‘32 a400

[flatford8]

I thought this was interesting…..Not much time left…..Bid high…Bid often boys ……Mark
‘32 B400…. Fat fingered the keyboard, now I can’t change it.
https://www.hemmings.com/auction/193...ign=2022-01-12

[Krylon32]

? Nothing

[DavidG]

You can always add to your post by clicking on the blue 'edit' box, including photos.

[petehoovie]

'32 B400

https://www.hemmings.com/auction/193...ign=2022-01-12

The B400 convertible sedan is the rarest of all 1932 Ford body styles with approximately 845 produced, including this unrestored, original-condition survivor. This 1932 Ford B400 convertible sedan was exported to Europe by Ford when new and is thought to have been used by ambassadors and diplomats, amongst others, according to the seller, who adds that all components are 1932 Ford.

[flatford8]

I was trying to fix the A to a B, and didn’t realize I never put the link in. Thanks Pete!

[deuce lover]

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Its been for sale for awhile.Price to high maybe?

[Ronnieroadster]

Not a 1932 engine block. Wonder if there's any truth to the 33 engine being installed originally. Or was it a replacement for the 32 engine due to the oil consumption of the 32 engines?
Ronnieroadster

[Bored&Stroked]

I'm with you Ronnie - it is not a 32 Block and I've not heard of any 33 blocks being installed in 32's from the factory (DavidG) would be the one to answer that question.

[DavidG]

Quite the contrary as some very early '33s have/had what we would normally describe as '32 V8 blocks and then there are the brief variants that have provisions in their casting for both the '32 and '33 drain cock locations and no cavities book-ending the timing gear cover.

[DavidG]

This one has been for sale on various sites, including ebay, for nearly a year. I guess the seller missed the bubble.

[Ronnieroadster]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Quite the contrary as some very early '33s have/had what we would normally describe as '32 V8 blocks and then there are the brief variants that have provisions in their casting for both the '32 and '33 drain cock locations and no cavities book-ending the timing gear cover.

David we learn something new every day Thank You.
Now if I ever see a block without the cavities and a dual drain cock location I will understand what the heck I'm looking at. I prize the 1932 V-8 block and assembly In my collection.
Ronnieroadster

[Krylon32]

A similar B400 to this sold at the Regeir auction in Kansas for around 50,000. It had the luggage rack plus a trunk I'd never seen on one.

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by DavidG

Quite the contrary as some very early '33s have/had what we would normally describe as '32 V8 blocks and then there are the brief variants that have provisions in their casting for both the '32 and '33 drain cock locations and no cavities book-ending the timing gear cover.

I think you misinterpreted my comment: What I said is that I've not seen 33 blocks in 32s - not the other way around.

Have you seen any of these 32/33 "variants" in original 32s . . . or only in 33s?

[Bored&Stroked]

I pushed the seller to clarify the drain cock location and provide pictures of the front of the block. He side-stepped my requests while the auction was on . . . even saying the petcocks were straight down (though he said he was not a "32 petcock expert").

Since the end of the auction, he did clarify that the petcocks are at an angle and that he didn't know that was important in looking at 32s. He also said the VIN was stamped on the intake manifold surface of the block - which is not normal in the USA. Maybe they stamped the VIN on the block due to exporting it? Who knows where the truth lies, but I'm not exactly sold on its providence.

It is a cool car . . . would love to have it . . . but not at $99,000 of love.

[DavidG]

Just the three basic casting variations for North American '32s (right hand dipstick hole in block with separate steady rod brackets, same with integrated steady rod attachments, and left hand dipstick located in oil pan.) In Australia, however, where '32 Job #1 followed North America by five months, some '33 dual pet cock location V8 blocks from Canada were used in local '32 production.

[VeryTangled]

This document that the seller offers very interesting to me. It appears there are two 18- numbers. The second one at the bottom starts with BB.

If you need something higher resolution snoop around at the auction listing here and click the photo in question.
https://www.hemmings.com/auction/193...2#&gid=1&pid=3

Are any members able and willing to translate some of this to English if it's enlightening?

[deuce lover]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

I think you misinterpreted my comment: What I said is that I've not seen 33 blocks in 32s - not the other way around.

Have you seen any of these 32/33 "variants" in original 32s . . . or only in 33s?

Dale, I know of an early '33 5W that was found (by Norris Pratt)umpteen yrs ago in Pasadena CA that has a '32 block in it(straight down petcocks).Its original to the car.It even has the dealer installed '32 V8 locking hubcap - original to the car.That hubcap is listed on the invoice also. One of the former owners of that coupe was Nick Alexander(of the famous woody collection).My good friend Jake Jacobs bought that car from Nick at one of his open house/swap meets in the 1990's. That car now resides in a collection in MN. Last I saw that car it had 57K miles and still the original paint.Sheldon

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Dale, I know of an early '33 5W that was found (by Norris Pratt)umpteen yrs ago in Pasadena CA that has a '32 block in it(straight down petcocks).Its original to the car.It even has the dealer installed '32 V8 locking hubcap - original to the car.That hubcap is listed on the invoice also. One of the former owners of that coupe was Nick Alexander(of the famous woody collection).My good friend Jake Jacobs bought that car from Nick at one of his open house/swap meets in the 1990's. That car now resides in a collection in MN. Last I saw that car it had 57K miles and still the original paint.Sheldon

That doesn't surprise me -- we've all seen Ford "use up" parts at the start of the model change to the next year. I'm sure Ford was particularly interested in doing this during the Great Depression . . . trying to save money as much as possible while getting the next model year into full production.

Thanks Sheldon!

[rockfla]

Perhaps the "tale" told of the "33 block" (as installed at the factory) is MORE believable (for me) IF said B400 had been assembled "overseas" as opposed to here in the USA and "exported". Obviously not an impossibility....... I find it harder to believe the way the tale is told now though!!! Until then I will remain sitting on my tail!!!! The owner has pimped that car more than an New York prostitute.....one would think IF the motive was to "sell" he would have got the "hint" by now. NOW its just a fishing expedition for one P T Barnum spoke of!!!! AT the advertised "ASKING PRICE" anyway. JMO



One thing is for sure, having the frame number would tell you where in the engine log the car fell and just HOW plausible it would have been (given the date) to have "potentially" received a 33 block, NO???

[Bored&Stroked]

When I contacted him, Ed said that it "was sold" . . . guess we'll see if/when it turns up again.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

My good friend Jake Jacobs bought that car from Nick at one of his open house/swap meets in the 1990's.

Sheldon ....I haven't heard mention of Jim Jacobs ("Jake") in eons! Certainly, you must remember this former "magazine guy" riding passenger in this coupe? DD

[Krylon32]

Looks like Bud Bryan? I built a 32 chassis for Bud for his current roadster pickup

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Krylon32

Looks like Bud Bryan? I built a 32 chassis for Bud for his current roadster pickup

Yup.....Bud Bryan, pic taken in 2010. DD
.

[bobH]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

When I contacted him, Ed said that it "was sold" . . . guess we'll see if/when it turns up again.

Interesting.... The auction site says bid to 80.1 and not sold and reserve not met. 'Course that doesn't really mean anything - could be sold outside of the auction.

[tomcarman]

[QUOTE=petehoovie;2094295]'32 B400

https://www.hemmings.com/auction/193...ign=2022-01-12

The B400 convertible sedan is the rarest of all 1932 Ford body styles with approximately 845 produced, including this unrestored, original-condition survivor.

Not knowing actual production numbers I'd always believed the '32 Roadster Pickup was the lowest produced model. I don't have the resources to verify this. Perhaps others could clarify?
Tom

[V8COOPMAN]

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[QUOTE=tomcarman;2094694]

Originally Posted by petehoovie

'32 B400

https://www.hemmings.com/auction/193...ign=2022-01-12

The B400 convertible sedan is the rarest of all 1932 Ford body styles with approximately 845 produced, including this unrestored, original-condition survivor.

Not knowing actual production numbers I'd always believed the '32 Roadster Pickup was the lowest produced model. I don't have the resources to verify this. Perhaps others could clarify?
Tom

I believe you may be correct. I also thought that about 59 (fifty-nine) 1932 sedan deliveries were the number of examples built. DD
.


.

[tomcarman]

[QUOTE=V8COOPMAN;2094700]

Originally Posted by tomcarman

I believe you may be correct. I also thought that about 59 (fifty-nine) 1932 sedan deliveries were the number of examples built. DD
.


.

I don't know which is why I ask for a higher authority with knowledge. It offends me when a claim is made such as "The rarest of all 1932 body styles" as if expected that a potential sale may be made on false premise. I have many old Ford parts I don't know anything about which is why I get verification as to what they are before I try to put them back into service. I'm an honest straight up guy and if a lie has been told count me out. As David G warns, Caveat Emptor .

[DavidG]

It would be an accurate claim if the wording included "passenger car", however, where the 845 figure comes from, who knows? According to Ford's records, there were 1,296 '32 convertible sedans produced world wide, with 926 of those produced in the U.S..

The rarest '32 body type was the deluxe pickup with only 68 produced worldwide (all in the U.S.), followed by the late-released sedan delivery with 406 produced worldwide and the open cab (on both commercial and big truck chassis) at 601 worldwide. (I have not heard of or seen a single surviving deluxe pickup body and only one photo of it exists in Ford's surviving records.)

[Deuce-Addict]

Originally Posted by DavidG

It would be an accurate claim if the wording included "passenger car", however, where the 845 figure comes from, who knows? According to Ford's records, there were 1,296 '32 convertible sedans produced world wide, with 926 of those produced in the U.S..

The rarest '32 body type was the deluxe pickup with only 68 produced worldwide (all in the U.S.), followed by the late-released sedan delivery with 406 produced worldwide and the open cab (on both commercial and big truck chassis) at 601 worldwide. (I have not heard of or seen a single surviving deluxe pickup body and only one photo of it exists in Ford's surviving records.)

Absolutely fascinating David, very much enjoy learning from you.

With less than a third of the convertible sedans produced outside of the U.S. and the far harsher climate as a whole in Europe than the U.S., I find it incredible how many of the survivors have surfaced in Europe, the title car included. Aside from the below, I know a couple of the hot rodded convertible sedans started life in Sweden too (a lilac fenderless one and a mildly rodded blue one). I believe there was a collector in Hawaii that kept records on the surviving convertible sedans (Sheldon - is he still around, I believe he had a 4 cyl B-400?). Keith

[deuce lover]

Keith, The owner of that 32 4cyl passed away around 2014. 43 4 cyl B400's made according to the book by George DeAngelis. Sheldon

[rockfla]

Originally Posted by deuce lover

Keith, The owner of that 32 4cyl passed away around 2014. 43 4 cyl B400's made according to the book by George DeAngelis. Sheldon

Sheldon

Was that the B400 you and I talked about that was for sale on Ebay? I seem to remember that B400 4cyl in Hawaii on Ebay for sale in the mid/late 1990's??


Keith
Interesting on the photo line up, of ALL the ones pictured, not sure how many of those were European built but only two had the "Euro" raised hood side panels. Funny, our 32 gets mistaken for a B400 A lot!!!

[Deuce-Addict]

Originally Posted by rockfla

Sheldon

Was that the B400 you and I talked about that was for sale on Ebay? I seem to remember that B400 4cyl in Hawaii on Ebay for sale in the mid/late 1990's??


Keith
Interesting on the photo line up, of ALL the ones pictured, not sure how many of those were European built but only two had the "Euro" raised hood side panels. Funny, our 32 gets mistaken for a B400 A lot!!!

Robert
David would be best to answer re European built. I can't answer whether exported from the U.S. complete when new back in 1932, sent in knock down (KD) form or complete assembly but all those in the images are cars that either remain in or were from Europe. I know that some were at least assembled in European plants as my 4 cyl B-400 had a chassis stamped 'Made in Germany' from the Koln plant. I believe the cars in those images to have come from Denmark x2, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain and Holland, am not certain on the black and white image or the car that started this thread.

Sheldon, thanks re the guy from Hawaii, sad news. I have the name 'Ed' in my mind, was that him?

Keith

[deuce lover]

I went to see that 4cyl B400 in about 1997.I'm not sure it was listed on EBAY. I think that is when EBAY was born so new to the world.

[deuce lover]

Originally Posted by Deuce-Addict

Robert
David would be best to answer re European built. I can't answer whether exported from the U.S. complete when new back in 1932, sent in knock down (KD) form or complete assembly but all those in the images are cars that either remain in or were from Europe. I know that some were at least assembled in European plants as my 4 cyl B-400 had a chassis stamped 'Made in Germany' from the Koln plant. I believe the cars in those images to have come from Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, Spain and Holland, am not certain on the black and white image or the car that started this thread.

Sheldon, thanks re the guy from Hawaii, sad news. I have the name 'Ed' in my mind, was that him?
Keith

Yes,Ed Lum

[RB]

Seem to recall a photo here or on the hamb of several B400 bodies lined up as if to be shipped or on the receiving end of a shipment .

[DavidG]

Sheldon,


The data in the DeAngelis/Francis book is U.S. production only. Worldwide, 154 of the 1,296 convertible sedans produced were powered by Model B four-cylinder engines.

[deuce_roadster]

I have a friend who lives about 50 miles from me that has a 4 cyl 32 B400. He and his cousin went down to CA and drove it up here to Washington back in the 60s or very early 70s.
It is still in his garage and never has been for sale since he bought it. It is not for sale under any circumstances either. I love looking at it because of its rarity. Makes my 33 standard phaeton with original top (216 built I think) seem common!

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

I have a friend who lives about 50 miles from me that has a 4 cyl 32 B400. He and his cousin went down to CA and drove it up here to Washington back in the 60s or very early 70s.
It is still in his garage and never has been for sale since he bought it. It is not for sale under any circumstances either. I love looking at it because of its rarity. Makes my 33 standard phaeton with original top (216 built I think) seem common!

Ya know Mike, you need to expose a pic or two of that phaeton on occasion for those of us that give a damn, yet have forgotten what it looks like! I seem to remember one picture of it waiting for a ferry.....years ago! DD
.

[deuce_roadster]

Dick, when it quits raining, and the sun comes out to warm up a bit, I will take it out for a drive and some current pictures! 2 owners ago was a guy who rebuilt 33-34 radios so of course he put one in it but that is one of the few things I need to remove to take it back to the way it should be. Was repainted once, has a 12" rip in the RF fender but is in pretty good shape for its age. 3 owners ago put blue vinyl over the original interior. When the original top goes bad (it is rock hard) I will restore it but as a "patina car" it is pretty good. I had some KH bent spokes and put those on. All the odd standard things are there, 1 black horn, black windshield frame and stantions, no ashtry hole in dash, plain door panels. I don't know if the cowl lights were originally paid for by the original owner as an accessory or if the radio guy added them. I have the original side curtons that came with the car too. The previous owner who I got it from over the years got all 4 fenders NOS as well as NOS inner fender panels. I am having a lot of fun with it like it is. When I drive to a local car show and park next to a shiny finished car, everyone comes and looks a this one!! Forgot to mention all top irons are painted black not chrome too.

[deuce_roadster]

Dick, If you go to my albums, there is one of the 33 with a few pictures, a couple are on the ferry. With that original top, 20 years ago I told the previous owner that would never make it to Bend Oregon from Seattle. Well, he and I drove it to Bend, and back to Seattle and the top is still there. I drove it from Seattle to my place here in Shelton on the freeway, no problems.

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

Dick, If you go to my albums, there is one of the 33 with a few pictures, a couple are on the ferry. With that original top, 20 years ago I told the previous owner that would never make it to Bend Oregon from Seattle. Well, he and I drove it to Bend, and back to Seattle and the top is still there. I drove it from Seattle to my place here in Shelton on the freeway, no problems.

Ah YES! What a sweet ol' Ford. And I certainly understand why the car show folks run past the shiny cars to check-out this gennie old example with the requisite 'patina'. For those wanting to see a couple more pics of "Mike's '33 phaeton, click the link BELOW! Great car, Mike! DD

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/album.php?albumid=3473

[uncle buck]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

I am having a lot of fun with it like it is.

Mike, I would have to say that is the same attitude Bill had every time he drove it also. I sure miss that guy .....

[RB]

So near the drink, I without a second thought would have that rope on the rail securely tied to the rear suspension .

[deuce_roadster]

Yeah Uncle Buck, he was my best friend for 41 years. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. The 32 5w I painted for him in the 1970s is now on the road when not sitting in my garage. It was going to be his only "hotrod" since the body had been one back in the 50s. Of course, he had other things to work on and never did anything with it after I painted it. Before he passed away I told him if I could get that project from him I would finish it up like he was going to do. We discussed it and he said he was going to run it a few years fenderless and then put fenders and running boards and bumpers on it. I promised him that would be what happens. I need to update pictures of that car as I have the interior all done now. That 5w album and the 33 need newer pictures. One thing at a time! (now working on my brand X cars) Hope to see you at a swap meet when they start up again, maybe at Portland.

[uncle buck]

Originally Posted by deuce_roadster

Yeah Uncle Buck, he was my best friend for 41 years. Not a day goes by that I don't think of him. The 32 5w I painted for him in the 1970s is now on the road when not sitting in my garage. It was going to be his only "hotrod" since the body had been one back in the 50s. Of course, he had other things to work on and never did anything with it after I painted it. Before he passed away I told him if I could get that project from him I would finish it up like he was going to do. We discussed it and he said he was going to run it a few years fenderless and then put fenders and running boards and bumpers on it. I promised him that would be what happens. I need to update pictures of that car as I have the interior all done now. That 5w album and the 33 need newer pictures. One thing at a time! (now working on my brand X cars) Hope to see you at a swap meet when they start up again, maybe at Portland.

I remember looking at the 5w when Bill H and I picked up the 32 phaeton from him. It was up on jack stands in the rear and I thought he was taking it apart because it was a hot rod. Several years later I had to look twice when he drove it up to Clearview/Snohomish. It had that barn find look at first and then I started noticing everything underneath it had been freshened up. My first thought was all those Swindler Poker Runs riding with Carl in his 5w must have rubbed off on him. lol. I think he said it was going to be his one and only hot rod. Hopefully Portland does happen this year, but I keep hearing conflicting answers on that. Although it's a long drive for us, the big Turlock swap is still scheduled to go on and there is suppose to be a swapmeet at Pacific Raceways the beginning of next month from what Bruce told me.