Well, it’s not exactly a “Little Deuce Coupe,” but this 1932 Ford Five-Window coupe is pretty close. Claimed to have been parked in ’62, this dusty coupe appears to be all there, and it possesses some notable old-skool engine room touches. Discovered in Richmond, Wisconsin, by Zappenduster, this 94-year-old (hard to believe!) barn find hot rod is listed here on Facebook Marketplace for $49,000, OBO (Yikes!)
In Ford’s parlance, the famous ’32 three-window coupe was referred to as a “DeLuxe Coupe”, while the five-window variety, such as our subject, was simply known as the “Coupe”, though there were Standard and DeLuxe trim levels available for most models. The two-door sedan was known formally as, you guessed it, the “Tudor”, not to be confused with the “Fordor”. There were also cabriolets, four-door convertibles, roadsters, and phaetons in FoMoCo’s lineup that year. As for body count, assuming that I’ve interpreted the statistics correctly, our find is one of 32K assembled that year. As stated earlier, this one’s been sitting a while, its inspection certificate dates to ’61-’62, and it looks it. The accumulated garage mung makes an exterior assessment of this ’32 challenging, but it does appear to be complete and straight, and there’s no evidence of rust. The hinged-from-the-bottom rear deck lid and the pair of passenger-side steps tell me this is a rumble seat-equipped model, but unfortunately, there are no listing images of that rather tight rear passenger compartment.
New for ’32 was the 65 gross HP 221 CI flathead V8 engine, and in this case, it’s wearing Weiand heads and an Eddie Meyer racing intake manifold that accommodates a pair of carburetors, both topped with “Badger” air cleaners. Turn over, it does, but start it doesn’t. The three-speed manual transmission is a 1939 edition, and we’re told this coupe is equipped with “juice brakes,” which I take to mean a hydraulic system.
There’s not much to say about the interior. It’s a contained, cozy environment, but the seat is in deplorable condition, and I’m not sure what that seat cover once was – a Native American-themed blanket perhaps. The simple instrument panel is still in place, and there appear to be some additional gauges attached to the bottom edge of the dash. I wish I could assess the condition of the floor, but the two interior images aren’t very revealing.
OK, let’s talk about the elephant in the room – the price, $49,000! Sure, this one’s original and unmolested, and I suppose the engine mods are attractive, but that price seems way outta here. Tell me, please, am I wrong or is this what a five-window coupe in this condition trades for these days?
I’m not sure about price, but cars modified pre-WWII have been highly sought after by collectors for decades. Even those modified just after WWII that haven’t been updated with more modern parts have a strong following. I’d bet this gets a sympathetic “restoration”, that involves more detailing than painting.
Only a someone that really follows these cars can speak to its value, when it might have been modified and how it is likely to be handled by its next owner.
Steve R
Well, I like what I see so far. It looks fairly complete and that’s the best part of a restoration.
A ’39 transmission? It wouldn’t surprise me if the engine was the same year. Of course a 24 stud could come anywhere from a late ’38 model until ’48. If this came to my place I’d likely tone things down under the hood. I would try to find a 21 stud engine but I admit I’m not too fussy about an 18A going back in. I’d try for an LB from a mid ’36, or at least tone down the engine that’s already in there. A 24 stud with a 2bbl will take it anywhere you want to go.
Pricewise, I’m going to say that it’s hit the max for a 5-window coupe. A roadster or cabriolet could go for a bit more. I’d love a cabriolet; I wouldn’t turn a roadster down either…
My ’32 5 window came with the 4 cylinder and labeled B. Put a 48 Merc, ’39 tranny, and 2 98s for whatever more power. Brakes off a ’47 along with the wheels. Lot of fun and drove it all over the country. Agree on the price but someone will want it.
That’s alot of money for a car that doesn’t even run. And could you please take a garden hose and a brush and clean off some of that baked on crud so we could see the paint? There’s not many people left in this world that have 49 large to spend on yard art, I can only think of two or three dudes. I would put it’s value at maybe close to $30k on a good day. One more thing Jim, you left out my favorite body style, the Vicky.
I’m with you: an extra $19k for the barn dirt is rather excessive!
You’d be surprized at the demand for this – dust and all……..
Biggest difference between a 1931 ford model a and a 1932 ford is $25k… price reflects extremely fair. For a barn find 1932 ford. Rare a hen teeth.
So, apparently, this is the Model B or 18, new for 1932 with a V8, as said. It should also be noted, apparently, a “1939” transmission had syncros in 2nd and 3rd, the hot rodders choice then, previously a crash box, and “juice brakes” is a term for hydraulic brakes, but not until 1939. This was updated as these still had mechanical brakes that ol’ Hank thought were safer, and in a way they were, but Ford was the last holdout for hydraulic brakes. Diesels too, Ford was last to offer one.
Obviously, those of us know this is way out of line for todays interests, and judging by the cars in the background, clearly set by someone with high hopes, they’ll be lucky to get anything at all. Such will be the fate of all these cars.
Ford first offered synchromesh on 2nd and 3rd in 1932. So this car was born with one. The 1939 transmission is an upgrade thanks to improvements in the shift linkage and also to the synchromesh design. It also allowed for swapping in Lincoln Zephyr close ratio gearsets, which were preferred for drag racing.
With the other cars in the background, it makes you wonder why the seller didn’t try to restore this one too.Too far gone, or “once bitten twice shy”, realizing he’d never get money back on his investment. I don’t know much about these really old oldsters, but to me anything in that rough of shape is not worth anything close to $49k.
maybe $49,000 if it were restored.
He’s a flipper and didn’t get this one cheap…….
There’s quite a selection of cars in that garage including a old funny car!
In my opinion I agree with you the price is too high, way to high….okay, given you don’t see one or any of these 1932 coupes on the road today unless totally restored….but the condition of the interior and the overall condition of the vehicle says the price has to come down by at least $20G’s just to allow for a total restoration costs!
Despite looking for a model A project to chop up into a street rod, I almost feel it’s sacrilegious to break up a complete car.
Just to put the price in perspective, a garage up the road from me had a nice 4 cylinder Model A, in running condition, for $9,000.00.
Looks like about 24,000 K worth of dirt on it.
Seller is a dealer – if you go to his website, you’ll see that the other cars in inventory are overpriced as well, very common with these guys. If you’re a serious buyer who knows the market, the price will come down considerably.
neat car but this dealer is looking to rip out somebody’s lungs with that price. i would say 1/2 it does not even run. my guess is they have not much invested and want a killing for it.
Very interesting comments which is predictable, because this car is a Duece Coupe! Without a doubt the most iconic platform for Hot Rods since before WWII and continueing until today. Yes, times have changed and the people who desired this car are disappearing fast, but they are not extinct. No matter what there will always be buyers for 32 Fords. I agree the asking is a lot, but not unattainable. There are still card carring members of this cult with the desire and resources to buy it. As for all the comments, don’t believe eveything you read without knowing the source (includinng me).
When I hear the term “Deuce Coupe,” I think of the attached, a three-window coupe, more so than this five-window variety. And that’s the reason I stated, “Well, it’s not exactly a ‘Little Deuce Coupe,’ but this 1932 Ford Five-Window coupe is pretty close.”
JO
Um, no. Knock off some zeroes and we’ll talk.
I’d go for the Factory Five ’33 at half the price and get what I want out of it from the get-go.
You can buy a nice one for that kind of money. 50k and another 10-20k for rebuild/repairs