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itsworn · 7 years ago

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The Petersen Automotive Museum’s Deuce Day Celebrates the 85th Anniversary of the 1932 Ford and the Memory of Two Hot Rodding Heroes

Back in 2007, the Grand National Roadster Show unveiled a staggering exhibit of ’32 Fords to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the model. It was a lifetime highlight for many hot rodders due to the historical significance of the cars displayed and the quality of their presentation. Other festivities have followed since, with two of the most successful being hosted by the Petersen Museum in 2012 (80th anniversary) and this summer (the 85th).

More than 200 ’32 Fords joined this year’s Petersen shindig, gathered on the deck of the museum’s parking lot under a bright blue sky. The remarkable selection of vehicles included some of the “75 Most Significant ’32 Ford Hot Rods” that had been nominated prior to the 75 anniversary at the GNRS. Another highlight of the day was the panel discussion involving 10 dignitaries of our hobby; their conversation revolved mostly around stories about Pete Chapouris and Vic Edelbrock Jr., who both passed away this year.

Late in the afternoon, a procession of Deuces journeyed from the museum southbound toward the city of Torrance, home of Edelbrock’s headquarters. There, hundreds of guests paid tribute to Vic Jr. within Vic’s Garage, the company’s museum. By all accounts, it was a day to remember, though we wish we didn’t have to wait another five years for the Petersen’s third installment of this not-to-be-missed anniversary.

Talk of the Day: The Bruce Meyer Family Gallery welcomed the “Hot Rod Legends Panel Discussion” featuring: Peter “PC4” Chapouris, Gary Lorenzini (top left); Brian Brennan, Jimmy Shine, (bottom left); Pete Eastwood, Bruce Meyer, Bob Bauder (top right); Dave McClelland, Alex Xydias, and Tony Thacker (bottom right). The room was full to the brim, with visitors enjoying stories about Pete Chapouris and Vic Edelbrock Jr.

American Idols: Talk about a trio of historical hot rods! From left, the Bob McGee and Doane Spencer ’32s (both owned by Bruce Meyer) are flanked by the Ray Brown roadster (part of the Petersen Collection). Displayed on the cover of HOT ROD magazine in October 1948, the red McGee Deuce features groundbreaking details for the time, such as hidden door hinges and a full-length decklid. It continued evolving as time passed, running 165 mph at Bonneville in 1970.

A Kid’s ’32: During a couple of the years that followed WWII, Ray Brown (age 17) built this beautiful roadster while working for Eddie Meyer. He painted the car a ’46 Buick color and, with a hopped-up 288ci flathead, enjoyed driving and racing it. Sold in 1948, it would then be stored between 1949 and 1991, remaining untouched and complete with 11 dry lake timing tags. Kirk F. White was the next caretaker and had the hot rod properly restored 25 years ago.

Deuce Seeker: Heavily involved with hot rods for decades, Paul Gommi owns several top-notch Deuces, including this roadster that became a “jalopy” in the 1940s. It raced at the dry lakes from 1948 until 1952, reaching a top speed of 128 mph. The primer was applied in the late ’40s, and Paul added a few interesting accessories, such as a ’32 Pines Winterfront grille and Electroline headlights from an American La France fire engine. The ’37 flathead V8 runs Eddie Meyer heads.

Workhorse: This cool ’32 panel delivery was used by a company called Paul’s Appliance Service until 1967. Another Paul (Gommi) bought it five years later, driving it almost daily for eons—and he still owns it today. The current iteration of the vehicle relies on a ’49 Ford flathead V8 equipped with Stromberg carbs, Offenhauser heads, and an Isky cam. Gommi likes vintage accessories, as reminded by those on the truck’s nose, starting with the Pines Winterfront grille. Headlights are from a ’41 Ford truck.

Riddled: Several participants traveled from other states, including Arizona resident Ron Carlsten. He started his project with a five-window riddled with 227 bullet holes, though most have been filled since. For the sake of reliability, Ron used American Stamping repro rails, which he distressed to match the body’s patina. Chopped 3 inches and motivated by a Chevy 350ci V8, the coupe integrates a handful of unusual components, including a ’55 Sunbeam dash and ’56 VW ashtray and taillight lenses.

On Fire: Some hot rods built in the 1980s did not age gracefully, which cannot be said about the timeless Pete Chapouris Limefire. Built in only 79 days, the roadster features numerous drag racing clues, from the Moon tank and parachute to the quick-change and furious 383ci V8 with a B&M supercharger. With minimum alterations (including slicks and a roll bar), it posted a low 10-second e.t. in the quarter at 130 mph.

For Dad: Pete Chapouris built this ’26 Model T for his dad—a hot rodder himself—with help from numerous rodders well-known within our hobby: Steve Davis, John Buttera, Pete Eastwood, and Eric Vaughn among them. Completed in 1978, the track roadster hid a reliable ’76 2.8L Ford Capri V6 behind a chopped ’32 Ford grille. Pete’s dad enjoyed it until he passed away in 1985.

In Memoriam: The Petersen’s upper parking lot welcomed a “Memorial Corral” solely devoted to ’32s that had involved So-Cal Speed Shop in one way or another. Among them, Larry Corn’s small-block-Chevy-powered roadster, “traditional” in its appearance though mostly assembled with new parts, specifically the So-Cal chassis and Brookville body. The design of the flames (licked by Dennis Ricklefs) takes its inspiration from a Chapouris creation: the famous California Kid ’34 Ford coupe.

Prickly: After cruising in primer for about two decades, the roadster of artist Robert Williams acquired a new daring outfit around the turn of the century, which surprised – if not upset – some hot rod purists. His Deuce, called “Prickly Heat,” looks great next to Kevin Washburn’s dark blue highboy, built in the spirit of 1940s jalopies.

Gold Digger: To many, Don Dillard might have found gold, in the shape of a basket case roadster with fantastic patina, its bodywork having been seemingly done during the second half of the ’50s. As the frame was too far gone, Don used a Classic Street Rod chassis, together with a new old stock 1966 283ci Chevy V8 that came from a high school auto shop. This old El Mirage racer additionally features a ’35 Auburn dash.

That Stance: The talented Ryan Reed of Reed’s Ride Designs has been known for building hot rods with an aggressive stance, as exemplified by Brian Williams’ three-window coupe chopped 2-3/4 inches. Rare 15×6 Fenton rims (narrowed to 15×4.5) with 145-15 Firestones equip the front, while 15×8.5 Fentons and 255/70R15 BFGoodrich tires in back accentuate the rake. Motivation comes courtesy of a mighty 541-horse 427ci engine.

Family Ties: Rick Reed, the uncle of Ryan Reed, knew precisely who to contract to build his roadster, fueled by a 350ci V8 Chevy that puts out 386 hp. Ryan and Rick took some risks with a bold choice of colors, burnt orange for the body, complemented with gold for the 15×5.5 and 16×10 Real Rodders wheels. We dig the result, especially with the leaned-back windshield.

Comfy: With its 16- and 18-inch Halibrand Indy magnesium rims, Bruce Canepa’s chopped Fordor offers a few hints of 1960s hot rods. The Weber 48IDA-fed, all aluminum 427ci Ford motor with Gurney Weslake heads follows the theme as well, while a Tremec five-speed makes long trips comfortable. Found as a 6,200-mile-from-new survivor, the project involved Moal Coachbuilders (body) and Sid Chavers (interior).

Thunder Bird: Lynn Bird owns several hot rods built with historical accuracy. His latest project is this three-window coupe, which had been channeled and equipped with a flathead in the 1950s. “It had some crude work here and there, but the body was in really good shape,” he told us. Lynn chopped the top 3-3/4 inches; then mounted the Dodge 270ci Hemi, T-10 four-speed box, and 9-inch rearend.

In Color: Coupes, roadsters, sedans, trucks—these are only a few (colorful!) samples of the vehicles put on exhibit. This is a day many will never forget.

Triple Star: Few rides have been featured three times in HRM over a period of 50-plus years, but this coupe is one of them, having graced the pages in 1961, 1987 and 2014. Gary Lorenzini, who bought it in 1974, had Thom Taylor redesign it with a hood that carries into the cowl (to mimic ’33 Fords). A Mooneyham supercharger tops a Dart 383ci block punched to 400. It delivers 650 ponies.

1940s Correct: Known by some as the “Potvin Cam Special,” Walt Baynes’ Deuce looks as if it jumped out of a picture taken at El Mirage shortly after WWII. It’s all there: flathead V8, quick-change, steel wheels, bias ply rubber, and even an Auburn dash. Gabe’s Custom Interiors did a great job matching the 1940s theme of the roadster.

Winterleaf: Considered as parts donors for years, Fordors have gained acceptance within our scene. This one was purchased by Arizonian John Stimac as a “stocker” in 2010, before being morphed into a neat retro rod. (It has changed hands since, though we did not catch the name of the new owner). The sedan retains its era-correct Winterleaf Brown two-tone paint job.

Trade ’32: Many readers will be familiar with longtime hot rodder Bob Bauder, who showed up at the Petersen Museum with this truck. Notice the perfect rake. This model had details common with commercial ’32 Fords, such as a sunvisor above the windshield and a one-piece radiator shell/grille on the Standard offering.

Nitro Fed: The second stop of the day was at Edelbrock’s headquarters in Torrance. In front of the building, the family’s 1946 Ford woody greeted the guests, towing the famous Kurtis Kraft V8-60 Midget owned by Vic Edelbrock Sr. and driven by Walt Faulkner back in the day. According to legend, it was the first Midget to ever use nitromethane, allowing the diminutive racer to reach a top speed of 125 mph.

The Original: Vic Edelbrock Sr. began hot rodding this Deuce during the 1930s, making it the company’s first test vehicle. It was his everyday transportation while also serving as a dry lakes racer on weekends. He set a record of 121.42 mph in 1941, just weeks before the bombing of Pearl Harbor.

Funny Papers: The team that restored Edelbrock’s roadster in 2002 found newspaper pages from 1938 inside the doors, along with sand that accumulated when competing at the dry lakes. Edelbrock wanted the car’s doors to have a more solid feel when they closed, and this insulation was his answer. The paper also kept the doors from bowing inward at speed.

The post The Petersen Automotive Museum’s Deuce Day Celebrates the 85th Anniversary of the 1932 Ford and the Memory of Two Hot Rodding Heroes appeared first on Hot Rod Network.

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