You say
Quote Originally Posted by HotRodN
Budget is a BIG deal for me....
The key to a budget is in the details. You need to develop a detailed plan, and then work that plan without changing direction as you go. Parts are expensive, and it's pretty easy to bust a budget if you start buying pieces/parts with no plan, and then end up with a bunch of stuff that you can't use, and have to sell for pennies on the dollar.

On your chassis question, the '32 chassis is the only one that has the finish detail along the bottom of the side rail, arcing up toward the cowl. In the pictures that Don posted, the last three show it well, the raised reveal line that the hairpin radius rods almost touch at their rear mounting point. That fact, along with the measurements that Jack linked to from Wescott should give you peace of mind on what you've got. You could also post some pictures of the chassis if you want comments from guys here.

It's a great pastime to build a car, but it's not a cheap hobby. Seems every time one turns around there's $100 here, $100 there, and once you jump in you either take it to the end, or sell for a song to someone else looking for a project. Hope you keep us in the loop on what you decide, and on your progress if you decide to go.