Several times I have thought about the 32 side profile with the front wheels moved back. Ran across a discussion not to long ago about same and it seems I am not the only one thinking the 32 front wheels sit too far ahead. Would a 35-40 with the spring ahead of the axle simply be an option? Or maybe the 32 axle with the 35 and up wishbone with the duece spring? Roughly this should move the wheels 2 1/2 to 3 1/2". Could be steering linkage a problem. Front fenders look good with the set back. Glad I wasn`t the only one. Anyone here try it?
When the grille sits forward of the wheel center line the profile looks awkward to be polite. I like stock or 2" stretched. I know it's not what you asked.
In my opinion, when lowered the wheels look too far back in the fenders. If I changed the wheelbase I'd be lengthening it.
X-coupe I did a photoshop and it looks good especially with big and smalls. Looks even better and more in proportion if you have a chop. A chopped deuce has always seemed proportioned wrong.
I was in the hot rod chassis business for over 40 years. The majority of my chassis builds were deuces. I had to refuse to build a few 32 chassis when a customer made that kind of suggestion. Most of my FF chassis had the front cross member moved ahead 3/4 of an inch to help center the wheels in the fenders and the rear moved back to center the rear wheels. Study the side profile of an original untouched 32 and you'll see what I'm talking about. Most highboy chassis I stretched at least an inch. The Ford boys had their shit together when they designed the deuce. It's your project but be careful you don't do something you'll later be sorry for doing.
I must be missing something, I think they sit just right! On another one I actually lengthened the wheelbase by 2", though it is fenderless. I couldn't imagine shortening the wheelbase on a fendered or unfendered '32 Ford and have it look right? ironandsteele.com
One of my favorite lines from the sitcom ‘Friends’ was Phoebe yelling: “my eyes, my eyes”. Very fitting here!
You can find a bunch of people who think the world is flat if you try as well. Doesn't mean they are right.
It'd look f-word goofy. Do it to a Dodge instead. If anything, the rear wheel is the one that needs to be moved back a bit.
What you are asking about is what most older guys call "The East Coast look" . Simply put when they built a rod and pulled the fenders off and went to juice brakes they swapped the whole 40 front axle spring in front and all into the early chassis and that moved the wheels back on the chassis and most every one had cycle fenders. The east coast little rod books were full of them. On the west coast the term may have been a bit derogatory. Not a look I much care for but it was a quick and nasty to have a hot rod with hydraulic brakes.
Mr48 I think that is what was going on alright. Anyone have a pic using the 40 ford front axle and spring?
Mr48, we all have seen the 40 front in a 32 like you say, but that east coast abomination was done on a fenderless car, and usually channeled. This guy wants to do it to a fendered car! I can’t imagine how it could be done and not look like a dozen clowns are about to jump out.
There were West Coast cars that had ‘39 and up front ends adapted for the brakes too @Mr48chev . One that comes to mind is the Juggers Racing Team coupe out of the SF Bay Area. There were certainly others but this one came to mind, and yes, it makes the car look stunted. It was always a bit ironic to me that if an Eastern car was channeled or used the late suspension it had “The East Coast look.” yet plenty of cars on the other side of the country were built the same way BITD. Were the East Coast rodders looking to emulate low slung sports cars with their channeled bodies?
Maybe when your ready you could paint it pink? This hot rod hobby is all about expressing your individuality..
To me E-Cost look with shorten wheel base , also included a channel, & sectioned body panels , making body shorter
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