Many times in old car sales ads you’ll see: “It’s getting harder and harder to find an unmolested original survivor like this one.” But, when it’s used to describe a 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe, it’s not false advertising at all. It’s hard to believe today that by the 1950’s, these iconic ’32 Fords were viewed as cheap, throwaway used cars. Many of the remaining 20,506 produced were gobbled up by teenagers and given a second lease on life as cut up, modified, and customized hot rods. Although Ford’s 5-Window Coupe was also a popular hot rod choice, I think the 3-Window Coupe looks the cleanest from a styling perspective. This 91-year-old survivor still has quite a bit of its factory originality left. It’s located north of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the city of Valencia, and is for sale here on eBay. It has a Buy It Now price of $86,500, but the seller is also open to your best offer.
The seller shares that the “Deuce” has spent most of its life in some of the premier car collections in the country. His plan was “to turn this car it in one of the most killer, ’32 3-Window Coupes in existence, but unfortunately, time and additional projects have forced me to offer it to a new home.” The Coupe does have a history on Barn Finds. A search on our website showed that this exact car was featured on our site back in 2016 and was located in Atlanta, GA. Except for some cream-colored wire wheels (that now look better painted black), it hasn’t changed.
The seller says that the car “contains 99.9% of its original components.” It’s not wearing its original factory paint though, which I think counts for more than one-tenth of one percent. In the 2016 listing, it stated that the Ford received this green paint job back in 1937. Ford offered two shades of Brewster Green back in 1932 but this isn’t either of them. Yeah, the paint is thin and wearing off in places to show its original black, but it gives the Coupe a cool and genuine aged patina look. Based on the photos, the “Deuce” looks solid, complete, and I’m not spotting any rust.
The interior has the original door panel, seat, and headliner material, which I believe is made of mohair. The seat and driver’s door panel are showing some wear and tear but that’s understandable given that it’s 91 years old. The instrument panel and steering wheel look good and the seller says that the key, gauges, and switches all work. Ford’s sales brochure mentioned that a parcel compartment (glove box), dome lamp, ash tray and lighter were among the DeLuxe’s appointments. Ford also called it a “two-window” Coupe since the rear window could be raised and lowered.
The car’s original legendary 221-cubic inch V8 is rated at 65 horsepower and is paired with a 3-speed floor mounted manual transmission. It has 46,643 miles showing on the odometer. The seller says the Ford’s running gear is stock along with the mechanical brakes. Some components that are not original include the newly installed 6v battery, the replaced exhaust system, and an updated coil setup.
So what do you think? I tend to agree word-for-word with what our own Joshua Mortensen said in his 2016 writeup: “Given how solid and original it is, it would be a bit sad to see it turned into a hot rod. Although I have to admit it sure would look sweet done up as a proper hot rod. That being said, I hope the next owner preserves it and saves the customization work for a reproduction body. There can’t be many original ’32s left out there and I’d hate to see another one chopped up. Personally, I’d clean this one up, make it safe to drive, and enjoy it just as it is! So what would you do with this Ford? Would you see it preserved or turned into a head turning hot rod?”
The black street rod ’32 a few days back is just that, a street rod. This green original ’32 is just that, original, even if it is rough around the edges. Personally, I’d like to see this car with good paint and interior to show off one of the most iconic automobiles ever made.
If you want a 32 Ford hot rod, go buy one, there are dozens for sale at any given time. Leave this alone or better yet give it a 99-point restoration and show it every chance you get so people can marvel at what the designers did way back then.
Leave her alone.
Amen 💔 Bro not many left like this. As a kid in the late 50s we use to go to the Friday night stock car races in Freeport long Island New York. All the cars were like this ford,chevy,and Plymouth. They were modified type. Every race night the pits had 50 to 60 cars to qualify for the main event. Back then they could be found everywhere cheap!
Listing says it has a 59AB engine which is a 239 from 49-53, so it is not 99% original.
Hard to read all of it but right cylinder head looks like it’s got 59K-8 on it. The 59 itself says you are right.
The engine in this car is a 1937 to 1948. The 1932 to 1936 had the water pumps at the front of the heads.
Wonder what it sold for in 2016 ?
They have it wrong in the ad. It’s clearly not the later evolution of the flathead.
It’s worth much more as a very rare original. given the condition it’s in, I wouldn’t change a thing. It’s an eye popper just with that patina!
Oh hurry hurry.. someone please butcher it with the LS SWAP and cut 6″ out of the roof … SMH
I was expecting you to put a honda engine in it
A Honda, Lexus, Toyota economy and performance modification would beat the logic out of any V8 swapper slobber. Ford Focus drivetrain would be the most appropriate. Drop 350 pounds, double the horsepower. Because it’s lighter, might be able to keep brakes & suspension original. Installing big horsepower without upgrading brakes, suspension and drive line / differential is a recipe for waste and doomed project that are for sale everywhere.
Yes it should remain original. If it must be altered then the only alterations, I would make would be replacing the interior with original fabric, a paint job and juice brakes (safety issue). Maybe an electrical upgrade, MAYBE.
rear window goes down? should have a rumble seat not a trunk
Very nice 32.. I would clean up the outside and shoot it with clear to protect that cool looking patina paint! Clean up and fix the interior. Since it’s a newer flat head. Rebuild it for a blower twin carbs. Rebuild the transmission. Fix up the brakes and put duel exhaust on it. It’s would look great and sound great. Just think no stupid LS or 350 engines.. Long live the flat head V8!!! 🐻🇺🇸
They are only original once. All your ideas, while nice, would reduce it’s value.
My ’32 had a trunk and a roll down rear window.
A friend of mine has a 32 3window 99% correct coupe, he reapulsterd the interior in1959,updated the brakes, convertedto12v. It was repainted in 59,it has just over 16,000 original miles on the original motor.all original parts when purchased new he still has on the shelf. His car was featured in hot rod magazine 1960,it’s rare to be able to see one that is 99% correct. I use his car for references for my original 32 3window that was channeled in the early 50s. Great article and if I had the money I would buy that one and leave it as is and enjoy driving it.
Even has the cowl lights , like my old 34 Ford Truck had .SWEET !
The engine was more than likely changed out after WWII at some point. Immediately after the war, Ford
offered rebuilt flatheads to owners whose engines were worn out by the
time the conflict ended. Yes, these
were rebuilt at the factory with a hodge podge of left over parts they had in stock at the time. You might see for example, a ’37 distributor on
a ’40 engine and ’40 heads on a ’36
block. These engines were very
confusing for mechanics to repair as
they didn’t know just what they were
repairing until they tore the engine apart to look at what was in front of
them. Whatever Ford did, they kept
the pre war cars running until the ’46
models became available. Eric Rickman mentioned this in an article
in Peterson Publications The Great
Ford Book in 1976. As for this car,
repaint it and get it roadworthy. Then
have a great time showing it off at
Your local car show.
If it’s not the original engine, I say convert it to front wheel drive Ford Focus drivetrain. And everything original to the naked eye exterior. Lighter engine with 140 HP, reliable, easy on gas. And might get to keep suspension original. Brakes probably get updated by default. But if motor isn’t original, it’s buyer’s choice.
Give it a rest. So why don’t you buy it so the unforgiven won’t happen.🤣
Convert RWD (Right Wheel Drive) car to wrong wheel drive??
Possibly the most rediculous suggestion I’ve encountered on this site !!
Honestly had no idea these had this kind of value. Nice but I can’t imagine who the buyer is for this car at $86K. Definitely can’t imagine leaving the interior as it is. You know when you look at something and you already know what it smells like. That interior does that for me. Dusty old rotten camel hair.
They know the market for mostly original early Ford’s is drying up for the hot rod twinks. Some guy already drooling to squeeze a big block something something hemi turbo supercharged nitrous boy magnet drivetrain in there. Some lonely guy who inherited too much money, not enough cents.
Greg in Texas give it a rest.
Why don’t you purchase it so the unforgiven doesn’t happen.🤣
Leave it alone, take it to a hot rod show and watch everyone gather around it while ignoring most of the other stuff.
When’s the last time you saw one like this?
I agree it’s a one of one. Why take it and do what’s is been done 10,000 times already boring 💤 this is a time capsule of a day of someone’s life. It just hope that the right person obtains this piece of history, IMOA.
Hard to fathom the asking price. Presented as original survivor but reality intrudes and it’s 50% original (motor, paint…that’s 50% in my mind). I know that you can always come down, but at least start at a more realistic number that won’t have potential punters driven off. Hemmings just sold a Model T for around $16K and it looked restored.
just leave it as it is,dont rod it or dont spoil it.
This car is FAR from original. The engine and paint are not stock! So do what you wish with it. Is anybody “amazed” at the asking price other than me?
Moron !!!
I’d drive that around my town running errands. Take it to shows. I’d consider it original personally given the possibility of the flathead being a Ford factory unit. I’d even try to rent it out for wedding photography or the next Bonnie and Clyde/ Oh Brother WAT type film. I’d clean out a garage bay to keep it in! And I’d happily pay $25,000 to do all that. I like it.
Yeah Right🤣🤣
I would detail it up an drive as is.leave it lime it it is.
Ford guy here, but I’m not familiar enough with flathead to join in on the casting number debate. Another nice coupe though, and a first year V8, can’t be many left
I’ve been restoring and building from the ground up since 1977 as I own a restoration shop. I’ve never built a Hot Rod or Street Machine older than a 1966. My Street Machines that I’ve built are 1966 – 1973 and mainly Mopar’s. I’ve restored many older cars as in a 1928 Buick, 1930 Model A, 1933 Ford Coupe, etc. I’m not in any way judging or disrespecting anyone by no means but I’ve noticed many comments saying this 1932 Ford 3 window coupe is far from original and $86,000 is absurd. The vast majority of of the general public don’t know a automobile that’s 80% original from 1 that’s only 40% original. I’m not your 1932 Ford Coupe expert but from what I’m seeing this is 1 of the most original 1932’s that a person will find in this day and time. This car is the real deal and in my opinion it’s a beauty. I do alot of National Car Show’s and I see alot of 1930’s coupe’s and roadster’s with fiberglass body’s and I can spot 1 a mile away and I have no use for a fake fiberglass build. I’m like the majority, leave it the way it is and fix few small things and you have a real head turner here. Don’t touch the paint as the writer mentioned about the patina and it does give it character. I would put about 3 coats ( Here’s a old school painter’s secret and I use it to this day ) Liquid Glass on it and it will protect the paint for many year’s to come and the car will look top shelf. As far as the asking price it’s not everyday or actually any day that you get up and say I’m going today and buying a steel body 1932 Ford 3 window coupe period let alone a 1932 as original and as nice as this car so is $86,000 to much. It’s actually a good buy if you no what you’re really looking at. Sorry for writing a book but I wanted to share my thoughts on this beautiful ride. I wish whoever ends up with this gem the best, you’re purchasing more less a 1 of a kind.