Just another kid with a 32 3 window....

Here is the story of how a 22 year old kid ends up with a steel 32 Ford 3 window project. This story starts in 1955 when my Grandpa, Rodger Bell, bought a 32 3 window in Polar Bluff, Missouri. He was 14 and here is how it looked.



He owned the car until 1957, when he sold it and the car moved to St. Louis in late 1958 or early 1959. Cut forward to 1983 when my Grandpa bought the car back. At that time it looked like this.



He repainted the car black along with some other upgrades/changes and began driving the car all the time. It retained the Americans for a while, got a set of white walls, and then finally got a set of blackwalls. He are some of those pictures.







For years this car was his daily driver, using it like a truck with lumber sticking out the back window. Me and my cousins always rode in the rumble seat, I learned to parallel park between it and a 34 roadster, and I drove it to high school a few times my junior year(coolest car at school?).

Here is the car in the winter of 2005.







Ok, now to how the car became my project.
On a Friday in September of 2007, the day before my senior homecoming, my grandpa was taking my cousin to school in the morning and was rear ended right in front of the school. He was pushed approximately 60' into the back of a sanitation truck. The gas tank was broken in the hit and the front carburetor was broken leaking gas onto the motor. Luckily my cousin fell out and my grandpa was pulled from the car by a friend and some other bystanders. Here is what happened shortly after they were out of the car.



They say the explosion was like the movies, but luckily nobody was permanently injured. But the car was a little bent and very toasty. Here are some pictures after "The Wreck"







After some time, some tears, some rehab, and lots of opinions on whether or not to fix it, the project became mine. I cleaned it all up, and did some sandblasting. Got it all apart and got the frame straightened and made a few slight changes. We began straightening the body and decided to make some changes.

This resulted in a trip to Brookville Roadster in the winter of 2011 and dropping some serious cash for some new sheet metal. I walked away with two new sides, a deck lid skin, two door skins, a cowl top, lower deck panel, and a set of rockers. Here are those pictures.







All of the sheet metal was cut off, and yes I'm saving it, it will make a nice race car someday. So that gets us too our current state, the deck lid skin has been louvered, the doors have been skinned, and the "carcass" of the car looks like the turkey after Thanksgiving dinner as my grandpa described it. And now since we are getting ready to begin putting the sides on the car, I figured I better get around to putting this out there.





Anyone else want to say it can't be fixed? I'll keep you updated.

 

Awesome, that car was angry looking before. I can't wait to see it reborn!

 

That crash was on hamb at the time.

I prefer the older versions of the car instead of the last version.

 

Man, all I got is.... wow.

 

Yeah, I remember seeing that posted. Glad to see it going back together...keep us posted.

Too bad the existing body panels couldn't have been used...

Neal

 

Yeah, I remember reading about that accident when it happened.. Im glad you're giving it life again.. Especially since its still in the family. Keep us posted.

 

wow! Awesome your putting it back together! Keep us updated please.

 

Holy f#*k !

 

Great story with sad happenings...Good luck with your project!

 

That must have been a horrible hit to drive him 60 feet forward ! Sounds like some idiot on their cell phone. Glad both of them got out of the coupe alive.

The way you are doing it with new Brookville panels is pure genius, there would have been a TON of work getting those burned, warped panels straight again. You are making your Grandpa proud and I bet he never thought it would see the road again.

I will definitely be looking for this thread for updates.

Don

 

good luck with your build

 

Wow those pictures sent me on an emotional roller coaster. Glad everyone made it out alive. Good to see you bringing it back from the ashes. You should call it project phoenix. Please keep us updated.

 

Jeebus that thing took a hit! Glad everyone was ok and its awesome to see you're getting it back on the road.

 

damn,good luck ,looks like you got the rite stuff to get started

 

man oh man,.....shesh! what a ride, don't start tackin' till it's right!

 

Far out! It was always a good looking car and im sure it will be again. Awesome to have such a solid family history. Looking forward to more pics.
Thanks for sharing
Andy.
AK NZ

 

I too, remember reading about the accident and thought what a shame it was to lose that car, although I was happy that there was not permanent injury.
Was that car in one of Mark Morton's Hop Up annuals ?
Good luck with the build, looks like your doing a great job.

 

Wow!....You have got your work cut out for you.....hind sight is 20/20 But I think when you start fiting the new side panels, You may wish you had not tore it down So far, I would have done One side at a time and only replaced what needed replaced. (just would have made for a easier project) What would help,(if you do not have them already) Is some 1932 Murray Body Specs. Or maybe Give Bobby Walden a call, He is a Nice guy and builds these bodys using all New brookvile panels. One thing to remember is just tack, and don't make anything solid until You have that whole body back together with doors swinging. Not trying to sound like a Know it all, Just offering advise. Goodluck and keep us posted

 

Wishing you all the best with this rebuild mate. Was a shitty thing that happened, but only good things can come from this now. Best of luck.

 

Well, as long as everyone is still alive. Cars can always be fixed. Looks like you're giving it some good justice.

 

I will be watching your progress, best of luck with the rebuild!

 

Wow. What a story. My heart sunk when i saw the crash picture but glad that your grand dad was okay. You have taken on a huge project but it must be making both of you very happy. Good luck.

 

Wow, this is an awesome story. I'm glad your fixing it. It will be great. Keep us posted!


Thanks, JReece

My clothing line HiRevZ Clothing Co.
http://www.facebook.com/hirevz

Most of all build what you want, do what you want, it's your car. My uncle has always said, "If you like it, I love it." Meaning doesn't matter if he likes it or not, because it isn't his car.

 

Keep up dating please!

 

Yes this car was in Hop Up from one of Mark's trips through St. Louis..... It was actually shown all taken apart after the first fire after a gas line leaked on the intake.

 

would love to see it brought back to life

 

Finally a car that makes my '32 look a little easier! Great to see you bringing this thing back. Your gramps is proud I bet. Keep us posted!

 

Unfortunately shit happens to us, fortunately you're going to make it right. Is your Gramps helping you with it? Good luck and keep us posted on your progress.

 

Man, that's quite a story.
I'm in, i'll watch.
Good of you to save this car.

 

I also remember see this a few years ago and my thought at that time I was glad they escaped the accident alive!

I had no previous knowledge of what the car looked like in all it's past changes,,,please keep us posted as you make progress on what is bound to be a great tribute to your grandfather. HRP