Hello, It is not necessarily “over the top” if the build is oddball or unusual to say the least. Some hot rods just are "over the top" because of the top quality used in building that particular hot rod. A lot of times, the “over the top” slogan was used due to the fact that it was hard to duplicate with what money was in your or anyone’s pocket at the time. At the time when we were driving around as teenagers and then 20 somethings, the 32 was considered the “one” to have. There were plenty of arguments about style and design versus a Model A Coupe or Roadster, or even a 40 Ford Coupe/Sedan or a funky Flathead powered Sedan Delivery. The key was the affordability of our hot rods and sedans. Of all of the teenagers or 20 somethings we knew in the hot rod world, no one had a 1932 anything, as parts and builds were a little overboard at the time. But, as all of our lives moved on, several 32 Fords still stuck out as ones to own and cruise around for all that they represented. For our meager lifestyle, it was beyond our bank account, but there were two hot rods that both my wife and I admired as the cool hot rod we would love to own and drive around. Of course, one was Jack Stewart’s 32 Red Ford Roadster. To us, it was the cleanest example of a 1932 roadster. As 20 somethings, it had the style, the stance, the attractive qualities of a cool looking hot rod. The cost was way over the top for us. But the style and looks continues to be one of the best examples of a 1932 Ford roadster around. A show car build quality as a daily driver hot rod says it all. Jnaki The other 1932 Ford that my wife liked, was the chopped 1932 Vicky sedan of Norm “Rabbit” Samuels from Long Beach. The sedan just reeked drag racing while on the cruising scene. It looked like it could blast down the Lion’s Dragstrip in the Gas Coupe and Sedan Class with some exciting results. It was a time of high dollar expenditures that were out of reach for teenagers, but even for some aspiring 20 somethings. A full set of real American Racing Equipment 5 Spoke Mag Wheels was not the everyday wheel of choice for any hot rod guy/girl, due to the high cost. But, this 32 Vicky was just like a competition, dual purpose hot rod that could challenge all comers at the drags and cruising scene anywhere in So Cal. At the time, it was well built and for us, cost was a factor. But, it still would have been one of the “must haves and be seen in” hot rods of So Cal. (Even with the chopped top.)
The Jalopy Journal
