- Known as "the Deuce"
- In traditional 1960's hot rodded condition
- It's amongst the rarest of the rare
The '32 Ford was the trendsetter
The 1932 Ford is known as "the Deuce" which represents the "2" in '32. To those who follows automotive history know that this iconic vehicle, especially in roadster form, has long been considered the quintessential hot rod. And the term hot rod is believed to have derived from the contraction of "hot roadster." In hot rodding history, the '32 Ford was the trendsetter vehicle.
Without question, the 1932 Ford roadster, as a production vehicle, was an exemplary new entry into the American automobile marketplace. It featured all-new body styling, revised grille housing, a lower stance and a brand-new, previously unavailable V-8 engine, as optional equipment. The standard 1932 Ford roadster had the traditional Ford inline four-cylinder engine, and was known as the "Model B" while the V-8 was the Model 18.
This new "flathead" V-8 powerplant with valve-in-block design, displaced 221 cubic inches and that came as a result of a 3.06-inch bore and 3.75-inch stroke, it produced 65 horsepower and took up about the same space under the hood as the four-cylinder engine from the old Model A.
A total of 12,597 1932 Ford roadsters were built, and were available in the following colors: Tunis Gray, Old Chester Gray, Winterleaf Brown Dark, Winterleaf Brown Light, Washington Blue, Brewster Green Medium, Brewster Green Light, and Medium Maroon.
A warmed-over small block Chevrolet 305-cid engine was chosen, incorporating a mild hydraulic camshaft, polished Offy aluminum intake and Edelbrock four-barrel. A set of Hedman #68400 block hugger headers and Cal Custom cast aluminum valve covers give it a nostalgic appearance. The distributor is now fitted with a Pertronix electronic ignition and the plug wires are Taylor Cable 8mm. The cooling system was enhanced by a modern Walker radiator and a 15-inch electric fan.
This classic '32 roadster is done up as a vintage hot rod that could have been constructed in the 1960s, and today it still sees street action in and around the San Diego area by its current caretaker. DMV records indicate that there are more cars registered in California today as 1932 Ford roadsters than when the entire run was originally built when new, and with this particular vehicle being one of the originals with a real 1932 frame and body it's amongst the rarest of the rare.
