1932 Ford Roadster

The great thing about the evolution of hot rodding is this; over the past 30 years a vast array of excellent products has continually streamed onto the market. And presently, anyone with a checkbook and an affinity for going way too fast and looking way too good can build anything from state-of-the-art ride avant-garde to old school cool. This sweet Ford coupe, wrapping a modern chassis and reliable V8 in show stopping aesthetics, is a ground-up build that combines the core strengths of original hot rodding with an uncompromising vision and top-notch componentry. And, if you\'re looking to score a fully sorted custom that mixes classic good looks with proven road manners, it\'s a strong candidate for your next street rod!

For consignment, a Downs bodied car, built from the ground up to replicate the classic early hot rod, in the form of a 1932 roadster from Ford. A special car to our consignor, as he started building the car shortly after the passing of his father, which we all know can be a dark time in a person\'s life. He found that building this rod kept his mind occupied and he worked himself to the point of exhaustion between the build and maintaining his full-time job. 9 months and countless hours of labor all came to fruition for this stripped-down car sans fenders, bumpers, and any other extras, (who needs door handles?), is all decked out and ready to go for a drag on the ubiquitous paved grounds of the LA River.

Exterior
A 2\" stretched in the door area Downs bodied all fiberglass which means no rust classic style is now draped with the upper sections of the body slathered in burgundy and the sides dipped in silver paint with a torn motif as the delineator between the colors. Burgundy with orange highlighted flames that lick rearward from the radiator cowl through the stretched doors and finish just above the huge rear tires of this chopped roadster. The Paintin Place in Mohnton, PA is responsible for the stellar custom paint and flame work, so a big shout out to Glenn Eck and the guys there. A large vertical ribbed radiator is up front, and it is flanked on the bottom by a single burgundy 1930\'s Dodge truck headlights and housings. Snazzy chromed shock absorbers can be seen attached to the silver chassis and more chromed suspension parts hold the front suspension and steering on. With a shaved rear bumper, and some angled chrome tipped tubes stick out the back to release the sound and spent gasses into the world. On all 4 corners we see Billet Specialties Vintec wheels wrapped with skinny 195/60R15\'s in the front and massive 285/75R16\'s in the rear.

Interior
Making use of snappy ivory Ultra-leather material, which covers the door panels with a full smooth finish and a chrome oval door actuator. The same pattern plays out on the Teas bench seat, which has a tuck and roll insert and smooth bolsters. Up front a polished Ididit tilt column with a black rimmed billet angel wing style wheel is fronting the simple dash. This is a burgundy panel and houses the antique white face Dolphin gauges in front of the driver. While in front of the passenger is more ripped motif painted into the burgundy. A partially chrome surrounded chopped windshield holds a small oval rear view mirror and gray carpet with black mats covers the floors which floats the ivory wrapped console. Within the console are auxiliary Dolphin gauges, a pair of speakers for the iPod powered sound system, and the small armed Lokar shifter. A shout out to the trunk with its gray carpeted floor, ivory lined sides and 600-watt amp.

Drivetrain
Under the hood, a shining chromed and black 350ci V8 adorns the engine bay. This is topped by a Demon 4-barrel carburetor and has been fitted with a Comp Cams Mother Thumper camshaft. A 3-speed automatic TH350 transmission on the back of the mill. For the axle in the back, a narrowed Ford 9-inch rear pumpkin holding 3.50 gears makes up the drivetrain.

Undercarriage
When the frame arrived to our consignor it was simply 2 stamped steel rails. He built a frame table, acquired a set of 1932 Ford blueprints and an aftermarket crossmember and the rest, as they say, is history. All boxed in and painted silver, showing little to no dirt overall. It is solid as are the floorpans on this fiberglass body, also painted more body matching silver. The only deviation is the chrome coilovers for the 4-link rear suspension and the fully chromed as are the coil over and control arms for the front Heidts Mustang II suspension. Power disc brakes have been added in the front and for the rear we note power drums. Headers and a stainless-steel muffler system are now on for efficient exhaust operation and some nice engine sound. While underneath we noted a repair to the rear of the oil pan. Our assumption is that due to it hanging low it may have caught something on the road necessitating the repair.

Drive-

Read More

Read Less