32 standard roadster

The engine turned instrument panel was used on all U.S.-built '32 passenger cars, deluxe and standard with the exception of a small number of four-cylinder-powered standard models at the beginning of the model year. The engine-turned panel was eventually released for use in the commercial vehicles and big trucks later in the model year.


In case you're curious, standard roadster front rail finish panels (dashes) were painted "interior gray" (more brown than gray) like those of all U.S. standard model passenger cars.
 
Thank you for the info. The roadster belongs to my brothers, it is a four cylinder, fairly early car, early hood hooks, early front cross member, early doors, doesn’t have early firewall, but does have a rumble seat. It is a 3 owner car, painted a couple times. Dash and instrument panel has never been out, and it is not engine turned. It has painted windshield frame and top irons, left post is not taped for side mirror, no cowl lights. Peter Rich once told us that some standards weren’t engine turned, but didn’t know for sure, also door panels don’t have side pockets, (I don’t think they are original because seat has been recovered) but didn’t know if standards were like Deluxe’s or not. Thank you very much, Joe
 
Standard phaetons and roadsters did not come with pockets in the door trim panels.

Your brothers' roadster sounds like a nice car with all of the right characteristics of a standard model.

I've taken the liberty to attach a photo of my standard roadster. I substituted the standard windshield posts with deluxe posts, one left-hand-drive and the other right-hand-drive in order to have three rear view mirrors for safety's sake. Otherwise it is strictly as original. It's a V8 with a trunk.
 

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Back in 2002 I was at a special interest car dealer in Maine and he was selling a 1932 V8 Roadster, unrestored, a very clean barn find. He was asking $35,000. At the time I laughed at him. What a mistake! Ed
 
I know that instrument panel is painted correctly but this car almost demands and wood grained deluxe finish. A very pretty car. Ed
 
High beams
Yes they are painted grey, a subject of the exact name and shade has been covered quite a bit in several post here in the barn! You can search the subject to find them! But for lack of a better description or name they were a gull colored grey!!
 
As rockfla indicates, painted gull gray.


Ed in Maine,

I've had them both (standard and deluxe) in both phaetons and roadsters forms and each has its virtues IMO.
 
David, that is a KICK *** roadster, you didn’t steal my thunder just asking questions I don’t know. When we get further in to it ( just making a very nice driver) I will photograph some of the odd ball stuff. I noticed something I did not know, do all roasters regardless of rumble or truck model, have grab rails ? I remember some one tell me that they are top rest as well. Thanks again Joe
 
Joe,


They all had them and their primary purpose was as top rests, although they do come in handy to grab on to when the car has a rumble seat. They all also had a pair of oblong rubber bumpers further inboard on the upper back panel for the rear window to rest on when the top is lowered.
 
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