Just wanted to start a topic about the unusual European ’32 sedans; but before doing so, I thought I’d say ‘Hello’. I’ve been visiting the HAMB for a while – time to post. My ride is an unusual European ’32 Tudor, built at the Ford factory near Paris, France. I recently purchased the sedan in France and it is currently traveling in a container; it should arrive in Long Beach, California (not far from where I live) before the end of the month. In case you wonder, yes, the suicide doors are factory on these cars. Some paint is likely from 1932; the “Spécialiste Ford” lettering pre-1955 (note 5-digit phone number). Engine is a French military flathead V8 from a Simca Cargo truck (3.9L/239ci). The car has been lovingly built by a great hot rodder, Dominique Meunier, over a period of 25 years. Anyway, if you have any info about these rather “obscure” Deuces, please feel free to post here. I’d love to hear from you guys. In parallel, I also started a Facebook page called EURO DEUCES. If you’re on Facebook, just type “Euro Deuces” and you’ll get there. Thank you!
Since the sedan will arrive in L.A. in a couple of weeks, I started buying parts: rebuilt ’39 Ford gearbox (Reids – still need the top/shifter), repop Lincoln front brakes (Reids), 1932 original license plates (GNRS) and ’40-48 Ford wheels (C.W. Moss – they will be black!). (More info on Facebook - search "Euro Deuces")
Very nice! Do you know the rationale behind the suicide doors? Was it so they could get their baguettes out without crunching them?
Ha, good question Blowby ;-) Actually, you have to ask the Brits... All the panels were stamped at Ford's Dagenham factory; then shipped to the various other European Ford factories. Nobody seems to be certain about the rationale behind the design of these sedans. One possible explanation is that Ford (UK) wanted to give their cars a separate image, as some people in the UK had strong resentment against Americans/American products.
The British/European variants are discussed in a couple of books I have...they aren't too hard to find online: "Ford in the Thirties", Paul Woudenberg "The Deuce, a Formal and Sporting History of Ford's First V8 and the Model B" Tony Thacker (note that this is NOT Thackers later Deuce book on the 75th anniversary) There is some coverage also in the V8 Club's MAGNIFICENT AND ESSENTIAL '32 restoration books, including coverage on the 1933 and 1934 variant. I can't remember the model name for those...slightly restyled 1932 Ford. There are lots of little details...I've got numerous furrin Deuce parts books here somewhere, Danish, British, Australia/NZ... (Ford England produced those bodies to cover the highest production sedan styles. Other Deuces (Deece?) in England were I think built with Canadian supplied panels, just like US, for any lower-production body styles ordered. England, Germany, and France had factories producing some stuff locally. I think other European locations were entirely assembly operations, and I think that some were Ford USA sourced, as the smaller countries did not have anti-import laws or Commonwealth relationships dictating source.
It's funny, over here most people refers to them as a Ford B. They mostly get respect for the better mill, over visual upgrades. The preference was the cologne engine in the Model B, because it was a full pressure oiling. In poor rural Denmark most of the 32 most cars are non Flathead cars. So the flathead is just called B because there are so few flathead around. In Copenhagen was an assembly factory, because of our Tax system. We didn't get many cars, we got parts. 60-80% on tax on parts and 160-180% on cars. Half tax on trucks, vans and commercial cars, and they could only have front seats, and often had a rear bulkhead between the trunk and the seats, on vans/sedan deliveries. They had yellow license plates, and no rear windows, except trucks. Opposed to Privat cars that had black license plates, and glass. Sedan deliveries could in small firm, be titles as a combined car/van. That meant no rear windows, and a jump seat for the back, to be put in on weekends for picnics/shopping. And because. They was so expensive new, the became daily drivers until the seventies, so very few was rodded, so there is some survivors, and a lot of expensive restored cars. I try finding some pics of Danish assembled/build cars.
Not the Y...that was a small car that was entirely British/Euro, a direct ancestor of the Anglia we know here. The cars I refer to were basically 1932 Fords with styling changes to dash and fenders built in '33-4.
The pre-production '32 Ford in the US had these raised-panel hood sides (very similar to '30/'31 Fords). Possibly a couple early cars were actually sent down the line in the US with them as well. Somebody at Ford decided they didn't like them, so the remaining stock were shipped to Europe. They must have sent the dies over there as well, since that's the only kind of hood side you see on their cars.
This kinda thing has always grabbed my attention. Ive seen some pics of some unique German '32s as well. very cool thread. keep postin'!
Ford Fourteen it is! Fender skirting added, dash restyled similar to Model 40. I think these came only with the English sedan bodies. Whyinhell is this Italic?
OK, this should help... Top: U.S.; bottom: Europe. Note shape of windows, reveals (including around the wheel arches), raised louvers, dual glove boxes...
I'd love to get my hands on some Euro hoods and dual-glovebox dashes. Wonder if the dashes are a direct bolt-in to a US body?
There was another French 32 build here on the HAMB where he chopped it. I checked out the build and a few of his 2012 photos are no longer there. He hasn't been around since then either. There are a few HAMB threads on these (French and European) Fords.
From the Euro Deuces Facebook page, a channeled '32 Fordor from France with a Delage grille. (Photo: Etienne Butterlin from PowerGlide Magazine)
I have the raised panel hood sides on my B400. I bought them from Eric at Scandanavin Street Rods. When I saw them I thought how cool....and so different from all the other deuces. Works perferctly, rare hood sides on a rare body style.
That is awesome. The raised reveal on the hood carries through to the grille shell too. Lots of small touches that make it look so good.
The Jalopy Journal
