1932 Ford Highboy

Description

The old adage is still true, and you can definitely buy this 1932 Ford hi-boy roadster for less than the cost of building your own. And don't worry, it's got all the good stuff inside, ranging from a rumbling small block Chevy to a fully finished interior that's ready to cruise. The only thing that matters is whether you're tired of sitting on the sidelines or if you're ready to get in the game.

The body's a fiberglass replica by Westcott, and if you've been looking at roadsters, you know their stuff is first-rate. Built about five years and 7500 miles ago, this eyeball-burning yellow rod is pretty much the way you'd do it yourself, isn't it? The paint is two-stage urethane, and it's so bright that I'm sure some radioactive isotope was part of the mix. It was applied over that quality fiberglass body, which also features a stock-style louvered steel hood and a radiator shell painted to match, so it has that smooth look that all the top builders shoot for. Add in a chopped windshield with wind wings, those big headlights on the shock mounts, and a few pinstripe tricks on the details, and you have a rod that will be welcome anywhere you take it.

The neatly stitched tan vinyl bench means that this car needs no additional funding. Pleats and simple patterns duplicate the vintage look of hi-boys of yore, but the interior is remarkably consistent with matching tan carpets and a leather-wrapped wheel that is a neat 3-spoke spin on the traditional track-T look. A billet aluminum panel in the center of the dash houses the white-faced VDO instruments, but all the working parts are cleverly stashed underneath in a separate panel that's out of sight. In addition to the light and ignition controls, there's a remote button for the rumble seat (upholstered to match, of course) and a reasonably thumpin' AM/FM/CD stereo with remote so you don't actually have to reach under there to change the channel. The black canvas convertible top from Lebaron-Bonney is a real rarity among hi-boy roadsters, but makes this one eminently more usable as a real car.

Reliability and performance? This car has both in spades. The 350 cubic inch Chevy is the de-facto choice for any rod that's meant to be driven, and when augmented by an Edelbrock carb, a custom stainless exhaust system with chrome trumpets at the tips, and a ton of chrome, it's extremely entertaining on the road. The block, frame, suspension, and just about everything else under the car has been dipped in the same bright yellow paint as the body, giving it a highly detailed look. The transmission is a TH350 3-speed automatic driving a Ford 8-inch with towering 2.79 gears inside. Traditional suspension components, including a TCI 4-bar front setup with a dropped axle plus coil-overs and a 4-link setup out back, mean that it has the right look and rides right. Rack-and-pinion steering makes a huge difference on the road, and front disc brakes are plenty powerful for this lightweight rod. Staggered Torque Thrusts complete the vintage ensemble and sport 195/65/15 front and 285/70/15 rear BFGoodrich radials.

Traditional in all the ways that matter to you and fully finished in a way that makes people sit up and take notice, this is a fantastic Deuce roadster you can own today. Don't wait, call now!