Features Pictures of chrome 32 grille shells

Hey guys... while I'm still new to the whole hot rodding scene I've definitely settled in the Model A camp and am turning out to not be such a big fan of 32 shells. But I saw a 32 shell in chrome and my interest is finally piqued... anyone got pictures? I have only been able to find a few... but for me I think this is the only way I'd ever run a 32 shell.

 

To each their own, I have been a Deuce guy for many years and I love the grille and insert of a '32 but I personally don't care for the chromed ones. HRP

 

I think that makes a '32 look like a Model A.

Dave

 

Definitely not trying to start an argument... I know why 32 shells are traditional, and they're definitely cool, just not my personal taste. But chrome sets them off to me. I'm trying to find a picture of a chrome 32 shell on an A, 'cause painted ones don't do it for me...

 

No arguments, just difference of opinions..HRP

 

The fire truck 32 commercial shells were chrome or stainless

 

buddy built a glass '32 tree window,
called it hot wheels, someone must have told him it was cool,
he put on a '30 shell, as hot wheels chromed the plastic '32 grill...
the hot rod guys kind of look the other way and laugh...

 

From The 50s...

 

Ford never made fire trucks in 1932 or any other year. Ford sold the chassis to various fire truck manufacturing companies and they built the truck to city and town specifications.

 

Let's see one of those chrome fire truck grilles. I've never seen any.

 

There was a guy with a red Coupe, that had a chrome grill. Used to see it at the GNRS every year, but don't know what happened to it. Haven't seen it in years.

 

I would never run a chromed 32 grill. It represents the change from Model A.

 

Here’s one… at least, a chrome commercial shell… no way to know if it was factory, my guess is probably not.

And yet most people have no compunctions about a painted 32 shell on an A.

 

That's because putting a 32 shell on an A is an upgrade to most. A chrome grill on a 32 makes it look like a Model A, which would be a step backwards, in a Traditional sense. IMO, of course. To each his own.

 

Correct, Ford sold the running chassis including the radiator shell, hood and cowl to a company's that coach built the fire trucks to the buyers specifications, I have never seen any mention of chrome radiator shells on any '32 Fire truck. HRP

 

CW MOSS does offer a chrome 1932 commercial radiator shell. HRP

https://cwmoss.com/collections/radiator/products/steel-radiator-grille-shell-1932-pickup-commercial

Almost a grand.

 

Several in here.....including a fire truck.
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/chrome-grilles-on-32-fords-pics-wanted-please.964387/

 

3 Window Larry bought this one just prior to passing.
Man, I love this truck!
Miss you Larry.






Here's one from Larrys' thread.


Here:
https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/my-new-sears-and-roebuck-1932-ford-pickup.1002066/

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/my-new-sears-and-roebuck-1932-ford-pickup.1002066/

 

Yeah you have. That former KCMO fire truck with the hold-over AA bed I wanted to buy last summer had a chromed commercial shell on it.

 

I think they're awesome...

 

I think chrome 32 shell looks like gold teeth...

 

Some people like gold some like silver!

 

Rare B-400!

 

Believe another Alt is from a Brit. Riley.

 

Au contraire. I think making a '32 look a bit more like a Model A is a fine thing. But, as you say, to each his own.

 

An interesting article here on the difference between fire trucks and fire engines. I wonder if our professional firefighters here would agree? https://www.portlandoregon.gov/fire/article/275933

 

I am not 100% sure about that. I'm not saying you're incorrect, I am just not quite sure. In his book The Commercial Fords, Lorin Sorensen states that Henry had a new firetruck every year at the River Rouge plant. It's a little hard to think that Henry would outsource building a new engine, even on a Ford chassis.

 

Being as 34 and 35 and even 36 had the surrounding shell/outer edges in chrome or offered in chrome I look at it as a follow through from the Model T era...I don't think backwards...a Deuce is a Deuce...

 

Belonged to a fellow club member in the 70s