Featured Technical Please help me identifying a body, chassis, and value

I have been looking for a 32 ford for some time now, this one caught my eye, fiberglass replica. The owner knows very little about it, and indicated the prior owner also knew very little about it. He thought it was a BeeBop body, I perceive BeeBop bodies to be of good quality and reputation, but I don't know enough about them to confirm it is a BeeBop body.

Can anyone identify the body manufacturer, and is it a BeeBop body? Perceived Quality?
Can anyone identify any other items (front axle, rear end, frame, etc.)?
The engine is pretty basic looking and there are no details on it, it has a basic TH350 transmission. Likely just a lower performance basic 350 build.

.....and what would be a fair estimate of value, I know it is what someone is willing to sell for and what someone is willing to pay, but I also suspect there is a fair value that can be estimated.

Thank you
Glenn

 

Looks like it was well built by the pictures you showed. That would be for sale here for anywhere from $20k-50k depending on how fresh a build it is

 

I went that route before,... all I can say is walk away...buy a steel car you can afford...

 

Steel cars are real cars.

 

My guess is that @Moriarity and @squirrel might have a different opinion. Just saying.

 

Well....a modern plastic copy of an old steel car isn't quite the same thing as an old original plastic car.

 

Not everyone has the $$ to spend on a ‘32 Ford that’s all Henry steel.
Those who think he should buy a steel one and the same shape, dig out you wallets and help him out.

 

I think they are just helping him understand that glass is worth about half of a steel car.

Unfortunate thing is that it takes almost the same cost to build, but worth less when done. Might mean the OP can get into this one cheap enough if he doesn’t mind it’s glass.

 

well, let me put it this way... take a steel 32 rusted panels look like sacks of walnuts... put it on a frame add running gear and such,,, when you get it to a driver.... you have a 32 ford....one that you can just keep making better... a fiber glass body is not a 32 ford...and will never be till you take the body off and find a 32 body...sooo.. taking from the first sentence of the thread.....you still haven't found one..

 

Front I beam axle is a Superbell, I want to say the rear end is a 9 inch Curie.

 

Looks like a nice car. Note ! A glass car you can afford and enjoy is well worth having IMO. 30/35 K in today's market would be my guess of value, glass 32's seem to fall in that price range. Steel is real, the value is much higher but again IMO buy what you can afford, Enjoy the hobby. The $$$ value/type of any hobby type car is not important, It's about what floats Your boat. More pics of my glass 32 in my albums, enjoyed 8 years, 20K miles, sometimes miss it, now Old and into OT hobby cars.

AUG2013 052 by wicarnut posted Aug 24, 2013 at 12:19 AM

 

I understand the build cost would be the same. But I’d expect that a steel ‘32 body that is in the same shape of a fiberglass one, would be very much higher in cost.
But two completed vehicles one in steel vs Fiberglas, the steel one would cost much more to purchase. Probably even hold its value and or increase.
But initial outlay for two cars in the same shape is what motivates folks to purchase and enjoy and not just dream about “someday”.

 

Sure. Like Wicarnut said above, “whatever floats your (fiberglass) boat”.

 

A steel body, with many made in China patch panels, sitting on an aftermarket chassis, wheels, tires, drivetrain, suspension, chevy 350 engine, interior, gauges etc., is real a "real" 32 ford? With prices of complete nice real body builds at 65K up to 90K, are they really worth it? I have been in love with 32 Ford since I was 10 years old, now I'm 57, but I don't love them 95K worth, they aren't worth that much and popularity and value is decreasing due to new generations not knowing about them or really caring about them. Can I just throw in a few original 32 ford body panel pieces in the trunk and call it basically the same?

If someone has a nice 32 3W high boy for a reasonable price send me a message, otherwise my search continues, and my price range that I am "willing" to spend is too far off a "real" 32.

 

Cookie cutter, middle of the road street rod, built safe, but on a budget from what I can see. Do you like the interior, drivetrain and the colour? How many miles on the build. How easy do you come by your money? These are all factors. After 2 months after the novelty has worn off, this will just be another car at the show. The two previous owners that don’t know much about it will likely tell you they are easier to buy than to sell, so when you find what you really want, your funds will be tied up in this. Having said all that I’ll put on my Anthony Myrick hat and say I would drive it- at a price.

 

If you don't mind having a glass body, then buy a glass car. Others only want steel...how much of that is "real" Henry steel depends on their budget. Some budgets are higher than others. It sounds like your budget won't support steel so buy the nicest glass you can afford. Don't get in a rush as there are LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS of glass 32 3w's out there.
Putting a value on it is super subjective. Since I'm in the steel only camp, my value is skewed. I'm a 32 guy. Love them. But if I had $20-30K burning a hole in my pocket, I'd buy a steel Model A or 40 Ford before a glass 32. But that's just me.
If that car trips your trigger, offer them a low ball amount and see what happens.

 

I have owned a bunch of 32 Fords, original steel & a couple of repop glass, I purchased a well built top of the line glass body roadster, it looked like a original car, hinges,cowl vent and stock looking firewall, strangers would often ask is it steel or glass?

a glass car wont bring big bucks when it's time to send it down the road and some people will not think about a glass car, personally I had fun with my roadster & a chopped top 3 window.

If you really want a 3 window you can be driving one for about a 3rd of what a steel body cost. HRP

 

OP's pics show a Q'change rear. I would say low 30k.

 

I question the validity of this forum for anything fiberglass related, as the topic almost immediately goes to steel is real and a conversation breaks out about fiberglass vs steel. My question was on the identification of the body manufacturer and anything else that can be identified. I get a bit depressed each time I use this forum and throw my arms up and walk away saying, maybe I should just get another muscle car.

 

Seb Fontana, thank you for the information.

 

I wish I could help on the ID of the body or chassis. I will say that if you like the car and it's in your budget, get it. I 100% agree about the arguments that derail a thread on this site get annoying at times and wish there was more emphasis on enjoying the hobby and the look of old rods over if its "real" or not.

 

Looks like a 9inch center section to me.

 

I think that car has showed up in street rod show coverage a few times in the past few years.
To me you don't buy a glass car as an investment planning on making money on it or even on it retaining the value you paid for it. You buy it to drive the wheels off, rack up miles on going to far flung events and places and have a ball in. It will still get to park in a good spot at Deuce Days NW in Victoria BC next year just as glass cars have in past years.
Price wise all you can compare to is other very similar glass 32 3 windows. If it was a chopped Wescott 3 window body it would be worth a few K more than a lot of other glass body cars.
You are going to have to search out very similar glass 32 3 windows on the net and compare the prices with the asking price on that one to see if the price is honest. For me the somewhat dated street roddy paint job is a deduct price wise. The Currie rear end adds a few bucks over a plain 9 inch . Interior is simple and not offensive at all but doesn't add value over any other finished interior.

 

There is nothing wrong with buying a muscle car but don't throw in the towel just because of a few 47-year-old virgins that are sitting around in their beige pajamas drinking banana-broccoli shakes, singing I'm an Oscar Meyer Wiener while dissing on your plans to own a 32 hot rod. That looks like a nice car for 30-35k. Hurst drag tires and DB auburns up front were not cheap. If that is a QC or a Curry, it would be a nice piece. I doubt you could build that car for less than $40k.

When you die, and we all will, who the hell cares what your car was made out of? It matters more what you are made of! Stand tall and drive it like you stole it! And if you see a guy with a magnet bending over to test your cars construction material, kick him square in the sack.

 

Too many '32 Ford snobs.
As bad as those that stick a belly button '32 rad shell on a Model A.
It's all about appearance? Then a glass '32 fits right in.
This is a decent looking and built car. Most people could not tell the difference
between glass and tin.

 

Um.... actually I'm 44 thanks

 

If it is a car that you like and can enjoy go for it and do not let the 0ptimist keep you from getting a car that you like, glass or steel.

 

This is glass and I almost wet my pants every time I get to take it for a spin! And in 4 years I have never seen its potential. Isn't that how everything is judged by how wet your pants get!

 

How much is he asking for it? that will give a better idea as to the price being either too high or low.It does look like a nice car,we all think our stuff is better then everyone elses and try to value it accordingly.But we all need a starting point to start at.

 

I agree, one can’t be a buyer and a seller at the same time.