Vehicle Description
1932 Ford Hi-Boy Roadster
Because channeling a car is more complicated and requires a lot of
work to reconstruct the floorboards and body mounts, many of the
younger hot rodders left the body sitting on top of the frame in
the original configuration. Channeling made the bodies sit lower
and look sleeker than the cars with the body sitting on the frame.
Those became known as highboy roadsters. It is safe to define the
highboy as a roadster or coupe that had the fenders removed but
maintained factory body mounting configuration. (thx to
StreetMuscleMag.com)
For consignment, a 1932 Ford Highboy roadster with a title verified
5,923 actual miles and a consignor stated 500 horsepower V8 in a
car that weighs 2,200 pounds. This car proves that flames and
chrome are not necessarily needed to create a stunning hot rod that
is both potent and attractive.
Exterior
Yellow paint pops off the Harwood body of this 1932 Ford like a
highway safety vest. The frame creates a band of black and a black
canvas top sandwiches the yellow and together with the tires and
smoked taillights, presents a simple palette that is strikingly
handsome. Staggered rows of louvers on the engine covers represent
the only detour from flat panels and a pinstripe runs the length
and includes a design on the radiator surround and trunk lid that
add a touch of retro styling. 15-inch polished American Racing
Torque Thrust wheels carry staggered size tires for the appropriate
raked look while maintaining a relatively level attitude. From the
back, the fat rear tires spread wide to flank the body and the
yellow gas tank, and above it all, a small glass rear window in the
soft top. The polished metal of the front suspension, windshield,
mirrors, and lights all look good. Imperfections are limited to
some chips above the trunk lid and some discoloration at its
base.
Interior
The simple doors are lined with pleated patterned vinyl, a pattern
which repeats on the bench seat with custom embroidered name in
yellow. A 4 spoke steering wheel wrapped in black leather is like a
modern take on a Model T wheel and it's affixed to a yellow
steering column which holds the shifter and leads to a yellow dash.
An aluminum plate surrounds the Dolphin gauges in the center and
the interior paint is smooth and clean. The floorboard is covered
with a black carpet mat to fit, and the underside of the soft top
is in great condition. In the trunk, the floor is lined with a gray
mat and the battery and fire extinguisher are in place.
Drivetrain
Open the hood and we find a show ready engine that according to our
consignor is a 383ci stroker with a GM performance cam with
.509i/.523e lift and 222i/230 duration. A Proform 4-barrel
carburetor is atop an Edelbrock intake with lots of clean metals
and an aluminum radiator. MSD ignition bleeds some red into the
engine bay for some added color. A Powerglide 2-speed automatic
transmission leads to a Ford 9" rear with 3.08 gears and TrueTrac
Positraction. Disc brakes are housed up front while drums are in
the rear. Headers begin the exhaust process.
Undercarriage
A TCI frame creates the underpinnings of the undercarriage where a
4 bar with transverse leaf springs in the front and a 4 link with
coilovers makes up the suspension in the back. The dual exhaust
runs straight into stainless steel mufflers and then exits straight
back through angle cut stainless exhaust pipes. An aluminum
driveshaft stands out over black paint underneath where we find
very clean conditions with no surface rust and only a single drop
of oil on the rear diff.
Drive-Ability
2,200 pounds and 500 horsepower? We keep that in mind as we feather
the gas pedal forward, noting the not so distant rumble coming from
the exhaust tips. The upright position and bucket like cab is
instant fun and obviously the car has wonderful acceleration but
also tracks, brakes, and turns well. Visibility takes some getting
used to with the top up, but this is not a large car and one
quickly learns to scan surroundings before changing lanes. There is
no A/C and no radio, and all functional items present worked as
intended. While Classic Auto Mall represents that these functions
were working at the time of our test drive, we cannot guarantee
these functions will be working at the time of your purchase.
A simple recipe, enormous power, and a bright exterior shell make
this a well sorted and fun toy that should be on your radar if
you're looking for a hot rod. We know a '32 Ford is on many wish
lists and while some are adorned with polarizing personal design
choices, this one is a clean Highboy with all of the right
ingredients.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
With so many great cars, you know we have a lot to talk about, and
we do that each week on the Classic Auto Mall Podcast with host
Stewart Howden. Stewart discusses new inventory as well as trends
in consignments and car prices, while interviewing celebrities and
automotive professionals about amazing cars and their history. Tune
in each week to the Classic Auto Mall Podcast wherever you enjoy
listening. You can also watch on YouTube!
