Technical 32 rails…..original or repro’s

What’s the consensus and who notices anyways?
If the original cross members are removed, frame is boxed, frame horns cut off, Z’d, different cross members welded in, etc, etc, etc…..does it really matter?
If new rails are approximately $900, what’s a set of originals going for and are they worth it? I guess, short of the vin, that’s the only value ?

 

No.

 

It depends on how anal retentive you are, about being period correct...

 

I've built lots of customer chassis with ASC and Wimmer boxed rails and if boxed properly they work fine. I've also done a few ASC's with original 32 cross members. Nothing beats the originals but good quality and affordable originals are a thing of the past. I've done a good number of original bodies on repro chassis with no problems also Brookville's.

 

Anal? No, some of us are just detail oriented. A quick identifier for me is the amount of radius on the edge of the rails. Repro rails tend to be sharper, with less radius.
I don’t look down on anyone using repro stuff I’ve used it too, it’s just something I notice.

 

Thanks for your thoughts

 

Being anal ?
The original frames had the vin number on them that should match the title. If you don't have that, then what do you have? Some sort of a kit car? That looks some what like a `32 Ford, but it's not.

 

As the saying goes, “ there are more 1932 Fords registered in the state of California then we’re built in 1932 “
Having had a “ recreation “ and now a Ford built 32, they all have their place. Back to my initial question, does it really make a difference if the frame and or rails, really matter?

 

Replaced a lot of frames due to collision damage. Never had one with a title issue.
We never had a paperwork issue with a new hot rod chassis either.
Or a new sub frame.
I do like the rivets and ford K member look of originals.
Even the unfilled holes for a high boy looks cool.
Do whatever you like. There will be plenty of folks that will never like whatever you do.
I don’t care either way.

 

You need a Hobby

 

I actually thought that repros had a bigger radius. Both ASC and Shadow.

 

Sigh. Why can't have a good old fashioned bias ply vs radial thread? I am depressed

 

deucepickup32 - is that original 32 frame yours that is now advertised for sale in your town?

 

I do, stirring the pot and winding up the purists. Wait to you see what I am gonna do to the K member

 

I've given you the simple, short answer already. However, you want more, so here goes. Does it matter to who? You or the rest of the world? If you're going to use nothing but the rails, then cut them to pieces and change them etc. who gives a shit if they are original or not? You? If you think all the holes matter, get out a drill. Put the dimple at the cowl for the stock cowl bracket bolt. Or, are you selling and chasing a price and a sales pitch?
If you have some crap originals you want to cut up, knock yourself out, they're yours.

 

Nope and know the seller

 

Already got that comment on fb trying to sell my 32 pickup

 

Whoa….. I heard you the first time and like many other posts of people looking for opinion, that was my intention as well. Not trying to piss on anyones corn flakes here.

 

"My roadster is probably all wrong in many peoples' eyes, but it blows my dress up"!

 

Outside of astetics and details the main reason to use an original frame over an aftermarket is that stamped serial number/ vin number that still carries a lot of weight in certain states and other places in the world. That original frame with number can be the difference between having a 32 Ford and having a 2023 assembled in some places. That is where doing your homework before you start buying parts comes in.

I've been eyeballing a "32" that doesn't have but maybe a small handful of original parts on it. It is still a nifty hotrod with a high Bubba factor Hamb Friendly engine and a lot going for it for the price. The same car with a real Henry body and frame would cost at least twice if not 2-1/2 times as much for what appearance wise would be the same car.

 

Hi guys... Maybe a dumb question!
Is there a difference in the material, in the type of steel that Henry and the repro ASC Rails used?
Henry used high carbon steel? The main function of this steel was the property of being able to flex to a certain point and return to its place, working in conjunction with a system of rivets!
Also being so hard it had a tendency to break, cracking in some places on the chassis.
Two different ways of conceiving a chasis... joined with rivets (flexibility) country roads...
Welded (more rigid) add steel boxing plates, X member and you have a Kart?

 

Original Ford steel was better than the steel used in repros. I can't say specifically what that steel metallurgy was, but Ford did have a lot of their own steels they developed and they were very good.

Having said that, original rails have gone through many decades of torture and often corrosion so not all original rails may be good as they were when new.

A well known builder some years ago made the comment that he be would be okay with building an old style roadster with unboxed original rails, but would not be able to get away with it over time using unboxed repro versions.

Something to contemplate.

 

I seen boxed repos smack a tree hard.
They bent just like any other

 

Unless you buy a known original car, who truly knows what shenanigans went on with the title and the supposed VIN. Title swaps and VIN re-stampings have being going on as soon as these cars hit the junk yards.

 

The few 32 Ford frame that I saw, including mine had the VIN numbers stamping in 5 places across the rails...

 

Correct, doesn't always mean that the frame VIN matches the title though. Ideally it should, but it doesn't always work out that way.

 

The radius on the frame rails is the big difference. I know someone is making them with the correct radius. I just can't remember who it is. I just saw them at a show last week on a build. Other than that, it does not matter to me. As far as the vin. You cannot always see it anyway. I put my own on.

 

I've done a considerable number of deuce chassis using repro rails. Almost all of the 32 cars I've built over the years have had repro rails since they became available. I've yet to have someone walk up to one of my original bodied deuces and say anything about the rails used for the chassis.

 

Gary, I believe that 100%. Some repos rails are nicer than others for sure, so do your homework before you buy. That said, I've seen some original rails that didn't look so great either, so it's all relative.

 

Something to think about and always thought that the repro steel would be better, even unboxed. Originals were braced externally and later, internally for cracking at the rear kick up area. Anyone have experience with a repro, unboxed frame cracking or do they just box them from the onset ? All interesting comments and thanks everyone for your comments.