Here we have a choice of two vintage garage/barn find hot rod projects, both of them old Fords in need of some resurrection. The 1932 two door sedan is located in Camino, California and is being auctioned, with bidding just over $15,000 at this point. The somewhat more rare 1936 five-window coupe is in Dallas, Texas, and is being auctioned here on eBay. Bidding on the coupe has just passed $8,900, but neither auction has reached their respective reserve figures yet.
The 1932, found here on eBay, features a roof that has already been chopped, a previously installed a 1957 small block Chevrolet 283 V8 and an automatic transmission. A Jaguar-sourced independent rear suspension has been added as well. Disc brakes are visible in the front, and for some reason the metal fenders have been replaced with fiberglass ones. All the metal necessary to replace the fiberglass with to make it an “all steel” rod are included, and are visible here beside the car.
The seller tells us there are minor rust issues at the bottom of the cowl, but as a whole the body is in pretty good shape. It appears that this is a pretty good start on a hot rod if your tastes run in this direction. Of course, it doesn’t run at this point, so you’ll have a lot of work in front of you.
On the other hand, the 1936 five window coupe was driven into a barn and parked in 1982. When the current owner purchased the car, the Buick engine was free but several freeze plugs had rusted out. The fenders were removed to get to the freeze plugs, and the next step was to get the ones on the rear of the engine removed. Unfortunately, they have to sell it before proceeding any further. The brakes are hydraulic and some work has been done on the front suspension.
The seller also included a picture presumably showing the car as they bought it. While I think both of these hot rods would be relatively straight forward to get back into a running condition, where you go from there is only limited by your imagination. I’ll take the 1936, just because I like the front end styling better. Which one of these two would you choose and why?
36 for sure.
Yup – the 36.
IMO it’s not an auction if you have a reserve.
Hands down – the 36.
My favorite 30s car is a 36 three window. This car would make me happy.
I like the ’36 because it’s a 5-window coupe. Personal preference, but I just never have cared for the tudor sedan style. I also like the fact that the ’36 has a Buick engine, which was a fairly common update back in the day. Old school rules in my book!
The ’36 is a much easier project than the ’32. I don’t really like the idea of the stock trans and rear end with the nailhead. Looking at the motor mounts, they appear sturdy enough for a logging truck, but a bit crude for a street rod.As an aside that is why so many small block Chevys ended up in these early Fords. An adapter from Hurst bolts to the front of the block where the mounts for a ’55-’57 go. This adapter then bolts to the original flathead mounts on the front crossmember. An other adapter connects to the stock Ford 3 speed. No cutting, no welding, no butchering the firewall.
As for the rest of the car, a good solid base to go from. Depending on the reserve someone is going to get a great car.
I would go with the 36 simply because of it neat lines they seem to just flow alot nicer looking ride in my opinion
The later 4sure but my favs R from that era (mid/late ’30) to v e r y early 50s.
(also like em as original as possible – down to the ‘cloth’ covered wires but not concourse correct – a like make disc frnt, 1 or 2 other modern needs may B). Flat 8s, straight 8s, antique ele. systems, etc…
Thanks Jamie.
I like the 32 for sure more work but it’s just got that Capone era gangster look. I think this would be very cool with a flat head v8 Cadillac engine under the hood. I’d have gobs of chrome under the hood. Limo black fenders, sky blue body up to the bottom of the side windows, and limo black window post and roof.
Good luck trying to keep new freeze plugs in those rusted holes.
Freeze plugs come in hundreds of sizes… just hone the holes and get the right size plugs. After my ’32 5 window and ’33 pickup that sedan hits right right in my favorites category.
They’re also inference fit and all you need is some emery cloth 80 grit. I’ve put in lots of casting plugs and I’ve alway put some 3m yellow glue around the the plug and drive it in while the glue is wet and I’ve never had a leaker come back on me.
Interesting more for the 36 5-window. I assume this is a sign of the times ,and how traditional hot rodding is changing. In the old skool world a 36 5-window would NOT be considered over any model of a 32 Ford. A 36 3-window a notch up, but not close.
I am sure there allot of you who don’t agree. I am in my mid 70’s and have owned and built early Ford Hot Rods since I was 14. I have a 34 coupe I have owned since I was 19.
I am just saying when I was younger this wouldn’t even be a consideration “THE DEUCE WINS’
Absolutely true. My personal holy grail always has 1932 Vicky as preface wording. The rest is where the artistic interpretation comes in to play.
Yep the 36 does more for me then the 3w. Maybe he needs to sell the 36 to pay for the corvette on the trailer.
Both Love the Coupe & sedan instead of reg sedan I want 32 two door Vicky!
I have built a ton of ’32s, love them to bits but could really do with the ’36 looks an easier build!