1934 Dodge DR Convertible Coupe

The year is best remembered for Chrysler’s daring – and ultimately disastrous – Airflow adventure, a design departure that never trickled down to the Dodge division. As a consequence, the 1934 Dodge lineup was typical of early 1930s styling, with flowing fenders softening the rectilinear lines of the vertical grille and straight-sided body panels. But Chrysler had already established itself as an engineering company, and the 1934 Dodge lineup shared some corporate technical highlights.

Chrysler had been first with the Hydraulic brakes, for example, a Chrysler first in 1928, and synchromesh transmission, in 1933. The 1934 Dodges rolled out with a new independent front suspension system, though it was discontinued in 1934 and didn’t reappear until 1939. There was also an unusual lever-operated two-way vent window, which also disappeared after the 1934 model year. There were three trim levels and eight body styles in the Dodge lineup for 1934, all propelled by the same 3.7-liter flathead inline six-cylinder engine rated for 87 horsepower. Two convertibles were offered, a sedan and a coupe. Between them they accounted for just 1,589 units in Dodge division’s total passenger car production for 1934, most of the (1,239) convertible coupes.

For 1934, the Dodge Series DR Deluxe was restyled and given a more streamlined and modern appearance. In the front was a new V-type radiator with skirted fenders in both the front and the rear. There were several hood louvers of descending length and large bullet-shaped chrome plated headlamps. The list of standard equipment included Delco-Remy ignition, hydraulic brakes, and a new independent front suspension. The car rested on an X-type frame and rode on steel spoke wheels. They had dual horns and a new ‘leaping ram’ type hood ornament.