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.