OVERVIEW
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• The Definition of a Hot Rod – “Timeless and Traditional”
• 1966 Oakland Roadster Show – 1st in Class & Best Paint
• 1 Owner Since 1962
• All Original Body
• 358 Chevrolet V8 Paired with a 3-Speed Automatic GM Transmission
• Air Conditioning, Disc Brakes, and Independent Rear Suspension
The 1932 Ford holds immense significance in automotive history, symbolizing a pivotal moment in Ford's evolution and the broader American car industry. Introduced during the Great Depression, it represented Ford's shift towards more stylish and powerful vehicles, setting a new standard for design and performance in its class. The 2-Door Model 18 was renowned for its sleek lines, advanced engineering, and affordability, making it accessible to a wider audience despite the economic challenges of the era.
This 1932 Ford has an extensive story that is shared with its previous owner. Purchased as a project in the early 1960’s, the car started its life with its lifelong owner as a vision and a passion to build a pure hotrod. Purchased as a body and frame in pieces, this 1932 had a lot of work ahead of it to make it right, but the owner didn’t let anything get in the way of his vision.
The project was initially sent over to Joe Wilhelm of San Jose, who owned a custom body shop known as “Wilhelm’s Custom Shop” in 1962. Joe Wilhelm entrusted his partner, Don Johnson to take on the project. Don took the body and oversaw all the body work in order to make it as perfect as could be. While the body was being prepped, the owner went out to source as many parts as he could find. He sourced a 283 Chevy engine along with a corvette 3-speed automatic transmission, original 32 Ford fenders, brakes, wheels, and other miscellaneous parts. While the body was being prepped, the owner would slowly add to the chassis with parts he had accumulated. In 1965, the body was complete except for paint. The body was dropped onto the chassis and bolted up, making it an almost complete car.
After the body was attached to the car, the next step in the process was to get the car painted. With no paint shop at “Wilhelm’s Custom Shop” back in 1965, Don Johnson improvised and setup his own paint booth with plastic tarps and had a clear vision in mind. The car was painted in a Burgundy red, along with painting the fenders black, and black beauty lines that run down and around the whole car. All meticulously painted by hand, Don was sure to make this 32 Ford a true masterpiece.
The interior was finished in black Naugahyde on the doors as well as the seat upholstery. The floor was then laid with black carpet and a black painted dashboard. Contrasted by the stainless-steel gauges, steering wheel, shifter, and pedals, the interior of this 1932 Ford is simple, yet elegant.
After the paint and interior were complete, the car was finally destined to see the open road. With the cars first test drive, it was made known very quickly that it was going to need some love when it came to its alignment. The car was then sent to Precision Wheel Alignment in San Jose, California to get it properly aligned. The axles and spindles were adjusted, brakes checked, and wheel direction was straightened. After a little love, the car was running and driving perfectly straight.
With the project finally complete, this 1932 Ford saw its first show at the Oakland Roadster Show in 1966. The car ended up being so good the show created a new class known as “Revamped Sedans” as they had never seen a 2-Door sedan as good looking as this one. In fact, so good, it won First in Class and Best Paint. The car would go on to attend shows in Fresno, Sacramento, and other parts of California for the next number of years.
Fast forward 30 years of ownership, in 1999, the owner came across a Brizio show chassis that was for sale in South San Francisco, built by Roy Brizio Street Rods. This chassis supported coilover suspension, Wilwood aluminum brakes, Mustang II front end, and other upgrades. With this chassis being built in the 90’s, the owner felt it was appropriate to upgrade this show quality body onto a show quality chassis. With the new chassis acquired, the body was swapped over. With the new chassis, came a new 350 Chevy V8 Engine bored to 358ci, GM 3-speed automatic transmission, and new 9-inch Ford rear end.
This 1932 Ford is the exact definition of what it means to be a vision in the eyes of an automotive enthusiast. With this project starting 50 years ago, this car became the hot rod it is now through passion, persistence, and the love of automobiles. Living in California its whole life, this 1932 Ford is ready to go out and make new memories for its next owner. Built with the driver in mind, this car was built to be driven and enjoyed for years to come.
Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the 1932 Ford played a crucial role in the development of hot-rodding culture. Its robust flathead V8 engine, a first for a mass-produced car, became legendary for its reliability and performance potential. This innovation not only enhanced the sedan's appeal among consumers but also sparked a revolution in aftermarket modifications and racing. Hot Rod enthusiasts quickly recognized the Model 18’s chassis as an ideal platform for customization, laying the foundation for an enduring subculture that continues to thrive today
Moreover, the 1932 Ford left a lasting legacy in shaping Ford's image as a pioneer in automotive design and manufacturing. Its success revitalized the company's fortunes during a challenging economic period, establishing Ford as a leader in both innovation and affordability. The iconic status of the Model B persists in classic car circles and among collectors, embodying an era of resilience, ingenuity, and American automotive excellence.
Upon arrival at Canepa, every collector car for sale is put through an extensive and diligent process called the “Canepa Difference.” This includes a major and comprehensive mechanical inspection where all systems are checked, serviced, and restored as needed. They also receive award-winning Concours-level detailing, including a thorough cleaning of each and every surface.
