32 roadster and cabriolet top differences
 

Hello guys. I have 2 technical questions.


Can some one outline the differences between the tops on the 2 cars for me?

Would also like to know in some detail about the engines offered including the horsepower.

When did the 85 horse become available?


Thank you in advance.

Re: 32 roadster and cabriolet top differences
 

There are significant differences in the tops, from frames to body to canvas. Now that LeBaron Bonney is gone, you might check with the EFV8 Club, I think they have a '32 Restoration book. As for the 85 H.P. 221 Flathead, according to the info on Vanpelts website, it was introduced in 1934.

Re: 32 roadster and cabriolet top differences
 

The cabriolet folds into the back package/top tray and is attached to the rear deck former area. The top is tacked into the welting in the back and no-hideum will cover the area. Cabriolet front mounting bow iron is 45.5 inches just in back of doors. The roadster is removable with snaps holding it in and front mounting bow irons are 48 inches just in back of the doors
Same v8 motors in both cars and no options...

Re: 32 roadster and cabriolet top differences
 

Width of the top from the back edge of the door back is much wider for a Cabriolet than the Roadster.

Re: 32 roadster and cabriolet top differences
 

As shown in the three photos below.

Re: 32 roadster and cabriolet top differences
 

The two engine options for '32s in North America were a 200 cid four rated at 50 hp and a 221 cid V8 rated at 65 hp.

Re: 32 roadster and cabriolet top differences
 

I thought so, it looks as if the back windows are two "different" styles as well, the cabriolet being thinner, wider and placed slightly above center line of the top!!!

Re: 32 roadster and cabriolet top differences
 

Thank you for help. Settled a friendly argument while at the Henry Ford museum today.

Re: 32 roadster and cabriolet top differences
 

So I had to measure both again and both the cabriolet and cabriolet top irons pivot at 48.5 inches in the body/irons. The cabriolet has a thicker door and quarter panel and has the pivot bolt in the quarter panel. The roadster has a thinner quarter panel and door and also the pivot is back 3 inches , where the body is getting wider so it is only fractionally wider then the cabriolet at the pivot. Now the cabriolet is is 22 inches from the pivot to the back window mounting area. The roadster is only 13 1/2 inches pivot to back window mounting snap surface.
In short the back edge of door on the cabriolet is 46 and the roadster is 47 because of the thickness of the cabriolet door quarter :D. .. I would think the cab would be wider as well being the cab has longer doors 29 1/2 and the roadster 27 inches.....

Re: 32 roadster and cabriolet top differences
 

The Ford V8 started evolving right out of the gate. A lot of changes were made for reliability and ease of manufacture in the first production year alone. Even though the 1932 was the same displacement as the 1934, there were enough refinements to give the engine a higher horse power rating for that production year. One change was the two venturi carburetor to replace the single venturi Detroit Lubricator types.