Hot Rods '32 Ford Chassis

Hello Guys, I'm new here so please bear with me if I am out of place or should post this somewhere different.

I recently acquired a ch***is and body to a '32 Ford Highboy roadster. I am going to salvage what I can of the body and use it on another frame but I am looking to sell the original ch***is. I know that this may be more of the place for the cl***ifieds but I have no idea what something like this is worth and read that a rule is to post a price.

The ch***is has the rear end and front suspension. There is no steering column and it looks like the previous owner tried to do something different with the mounting point to the body but from what I can see everything else looks original.

I think I'm really just looking for some information and a point in the right direction. I'm new to rebuilding this old of cars and am looking for any advice from the people with more experience here.

I have more pictures if you PM me your email or some other way to send them to you.

Thanks in advance!!

 

as far as i can see you have a 28-31 frame, not at 32.

You may get a copy of Mike Bishop's How to Build a Traditional Ford Hot Rod
Its The best.....

 

yep you definitely have a model A frame there not 1932. but as far as the rest of it there are bit and pieces you can use on a pretty traditional hot rod if you go that route. The front brakes look to be juice brakes same for the rear end. and if youre going with a real 1932 frame, you can pull the rear crossmember and spring for that. I would advise keeping the parts until you know 1.)what you have and 2.)what route you are going.

Bagged Chevy

 

I hope you didn't pay 32 prices.

 

The banjo rear is model A and the front axle ***. is a 1948. The frame looks to have had some mods but may be repairable.

 

I would definately pull the front and rear crossmember for use in a '32 frame, the model a front crossmember lowers you 1" and the rear gives rearend clearance (especially for QC) but reduces trunk space

 

rudystrue - You should also post some pics of your "32 Ford Highboy roadster" body ... there's a good chance that it's also a Model A ... and maybe not even a roadster ... I've never seen a Deuce hiboy on Model A rails.

 

Yeah I think we got a live one boys!

 

Thanks for the info!! I really appreciate it!

Here's the deal: This has been half buried in my grandfathers yard for as long as I can remember, I recently had the opportunity to transport it so I dug it out and here it is. I have no more info than that, have no info on the history, not nothin.

I just want to make a rod, my intention was to take a newer Nova frame and Frankenstein it on there. The body is in pretty rough shape but I figure it will make a nice head turner. So with that I have no use for this frame or any of these pieces. The more I look at it the previous owner did a lot of "modifications" to the front end but the rear end looks pretty stock.

Here are pics of the body. Thanks again, and ANY advice or insight is greatly appreciated!

 

Live one? I hope thats a good thing...guess its better than being dead

 

Looks like you have a cut-down '28-'29 Model A Coupe. Just get the Tardel book as Mr 42 says, clean up your ch***is and body and get stuck in. Forget about things like Novas, especially the (sub-)frame, except as a last resort for a possible engine/trans/rear axle donor.

 

You need to stick around for a good while and don't touch that body or ch***is. Learn something first or you WILL regret it! Mark my words!!

 

I understand, I am planning on sticking around and I am in the process of jumping in head first to this new area. I have a history with mechanics and drag racing, just not specifically stuff this old. I have a good rolling ch***is from an older chevy (I honestly don't know what it is from) its the frame under the one in the pictures. I also have the complete driveline that would drop in to that frame. My plan was to get that working 100% and drop this body on for looks.

Just lookin to have some fun and turn some heads. Not looking to make anything that is worth anything to anyone but me and definitely not trying to go an original route.

I plan on sticking around and having some fun

 

I agree with VonKool. STEP AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE and do some research on here first. You will then be able to build something cool and of value.

 

Thanks for the info guys, I'll order the book and take your advice and do my research first.

I'm just curious, are these frames a dime a dozen or is this something of value?

I'm not trying to Troll, sorry if you get that impression.

 

I agree totally. Buy the book, you won't regret it.

 

A frames are common. Prices vary up to about $400 for a good one. Yours seems to have some damage, I'd think you could get $100, $150. It's a better decision to keep it and build it using the book and info you'll gain here. Good luck!


Also, please read the rules and do an intro so we can get to know you.

 

that bottom ch***is is a mid 60s to '72 chevy truck ch***is, NOT what you want to use. ther rear trailing arms can be used on some builds, but not this one. I just sent you a message.
Hans

 

On the body...do some research on the HAMB search function.
Coupes that are simply sliced off never look right, but various people on here have done some very creative things to make them look like proper open cars. Try the term "coupester" as a starting point on that. You can't make that body look exactly like a real '29 roadster, but you can make it look like a real open car, and the sizes of doors and ****pits on coupesters are likely an improvement in comfort over actual roadsters!

 

Have fun with it. plant the body on the other ch***ie you have and enjoy the snot out of it. that's what hod rodding is supposed to be about.

 

Awesome! Thanks for the encouragement guys! I'll do some searching and let you know what I decide to do

 

I have seen that done by guys in Arkansas and it aint a pretty sight!

 

X2...ignore him. "A" stuff is too easy to find or replicate OR even buy and end up with a good looking ride, compared to any possible advantage of just stabbing it on to whatever is handy.
Do it right because its easy and besides...the car will be COOL instead of weird.

 

Yes, Model A Coupes and roadsters just don't blend mechanically or esthetically with Chevy truck frames.
It's like putting a studio apartment on a mansion foundation...

 

ok good

 

Hi Rudy!

You wrote me the email the other day and I directed you here. I was having some technical difficulties so I couldn't help you properly.

What these guys have suggested is spot on. You will end up with a much cooler car in the end, and have something reasonably desireable to sell if you ever decide to.

If you have a numbers matching, Arizona ***le to go with that Model A frame, the paper is worth more than the frame. I helped sell a very clean stock Model A frame with a clean and open Arizona ***le for $500 not that long ago. Expect less than half that without the ***le.

However! If you do have a ***le to match the frame, that frame is an excellent foundation to start your A-V8

 

You lost me at Nova frame.

 

There are a lot of real hot rodders in your area. Hook up with some and see how they do it. Start going to local shows and cruise nights. Hot rodders are, by nature, a helpful bunch. And they like to talk about their rides and share their knowledge. Just walk up and ask.

 

If you like the looks of the car in my avatar, you will be pleased to know the body is sitting on a "heavily" modified Model A frame, just like the one you have. It turns heads, and I have had lots of fun with it just building it. It's got a 32' Ford straight axle in front and a 9" Ford rear axle. 289 CI power plant, drum brakes, and a Gemmer steering box. Very inexpensive build, but done right. Built by me and some good friends. They have definitley made the build fun. I've learned tons from this website alone. The most important thing I've learned from this site is- easy is cheap but it WILL come back to bite you in the ****, and you will never be happy with the flaming pile of dog turd you built.