Hot Rods New Member, Old Car...

Hello all, Ive been in here before just reading, but now I think its time I joined.
My Father recently passed away and left me his 32' Coupe.
The car has quite the story and ill tell the short version.
Dad got the car in 76' from a friend and built it with a Big Block, 4 speed and channeled it.
Drove it like that till 96' when he full fendered it, chopped it, wide whites, and a SBC.
This is the car I learned to cut, weld, paint, and work on. He drove it like this till last summer going to shows and what not. December he got sick, and sadly last week we lost Dad. Before he passed, he gave it to me. He said to keep it in the family and I will drive and love it until I pass it down to my son.
Ill include a few pics.
I'm going to change very little, but I would like to change the rim and tire setup to a Polished Halibrand
and a blackwall and possibly cam and inject the ZZ3 crate engine that's in it.
The car will be on display at the Reihnbeck car show in the winners circle May 6-7-8 in Reihnbeck NY.
I will cherish his car so his legacy will live on. I wish I still had my Dad, but having his car will help the grieving process. I look forward to using this site to help me along the way as I fix things here and there.
Thank you all...
John Fournier

 

Ahh man, I'm sorry for your loss. Those are great pics! Glad you get to keep the car and make some memories with your son. Keep your head up.

 

Wow...so sorry to hear about your dad. Praying for you and family as that is never easy. Looks like your dad was just one year older than mine...makes me want to call my dad while he is still with me. Cool that he gave you the 32 with so much family history. I’m sure he will be with you every time you drive it. Thanks for sharing the story and pics. Very cool coupe.

 

Welcome to the Hamb @John Fournier, Condolences on the passing of your father...and congrats on a gift that will help keep his spirit close to you...

He did quite the revamp from Radical to frankly a more classic mid 50s timeless configuration...I wouldn't change a thing myself but its your Hotrod and your vision...maybe keeps the solids and switch them out once in a while for a spiritual connection and a more traditional period theme. Best of both worlds...any historic pics prior to 1965 as a Hotrod?

 

That's my plan, depending on my mood, or the show, I will switch them out!

 

I applaud your decision...was your dad a long time hotrodder with any other pre 65 styled Hotrods or Customs...we love the history...

Boy that red just belongs on that 32...

 

Great story John!-----At 89 I have passed my roadster on to my son too. Since 1968 I have gone thru 2 speedometers totaling over 300,000 happy miles, now my son can enjoy it as I have.

 

Some of you fellas really spent a huge amount of time in these Hotrods...that's the spirit...

 

Yes, he had a 50 Merc, a 41 Ford and a bunch of others. My Mother still has a 59 Bug and a 59 Bug Eyed sprite.

 

Love the car and love the story, can't say I'm on board for the changes you have planned but that's really not up to me. Glad it's staying in the family.

 

Guessing this is you? Very cool pic!

 

Good to see it staying in the family!! Time to make it yours.

 

These are changes he wanted to make, just didnt get to them.

 

Yes, thats me!

 

John if you have pics and they are pre 1965 in Styling, Hotod or Custom we'd love to see them if you care to share... Bugs and Sprites are OT...but you certainly had a 4 wheeled upbringing and I'm sure you and Dad had fun in the garage...You might want to add an s to your title though...

 

Ill be going to my Moms and taking some more pics... And what do you mean "s" to my title?

 

Nevermind... Got it!

 

Sorry for your loss. That car is spectacular! Your dad did a hell of a job. I think the car is perfect and would not change a thing. But I can see why you would want to continue on with your dad’s vision. I also don’t get a vote.

 

Guys he's keeping the Old Shoes to swap them out for periodic swaps...

 

Keep in mind guys, the current tires are 25 years old. Although they are Cooker Wide Whites they are dry-rotted.
Ive been looking all morning and ill be dammed if I can find a Coker 235-75-15 in that style of tire. So im working on it...

 

Bias plys are pricey but if you scale it over the life of your ownership a set may last you as long as you drive it...for sure if they look pooched don't risk your life or your wheels...

 

My condolences on the loss of your dad. Always nice to have great memories; and it sure seems you have a bunch. Enjoy the ride and hope you get the opportunity to make more memories with this car together with other people.

 

I should have said they were Coker wide white radials...

 

I think that Halibrands and black walls would look great,,,,,,I would nix the injection idea .
You really have a super nice car,,,,,,45 years goes by pretty fast .

I signed over my OT ride ,,to my son last year,,,,when It looked like I wasn’t gonna make it .

Tommy

 

There are size calculators online that you can use for doing the math to find something close to you original size your replacing...The other thing that you can reference is the many threads using the search feature showing tires used and what size they are...

Those 96 tires are radials?....Coker makes a Bias Radial that really looks close to a bias but not a Pie Crust...

https://www.speedwaymotors.com/Coke...MIsLLNgIPJ9gIVCRdMCh1BGQEFEAQYBCABEgLhMfD_BwE

...This is the one that mimics a vintage bias ply...

https://dbtires.com/product/auburn-deluxe-radial-15-16-sizes/

Another fairly new inspired Radial is the Auburn with a pie crust edge that passes but still beats many former offerings in the looks dept...

...not sure of the sizes that match your situation...

https://www.cokertire.com/tires/670-15-firestone-3-1-4-whitewall-tire.html

...This is the Firestone Bias Ply Piecrust zig zag treaded tire...Pretty much a champion of Traditional Period Hotrod/Custom Tires (there are other Traditional Period brand Bias plys available) many times hotly contested against radials but a delivers a period ride reliably for many years of fun...

​

 

Sorry for the loss of your dad. I lost mine a few months ago but he didn't have a cool Deuce coupe to give me. It is cool that you have now have a legacy car to enjoy and eventually pass on to your kids.


BTW, 32' = thirty two feet. '32 = 1932.

 

Sorry for the loss...
Sucks, my ol man cashed out a couple ago..
But... Damn! What a Great 32 to have an be able to light it off an know that Pop's is Look'n down..$
Give the injection a try, It was his wish's..
But, Don't get rid of what You take off!
More often than not that's the way it Goes..
Welcome aboard also... Cheer's

 

Come on man....that car is perfect just the way it sits now.
But it ain't mine, its yours so make it right just for you.

 

Sincere sympathy goes out to you and of all of the Family, and his friends - beautiful car - not common to have had a Dad like yours to pass the torch of Hot Rodding & a Hot Rod to drive -

 

Welcome, John. I'm sorry for your loss but I'm glad you joined us. It looks like your father did a pretty good job bringing you up and letting you learn building skills on his car.