Hot Rods 32 Ford - What direction to take with the build???

Ive been posting some updates on my 53 F100 thread but figure I'll break the 32 out and hopefully get some more feedback.

I have a 32 3 window my dad bought in Berkeley CA in 1962. It was a basket case util 1995 when we got it back on the road. 90% of the paint is from 1958 when it was supposed to be painted '55 Chevy red but ended up orange. For $12 you get what you get I guess.

Magoo built the chassis in the eighties. The engine came from Tom Walsh. Bill Hart in Concord put the engine and transmission in the early nineties. I wired it when I was 15 Me and Dad put the fenders on and got it running in 95. It has been on and off the road since then with the wood graining on the interior trim, top insert, and primer spots painted about the only progress.

I'm trying to decide if I'm going to build a period car or a go fast car. I know what forum I'm on so period is a no brainer. Currently it runs and drives - put 400 uncomfortable miles on it Saturday. It has a 302 C4 and an 8". 4 bar front and rear. Front discs on an I beam.

Big question is what drive train? I'm thinking maybe Y block 3 speed od stick.

Paint it or leave it?

Drilled I beam or no? (the current one is too wide)

What rims? Im thinking leave the rims but bias ply black walls maybe?

I want it to be fast and reasonably comfortable. What did I miss?

In 2001 with Dad. The color is off in this photo.




2017

 

Are you planning on removing the 4 bars? Does the frame have a tube X member in it? You'd need to change a bunch of that chassis if you're going period. With it being a Magoo, I'd personally leave it alone, or start a whole new chassis from scratch.
Build whatever engine you want. We aren't the ones that have to pay for it.

 

Why was it uncomfortable? Maybe you need to start there. Oh, never park you car over oil stains, people will think it leaks. Happens on my Harley all the time.

 

To be perfectly honest I don't see anything wrong with the car as it sits,I would drive the wheels off. HRP

 

I'm with Danny on this one, leave the car exactly like it is in honour of your father and drive and enjoy it.

 

I'd agree with HRP. However a narrower I Beam and Halibrands or black steelies would be cool too!

 

Why, oh why would you futz with it? It's pretty much "period correct" in my eyes. Still have the wheels that were on it in '01?

Lynn

 

It’s nice as it is, 4-Bar and all, don’t spend any $ that you don’t need to.
Right now it’s a driver right? They don’t drive like Cads of yesterday, they drive like a Ford of what ever time it was modified.
I know that I’d dig driving that one around.
Great Car!!!

 

Agree. The '50 Merc wheels and caps look superb, then and now. I can't see excessive axle width, is it the latter craze of "Oh, it's not the narrow 46" axle??? Tsk, tsk!" Or some other reason? If it's got disc brakes and is still this narrow, it might have a 46" axle.
IF the present state is like the last pic, (Merc wheels/caps) one would be 'mentally challenged' to want to change that!
Please explain the 'uncomfortable' part?

By the way, your F100 in the background looks more like mine than it does itself!!! My wheels are Romeo Palemides 2 piece, but other than that...same, right down to the black tarp! (my tarp buttons are stainless, son's are black like yours)

IF that red Deuce were alongside MY F100, it would be everything I've ever wanted. Have had similar, but didn't appreciate it then. Put some Merc wheels/caps on the truck to match.

 

Hot Rod and comfortable......is that close to an oxymoron?

 

don't change a thing

 

Put the 5 spokes back on it and enjoy it.

 

as above , n fix up the little things that needs fixin' and enjoy it , thats a really nice car

 

I might consider changing the oil... if it was time.

If it is uncomfortable for a Magoo chassied 32 ford, figure out what needs tweaked/fixed to clean the ride up and drive the wheels off of it. A good set of modern shocks might be a nice start.

If it is uncomfortable compared to a modern car, it's because it's a Magoo chassied 32 Ford.

 

Looks pretty good to me, Enjoy!

 

Great pic of you and your dad by the way! You guys look like you are ready to head off on a great adventure. I also enjoyed the cameo appearance of the dog in the pic, who is doing slightly better at posing than you guys are.

 

I had a '55 Nomad that was Gypsy Red, an old enamel job that I would have to buff every 6 weeks to bring the color back. I read this thread earlier today & didn't have time to respond, but I see the "elite HAMB guard" has echoed most of my feelings. BUFF IT, 5 SPOKES, RADIALS. Waiting to hear why you thought it was uncomfortable. Magoo was known for building good driving cars. Freshen up the 4 bar bushings and all other moving friction points and the springs.

 

I don't see a thing I'd change. I actually like the wide axle, and like the current look with the dropped bar and no bumper.

I'd do whatever you need (ergonomics) to make it as comfortable as a 32' gets, and drive the snot out of it. I'd swap between the five spokes and the steelies depending on the mood.

Too much risk of it coming apart for some minor changes, and becoming a never ending project. Too much fun to be had now!

 

a set of bias tires would look great on that 32.

 

Drive it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Wax it and your done....

 

What direction? East,West, North, or South!

 

Drive it !!!

 

Looks good to me! I would drive it as is and build another frame "Traditional" when completed take that body off paint it Black and put it on the traditional frame! But that's just me! Enjoy it!

 

A car that nice only one thing to do... Rat rod. Are you silly drive it till the wheels fall off and then fix it and drive it again

 

That coupe looks absolutely wonderful just the way it is!! Leave it alone other than maintenance and necessary refreshing.As for making it go fast...leave that til you sort the other stuff out.

 

I'm afraid I have to go with the majority here.....DRIVE IT!!!! BTW what a cool car and great pic of you & dad.

 

I'd buff and wax that paint as good as it could get and I'd put some bias tires on it which won't help the ride but makes it easier to steer at slow speeds (good for parking and for looks) I don't think I'd do anything else, although I haven't seen the interior. I actually prefer the current Merc wheels/caps over the earlier 5 spokes.

 

Me too, drive it!

 

Sort out the uncomfortableness that’s going on and put the Americans back on it or Halibrands repops. I like the removal of the cowl light and the dropped headlight bar. I’d like to see more pics of the car. It would be a shame to change it up too much.


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