If you were to assemble a collection of the most influential cars in our history, a 1932 Ford should be included. While the timeless good looks of these cars would be a good reason for inclusion, the main reason is under the hood. Ford’s introduction of a low priced V-8 set the world on its ear. That V-8 went on to become the foundation of America’s love for hot, nasty speed. This 1932 Ford roadster, for sale on eBay in Dolores, Colorado, is a very solid car sporting an older restoration. While some wear and age marks may distract a bit from this car’s overall appearance, this beautiful roadster appears to be made up of many original components. Restored at a time when new old stock parts for such a vehicle were plentiful, does this V-8’s fine condition merit the $69,000 buy it now price?
Finding a 1932 roadster in stock condition is very uncommon. Cars such as this one have been chopped and channeled by hot rodders for decades. Original cars were snapped up as fast as they hit the marketplace, and the lust for “Henry steel” hasn’t waned much over the years. The eventual stratospheric rise in the price of good 1932 Ford roadsters brought a new element into the game. Replica bodies are currently made in steel by Brookville Roadster. These bodies have been produced since 1997, and can be ordered with a number of custom options. These and a number of fiberglass replicas have taken the pressure off the market for original cars. You no longer have to chop up an original car.
From what we are told, this car is an older restoration that has been kept in very good condition. Picking up an older restoration is a good thing. New old stock (NOS) parts for these cars were plentiful when this car was likely restored. Therefore, the chances that it has nearly all original parts are excellent. There are a few minor updates visible on the car. The blue dots in the rear brake lights are a popular accessory, but not Ford factory accessories. The owner has also replaced the stock wheels and tires with a larger set of wire wheels and Excelsior radial tires for better handling and a raked stance. The five original wire wheels and a crusty set of Coker tires are included in the sale. Under the hood, hoses and wires are not originals, nor are they good reproductions. All minor items that are easily attended to.
The car presents well, with the older lacquer paint showing a few signs of age and wear. Inside, the simple dash shows just how nice these cars really were for their price. The seller tells us that the gauges all work. We are also told that the gas gauge has been recently rebuilt. The brakes are still the original mechanical type that came on these cars from the factory. Many people update these to hydraulic systems. One fellow who I met recently still has the mechanical brakes on his 1937 Ford. When asked how they performed, he commented that they get the job done, but you have to plan your well stops in advance. Maybe not the best set up for a $60,000+ car you might want to drive once in a while.
The biggest visual problem with this car is the seat. The old vinyl is coming apart in many different ways. LeBaron Bonney offers a complete interior kit for these cars at a decent price. It would seem a shame to have such a nice car and not put a leather interior in it.
Under the hood is the famous Flathead V-8 that started America’s love for speed and launched the speed parts industry that is still with us today. The engine looks to be the original 21 stud Flathead from 1932. The intake manifold is a 1932 part, but I think the carburetor is a later Stromberg 97 model instead of the Detroit Lubricator carb the car left the factory with. For a driver, and this car is currently roadworthy, this would be a good upgrade. I’d still ask if the original carburetor was included in the sale. At any rate, these engines had Babbitt main bearings and there were no bearings for the camshaft. It unbelievably rode around in a hole in the cast iron block! Things were different back then, and Ford made a lot of improvements to the Flathead in the first few years. Just reading about all of the teething pains it went through in 1932 would take you all of a day.
I wish I could say that this car is a bargain, but I am not so sure anymore. A few years ago, a car this nice probably wouldn’t even be advertised. Word of mouth would have it sold. Sadly, it appears that the generation that loved these cars is dying off and their heirs want nothing to do with them. The market for thirties cars is getting soft, and there are no signs of improvement. You now buy a car like this because it is a want rather than an investment. Still, what a nice car to have in your garage.
What do you think it will sell for?
Wowowowowow. Somebody missed the curve.
No. I would think $25K would be plenty.
1932 V-8 Fords have always been valued much higher than any other car in that class of that era. They are usually at least double or more of a 1931 Model A Roadster due to the fact that 1932 production was very limited because of the cratering sales from the depression and the short production run that didn’t start until April of 1932, and ended just 6 months later. There were just 12,597 of these V-8 Roadsters produced. In fact, Ford could not keep up with the demand for the V-8 cars. The essentially identical four-cylinder B would have been a sales disaster if dealers hadn’t switched customers to them from the V8, and even then sold only 133,539, compared to 298,647 V-8 cars, because the V8 cost just $10 more.
I have seen weathered, patina’d, original 40’s and 50’s hot rodded 1932 Ford Roadsters sell for $80K or more, three window deluxe coupes for $80K-$100K and B400 convertible sedans and roadster pickups in excess of that! If they have documented history of lakes racing or a well known owner, they are worth even more. It sounds crazy but there is a culture of “Deuce Nuts” like myself that worship the V-8 Fords from 1932 to 1940, with the ’32 being the Holy Grail. I currently own seven 1932’s and one 1934. The value of these cars has softened due to the aging of the owners of this genre, but the best examples still bring premium dollars. A restored original is often worth less than the examples given above. This particular car is probably worth $55K to $65K. I sold a beautiful nut and bolt restored 4 cylinder Model B Roadster (pictured below) for $58K three years ago and if it was a V-8 car it would have sold for $65K. If it was a patina’d, weathered, unrestored original I would have kept it. Reproduction Brookville Roadster bodied traditional hot rods usually sell for $40K to $60K, depending on the number of rare, original hot rod parts they have.
Call me weird, but this ‘classic’ model just never had any appeal to me. Perhaps it’s because it’s too ‘common’ for restoration. I mean it’s okay, but… well, just doesn’t generate interest to me. Same for 57 Chevs.
Now show me a Buick or Chevy of the same age and condition and I’ll be impressed.
I have a 32 Pontiac Sedan that is better looking that the common Ford!
That could very well be the original (type) 32 engine. It looks like a Stromberg 48 (used from ’34-’36) carb on the manifold. The single barrel Detroit Lubricator carb wasn’t very good and a lot of carbs and manifolds were exchanged for the ’34 and up versions. I have to say that if you’re going to do something like that, just change the manifold and carb and forget about stacking all that stuff up. A Deuce roadster, that would be my ultimate car.
Nice write up.
Very cool car, but $65000.00 cool, I am not so sure!
Jeff , Very nice write up and informative, I would agree with just about everything you said. Early Fords have always been my passion ,so I always have to throw in my two cents ,along with Uncle Bob, he knows his S__f.
I also get a little frustrated with some comments, when they don’t know what their talking about , they shouldn’t let people know by commenting. As you stated the price of 32’s and early V-8’s are definitely in a transition state, but if you think this is a 25k car, you should truly keep your comments to yourself. Also, comparing 32 Fords to tri five Chevy’s is similar, but it is still Apples to Oranges. Is it a 60 to 70k car, I doubt it in todays market. I am a Colorado native and was entrenched in the automotive culture there for over 50 years, until about two years ago, when we moved to AZ. I am almost positive, I know who originally had this car. If I am correct it is a good car, and it sold for a little less than 50k, it looks better now, but not 20K better. Only time will tell what happens in this market?
Leaving plenty for Brother Joe to wax poetic, I’ll just give a comparison car. Just over a year ago an absolutely gorgeous all black (top, guts, and body) restored Deuce roadster came on the market. The car was pretty much flawless. A few months of trying to get more and advertising in many of the best venues the rig finally changed hands, reportedly in the mid 60k range. With all that comes up a bit short on this one he’ll likely have to come down some, it’s been on the market awhile as well. Given the passion that the insiders/knowledgeable have for these in Henry steel there could be the right buyer who hasn’t seen this one yet, but less likely every day.
I replied ahead of you Bob, but for some reason it didn’t go through. I said being from Colorado, I am almost sure I recognize the car. If I am correct it is a good piece, and it sold in the high forty range, maybe a year or so ago.. I think we all know, the early Ford market is certainly fluctuating ,and not very reliable ,except it is going down. The comment of 25K ,is simply stupid, but I certainly don’t see numbers in the 60 and 70K range. I am sure Bob, you don’t either, but I think we are both resigned to it and it is sad to see what we liked so much ,getting kicked to the side of the road
Uncle Bob, You and I both know what is happening in this market, I am sure you don’t like it any more than I do. Sure, the prices used to be sky high, unbelievable even, but I think deep down we liked it, because it gave us validity for what we thought was super cool, we were the IN crowd, we had what we assumed everyone else wanted. Not so much anymore its a reality check and it is somewhat up-setting, we aren’t the in-crowd ,we are rapidly becoming the old farts, who like old cars that no one else wants. I guess that’s why you and I jump on every chance to champion our childhood and try to correct all the assumptions about our beloved Hot Rods ,that aren’t true. When I drive one of my cars I can see it and feel it. I have two cars a 34 Ford Coupe and a 53 Ford P/U, that’s what I drive everyday ,one or the other. I have been in the 34 allot lately ,as I am repairing the 53 from an traffic accident and repainting it.
Years ago in the 34 sometimes ,it was almost a pain to drive it, as everyone wanted to see it and talk about it. Not now, I can drive all day. run errands Store, Home Depot, Gas, Fast Food and no one even pays any attention, and if they do its usually a little kid. The 53 pick up, gets way more attention, as an old truck, they don’t know what it is, but they think old trucks are cool. I guess I am saying, try to forgive Uncle Bob and I, for hanging on to our good old days, and commenting on every old Ford on Barn Finds.
Amen brother, but we keep on with the passion we have held dear for so many years. While it’s somewhat sad that the cars are losing followers/enthusiasts, and to a lesser degree their value, the other leg of the stool is the saddest, yet most predictable. The friends we used to enjoy this slice of the hobby with are dwindling at a pretty good clip. Events are smaller, familiar faces are no longer there to swap lies with, and helping widows dispose of once treasures, not fun. But, no sense dwelling on those realities, gotta live life as best we can while we can. Your driving your cars as often as possible is a good part of that. Keep on.
Bless you.
Uncle Bob, you are so right, we are in the same place with our life’s and our passions, it would be great to visit sometime, one on one.