Hot Rods Traditional '32 Ford Hot Rods: Which ones are the Icons?

Gammel Coupe

 

Can’t forget our H.A.M.B. buddy, 3WLarry’s stunning Coupe!

 

Say @Moriarity , you wouldn’t happen to know where / who built that black coupe would you? I as seem to remember that it’s from here in the PNW ( although I could wrong, mistaken that is)

 

I thought I recognized that coupe. I was fortunate enough to get up close and personal with it a few years ago when the owner had my father ( miss you dad) appraise it for him.

 

This hits a chord with me,

 

Jim Busby

 

One of my all time fav's, Phil Kendrik's Tudor.

 

That Black 32 belongs to Larry Kruljack from Stayton (EDIT: Independence) Oregon, I am pretty sure he built it as well. It is running a small block Chevy with Rochester fuel injection and a Muncie 4 speed. All steel car. Larry p***ed away in 2020 if I remember correctly and the car has been for sale locally here in Oregon. He also had a 55 Nomad that was sold and went to England and a 37 Ford flathead powered pickup that went to a family member. Also not HAMB friendly cars as well. Oh yeah, a stagger wing Beach bi-plane and some other aircraft in there too. Larry always had some great stories to tell and was a long time Hot Rodder. Here is a picture of the car from 2018. He is missed.

 

from where I grew up, this to me was the most iconic in New Zealand, closely followed by….

 

My fav 32 was at the latest LoneStar Roundup in Austin—-most “cherry” body I have ever seen—-complete with a running ARDUN—-rumor from another friend who has 17 Deuces—told me owner bought body 20 years ago and paid $100k back then.

 

Ricky Nelson 32.

 

Doyle Gammell 1932 Ford Three Window Coupe.


Hello,

Doyle Gammell is/was well know in hot rod history. He worked in the big name shops as a young guy and had the skills to create wonderful hot rods along the way. The history of the “Doyle Gammel Coupe” is also a part of hot rod folklore.
1963 version

The original 32 coupe was completely changed from a cl***ic hot rod to a wild flamed coupe. Then slowly, recreated back to the original concept as possible. A 427 is not always better than a smooth running 283 as powerful as most were built in 1961-63 era.

Refinished By Bob Bauder

“Now with Bruce Meyer caretaking the original and Doyle Gammell maintaining his own recreation, the hot rod world is a better place-with two mean and nasty brown '32 Ford three-window coupes roaming the streets looking for that next challenger.”

“The Moon tank up front is the other defining feature that really gives the coupe its well-known look. Interesting to know that throughout the years the tank was never hooked up, but was just a great addition inspired by the tank up front on Tom McMullen's roadster.”


Jnaki

So, what/why was the towbar hooked up to the original posted photo? The photo was taken at the San Pedro Fort Mac Arthur complex high up on the San Pedro/Palos Verdes Peninsula property. The first suggestion was that they towed the 1932 coupe back from Lion’s Dragstrip after running it in the Gas Coupe and Sedan cl***. Then after knowing the gas tank was not hooked up, the choice would be that he was visiting a friend in the barracks at Fort Mac Arthur or he was on a weekend p*** from military service back then. YRMV

If this were a pure color photo, it would be Cordova Brown.

 

Yes, it's an old thread. Sue me. So many greats. But no Tommy Foster roadster?

 

Chicago John and the Bandit from Hot Rod and Custom UK - note it's right hand drive, went your side though...

 

I was glad to see three window Larry’s car show up on page three. Those of us that didn’t have the Southern California experience of the fifties and sixties have our own, virtual and local icons. Case in point is this three window. Built by a Chrysler retiree now in his eighties, owned since he was a teenager. Runs the local circuit now for over thirty years. The owner holds court at car shows like some modern day godfather with everyone p***ing by to show respect and exchange pleasantries. It says icon to me.

 

Mine from back in the day and now.

 

Panel striping happens when the cars all done... but they keep working on it and adding to it

 

The odd thing is that Paul Horning, the original owner/builder never considered it a real roadster because he built it from several doner cars and parts. To me, if it came from Henry or was built from Henry's parts, it's still a gennie 32 roadster. It just didn't come directly from the factory as is. My own avatar roadster was built from several sources but, to me, I can't tell it after driving the wheels off it for 16 years. It's fun and a member of the family!

 

Ralph Neal's 32 Roadster without fenders (1950-1953) and with fenders (1954-2026):

 

Sure looks like the 3Window Mike Hart installed the ARDUN in. He paid a lot less for the car as is, and added the ARDUN he built himself. Good guy that is missed.

Bob

 

**** Bergren built the car and did the chop on it.

 

Already mentioned, but in a different guise: