Rick Miller's 1934 Ford is a Gift from Dad

Cars have always been a part of Rick and Barbara Miller’s life. Rick had a 1939 Ford when they dated as youngsters. Saturday night dates often consisted of hanging out at Rick’s house while he and his dad, Forrest, tinkered with their cars. Barbara said her chores were usually pretty modest, but she had fun just the same.

 In the late 1960s, Rick’s dad bought a ’34 Ford hot rod coupe from California. Rick inherited it in 1987. The body was solid and had only one small rust spot. Miller wanted to rebuild the car, yet it was important that he retain the same stock body and look of his dad’s original car. A 12-year project began. 

 Out came the flathead V-8, three-speed transmission and Columbia two-speed rear end. Since Rick had been a longtime Ford employee, he couldn’t stand the idea of putting in a Chevrolet engine. Plus, he knew his dad wouldn’t have liked it either. Rick stripped the body from the frame, ordered a 351-cubic-inch Ford V-8 and turned to Wayne Keimig of Atchison to make his dream a reality. With Keimig’s artful craftsmanship, the family’s coupe went back together as you see it now. The interior is all new, although the seat is upholstered much like it was when his dad owned it. The original dash now has modern gauges, and air conditioning was added. Rick chose the brilliant yellow paint because it was the color Barbara liked best.

 The Millers’ car is a showcase of detail work. He wanted a set of wide whitewall tires and the only ones he could find in the proper size had been painted black because of a minor blemish. Using lacquer thinner, paint stripper, steel wool and more than a week’s worth of hard work and elbow grease, Miller eventually removed all of the black paint from the whitewalls.

 The car has been complete for roughly three years. Barbara smiled wistfully as she said, “I know Rick’s dad looks down and approves.”

 The Millers enjoy taking their car to shows. Because of it, they have made friends from all over the country. They were at the Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Ky., the first week of August, and then they trailered their car on to their daughter’s house in North Carolina. Their grandkids love riding in the rumble seat, and the Millers wanted to deliver them to the first day of school in their yellow coupe.

 Whether he’s taking grandkids to school or driving to a show, Rick said that whenever he’s behind the wheel of his coupe, he feels as if he’s still 20 years old.