UPDATE 4/26/2022 – Now that it’s springtime, Alphasud, the seller of this sweet hot rod has decided to lower his asking price so that it can find a new owner that will enjoy it now that the weather is nice! He’s lowered his asking price to $25,000 which seems like a great price for a turn-key hot rod like this ’32. Alphasud is a long-time Barn Finds Reader and frequent commenter, so if you have any questions about the car, feel free to leave them in the comments below or message him directly via his Classified!

Classic cars come in many forms, and they can range from conservative chameleons to vehicles that make a bold statement and demand attention. This 1932 Ford Roadster Hot Rod fits into the second category, but for all the right reasons. It is a turn-key proposition that presents beautifully. Its builder has had an eye for detail, and the drivetrain offers a modern driving experience wrapped in a timeless package. The owner has decided that it is time for another lucky person to enjoy the hot rod lifestyle, so he has listed this Ford for sale here on Barn Finds Classifieds. It is located in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and you could park it in your driveway for $29,000.

There are paint colors that are subtle and understated, and then there’s the dazzling shade of Yellow that graces the panels of this Roadster. It is a stunning shade that is guaranteed to draw attention, and that is never a bad thing when an owner has applied the paint to a car as beautifully detailed as this. It has a fantastic depth of shine, and it is hard to find anything that could be legitimately classed as a flaw. Classic steel can be hard to preserve, but that won’t be a problem with this Ford. The body is a fiberglass reproduction, meaning there won’t ever be any need for the next owner to crack out the grinder and welder on this classic. It has been created in the traditional hot rod manner, which means that it features exposed wheels with no fenders, a chopped windshield, and a minimal amount of exterior chrome. The chrome that is present is in excellent condition, while the wire wheels are in keeping with this classic’s character. Another hallmark of these vehicles is the ability to remove the hood so that the entire world can see what gets it up and moving. This Roadster doesn’t disappoint on that front because its aluminum hood is easy to remove by undoing what appear to be Dzus-type fasteners. Protection from the elements is provided by a cloth soft-top with a glass rear window, and side deflectors reduce wind buffeting on the open road.

One of the characteristics that helps a traditional hot rod stand apart from most custom builds is what we find below the surface. It isn’t unusual to see these classics with undersides that are as nicely detailed as the exterior. This Ford doesn’t disappoint on that front because its frame and floors are spotlessly clean. While the exterior chrome may be understated, the story is very different when we crouch down and have a look below decks. The front beam, shocks, rear coil-overs, transmission extension housing, driveshaft, radius rods, and the rear end have all been treated to a coat of the shiny stuff. It looks incredible and would make it worth the effort to place the car on stands and slip some mirrors underneath it if the next owner decides to enter it in a car show. While the exterior is guaranteed to grab the public’s attention and imagination, the underside is sure to seal the deal.

The roots of the hot rod culture were heavily driven by owners building cars that offered strong performance on a tight budget. Many owners became experts at adapting whatever they had on hand, which led to some creative thinking. The basic theory was to shoehorn the most powerful engine available into the car, eliminate unnecessary weight, and perform this work for mere pennies. However, the scene developed to the point where modern drivetrain upgrades were the norm, and that’s what we find with our feature car. Its engine bay is occupied by a 302ci Ford V8 that the owner has upgraded with a mild cam and an Edelbrock carburetor. It isn’t clear what sort of power this motor generates, but I think that it’s a reasonably safe bet to assume that the figure would be well north of 250hp. Those horses need to find their way to the tarmac, and they do so via a C4 automatic transmission and a bulletproof 9″ rear end. Front suspension duties fall to a beam front end with a transverse leaf and telescopic shocks, while the rear is a multi-link setup with coil-overs. The steering is via rack-and-pinion, while four-wheel disc brakes should bring proceedings to a halt pretty effectively. The engine bay presents spotlessly, and I can see the attraction of driving this classic with the aluminum hood removed. After all, if you’ve got it, flaunt it. The seller says that the little V8 sounds amazing, and it seems that this is a turn-key proposition for its next lucky owner.

Enthusiasts initially created traditional hot rods with a focus on function over form. Their creators gave little consideration to aesthetics and comfort because every penny they had was earmarked to extract maximum straight-line performance from these classics. As the scene evolved, this began to change, and the interior of our feature car reflects this evolution. Brown may not be the trim color that immediately springs to mind among enthusiasts, but it works effectively as a contrast against that dazzling yellow paint. The interior features tuck-and-roll upholstery that appears to be perfect. It covers the seat, and the door trims have been trimmed to match. The heavy bolstering along the front edge of the seat would provide support and reduce fatigue during long journeys, while the chunky wheel should also help on that front. In true hot rod tradition, potential buyers aren’t going to find luxuries like power windows or air conditioning, but the stereo should relieve boredom if the buyer grows tired of the tune being sung by that sweet V8.

Some classic cars appeal to people of a certain age or character. However, traditional hot rods don’t conform to those types of rules or stereotypes. It doesn’t seem to matter whether the owner is 17 or 77, they will invariably have a smile on their face the moment they slip behind the wheel of their pride and joy. I can’t think of another vehicle type that has that ability. The primary goal with any classic should be to provide an enjoyable ownership experience, and few vehicles achieve that goal more effectively than a hot rod. Life can be pretty serious at times, and that seems like a good reason to give this car careful consideration.