Good '32 Roadster kit, where to go?

[Mattnshilp]

Hi all,

I am looking into a rolling chassis kit for a 32 Ford Roadster. OK with Glass.

I saw AC Autos and they seam to have a nice product.

I have a 342W in my Backdraft Racing Cobra which I am pulling to replace with a Coyote. Gonna put the 342 in the '32.

Is AC the place to go or is there a no brainer source for a '32 roller?

[Bob Parmenter]

Hot rods aren't as formulaeic as Cobra replicas, so vendors haven't been motivated to do a similar, "all inclusive kit", too much individuality demanded on the hot rod side. That being said, there are (or were, depending on what the current economic environ has wrought) some vendors that will assist you with what are called roller packages which entail a fairly complete chassis and body. They they will sell you each of the needed components on a piece by piece basis, and if your negotiating skills are adequate you should be able to wrangle some savings there. One such vendor is Street Rods by Michael, Street Rods by Michael. Street Rod Parts, Frames and Turnkey Cars One of the older members here had them build him a car and they treated him very fairly and provided good quality. I've bought parts from them and they were very service oriented. They carry a lot of rod products so you'll have lots of choices. Even if you don't think this is a way you want, you may learn things by talking to them.

One other possible alternative, if you're not too into individuality or wrenching, is a car something like Superformance or Backdraft, from Speedway Motors. Pretty cookie cutter, red, repro steel body, comes complete less engine and trans, assembled in So. Africa. You'll have to get in touch with them to see if they still do it, I haven't seen it advertised in awhile. They thought there was sufficient market for a fully assembled car, but, I think, misread the rod side of things. Speedway Motors' Signature Series '32 Highboy | Street Rodder Magazine Article at Automotive.com

[rspears]

If you're wanting a true roller, and ready to invest the time and money in building it out call Duane at N&N - here's a link to his deuces 32s. He's got a guy in your area of the country that makes regular trips to Arkansas to pick up rollers. You'll be hard pressed to find better overall quality and service. Good people. Tell him Roger in KC told you to call and he'll probably add 5% to the price

[Mattnshilp]

Thanks guys.

I will look into both. How much should I expect to pay for a tranny and install?

And should I go with an automatic or standard ? It seams automatic trans is more typical for these cars.

[rspears]

Thanks guys.

I will look into both. How much should I expect to pay for a tranny and install?

And should I go with an automatic or standard ? It seams automatic trans is more typical for these cars.

I like shifting and elected to go TREMEC TKO600. I bought a package from Forte's Performance - tranny, bellhousing, block plate, starter, clutch, clutch slave, tranny yoke, tranny fluid and it was a little over $3100 for the whole package, with the tranny $2200 of that. I could have picked up a used Mustang T5 & bellhousing for around $500, but wanted the tall overdrive and reliability of new.

[DA34GUY]

X2 on N & N
Have built quite a few of Duane's
Best bang 4 the buck

[Mattnshilp]

Street Rod by Michael and N&N. No mention of AC (Antique and Collectible) cars....

Michaels base roller goes for a bit shy of $16K and N&N for $13,200

Once I'm done with some upgrades, engine, tranny, paint and install what should I be talking?

Just curious because it seams there are a lot of mid $30K '32 Roadsters available for sale. Can I build one for less then that using Michael or N&N?

[Dave Severson]

If you have to go big name on a supplier, that's what it's going to cost! I'm doing a '36 Plymouth sedan for a guy, time he's done it'll be over $50....even something as common as a Deuce runs high, as you've noted. Nothing trick about building a Deuce roller, depends on how much of your own work you want to do....but even up here in the poverty belt the parts are high!!!! Doing an A roadster on a (modified) Deuce frame for a guy, as a roller it'll be a shade under $10---but then you can't say it's a Michaels or an N&N--price depends on whether you want a nice, well built car or a stack of invoices reflecting the who's who of Deuces.......

[rspears]

Street Rod by Michael and N&N. No mention of AC (Antique and Collectible) cars....

Michaels base roller goes for a bit shy of $16K and N&N for $13,200

Once I'm done with some upgrades, engine, tranny, paint and install what should I be talking?

Just curious because it seams there are a lot of mid $30K '32 Roadsters available for sale. Can I build one for less then that using Michael or N&N?

If you do everything that you can yourself, use a takeout engine & tranny freshened up, salvage yard rear gears, etc you might come close but it you vary from your plan and start buying new stuff your price will skyrocket. I think you can probably buy a roadster a lot cheaper than you can build the comparable car today. I was at GoodGuys today and Speedway had their roadster "kit" there - comes with frame & body painted, ready for final assembly, interior pieces, seat, etc. Look that them - it's a complete deal, like Bob said before. On N&N you want their "premium" roller. The only difference is polished parts - front end, rear four bar, etc for $1000 more - cannot beat that deal.

[Mattnshilp]

Can't do it myself; have neither the time nor ability. Would build with all new parts.

I was given the name of H.B. Classics in PA. They build using N&N rollers. I will call them tomorrow.

Besides this site, is there a good place to go for pre-owned Roadsters?

[Bob Parmenter]

You've just demonstrated that you're smarter than the average bear. If you can be patient and skillful in your search/negotiation, in a couple months you should be able to have your choice of a fair number of cars in the $25k-30k range............that may not be what they start out asking, but that's where glass roadsters sell...........unless they have some spectacular features, a name build, or some impatient and less informed buyer.

This site doesn't list much for sale. You can find lots of examples on Hotrodhotline.com and of course ebay. Best on ebay to have it inspected or do it yourself, and often the sale will occur after the auction closes because in almost all the cases, sellers need to learn where the real market is. Especially if they paid typical build prices that are easily double what they can sell for. The market is awash in glass '32 roadsters, and my opinion is it'll only get more populated. Other resources are carsonline.com, and then just plain google and bing. You'll be amazed how many you find. Prices don't start going back up until next March or April, so you've got about a 6 month window for your best potential buy price wise.

[sg4356]

I would not rule out auctions like mecum. I have been watching them on tv here lately , and you cannot build a car for as cheap as they sell them.

[Mattnshilp]

So I finally called HB Classics. My closest N&N dealer.

I was told, in no uncertain terms, to go buy a used roadster as opposed to build my first. He said that in this market, I can get into a quality roadster for about $25k. I was impressed by his honesty and sincerity.

So I'll start looking used for now and see what I come up with.

[Mattnshilp]

So here's what I found. They all look good, but I have no idea which are good values and which are a risk.

Street Rods, Hot Rods, Muscle Cars at HotRod HotLine.com

Any cars between $25k and $32k that stand out to you guys?

I prefer black. But if any of the ones listed stand out regardless of color...

[rumrumm]

I would take a serious look at the two-tone '32 3W highboy here:

Street Rods, Hot Rods, Muscle Cars at HotRod HotLine.com

That is a lot of car for under 30 grand, and you would be hard put to find anything like it under 40 grand, normally. Now, you cannot tell from a photo what the workmanship is like, but at that price you could afford to fix a few things. And if you really want a black car--it is already over halfway there. If I was looking for a new ride, I would jump in this in a New York minute! The first question I would ask would be "Who is the body's manufacturer." I would definitely want to know this before going any further.