| Estimate: $125,000-$175,000 US
Offered Without Reserve
AUCTION RESULTS: Lot was Sold at a price of $110,000
Specifications: 450 bhp, 392 cu. in. hemi V-8, GM TH400 three-speed automatic transmission, solid front axle with transverse leaf spring, solid rear axle with transverse leaf spring, four-wheel hydraulic brakes; front discs, rear drums. Wheelbase: 106"
Three Crowns Speed & Kustom is a relatively new shop in Reno, NV, with a well-defined mission. They hand-build high-end hot rods with traditional components, and vintage American V-8 engines, finished with vintage fabrics and Marine grade vinyl, and painted in period 50s and 60s colors. The shop s approach to high quality means that even parts that can t be seen are completely finished.
32 Ford Deuce roadsters are hardly uncommon in today s hot rod scene. To capture the attention of experts, you need a combination of clean lines, theme consistency, interesting running gear, clever fabrication, a striking color scheme and something that s best described as attitude. This cream and blue beauty combines all of those desirable elements and more. Displayed at the 2007 Grand National Roadster Show, in a hall filled with extraordinary rods and customs, it attracted a lot of attention.
A great hot rod starts with a great engine. Chrysler s original hemi V-8 bowed in 1951 as a 331-cid V-8. By 1958, it was a 392-cid powerhouse that popularly powered that era s quickest Top Fuel dragsters. This roadster links a muscular, authentic, completely rebuilt, 450-bhp, 392-cid Imperial hemi with a GMTH400 three-speed automatic and a lokar floor shifter. The induction system is a rare Weiand triple manifold (1 of just 75 built) with a trio of Rochester 2G 2-bbl carburetors, topped with custom Crown-shaped intake stacks. An Isky camshaft, polished rocker arms, a Vertex Magneto-style HEI ignition, chromed valve covers, chromed oil pan and 4-into-1 headers round out the impressive mechanical specs.
Built on a rigid, So-Cal Speed Shop step-boxed 32 Ford chassis, with a restored, stock Ford firewall, the razor- straight, new Brookville steel roadster body features shaved door handles, and 50 Pontiac taillights. The frame was notched to clear a four inch Chassis engineering drilled and dropped front axle. So-Cal provided hairpin wishbones and batwings, along with a set of Wilwood disc brakes hidden inside finned, 58 Buick-style aluminum drums. Steering is a popular Vega box; the spindles are 40 Ford. Rear brakes are 59 Ford Police drums. The rear axle is a hefty Winters quick-change with V-8 style axle bells. Restored Guide 682-C headlights, from a 36 Pontiac, 16-inch steel wheels with custom dog-dish caps and big- n-little Firestone bias-ply black-walls complete the vintage picture.
Inside, John Duenas Custom Upholstery stitched up a stellar set of seats with theme-supporting NOS Chrysler Imperial fabric and Marine grade vinyl accents. The instrument panel had six custom Classic Instrument gauges. A 56 Lincoln deep-dish steering wheel, modified by J.B. Donaldson, continues the traditional theme beautifully. Louie Feliz sprayed the period-perfect cream and blue scalloped finish, using paint chips from back in the day. This is a clean, nicely-balanced roadster, available just in time to celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the 32 Ford. It looks like a car that could have been built in the late 50s, by a hot rodder with good taste and beaucoup bucks. Very true to its theme, there s nothing you can see that s out of place on this car. The late-model automatic will ensure years of comfortable and economical high-speed cruising. That is, when you can pry this roadster free from the crowds that always form when it s displayed.
Jeff Robinson from Three Crowns says, we like traditional cars from the 40s to the 60s, but built to a very high standard to showcase our quality. This was our first big effort. We re selling it so we can build another great car. If you re looking for a handsome, turn-key, old-timey hot rod, built with proven components, packing a drop- dead V-8 engine, and replete with a score of mouth-watering, authentic vintage features, possibly for less than you d pay a shop to build it, this baby s ready to roll up the miles or just to cruise on down to your local burger joint.
Some rods simply have the look. This one does. Look no further.
Reference Number 10100
as of 6/1/2007
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