1934 Ford Hot Rod Pierson Brothers Coupe

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1934 Ford Hot Rod Pierson Brothers Coupe

Regarded as one of the most important cars in hot rod history, this coupe was built by brothers Bob and Dick Pierson.

Beginning with a stock 1934 coupe, they first chopped and chanelled the body then fitted a "sprint car" nose. The sleek profile was a result of their interpretation of the rules of the day which stipulated that the windshield had to be at least seven inches tall. In order to meet this regulation while minimizing wind resistance, they lowered the roof and positioned the windshield at a sharp angle.

These aerodynamic enhancements allowed the car to achieve a respectable top speed of 140 miles per hour when first raced in 1952. Four years later, improvements to the Ford flathead V-8 engine and other mechanical refinements enabled it to reach an astounding 196 miles per hour. When fitted with a more efficient Chevrolet overhead valve V-8 engine, this car was timed at over 200 miles per hour on the dry lakes.

Photo By: Douglas Wilkinson
Date: June, 2005
Location: Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California