Lot 51
1932 Ford V-8 Five-Window Coupe
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

221 cid flathead V-8 engine, 65 HP, three-speed manual transmission, solid front axle and live rear axle with transverse semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension, four-wheel mechanical drum brakes, rear-wheel drive; wheelbase: 112”


Often referred to as a deuce coupe because of the “2” in the model year, Ford introduced the world’s first affordably priced car to offer a V-8 engine, and the five-window coupe option only added to its status. The five-window offered a differentiated class that appealed more to upscale buyers and the business class of the world.

Since the early ‘70s, this wonderful Five-Window Coupe has been in the possession of a member of the Early Ford V-8 Club, mainly within the Southern California Regional Group. The car was originally assembled in Long Beach, California and shipped to a Ford dealer in Tucson, Arizona. The Coupe eventually made its way back to California when Club Member Jim Hignett acquired the car in the early 1970s. While in his possession, he had the car completely disassembled to restore and had Club Member Rak Krist paint it for him; Krist noted that even in its original condition, it was a good solid car. Very little body work was needed prior to painting it in black lacquer. Once the car was finished, Hignett enjoyed it for a few years then decided to put the Coupe up for sale at the Vintage Auto Parts store in town. Club member Calvin Breeding’s wife saw the ’32 and decided to buy it as a surprise Christmas gift for her husband. After enjoying it for some time he then traded it in 1988 to Jess Rupp for a Mustang Convertible. Jess and his son would enter the car in the Touring Division at the Dana Point Western National Meet in 1999 and take home first place, proving that the car’s restoration in the ‘70s was done very well and stood the test of time. This well-known Five-Window Coupe eventually made its way to Ron Thorne’s Collection in 2018 after Rupp’s 30-year ownership. Mr. Thorne loved the fact that it had lived most of its life on the West Coast and had also been mainly in the possession of other Early Ford V-8 Club members, so he decided to keep the car as is, only refreshing the mechanicals.

Today the ’32 Five-Window Coupe proudly wears its black paint from the ‘70s. It features green pinstriping that leaves a subtle yet striking mark on the black lacquer paint and sits on Aurora Red spoke wheels with U.S. Royal blackwall tires. It hosts Ford Twolite headlamps and cowl lights in the front and dual taillights in the rear. The rumble seat is finished in faux leather and has a rear mounted spare tire with metal casing.

The cabin features mohair tan interior on both the seats and door panels, with a front venting windshield and roll down rear window for flow through ventilation while driving. The dash houses the oval shaped engine-turned aluminum gauge cluster that adds an Art Deco touch to the interior’s appearance, and a period-correct rearview mirror with integrated clock can be seen above.

Accompanying the sale of this vehicle is an NOS instruction booklet and stack of vintage photos of the ’32 Five-Window through the years. Ready to participate at AACA or Early Ford V8 Club touring event with its collected patina, this trusty V-8 is ready for its next owner to thoroughly enjoy.