Found a 32 fordor

Vanspeed

Vanspeed

Well-known member
Well, I found a 32 ford fordor that has been parked for a long time and I am really excited about it. Solid original car, has a 4 in it, looks to be a standard. How can I tell if it was an original v-8 car?
 
Look for the serial number on the top of the left frame rail near the steering. The number should be visible without removing anything (except rust and paint). If it starts with star 18 it was originally a V8. If it starts with star B or star BB it was originally a 4 cylinder. If the number is not visible (it should be) post again and we can go into other things. I have a very early 4 cylinder fordor that is a future project.

Charlie Stephens
 
Check serial number if it starts with an 18 then it is a v-8 car if it start with a 5 it is a 4 cylinder car
 
She will be coming home on Sunday. Can't wait!!! I am 32 and it is funny that I get to own a 32 when I am. I NEVER thought I could own a 32, I make crap for money, I live by paycheck, never would I have thought...
 
Last edited:
The V8 car has a speedometer that goes up to 90 MPH. The 4 only went to 80 MPH. The hood sides on V8 had 25 louvers and the 4 had only 20 louvers.
 
BOSSY said:
...The hood sides on V8 had 25 louvers and the 4 had only 20 louvers.
Click to expand...

That's incorrect. The 25 louver hood sides are a late year item. Earlier V8s would have had 20 louver sides.

In all likelihood, the car was a 4 cylinder car from the factory.
 
Early 4 cylinder 1932 Ford cars will have "AB" VIN prefix; later ones have "B" prefix. Pickup or truck 4 cyl is "BB".
 
BOSSY said:
The V8 car has a speedometer that goes up to 90 MPH. The 4 only went to 80 MPH. The hood sides on V8 had 25 louvers and the 4 had only 20 louvers.
Click to expand...

Early 4 cylinders had an 80 MPH speedometer. Later ones used toe 90 MPH. If you need to fine tune the dates I am sure they are in "The 1932 Ford Book" from the Early Ford V8 Club (earlyfordv8,.org).

Charlie Stephens
 
denson1932 said:
Early 4 cylinder 1932 Ford cars will have "AB" VIN prefix; later ones have "B" prefix. Pickup or truck 4 cyl is "BB".
Click to expand...

The pickup on the passenger car chassis used the passenger car serial numbers (AB and later just B). The BB prefix was used for the motors assembled with the 4 speed transmission.

Charlie Stephens
 
Vanspeed said:
She will be coming home on Sunday. Can't wait!!! I am 32 and it is funny that I get to own a 32 when I am. I NEVER thought I could own a 32, I make crap for money, I live by paycheck, never would I have thought...
Click to expand...

That's really cool. A '32 Fordor would be a great weekend family car. Hell, maybe even a driver, in the right climate/locale.
 
BOSSY said:
The V8 car has a speedometer that goes up to 90 MPH. The 4 only went to 80 MPH. The hood sides on V8 had 25 louvers and the 4 had only 20 louvers.
Click to expand...

Not all V8's had 25 louvered hoods,,they came late in production.

BTW,if you check my profile you will see my 32 4 door sedan. HRP
 
COngradulations! I know just how you feel. I won't get my hands on my tudor sedan for a couple more weeks. The waiting is killing me. Lots of reading. would love to compare notes as we dig into our respective projects! Too bad you are so far away.
 
Great find. Did you know that the 4 door is actually more rare than the 2 door? I hope you keep it original if you can.
 
Had a 32 4dr model B in 68. Used to go and forth to newport RI from bristol, ct on the weekends, no jack, no tools, etc. Pulled plugs and cleaned, set timing on a weekly basis. Nice car and LOTS of room. I think I paid $650. Sold it to someone in newport late 68.
Paul in CT
 
I am going to try to keep it mostly stock. It has an old maroon paint job on it, still has the 18 inch wires. Interior is pretty much crap but the car is 100% complete. Not quite a barn find, more like a garage find. It has been parked since 1978 when the previous owner bought it, and never touched it. He also said it comes with a 1937 flathead, the motor he was going to put in it. Jim1932, get pics up of yours when you can, looks like a nice one.
 
Ok, here she is. Got her out of her tomb today and got her home. Anybody recognize this car?? She looks like she may have been an old hot rod. It has juice brakes, filled top, blue windows, and what look holes in the rear fenders for 50 pontiac tail lights. I got two hoods, an extra rear end, and a bunch of misc. goodies that also came with it.

32fordor001.jpg

32fordor002.jpg

32fordor003.jpg

32fordor004.jpg

32fordor009.jpg

32fordor007.jpg
 
From the depth of the recess in the firewall (the place that looks like it was made to mount an oil can but it wasn't) it is an early car. What is the serial number on the frame (XXX out the last three digits)? Be sure there are spacers on the wire wheels mounted on the later hydraulic brake drums. I have one in about the same condition.

Charlie Stephens
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top