BODY:  1934 Ford Tudor done as a Deluxe     FRAME: Boxed Factory Original

REAR END: 8” Ford 2.79:1     SUSPENSION: Mustang II

BRAKES: Front-Disc. Rear Drum      WHEELS: Weld

ENGINE: Chevrolet 383 cu.in. - 4 Bolt mains.     HEADS AND INTAKE - Edelbrock Performer RPM

CARB - Edelbrock 750      EXHAUST: Flowmaster     TRANSMISSION: TH350

SHIFTER: Stock G.M. Column. With Grant steering wheel.

PAINT:  Unknown- “Burple”     SEATS\Upholstery: Plymouth Valarie Grey Tweed.

Cars are the sculptures of our everyday lives.

Chris Bangle

The 1934 Ford (the Model 40B) was not as substantial a model year change as the previous two years had been.

Noticeable changes included a flatter grille with a wider surround and fewer bars, straight hood louvers, two handles on each side of the hood, smaller head lights and cowl lamps, and a reworked logo. The bare metal dash insert was replaced by painted steel.

V‑8 output was again increased, this time to 85 hp (63 kW), and the four-cylinder Model B engine was in its last year, as was the Victoria body style; nevertheless, there were fourteen body options, the Tudor being top-seller. The standard three window coupe was deleted.

Deluxe had pin striping, again twin (chromed) horns, and twin back lights. Inside, they got more elaborate wood graining.

1934 Ford in which Bonnie and Clyde were ambushed and killed.

The 1934 Ford V-8 is infamous as being the vehicle in which the notorious Depression-era bandits Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were ambushed and killed. On May 23, 1934, the two outlaws were traveling in a stolen 1934 Ford sedan in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, when a heavily armed law enforcement posse opened fire and riddled their car with bullets and buckshot.

Reprinted from Wikipedia.

Halfway through the great depression 1934 was a memorable year for landmarks: Jimmy Durante was pounding out “Inka Dinka Doo” and Paul Whiteman – “Love In Bloom” (later to be considered by many to be Jack Benny’s theme song); Bonnie and Clyde shot, Baby face Nelson shot, Dillinger shot and Pretty boy Floyd shot; not a good time to be a wanted criminal.  Ford was selling the Model 40 for about $550.00 depending on options and with just south of 122,000 units manufactured the Tudor was a very popular car; and looking at Tom and Marilyn Bruner’s ‘34 you can see why. As busy as 1934 was, it’s been a busy 2017 for Tom and Marilyn and their ‘34 Tudor as well.  It started last year when CAL-RODS awarded them “Members Only - Best of Show” from our annual car show at Santa Anita, and as such have the honors to be on the Clubs’ flyer for this year's show and the T-shirts.  So, it’s only fitting to be ‘Featured Car of the Month’ (IMHO).

Stepping back- during the 1960’s, as the Vietnam war was raging and the Military Draft looming; Tom was in college, and rather than face conscription into the Army, Tom enlisted in the Navy in 1965 and spent 2 years as a dry land sailor at China Lake, CA working on aircraft of which he has a real passion.  Upon mustering out, he hired on at Southern California Edison working as a Senior Planner for new construction and relocation work for 29 years, handling architects and contractors and even worked on the California Fontana Speedway.  Marilyn worked 17 years for Children’s Hospital of Orange County as an LVN in Neonatal, Cancer and Ortho wards.  The Bruner’s love spending time in their cabin in Bishop where Tom fishes the local streams for trout and works on the cabin with Marilyn.  They especially enjoy pulling the ‘34 up for the Fall car show with its 400 + cars, where last year he won best in class.

Close friends and neighbor Phil and Kay Leskera, also CAL-RODS members and the original builder of the ’34, traveled and RV’ed together with the Bruner’s for years before Phil passed and Kay offered to sell the car to Tom, who was honored. Everyone felt that Phil would have wanted Tom to have the car.  Tom quickly went to work repairing needed items and familiarizing himself with the car.

The Bruners have been CAL-RODS members since 1997.   Tom has served as a board member, and a volunteer at the NHRA Museum for years. There’s no doubt that their ‘34 is a showstopper and a head turner; one of the many iconic and beautiful Hot Rods in CAL-RODS Car Club.