About a year ago I bought a pretty decent '32 Sedan. All original, full fendered, factory V8 car. Old restoration but complete. Juice brakes. It's not perfect, but it's complete. Drivable. I have a soft spot for '32 Sedans. Always have. I think it needs more than I have time to give and more than my current skill level can support. I haven't had time to anything with it. I didn't even drive it this summer. Bottom line, I think I bit off more than I can chew at the moment. Can't decide if I want to sit on it and see if I have more time next year. Or let her go. I can learn the skills stuff, but I don't really think I will have more time next year. I think I would be better off with something more "ready as is" at this point.
Do you still enjoy looking at it? Do you need funds for something else? There is no law that says you have to drive the wheels off things.
I see your from a cold winter area and winter is for building and learning as well. You said it’s driving and so this winter make it yours by adding your flair. Come spring drive it daily as you said your love for the sedan. I agree the sedan is a beautiful body and with or without fenders. You got a picture of the tudor
I'm sure the majority here have regretted selling a once cherished car. Tough decision, give it lots of thought.
if you didn’t have the time to drive it this year, where will you find the time to drive something different ? If you went to the trouble to find this and spend your funds on it, can we assume this is your dream car ? My advice would be to sit on it and try to find more time, even if it takes a year or two……..
Sell it, to my little brother. He’s been looking for something along those lines. At least post a pic so we can make up your mind for you.
I personally feel that project cars are great if and only if you have one or more good running and driving old car(s) already, that way there is no hurry or deadline to be meet and you still get your old car enjoyment. I do not understand folks that have 13 old cars in various states of dysfunctional and not a single usable special car in the mix. If you only have funds for one, buy a runner even if it is a 49 Plymouth (no disrespect intended to those 49 Plymouth lovers out there) or some less than desirable ride you can afford and simply enjoy it. If you want to go to events or to the ice cream shop what good is a deuce you cannot drive? If you can swing two, buy that Plymouth and keep the '32 for later.
Here's a few pics. The wires are how it arrived into my possession. Took all summer to get the steel wheels and tires mounted and installed. Needs suspension work which I feel like is out of my current skill set. I'm sure I can do it, but I have no shop for winter work and it'll take an entire summer to do myself with no first hand experience. I can figure stuff out, just takes time. My goal was to add wheels/tires and suspension/brake tweaks to drive it as is. Oh and convert to 12V.
I say keep it. Many of us have project cars years before we ever hear it go vroom. I think as you slowly progress you'll find you make more time for it. Mebbe even using it in place of normal daily drivers on regular occasion.
I'd have a hard time selling that. Rome wasn't built in a day just take your time and learn as you go. Ask questions. Most cars take several years to complete because of lack of money and time. Form a plan and stick to it. Midstream changes can be expensive. Looking forward to seeing the finished product on here on a few years.
Keep it! Keep the Wire Wheels & tires if you decide to use them a few years later. nice looking car! Bob
Nice sedan! If you have a place to keep it stored, protected and not out in the weather, it doesn't eat anything, keep it. You'll probably regret it later if you sell it.
I would like to drop it 2.5" in the back and 4" in the front. Go through the brakes. 12V conversion. Also needs some new window rubbers. I've been researching the parts needed to drop the front suspension. Rear is a lot simpler. I'm stuck on shock mounts. I don't have a welder and never learned how (regret not taking that in high school shop class). I've looked at having the stock shocks rebuilt. But...OUCH! that'd be like $1400 bucks alone. Front doesn't look terrible parts wise. So-Cal 4" drop beam, 2" drop spring, 1/2" spring spacer with some caster built in maybe, upper and lower steering arms, spindles, front brakes for the spindles. I'd like to keep the stock un-split wishbone. Then I hit the shocks issue.
I see that you've been on here since 2006. That's a long time. Hopefully you have made some friends there locally who may or may not have the skill sets that you feel you haven't acquired. I'm in much the same boat as far as lack of many skills. I do what I can, but often have to call on friends or shops to do what I cannot. Don't be reluctant to pay up either. Friends might help out for beer and pizza. Shops won't.....That's a sweet Sedan and you might never find another one as nice if you let this one go down the road.....Find a place to store it over Winter, even if it's one of those rental units. 6 months from now, pull it out and get re-focused. It's one of those cross-roads we've all encountered and often regretted taking the wrong turn.....Don.
I agree with Don. That is a very nice sedan and if you sold it now then tried to replace it down the track it would be hard to find one as nice. Your ideas are perfect, some altitude adjustment, a 12 volt conversion then go cruising. .
It's tucked away for it's winter slumber in my pole barn. I have all winter to contemplate my decision. Thanks Happydaze. I had not found that bolt on shock kit. I'll see if it fits fendered cars.
I would have a hard time parting with that car if it were mine. It looks like a perfect candidate for the changes you want to make. There is a wealth of information and knowledge here and I’m certain there are countless HAMB’ers that would be more than willing to help walk you through the process. If you sold it, you’d have a tough time finding a suitable replacement. However, since you already have it stored away, obviously you will not be able to work on it until the weather breaks next spring. Then, if you aren’t confident with your skill set, it will most likely take you most of next year to accomplish the intended goals. That means it will be stored away again next winter and you may not have it out and driving until spring 2026. If you’re ok with that likely reality, then keep it. If you aren’t, then sell/trade for something closer to what you’re wanting, ready to go. That’s my .02 worth, which is probably worth about that much. Lol
Can anyone confirm this kit from Pete & Jake's works on fendered cars? I've looked on the P&J website and several vendor websites and seached it. Coming up zeros.
Yes kit will fit with or with out fenders. The tube shock will work better than the originals as well. Great looking car and the changes you’re looking to do are a few weekends of time with the car.
In my 32 coupe similar changes were made but no drop axle in the front . Front has a reverse eye and a couple of leaves pulled. The rear has the same treatment reversed eye with a few leaves pulled. The rear also has a tube shock kit from back in the day. It’s a complete bolt in kit sold by almquist
My roadster is like John’s coupe. Original with reverse eye springs. Cheap and easy. I used MG shocks. A plate made with a grinder and a drill mounts the shocks bolted to the frame. Yes, drop axles are cool, but it starts a list of changes. The other issue is that you can end up with too much rake and the oil from the banjo will run into the transmission. I am not a restorer, but used was on the chassis.
or use the first winter to do one item on the list, then drive it for next summer and then next winter do something further……… Neat car !
A good old fashioned phonecall should clear up any doubt. You won't be getting through to a call center jockey reading the catalogue. You'll most likely get Jerry Slover, the owner, who'll help you out no problem. They can make ladder bars to order 1" longer than the off the shelf offering so I'm guessing if the shock brackets didn't work with fenders they'd easily be able to make them to fit. SoCal F1 style mounts ( as pic, above) are available to fit fendered cars, I have a pair. They do bolt on but the standard mounting requires inserts welding into the frame. On a not boxed frame I guess they could be bolted but I'd suggest large washers are used, or better, doubling plates inside the rail (ie 1/4" flatbar, suitably shaped and drilled), to support the framerail. A large, shaped and stepped washer on the outside would be a nice touch too (search load spreading cup washer, or just make a non recessed one using a drill and holesaw, knock edges off with grinder / sander). Chris
It was after the West Coast had closed up for the business day, so I was just trying to satisfy my curiosity. I actually prefer those F1 mounts. They just look better.
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