Celebrate the Deuce

This is the 80th anniversary of the great "Deuce" and the 

Grand National Roadster Show will be celebrating with 80 driven Deuces on display and more.

1932 is an important year in American history and culture. Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected to office at the forefront of the Depression; Amelia Earhart became the first female to complete a solo transatlantic flight; the Yankees won their fourth straight World Series, and Ford Motor Company introduced the first affordable mass produced V-8 powered car - the 1932 Ford Model B also known as the "Deuce"

 
The Deuce is the quintessential car to modify into a hot rod. Its unique design and rarity have led to the construction of some of the most beautifully designed hot rods ever built. 
 
1932 was the worst year in car sales history. Mainly due to the Depression, but also because Ford's Model A had become obsolete. People wanted a more luxurious, sleeker, faster car, all the while being affordable to the average American.
 
Edsel, Henry Ford's only son, was the key designer of the Deuce. Edsel's design was a car for the masses. It was practical and aesthetically pleasing, making it a masterpiece of automotive design. The Deuce was on sale for only six months, solidifying it as a prized commodity.
 
The following year Ford introduced several design changes, while other car manufactures followed his example of affordable, fast luxury cars.  The Deuce marks the end of an era and sets the precedent of another.

Faith Granger is the creative force behind this independent film and I thought it was a pretty good flick, especially considering the limited budget she had to work with.  Check it out.

I met Faith at the Grand National Roadster Show, LA just after the release and bought a copy of this film.  I wouldn't be surprised if she shows up this year for the celebration.
she comes to this Deuce celebration

Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona 2011, Rear Ends

Russo and Steele Collector Autos

Offered for Auction sale at Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona January 19th-23rd, 2011.

This Ford High-Boy was built by the legendary street rod builder, Jack Shepard, and designed by New Jersey’s Bobby Marotta. This 32 Ford Hi-Boy has won numerous awards including: Boyd Coddington Pros Pick at Columbus Ohio; Shades of the Past Top 25 Award at Pieogin Forge, Tennessee; Street Rodder Top 10 Award Good Guys at Rhine Beck, N.Y; Grand National Roadster Show (3rd Place) and Hottest Hot Rod, Good Guys Award at Scottsdale, AZ.

The body of this car is a Rats Glass body, which has received numerous modifications. All door corners and trunk corners were rounded. The body has been modified by channeling it from 2” to 0”. The nose was custom fabricated in steel. It has been stretched 4”, pinched 3” and dropped 3” at the triple chrome plated Jim Rench grille. The trunk lid is power operated with a polished Billet Hinge. This car is equipped with suicide doors with shaved door handles, power windows, power door lock actuators and remote key-less entry. This awesome 32 Ford also has a power license plate that raises and lowers and external battery connectors.

The flawless exterior finish is hot in Dupont Spectrum Orange two-stage paint system and custom pin-striped with variegated gold leaf by “Brodie”. The chassis is a Bobby Alloway creation which has been stretched 4” and molded to the body with no groove. All chassis welds were ground smooth and flawlessly finished with the Dupont Spectrum Orange paint. All electrical wiring and hydraulic brake lines have been routed within the chassis for a clean sleek look. The front suspension is a complete Heidts polished unit and the rear suspension is a 4 bar set up with coil overs. Budnick wheels with B.F. Goodrich G-force radial tires are on all four corners.

The drive train consists of a balanced and blue printed David Cooper Built 468 cubic inch engine. The engine is equipped with 10.5:1 compression dome pistons, high performance rods, steel crank, roller timing train, polished aluminum Edelbrock RPM dual quad intake with two polished 600 CFM carburetors mounted on top. Engine cooling is controlled by a Steve Long radiator and custom painted steel fan shroud. This incredible big block engine breathes through a set of jet coated headers and a complete custom jet coated dual exhaust system. Six hundred horsepower is transferred through a center force clutch to a Richmond 6 speed transmission. A scatter shield which is all finished in the same Dupont Spectrum Orange paint is in place for obvious safety reasons. The rear differential is a Winters polished quick change, spinning a set of 3.73 or 4.88 gears. The braking system consists of Wilwood 4 wheel disc brakes. All braking components have been polished.

The leather interior is a genuine Paul Atkins creation with reclining bucket seats. The interior also has a custom waterfall console. An Ididit tilt steering column is fitted with a polished billet and leather steering wheel. The 32 dash has been widened and outfitted with a set of white face gauges mounted in a polished billet face plate. The audio system consists of a Kenwood unit mounted in the trunk with a twelve-disk CD changer. All glass is custom fabricated and tinted. This 1932 Ford High Boy is a proven National show winner. Absolutely no expense was spared in the fabrication of arguably the best 32 Ford in the country.