Thread: 32 Ford Roadster Body Manufacturer

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I bought this 32 roadster with no documentation. I woulld like to know who built the body. It is different from other 32 roadsters as the windshild posts are build into the body. Any suggestions?

Welcome to CHR. I can't help you on who made your body, but in addition to the molded integral windshield posts the top of the body tying the quarters together appears to have been cut back, out and down radically to allow the seats to be set back farther? I'm curious how they handled the raised moldings that go up the sides of the trunk and blend into the cockpit surround. My '32, with a 2" stretch on the interior, has a "flat" of about 6" in front of the trunk lid, then a 1.5" raised molding tying in at the doors which appear to be gone on your car?

Good info. Thanks for your reply.

Also, that's not a replica of a roadster body, it's what's known as a cabriolet. Sloppy people will say something like "no difference", but tuned in folks recognize the differences. Roadsters have the separate windshield and no side windows. Cabriolets were higher featured bodies with fixed windshield frame and roll up side glass and a more substantial top assembly than roadsters. It's very difficult to identify manufacturers of glass bodies since there has been a lot of "borrowing" over the years because it relatively easy to splash a mold. The one notable manufacturer who did a cabriolet body was J.B. Donaldson in Arizona, though my memory wants to think the windshield pillars had a tad more lean back than those in your pic............but I could be mis-remembering.

Uncle Bob's got a sharper eye than I, and that different "cut" of the top of the body from the doors back may have been for clearance of that "...more substantial top assembly". Does yours have roll up windows?

Uncle Bob and Roger, thanks for the info. I am new to the hot rod scene. The car has no windows. I will check out the J.B. Donaldson suggestion.

Originally Posted by Cantucci

Uncle Bob and Roger, thanks for the info. I am new to the hot rod scene. The car has no windows. I will check out the J.B. Donaldson suggestion.

Cantucci, I saw a very short "barn find" clip on a '32 Cabriolet, and the area right behind the door looked very much like yours, cut down & out from the Roadster body. I'd say you've got a replica Cabriolet, and there may not be a lot of them around. Good luck on your hunt!