1932 Ford Roadster 4860 Miles Black Brookville steel 350 cubic inch V8 4-speed

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine the quintessential 1932 Ford hot rod. It looks like this spectacular black roadster, doesn’t it? Built by Back Bay Customs in Portland, Maine, it’s a 100% steel car that gets everything right. Everything on it is brand new, including the Brookville bodywork, the finish quality is exceptional, and it isn’t so radical that you’ll think twice about driving it. If you’re a poser looking for A/C and power steering in something like this, well, move on because this one isn’t for you. But if you want one built the way they’ve been built for more than 70 years, this one totally nails it on every possible level. Simple, fast, beautiful and comfortable. Comfortable? Yes, read on…
Basic black is always the right choice when you’re building a rod and the beautiful high-gloss finish on this roadster highlights the laser-straight bodywork, which is fresh out of the presses Brookville, Ohio. They added a new Rootlieb hood (also steel) with traditional hinges and louvers, and a simple ’32 grille shell up front. Details like the door handles have been shaved, but they kept the hinges for an old-school vibe and there’s even a cowl vent at the base of the windshield to help with warm day fun. Finish quality is exemplary, and this rod cost considerably more than the asking price to build, so you know they did it right. No original ’32 Ford ever had doors that fit this well and close this easily, the paint is deep enough to drown in, and the skipped the nonsense—no pinstripes, graphics, or flames to take away from the look. Custom additions include the ’50 Pontiac taillights with blue dots, the big Ford commercial-style headlights, and chrome spreader bars, but for the most part, this is exactly the car you remember from your youth.
Inside, it’s still 1932 Ford, including the handsome brown leatherette upholstery, which accurately replicates Henry’s work. It’s a bit more room inside than an original and even people over six feet tall will be able to get comfortable behind the wheel. Simple door panels with map pockets add a modicum of practicality, and the nicely finished carpets on the floor and firewall not only look great but help control noise and heat. The steering wheel is a custom 1940 Ford unit that was cut down to be a bit more manageable, and it lives on a tilt column so it’s easy to settle in for a long cruise. The engine-turned dash panel looks fantastic and is filled with vintage-looking Auto Meter gauges that are joined by a matching tach tucked underneath. Controls are simple and right where you expect them aside from the ignition switch that’s hidden under the dash to the left of the steering column. Other cool details include the spoon-style accelerator pedal, long Lokar shifter for the 700R4 4-speed automatic overdrive transmission, and the oval rear-view mirror that’s just plain cool. This rod is also a little practical, offering a functional rumble seat for two additional passengers, and the battery is hidden back there for easy access. There is no top, but adding one would be no big deal if that’s what you really want, although we’d argue that if you need a top on your Deuce, you’re doing it wrong.
There are plenty of guys who have built massively over-powered engines for their rods, but you should ask them how often they get driven. Sure, racing dyno sheets can be fun, but when it’s time for the rubber to hit the road, you want an engine like the 350 cubic inch Chevy V8 under the hood. It’s a ZZ3 crate motor, so it’s built right and with 290 horsepower on tap it’s still ludicrously fast. On the other hand, it starts instantly, idles smoothly, and thanks to a reasonable exhaust system, it doesn’t make your ears bleed. Topped by a Holley 4-barrel, it doesn’t break any new ground, but thanks to some vintage parts like the ‘50s Cadillac air cleaner and finned Edelbrock valve covers, it looks right in the old Ford. It was painted Oldsmobile Green just to add a bit of a twist, and we have to say that we love the way it contrasts with the gray firewall—a little nod to tradition. It still runs factory exhaust manifolds, so no more leaky, noisy headers and there’s a giant radiator up front that keeps everything nice and cool no matter where you’re going. Add in a few splashes of chrome and you have an engine that you’ll be happier to show off but even happier to drive home.
The frame is also a Brookville ’32, including the unique frame rails with fender lines. It, too, was painted black and splashed with chrome, just the way you’d do it. A dropped I-beam front axle features disc brakes, while the Ford 9-inch rear hangs on a 4-link with coil-over shocks. The transmission is the aforementioned 700R4 4-speed automatic with overdrive, so it’s quick, easy to handle, and shockingly mellow on the highway, especially with 3.55 gears out back. It’s a lightweight car, so it doesn’t need a lot of gear to get off the line. You’ll note that the chassis is as beautifully finished as the bodywork, with beautiful stainless hard lines, a custom stainless exhaust system, and a transmission cooler tucked into the frame. The car currently sits on painted black steel wheels with hubcaps and trim rings, plus a set of staggered 6.00R16 front and 7.50R16 rear blackwall radials that look brutal and handle great. It also includes a set of restored red steel wheels with trim rings and staggered bias-ply wide whites if you like a more traditional look.
This car is NSRA certified and is titled as a 1932 Ford.
If you’re thinking you still want to build your own after looking at this Ford, don’t kid yourself—this is the car you were going to build anyway. It’s built to a higher standard than 90% of the rods we see at shows, and it is 100% sorted and an absolute joy to drive. Why build the same car for 25% more money and have to wait two or three years to start having fun? This car gets everything right, runs like a million bucks, and shows exceptionally well. If you want a traditional hi-boy, this car just nails it on every single level. Call today!