I’ll admit that I don’t know a lot about hot rods. I have read and been told that an all-steel ’32 Ford three-window coupe, such as this Deluxe model, which is cooling its hills in Mount Dora, Florida, is the hot rod one to have – you know, the little deuce coupe (I promise that I won’t use that description again). This example, other than its wider, non-wire wheels and tires, looks pretty original and seems to be in stellar condition so let’s look it over. It’s available, here on eBay for a current bid of $55,600 (yikes!) with the reserve not yet met.
Known as a Model 18, this coupe is a first-year, V8-equipped edition. I tried to run down a production number for this model and it appears that there were about 55K produced – depression or not, Ford built and sold a S.L. of cars in ’32! The seller, who has owned this coupe for four years, tells us that it is still riding on its original frame but doesn’t elaborate much beyond that. There’s no reference to exterior restoration that may have been undertaken, or when for that matter, but boy oh boy, it looks fabulous. To put some rake into its stance, the front axle has a four-inch drop to it. And as you can see from the listing images, there is a rumble seat out back.
The interior is as sharp and clean as the exterior. The single bench seat has been beautifully reupholstered in saddle vinyl material and it is joined with matching door panels. The steering wheel and gear selector are custom pieces and it appears that the gauges may be as well. It’s hard to tell with certainty though they look to be housed in the original dash binnacle.
As is often the case with old Fords, the original flathead V8 has been given the bum’s rush and replaced with a Chevrolet 350 CI crate engine and it’s attached to a five-speed automatic transmission – provenance not revealed. Bringing up the rear is a Ford nine-inch axle attached to parallel-mounted leaf springs. Disc brakes are upfront, drums are in the rear. The seller adds, “Car runs very nice down the interstate at 70-75 mph“.
We often debate about today’s market for old-school hot rods such as this Ford. The consensus seems to be that the market is shrinking and has become constrained. That said, this is one turn-key car, something that anyone who appreciates old cars could dig. The flip side to the debate is the price, $55 large probably puts this one beyond the reach of many. While I really like this car, I don’t like it $55K worth, how about you?
Beautiful car. I can tell you it’s impossible to build this car for 55K thus the high reserve. Don’t know what the final bid is going to be but either way the buyer gets his/her money’s worth.
55k is out of the question but i understand the owner want’s to recoup a part of his investment. Thing i never understood is why small block chevy instead of ford. If i’m out in left field correct me but aint it just as easy to put in a decent 351 or 302. Apart that a good set of wire looms are in order before the wires get scorched on the headers. I will give thumbs up for the machine though. Its a beauty.
I’m going to have to ask… aren’t the 351 and the 302 engines wider then the Chevys? I’ve seen some of the big Fords in the old coups but they couldn’t put the side panels on. Can see where a 289 might fit but at a loss of some power.
You might be right on that one, i never tought about that. What i always imagined is that with a front mounted distributor it be easier to have access
A quick internet search says the sbc is 26” wide while a sbc is 24” wide.
One other difference is sump location. Chevys are rear, fords are front.
Personally in my 60+ years I’ve never understood a chevy in a ford.
Granted the first 10 years or so I didn’t know squat other than we almost always had fords in the drive way.
That was suppose to be sbc at 26” wd, sbf at 24” wd. (Damned spell check!!)
From what I understand you could put a 260, 289, 302, 351 or 5.0 or even 5.8 in. BUT, and it’s a big one. It’s harder. I have a 1930 Model A which I love, bit this is a head turner. Thanks..
5.0=302 5.8=351
not harder at all i have a 351 in my 40 ford coupe just use shorty water pump and use a pusher fan even have the stock firewall which looks much better than aftermarket ones just forget the chevy thing its been done a million times don,t be another sheep
I agree 100% !
” Pelle “
Robert, It tickles me to hear as a recovering Clasic car enthusiast the word investment used. Unless one makes more money when the car sells an investment its not. Often specially with motorcycles I see adds “Bla, Bla, Bla Harley XXX 19XX 25K invested for sale 15K”. Most of my cars I sold at a loss but always after I enjoyed them for a while but financially all the sale did was provide seed money for my next project. Also, I totally agree with you “Chevy 350?” Mon Dieu!!!!! I would rather see a Ford flat head six in it than a Chevy V8 and I’ve always been a Chevy guy.
$55,000, then you have to yank that driveway oiler in the engine compartment, and install a proper Ford engine back into her. This is one sharp looking coupe. Too bad the builders cut the corners.
Chevys cost less and are more plentiful. Hop-up parts are also cheaper and easier to find
This looks so much like a subtle ‘50s hot rod that it’s a disappointment when you discover that it has a modern engine and auto trans. A flathead with reliability updates and some kind of manual transmission would “fit” the character of the car better.
My friend has a ‘31 Ford five window coupe that he put a 302 in and it fits just fine. Keep a Ford in your Ford!
For anyone still wondering why a street rodder would put a Chevy in a Ford like this it’s BECAUSE THEY ARE BETTER ENGINES. When you’ve driven as many rods as I have it doesn’t take long to figure this out.
LOL! How much cash do you have invested in Speedy-Dri? There’s nothing wrong with a Chevy, in a Chevy. Just keep ’em where they belong.
Tough to shoe horn in (do it right), but this, with a Ford 427/4 speed and he /she has the 55K yesterday. Nice build, I would love it……
I guess there are no Ford motors around….sad
Small block Chevys have been going in deuce coupes since 1955. It’s almost a tradition and before that some had Olds power. Back when junkyards were the parts suppliers for hot rods, those guys just wanted to go faster. I’m also a purist but in these the Chevy power gets a pass.
The reason most of these get the Chevy engine goes back to the length of the engine, the Chevy is shorter lengthwise than the small Ford. With a small block Ford, you either have to move the firewall back or put a big notch in it, and when you do that you lose legroom in an already small car. Another reason is the oil pan sump on the Chevy is in the rear, instead of over the axle in front with the Ford, but a rear sump late model Mustang pan has pretty much eliminated that problem.
55g is about the normal price for a real steel 32, fiberglass would be probably around $45-55. There’s probably more 32’s on the road now than they made in 32 if you count all the fiberglass cars and the steel reproduction bodies.
Still way above my pay grade, sadly…
….Bama I live about ten miles away from where a guy [now passed away] produces 1928 through 1940 Ford bumpers. When I purchased my ’32 Ford bumpers from him in 1973 he told me if he reproduces 300 more bumpers he will have produced more bumpers than Henry produced ’32’s. Around 2010-2012 I was back buying bumpers for my 1940 Ford. I was telling this story to the man’s son [who has now taken over the business] and he told me that they were going to make 1300 that year alone. One factor that comes in is that trucks back then never had a rear bumper unless you ordered that option. Most didn’t because of the hard times back then.
As for the $55 bid, I believe that bid might not be near enough.
As for the Chevy vs Ford engines. I hear a lot of people complain about that but I’ve built nine street rods and the two with Ford engines were by far the hardest to sell.
Photo #17 on ebay with the high tension lead resting on the header no a great idea.
Very nice car but from the rbl 333 plate you think it was a 33 3 windows rebel lol
Out of my price but I would love to have beautiful interior I always loved the way suicide doors look
It is not a 55K price and what really kills it is the gutting the car and stuffing in what does not belong. Up grading the safety aspects of operation and retaining as much originality as possible would reenforce the asking price. Those vehicles were not designed as “GO FAST” vehicles and when you shoehorn in abombinal power you just start slashing the value.
You obviously didn’t look at the pics or have no idea what you’re talking about. This car was built right. I’d have no problem taking it down the quarter.
Loved the big power in my ’32. Ran my first SCCA autocross and got put in the class with the Mercedes and Jaguars. Beat ’em all.
This is a beautiful 32 not chop or the fenders redone. Stock looking with a great profile. To bad it’s a Chevy engine. I read all the comments and total agree it should be a small block Ford engine and trans. But I am really old school a professional built Ford flathead with a supercharger and twin carbs and a magneto love starting up a car with that mag and flipped the switch and flames come out of the tail pipes!! 😂. I seen some put out over 300 HP. That be perfect for this ride. And a real manual trans not that fake looking stick coming out of the floor which is a automatic! A 5 speed manual would be nice with 3:73 gears out back. Then it worth $75,000. To me $55,000 is max for this because of the drivetrain. The other thing is I would find a way to put AC in it! Oh.. this ride reminds me of the ride the California Kid that had flames on it. That was a fast 32….Good luck to the next owner. 🐻🇺🇸
The Kid is a ’34.
RKS.. Thanks I just saw a photo of it. I thought it was a 32. Then I saw the front end. 34 Ford. 😊
Nothing against small block Chevys, but this traditional looking car should stick with a flathead Ford with period correct speed parts.
Big Bear… California Kid was a ’34.
I always wanted to own one of these. So I finally found one I liked and drove it. I guess people were smaller back then, because it was the most uncomfortable car imaginable. Seating position, leg length, cramped, I lost my desire for them in one drive.
If you are a thin 5’10, this is the car for you, but definitely not for me.
Ad states that it has a 5 speed overdrive transmission and by the looks of that shifter it appears to be an S-10 T-5 manual 5 speed. Would anyone concur?
I don’t know why I would comment on this car. it just pisses me off ,the author states he doesn’t no much about Hot Rods and he is absolutely correct. He shouldn’t feel bad though, from the comments most of you don’t know anything either. Why do all of you want to turn it into a debate about Ford vs. Chevrolet engines. Its not about that ,it is a Hot Rod ,by definition of the term, it is going to have a modified drive train. All of you say too much money. Do any of you know how hard it is to find a steel 32 3-window in this condition, if you did and you started from scratch you would be lucky if you spent under a 100 K. This 32 appears to be done right and can hold its own with some of the best 32’s you can find. Ten years ago the asking price on a 32 like this one would be 75 to a 100 K.
Joe:
It’s a website about cars, people are going to comment, that’s how it works. Some know what they’re talking about, some know enough to be dangerous, and others know nothing or comment about something that is totally irrelevant to the post. Regardless, everyone is welcome to participate.
JO
Jim,
I concur with you completely. I have been saying this for ever, people talking about things they have no clue about but ask them they are an authority on everything that comes out of their mouth. Our car club meetings monthly were so enjoyable you never heard anyone talking about something they didn’t know unless it was to ask questions to learn more and not ramble on about they didn’t know. Oh well there is no changing them so I guess we are stuck with there erroneous comments forever. Jim have a good day.
Well said Jim. I say if you want a pristine original car go buy one. Look out though, someone will probably hassle you about not putting a 400 hp engine in it.
Bimmerbill and Jim.. I agree with you both. I am 65 and been lucky enough in my life to travel to different car shows. I try to learn something every day. If I don’t know ask questions or keep my mouth shut! 😂 I meet many people who ramble on thinking they know everything from the planets to cars. I just stand there look at them and smile. And walk away. When I make a mistake on BF and somebody points that out I say thank you for the update. That why I love BF. I wish I could afford to join but being retired on disability it’s tough. Thanks to everyone who makes BF great!! 🐻🇺🇸
Nice Deuce Coupe, I like the 3 window style better than the 5 windows. I wonder if this is genuine Henry Steel or a repro body. Either way it’d be difficult (impossible) to duplicate this Gem for 55 K !
It’s steel. FG bodies have a different drip rail and the pic down on the cowl where the tag is tells me that too. Also you don’t see FG bodies with roll down rear windows like this one has.
Thanks for the somewhat supporting comments to my post. I try not to comment, but sometimes I can’t help myself. When I know they miss the point or just repeating something they have heard. I am 80 and started my first Hot Rod when I was 15, a 32 coupe. When I was 19 I got my 34 5-window, its a Hot Rod and I still own it and drive it. I have had several other 32’s Coupe, Roadster and a Sedan plus an assortment of 40 Fords and Fat fenders. The reason I comment is I know something about Hot Rods and if someone says something stupid or blatantly wrong, I feel obligated to correct it. Dumb, I know!
Great car would be worth 55K if it had a flathead with performance equipment on it making it more period correct. Not a SBC which is cheap HP. The car appears to be very well done
This little coupe sure has generated a lot of comments! I think it’s quite the eye candy. If I could have a hot rod this would be a nice one to have. As to the Chevy vs Ford vs manual vs auto; I say to each their own. From what I have seen, hot rods like this steel body are expensive. There is a reason for this. It takes skill and mucho dinero to build one. GLWTS.
This is the first 32 I’ve seen with reverse doors. I didn’t know they were produced until 33. Correct me if I’m wrong. thnx.
Three windows were sucide doors.
Ford vs Chevy engine? Yawn, car shows look like a car lot with hundreds of identical cars of different colors. I’ve always enjoyed and have been drawn to old hot rods with a Hemi stuffed in there. Even a little 240 cu Red ram hemi looks fantastic in that engine bay.
The 32 3-window was the only model 32 with suicide doors the body was made by Murray and the 3-window was considered the deluxe model. In 1933 all models had suicide doors. By 1935 Ford realized what a bad idea it was. Yes, I know sedans had suicide rear doors, that doesn’t count.
Hey Joe,
Man you are spot on with your comments. Like I told someone the other day, it is so nice to read something that has been written and they know what they are talking about. Some of these people that write in and just make up things to sound important, I just wonder who they are trying to impress. Good luck to you and thanks for being there with correct information.
Bill
Bill, Thanks so much for the kind comments. I know sometimes I should just let it go (STFU), but I love old Fords and the Hot Rod Culture I grew up in and I can’t help myself, I want people to know the real deal, if they’re interested.
Joe
Joe,
WELL SAID.
BIll
As said above, historically-correct examples of this once-common Ford are nearly extinct, and few seem bothered by this, but yet brand-loyalty over *who built the replacement engine* surfaces as the main concern in discussions.
Did the car sell yet?
Frank…High bid $60,100. Did not make reserve.