Building Some 1932'S - Come Along for the Ride

[Ian1932]

Hi, my name is Ian and im new to the site/forum, thanks for having me. I guess im just going to jump right in the fire...

So, a little back ground...I have always been around old cars, swap meets, shows and such with dad. My father gave me about 2.5 cars of vintage Henry For Tin, frames and everything else that goes along with them. Im going to build these cars, with hopefully some help from guys on this site. I have done a large amount of body work and sprayed about every type enamel, lacquer, base and clears over the years. And also have years mechanical repairs as well. I know what these cars and their parts look like as i have seen them thousands of times, but, its been about 15 years since i was "into it". Im going to need some help because there are parts that i cant figure out what they are for. Im going to have to ask a lot of questions that i hope everyone can point me in the right direction.

I do want make these cars like my dad would want to see them, which is very similar to what i would want to see with all original 1932 parts. The first one will be a roadster with a flat head V8 and 18" wheels. I will add fenders to this car but i want to get it to the point of completion, then, lastly finish and fit fenders and running boards. Who knows it might be fender less...

Well...Today was day one. I went through a bunch of different parts and picked pcs that would be the easiest to repair or get to finish paint. Ill attach some pictures. Some of the parts, that there are more than one are just because i couldn't decide which was was better candidate. The first pics of these pcs are really nice parts and he already did some work to most of them. Not all the parts i have are even decent. Im going to attack this by prepping parts for paint, painting them and then staging them in the basement in protection until i have enough to start to assemble. Rolling chassis is going to be pushed to the top of the list but i didnt take any pictures yet.

Im going to take a bunch of pictures to record everything i do. If im not on for a while, im still here, i just have a full time job and kids that have things going on all the time.

I wanted to add that im not looking to sell anything. These cars have sentimental value to me and my family wont trade it for money.

Conclusion, here are some pics of day one of parts that im going to prep for paint. Ill let the colors be a surprise. Hopefully everyone can stay tuned and point out things that maybe i might not catch or maybe about to do something wrong. Thanks!

[JSeery]

Welcome to the Barn!

[TomT/Williamsburg]

Welcome - nice parts to start off with!

[corvette8n]

Welcome to the barn, looks like a good start, stay motivated.

[texas webb]

Welcome,and look forward to more.

[funrunr]

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Welcome, count me in for the ride.

[Ian1932]

Thank you for the welcome!

I already have some questions...

1st: Is there a place where i can find images of stock frames and bodies that are assembled but not together? I need to do some body work but it would be awesome if i had some close up pictures of cars without interior or seats. Or frames that are together with running gear that are close ups. This would help me greatly as i dont have a complete car for reference. This is tough to just search because most of the things i find they modified things to accept a different motor or brakes or whatever...

2nd: Can anyone recommend a book(s) that might have the same as above but might be a published work specific to 32'

Thanks for the help and help to come!

[jimTN]

If you are building original or original era, there are plenty of good books available including some documentary, service bulletins and parts books. I building for a garbage truck engine and Easter egg color, this is the wrong forum. There are some very experienced, knowledgeable folks here that can help you with original questions. The 32 is an animal of its own.

[TJ]

You can get a good start by going to the Early Ford V-8 Club website; www.earlyfordv8.org and purchasing the V-8 Club's two volume set of the 1932 Ford book. This book will give you tons of information that will help you identify parts and help with a correct restoration.

[woodiewagon46]

Couldn't agree more with TJ, purchase the books from the V-8 Club.

[deuce_roadster]

If you are going to make a Concourse car you really need the two volume 32 books that DavidG was the main author of mentioned above. You probably are not aware that most of these early Fords had many changes during the model year so there are early, middle and late parts that shouldn't be mixed if judging is your goal. An example would be if you had an early serial number frame your car shouldn't have a late firewall in it. These volumes will help immensely in that regard.
And as a bonus, DavidG answers questions here!

[rotorwrench]

Even though this part of the forum is labeled early V8, the 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder cars/trucks in the time frame are also welcome. If you have V8s then you have some treasures there.

Welcome into the barn.

[Ian1932]

Thanks for the book suggestions!

Was this frame spreader bar chrome on all models or was it an option? It cleaned up ok, if this is indeed an original part im gong to use it. I have 3 that are black and rusty but not pitted. Not sure how i could tell though.

I have a bunch or stuff ready for some final 2K priming and soon then to be painted. I got some paint an im ready to roll if the weather agrees...

I threw in some pictures of the rumble seat and front seat as they are being covered now and want to have good record of this. I had 3 hides of Edleman Leather left from a job at work. In my mind this is the highest quality product one might get their hands on. The company paid $1150 per hide...!!!

[deuce_roadster]

Original spreader bars were painted black. If you have an original that is chrome plated someone did that along the way.

[Ian1932]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

Original spreader bars were painted black. If you have an original that is chrome plated someone did that along the way.

Thanks much!

[Ian1932]

Frame is off to get blasted. Its not the greatest but was easy to get to. Im confident i can make it look good. This frame was never modified that i can see. I grabbed a firewall to work on and prep. The hoods are ready now. My dad had these louvered on the early 50's when he was in the army.

[vulture]

Welcome and Wow cool collection of parts and look forward to the builds. Please ask any questions on the parts with many 32 collectors on the Ford Barn. In fact the book of 1932 restoration specs is on the Barn and I am sure David will respond to any question asked. So what body styles are the builds?

[deuce_roadster]

Frame looks pretty good. Doesn't show outside frame rails above where it goes over the rear end. It should be flat there, often there is a goose egg on each side that comes when the car got bumped in the rear and the tips are down a little bit. Late frames have a reinforcement inside the frame there but I don't think you have one of those. Not just the small plates that bolt inside with the shocks but a permanent piece.
Looks like you have some nice stuff. Firewall is a later one.

[FrankWest]

Welcome!
WOW! That's exciting...Building the car from the ground up.....What a goal, What fun!!!!
Don't rush it, do a little at a time, enjoy each accomplishment and you will have many great years of assembling and planning....
You came to the right place....
Asked these guys on here...They will guide you..

[Ian1932]

As i tackle this job its so far been really fun. Even more fun is talking to my dad and asking him questions about how things came to be.

This grille, he bought from a swap meet, he doesnt remember how long ago. He said the guy wanted $50 dollars and he kept offering $30, the guy just wouldnt budge...He walked around for 2 days @ the meet, then, finally went back and paid the $50. He said on the way home he was sick and he was sorry he bought it! I cant imagine what the tag would be on one of these a swap meet today that is this nice.

The hood. When he was leaving for the army he was stationed somewhere in Illinois. He saw and add in a magazine about a guy in Chicago that lovered hoods. He wrapped them in paper and took them with him on the bus. When they had free time he went to the city and dropped them off. When he went back to pick them up, he met my mother that same night for the first time.

He also told me he traded a complete set of fenders to his buddy for 2 used new tires & this gas tank long ago.

Some things i ask, he doesnt remember. Some parts he says "i dont know where that came from, i didnt even know a had that".