Info Sought- 1932 Ford Cabriolet- Old New York Hot Rod

So about a little over a month ago, I am checking out the HAMB- late night and I spot a thread about an old 32 cabio hot rod for sale on the unmentionable sight. Now I am one for checking out survivors so I took a gander expecting to see a completed listing for gobs of cash. Well Hot Damn if this gem was in my price range, had a buy it now, and was within a few hours drive of me. Knowing it would not last long, and with my heart pounding, I commited to buying it- sight unseen. It was a gamble, I have never spend a big chunk of change on something that I have never laid eyes on, but this chance was never going to happen to me again, and I am single so I can do dumb shit like that. But in the end, it was the right thing to do. I got a fair deal.

I wish I knew who drafted the original post (it was deleted just after I made the purchase); whoever it was- THANKS!

In the original thread there was some speculation about how bad it was beacuse of the price, and those speculations were confirmed- its tosty, but its a '32, its a drop top, its an old hot rod, and its MINE. There is a ton of work to do, not the least of which is making the body one piece again, but I am stoked to own a real deal '32 ford convertible. The seller only provided some basic information as to the original owner and configuration of the car. I would love to find out more and would LOVE LOVE to see some pictures. If any of you guys have intel on this ol' bird I'd love to hear from you.

I know you all will want pics, and I am alittle reluctant to post any- kinda like Jeffery James with his 5 window. As I said she is a little crusty at the moment, but the metal that is there is pretty damn straight, and not too thin- in some areas. I'll send a teaser, and will post more as it comes together.

The Data:

From what I am finding while disassembling it, it seems as though it was a pretty nice car in the day.

1932 Ford Cabriolet, Unchopped
Black gloss paint (seen in wheel wells and over the leaded areas)
Channeled- DEEP!
Rear 1/4s drilled for fenders (absent)
Firewall was covered with white painted galvenized sheet metal
1940 Ford Dash w/ Pontiac radiohead
Retractable cowl mounted antenna
Custom Red and White vinyl interior
Underdash Motorola Radio
Shaved door latches- leaded
'48 Chevy Taillights
1939 Lincoln Brakes all around
1939 Columbia 2 speed rear axle
Wide Five wheels and hubs
'39 Pedals
Cross Steering with 1956 passenger car box
Front Frame horns plated on the outside (I believe this is a later mod for and OHV engine)
1932 heavy axle- undropped
Split bones on homemade brackets
Custom front combination shackle/shockmount
Tube shocks in rear
C- noched rear kickup

Reported to have come from Clifton Park, NY
Supposedly last run in the 1970's with a SBC
Reportedly ran a flathead (in addition to its stock 65/hp engine )

The car had been picked over the years so I did not get a grille, decklid, top mechanism, engine, seat, floor (HAHA), etc. that may provide additional identification details.

So this is what I have to work with. If anyone can shed some light on this, I'd be most thankful. I would love to see it back to close to its original form.

Any info is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

HT

 

Teasers.

 

I don't know the history, but I sure knew what car it was by the first couple of words.

Yes, it's toasty as far as the rust chewing into the W.S posts and cowl top...but it is very cool. I almost hit the button after reading the thread on here back then, but i already have one.

Not sure if I believe "Supposedly last run in the 1970's with a SBC" because the rust seems like it must have been sitting longer than the 70s.

Get a build thread going with pics as found, and some pics of the dash etc. Each time it gets bumped, there is a better chance of getting a hit from someone who knows the car.

 

Hi FJ,



Thanks for chiming in. I have been following your build and could use some tips on certain things like the side glass frames that you made.

The windshield and posts are wasted. i am debating rebuilding with sheet metal and closed car parts or fabing a custom winshield, possibly from stainless. I definitely plan on posting progress pics and as you say- the more that its up the better my chances of getting some information. I also doubt that it was a runner in the 70's. The rust is severe and much more than what I would expect even in 40yrs. It did have some type of OHV as the frame was plated and braced and the K member has been hacked up, though it was still closed drivetrain.

Seems you and I have similar tastes. I have a '50 Olds 303 (with some goodies, stock steel flywheel, edmunds 2 pot intake, mallory dizzy, chrome generator, etc) set aside, which I might use it on this gal. I am also considering a flatmotor as well depending on the condition of the Olds.

If your open to visitors, PM me. I would love to come check out your projects.

P.S. thanks for not hitting the button .

HT

 

I saw that thread also. Good buy! I would have snapped that up also if i wasnt way way down here in Australia.

Now joint the 'back from the dead 32' club, check what i started with and what its at now.............................. get busy.
Make yourself a big tub and soak that body in Molasses for a few weeks and it will make you feel better.

We all pay for our cars in different ways

 

I'll get you a pm sent. I am about 20 minutes south of Stafford Motor Speedway on rt 32. Lots of hambers and fordbarners have been here...and survived

 

I think you got yourself a good project, im on the boat with "if i lived closer i would have hit the buy it now button too"

I think we have something in common, optamism, and thats a good thing, you can see the potential in it, i did too, alot of good parts, 32 axle columbia rear and the main body shell, sure it needs work, but sometimes when you want something work is what it takes. im sure youll do the car justice.

good luck

JEFF

 

Thanks for the encouragement fellas. I'll need it again- probably many times throughout the build.

Humanfly- I joined the "back from the dead" group pretty much immediately after buying the cabrio. I could just have easily joined last year when I bought a beat up '32 sedan. And my dad could have just a few weeks ago when he picked up a '32 pickup cab. Some people ask why have multiple '32s? In my experience, its like when you get a girlfriend and then all kinds of ladies keep popping up in your life. 'Cept with the cars few will frown at you for dipping into as many as you can. I guess me and the ol man got the '32 stink on us.

What can you tell me about the molasses bath- have you posted about it? Some thing that I can search? I have experimented with Vinegar, but that much would stink to high heaven. I love the idea of molasses as a derusting agent. and I also love the idea of clean metal. That is definitely up on my list of things to do.

General Gow,
Thanks for getting the word out. I hope to see you at a show this coming year. I have watched your posts and followed your work, but never stopped in to say hi. Sorry 'bout that, just shy I guess.

Titus,
Thanks for the words, I'll do her justice. We do have alot in common- like the threads we look at. You must also search all the 1932 posts

To The Top.

 

The molasses bath rules, coz its cheap and fairly easy to get rid of when your done. I made a wooden frame, used a builders tarp for the lining, filled with water added 30kg of Molasses and waited 4 weeks, high pressure wash when they came out. The results vary, from pretty good to killer.
There are a few threads on it and other products. The thing that sells it for me is the getting rid of it part, just tip it on your garden or lawn over a week or so. The smell gets up when its a hot day, so keep it away from your house and the guys next door. Its not real bad, but you wouldnt want to smell it all day long.

 

Congratulations on the cabriolet and I too seen it on the auction site. I don't know what it did go for but I have a project one as well. So how is the condition better or worse then seen? Mine is better then it shows in the pics .

 

Congratulations on the find! Looks like you sure have some work cut out for you, but as you said, it's real steel!

Just my opinion, but you should have some fun and go with the Olds!

Also, I'd love to see some pictures and measurements of the 40 dash if you get a chance. I'd like to see how they were narrowed and installed back in the day, before I do anything to mine.

 

Hi C-John,

I know you saw it, I remember your last post "now who bought it?" Just before the thread got pulled. The condition is probably worse than what I had hoped for, but it is definitely saveable. You had rightfully been concerned about the windshield area and how rotted it is. It is gonzo. there is enough there to make templates from, but that is it. I am planning to cut it off and rebuild. The best part of the car is the 1/4s they are straight and fairly solid. The worst part is the cowl. The frame is shot, but I just happen to have a deuce frame section that is the same dimentions as the bad part of this frame. It will definitely be a pieced together car, but aren't they all.

Any tips on building a cabrio would be appreciated- since I know that you have atleast 2.

Speedy Canuk. I'll take some pics of the dash as soon as I can. To be honest, i could not find the seam. Both ash trays were there so they didn;t simply lop the ends off. The speaker grille was shortened very well. Its pretty rough and will likely not be retained. I have a nice '41 dash that was inspired by the History of the Dry Lakes book. Its weird the reverence that i have for the initial build. I almost feel irreverent not putting it back to the way it was originally built, though as you say, I also have to have fun. It will definitely be in the spirit of the first iteration, but with my own twist.

J-

 

Here ya go Speedy,

I cannot see a weld in the center, but the space between the switches a the bottom center of the dash is definitely shortened. Also there are no welds evident at the top corners where the stock dash peaks to blend with the '40 windshield. I am not sure how this was done, but it was were well executed. Too bad the dash is in such poor condition, because it was a nice piece. The gauges were housed in a polished aluminum bezel. I have seen only a few and am not sure of the origin- stock or aftermark. I have it and it is savable however the gauges behind were not. The attached pic of the gauge cluster is what it had, but sadly not the one that I have. The one in the pic is nice. Mine crumbled in my hands.

I hope these help your project.

 

at least you know whats going back in it for a dash then!

Im betting its narrowed in the middle, who ever did it did a nice job if the welds arent noticable. thats how i did mine for my 32 coupe, i then shortened the chrome speaker grille. i filled where the switches when tho.

heres a pic

 

Hammeredt,

I really appreciate you taking the time to take some photos and give me your thoughts on the dash. It's too bad that it is in such rough condition, because as you say, it looks like someone took a fair bit of time and energy to narrow it back in the day.
However, even in rough condition, it gives me some insight into what might/would have been down to narrow a 40 dash. You're right, it looks like most of the width was taken out of the centre speaker/radio section. Gives me some direction for mine. Thanks once again!

 

Hey Titus,

Nice work. I like the smooth bottom of yours. The work on mine was nice, but I don't like the little raise part between the switches. If I run a '40 dash (I am leaning towards it now, but I have a sweet '41 dash with nice gauges that I pick up for when I got my Duece roadster...) i would likely keep the swithc panel, but smooth it by eliminating the raised area in the center. My speaker grille is just like the one on yours- shortened just about the same. It still in pretty good shape.

What is the hole in the bottom left part of the gauge area- to the left of the steering column recess? Mine has it too.

HT

 

I also thought about your idea to keep the cover for the switches there too but hid all the switches in the end.

the hole is for the starter button.

 

Titus, missed yours before. It looks slick! I had some people suggest that it wouldn't look proportionately right if it was narrowed via the centre, but I think it looks pretty good. I might have to pick your brain for some tips on what you did to yours... if that's cool?

 

Hammeredt; when you come here to look at mine, you can see how I did the 40 dash. One side is finish ground so there are no traces of what I did, but the other side is just tacked. That being the upper corners.

Here is a pic showing that mine did not get the narrowing in the grille..

 

It's always nice to see another '32 Ford project! Does it look like there might be some old roll bar mounts in the chassis? I've got to check some photos, if something turns up I'll be back. Keep us updated with the rebirth.

 

Ooooh FJ, thats a good looking dash. I look forward to meeting you and seeing it in person.

 

Here are more detail pics. I hadn't noticed it before, but from some of these it appears that the frame and front suspension was painted red. The dash was red and white, and possible over painted (over the red) with black.

General Gow,

There are pics of the front motor mount. Its a single central mount off the front x-memeber. I am not familiar with the 3 bolt pattern. If it was SBC it would have to have been early- 265? It is entirel possible it was an Olds or Y-block as i think both were center mount at the front.

'37 Kid,

Thanks for looking into this. I don't see anything like a roll bar mount. from the looks of things this was a shower over a goer (hard to tell now).

I have included 2 pics of inspiration. they are both roadsters but are the direction that I am heading. I am leaning towards the version w/o the front fenders.

 

More

 

Inspiration.

 

Anyone know that these rear wheels are? I have not seen wide 5s without the cutouts. I have heard of truck wide 5s. Are that what they are?

Thanks for the imput.

HT

Geez, I will be more efficient with my post next time.

 

I think it's hamber "gunswanted" ??? that has an old time 32 channeled and fendered roadster. His doors are cut down like MGTD/TF, but it's the same ride height, etc.


I was looking at the front motor mount and front crossmember trimming.... The added plate is in the right spot, and goes far enough back, to fit an early Olds...but the stock Olds rubber would be 2 holes... I can't see the holes in the pic. But, they trimmed the entire back edge flange on the crossmember? No need to do that on Olds swap. Maybe it had several engines and maybe one was so low, that it was trimmed for fan clearance? Not sure if that is logical, though.

 

Alright Frank. I'll bite. Did you lose the ashtrays and recurve the outsides in order to narrow it up?

 

I'll take some pics and post them on my 32 build. Still has ash trays, and the stock glove box width.