Early build Model 18, now with more info!

[Early 1932]

Edit.. I found some info on the web that got me on the wrong trail, it is not early, it is mid production. That is actually relaxing, I do not have to contend with having a low number car. I will be much more relaxed about using it now. I appreciate all the sound information I have received on this group. It is still a very nice car, and I am feeling fortunate to have it!


I recently picked up a nice old '32 DeLuxe 4 door model 18. It is apparently one of the first 200 V8 Fords to roll off the assembly line. One family owned since 1962, always a stored indoors car. No fender cracks ever, wood floors original, no rust ever. It has been in at least 3 Great Race rallies. Mitchell overdrive, 16" wheels instead of the 18" originals. Runs and drives great. I believe the engine is probably 1936, trans is '38. I will probably look for a 32 engine and trans, but am going to run what it has.


The copies of old paper work show it was purchased October 22,1962 for $135. John Banjab(?) was the seller, and it went to Joseph Ruggers. John sold it to his son in law, Ron Ferris, in 1994. Ron was a big deal in the SCCA, and a national champion. He used the car for timed rallies, including at least 3 Great American Races, with a best finish of 8th place. The car was purchased from Ron's son. I am assuming the Ron made the improvements for rallies. Those include 16" radial Coker Classic tires and 1935 wire wheels, tube shocks, Mitchell overdrive, I suspect the 21 stud flathead is a 1936 engine with full inserts. I have a list of all the work done to the engine and car. Walker radiator, dual exhaust, headers, electric fan, alternator and 12 volt conversion, etc. It is possible that he had a Mercury 4" crank in it, but I have not checked that out. He had a water misting set up between the front seats for cooling in hot weather. I have materials showing he did the Great Race 3 times, the last one in 2007. It is possible he did more, but no proof yet. He also did a number of rallies in the midwest using this 32.

It seems to be the 184th production Ford V8 in the history of Ford V8s. My limited research says the first 1 or 2 thousand cars were demonstrators for people to look at, admire, and put money down on buying a later car. Allegedly all were returned to Ford to be refurbished, and then sold as new. Unfortunately, the factory records for many years were destroyed in a fire, so knowing where this car went for delivery is probably lost forever. I am considering learning how to do these timed rallies on a rookie scale, the driver is important, but the navigator has the hardest job, I think.