FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => Non-FE Discussion Forum => Topic started by: Hemi Joel on July 18, 2011, 12:43:42 PM
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I must be living right, as this is my 3rd major barn find, the once in a lifetime kind of thing. Just picked up a '32 Ford Tudor Sedan, I figured you guys would like to here about it, here is the story:
I drove the Duesenberg in the 4th of July parade with our local club, then met up with my Mom at the carnival in town. She introduced me to this retired couple that lives down the street from her, and right away the lady started talking about the Duesenberg and she seemed to be very interested in old cars. I mentioned this observation to her, and she told me that she had a '33 Ford, that her uncle had bought new, and that it was still all original, never been painted or anything. She said that she no longer had a place to keep it, so she gave it to her brother, and he started it up about once per year and drives it around the block and then puts away for another year. Well that sounded like a really cool story and a really cool car, but with it being a family heirloom, I did not ask her if it was for sale.
The following week I was over at Mom's fixing her roof, and I asked to mention to the lady next time she sees her that if they ever decided to part with the car, I would be interested. She said, what a coincidence, they had asked Mom, "I wonder if Joel would ever be interested in buying the Ford?"
So I ended up going over there saterday, and found that it is a '32, not a '33, 4 banger, and definitely all original. The owner told me that his uncle drove it daily up into the late 50's, but it has only been driven occasionally since. It has the original owners manual, crank, tool kit, and a garbage can full of spare parts including some NOS stuff.
He was going to sell his place and move into a condo, and had no place to put the car, so he would sell it. I made an offer that I thought was fair, he said he’d let me know the next day. So yesterday he called, and counter offered a little higher. I accepted, then we went over there and I drove it home. It drives OK, not great, the brakes are a little scary, but they work. It runs pig rich and doesn’t idle down real good, and the horn honks when I floor the clutch pedal.
I haven't had a chance to really dig into it yet, but I'm thrilled about it. Don't know for sure what to do with it, I suppose just keep it like it is but make sure it is safe and reliable and running good. I know most of you guys will think it needs a FE in it, right? :D
Here's the pics:
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/HemiJoel/32%20Ford/fronts.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/HemiJoel/32%20Ford/leftfronts.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/HemiJoel/32%20Ford/motorrights.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/HemiJoel/32%20Ford/frontseatss.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/HemiJoel/32%20Ford/dashs.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/HemiJoel/32%20Ford/rightrears.jpg)
(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d137/HemiJoel/32%20Ford/leftrears.jpg)
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You are one LUCKY son of a bitch, Captain Stabbin'! What a great find! It needs a big block...
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Oh how cool! That is a rare time capsule.
Reminds of of a story my dad told me. He was living in Los Angeles in the mid-fifties working as an FBI agent. Part of his job was testing pursuit cars in the Mojave desert. One day he was out there and saw an old man driving a brand new shiny Model-T.
"Huh?", my dad thought to himself. He asked the old man about his car, and the man replied that when they went out of production in 1927, he bought two. He had just driven the first one into the ground, so this was the second one.
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That Model T story reminds me of my favorite work boots. About 5 years ago, I went to fleet farm to buy a new pair, but my good old USA made favorites had been replaced with a bunch of chinese made garbage. I tried on a bunch of different ones, but didn't like any of them. As I was leaving in disgust, I noticed the clearance rack with some of the good old boots still on it for half price. I bought every pair in my size, so I'll have NOS boots till I'm in my 60's. ;D
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Good move on the boots! It's great to get what you really want at half price.
Hey - I just noticed there's no room for a trunk monkey in that Ford. ???
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Very cool. My buddy in Phoenix bought a '38 Ford Hearse last year all original with flathead V8, owners manual, etc. - runs and drives but not nearly as nice as your find. I'd keep it original - if you want a hot rod there's plenty of them out there already JMO.
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Very cool find and how lucky! It almost screams to be in a Hollywood movie, like a re-make of the Untouchables or a 30's era gangster movie.
But please, no Chevy engine!
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Yes, I'm a lucky SOB, who would have thunk it?
When the previous owner was trying to start it, he was puling on the choke, and twisting the knob both clockwise and counter-clockwise. I know that you pull it out to choke it, but had never seen anyone turn a choke knob so I asked him about it. He said he thinks it does something, but doesen't know what.
SO i looked it up in the owners manual, and sure enuff, turning the choke knob adjusts the needle valve on the carb. By turning it in, I got it to lean out. So the pig rich condition was an easy cure! Now, on to the horn honk thing.
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Joel, I just got around to reading your thread. My thoughts, for what they're worth---
Just as you got it, it's a curiosity. Something to drive down to the store or in a parade. If that floats your boat, fix the horn and leave it as-is.
But for something to have fun with, I'd re-do the exterior to make it pretty, and being careful to keep the stock 'look', put a modern suspension and powertrain in it. (An FE, of course!) With such things as the original brakes, it isn't really safe to drive if there's any kind of traffic around you. My own '63 F-100, with a solid front axle and drum brakes, was 'iffy' in traffic. I converted it to a Volare front suspension with R&P steering and disc brakes, and used such things as tubular A-arms and aftermarket components to make it safe to drive. What a world of difference! JMO
KS
In any case make it something that suits you!
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Other than make it safe I would leave it alone..It is a true time capsule with a full documented life.Once the car is modified the history becomes worthless..Unless you can find a Ardun to put in it ;D.....Cory