Hot Rods Looking for history on this old Northwest hot rod 1932 5 window coupe. Off the road since 1958.

edit: I desperately need a flathead ford to 1937 Packard transmission adapter to keep this project rolling. Anyone holding??

Well, I got a good one for you guys...

I've recently taken on the job of resurrecting this 1932 5 window coupe.


It's supposedly been off the road since 1958. Though I have not been able to verify that yet. It definitely has not fallen victim to "current trends" over the decades and definitely has a late 50s timeline being the last time it was modified.

The car came out of the Portland area. And was owned by Tony Marion before he passed. It changed hands several times, ended up in Minnesota, before making it's way back to the north west. It's been in my customers possession for about the last 8 years.

What I can tell you about the car is, it was very well built for the time, and looks to me to have been built in the late 40's -early 50's. Likely flathead powered.

It has a nicely dropped 32 heavy axle, 15 inch Lincoln wheels, dropped headlight bar, juice brakes. F100 steering, and a 37 packard trans, modified for closed drive using the stock 32 trans mount. Modifications to the k member are very well done.

It has hanging pedals AND a no longer used 40 ford m/c under the floor.(which makes me think it was previously a flathead powered hot rod)

The interior is nicely finished, it has chrome garnish moldings. And originally the paint was cherry or emerald green.

Looking at the timeline, if it was off the road by 1958, than likely it was one of the first cars with a SBC swap. Considering how prolific that swap has become. I do think there is some historical significance to this car.

Another detail is it had taillights in the fenders. I initially thought maybe 39 teardrops. Looking at the repaired holes, I'm thinking maybe something more square?

Basically, I'm looking for pictures or info about this car. I'd be willing to bet, it was shown at car shows around Portland, and I'd like to figure that out, before we start making decisions about the direction of the resurrection.

Initially we planned on a hot flathead. But the more I look at the car, I'm tempted to put a early 265/283 in it. Some history on the car would help with that decision.

There will be an extensive youtube series on this car in the future, but currently we're just learning and researching the car. So stay tuned!

Thanks for any help!

 

Super cool. Keep the updates coming.

 

Wow, that's a nice piece of history!

 

What a cool time capsule. Too bad we lost Albert Drake, he might have known. I’ll have to look through his series of books.

 

Nice!!!!

 

Nice find, I'll be following the rebuild. Bob

 

WOW!!! That’s cool!!!

 

Incredible! How do you know it had a SBC in it?

 

This is what 55-57 chevy engine mounts look like.

 

That is a great find. Hope someone can find the history on her.

 

Way cool!

 

Thanks guys!

It's raining today. We've only got till Deuce Days 2025 to get this done. I'd like to get started asap.

That said, I think I'll give it it's first wash and cleaning tomorrow.

Also I am mulling over how far to disassemble things and what should be repaired and what can be left.

I noticed the wishbone is welded to the axle. Likely because of worn perch pin holes...that's definitely on the "repair" list.

 

Admittedly, the welded up radius rod is unusual, but I can't see why it's such a terrible idea.

 

Wow, what a great starting point. More photos please.

 

Nice car .
I’ll come along for the ride .
Hope you get the entire story of this car .

 

Okay Matt, when's the Youtube on it???

 

I'm just getting back on youtube after being sick most of June and playing catch up with work most of July. Got 2 videos queued up for this week and next, and we'll probably do the first one of this car after that.

 

Hey @Hitchhiker
Hey Matt, that is a really cool curved Z pattern in the bow tie horn button button, I have never seen one like that.
I will have to come up soon to drop off some of the spare items for the mighty "PEZ"
Keep in touch.
Thanks from Dennis.

 

Great car! How do people find these treasures?!!
Please keep the updates coming.
I’m in for the ride.

 

This car was bought and sold on the Hamb classifieds several times.

 

I need to pay more attention. I’m in the parts section several times a day, but seldom cruise through the cars for sale. It’s rhetorical anyway as I’m out of room and it probably went way beyond my means. Keep the updates coming, please.

 

@Hitchhiker sorry you've been down. Looking forward to the next videos.

 

Tony Marino was the owner of the estate.

 

Very Kool

 

Thanks! I had also been corrected(about the time you posted) on that by the guy that bought the coupe from his estate. That will make it easier to find info, knowing his correct name!

 

The guy that might be able to help with history is Mike Foster of Hamlet Oregon. He was Tony Marino's cousin or some shirttail relation and seemed to be fairly close. Mike has a orange/red Deuce 3 Window last painted in the early 50's. I think he may be a member of the Beach Barons (Long Beach). Mike is a "CHARACTER" and likes to talk so you might spend several hours if you can find him.

 

Here are the first two videos on the coupe!

 

Very nice!
Thanks for taking us along.
That thing is sooooo clean.

 

This is gonna be great!

Do you have any timeline of the movement East and back West? Asking as there's been a TON of great pics and info from Minnesota hot rodders lately on a "when street was neat" page. Notifying @Moriarity !

 

It shocks me how nice it is every time I work on it!

It was bought back from French Lake about 8 years ago. And would have gone out that way sometime after Tony's death...so within the last 15 years. It was not on the road out there.