1932 Ford Model 18 Roadster
Engine: V8
Displacement: 221 Cubic Inches
Horsepower: 65 BHP
Cost New: $460
Roadsters Produced: 12,597
         1932 was one of the great milestones in automotive history. This was the year Henry Ford released the successor to his very popular Model A and the world was introduced to the Model B and the Model 18. Not to be outdone by Chevrolet's "Stovebolt" straight six, Ford began production of his new Flathead V-8. This marked the first time that a V-8 engine was used in a low-priced, mass marketed car. The 1932 Fords came with two engine options; the Model B had an upgraded four-cylinder engine, and the Model 18 came equipped with the new Flathead V-8 engines. The number "18" was used to promote the new engine, with the "1" standing for the first ever, and the "8" standing for the eight cylinders.
         "The Duece," the nickname of the 1932 Ford, has been regarded as being the definitive hotrod since the late 1930s. The '32 was easy to modify and was very inexpensive to buy and customize before and after World War II. Many servicemen, who returned from the war, were looking for something exciting, and the thrill of building and racing a hot rod was just the ticket. The ease and low cost of modifying the V-8 Fords drew many customizers to love the car. The Duece has been immortalized in song and on film, from the Beach Boys "Little Duece Coupe" to Milner's coupe in the move American Graffiti. This popularity has led to many different reproductions of the iconic car, both in fiberglass and lately in new steel. Recently, there were more registered 1932 Fords in California than were ever produced in Detroit.
         This 1932 roadster is a great example of how the vehicle looked new. There are few 1932 Model 18s that survived the scrap yards and custom shops to maintain their original appearance and equipment as this one has.