I, too, have followed the cabriolet and the 40 Merc conv as I thought both were good buys. I almost sprung to buy the cabriolet but I already have the one above sitting in the garage. Always complete... except for the time they switched the body from a three window to a cabriolet... in Spokane, WA!!! I replaced the 4 banger and a 5 speed(and the rear suspension!) with this modest 425 cubic inch 360 HP Buick out of a 1965 Riviera Gran Sport; complete with the fantastic switch pitch turbo 400 transmission! I prefer the cabriolet because they are much better equipped to be driven in my area of the country... especially if you drive hot rods a lot... and enjoy the company of ladies being along for the ride. I'd rather be driving my car than bragging about one that is home in the garage because the weather was too bad or threatening. To each his own and I'm dang glad this one is mine. Guess I'm the odd guy that never has considered buying a roadster... and I've been married over 50 years. Y'all can make the connection. BTW, I was pondering an offer on the 40 Merc so would have a convertible with more than two seats when my wife encouraged me to buy a big ole 1948 Chrysler Windsor Highlander convertible with a hemi, 5 speed automatic, PS, PB, Vintage Air, and a few other cruiser features that was built by fellow club members. That settled it for me. Never thought I'd be wheeling a big old Chrysler but I had always greatly admired the car and how it was built... and it, too, was a great buy to me!
Looking at side shots of '32 Cabriolets it looks like there is more interior space than a Roadster or Coupe, that top side panel covers a lot of area. What are the door lengths of Roadsters, Cabriolets and both Coupes? Bob
Like those cabriolets especially with those pillars laid back a tad, not sure I could man the saw to make the cut however !
So it's kinda like everyone wants a 3 window but will settle with a 5 window? Everyone wants a roadster but will settle with a cabrio. Either way I like all 32's.
Off topic, but ... Dave likes signs ... ... amongst other things. View attachment 4467525 ... bet he knows what it is. Ha.
I like all the 32’s as well. But to me the five window is the best of the bunch! Sent from my iPad using H.A.M.B.
OK here's another question, why is the Deuce more sought after than the more stylish 33-34 Ford? They both look better without fenders IMHO. Not that they look bad with fenders, they just don't have that street brawler look.
The ‘32 was the first V8, that may have been a factor, but also I think the style line pressed into the frame rails lent itself to a great looking highboy. From a racers standpoint the Deuce frame and body were lighter and that is like free horsepower. With that said even though I’m a lifelong ‘32 guy I’ve always liked a well done ‘33 or ‘34, both with or without fenders.
Not quite, ........it’s actually; everyone wants a 5 window but will settle for a 3 window............
I get it if they are lighter, seeing as they only had about 80-90 horsepower(if that much) to begin with.
I definitely have a lot of misconceptions about these cars, I thought the 3 window was the Holy Grail of coupes. Are they the same size inside the cab?
Never owned a ‘32 yet. Had a good friend who built a ‘32 3 Window Hi Boy in the early 80’s. Very nice Hot Rod.
Yes, the 3 window is considered the most desirable, although I have always preferred the 5 window, I would be happy with either.
Is 32 the last year for the RPU? I understand they are quite rare. Always thought the RPU's made a damn cool hot rod.
Lots of great looking cabriolet and just like any other body style its how you build it. I love the cabriolet and here are a couple of good examples. I think you need the material on the top iron to fill the space on the back quarter panel area to fill that void. The garnish molding on the top of the doors help fill the top gap as well and not as noticeable.. I like them highboy style or fenders depending on how you build it. With that being said the cabriolet in the ad is a good deal . The missing parts are a bit of a issue but come up now and then. I was thinking about making the window frames as I made some in the past. I need a set for another 32 cabriolet I have and one I have the setup I can make a few. The top pins I have never seen a extra set but can be made . They are part of the top windshield frame and are a T shape on the bottom. If someone does buy this I have dimensions for the pins. The window slides in the door are unfortunately hard to find as well. My buddy made a few sets and my springs I made didn’t work in the channels so teflon and foam was used and worked with the rollers. The originals are spring loaded to keep the window frame from rattling. I heard the window risers are different but repo ones dont work as it will not raise the window frame and the arm will bend . I just used originals from a coupe and they seem to work fine.. I
I'd be damn proud to own any of the examples in this thread. The purple one above is extra tasty! No fenders & a nice rubber rake, mmmmmm……., not to mention the blown flat motor.
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