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Mario's Tribute to my Father-In-Laws First Car 1932 Ford

1932 Ford "The Ultimate Hot Rod"

This is my Tribute to my Father-In-Law John’s first car, a 1932 Ford Convertible with the famous Suicide Doors and the new Flathead V8.

The new 221 cu in Flathead V8 was rated at 65 hp and was built from 1932 through 1953. It was a staple of hot rodders in the 1950s and it remains famous in the classic car hobbies even today. Ford also produced an updated four-cylinder engine which was available from 1932 to 1934.

Rather than just updating the Model A, Ford launched a completely new vehicle for 1932. It was the first low-priced, mass-marketed car to have a V8 engine -- an important milestone in the American automotive industry.

Power increased significantly with improvements to the carburetor and ignition in succeeding years. Options included single or twin side mounts, luggage rack, clock, interior and exterior mirrors and choice of leather or broadcloth interior material.

Enjoy, Mario.

1 My Father-In-Law John and his First Car a 1932 Ford convertible with famous Suicide Doors.

2 My Father-In-Law John and his best friend Danny in his 1932 Ford. John's girlfriend Helen, sitting in the car will be my future Mother-In Law.

3 The V8 was marketed as the Model 18 in its initial year but was commonly known as the Ford V 8. It was a new flathead V8 engine.

4 The 1932 Ford Model B had an updated four-cylinder engine and was available from 1932 to 1934.

5 The Model 18 was the first Ford fitted with the flathead V-8. The new 221 cu in (3.6 L) Flathead V8 was rated at 65 horsepower.

6 The Ford flathead V8 is a V8 engine with a flat cylinder head introduced by the Ford Motor Company in 1932 and built by Ford through 1953.

7 Rather than just updating the Model A, Ford launched a completely new vehicle for 1932.

8 The Model 18 was the first low-priced, mass-marketed car to have a V8 engine -- an important milestone in the American automotive industry.

9 Power increased significantly with improvements to the carburetor and ignition in succeeding years. The Final year of production was 1953 and the Ford Flathead V8 was now 239 cu in and produced 110 hp.

10 The V8 was more popular than the four-cylinder, which was essentially a variant of the Model A engine with improvements to balancing and lubrication.

11 Most body styles were available as Standard or Deluxe variants with either engine as an option.

12 Options included single or twin side mounts, luggage rack, clock, interior and exterior mirrors, and choice of leather or broadcloth interior material.

13 1932 Ford Assembly Line

14 1932 Ford Assembly Line

15 1932 Ford Assembly Line

16 1932 Ford Assembly Line

17 1932 Ford Assembly Line

18 1932 Ford Assembly Line

19 1932 Ford Assembly Line Final Inspection

20 1932 Ford rolls off the Assembly Line

21 1932 Ford from the movie American Graffiti. Rick Figari of San Francisco, CA owns the yellow Deuce Coupe from the movie.

22 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe. The fuel tank was relocated from the cowl to the lower rear of the car.

23 1932 Ford Fordor Sedan. Moving the fuel tank to the rear required Ford to include an engine-driven fuel pump, rather than relying on gravity feed.

24 1932 Ford 5-Window Coupe with Rumble Seat

25 1932 Ford Hi Boy Hot Rod. The V8 was a staple of hot rodders in the 1950s, and it remains famous in the classic car hobbies even today.

26 1932 Ford little deuce coupe that appeared on the cover of the Beach Boys' album Little Deuce Coupe in 1963

27 1932 Ford Model 18 Station Wagon

28 1932 Ford Model B Deluxe Roadster. Production totals numbered 12,597 for the roadster

29 1932 Ford Roadster Convertible

30 1932 Ford Pick Up Truck

31 1932 Ford 5 window rumble seat coupe

32 1932 Ford 5 window coupe interior

33 1932 Ford rumble seat

34 1932 Ford 5 window rumble seat open

35 1932 Ford 5 window rumble seat closed

36 The Model B had an improved four-cylinder Model A engine of 201 cu in (3.3 L) displacement producing 50 hp

37 1932 Ford Roadster

38 1932 Ford Roadster

39 1932 Ford Roadster

40 1932 Ford Roadster Interior

41 1932 Ford Roadster

42 1932 Ford Roadster

43 1932 Ford Roadster

44 1932 Ford Roadster Top Down

45 Nicely chromed V8 engine

46 Side hood opened

47 Roomy trunk

48 Trunk opened

49 My Original 1932 Ford Sales Brochure

50 Prices ranged from $495 for the roadster, $490 for the coupés, and $650 for the convertible sedan.

51 1932 Ford Ad

52 1932 Ford Ad

53 1932 Ford Ad

54 Out of 275,000 Fords produced in 1932 there were 185,000 with the V8

55 1932 Ford at Car Show

56 1932 Ford at Car Show

57 1932 Ford at Car Show

58 1932 Ford at Car Show

59 1932 Ford at Car Show

60 1932 Ford at Car Show Tri-power with Dixon Heads for flathead

61 1932 Ford at Car Show

62 1932 Ford at Car Show

63 1932 Ford at Car Show

64 1932 Ford at Car Show

65 1932 Ford at Car Show

66 1932 Ford at Car Show

67 1932 Ford at Car Show

68 1932 Ford at Car Show

69 1932 Ford at Car Show

70 1932 Ford at Car Show

71 1932 Ford at Car Show

72 1932 Ford at Car Show

73 1932 Ford at Car Show

74 1932 Ford at Car Show

75 1932 Ford at Car Show

76 1932 Ford at Car Show

77 1932 Ford at Car Show

78 1932 Ford at Car Show

79 My 1932 Ford Coupe Hot Rod 1/24 Diecast Model

80 My 1932 Ford Coupe Hot Rod 1/24 Diecast Model

81 My 1932 Ford Coupe Hot Rod 1/24 Diecast Model

82 My 1932 Ford Coupe Hot Rod 1/24 Diecast Model

83 1932 Ford Model B Standard Tudor Sedan. Model B was derived with as few technical changes as possible to keep costs low.

84 My Original 1932 Ford Sales Brochure

85 My Mother In Law Helen and Father In Law John in 1941

86 Helen Rico and John Rico US Army Air Corps


Video and audio clips

1932 Ford Promotional Film


1932 Ford Manufacturing


1932 Ford American Graffiti


1932 Ford V8


1932 Ford Highboy - Jay Leno


1932 Ford Hot Rods



Related

More Cars of the 1930s
More Ford Coverage

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Comments

Mario on Mar 23, 2025 said:

This is my Tribute to my Father-In-Law John’s first car, a 1932 Ford Convertible with the famous Suicide Doors and the new Flathead V8.

Here is everything you may want to know about Ford's Famous 1932 car. Enjoy, Mario

[Reply to this comment]

Brandon on Mar 23, 2025 said:

The ultimate Hot Rod! Awesome tribute Mario!! The opening 2 photos are priceless! Any idea what year those were taken?

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Mar 23, 2025 said:

They were taken in the mid to late 30's before the war started. My In Laws were dating at the time.

I just added two more pictures of them after they were married in 1941 when John enlisted.

The True Greatest Generation and an Inspiration to me and my wife.

[Reply to this comment]

azmuscle on Mar 24, 2025 said:

Ahhhhhhhhhh Mario, here you went and did it again. Knocked this one out of the park. Great Pics. I loved this thread as I have never owned a classic from this era. My era started in the 60s.

Sadly I don't have pics of a lot of my family from back then. I've already sent most of my treasured pics to my son in PA in case something happens to me.

He likes being the family historian, So I gave him all the history I had.

I liked the "LITTLE DEUCE COUPE". Love the Frenched Headlights.

Thank you and all those who gave some and those that gave ALL. I hope somehow the spirit of America gets regenerated to the following generations.

Too many of "US" take way too much for granted. Stop and give thanks especially to God the Father and His Son Jesus Christ our Savior.

Amen and AAAAAAMEN

[Reply to this comment]

Mario on Mar 25, 2025 said:

Thanks Rob for your comments as I too am a product of the 50's and 60's.

The 30's must have been a very scary time with the depression after the market crash in '29 and then the threat of war in Europe. And our entering the war after Pearl Harbor in '41.

That experience is what made the Greatest Generation, our parents. God Bless them as they went thru such heartache.

We as Baby Boomers benefited from their sacrifices and I'll always remember that. Let's Hope and pray the new Generation Z's are wiser than the current Millennials.

[Reply to this comment]


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