Hey Mick, Ran across a friend of yours at VLV, Johnny Russell, another 40 freak! He spent a couple of hours with us bench racing/rodding talking old times and "Hot Rods". He used a ton of film on the 40. He should have some good pics. Says he is really anxious to get his on the road again, I guess he has more than one. Anyway, told him to say hi to you Bob Eames the next he sees you guys. Am headed back to Alaska to fly floats another season for Alaska West Air out of Kenai area, should be back in mid Oct. Are you coming down for judging at WOW next year? If you do, might see you there. Did you ever hear from Cadlights? Later, Dave
Technically, This is a 32 RPU body on a 34 Closed cabs ch***is. I did the work on Jim Gordons RPU @ two different body shops under the same owner =Pasadena & Arcadia CA. This is truly the only real 32 roadster p/u that I had ever seen up to that point,92-93. Jim received this by way of gift by Gene Scott=Cab only. Jim runs Antique Auto that is owned by the Scott family still= Lot of cool old parts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In Iowa here a well-known parts manufacturer has a real '34 RPU. I don't know the figures, but I'd guess by '34 they were REALLY low production. His is restored and looks real nice (saw it about 5 years ago). Supposedly it lived a few miles from my house before he got it. Wish I knew about it back then. The story on this truck is it was American production as LHD, shipped to England(?) and converted to RHD, then converted back to LHD when it was restored.
Kev, thanks for the info, with the 34 grille shell and 34 hood I'm not smart enough to tell the difference. Actually does anyone know if there is a difference in 32, 33 or 34 RPU cabs? Mick
I saw a restored 34 RPU about 30 years ago in the Pittsburg Pa. area. I thought it was homemade at first. According to "Ford trucks since 1905" by James K. Wagner, there were 593 RPU produced in 1932. The B76 RPU body was made by Murray. He dosen't show the RPU in the 1933 and 1934 sections but they do exist. I finally made it to my personal Mecca...the L.A. Roadster show several years ago. The year I was there, there were 2 genuine 32 RPUs there. It turns out that the red one in my picture above was one of them. It was originally hot rodded in 1958 with an Olds in it. It's got a 302 Ford in it presently.
From what Jim told me, The difference is the same as a regular B-truck cab. For 32 a removable firewall and a fixed unit for 33-34, Also on Jims there was a lot of block shimming in order to get the the body to look right. I've gone to Deuce Day in this truck as well as Toms Fun Run. It is a very nice low buck truck. I was after the primered one that is above in this post, but Jim Stroupe sold it to the guys in Texas=Lindig pehaps It went for some BIG money!!!!!!
Two years ago at the L.A. Roadster show there was a guy with one for sale in the swap area.He didn't have the car there but a message board with all the details, I talked to him & yes it was a genuine one. He knew the no. made etc [not many]. Can't recall the price, but way out of my league.
Hey guy's...Our 1932 Ford Roadster Pick-Up/Ute in Australia were based on the p***enger vehicle range.We also started making 5-Window Coupe Utes in 1934 aswell.I will find some pictures for you...Luke!!
I'm pretty sure that Ford Australia started making our own Roadster Utilities in 1925 when the geelong Manufacturing Plant opened.We started making a 5-Window Coupe Utility in 1934 and they were based on the P***enger Range.Here are some pictures of some of these models.Except for the colour picture of the green 1934 Coupe Utility,they were all taken from a book called 'The History Of Ford In Australia' by Norm Darwin and Eddie Ford Publications.
I know Bruce Burroughs (aka Bruce's Rod Shop) has one. The faded blue one in front of the red. It is located in Houston. I believe Lindig also has one from what I've heard. He is also in the Houston area.
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