Thread: cramped driver

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I'm interested in a '32 5 window. Drove my first one today and sure seemed uncomfortable spacewise. It was all steel and unchopped with a 4" channel. I'm 5'11" 180 lbs. Does it just take some getting used to? Any build tips that would yield a bit more room. Thanks.

An unchopped Deuce with only a 4 inch channel shouldn't be all that crowded. I mean, these aren't super big cars to start with, at least by modern standards, but even with a 6 inch channel and 3 inch chop a '32 is still big compared to similar '29's or '27's.

I think since you are unfamiliar with them that is what is distorting your perception of what these cars are like. Or maybe they built the seats too high and too thickly padded. You have to build these on the thin side to compensate for the 4 inches you took out by the channel.


Don

Diet and excercise.

ya it takes getting use to, as long as your legs are not cramped and you dont have to hold your legs in place with the muscles to operate the pedals. and its just a shoulder to shoulder issue thats a typical reaction to a small space.

Most my friends have a hard time "unfolding" out of their rides , the early 30's car are small, but as pointed out, NOTHING like a 29! I am tiny petit female and could not fit my skinny legs inside the 29 roadster LOL

PS: Maybe also look into a 34 coupe, they are gorgeous too and more roomy

Thanks for the responses. After reading them I'm wondering how can I be sure this is a '32 and not a modified model 'A'. The rear looks like an 'A' but when I asked about it the owner said it was because the gas tank was relocated to inside the trunk. The doors on this car closed flush and I'm under the impression that model 'A' doors don't. I want to go back for a second look and hopefully a second ride to address the space issue but doing some research first on the differences between a '32 and model 'A'. Will keep my eyes peeled for a '34 to check out - thanks.

Give us some pictures before you plunk down any cash. I see cars on Ebay all the time that say they are something or other, and they are something entirely different. If it is a Deuce, it probably isn't real cheap, so you will want to be d*** sure you are getting what you paid for.

Don

'32 Fords are pretty distinctive. Here are a couple of shots of an unchopped 5 window for reference. Model A's are more boxy.


Don

Itoldyouso - Will see what I can do about pictures. Owner is away for the weekend so have to be next week. To my untrained eye it does look like the pictures you sent (thankyou).

Originally Posted by GMR

I'm interested in a '32 5 window. Drove my first one today and sure seemed uncomfortable spacewise. It was all steel and unchopped with a 4" channel. I'm 5'11" 180 lbs. Does it just take some getting used to? Any build tips that would yield a bit more room. Thanks.

Just re-read your above post and noticed the "4" channel" part. So a few things that immediately came to mind:

1- Is the car sitting on a 32 frame? Usually people will not channel bodies over 32 (model B) frames (I said "usually"). Do you know how to tell the difference between the two?

2- If the car is a model A sitting on a model A (say for exemple a 1931) frame, then channelling is usually done to hide the frame - cause it's fugly . The 32 frame is very pretty and does not need to be hidden -unless it is an owner preference to lower the overall profile of the car.

3- Note that, to make matters more confusing, people oftentimes use 1932 model B frames and model B noses with Model A bodies. And that can make it harder to tell them apart from a model B on a 32 frame. If coupes are anything like roadsters, the cowl would be narrower on a Model A than a Model B. No? That's how I usually can always tell, even if the model A is sitting on Model B frame and wearing a 32 Model B nose (grill shell)

4- Last but not least, if you are a taller man, your best bet is to find an unchannelled body. Because once people channel a body over a frame, they sacrifice space inside the car. In your exemple you lost at least 4 inches of leg space height wise, so the steering colum may be a lot closer to your thighs, your seat lower on the floor etc etc... All in all not a good thing if you are looking for more space/comfort rather than LESS. Of course if this a real henry Ford coupe and you can afford it, then maybe it is worth doing some body work on it - then I'll let the experienced guys on this forum let you know if you could unchannel the body - cause I have no idea so I can't help you there...

Let us know what transpires.

Also model A coupes, model 45B business and deluxe, were only offered as a five window coupe for 1930 and 1931. All model A coupes had a visor mounted above the windshield. The gas tank was originally in the cowl on the model A, so naturally the model a, and '32 cowl are different. Now for the confusion.....alot of rodders try to make model a's look like a '32. I don't know why, I think the model a ford looks alot better than the deuce. (but that is just my opinion...I have owned 3 model a's) Anywho when those model a's are hopped up often times the visors are removed, and the fuel cell is usually moved to the trunk area. Once the fuel cell is moved, the cowl tank is non functional so they shave the fuel cap, and smooth it. Also remember the '32 had a vent lid where the model a fuel cap is. One of the biggest things is to use the '32 grille shell, and disgard the stainless model a shell. So as you can see alot of people who have not studied the old ford coupes can easily misidentify them. I have been asked at many shows, " is that a '32 ". And the only thing body wise that is not model a is the grille shell and insert. My rod is original Henry steel, with the visor, and the fuel tank cap still there. The two best ways to decipher between the A and the B 5 window coupe. The lowest body line (the bottom of the cowl, to the bottom of the door, to the bottom of the rear quarter) or the lower belt line. On a model a it is straight, on a '32 it is curved. Also the rear side panel looking vertical between the top of the rear fender belt line, and the deck lid, the ,32 is taller. I hope I have been able to offer a little insight to the difference between the two wonderful old ford coupes.

HiboyGal - I'll answer each point individually ok
1) no - frame is owner built, 2X3x3/16 square tubing
2) owner says it's a '32 but I'm going back for second look armed with all this new info from you kind people and my own recent research - will let you know
3) please see 2)
4) certainly makes sense to me, I've had the opportunity to sit in several other model A and B cars this weekend, all unchanneld and all seemed more roomy
Thankyou

a30coupe - nice car by the way; I've entered the info you've provided in my notebook which travels with me (sure are subtle differences, hope I can tell) - thankyou sir

Thank you for the compliment GMR, And I wish you the best in your search for that "Little Deuce Coupe". One more thing that I wanted to point out. The interior cab room on a 30-31 Model A 5 window, and 32 Model B 5 window are within a few inches of being identical in size. I am 5'7" and 145 lbs. My '30 coupe 5 window has never been chopped or channeled. If I was closer to being about 5'11" and 205+ lbs, I think I would have reservations about owning the coupe. At that size I would have went for a sedan (ie able to put the seat back further) or a '33-'34 coupe. The 33's and 34's had a ton-o-more interior cab room.

I dig the car, but I must ask you...If you like the look of a Model A better than a deuce, why the deuce grille shell? Personally I like em both, I have a 32 highboy and my dad has a 30 A-bone. I love his car, I tried to talk him into chopping the roof and putting a deuce shell on it but he refused and stuck by his guns to use the original stainless shell and uncut roof.. Now that it's finished I must agree I think its a pretty cute litte car, and is never mistaken for anything other than an A Bone. I think the only non-model A body item on it are a pair of 32 headlights, which he changed because they're a little bigger than the model A ones. By the way, the easiest way for a novice to tell a model A from a 32 is the wide splash aprons above the running boards... 32's don't have any and the frame is exposed... although if its a highboy model A on Deuce rails, of course you can't use that method of ID... Anyways, here's a pic of my dads ride.