Scottsdale, Arizona

1934 FORD

Three-Window Coupe

Joe Sahli owned a cabriolet for years, but the three-window was the one he always wanted — and in 2006 he finally got it. Found complete in Nebraska and brought to Hot Rods by Dean in Phoenix, it emerged with a stroked 383, a 3-inch chopped top, and a gray-green finish that reads understated right up until you're standing next to it.

Sage Green

What We Know

Confirmed Details

Hot Rods
by DeanBuilder

Stroked 383Engine

3-Inch
ChopTop Chop

Gray-GreenExterior Paint

Green &
CreamInterior

GNRS &
Trophy DashShown At

The Story

What's Confirmed So Far

1934

Built by Ford

A three-window coupe off the Ford Motor Company line, later reworked into a hot rod.

Before 2006

A Cabriolet First

Joe Sahli owned a 1934 Ford cabriolet for years, but the three-window was always the body style he wanted.

2006

Found in Nebraska

The three-window turned up complete in Nebraska and was brought back to Hot Rods by Dean in Phoenix.

Build

Built by Hot Rods by Dean

Dean Livermore's Phoenix, Arizona shop built the car, giving it a stroked 383, a 3-inch chopped top, and a gray-green finish. It appears in the shop's own project gallery as "Joe's 1934 Ford 3-Window."

Owner

Joe Sahli

Based in the Scottsdale/Phoenix area, Sahli is also a documented Goodguys Trophy Dash competitor — his 1940 Ford won the Scottsdale leg in November 2013.

Shows

Grand National Roadster Show & Goodguys Trophy Dash

The coupe has been entered at both events, per the owner's account.

2010

Street Rodder Feature: "Sharp Dressed Rod"

The coupe was featured in Street Rodder under the headline "Sharp Dressed Rod," written by Tim Bernsau with Hot Rods by Dean, confirmed via a photo of the printed page (p. 138).

Garage Work Order

The Build Sheet

Specification & Build Record

Body Style: Three-Window Coupe, Ford Steel (Rootlieb Hood)
Chassis: American Stamping Framerails
Engine: Smeding 383 Extreme Performer, Stroker
Induction: Tri-Power, Rochester 2GC Carburetors
Heads: Edelbrock RPM Performer, Mooneyes Covers
Exhaust: Hooker Headers, Borla Mufflers
Transmission: Turbo 700-R4, by A&S Transmissions
Rear End: 9-Inch, 3.70:1 Differential
Front Suspension: Heidts Independent, Aldan Coilovers
Rear Suspension: Heidts Superide, Polished Stainless
Brakes: Wilwood, Front & Rear
Wheels & Tires: Wheelsmith, Diamond Back Radials
Paint: PPG Gray-Green, Body & Frame
Top Chop: 3-Inch, by Hot Rods by Dean
Interior: Green & Cream Tuck 'n' Roll, Sid Chavers
Climate & Audio: Vintage Air, Hidden Custom Autosound

Gallery

See It From Every Angle

Exterior

Head-on view with suicide doors open, showing cream interior and grille

Doors Open, Head-On

Rear 3/4

Hood & Fender

Grille & Lights

Three-Window Roofline

Door & Running Board

Front 3/4

Side Profile

Rear Fender & Taillight

Headlamp Badge

Grille Close-Up

Interior

Cabin

Wheel & Gauges

Speedometer and Ford Exposition 1934 medallion

Dash Detail

Horn Button

Arvin Heater

Door Panel

Build Photos

Period photo of the interior and engine bay during an earlier build, black and white striped seats

Interior & Engine, Earlier Build

Bare rolling chassis with engine and transmission mounted

Chassis, Engine Mounted

Engine on Display

Press

Street Rodder magazine page, Sharp Dressed Rod feature by Tim Bernsau

Street Rodder, "Sharp Dressed Rod"

Goodguys Spring Nationals commemorative mug featuring a three-window coupe

Goodguys Spring Nationals Mug

2010 Trophy Dash Finalist

Close-up of the Trophy Dash Finalist award plaque

Trophy Dash Plaque Detail

A note on sourcing: the facts above come from Hot Rods by Dean's own project gallery, the Classic Instruments Trophy Dash Awards archive, a photographed page of the Street Rodder feature, and photographs and build details supplied by the owner. Anything more specific than that — an exact competition class or placing, for instance — has not been independently verified and is left out rather than guessed at.