Projects 27-year-old Tries to Build a 1932 Ford Coupe

Hi all, some of you may have seen my posts looking for a Henry steel 1932 Ford 3W Coupe or I may have contacted you about one you have for sale. I'm 27 years old and have always loved deuce coupes but never thought I would be able to buy one. The time was right and I prepared to buy one. After looking every day on various marketplaces, the right deal finally came along. I was able to obtain a 1932 Ford 3 Window Coupe that had been with the same owner for the past 40 or so years. The build currently is not-traditional but I would like to convert it to a traditional build. The car had some damage done to it on the front passenger side and rear driver side when the previous owner had tried pulling the car into a carport after the shop had just finished the build for him. He mistakenly hit the gas when he was trying to hit the brakes and that's when the wreck happened. The car came with over 300 photos from back in the 1980's such as what it looked like when he bought the car to the restoration he had done to what it looks like now. I have attached some pictures of what it looked like when he bought it 40 years or so ago. The car was red in paint.



If anyone is familiar with this car, the previous owner, Tom bought it in Simi Valley, California he believes back in the 1980's. I'd love to know its history before Tom bought it.

Also, I would like to find a louvered hood & sides, 1932 Ford Commercial Headlights, and an original grille.

I will post more updates and current pictures of the car and build when I have a little more time.

 

Congratulations! Looking forward to your progress!

 

I dunno, I dig the 70's resto-rod look. I think I'd just make it mechanically sound and drive the wheels off of it. I think that style is coming back, so you're ahead of the curve!

Neat car, take more current pics and good luck, you're a pretty rare specimen to own a deuce at your age. I'm 45 and I'm about 45 years from affording one.

 

Good for you kid. You found a great car there. That Era of build was very popular and way cool for a long period of time. Personally I think it looks wicked cool as is.
Good luck with it and keep us in the loop

 

Drive it! Looks great the way it is.

 

Tru-Spokes are the new Halibrands. Keep them you will want them back someday.

 

Hey folks-

Those are pictures of it from the 1980’s. This is what it looks like now:

 

I have a 70s build coupe and everyone tells me to leave it alone except for the obvious maintenance etc. I torn as to what to do but am just driving it as is. The cost of the changes I want to do would see me a long way into an A roadster . I guess my point is start collecting parts etc being very careful not to be scammed, but get it running on the road safely and start to enjoy it naking small changes as you go. Its your car make it yours

 

Please hit the post full images button when you post pics

 

Everyone`s taste is different but that looks like its straight out of the early 90s - rip into it young fella. Its hard to tell but has the radiator and grill been pushed forward? Looks like a lot of room between the front of the block and those.

 

There IS a God!

A 27-year-old young man who understands and enjoys the traditional style of hot rodding, absolutely knew that he wanted a 1932 Ford and did what he had to do to get one. Unlike me who hasn't had a car on the road for years but run my mouth constantly, he's been a member here since 2011, but hasn't hardly said a thing until now... now that he's got his Deuce Coupe and now that he's the real deal. And yet, he still has the humility to state that he's going to "try" to build a hot rod.
Wow, @Chaduro ...
I think you're awesome.
And I'm very happy for you.
And your car is gonna be bitchin'.

 

One last comment. Have a clear vision of how you want the car to turn out. Collect pics of specific areas etc. Depending on how long the build takes that may change but its the best way of doing it in my mind and will save lots of cash buying parts you dont use.

 

Ain't nothing wrong with the wheels and tires on it now. I'd just put some King Bee headlights on a dropped bar, a nice stock style insert in the grille, and give it a nice fresh coat of paint on the straightened fenders. Don't knock yourself out trying to take it all the way back to ultra-traditional since it's had the hinges removed.

 

Congratulations young man.

 

I somehow missed the present day pictures. It's already bitchin'.

 

The wheels aren’t bad, but a stock style grille, headlight bar and 4 piece hood would do wonders.

 

Wheels of your choice, add a light bar, would be a good start, drive it like you stole it

 

Congrats! Replace grill and your gold brother.

 

FIX IT. LEAVE IT. DRIVE IT. Save the cash for future maintenance.

 

I still say "Drive it!"

 

As requested, here are pictures of it in its current state. It has spindle front mount wheels that I would like to change out to mount 5 lug 16” Steelies on all 4 corners.

 

Fulfill YOUR vision. Congrats on getting what many have to wait til theyre old men if ever to get! Enjoy it!

 

Great score! So happy for you. Steelies Rule.

 

So sweet, congrats on the new car!! Drive it and enjoy it a bit before tearing it apart, just my two cents.

 

Make changes while you are Driving it!

 

I wish *I* had those wheels... ;( .
The grill looks kinda like a Dan Finks styled grill - maybe billet. I'm not a fan of the reverse-curve in the bars.
Wouldn't take much to change that to a long-life-look. Dan Hays got it right. Since I like the larger headlights, I'd use a dropped bar. Do check where the rad n shell is placed. Does look too far forward. It's a very nice looking car...
Glad you got what you wanted.
Marcus...

 

"The hobby is dying!! Young people aren't into old cars..."

 

Just don't do this.
Worst advice I ever got...
"You should work on your car while you're driving it."
Yeah right! Sure thing!
I almost killed myself!

 

Definitely needs a 4 piece hood and a dropped headlight bar. I'd swap out the front wheels as has already been said. ET makes a 15X4" front wheel to match the rears. I don't know if you can buy 'em polished tho. Mine are not polished. They are a pretty good match to the Americans on the back.

 

Thanks all for the kind words. I’m planning on keeping the interior the way it is currently. It’s just been redone and modernized with a lot of money put into it. It’s got very untraditional features such as power windows and a power trunk. For now, I’m going to get it drivable again and tweak things to my liking as I go. I agree that I need a 4 piece hood. And yes, that’s a Dan Fink grill but personally I’m not a fan of it and may sell it once I get an original grille. I am planning on dropping the headlights, possibly on a dropped bar. I took off the fenders and running boards to better assess any damage. I found that the driver rear axle is bent. It’s got a Ford 9 inch rear end. I’ll be replacing the axle shortly. Here are some progress pictures: