Projects Saving an Original 32’ Roadster Body and building a late 40’s Hot Rod

A couple months ago I sold my 1929 Pete Eastwood roadster so I could build a 32’ Roadster in late 40’s style. I had accumulated a lot of nice parts for the chassis and was about to buy a Brookville body. I have wanted an original 32’ Roadster body for about 17 years and decided to call a friend that I knew had a major project 32’. He had no interest in selling it and I told him no problem I understand. About an hour later he called back and said he would sell me the body as he realized that he had many projects ahead of this one and knew I would build it. I went over to his place on a Saturday and we struck a deal. Here is the start. It’s gonna be slow progress but I will try my best to keep updating the thread.

 

First thing I did was Jig my frame and make sure all body holes were to Ford Specs.

 

Subrails are Brookville and cross braces are United Pacific. I welded up all the holes in the subrails and re drilled them to fit the stock chassis dimensions.

 

I purchased a killer old dropped 32’ axle from Charlie at Gene’s Hot Rod parts along with a 59AB and a 39’ Toploader. After some mock up I sent some parts to the sandblaster. Planning on saving as much of the original body as possible including the doors. Now that everything is pretty clean it’s time to start getting the body panels situated and start rebuilding the bottom of the car.

 

Cool project - looking good

 

Old body looks to be in good hands to bring it back to nice shape.

 

Looks like a great start to a fun rod.I`ll saddle up and go along for the ride.
Good luck.Have fun.Be safe.
Leo

 

Nice steering arm treatment on the '32 spindle. What did you do to mate '32 spindle with '40 backing plate?
Envy your project!

 

Awesome project and really looking forward to this build. I have a johnnie Cash 32 roadster body in the rafters....

 

More magic! You'll probably have it done by Shades!

 

Awesome project

 

sweet !!!!!!!!!

 

I'm on board for the ride and updates

 

Quality job and also very very cool subject matter and vision...those dash graphics are pretty darn special too. Great stuff @Barillaro Speed Emporium......thanks for sharing this with us.

 

Thanks Mike, I welded up the holes in the backing plates and used the rings that Richard Lacy sells. I drilled the backing plates for the spindles and welded the rings to the inside. They worked out really nice.

 

Nice job. Can't wait to see it done.

 

Ahhh . . . . youth - talent - enthusiasm & determination !
No problem !

 

Lookn' forward to see you work your magic on this one.

 

I went to my friend and life long hot rodder, Jim Gombos’s house today and picked up a model B rear axle today. I am trying my best to build this car the way a young guy would have built a hot rod after the war. I’m sure as time progressed the model B rear would have been changed but I’m shooting for a car that would have been built in 1947/48’. I also like how the narrow 32’ rear looks in a hot rod with 40’ wheels.

 

im in on this one!

 

Sweet! trying to bring one back to life myself. Great pictures keep them coming.

 

Tag! Veddy Cool.

--louis

 

I will definitely be watching. That body is a little better than the one I have.

 

Watching intently. The talent you guys exhibit is remarkable.

 

Bought this killer old offy Super Dual last week from Oiler Elrod to match my old original heads for the 59AB.

 

Oh yeah!! Can't wait to see this come together! The body actually looks really solid to me!

 

Awesome. Keep ‘me coming!

 

Thanks, Matt!
The pictures might make it look better than it really is!

 

I am always amazed at the talent on the HAMB! Great job and I like your choice of parts and pieces.

Dave

 

Man, this is gonna be killer! I agree, the body is not that bad.