Ford Deuce Coupe - Everything You Need to Know | Up to Speed

**The Ford Deuce Coup: A Game-Changer of an Era**

The 1932 Ford platform would be shared between two cars, the Model B and the Model 18. Both models came in a wide variety of different versions. There was the Coupe, the 2-Door Sedan, the 4-Door Sedan, the Cabriolet, the Phaeton, the Pickup, and most importantly, the Roadster. And remember, all of these cars were available as both the Model B and the Model 18.

**Ford's Innovation: The Steel Enforced Body**

In the early '30s, Ford was feeling the heat from its competitors. Ford decided that another game-changer was due. The name of the game for Ford's new model would be innovation. Many cars of the era had bodies that were little more than steel nailed to wooden frames. Just like my high school girlfriend. This meant that when the car was outside, which to this day is where cars spend most of their time, it was completely exposed to moisture, dry rot, heat, and most of all termites.

**The Birth of the Flathead V8**

Henry Ford had wanted an eight cylinder engine in one of his cars since the release of the Model T. His unrelenting obsession led to the creation of the Flathead V8, which made 25 more horsepower than Chevy's V6 and was lighter as well. Despite numerous problems, people really loved the V8 and the '32 Ford by extension.

**The Hot Rod Scene: A Movement Born from Greasers**

After World War II ended, millions of GI's were coming home starting families and making decent wages for the first time. Everybody was buying a new car. That means all the old Flathead cars people had in their driveways were being put out to pasture. Suddenly, you could get a V8 on the cheap. And because of those steel reinforced bodies, the cars were still in good shape.

Greasers started picking up Flatheads and souping them up with cams, better heads, and better valves. It didn't take long for the hot rod scene to start mixing it up with the surfing scene in Southern California. Surf rock bands like The Beach Boys started singing about it, which took the whole thang mainstream.

**The Little Deuce Coup: A Legacy that Lives On**

There's tons of companies out here producing brand new '32 Ford bodies. Apparently, there are more '32s registered in California than 32s were built in '32. People are building Highboys, Lowboys, Dragboys, Autocrossboys, Alterboys, Deuce Coupes, Deuce Scoops, Scoopity Doopity Woops. Poops!

And they're not all powered by Flatheads. People will throw almost anything under the hood of a '32. From the Ford Coyote five-liter to the Chevy 350, even Ferrari engines. The truth is, the only limiting factor in style and performance is your own creativity.

**Conclusion**

The Little Deuce Coup has become a symbol of a bygone era, but its legacy lives on through the countless car enthusiasts who continue to build and customize '32 Fords. Whether it's a high-performance monster or a nostalgic tribute to the past, there's no denying the allure of this iconic car.

Thank you for joining us on this journey through the world of the Ford Deuce Coup. Don't forget to hit that subscribe button and the bell so you don't miss anything. Are Fords really dying? Check out this episode of Wheel House. You still wanna learn about Fords? Watch this episode of Up To Speed.

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