5 to Know on the 1932 Ford aka The Deuce The 1932 Ford Deuce icon and symbol of hotrods was a result of auspicious culmination that made the 1932 Ford aka the Deuce a hotrodders dream… 1. Steel enforced body – The perfect platform for hot-rodding Before this, most cars were made of steel and wooden frames which meant more issues to succumb to elements like moisture, heat, termites Ford’s steel bodies would make the cars last longer which more of them were able to be found in dump yards just ready for a hotrodder to scoop them up The innovative 1932 steel body platform was be shared between two cars, the Model B and the Model 18. Each available in: coupe, two-door sedan, 4-door sedan, cabriolet, phaeton, roadster, Naturally hotrodders are looking to cut and chop as much as possible to lighten the weight of the vehicle, which made the roadster the most attractive. 2. Ford Flathead V8 In tough competition with Chevy, Henry Ford knew he needed to create and affordable more powerful engine. He put four teams to the task and gave them strict guidelines, and in 16 months Ford had the Flathead V8. The 221 cubic inches capable of 81 hp. 26 more hp that the Chevy’s and lighter. Naturally there would be some kinks to work out since Ford had expedited the project, engines breaking in half, piston failure… Before Ford’s V8, the normal working man could not afford a V8 it was primarily an engine available from only luxury car makers. This made it highly popular. America’s obsession with the V8 continues strong. 3. Mass production/Numbers What is Ford known for? Mass production. The first year of production Ford Motor Company sold nearly 300k models powered by the Flathead With the fact of high numbers of these cars that weren’t rotting away in junk yards meant that plenty were up for the picking. 4. Right timing: Population with technical skills + America was prosperous After WWII ended you had service men coming back over from the states who had received technical training. They had the skills and they wanted a hobby with thrills.] Purchasing new cars which entailed that there old cars were being sent to dump yards were they would languish but not rot. Ford’s steel re-enforced bodies meant the bodies were still in good shape. A hot rodder go into the a junk yard and have their pick of Ford’s – You could get a model T for $10 5. Cultural popularity – Everyone and their mom’s wanted a hot rod California dry lake beds were a proving ground for young hotrodders of the day – The dry lakes were so attractive to speed seekers because you go out there haul without the dangers of cops, streetlights or pedestrians. Two most popular lakes were Muroc and El Mirage.. gave birth to the SCTA Southern California Timing Association giving safety and regulation to the motorsport. To note, racing at the dry lakes were popular before but would take off like a rocket post-WWII The culture spread like wildfire with such hits as the Beach Boy’s “Little Deuce Coupe”. An avenue for personal creativity. It was a combination of Ford’s steel reinforced body, the flathead V8, servicemen with technical skills and disposable income, and numerous 32s available that made the Deuce a hot-rod icon.