This 1932 Ford Roadster Was Made To Be Driven!

Built by John Jeffery.

Article By John Jeffery

Cars were invented to be driven! You cannot argue with that. Whether going to work, to the shop, taking the kids to school or going out for the night, you use the car. This 1932 Ford Roadster was made to be driven.

So why are so many older cars not being used? There are thousands of Classics, Muscle cars and Hot Rods, not to mention Supercars, that spend most of, if not all of their time in the garage. WHY is that ?? You cannot beat seeing an older car in action. Why do you think historic racing, classic rallies and reliability runs are so popular the world over? Just seeing an older car in everyday use will get you looking!

Photos By Joe van Zyl

Now take this 1932, it more than likely, covers more kilometres in a month, than all the cars put together in your local Hot Rod club, do in a year or two. It has no frills, no massive horsepower or fancy suspension. Only parts that work! It may have a traditional look but with very few traditional parts as they are now becoming expensive. So there are a lot of very mundane, easy-to-access parts used. Cortina will be mentioned a lot if you ask the owner about this car.. 

If something needs fixing, it means a trip to Midas for this guy and he is back on the road the same day. Not having to wait for parts to be imported or manufactured.

He built this to look like a 1940s Hot Rod (he nailed it big time in my mind). And did it just like they would have done back then, using what they had and what was easily available. So, its not perfect but believe me, its FUN. drives like a dream, gets driven hard and let out in the rain. The word Hot Rod is used a lot nowadays for all sorts of cars, but this is pureHOTROD and we need more of them

FACTS & FIGURES

BODY

Body Style: 1932 Ford Roadster, Fibre Glass. Manufacturer: Dooster UK. One-piece body. Purchased second-hand, doors and trunk cut out and hung by the previous owner.Hood: Original 32 with side panels (when fitted)Grill: Fibre Glass shell. Original 32 insertPaint: Brown, mixed and applied by owner with a foam roller.Lights: Front, 1930s Austin. Rear, Lucus.Soft Top: Fully folding top using round tube frame covered in canvas cut from an old Army tent.Screen: Posts cut down 3 1/2inchs, screen frame by owner.

CHASSIS

Chassis: By Dooster UK, heavily modified by the owner.Front suspension: Ford Pilot I beam dropped the old-fashioned way. Slit wishbone, Transverse spring. Pete & Jake shocks.Rear suspension: Cortina, triangulated four-link with coil springs.Brakes: Everything CortinaSteering: Datsun box, Morris column and wheel, linked together with Cortina and Suzuki UJsWheels: 4×15 Hillman Minx all round.Rears soon to be changed 4×16 Austin rimsTyres: Firestone, 700×15 rear, 560×15 front.Petrol Tank: Aluminium in the trunk.

ENGINE

Make: Rover/ Buick.Internals: All stock with a mild cam.Induction: Original intake modified to take a two-barrel down draft carb.Valve Covers: Original with Miller machined in the top.Headers: By owner.Exhaust: Straight through, no silencers.Gear Box: Rover 5-speed.Clutch: Mix of Cortina, Landrover and Midas.

INTERIOR

Gauges: Mix of Triumph, Morris and cheap parts store fuel gauge.Seat: Nissan Patrol rear. With a $5.00 Mexican blanket, not one of those bright touristy ones that make your car look like a deck chair.Seat Belts: YES A MUST IN ALL CARS.Other Items: Heavy steel internal frame.