This is probably a dumb question but everyone I talk to gives a different answer, why are the ends of my headlight bar painted? I just bought the car and it's my first 32 ford I have owned so I don't know all the answers.
The original headlight bars were forged steel with a center wrap of stainless. Yours appears to be a B bar, no V8 emblem. The V8 bars had a hole in the center for that piece of trim. Yours has also been dropped which lowers the headlights. I've had Pete Eastwood drop a couple for me and in my opinion makes it more valuable. Hang on to it. The FOGGER
Always wanted to use that. Seriously, the headlamp bars for 1932 are forged steel and the center between the headlamp cups is jacketed in stainless steel. The 4cylinder bars are smooth and the V8 bars have a hole drilled midway for the diecast V8 emblem to mount there. The center jacket is seamed on the bottom side. The 32 bar also used special headed mounting bolts at each end with a round carriage bolt style head and an oval offset shoulder which fits into the oval holes in the bars (no, they're not oval for adjustment).
Yep, mine's a repop and it's one piece - the originals are getting hard to find - nicely dropped by the way. Steve
Thanks for the answers, I figuered it was stock but never recalled seeing one that was dropped. I am sure I will have more questions before the project is done.
Here is a reproduction of a stock one ... one that has not been dropped ... Both of these are original ones that has been dropped (like yours ) Good original headlight bars are getting more and more difficult to find ... NICE SCORE
I have the 4 banger one, up in the attic, original, painted black both ends, stainless cover in the center, no hole in the center, anyone know the value???????------Don
Swap meet price about here is $100 to $150 for VERY NICE ones ... California ( LA ROADSTER swap meet ) may be a little higher
If anybody has a B model bar without the center hole, DO NOT drill it for an emblem install. The B bars are much harder to find, and a lot of hot rodders don't want the gingerbread trim on their bars. If you want an emblem trade your bar for a pre-drilled one.
OK, thanks guys, just wondering as I have so much gennie stuff up in attic plus that gennie light bar. (4 cyl. undrilled).--------------Don
As an addition, and stated by Pasadena above, be sure to get the correct headlight bar to fender brace bolts and rubber pads for the fender surface. CW Moss, Bob Drake, all the normal dealers have them. The FOGGER
. I thought the same thing Randy,,,but on closer inspection it is an original headlight bar with the stainless wrap but the ends have been chromed,,,and starting to peel! HRP Good original headlight bars are getting more and more difficult to find ... NICE SCORE
I know for sure they will fit a 32 truck, but I think the 33-34 is slightly different. I have a 33-34 bar (with truck headlights) and I think the ends are slightly more arched. And they have no stainless on them. I forget whether they take goofy bolts though.