The Ford Barn

surreveps · 01-05-2023, 02:14 PM

I intend to use my 1932 B Cabriolet as a semi-daily driver. The car has a rumble seat, that I intend to keep. So luggage space is limited. I am dreaming of a rear mounted trunk, but the car has a rear mounted spare wheel. Any suggestions??

DavidG · 01-05-2023, 02:38 PM

Find yourself a Ford European '32 folding luggage rack like the one shown in the photo below. Unlike the North American rack, the European version can be used with a rear-mounted spare tire such as on your cabriolet.

rockfla · 01-05-2023, 03:53 PM

David

interesting "skirted" front fender!!!! It sure would make the word "trunk" on ours more fitting as well......Ours is only fitting for something less than a modern day carry on bag, IF that!!!! More like an attache' case really!!!

CaliforniaBorn36 · 01-05-2023, 04:01 PM

I had a Trunk Rack on the back of my 1936 with rear mount spare. You can probably adapt most any trunk rack with a bit of work, like lengthening the mounting brackets.

If your going for points judging though, only a 1932 rack will do.

DavidG · 01-05-2023, 05:08 PM

After the '34s all of the North American racks only fit with the rear-mounted spare tire as side-mounted spare tires were no longer offered. And the differences in the rear ends of the '35 and up frames and the earlier ones is like day and night. On a '32, it would be a lot more than "a bit of work" to add a luggage rack to the rear spare tire bracket.

DavidG · 01-05-2023, 05:14 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Robert,

That photo happens to be of a post-'32 U.K. Model 14, but then you know that as you have the book(s).

ronn · 01-06-2023, 08:06 AM

sounds like you need a Kari Keen trunk.

47topless · 01-06-2023, 09:33 AM

[attach]506970[/atthttps://www.fordbarn.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=506970&d=1673015341ach]

DavidG · 01-06-2023, 10:45 AM

Sounds like a lot of well-meaning advice unfortunately not applicable to 1932 Fords.

itslow · 01-06-2023, 01:57 PM

I suspect the most feasible route (in 2023) to retaining a spare with a rear-mounted trunk would be to convert to a side-mounted spare. Trade your non-welled fender to a hot rodder who wants to get rid of his welled one.

rockfla · 01-06-2023, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ronn

sounds like you need a Kari Keen trunk.

One on ebay right now. ALSO a 32 trunk rack!!!

DavidG · 01-06-2023, 07:20 PM

On further thought, we need to back up on this topic. Unless the subject cabriolet is of late production, it likely will have the same chassis frame as the majority of the '32s produced. If that is the case, there is decent probability that the frame above the rear axles housings is already distorted from the car bottoming out and the axle housings acting as fulcrum. Apart from a weakness in the frame above the axle housings (later addressed initially as a service campaign to add reinforcements on the outside of the frame directly above the axle housings and ultimately in production with longer reinforcements added to the inside the frame rails along with shortening of the rear cross member to accommodate the thickness of the reinforcements), the combined weight of a full gas tank and a spare tire and wheel created the leverage of sufficient force to bend the un-reinforced frame rails.

That throws into question why Ford would release a luggage rack in Europe that would only increase the tendency for the frames to buckle at their high point? Maybe Europe had at that time such good roads that there were no pot holes for a serious jounce of the suspension. Or maybe their unique luggage rack wasn't released until the frame problem had been fixed.

In any event, if the subject cabriolet doesn't have either form of frame reinforcement, adding a luggage rack plus adding luggage, etc. to it, heightens the risk of damage to the frame and as islow points out, the most feasible route may be to relocate the spare tire to one of the front fenders. So, surreveps, I suggest that the first step is to determine which version of the chassis frame is under your cabriolet body.

47topless · 01-06-2023, 07:57 PM

Just a thought. In these times, and given the mighty improvement in tire quality and endurance, is there really a need for a spare-tire, especially a full size one? IMO, cosmetically, a duce roaster looks much better without one, regardless of where it is carried. A can of that era sol "flat fixer" or maybe a mini spare with the proper lug pattern, tucked behind the seats would satisfy the need.

01-05-2023, 03:53 PM	#3
rockfla Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 3,953	Re: Trunk for 32 Cabriolet David interesting "skirted" front fender!!!! It sure would make the word "trunk" on ours more fitting as well......Ours is only fitting for something less than a modern day carry on bag, IF that!!!! More like an attache' case really!!!

01-05-2023, 05:08 PM	#5
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Trunk for 32 Cabriolet After the '34s all of the North American racks only fit with the rear-mounted spare tire as side-mounted spare tires were no longer offered. And the differences in the rear ends of the '35 and up frames and the earlier ones is like day and night. On a '32, it would be a lot more than "a bit of work" to add a luggage rack to the rear spare tire bracket. Last edited by DavidG; 01-05-2023 at 05:14 PM.

01-05-2023, 05:14 PM	#6
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Trunk for 32 Cabriolet Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Robert, That photo happens to be of a post-'32 U.K. Model 14, but then you know that as you have the book(s).

01-06-2023, 08:06 AM	#7
ronn Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: NNNNNNNNJJJJJJJJJJ Posts: 6,787	Re: Trunk for 32 Cabriolet sounds like you need a Kari Keen trunk.

01-06-2023, 10:45 AM	#9
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Trunk for 32 Cabriolet Sounds like a lot of well-meaning advice unfortunately not applicable to 1932 Fords.

01-06-2023, 01:57 PM	#10
itslow Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Central Iowa Posts: 691	Re: Trunk for 32 Cabriolet I suspect the most feasible route (in 2023) to retaining a spare with a rear-mounted trunk would be to convert to a side-mounted spare. Trade your non-welled fender to a hot rodder who wants to get rid of his welled one. __________________ Mike Wanted: - '32-34 Open Cab Pickup (RPU) parts and documents/articles/info - ARDUN parts

01-06-2023, 07:20 PM	#12
DavidG Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: southeastern Michigan Posts: 10,101	Re: Trunk for 32 Cabriolet On further thought, we need to back up on this topic. Unless the subject cabriolet is of late production, it likely will have the same chassis frame as the majority of the '32s produced. If that is the case, there is decent probability that the frame above the rear axles housings is already distorted from the car bottoming out and the axle housings acting as fulcrum. Apart from a weakness in the frame above the axle housings (later addressed initially as a service campaign to add reinforcements on the outside of the frame directly above the axle housings and ultimately in production with longer reinforcements added to the inside the frame rails along with shortening of the rear cross member to accommodate the thickness of the reinforcements), the combined weight of a full gas tank and a spare tire and wheel created the leverage of sufficient force to bend the un-reinforced frame rails. That throws into question why Ford would release a luggage rack in Europe that would only increase the tendency for the frames to buckle at their high point? Maybe Europe had at that time such good roads that there were no pot holes for a serious jounce of the suspension. Or maybe their unique luggage rack wasn't released until the frame problem had been fixed. In any event, if the subject cabriolet doesn't have either form of frame reinforcement, adding a luggage rack plus adding luggage, etc. to it, heightens the risk of damage to the frame and as islow points out, the most feasible route may be to relocate the spare tire to one of the front fenders. So, surreveps, I suggest that the first step is to determine which version of the chassis frame is under your cabriolet body.

01-06-2023, 07:57 PM	#13
47topless Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 278	Re: Trunk for 32 Cabriolet Just a thought. In these times, and given the mighty improvement in tire quality and endurance, is there really a need for a spare-tire, especially a full size one? IMO, cosmetically, a duce roaster looks much better without one, regardless of where it is carried. A can of that era sol "flat fixer" or maybe a mini spare with the proper lug pattern, tucked behind the seats would satisfy the need.