Precious few cars reach true icon status. The Volkswagen Beetle is perhaps one of the most known icons, being produced in the millions on multiple continents from 1939 all the way to 2004 pretty much unchanged. Ford’s 1932 Five Window Coupe is one of those icons. Cheap, plentiful, and easy to work on, in the early twentieth century these cars were perfectly timed with the budding American highway system and resulting car culture, leading up into the active youth of the 1960s. With limitless modification possibilities, “hot rodding” was born, and the Deuce Coupe was the car to build a hot rod from. You can find and bid on this legit hot rod here on eBay, and own a piece of history!
The seller gives a full story of the car’s past life, and it sounds like this is the real deal. Converted from the original Ford powerplant with a then-new 1955 Corvette V-8 engine, the little Deuce Coupe is undoubtedly quick off the line. “Built not bought” is the mantra of the rodders, and this one was built at the height of the craze and raced…as the gods of car culture intended. Under the butterfly hood, I spy a double brake reservoir, which should pair nicely with the Buick finned drums. It won’t bring you to as reliable a stop as six-pot Wilwood calipers and carbon ceramic discs, but a little danger is sometimes a good thing. It’s all a part of the experience.
Inside is still relatively original. According to the listing, it’s got a 1939 banjo steering wheel, and “what’s left of” the original mohair on the bench seat. If it’s your goal to keep it as original as possible, this would still be a perfectly serviceable time capsule, but it looks like maybe some new upholstery might be in order if you want something prettier or maybe more comfortable.
I’m unclear on if the pictured information board is included in the sale, but I always love to read a car’s story when I see it at shows. The way the car is, though, this should really be anything but a show queen. Three pedals, no airbags, nor power anything with a Corvette powerplant and a seating position closer to a modern crossover is bound to make for an interesting and memorable ride.
Model A?
Perhaps “B”
’32 Ford was the Model B. ’31 was the last year of the Model A.
It was a typo. Thanks!
I think that it has hydraulic clutch linkage. One master cylinder for the brakes, the other for the clutch.
One of those two master cylinders is for a hydraulic clutch pedal. Nice start for a vintage hot rod, but IMHO $32K to get in the game doesn’t leave many $$$ for the remainder of the build…
Speaking of a little danger, using copper line for the brakes is a big no-no. It really is a big danger.
I kinda wondered about that when I saw copper lines on my Peugeots, and copper lines on my current DD Volvo 940 . . . I believe aftermarket is currently offering copper/nickel alloy line, which is much nicer to work with than steel. I’ve replaced some of the lines on my F250 with this.
There is a nickel copper alloy that is used, they are fine. This Deuce being built way back when, probably used copper. If it were mine I’d check it out. If you want the look of copper replace with the alloy.
I’m thinking that double brake reservoir are actually independent hydraulic brake and clutch reservoirs. Notice it also has swing pedals. Swell example of a 50’s Hot Rod.
LarryS… I know what it is and what it should be. The header on top of the picture say it’s a ’32 Model A which it is not. Interesting the owner didn’t fix the damage on the gas tank. That tank was the one thing I really didn’t like on my ’32 5 window and if I could have gotten a custom fuel cell made to put into the trunk I would have. Leave the original tank to fill out the body shape and you have a safe street rod. Even without “safe” mine was a lot of fun and good transportation.
I agree, it is not a Model A. It was either a 4-cylinder Model B or a V8 Model 18. The 18 signified the first (1) eight (8) cylinder V engine manufactured by Henry. that is the correct model number as used by Henry Ford. It is a beauty, but priced too high for me. I do have a reproduction original owner’s manual for the Model 18.
David Scully, this car IS finished. It is a perfect example of a fifties hot rod and I hope no one ruins it by “building it.” Leave it as is and watch the show goers flick around it like moths to a flame.
I would like to have seen dual master cylinder next to the clutch cylinder, for the very real added safety. Otherwise, certainly leave as is.
I do really like this car a lot it’s got all the right stuff to make it a good start. If I owned this it would have the appropriate drive line to handle around 500 HP the interior would be updated I may at some point chop the top a bit I don’t want to go fast but just get there very fast. It’s what I am looking for but the price of entry is just to much when I can get into a brand new factory 5 for about half that amount! Lots of potential just to much cash for a starting point!
A real steel 32 Ford costs real money! Traditional hot rodders back then spent all of their money to make the car faster at the drags. And less thought and money was spent making it look pretty or being comfortable. The builders improvise different junk yard parts together to build a unique hot rod.
Ended: Nov 21, 2021 , 11:31AM
Current bid:US $42,100.00
[ 26 bids ]
Located in:Las Vegas, Nevada
Reserve not met
Item relisted:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/194569615142?ViewItem=&item=194569615142&vxp=mtr