It doesn’t get more iconic in the hot rod world than a 1932 Ford Roadster. These cars have been chopped, channeled, shaved, lowered, and other wise modified since the early days of hot rod culture. This real ’32 is for sale here on craigslist in Riverside, California with an asking price of $45,000. While at first glance, the asking price seems like a premium for this specific car, if the statements in the ad are true, this may be a genuine piece of hot rod history.
The ad makes some pretty impressive claims including the history and parts included with this car. Said to be a real steel ’32 body that was channeled in the 1950’s and built in the 1960’s. The engine is a 1955 Chevy 265 with a 1959 Muncie 4 speed. There is a long list of 40’s and 50’s parts in the ad. If all is true, it is very impressive and makes the asking price a little more realistic.
This car certainly has the look of a very fun project. It’s unclear just how much work there is to do to make it road worthy. The ad states “needs small details to be a driver”. From the pictures, it appears there’s no interior. The steering wheel and column are said to be included along with the chassis being “done”. Hopefully the current owner will provide more detailed pictures so a prospective buyer can see exactly how much work is left. The $45,000 asking price seems like a stretch to me, but if there truly isn’t much left to be done, it may be a good investment in the end.
“1959 Muncie 4 speed.”? .. The first year for Muncie 4 speeds was 1963. Before that Chevy used the Borg Warner T-10.
Something looks seriously wrong with the way the rear end is mounted. Were chrome wishbones around in the late-50’s and early-60’s. It gives off the impression it could have been pieced together recently for resale.
Steve R
exactly Steve!
45K for this is laughable.
“this roadster needs small details to be a driver!!” Are you kidding me? Who going to drive it? Fred Flintstone?
I agree! something looks seriously wrong here… but, I am not a professional , $45K is way too much
About 35k to much
Actually it only needs 1 thing to be a driver…..a total restoration !!!!! I think I hear Barney Rubble laughing in the background! “Gee Fred….45,000 CLAMS…you really got taken !!!”
OMG lol .. I totally agree that piece of trash isn’t worth 45 hundred let alone 45k!!
Yep….to make claims…..you need documentation….
I refuse to buy a cross bred vehicle. I’m definitely not a purist but I believe in keeping a car / truck whole as to the manufacture who made it. A flat head V8 or even a 302 would make it better. JMHO
JW, I couldn’t agree more. I started noticing hot rods/street rods when I was 6. I heard that the Ford car I was looking at had a Chevy engine, and could never understand that. Even at that young age I thought Chevy belonged in Chevy. Now, 58 years later I still feel that way, and applaud those who keep it all in the family. Of course I can’t help but snicker when I see a Chevy drive by with a Ford engine powering it. LOL…
You probably don’t snicker much, then…
You’re right, Steve. Exactly twice, I’ve snickered at a Ford powered Chevy. A ’32 Confederate coupe with a 351W, and a ’70 Chevelle SS clone with a 429 Cobra (painted Chevy orange and special water-jet cut bowties over the Ford ovals, and water-jet ‘429’ emblems on the fenders). You know, it’s always been accepted to put a Chevy in a Ford but when you put a Ford in a Chevy the Chevy crowd wants to kill you….
Can’t fault ’em for wanting to install a dependable bullitproof engine.Only thing that will improve a f.o.r.d.
Agree,
This is the way these cars were built as hot rods back then. True, a flathead would be correct, but the small block Ford (260) wasn’t around until several years after the 265 sbc. a 302 wasn’t around til what, 69? How about a big buick nailhead, or a 50’s caddy v8 for a true period correct build.
I’ve seen plenty of 3×2 and 2×4 Y blocks, in my day.
Pass.
The ad reads “this 32 roadster was built in early to late 60’s style using vintage parts and era correct goodies ” not that it was built in the 60’s. Looks like a bunch of junk from someones back yard was thrown in a pile and put together as a roadster.
$4500
The price is beyond laughable, its not even in the ball park! I wouldn’t go $4,500, the life and the myth of the 32 Ford, as much as I love them, is at times just ridiculous. First of all many people just assume any 30’s Hot Rod is a 32 Ford, and they are very rare and worth allot of money ,no matter what the condition. Rare, maybe? Real steel could be? I would argue that there are more reproduction 32 Fords, than the factory ever produced, certainly true for Roadsters!
The comment on the last 32 you listed said ” You can’t pay too much for a 32, you just bought too soon “. Great quote, just not true anymore, the demographic in the car world is always changing and that’s normal. I sometimes think of car values like the stock market, at least in the fact that they do fluctuate, and it is easy to buy high and sell low, as the market changes.
I agree with most of the comments. It looks pieced together – the “’59 Muncie 4 speed” (no such thing, but a minor mistake). I Really agree with JW – keep Ford engines in Fords, Chevy in Chevys, and so forth. I’d rather see a flathead Ford in it. And last, but not least – $45,000? Is that in USD? 😉
I think the owner made a typo on the ad, he probably meant $4,500. for that it is worth throwing a few bucks in it ( ok ) a lot of bucks to make it road worthy and to clean it up.
but the small block chevy was new for 55 while the first small block ford the 221 I think did not come out til the early 60s I think? so in tha respect it is more right in an early hot rod.
Why can’t more of the Ford roadsters actually use a Ford engine?
Cause their junk?
First On Race Day…
Faulty Operating Road Device…..
F’d Over Rebuilt Dodge !!!
Failure Of Research & Development….. and more like F’d On Race Day.
Somebody stop me !!!!! As someone stated, there are reasons why you continually see GM motors in other makes.
Doesn’t look ready to go to me.
All that daylight under the car tell me there is no floor, no seats, no nothing.
No window glass in the rusted up windshield frame.
I don’t think too many people look high and low for a 265. Too many other options that are far better .
From the looks of the CA neighborhood and the other rides in the background I assess money is not this issue. Having other cars like this, this seller knows that there are reasons to “cut this one loose” otherwise he would restore it and either enjoy it or restore it to a level to where the next buyer can “pick their color” paint it and really enjoy it. This thing is a TOTAL resto job and will have 3 times the money in it that it will sell for.
MLaw and All,
A “Junk” Ford engine managed to push my 3,400 pound ’91 Mustang to a 10.82 @132 with the clutch going south on a muggy 80 degree day in SE Michigan. Stock 351 Windsor block, good internals, decent heads, and 618 RWHP. Of course 14 psi of Vortech boost probably had something to do with that. 😉
Chevy’s are cool (I’ve owned 2 Corvettes and a 72 El Camino over the years.) Mopars are too, however I happen to prefer Fords in Fords, Chevys in Chevys… I think you get my drift. (Check out the picture if it comes through – ’67 427 Tri-Power Roadster. I was too DUMB to keep it. 😭
I have seen a most delectable roadster with vintage Offenhauser heads going for half of this.