Drastically Changing The Look Of 1934 Coupe "Beautiful" With Simple Upgrades

The 1934 Ford Coupe known as "Beautiful" is getting some upgrades. I know a few people are worried we are going to chop and channel it, but all the changes we are making can easily be fixed. Matt has had a set of 16" Kelsey Hayes bent spoke wheels in his stash for the right project, and "Beautiful" could use different wheel with a little rubber rake. The headlights at some point were converted to sealed beams, but they look horrible and need to be changed out. The few easy upgrades made a huge difference in the look and still allows the car to be returned to stock. Let us know what you think in the comments down below.
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[@BarnacleBilltheSailor]

The history of the car deserves to keep it as original as possible. Not many barn finds of this age and so few of them are complete, with a verifiable history. If I were collecting a car, it would be this exact car. Its breathtakingly Beautiful.

[@stevenkarnisky411]

I, too, would paint the headlights body color, and do some wheel detailing. Looking good, guys!

[@chrisclark4813]

Hi, Matt,Mike, Great Episode. Totally agree with the 'grandson' philosophy. Gentle period upgrades are what this car deserves. Sort the wheels and stance, dust over the paint, then..... like all kids, lets make it go faster. Keep up the great work, love from Reading UK.

[@donsorrells2552]

Personally I like it better than one that’s fully restored! Looks good

[@harryjensen9090]

A left handed! He is in his right mind. Great workmanship .from a fellow southpaw.

[@frankhartranft2133]

Great car. It's getting better and better. I can remember seeing such cars on the road. Back in the sixties they weren't so rare. I bought my first car, a 1929 Ford 2-door sedan in 1965 for $60.

[@lordleonusa]

Matt, you are an artist with that soft, low carbon steel. What a skill to have.

[@timwilson4967]

I'm loving this work, Matt. Here in the UK one would never find a US 30s Ford in this state of preservation (ie. period mods and make-do repairs). I like the headlight and bumper changes, and you resisting the temptation to 'bling' the wheels and body. l'm thrilled you're going to put a Columbia Sky-drive axle onto it (l have a non-functioning Columbia on my Allard Special). It would be great if you could do an entire session on how the Columbia RA works, what and where the operating mechanicals are, and what it does to the revs/ratios when it's engaged in each of its modes. Please go for it!

[@TheKimmer1969]

There is no doubt that it has become one of my favourite KZbin Channels. It a joy to watch, well done....

[@davepalmatier5190]

Looking Good Matt, My Pop had a 1935 in 1961 with the original paint he's standing by it in a leather Jacket with a Duck tail slicked back hair cut. He was a Cool Dude in a loose Mood!! :) I Grew up around beautiful old Fords Chevys and Drag Racing. I lost him 8 years ago and miss him everyday. I love to see you Guys Keeping alive these old Cars. I live in Linden Michigan and I'm a 3rd Generation Auto worker. Love cars and Trucks I have a 84 Chevy 4x4 4 speed from Montana. Short box she's tight and solid. Got my son a 79 4x4 4 speed from the same Guy. His is a 3/4 ton long box but sets high from factory and looks Cool steely white rims. We put a G.M. 4 bolt crate motor in his.

[@McGruff2008]

Thank you for the dent repair, it was killing me!

[@tractordave9300]

Just watching you take out the dents and was thinking, Matt and metal have a special bond!!! Lol between welding, stretching, hammering, bending, etc. you definitely are a metal man. You always get into the zone working with it. True fabricator

[@ricardocomeasyouare...3281]

It’s is getting better each day! We are following the updates! Good luck.

[@shotsrodder]

I’m amazed that you guys got the bolts and nuts apart without lube 😎

[@87mini]

I'd go ahead and paint the fenders and running boards dark grey or black, then "age " them a bit. That chrome spare tire cover has a home now, too! looking good!!! It's amazing that you get a 33-34, then it starts raining 33-34 stashes!!! Nice that the personal parts store is growing! Keep up the good work!

[@willymccoy3427]

I'd have put that piece of leaf spring back on in the new front bumper. I'd also be looking at some small engine upgrades too. Like dual exhaust, maybe a pair of carbs, etc. Nothing major, just give it a little more "get up and go".

[@CORVAIRWILD]

How about hand lining (pinstriping) the wheels, to relieve the darkness. A little contrast in maybe a cream color would go along way IMO. Maybe I'll see you at Hershey. My friends are there, having flown in from Israel! If I can find the time...

[@ronaldheit196]

I've absolutely no doubt it's gonna be a sweet ride when you're finished. It'll turn heads even if you don't paint it back to its original color. I'd like to see a nice two tone paint job on it myself. Then I'd deserve the name Beautiful.

[@lordleonusa]

I love the thought and consideration that you guys put into the cars to make them 'just right', without overdoing anything. No full on customs like they did in the 1970s when everyone just changed everything for chromed parts and the ubiquitous candy apple paint job, and that ghastly crimson velvet button down upholstery mania, ugh.

[@mr.goodpliers6988]

It's really coming along. Originality plus a few upgrades will make this a great old car!

[@dombutler7685]

I love the period upgrades, but would paint the headlight buckets.

[@fredkaminski6138]

Looking good! I put 35 wire wheels on my 31 Victoria, love the look!

[@williamworden3597]

Hope you didn't paint them black..

[@Scooter-dm3qo]

My Fathers second car was a 1934 Ford 5 Window Coupe. Always wondered what they looked like and now I know. Heard a lot of stories about that car. It had a cracked block due to freeze damage so he and his Dad replaced the engine with a re-furbished Mercury V8 that had been bored. Dad never walked away from an opportunity for a bit of a race and usually won. Another stunt that my brother and I didn't hear about until we were near 30. That was his fondness for doing a Reverse Spin. Run it up in 2nd gear until you were doing about 40 or 50 and than jam it into reverse and pop the clutch. Dad put 4 transmissions and 6 driveshafts into that Ford. BTW his first car was a gift from his Grandmother, a 1929 Packard Victoria Light Six. Dad traded it off because it cost used to much gasoline. That one was a battleship with "Spring Steel Bumpers". If someone was driving too slow and wouldn't pull over to let him pass he'd put his foot down and Ram them, wouldn't leave any mark on those bumpers.

[@v860rich]

Headlights are not an improvement, just get rid of the sealed beams in the original lights.

[@jamiecampbell3068]

Before I comment on the overused .. almost cliche' "patina" fad .. ... I'm gonna' look in my garage and see what I have !! OH YEAH !! NOTHING !!! 😎 Man, does that coupe look good !! Also great process of hammering out those dents. These are all of the reason I ALWAYS LOOK FORWARD to your uploads. Thank you fellas.

[@tomsifton4971]

Hey Matt, Tom here. I went to high school in the fifties. I drove my blue 46 ford club coupe with rear seat but a few of my friends drove 33/34s and we all sought to make our cars clean looking. No disrespect but please - loose the over rider. That was old man stuff back in the day for the rear bumper so you could get that occasional push start Everything else looks great. I think we would have had our wheels white, but I am a Calif dude, maybe things are a little different in your neck of the woods.

[@jamesinkeys]

Great decision on the 34! Looking forward to the "HOP UP" as the kids used to say, in the day....Keeping the value! Subbed, and always a thumbs up!

[@jimschafer9196]

Very nice to have upgrade parts on hand.

[@frankroberts1325]

Bonnie and Clyde would be proud of the upgrades, its coming along nicely, i like it.

[@BigNastyOffroad]

I see a lot of people complaining about the wheel/ tire combo being changed, the headlights ( which were aftermarket replacements anyways), and the bumpers specifically the overrider but unfortunately it's not their car. If I could afford to build a 32, 33-34 five window it would be pretty much the same as what you see here maybe body color pinstripes on the wheels just for some pop and some Diamond T headlights. I know it might not be exactly period correct but I like the look. Everyone has their own interpretation of a late 40s early 50s hot rod or mild custom

[@robertverhasselt2412]

Worried about “paint loss” on the fender after the hammer and dolly work? You’ll fix that I’m sure. PS a 34’s look is with the larger lamp, don’t mess with perfection. Just replace with correct originals!

[@b.s.adventures9421]

Crazy how thick the sheet metal is compared to anything modern. You could never smack modern stuff that hard.

[@neilschipper3741]

Sure am enjoying the videos of you working on this old girl. You can tell that the old lady that owned the car really tried to take care of it.

[@josephfine3394]

Matt, I like the chrom headlights -without sealed beams- better than the later ones. I also think you got the stance just right with the big 'n littles & Kelsey Hayes wires. The Columbia rear will be a real improvement! I hope you don't slam this car, like the others. Nice job on that big dent!!

[@tomwinkle1597]

If it were mine, I would brush it the correct gray. Some cold beers out by the lake. 1 panel at a time. Sand a little, clean and brush..

[@davidjenkins1958]

In the years that I’ve been doing metal work that is the one thing you learn by experience. You have to have the proper hammers for different curves and contours. Today’s people think 1 will do.

[@nicholasbennett2358]

you are an artist with those tools

[@oldtown6240]

Looking forward to the improved stance, that should make a huge positive difference.

[@terryhodgson8798]

Don't worry what other people think about what you do with it,let's see their car!!!! Build a low buck 50s Hotrod! That's what makes you happy! Who gives a shit what people say! Build on!

[@twofeathersnmi]

The bumpers look great, love the addition on the front!!! The headlights on the other hand, looked better with the chrome ones! I like chrome on the older cars! I worked at Kelsey Hayes for 16 years so needless to say I'm a fan of the wheels.

[@davidmspinelli8951]

I love it so far Matt. As I was watching the video I kept thinking "loose a leaf up front. Loose a leaf up front.' By the time I write this that will most likely be done as will the rear end. She's going from Beautiful to Bombshell with a quickness. After the gas tank and paint are taken care of I really think you should do some period correct hop ups to the engine. We all know you have the parts.

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

Man this car is looking good! I’m liking it in my head with red wheels, chrome trim rings and lug nuts. But black would work too.

[@pbgv5590]

Wheels look good with the black head lights

[@stevemonkey6666]

This is a really fun project and I am glad I can see what you're doing from the start.

[@johnhealy4647]

She’s beautiful Matt. Thank you for keeping her period perfect 👍

[@michaelguinn5736]

Morning Matt!! hard to recognize you without your hat on! Everytime I see this car it reminds me of the 33-34 that my dad wouldn't let me buy back when I was 15 years old(63 now)..truly enjoy these "how to" video's, I really didn't understand the reason behind a slapper hammer until now!! Thanks!! I agree, I don't really care for the head lights...The stance looks great!! Be safe, God Bless!!

[@c50ge]

Now you can buy whatever you like! Dad could see how much it would cost him to “let you buy what you wanted” What did you drive at that time?

[@michaelguinn5736]

@@c50ge I didn't have my drivers license at the time, I still remember what the guy wanted for the body, chassis & front/rear axles...$75, had a 300 inch Desoto Hemi, I highly doughbt he would have donated to the project....long time ago...God Bless!!

[@WaxMeister]

It's coming along nicely.

[@richardkeen5828]

I can't tell you how much I like this channel.

[@gkanderson92]

Changes look great. Looking forward to seeing your additional upgrades.

[@douglasbrown179]

What a big difference. It looks bad ass. The car was always cool, but now it has attitude.

[@rdecoster1]

What a COOL car!!! You are pretty darn good with the body & fender tools!! It is amazing how you can transform an old car with TLC!!! Columbia rear ends were the "Hot Set Up" back in the day!! My dad told me stories of a 40 Ford he owned with one. I guess it was very popular to run them. If I lived closer I would work for free just to be around your COOL garage and projects!! Beautiful is Beautiful!!

[@fastback1245]

I love to see you guys work on cars it's great especially when you guys have two lifts and you're working on the ground

[@BigRigTrav]

Absolutely love this car. Would love to be able to find one for myself.

[@NathansMoparGarage]

It looks great all the small period upgrades are a big help.

[@jesselawson224]

Definitely love the look now! The grey with the black looks awesome!

[@sogdal1]

Great changes, you got the eye and the plan, Keep pressing on.

[@Zillustration]

The bumper accessory bar is screaming for some old club badges mounted from your many picking travels.

[@daledassel5658]

Looks great! Keep it as original as possible. Not many like it around any more.

[@RedBullMan7]

Love the period correct upgrades! Looking forward to the rear end upgrade

[@mrnobody6573]

You found a mint front fender in that last parts buy. You may want to use that as your fender has a big buckle in it. You`re going to do paint work on the car anyway so spray the new fender & the headlight buckets gray. It will look 100% better & this car deserves the best parts you have. The black wheels look fine, maybe trim rings on the wheels.

[@bava67]

I like your plan. But would lose that push bar thing. Actually, Mike made a good point when he said it looked better without bumpers.

[@kenimhoff6475]

The car looks great! I do believe Mike was right about the bumpers. Looks better without. Keep up the good work and videos.

[@chuckster6513]

Hey Matt and Mike The Tires and head lights made a great change to Beautiful. I personally do not care for the grill guard attached to the front bumper, but it is not my car. Hot Rod Gray primer on the fenders making them all one color might look good rather than the multi-colors they have now. Polishing the hub caps should look good also. I think they are stainless steel so you have experience buffing. I love the sound of this car starting. Those flathead Ford starters have a very distinct sound. Work Safe, Be well

[@qwiked]

Excellent episode…going the right direction with that hot rod…

[@Ecosse57]

friggin looks great. i like the black wheels with the headlight buckets. also glad you're keeping more in line with what a young average guy might do in the day. dual smitty's would sound nice too.

[@richardthelionhearted3745]

So clean, still stock but - stock custom era correct. Too Cool.

[@johnnyxbgt]

Hi Matt and Mike, liked your handy work with the flapper tool. I have made 1 using an old file, I use it to stretch and shrink hitting the metal the same way you showed but using the textuer finish of the file face to pull the metal. give it a try Keep up the the content, Luv it

[@dennisthurston727]

I love the work you did and it looks great. Now with that said I'd have kept it all original. It's not like you don't have any hot rods hehe. Ok that's just me. Enjoy your channel

[@deuceman32]

Nice work as always. I'm diggin the new headlights.

[@MrGlenferd]

Love the headlights. I think the streight bumper you took off the front would look better on the back.

[@MajTom-wd2yt]

14:40 Back when bumpers actually bumped.👍2 speed RE...perfect. Look'n GOOD.. Love the Ford logo headlight lenses...the little touches count for a LOT. Bob

[@ervingoertzen7233]

I agree about not chopping up this car. Adding some simple bolt on mods, change wheels, even later Merc flathead .

[@73technite]

I would have painted the wheels red and cleaned the tires. The front bumper overrides is awful. Headlights look like them need to be pointed down some. Glad you fixed the front fender. Keep up the good work Matt. Looking forward to seeing Mike’s Cabriolet come back to life.

[@frankjamann5671]

Looks great guys, but like 32's it's hard to change perfection. Thanks for the video

[@paco1008]

Holy grail car .... and your doing it justice

[@danielhopfinger8193]

Just keeps getting better, it’s hard to pick a favorite project now.

[@robertjean659]

Looks a lot better. 👍👍

[@johnbehneman1546]

I LOVE IT!!!! I LOVE THE UPGRADES!!!!! IT LOOKS TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!! PLEASE KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!! PERIOD PERFECT UPGRADES!!!!

[@terrystewart2070]

"Beautiful" is looking way better! My '36 5 window had a Columbia 2 speed in it when I got it...never could get the stupid vacuum operated shifter to work. But hey, I was just a 14 year old kid goofing around with his second (or maybe 3rd?)car. A mere 54 years ago...........

[@johnslater2488]

I thought you would show this amazingly original 34 more respect. Those headlights are not an upgrade.

[@CORVAIRWILD]

Let the master perform his craft-magic

[@patrickwayne3701]

Perfect example of how you can go from fellowship to bitchslaps in just a few steps. It's Matt's car. Matt's money. Matt's time. If you want to see a 33-34 'shown respect', just re-watch this episode, and then post your own 33-34 all steel barn find and show the world how much better than Matt's rig, YOURS is. God. This is the reason I question Matt's sanity for even trying to share with the world, his love for this old iron. Always some haughty bitcher that's got grand pebble beach standards and what have they done to share the love of these icons with the world? Tear someone else's work down, and then stroll out to their clapped out Hyundai and fart can down to the 7-11 for another 44 ounce schooner of brainrot and bodyfat. I have a 28k mile original Superbird that was dinged up in the nosecone, I watch Matt sometimes to see what tools he's using for metal work. I ain't made of money but I have built a skillset and a few decent rides. I'm diggin' Matt's tinkering with this old beauty. Why you need to bring disdain down on his work? You might need to watch Hubb McCann put some wisdom down on some cocky boys in the old country store in Second Hand Lions. Get with being appreciative of the good in the world instead of making others consider what an ass you choose to be John Slater.

[@robertbak4108]

Patrick Wayne. 👍👍👍👍👍

[@thomasst.martin3308]

How cool to be working on a stock original car. Nice too, to have the stash of parts. The true signal inside the headlight could be tricky. Before I got my '32 up and running I was at a local show. A guy came driving in with his '32 that had stock headlights with turn signals inside the lights. No so good. The whole headlight was flashing amber as he was turning in to the show. I decided to take my stockers off and go with something different.

[@shartne]

The paint and the bumpers, and headlights are a nice improvements and its your own parts and newer old iron up grades. Some day it would be nice to have a modern fancy pants paint job put on it with Cragars spokes or even chrome spokes. The bumpers are nice. Dont you have a grill that was in super nice shape I saw in another video of yours. So glad you pounded out the dent in the fender too looks a lot better. Yes it is some good improvements for sure. so far it was free too. If your gonna try to match the paint and spot it in I dont see why not make the fender perfect? Some lead or a small amount of Bondo works miracles with the last little bit. They actually sell some chrome paint you could put on the grill. Rustoleum chrome looks kinda real actually.

[@black88coupe]

Nice improvements.

[@daleolson7205]

Looks good, needs a right side tail light.

[@87mini]

I think they only came with the left from the factory.

[@peterbbody3749]

@@87mini only on Standard Deluxe had 2,plus cowl lamps

[@rayk9315]

Hey Matt: Sometimes it's good to be left handed. A right hand guy would have had trouble with that passenger fender.

[@87mini]

I was thinking the same thing - what a klutz I am with the hammer in my left.

[@usmclee65]

That really changed the look, great job!

[@craignelson6113]

Nice improvements, I do agree with some one else's comment about keeping the '34 headlights just ditch the seal beams. Also, I am wondering how long it's going to be after you get the 2spd rear in there before you run out of things to do (ha, ha) and start thinking a dropped axle would really do wonders for the stance. . . Great videos!

[@bshellz]

The car is looking awesome! You really make the metal massaging look easy! I like the changes you made without ruining the spirit of the car! Out of curiosity and only because I’m somewhat ignorant on the subject, were electric starters standard by this point? Or were hand cranks still included with the cars? I noticed on a friend’s 41 Ford it has the round hole for what looks like a hand crank in the grille. Or was this just a styling thing by that point? Also I imagine dual taillights were optional then?

[@vayabroder729]

I believe electric starters were the norm by the early ‘20’s if not earlier.

[@DKing-jg7fl]

If I'm looking at the bumper angles correctly , the "new" rear bumper is a 35 and the front is a 36. 36 being more angled at the ends

[@study650]

It all looks great.

[@hack2it]

Matt it’s looking good!!

[@garycamara9955]

California still doesn't have state inspections. Except for smog, but even that isn't state wide except for when registering.

[@slowshop]

Very subtle but oh so effective changes.

[@donaldfrye2064]

keep them fords rolling man.

[@ShadeTreeKennyT]

looks real good Matt.

[@wilburjordan3370]

Good job good work , Wil

[@chrismc.4437]

Looking forward to Hershey! Awesome coupe!

[@garycamara9955]

They make a new shortened headlight stand to lower the headlights. Its been around since the 50s.

[@MikeLoveBuns]

Looks great!

[@tooltas]

Red paint on wheels would look nice with cream/ gray on car