Frame Up Built Roadster 350 V8 TH350

Some hot rods just don't go out of fashion, the most notable one being the ’32 Ford. From the instant it hit the streets, complete with a rumbling V8 under the hood, the ’32 roadster was destined for greatness. Today, there are a lot of ways to get behind the wheel of your own early Ford roadster, and most of them involve building your own (or having it built), both of which require equal amounts of time, patience, and most importantly, cash. The alternative is something that we at RK Motors Charlotte call smart buying an already finished car. The work is already done, the money already spent, and the result is a great-looking ’32 roadster that you can drive home today for a fraction of the build cost. It's a no-brainer if you're looking for the right car at the right price.

Yes, it's a fiberglass body and fenders, but that's also why it doesn't cost two or three times as much as it does priced a steel ’32 Ford in ANY condition lately? Even a basket case full of rust will run you more than this complete car. Fiberglass is durable, easy to repair, and looks identical under that coat of vivid yellow paint, and there's just no downside anymore. As a bonus, shut lines and body fit can be exactly finished to standards that Henry Ford only dreamed of in 1932. And all the great details are still there, from the raised belt moldings that frame the body, to the rounded rear deck, to the cowl lights, which are my favorite feature. A steel hood was used to cover the hot small block V8 underneath, and is a reproduction of the 1932 Ford piece, complete down to the original style louvers. The bright yellow finish will stand out among the sea of red and black ‘32s at any show, and is nicely done with great gloss and professional finish quality. The contrast between the yellow body and black running boards is striking.

You'll also note the red grille insert, a cool touch that recalls the ‘50s style of hot rodding, which this car was designed to emulate. Huge sealed-beam headlights are on a dropped bar, giving it a vintage look that I personally like much, much more than the smaller King Bee bullet lights, and they look entirely appropriate with the aforementioned cowl lights. A chrome spreader bar up front ties the front end together (literally!), and matches the one out back that serves as a kind of bumper protecting the gas tank. You'll also note teardrop-shaped ’39 Ford tail lights that were a popular fitment in the 1950s. The windshield looks like a deluxe roadster part, which was lower than the standard roadsters, and the chrome stanchions are in excellent condition.

Power comes from what else?—a small block Chevy V8. The internals consist of a nodular crank, a set of flattop pistons, and a Crane hydraulic camshaft with a nice lopey idle. It's topped by a set of World Products S/R Torquer Heads, an Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, and a 650 Holley double pumper. Dressed in bright red engine paint with details like the cast aluminum valve covers, it looks appropriate under the hood of this retro-themed rod. There's nothing groundbreaking under the hood, which means it's reliable, powerful, and easy to service no matter where your cruising takes you, and it won't cost a fortune to keep this one on the road. A polished alternator is mounted up high to protect it from heat and moisture, and the ignition system is an HEI system that's as reliable as factory-issued parts get. Other shiny bits include the air cleaner, billet pulleys, and a set of ceramic-coated headers that tuck in nice and close to the block to make the fit easy in the early Ford engine bay.

The chassis is clearly designed for the road, with a custom frame that has been painted satin black for easy maintenance. The transmission is a TH350 3-speed automatic driving a 9-inch Ford rear that has been painted black to blend in. For a more comfortable ride, a Heists independent setup is used up front, complete with chrome A-arms and coil-over shocks, as well as a rack-and-pinion steering setup that's laser precise compared to the ancient Ford steering box. More coil-overs on a triangulated four-bar suspension hold up the rear, and the lightweight nature of the body eliminates the need for sway bars. Disc brakes up front and Ford drums in back make stopping the flyweight roadster confidence-inspiring. The exhaust system is completely custom, using 2.5-inch tubing and Flowmaster mufflers that terminate in a pair of polished stainless tips under the rear spreader bar. Truly finishing the car in period are a set of 15-inch steel wheels with hubcaps wearing a set of big-n-little BFGoodrich Momentum radials.

The traditional roadster look continues in the passenger compartment with a pleated saddle leather bench seat. As comfortable as it looks (and not nearly as bouncy as the original bench), the seat is in excellent condition with only light signs of usage. The door panels have been upholstered in matching leather, and carpets were installed instead of the original rubber floor mat. A chrome tilt steering column makes it easy to get comfortable behind the wheel, which wears a matching saddle leather hide. A set of classic Stewart Warner gauges have been fitted to a machined-turned gauge panel in the center of the dash, keeping with the cars simple, traditional look. A Lokar billet shifter handles the gear selection and looks right at home in the old Fords passenger compartment, as does the matching hand brake with its own matching leather boot. Overhead a tan canvas folding top is fitted, making this yellow roadster the kind of car you can drive anywhere with confidence at least you won't get soaked if you get caught out in the rain! The trunk lid is has a power release, and reveals a nicely upholstered cargo bay with matching pleated leather sides and a carpeted floor.

Fully sorted and ready to cruise this summer, this turn-key rod is the answer to your vintage roadster addiction. Forget the wait, the headaches, and the teething problems that any fresh build will offer, this one is fully sorted and reliable. Finished to a good standard and not so complex that it will be a challenge to maintain, it's a solid, reliable rod that will still draw appreciative stares anywhere it goes. And with a full top, you shouldn't be afraid to enjoy it whenever you can. If you've been looking for just the right rod at just the right price, you've just found it. Call today!