Hot Rods Traditional '32 Ford Hot Rods: Which ones are the Icons?

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Traditional '32 Ford Hot Rods: Which ones are the Icons?

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My two tops 32s. Spencer's and Jim Khougaz

 

I’m not a red car guy but the Magee roadster gets me jazzy

 

I'm going with the Kessler roadster. I patterned my first roadster after it. Second would be the Magee roadster. 32 Fords have been an important part of my life. I've done over 30 finished deuces, had a bunch of unfinished ones. I've owned my Avatar coupe for over 40 years. Built quite a few package roadsters for customers and the chassis count is in the many 100's. My first exposure to the deuce was when my dad brought me the Nov 57 issue of R&C while I was in the hospital at the age of 12. That book changed my life and I still have it down in my museum. I'm 77 and looking forward to the 100th anniversary.

 

A long time ago, well before I was a licensed driver, there was a mag feature of a Deuce Tudor. When it comes to a 32 it has to be a Tudor with the coupes as a very close 2nd, feeler gauge close. A not too radical chop on the sexy sedan, and the ass end bobbed off is a must. That's what that car was. It had rear fenders also bobbed off, no fronts. It was blown and it'd be a lie to say I recall what engine but a big block seems to stick in my mind. It was sexy, sinister, rolling on natural finish ET style 5 spokes. Here I am some 5 decades later with that car still in my head and have not seen it here or anywhere else for that matter. Would it be my ultimate today? I think yes. I was quite taken by the "quarter horse" Deuce at the Hershey auction a few years back. Simple, stance, all the boxes checked, but none of that mattered as much to me as it's past or legend. I mean we have to adjust to the idea that nearly anyone can build an ultimate 32 roadster. Pick your power, roll it on some good stock that seasons the direction you went, done. Easy. Not cheap these days but easy. Amirite? Sure wish I knew what/who/where that Tudor was.

 

I can't just pick one, I have to go by era, and even then I can't pick just one.

**Note, the era means when they were built, these all are traditionally styled. One, more thing, I limited my list to roadsters. I just don't have time to compile ALL my favorite 32's!

40's-50's- Spencer or McGee
60's-McMullen, Neal East
70's- Barry Lobeck's, Dennis Kyle, Kessler
80's Limefire
90's- Tommy Otis

 

I've always admired the Orr Speed Shop roadster.

For over all design and form/function......the Doane Spenser roadster is almost perfect.

 

I cant just pick one,

McMullen's 32 has been in my mind since I first saw that iconic Hot Rod cover with its blown small block.



The Orange Crate, because growing up in the Portland area, I have a real soft spot for famous locally built cars as we seemed to be in the shadow of Cali


The Silver Sapphire/ Little Deuce Coupe - I wore out my grandparents copy of the album just so I could stare at the nose of this car as a toddle. Always dug the nose and fully chromed out blown motor.

 

The ones in your head!

 

Of course I have to include Doane Spencers' car but as Gary said, Gary Kesslers' first roadster just checks all the boxes for me. Simply a pure hot rod!

 

Jim Busby's coupe

 

There is no denying the McGee/Strichfield/Meyers roadster is tops in my book



I think my fellow Deuce Run promoter Bill has a pretty nice roadster also. HRP

 

Since @Tman beat me to the punch with Jim Khougaz's roadster, I'll beat @J.Ukrop to the punch with Rothenberg's three-window. This thing was so killer.

 

Fred Steele's Roadster

 

It's hard to narrow on ANY given day...but this one AND owner can't be denied!!

 

The Neil East copper/gold ‘32 roadster. As it was on the R&C cover. Scritch’s ‘32 phaeton. Grey Baskerville’s high mileage, seen everywhere roadster.

 

All that one needs is kickstand pipes IMO

 

Fran Bannister's Roadster

 

My short list of Iconic '32 Ford Hot Rods would obviously include my two favorite Deuce Hiboy Roadsters of the '40s:

The Doane Spencer (Lynn Wineland / J. Neal East / @Deuce Bruce Meyer) Hiboy



The Bob McGee (Dick @scritch Scritchfield / @Deuce Bruce Meyer) Hiboy​

... but in recent years, I've really come to admire / appreciate Oregonian Jack Greiner's full-fendered Deuce Roadster (circa 1946 - 1947):

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Just last year, I stumbled upon this (obviously "Greiner inspired") full-fendered Deuce Roadster at the Goodguys West Coast Nats ... that Brandon Flaner (and his team at East Bay Speed & Custom) built for @SCOTT GILLEN ... with top & interior by Sid @Hotrodstitcher Chavers:

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NOTE: This bitchin' Deuce Roadster started out as a restored car from the Nick Alexander Collection:

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The Bergen/Gammel chopped 3 window.

 

Carl Stone Roadster and Mitchell Roadsters did it for me. tThe last picture is of Charlie Adams founder of Custom Automotive in Dallas He was in the Air Force in Calif and ran it at the dry lakes. When he got out of the service he moved to Dallas and started Custom Automotive because he was friends with speed equipment manufactures. His car later became the car of Mitchell Auto Sales Specialwith a fuel olds in it.

 

Mark - I totally agree! ... Back in 2016, I picked it for my father's memorial award :

Bret Sukert's Deuce 3wd Coupe
photo by @J.Ukrop​

• Bret built the car (with a late '50s / early '60s vibe) in his Montesano, Washington garage.
• The '32 Henry body was purchased from a PNW Rod & Custom legend, the late Dick Page.
• The bodywork & paint was handled by Jim Ford & Jason Hill at "Larry Foss Hot Rods".
• The "period perfect" pinstriping was laid down by Mitch Kim.
• The upholstery (interior, running boards, & roof insert) was done by "Stitches".
• Interior also features:
  • Eight (8) Stewart Warner "Blue Face" gauges.
  • (NOS) Grant white steering wheel.
  • Chromed HaDees heater.

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@Pete Eastwood 's Eastwood & Barakat sedan!




And Phil Cool's AMBR-winning roadster:

 

I have liked the Neil East roadster since it appeared on the cover of R&C. I've had the opportunity to see it in person several times at it's current home in Wisconsin.

 

Way off topic...BUT, on page 39 of this April '63 issue of Hot Rod, is a picture of an 11 year old bespeckled (and beloved) hotrodjack