Thread: Glass or steel- friend is 32 shopping

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I traded a lincoln versalles 9 , Must II front with 11 in brakes from my parts pile + $1500 for a glass 32 roadster body of unkown manufacture. I have to do a lot of work on it .the doors and deck are not hung, wood flors the quarters are wavey, they didn't have a good mold .It has some body wood in it.It had a bench seat frame and stock height glass grill shell. metal original cowl air vent, It doesn't look like it was ever mounted to a frame. you get what you pay for

I'm past 60 and still enjoy the roadster. It limits travel in bad weather but easily makes up for it in fair weather. I don't have a windshield on my Harley either. I drive a pickup with windows and A/C for required travel when its an elective ride I enjoy the wind, in fact unless its over 90 degrees or raining the windows are down in the pick-up.

IMO and I have built both but own a glass car. You will have the same money and time in each. He needs to decide what look he wants. Does he want the traditional old school look or more of a smooth look? Start there and also decide on how much he wants to drive and in what weather and go from that point

Originally Posted by iceburgh

He needs to decide what look he wants. Does he want the traditional old school look or more of a smooth look? Start there and also decide on how much he wants to drive and in what weather and go from that point

Great advice ... and on the mark.

Not everyone is a " roadster type "
Also different folks want different looks ...

I prefer the older traditional look ... a 32 Ford that looks like a 32 Ford. Others want smooth, cut, no hinges, no windshield frame ... car that somewhat resembles a 32 Ford ... without the first real 32 Ford part on them ...

There is room for everyone and their own style ... as long as it is SAFE ...

If he wants the old school, real 32 look ... he needs to look at Wescott or Brookville ... IF he wants smoothed off ... glued in windshield ect ... the other bodies will do.

Get the best of both worlds and build one of the new '32 convertibles by Dearborn Deuce (I think Downs has a fiberglass version which is less expensive). It is a roadster when you want one, and it has roll up windows and a pull up top so you can button it up and turn on the air or heat. If I was building a new car, I would seriously consider going this route. But I really love my Outlaw 3 window too much to sell it and build another car.

Roll up windows in a 32 roadster? I'll have to send him to Dearborns site to check it out. He's pretty much sold on a steel body now- for resale later.
His only problem is his size. He's 6'4 & about 275. Mine is a pretty tight fit for me at 6'1" but I tucked my glide seat back under the body for max room. With that top on the Dearborn- I don't know how much that will affect how far back you can place the seat. He would be more comfortable in a 33-34 but he's set on a 32.

He needs to actually sit in a DD, and better yet drive one, before he pulls the trigger. It's a well made body, with some nice features, but I couldn't enjoy one without some modification. I'm only 6', and the windshield and top are just in the wrong place for me in combination with the supplied seat.

A local guy in Tacoma got one of the first one's delivered. Shortly after he finished the car it was for sale. When asked why so soon he said he couldn't enjoy driving it because front visibility sucked. Others probably love it. I suspect it depends on an individuals proportions and expectations.

Btw, there are a couple steel '33/4 repop roadsters out there.

Having a glass bodied (Wescott) roadster, I have to say that I have really enjoyed it but I would trade it in a minute for a Cabriolet which gives you the open air but also the creature comforts when the weather is less than desireable.

Steel Or Nothing

Like I said before - awkward looking !!! Even my wife, when she saw the picture said it looked "wrong" and unfortunately, she wouldn't know a '32 Ford from a barn door.

The doors are approx 26 inches
The quarter from the rear of the door to front of the rear fender is approx. 16 inches.

Both dimensions are identical to the blue conventional roadster.

The cowl appears narrow, but I didn't measure it as the owners in the 2 days I was there were never at the car so I did feel a bit uncomfortable with my tape measure -

Dave, I don't think that pearl white car is a Dearborn Deuce, the windshield and cowl aren't right. (see pic below) Along with the top shape being different. They use a proprietary windshield and have a modified cowl to allow for the roll up windows to match to the windshield pillar. Did you notice if it had roll up windows? There are other's out there making bodies with the hidden top/opening tulip panel, I think either Oze or Coast to Coast, could be one of theirs.

That red roadster has a stretched hood which throws off the visual balance.