1932 was a transitional period at Ford, as March of that year saw Model A production ceasing and the company rolling an all-new successor, a car that Henry had no idea back then would become one of the most iconic body styles for hot rodding the hobby has ever known. This one started out as a 5 window coupe back in the day and it’s still wearing mostly original sheet metal on the outside, but there’s a whole lot more go-power now than when it rolled off the assembly line more than nine decades ago. If you’ve been in the market for a cool ’32, this one’s probably worth a look, so check it out here on eBay and head on over to Fairfield, California if you want to see it in person. So far, bidding has reached $20,200 with the reserve still not met, but you can own it today for the buy-it-now price of $28,000.
There’s quite a bit of the car’s history provided, not back to day one, but we do find out that near the end of the fifties, the Ford was out on the East Coast and turned into a Hot Rod between the years of 1959 and 1961. The seller mentions that the body panels are all Henry Ford steel, and while there are plenty of nicks and imperfections present the metal looks like it has survived quite well to be nearing the century-old mark. That’s an interesting sunroof on top and it certainly appears to be fixed into place, but no details are specifically given regarding this component.
It’s always nice to have a solid body, but where this one really shines is the drivetrain, which consists of a 324 Oldsmobile Rocket engine punched out to 397 with a pair of Carter AFB 4-Barrels on top. A Muncie 4-Speed is in place plus an Olds rear-end which is currently running 3.23 street gears, but a set of both 4.11 and 4.56 ring and pinions are also included in the sale, in case you want more kick on the low end.
The story goes that when this Ford project was completed in 1961, it was raced off and on until 1969, and at that time the car was taken apart and put into a barn for storage, where it remained until 2004 when it underwent a year-long resurrection. The seller says the white pleated interior is new, so I’m guessing the inside was redone sometime during the car’s freshening-up around 2004. It’s not exactly perfection in there, but it does look really fun to drive with the cool gauges and all those push-buttons.
I’m really digging how efficiently the rear compartment was utilized, and things seem well-thought-out back there with good placement for the battery, fuel tank, and those curvy dual exhaust pipes angled through there. We don’t get any shots from the underside and there’s no information about what sort of modifications have been made down below, but the seller does state that the floors are new. This seems like a good find for someone looking to get into the rod hobby without having to DIY. What do you think?
Totally cool time capsule.
Got to give the builder credit, like the setback of the engine. Looks like a homemade hot rod, I might have done a few things differently but it was a free for all, and if it worked someone else would do it too and visa versa. Don’t know about that blue plexiglass, but all and all a cool old Hot Rod!
Not sure whether I like it or hate it. Always wanted one cuz my dad was also made this year but didn’t picture this exactly
That Olds engine should really move this guy down the road. The 324s from roughly ’54 up were pretty hot but got a lot hotter with modifications. The 311 40 overbore I had in my Studebaker was fast but but not like the later ones. The plastic “sun roof” is in the hole of the fabric over wood supports from the factory. Never did figure out why on that one. The one in my ’32 was in good shape and as a 15 year old I wasn’t ready to get into the fabric top game. Our interior was blue and white, pretty close to this car. Overall nice car here.
You had the true spirit of hot rodding with your old car. Mostly lost today.
Congratulations.
We all had them, we all want them back, but with A/C this time.
The good old days. It don’t get no better thar this.
COOL! It is the eye of the one looking! I have owned several 32’s and this one doesn’t do it for me. This one is no different for me than all the 32’s they made into stock cars, jalopy’s. As for the sun roof, bobhess, if you are saying what I think you are ,I am surprised ,you don’t know. The fabric tops in Fords in this era and other manufactures were because they didn’t have the expertise to make the solid steel roof efficient and cost effective. Once they did in the mid thirties the cloth tops were done.
My 1930 Studebaker Dictator 6 sedan had a fabric roof which required periodic application of top dressing to preserve it. IIRC, customers objected to
the early steel roofs due to an annoying “oil canning” and vibration sounds while driving. By 1937, improved metal forming processes eliminated the problem.
Wether you like it as is or not a 32 with history for $28K does not come along very often. As for the “we all had them back in the day” I was there back in the day 55-65 and a Deuce was hard to come by then. Unusual opportunity for a younger rodder…
I can’t see this for 28k more like 20k
Instantly identifiable as an “East Coast” rod, roof unchopped with the body lower on the frame rails, i.e. channeled. Not to everyone’s tastes certainly, but distinctive nonetheless.
Can someone speak to the safety of the fuel cell and battery in such close proximity? Is this “an issue?”
I noticed that also. Too close for comfort!
Believe it or not that tank (is not a fuel cell) is an improvement over the original Ford tank. If you look at the picture of my ’32 that sloping mass just forward of the rear bumper is the gas tank. The tank on a Model A sitting just forward of the dashboard didn’t do a thing for me but I really didn’t like having that tank on the ’32 being the first thing to hit in the rear. As for the engine location, the transfer of weight toward the rear was what drag racers did for more traction on the strip. Can you say Funny Cars?
I agree bobhess, the mount beats stock, be it bumper or cowel. Maybe I should have asked “how safe is the battery placement?”
Also, why is this not a “fuel cell?” I thought a cell was a tank built to tighter “burst” specs, for racing applications.
BTW I really like the engine set back. Like those whacky fuel altered cars of the 60s and 70s.
Have a good weekend.
Bub… A fuel cell is a metal case with a flexible bladder inside that will take a hit without spilling fuel. There is a a plate with the filler on it that can be removed to change out the bladder for a fresh one. I put my battery in the trunk close to the back of the driver’s seat.
Martin S T…spot on with your comment>>>
Even without looking at the New Jersey ’32 lisc plate.
I think the hardest thing to get by are the blended rear fenders and partial scoop in the cowel. At some effort these can be re-done for a period Henry Ford body
I don’t even know why I am commenting, The comments I read make it obvious most of you don’t even know what your looking at. This car is absolutely a joke, To even call it a 32 Ford because it has a couple of pieces of sheet metal , that at one time might have been part of a 32 Ford, is ludicrous. To say this car has history means nothing, what is that history, maybe the worthless sheet metal parts might have been on a car. The only thing that might have value is the running gear.
Jeepers, Joe. What about the gas meets spark?
I guess living in California Deuces are not that common and have a lot of interest. This is UNUSUAL to have the history Whether the car is to your taste or not…the car is mostly WHOLE.
Nevertheless this car will sell close to or at full price.
I don’t know why I’m writing this either. I guess I feel staying true to the hobby and younger people reading this may see some value in an experienced view.
Gastanks and batts are common in trunks to get the weight in back. It can be put in a plastic, insulated case easy enough.
Deuces aren’t so common in California?? Ever hear of the LA Roadster Show?? They have more ‘32 roadsters than any state has ‘32’s alone!! Come out of the forest and p/u some car magazines and due your research.
Nothing wrong with this car, typical of ’60s hot rod. Martini is spot on with the east coast “look”. Should bring the money, love it.
Yeah Bub, that is just icing on the cake!
WOLFIE…
Deuces in this context>>>I’m sure you can find A LOT. Lets talk apples and oranges here. V12 Mech cuts to the chase here. Right on.