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Sat For 40 Years: 1932 Ford Model B

We’re told to never judge a book by its cover, and that is certainly the case with this 1932 Ford Model B. It looks like a pretty sad and sorry sight, but that dilapidated exterior hides a heart of pure gold. Located in Huntington Beach, California, the old Ford is listed for sale here on eBay. A bid of $28,000 has seen the reserve met, so this is a car that is set to change hands very soon.

The story behind this Model B is that it was owned by the same family since at least the early 1960s, although their ownership could date back even further. The owner passed away in the 1980s, and the car sat in a barn for at least 40-years. When his wife passed away, the car was sold to settle the estate. It was purchased by the current owner, and after beginning the restoration process, he now has to part with a car that he loves due to a family illness. Since he salvaged the car from the barn, he has gotten as far as treating the old Ford to new glass, and it looks pretty good. The body itself is solid, but it looks pretty battered. There are plenty of dings to be attended to, but it looks like there are no real rust issues to speak of. The previous owner has also undertaken some “creative” work with caulk around the front window and roof vinyl (or canvas, it’s hard to tell), so this will need to be fixed. The paint is coming off across the entire car, so stripping it to bare metal and starting from scratch is probably going to be the wisest move. The bumpers aren’t original, and nor are the wheels and headlamps, but it still looks solid and complete.

When you pop the hood, this is why you should never judge a book by its cover. After sitting for decades, there was simply no way that the owner was going to climb behind the wheel, hit the starter, and drive off into the sunset. However, he really wanted to get the car mobile, so concentrated his efforts on the mechanical aspects of the car. After rebuilding the Juice brakes, he flushed the radiator and rebuilt the water pump. The gas tank was then cleaned and lined, and the carburetor was rebuilt. A new head gasket was installed, along with plugs, wires, and sundry other items. That mighty Ford flathead kicked into life and is in great health. The car now runs, drives, and stops really well. It is once again registered and is ready to hit the road.

In his haste to get the Ford back on the road, the owner has given the interior a cursory clean and had the original seat restored. There is still plenty of work to be done, but the car can definitely be used as it is. The owner states that he had every intention of using it as it is, but the family crisis has curtailed this. Still, everything works exactly as it should, so the next owner can easily pick up where this one has left off.

Being forced to sell a project car due to circumstances beyond your control is an ultimately frustrating experience, but at the end of the day, the health and well-being of ourselves and our loved ones simply has to be our priority. That is the case with this Ford Model B, and someone will certainly be the beneficiary of a lot of hard work and expense by the current owner. I think that it would be only fitting to complete the work that he has started, and I hope that the next owner is willing and able to do this.

Comments

  1. Avatar TimM

    Really cool ride looks mostly stock!! Would make a great hot rod if you don’t mind cutting up a survivor!!! I would change the brakes and search for a good flathead!!!

    Like 1
    • Avatar Marshall

      WHAT!? Cutting up a restorable survivor!?
      The previous owner who did all that work would roll over in his grave only to find out that his pride and joy project that he had to give up on was abominated into a hot rod! Sure he was not able to restore it full frame off original. Nor could he even afford the time and money to do a righteous full frame on driver restoration, But at least he kept it as original as he could, given his resources.

      On him that restoreth with pureness of heart, the LORD shall have mercy. But on him that choppeth up, or otherwise abominateth a restorable ancientmobile, their shall be a plague of rodents, of rust, of wrecks, and of roastings, on all his racked up restorables that he has abominated into ratrods and esp hotrods. These are acceptable fates for a non-restorable vehicle,upon whom I the LORD, the ANCIENTMOBILE OF DAYS shall shower my grace upon. But my wrath and great fury (as described above) shall be upon him that doth needlessly abominate! I AM THE LORD.

      From the Book of Levintageous

      Like 14
      • Avatar ctmphrs

        Restoration is for people with no imagination.

        Like 2
      • Avatar Gaspumpchas

        Marshall that dialog is priceless. Almost as good as readings from the great Testocules: he who fly upside down have crack up. Also a great one from Honest Abe- it is far better to be thought of as a fool and keep quiet, than to open ones mouth and remove all doubt. Off topic but hope you enjoy this light hearted humor!
        Cheers
        GPC

        Like 7
      • Avatar Lion

        Restoration is way harder than Rodding … imagination or not.
        Sorry ctmphrs.

        Like 2
      • Avatar rust collector

        are you forgetting that Edsel was a hotrodder back in his day? you people amaze me when you try to instil your wants and needs on others! How dare you? From the book of common sense and decency! as long as it is not destroyed and is saved what’s your problem?

        Like 0
  2. Avatar Gaspumpchas

    The holy grail. Flatmotor v8 and letter rip. Amazing find. Good luck to the new owner.
    Cheers
    GPC

    Like 5
  3. Avatar Johnmloghry

    Hard to find one that hasn’t been hot rodded, so for numbers sake I vote leave her stock.
    God bless America

    Like 25
  4. Avatar Will Fox

    Some moron with more money than brains will get it, and it’ll be a chopped
    Pro-street mess not even recognizable for what it is by spring.

    Like 8
    • Avatar ptcheshire

      Or a rat rod.

      Like 1
  5. Avatar bobhess Member

    You folks are looking at the second car I ever owned. 5 window Model B but came in a little better condition. Pulled the 4, put in a ’48 Mercury flathead, ’39 transmission, ’40s Ford hydraulic brakes, 4 inch dropped axle and a medium blue paint job. Only body mods were filling in the radiator cap area and the rectangular taillights out of a ’40s something Oldsmobile mounted below the trunk lid where everyone else put ’39 teardrops. Too bad about caulking the windshield on this car as it is a dual bracket swingout and a lot of fun when it isn’t raining.

    Like 4
  6. Avatar Mikey8

    I can just picture John Dillinger riding on the running boards with his Tommy Gun in hand Or Bonnie and Clyde running from a robbery.
    Wonderful looking car. Back when cars look classy

    Like 4
    • Avatar al8apex

      he wouldn’t steal a 4 cylinder, he only drove the V8’s

      Like 1
  7. Avatar Bob

    Is this car really worth $28K? What am I missing?

    Like 6
  8. Avatar Kurt Member

    Leave it stock, put in a relatively age appropriate flathead V8 built to give a better power to weight ratio for freeway driving, and put discs on front axle.Then restore a Grapes of Wrath era trailer and enjoy your next meet in comfort.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Del

    I love this car. He started right with mechanicals done first

    Like 2
  10. Avatar Lion

    Only Model B Fords had the 4 cylinder engine. This is a rare coupe and it should not be swaped out for a V8. These 4 bangers are plenty powerful for the size of the car.
    I had a Model A in high school, and the guys that laughed at me were stunned when they needed a push start and I got thier ’48 Ford up to 40 MPH in a few seconds before their flathead fired up.

    Like 8
    • Avatar --Bill

      The 4 is fine. Add an ohv head and twin Harley carbs.
      Will really flap them fenders.

      Four straight pipes down. Retard the spark and “brand” the asphalt at the high school drop-off zone.

      Good old days

      Like 0
  11. Avatar bone

    The story behind this Model B is that it was owned by the same family since at least the early 1960s, although their ownership could date back even further. The owner passed away in the 1980s, and the car sat in a barn for at least 40-years. When his wife passed away, the car was sold to settle the estate. It was purchased by the current owner, and after beginning the restoration process, he now has to part with a car that he loves due to a family illness.
    TRANSLATION :
    A flipper bought it an an estate sale , and hopes to sell it quick for a tidy profit .

    Like 2
  12. Avatar bone

    This Model B is that it was owned by the same family since at least the early 1960s, The owner passed away in the 1980s, and the car sat in a barn for at least 40-years. When his wife passed away, the car was sold to settle the estate. It was purchased by the current owner, and after beginning the restoration process, he now has to part with a car that he loves due to a family illness.
    TRANSLATION :
    A flipper bought it an an estate sale , and hopes to sell it quick for a tidy profit .

    Like 0
    • Avatar Bob McK

      Exactly!

      Like 1
  13. Avatar Mike

    The “32 V8 was originally sold as the Model 18 (first V8) and the Model B was a 4 cylinder. You talked about the juice brakes being rebuilt but Ford used mechanical brakes until 1940 in the cars and 1939 in trucks.

    Mike

    Like 2
  14. Avatar Tort Member

    I believe 3 window 32 coupes are more popular in the production of glass replicas but in my mind the 32 5 window surpasses all of a lot of nicely styled cars of the 30’s. I would keep it stock except a possible flathead.

    Like 2
  15. Avatar stillrunners

    Mike….1939 was the first year of juice in the FoMoCo line of cars….a little rare and survived most likely because of the 4 banger. Still sitting on a opening bid…..

    Like 0
  16. Avatar Larry

    Didn’t any of you notice that those are NOT the original 32 bumpers ??

    Like 0
  17. Avatar Joe Haska

    I always am amazed at the comments, when one of these old Fords pop up. Mostly the 32 to 34 variety, which causes this big debate about Hot Rod or Restoration. These cars were the best of the best for Hot Rods from the late 30’s to now, if you want a time capsol traditional Hot Rod,this is it. Of course they make a great restored and drivable old car. The debate goes on and everybody thinks they are an expert and its their way or the highway. I doubt that there is a right or wrong ansewer, the ansewer, is always directly related to your age and your automotive history. I will side with old guys, we owned these cars when we were young and some of us still own them. It is our experience that drives our opinions, where as I think some of you younger guys are just going off what you have read and heard , without ever owning an old Ford. If you ever own one,or drive one your viewpoint just might change!

    Like 0
  18. Avatar Little_Cars

    The non-OEM bumpers are clearly stated in the write up. And, if readers would use their imaginations a little…nothing is mentioned about what occurred between 1932 and the 1960s. To me, this is already a modified hot rod of sorts. Later 39 Chevy bumpers, maybe 35 Ford wire wheels, teardrop headlights, sealed roof. One man’s inexpensive custom that is seeing the light of day now in 2019. I agreed it should not be further molested, but lets face it, it was modified 70+ years ago regardless!

    Like 0
  19. Avatar Ted

    Curber or not, this car will sell at the ask. Can anyone do some digging and see the transaction where the current owner/seller picked it up?

    Just curious………..

    Just saw a 35 Chevy much like this one, looked like yard art but a solid driver. Talk about drool inducing. ..They are still out there boys, even in Canada.

    Like 0

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