What a great story. I'm surprised at how the car turned out after sitting for all that time. That would have to be the find of the century and one that everyone on here would have loved to find. Sounds like the lowside of that Lincoln 2 speed rear end is the answer to your excellent time up the hill.
I agree and I believe the combination of tire size,lower weight of the 32 compared to other V8 powered cars and gear ratio combo of trans and rear end and a strong engine .