personally. I think the choice is a no brainer. Just because its old, doesnt mean its worth more. Value first!
What do you REALLY want? The '51 could be turned into a neat truck with a little work, but, in my opinion, the '34 needs lots of help, as others have noted...But custom, you say? A '34 pickup with fenders, chopped top, and shortened bed can look really cool. If you take the '34, I would recommend ditching the fake-looking headers (is that a Cad motor?), the keg, the rubber chicken, the cheesy taillights, and try to find some fenders and a real tailgate...it then combines custom work with hot rod performance...maybe wide whites and '50 Merc discs?
P.S. - You're not too very far from Ian Berky here on the H.A.M.B. He's in northern California. Contact him. Show him your truck, and see what he says. I'd bet that he could get you into a chopped full-custom car for maybe a little more than what you could sell your '51 for. Maybe sell your truck, buy a nice solid stock late '40s to early '50s Chevy, and have Ian chop it for you. A late '40s Chevy coupe chopped by Ian would be sweet! In fact, I've got a real solid disassembled one for sale here in the classifieds, but I'm a bit far from you. They're available though for reasonable prices. PM Ian. - Rick
After all this I think I am gonna keep my '51. My '51 I feel is too nice to play around with because its nice already. I want something thats more of a project. I think I am gonna stick with my 51 and try to sell it. Thanks for all the advice. I appreciate it.
No contest for me, the '51 is sweet, the '34 just doesn't do a thing for me. If I was doing that trade I'd want lots of cash too. But in the end it's your life, do what makes you happy.
Gotta agree with Larry.. I'll add my own opinion's as well. I do agree as they sit, the Chevy is the money truck to me. I had a 33 Ford truck, and have a 52 Chevy now. The 33 was fun but was not comfortable at all and i could not haul anything aside from myself..The 52 is the exact opposite.. I kinda miss the 33, but would not let my 52 go to get it back... EDIT: just read you are keeping the Chevy. Good choice. Tony
The '51 is killer. It isn't too nice to play around with, it is a heck of a starting point. You don't have to go crazt at first, start simple and go from there. You have a starting point that most of us would kill to have.
That 51 is sweet....couple of speed goodies and an altitude adjustment and thats all I'd change... heck it'd prob take me a long time to change that cause I'd be driving the shit outta it.
I do drive it whenever its sunny out I was just looking for something that was more of a project for me to mess with. This truck is just way to nice for me. Thanks for all the appreciation of my truck and the opinions.
Oh...I thought you meant like a CUSTOM. You meant a customized vehicle as opposed to your stock Chevy. Well...it wouldn't take a whole lot to customize your '51. A dropped axle in front, maybe some pinstriping on top of that nice red paint, a nice dual-carb intake and split exhaust for the 216...good luck, Nicholas!
Just by looking at the title I thought it was a stupid question. After looking at both trucks its a real toss up. If you really wanted a vintage rod project the 34 would be a good for rebuild. But I like your 51 and its good as is. And you said you wanted a custom. I would pass one this one till you find what you want.