The deuce coupe is one of the most popular choices for hot rod builds. They look good chopped with fat slicks and a V8. Heck, they even look good with a stock roof, narrow tires, and a hotted up four-cylinder! This particular 5-window has been sitting in a garage for over 30 years and is now ready to become the blank canvas for someone’s vision of what a hot rod should be. The title is missing, but that hasn’t deterred people from bidding it up to $26k here on eBay!
There’s the original four-banger. Would you stick a modern V8 in there or just bolt on some period speed parts? A high compression head and new cam could really liven things in in there. With a fast four and narrow tires all around, it would be more of a canyon carver than an all out drag racer. Then again, a Mercury flathead V8 would be pretty cool. So many options here…
The interior is trashed and there’s not much to get excited about in here. Clean it up, swap the steering wheel out, and install a black leather bench seat. That’s about all that should be done in here. The body is the next area to think about. Do you chop that roof and channel the body? The fenders will undoubtedly come off. The seller is helping the estate sell the car and mentions that although the car was inside, birds used it as toilet and the metal is soft in areas. Sounds like a good excuse to customize to me!
It’s ironic how people build customs to express themselves and be unique, but we all use the same base cars. Everything starts to look the same as a result. Admittedly, some cars just look better than their competitors. That shouldn’t keep people from going routes less traveled. What about finding an old Dodge and sticking a Hemi in it? What about the Chevys from the same era? We have to remember that the duece coupe wasn’t always an icon. That said, I still want this so I can build a hot rod of my own!
Nice! Yes I know there would be some who wouldn’t think twice about cutting this apart and installing an SBC. There are a lot of young folks who are starting to think that they came from the factory with that back in ’32. If you want to hotrod something like this, get a repro body and have at it. This one is restoration material. Too bad it doesn’t have the V8 but that B-motor was no slouch compared to the A motor. I’d run it stock and have a good time….
Amen thank you sir
My sentiment exactly!
Wow! I really believed that all the original, unmolested Deuce Coupes were discover long ago. To see one in the “perfect” state of originality is amazing.
I would be inclined to keep it as is, running and driving and enjoying. Do we need another Deuce Hot Rod? Who ever ends up with this one is a very lucky car guy. Wow!
I’m like you. I’m shocked to see an unrestored deuce coupe in this condition.
If I had it I would keep it all factory original in every way. Not many original 32 coupes and I wouldn’t even consider changing a thing . New paint and original interior and make sure it is safe mechanically . Might add turn signals.
Hot-rod it? Get outta hea!
It’s really great to know other folks see the value in the originality of this coupe. I would love to see it preserved. That steering wheel is wonderful. Sadly, though, with the price people are willing to pay for this ’32, it’s likely going to join the legions of other shiny deuce coupes and tri-fives. Some of us like to drive unique cars while others like to be part of the crowd. It’s all fun! I can only imagine how cool it would be if someone at the show tomorrow has an original Coupe like this.
The reason Ford cars were so popular for hotrods was that Ford went to mostly steel construction long before the competition, and you don’t have to deal with a lot of wood framing inside.
Much of the reason for the popularity of the 32 Ford was the design perfection. Other makes look like poor copies by comparison. The curves and proportions of each part of this car make it a visual masterpiece. Other makes may come close but this one is the Mona Lisa.
I would rather have a Ford. I did and should not have sold it. Also, the Chevy’s had way to much wood holding them together. That is why you don’t see them very often. Imagine nailing your car together and then getting the tin to stick to the wood. Not for me. Had a 2 Chevys, a ’34 Coupe and a’34 Pickup. Never again.
It is really very simple the 32 Ford “Deuce” is THE ICONIC HOT ROD. It was brand new when racers realized, if you take off weight , fenders, running boards and more, you would have a really fast car. By the early forties and after the war the 32 was established as the car to have, if you wanted a Hot Rod. That hasn’t changed, it has been estimated that there are more repro 32 Roadsters than Henry ever made. At first just roadsters and only fiber glass, now you can get steel everything, roadster , 3-Window, 5-window and soon a pick-up. So by all means lets save this little Deuce Coupe from becoming a Hot Rod! Are you joking, lets take it to its all time high, and make it a traditional 50’s Hot Rod, or what ever else you claim to be the 32’s best years. Who knows everyone has an opinion. That’s probably part of the reason the 32 is so popular, when they become Hot Rods they are all 32’s, but there are so many combinations of what the builder thinks is correct, they are all different. When you talk to the owners of these cars, one of the major reasons they want one is to be different. Some what of an “Oxy-Moron”. I want what everybody else wants, because I want to be different! Maybe you would be different if you didn’t Hot Rod this little 32 Coupe. I doubt it there allot of restored 32 out there, and this one should really lite you up, they aren’t near as popular as the Hot Rods and bring way less money. On that note the Hot Rods are bring way less money too. Supply and demand, The 32 is having its 85th birthday, and the majority of the people who want a 32 or have them, most have had their 70th birthday or more. Do the math.
The 32 Ford “Deuce” is THE ICONIC HOT ROD. It was almost brand new when racers realized, if you take off weight , fenders, running boards and more, you would have a really fast car. By the early forties and after the war the 32 was established as the car to have, if you wanted a Hot Rod. That hasn’t changed, it has been estimated that there are more repro 32 Roadsters than Henry ever built. At first just roadsters and only fiber-glass, now you can get steel, roadster , 3-Window, 5-window and soon a pick-up. So by all means lets save this little Deuce Coupe from becoming a Hot Rod! Are you joking! Lets take it to its all time high, and make it a traditional 50’s Hot Rod, or what ever else you claim to be the 32’s best years. Who knows everyone has an opinion. That’s probably part of the reason the 32 is so popular, when they become Hot Rods they are all 32’s, but there are so many combinations of what the builder thinks is correct, they are all different. When you talk to the owners of these cars, one of the major reasons they want one is to be different. Some what of an “Oxy-Moron”. I want what everybody else wants, because I want to be different! Maybe you would be different if you didn’t Hot Rod this little 32 Coupe. I doubt it ,there allot of restored 32’s out there Now this one should really lite you up, the restored cars aren’t near as popular as the Hot Rods and bring way less money. On that note, the Hot Rods are bring way less money too. Supply and demand, The 32 is having its 85th birthday, and the majority of the people who want a 32 or already have one, they have had their 70th birthday or more. Do the math!
Sorry about a post twice, I know something about 32’s, nothing about computers
There is little point in restoring this to stock. There are enough stock ones already stashed away in museums and collections. Besides, the demand isn’t rising for these in stock form, and the amount of people who can operate and maintain a stock one these days is (sadly) declining. Either leave this car in the as-found “barn find” condition and display it like this, or hot rod it. I’d make a traditional 50’s rod with this one.
I’d leave the paint be. Maybe have a sign “paint by B Schitz”. Juice brakes, flat head V-8. Patina deluxe!
Gads! From the $26K already bid, this may sound like a stupid question: Can’t you buy a stock well-maintained or restored stock for $26K?
I think I would make a period hot rod out of it but totally reversible to stock. Get some speed parts for the engine, a later wheel – that sort of thing.
“Do you chop that roof and channel the body?”
No, no, a thousand times no!!
I vote for original, too many of these are already rods. All you have to do is look at the Fords on E-Bay, and the vast majority are rodded. At the present rate, there won’t be any originals left. Rod a incomplete car, or a survivor body left out in a field somewhere, don’t destroy a complete original. It’s survived this long so far untouched and unmolested, it deserves to live on as an original survivor.
You have to have a V8 :)
Bid the highest and how ever you prefer the “Little Deuce Coupe” can become a reality. Does anyone know who the car designer was on the ’32 Ford?
This one’s way too original and intact to cut up. Hopefully someone will see the value of keeping this survivor unmolested. Fans of chopped coupes can easily find fiberglass kits for that purpose. The art of the hot rod has been way overdone with this model of Ford, in my humble opinion. We don’t need another example to add to the herd.
Now THAT’S a BARN FIND! Didn’t this cost $490 in 1932? Wow over $26K and rising..
A ’32 with a four banger is a true ‘Model B’ which makes this coupe even more rare. Set it up as a barn find display as is in a museum or restore it to factory original.
Modifying in any way would be disgraceful.
Yes, four-cylinder Model B are quite rare and I hope this car is restored to stock. I can’t recall ever seeing a four-cylinder coupe in over 50 years in the car hobby. That’s how rare this is…