Fantasy Junction

Description

Previous BaT auction result

1932 Ford Hot Rod

The uniquely powerful and innovative world of Hot Rodding spawned from the convergence of used up thirties cars and underfinanced teenagers looking for cheap ways to liven up their otherwise boring 1950s lives. Though times and money have evolved the hobby through the ensuing 50 years span, the energy and excitement for something different has always prevailed. Among the many significant participants in contemporary hot rodding, the names Doane Spencer, Pete Chapouris, and Kirk White certainly fit the bill as legendary players in the hot rod world. There is no doubt as to the history and importance of the iconic original Doane Spencer 32 roadster, a car that not only was astonishingly well crafted, it would also set the standard for stance, body modifications, suspension modifications, and design touches that would echo for more than half a century into the 21st century. Such was the motivation behind this 32 Ford Highboy, commissioned by hot rod expert and collector Kirk White. Powered by an engine specially built by Doane Spencer, constructed by Pete Chapouris and the crew at the iconic So Cal Speed Shop, this Doane Tribute hits all the hot rod buttons at top dead center.

The project began in 1995 with White commissioning Spencer to build a “killer” 5 Liter Ford engine. Although the engine had not yet been designated for a project, Spencer put his heart into the build, unaware it would be his last. After Spencer passed away, his long-time friend and legendary engine builder Ed Pink stepped in to perform the final tuning and dyno work for the engine. The decision was made to build a hot rod with the goal of fulfilling what Doane Spencer might have built as a hot rod for the year 2000, something that might have competed in the Pan American Road Race. To meet the design challenge, Chapouris called on one of the industry’s top designers, Thom Taylor, who sketched out a clean highboy with triple hood louver lines, DuVall windscreen, Halibrand bigs and littles, vintage fog lamps, and finned brake drums. The design was subtle but refined, capturing all the details of a pure and aggressive 32 just as Doane would have done it.

Construction began from the ground up using a So-Cal fabricated 116” chassis with Pete and Jake’s chrome ladder bars to locate the rear end, and So-Cal hairpins and batwings to mount a chrome 5” dropped Magnum tube front axle. The hairpins were specially mounted to the frame just like Doane’s original roadster – one of many specialized touches on the car. For steering duty, a quick-ratio Flaming River Vega-style steering box was installed, and traditional Buick style cast aluminum finned drum shrouds cleverly concealed 11” front discs and Ford drum rears, also with finned covers. The stainless tube brake lines were fed from a dual-circuit master cylinder. For wheels, So-Cal commissioned Halibrand to design and build a set of 16” front and 18” rear wheels with traditional kidney bean pattern and knock off mounts.

For the bodywork, the industry leading Brookville roadster shell was delivered to So-Cal and massaged by the So-Cal team with Tim Reed leading the team of body experts on staff. Numerous modifications were made fortifying the inner structure including engineering that ties the door jambs to a bulkhead structure mounted behind the seat. Strut rods and turn-buckles pre-load the rear quarter panels creating a super rigid shell, far above the level of often shuttering stock 32 roadster bodies. In order to accommodate the DuVall windshield, the mounting base was shaved down to create a smooth body to post transition. The frame ends were modified, and the center peak was extended over the cowl to give the hood a more dramatic presence as part of the angled stance.

The dashboard began life as a 32 Pierce-Arrow panel highly modified by expert Terry Seaholm, loaded with period correct Stewart Warner gauges filling the engine turned panel. To accommodate the wider dash panel insert, the 32 dash was split and extended, along with the column drop to house a Mullins steering column. Capping the column itself is the perfect combination blending vintage sports car and hot rod history; a thin rim 16” flat Nardi steering wheel originally from the first Ferrari Kirk White ever owned, a California Spyder. Paint duties were handed to Tim Beard who laid down a gleaming black finish. A pair of vintage Lucas driving lights mounted to the front frame horn crossbar, stainless steel lines throughout, Sherm’s Plating, a specially made aluminum license plate garnish, Jimmy Shine wiring, and Ray Brown seat belts all contributed to the final look. Throughout the build, the list of hot rod luminaries unfolds in an endless stream of award-winning talent including interior duties by Gabe Lopez who trimmed the car in dark green leather, adding special touches like armrests and storage pockets. German square weave wool carpeting and leather wrapped front and rear leaf springs were both nice touches to the vintage connection this Doane tribute nailed so perfectly.

Under the hood, the Doane Spencer built 302 mill uses a Ford forged crank mated to 5.3” Carillo rods. Spencer heavily ported and polished the Ford Racing high-port Yates heads, choosing to replace the stock valves with titanium 2.1” and 1.6” units, which were shot peen finished. A Yates specific single plane intake manifold is fed by a Holley 600 cfm carburetor. With the engine build nearly complete, after Doane’s passing Ed Pink stepped in to finish the motor. Pink elected to run 9.7:1 JE forged pistons with 40cc chambers, Crane forged roller rockers, and a Crane Cams 238/350-2S-10 solid roller tappet camshaft so that a streetable 385hp could be achieved on pump gas. All that power escapes via steel Hooker Header Aero Chambers fabricated by Ryan Reed. With a close ratio Saginaw Super T-10, McLeod clutch, and 3.2:1 Currie Enterprises 9” rear end, the 32” rear tires give this Doane Roadster some nice legs on the top end. The finished car was featured in Street Rodder Magazine, The Robb Report, and used sparingly during the past two decades since completion.

Today this Doane Tribute continues to stand as the perfect embodiment of the quintessential hot rod. Every aspect of the build is superlative, with finishes today that continue to vividly depict the top level build quality originally performed on this car. Not only are the cosmetics still very fresh, the interior stands up to show standard scrutiny, hinting only slightly at patina reflective of mild use. The stance is absolutely perfect with just the right amount of drop and dive stretched out over the 116” wheelbase. The DuVall windshield brings the highboy look even lower to the ground and the gleaming black finish punches up against the polished Halibrand wheels. Traditional teardrop tail lights, chrome dropped axle, finned brakes, and floating headlamps make for just the right look and feel on this hot rod. Underneath the centrally hinged and louvered hood, the Doane built 302 is finished with painted green accents, shot peened heads and intake manifold, headers, and other custom items. The steel firewall even displays the signatures of So Cal legends Pete Chapouris and Alex Xydias, himself a remarkable 98 years old today.

The interior is a fantastic expression of hot rod simplicity captured with excellent material quality, supported by custom touches so perfectly selected, they blend in perfect harmony with the overall vision and themes established for this hot rod. Nothing is out of place, rather everything has been carefully perfected, much like Doane Spencer demanded, magnificently achieved in this singular and uniquely built hot rod. The car is accompanied by a removable top, magazines and reference materials featuring the car, a conceptual sketch and rendering of the car, and photographic documentation records from the original build.

One of a kind and constructed by premier expert hands, this Doane Spencer tribute hot rod not only delivers power, performance, and exceptional build quality, it carries the proud banner of legendary American Hot Rodding, delivered in its finest iteration with right foot firmly planted on the gas pedal, forging a tire-smoking launch into the future.

The above vehicle information is complete and accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time it is posted to this website. Corrections or additional information is always appreciated. All advertised prices exclude government fees and taxes, any finance charges, any dealer document preparation charge, and any emission testing charge. Vehicles are subject to prior sale. All advertised to be true but not guaranteed. We assume no liability for errors or omissions.

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Fantasy Junction  •  510-653-7555  •  1145 Park Ave, Emeryville, CA 94608