Found a 32 fordor
- Thread starter Vanspeed
- Start date
Ray Parson
Well-known member
nice find i just broght home two 32 2drs and there not as nice as your 4dr and i will bet you payed less than i did 5 Gs but there 32s key word 32 cant go wong i got a ton of parts too have you pinched yourself yeat just to make shure your not dreaming ha ha good luck with your new toy how are you going to get it under the tree on the 25th
HOTRODPRIMER
Well-known member
A lot of guys don't care for the 4 doors but I have always liked them,,I've had mine for about 12 years now. HRP
Charlie Stephens
Well-known member
My Vanspeed,
I was telling my 4 year old daughter the other day to listen to everyone and read a lot and then make up your own mind. That probably applies in this case also. This is what I would do if it was my car. It obviously reflects my own taste and if you follow it you might end up with a final result you don’t like. Color? My first choice would be one of the original colors including the black fenders and pin striping. If I didn’t find an original color I liked I would still stick with the era correct colors (get a chip book for the Model A’s). I would go to LeBaron Bonney (lebaronbonney.com) for upholstery. At least call them ((800) 221-5408) and get a free sample of what they have available. I lean towards the mohair. Window cranks, door handles and instruments would be refurbished originals or correct reproductions. My first choice of wheels would be stock followed by bent spoke Kelsey’s and third the combination you suggested of 17 on the front and 18 on the rear (I might go 16 on the front). I might go with a reversed eye spring in the front to get another inch. The springs from places like Posies with Teflon buttons sound interesting but I haven’t tried them yet. I prefer blackwall tires. Excellent stainless hub caps are available from places like Drake’s (http://www.bobdrake.com/). You can get them plain, with the Ford script (4 cyl) or with the V8 emblem. I would go to at least one side (two look good) mount spare with a trunk in the back. A friend of mine finished his 4 door Model A and one of his first observations was that without a trunk everything ended up in the back seat and there was no room for passengers. I would probably leave the original headlights and go to 12 volts (have a generator from that era converted to 12 volts and don't go with an alternator). Go to Ron Francis Wire Works (800) 292-1940, wire-works.com for super bright bulbs that go into the original reflectors. Have you reflectors resilvered locally or to UVIRA (541) 474-5050 for a sealed aluminum process that lasts longer (if this sounds like a cheap fix this is the process they use for medical mirrors and spacecraft reflectors). Remember when you redo the top insert if you isolate the chicken wire from the body you can use it as a radio antenna (or so I have read, I haven’t tried it yet). If the 4 cylinder was almost running I might leave it in for a while but if it needed work your choice of the ’39 V8 you mentioned in one of your posts sounds good. I would run a reproduction wire harness with added turn signals. Best of luck with your project, I hope to get back working on mine soon.
Charlie Stephens
I was telling my 4 year old daughter the other day to listen to everyone and read a lot and then make up your own mind. That probably applies in this case also. This is what I would do if it was my car. It obviously reflects my own taste and if you follow it you might end up with a final result you don’t like. Color? My first choice would be one of the original colors including the black fenders and pin striping. If I didn’t find an original color I liked I would still stick with the era correct colors (get a chip book for the Model A’s). I would go to LeBaron Bonney (lebaronbonney.com) for upholstery. At least call them ((800) 221-5408) and get a free sample of what they have available. I lean towards the mohair. Window cranks, door handles and instruments would be refurbished originals or correct reproductions. My first choice of wheels would be stock followed by bent spoke Kelsey’s and third the combination you suggested of 17 on the front and 18 on the rear (I might go 16 on the front). I might go with a reversed eye spring in the front to get another inch. The springs from places like Posies with Teflon buttons sound interesting but I haven’t tried them yet. I prefer blackwall tires. Excellent stainless hub caps are available from places like Drake’s (http://www.bobdrake.com/). You can get them plain, with the Ford script (4 cyl) or with the V8 emblem. I would go to at least one side (two look good) mount spare with a trunk in the back. A friend of mine finished his 4 door Model A and one of his first observations was that without a trunk everything ended up in the back seat and there was no room for passengers. I would probably leave the original headlights and go to 12 volts (have a generator from that era converted to 12 volts and don't go with an alternator). Go to Ron Francis Wire Works (800) 292-1940, wire-works.com for super bright bulbs that go into the original reflectors. Have you reflectors resilvered locally or to UVIRA (541) 474-5050 for a sealed aluminum process that lasts longer (if this sounds like a cheap fix this is the process they use for medical mirrors and spacecraft reflectors). Remember when you redo the top insert if you isolate the chicken wire from the body you can use it as a radio antenna (or so I have read, I haven’t tried it yet). If the 4 cylinder was almost running I might leave it in for a while but if it needed work your choice of the ’39 V8 you mentioned in one of your posts sounds good. I would run a reproduction wire harness with added turn signals. Best of luck with your project, I hope to get back working on mine soon.
Charlie Stephens
Charlie Stephens
Well-known member
Engine numbers prior to 5062387 started with Star AB (ref "The Early Ford V8 As Henry Built It" et al). After that they started with star B.
What is your serial number (use XXX for the last three digits)?
Charlie Stephens
345 DeSoto
Senior Member
I am not a 4 door guy, but THAT is an awfully nice car! I'm getting to the point in my life where a nice, roomy, dry, warm, 4 door with LOTS of room is starting to look REALLY tempting...
Charlie Stephens
Well-known member
According to "The Early Ford V8 As Henry Built It" that would put the engine/transmission passing final inspection at the Rouge plant in April 1932. At this point the serial number was stamped into the flywheel housing. When the engine was installed in the chassis this same number was stamped into the top of the left frame rail near the steering. It should be visible without removing anything but paint and dirt. The time between the engine passing inspection and it being installed could be anywhere from a week to a couple of months depending on how far the assembly plant was from the engine manufacturing plant (the Rouge plant).
Charlie Stephens
Vanspeed
Well-known member
I have started the tear down of the car and I am going to restore one part at a time and I had to start with the grill only because I wanted too. Turned out pretty nice, still got a little bump on the driver side lower shell but some hammer and dolly work should fix here up. Next is the front fenders which I have already pulled off. Have a donor front fender to fix any problems I might find. Also wanted to show you this pic of her the day after I picked her up. 33 years in a garage and it snowed that night, probably the first snow it has seen in 40-50 years. Here are some pics.
FL&WVMIKE
Well-known member
Vanspeed ........................
It looks like you have that 25 louver hood, which has been bringing the big bucks. That might be worth as much as you paid for the whole car. Don't let anyone snake it away from you. They, reportaly, have sold for $3,500.00 and $4,000.00 !
MIKE
It looks like you have that 25 louver hood, which has been bringing the big bucks. That might be worth as much as you paid for the whole car. Don't let anyone snake it away from you. They, reportaly, have sold for $3,500.00 and $4,000.00 !
MIKE