Hello, new member here, name is Glenn. I have been interested in 32 3W Fords since I was 16, I am now 57 and looking to buy one in the next year. I would prefer a steel car, but my budget may not support that. I ran across a car with a Powerline Speed and Marine Fibergl*** body and was wondering if that was a strong, metal reinforced, high quality body? How does it rate in comparison to the other well-known high quality reproduction bodies? It appears they don't make bodies anymore from what I can tell and are selling Brookville steel bodies instead. I can fix/change anything to my liking but want a solid foundation (ch***is and body) to start with. Thank you, Glenn About me: Live in upstate NY, 57 years old, been into cars my whole life and have owned several muscle cars, currently own a 68 Firebird. I am an aerospace enginerd. I have been on the hunt for a 32 Ford 3W High Boy my whole life, but have always fell short on getting one. Traditional styling is what I like, but a modern drivetrain is also acceptable. With my 68, I am running fuel injection, and a modern overdrive Tremec transmission, the ease of use is amazing. I know modern drivetrains isn't what this site is about, but the styling is. Love motorcycle, both on and off road, currently have 7. Have gotten into adventure riding recently as well. My goal before I retire is to get a 32 Ford, and I plan to drive it a lot, retirement maybe less than a year away. Glenn.
sounds like you just need to get your wants and haves sorted out, and you could buy yourself a steel 32. A friend did that last year, he's loving it. The gl*** one...is it where you can look at it? or is it just an ad somewhere far away? Because if you go look at it, you can tell a lot about it, eh?
Looks like Brookville want $27,000 for a reproduction steel body. In this stage of my search, I am using online ads. If I did go see it, it still would not answer my questions. I wouldn't be able to see how it was constructed such as steel reinforcements etc. If you look at how the New Age Motorsports bodies are built, you know it's going to last a long time and look great doing it. If there is a better means for a car search, please share. I know 32 anything is going to be expensive, but what is expected for a descent steel 32, If I sorted out my desires? 35K, 45K, 55K, more? Thank Glenn
Welcome Glen! Hope you can find a 32 that matches your wants and budget. Unless you enjoy the build and have the tools and talents I would suggest buying a finished car.
Everything after the initial purchase will cost the same, steel vs gl***. The bodywork, the paint, the trim. But the steel car will have twice the value.
If it were me, I’d look for a nice project Henry 32. Preferably mechanically sound. Then go from there. You’re about to dig up a gigantic rabbit hole that descends for miles.
Not saying what you want to do but 7 motorcycles might make a nice dent towards what you want. Sellers are not having an ez time right now especially roadsters. Yes there will always be high dollar 32’s but the younger generation for most part is not interested and all the old guys have them already. There are any nice quality drivers all over the country that need to be seen and offers made. I personally have a soft spot for 32 5w on the rails with no fenders and would be looking a one’s done in the 80-90’s with tweed interiors and goofy paint. Good luck.
Looking at the powerline web site, it would be real doubtful that they ever made any fibergl*** bodies in house. Perhaps if you call them they may tell you whose gl*** bodies they've sold in the past.
That Powerline 32 sold in about 10 hours; the price was right. I have a nice working shop complete with lift and equipment and have been buying tools since I was just old enough to drive. Although I have everything to build a car from scratch, my goal is to buy a working car that I can make my own. I know the cost and hours needed to build a car from scratch, I would prefer to be able to use and enjoy it while in the process. I see the price of roadsters, but I need wind protection. I used to drive a tube steel sand rail to work, real fun but of course no wind protection, so I'm looking to be more out of the elements. I am going to thin out my motorcycles, but they all have a purpose and are designed specifically for that purpose, always seems when one goes sooner than later another shows up. Hahahaha. My 32 search continues, and yes real steal is preferred.
@Onefunride "If there is a better means for a car search, please share. I know 32 anything is going to be expensive, but what is expected for a descent steel 32, If I sorted out my desires? 35K, 45K, 55K, more?" Hello, This ad seems to be a little high, but, in comparison, a Toyota Truck is also 60-70K. So, there you go. It all depends on what you want. Our friend that bought the new Toyota Truck, has always liked Toyotas and had a early 4runner that went almost 200k miles. So, he is justified in a long term purchase. If my wife and I wanted a hot rod currently, at this late stage of the game, we had already looked at several ones we liked. The cost? Not that important as the time versus services provided by one of the local So Cal hot rod shops will be good and gets the job done well. So, it would be money well spent. Then we, as old folks would be out weekly on the coastal highways enjoying the great outdoors. Jnaki Note: I posted the ad for a very well built hot rod 32 Ford Roadster. It would be one of our final purchases, just because we would have a very cool car while we do our final cruising around our So Cal area doing errands and visiting our son/granddaughter, when possible. Yet, we would still be leery of the open roadster parked outside of their garage, even on their driveway. Roadsters are just not made for security at any hour, except for being parked in a garage at all hours. This red 1932 roadster is the epitome of a nice hot rod. Start it up, drive to the S.F. Bay Area on the coast, relax, cruising around the coastal cities and then a nice Highway 1 (if open) road trip home to So Cal. But, even on those trips, where are we going to park overnight or for a dinner on the city oceanfront? A long, one way, coastal drive down Highway 1 along the California coast is wonderful any time of the year, except for a stormy night with the fog intermixing with the rain deluge. So, it is not a normal, "drive in any weather" hot rod or even just a daily driver. We have always liked Jack Stewart’s 1932 Red Roadster. This one is close to the same style and build. Just put in some gas and off we go down California’s coastline, the inner mountain highways and it would find our home just fine. But, on the other hand, it increases the feeling of your surroundings sitting in a nice 32 hot rod roadster. It does and will create a question of doubt if it is sight unseen on any occasion during the wonderful road trip. Of course, we would definitely have to sell one of our daily drivers…YRMV We only have a small two car garage.
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