1932 Ford 5 Window Coupe
The 1932 Ford has a special place in automotive history, as it was the first Ford car to come standard with a V8 engine. While this V8 was not the first production or “monoblock” V8, it was the first affordable V8 that offered reliable power. Tim Scanadi was kind to lend this 1932 Ford 5 Window Coupe for this exhibition, allowing us to compare similarities and contrasting differences between this stock ’32 Ford alongside hot rods from the period.
Nearly 300,000 1932 Ford’s were produced with varying different body styles, with Ford’s main goal to be price leaders in their market. This allowed the average American to purchase their own automobile and changed the view that only the super wealthy could afford a car. The low prices as well as the availability of cars gave birth to the hot rod craze that began in the late 1930’s.
With such a large quantity of these cars produced and over half of them containing Ford’s new V8, ’32 Ford’s became the most popular choice as a starting point for hot rodders.
Young men in the late 40’s and 50’s who did not want to spend almost a full year's salary on a car could buy a frame and body for a 1932 Ford for as little as $25 and an engine for under $200. For young hot rodders, new cars seemed unnecessary, so they built their own and then began racing them to see who had the best mechanical skills as well as who had the fastest car in town.
On loan from Tim Csandi, Little Compton, RI
