Lot 22
1932 Ford Model 18 Deuce Coupe Street Rod
OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

Documents

1932 Ford Model 18 Deuce Coupe Rod and Custom.pdf

This lot is available for online bidding at Proxibid.com, LiveAuctioneers.com and Invaluable.com

427 cid SOHC “Cammer” V-8 engine, 650 HP, dual Holley four-barrel carburetors, modified Ford C6 automatic transmission, solid front axle, Halibrand Quick Change rear end with Aldan coilover shock, four-wheel hydraulic Buick/Lincoln disc brakes; wheelbase: 106"


When the first “hot rods” were being created even before the start of WWII, the early V-8 Fords were highly sought-after. Not only did they have superb styling, but they also had V-8 engines. Aftermarket performance suppliers, very much a cottage industry in the 1940s, usually started with items for the Ford flathead. Backyard coachwork artisans honed their skills for chopping tops, channeling bodies, and developing methods to nose, deck and French the exterior appearance. From those beginnings, what started as a garage-based shop, has today grown into a lucrative industry as technology, materials and methods have been perfected. This fabulous “Deuce” coupe that we are proud to offer features the culmination and combination of several of the top masters of their crafts.

Commissioned by the late Mike Martin in the late 1990s, he assembled a team of the finest craftsmen of the day to build what could be considered the ultimate dream Deuce Coupe. Starting with a genuine 1932 all-steel coupe, he set metal magician Steve Dave to task where he dropped the top by 3” while raising the cowl ¾” to create perfect proportions for this rod. Next, Davis shortened and “bull-nosed” the front grille shell and then hand-formed the folding hood adding 3” in length. To the rear of the car, he rolled the rear pan to go under the chassis and then added in frenched taillights while installing a Jaguar-sourced “pop-up” fuel filler. Keeping the coupe all Ford, a rare 427 SOHC Cammer V-8 engine was acquired and built by the legendary Art Christman. Starting with a custom forged crank, he added Le Mans connector rods, 9.5:1 forged pistons by JE Pistons, Donovan stainless valves, a custom intake topped with a pair of Holley four-barrel carburetors, a Holman & Moody oil pan and handcrafted headers from Mike Hamm. Rounding out the power team was a specially modified Ford C6 automatic transmission, again beefed up by Christman to handle the 650-horsepower output coming from that mighty Cammer V-8. There were extensive modifications to the chassis such as creating a custom channel for the exhaust to flow through the rails, and the numerous critical custom mounts that were fabricated to secure everything from the seat to the fuel pump. The suspension was also treated to a Halibrand Quick Change rear axle with Aldan coilover shock absorbers. The vibrant exterior was finished in PPG Deltron Yellow created by Stan Betz and laid down by Jerry Cain. Turning to the interior, the simulated woodgrain dashboard, which houses the instrument cluster with Moon gauges, was created by a true artist, Jerry Kennedy, while the handcrafted seats and door panels in deep rich Navy-Blue leather were created and installed by another master of his craft, Ron Mangus. A custom-built Banjo steering wheel was then installed by Ron Sexton. Today, this outstanding coupe rides on a set of color-matched widened steel wheels fitted with a fresh set of Conti-Trac tires from Continental. In January 1998, Rod & Custom Magazine dedicated their entire issue to the ’32 Ford as America’s favorite hot rod and this very car was selected as the cover car indicating their editors’ apparent love of this deuce coupe.

Beautifully detailed inside and out, our consignor reports that, despite being a show car of the highest caliber, this rod stands ready to hit the road. No disappointments from the attention paid by other entrants and spectators at the car's showing at 'The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering 2019'. To his own satisfaction, this ’32 provided everything that was promised. Performance, comfort, and handling are all top shelf. It is a classic Deuce, built by experts for those who seek the very best.