1932 Ford Deluxe Roadster - SOLD
     
  • Overview & History
  • Specifications
  • Image Gallery
With so many cars being turned out by hot rod "factories," finding one with a pedigree will only add value in the future.

The 1932 Ford roadster was the original hot rod, right out of the box. Light, affordable, and packing V8 power in a world where everyone else was using fours and sixes, it was the first performance car for the masses. Perhaps that's why it remains popular more than 80 years later, and the style really hasn't changed all that much. The formula has remained the same for decades: a little roadster body with big power and minimum frills.

This 1932 Ford roadster carries a genuine Henry Ford steel body, and was built in the 1970s by Cornhusker Rod & Custom as one of their first projects for noted sports celebrity Jerry Glanville. If you know Cornhusker, you know they now build full chassis for hot rods and their reputation for quality is second to none. This car was built before all that happened, and is more than just an assemblage of aftermarket parts, mostly because it was built long before any aftermarket even existed. As a result it has an old-school feel, a timeless look, and great road manners that only come from experience. It's been expertly maintained and enjoyed, but subsequent owners have not deviated from the original build in any significant way, suggesting both that it was done right and that history matters. With so many cars being turned out by hot rod "factories," finding one with a pedigree will only add value in the future.

The color is the same yellow that Moon Equipment Company (AKA MOONEYES) used on their own vehicles in the 1960s and '70s. It's a commercial yellow that's vivid without being too bright and if you're an old-school guy, you'll recognize it immediately. Save for the fenders, which are 'glass, the steel underneath is vintage 1932, featuring shaved door handles to the filled cowl vent, and refinished from what was obviously a nice original car and the paint remains in incredible condition despite the passage of the years. It would be easy to believe this car was built five years ago, not thirty-five. There are almost no signs of use and the vintage paint shines up beautifully with an old-school sheen that really works on the vintage Ford bodywork. The doors open and close easily and fee precise and effortless, not flimsy and cheap, the custom louvered hood lines up well, and the whole car has an awesome all-of-a-piece look that's very appealing. The hand-painted pinstripes were done by "Rudy" Rudloph in red and blue and offer old-fashioned touches like the V8 emblem on the radiator shell, traditional scroll work on the deck lid, and painted MoonEyes (not a decal) on the rear end. Deitz headlights on a dropped bar are a popular hot-rod look, and shiny bumpers make this rod reasonably practical in the real world and further enhance the old-school charm. Cowl lights converted to turn signals, 1950 Pontiac taillights with LEDs inside, and a chrome rear spreader bar all look great and add to this Ford's pedigree.

The burgundy interior is done in traditional pleats with matching door panels, and the dark red is the perfect contrast to the bright yellow bodywork. It's not vivid, but rather elegant and sophisticated, suggesting whomever chose the colors had impeccable taste. It's basic the way all roadsters were, but fitted carpets on the floor help control noise and heat and the tilt steering column and small-diameter banjo-style wheel make it easy to get comfortable. The smoothed dash is full of VDO gauges with a vintage Moon tachometer strapped to the steering column and an accessory rear-view-mirror-mounted clock as a perk. Under the dash you'll find a unique electric heater that's surprisingly effective on cool evenings as well as a convenient map pocket, since there is no glove box. The tan canvas top is on a modified frame that gives it the chopped look, and yes it still folds for a full open-air experience. In addition, the car comes with a full set of side curtains for all-weather cruising, which is rather unusual for a rod. The rumble seat (if ever it had one) is gone, replaced by a useful trunk that's carpeted in black and big enough to handle luggage for two on a long-distance tour.

The engine is a reliable and trusted 350 cubic inch Chevrolet borrowed from a 1970 Corvette. It's built from period parts, too, not the modern catalog stuff but early 186 coded 302 "camel hump" heads, which were the hot setup back before modern aluminum bolt-ons. A big Holley double pumper was installed just last year, and both the water pump and radiator are new. There was a time when it was all bright and shiny, but this roadster was built to drive, so it shows some signs of use, but there's nothing wrong with the way it works. The TH400 3-speed automatic transmission is probably overkill for a small block in such a lightweight car, but you'll never break it and it shifts crisply through the gears. The front suspension is a traditional 4-bar setup with a Super Bell chrome front axle, Pete & Jake's chrome shocks, and a SoCal Speed Shop steering damper, so it feels smooth on the road. The rear end is a Ford 8-inch with 2.73 gears inside, perfect for relaxed cruising and that engine really doesn't need a lot of gear to fling the little car around with ease. The frame is fully boxed and painted to match the body, and yes, it shows some signs of use, but again, this car was built to drive and it works superbly. Custom steel wheels were painted burgundy to match the interior, custom striped with little 'V8' emblems, and wear '46 Ford hubcaps and trim rings for a period look. New 195/70/14 front and 225/75/15 rear Kumho radials were installed just last year, so this slick little Ford is ready to rumble.

There are a lot of '32 Ford roadsters for sale. Most of them are modern replicas and few carry history with them like this original roadster does. It isn't a show car anymore, but could be again, although given how beautifully it drives, that might be a mistake. Fully sorted with an interesting story to tell, this is a cool old-school rod that definitely speaks your language.

Vehicle: 1932 Ford Deluxe Roadster
Price: SOLD
Stock Number: 111064
Odometer Reading: 17,303
VIN: 69464
Engine: 350 cubic inch V8
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
Gear Ratio: 2.73
Wheelbase: 112 inches
Wheels: Front: 14-inch steel, Rear: 15 inch steel with hubcaps
Tires: Front: 195/70/14, Rear: 225/75/15 Kumho radial
Exterior Color: Mooneyes Yellow
Interior Color: Burgundy vinyl
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