The Ford Motor Company was more than ready for some
innovative developments in 1931. Henry Ford had turned the
presidency of the company over to his son and only child,
Edsel, but the old man, somewhat of a tyrant, still called the
shots. Edsel, in spite of his dad, had engineered some
outstanding accomplishments up to that point including the
acquisition of the Lincoln automobile, in 1922, and the
introduction of the Model A in 1928, but each achievement
involved stressful battles between father and son. While both
the Lincoln and the Model A were instrumental in keeping
was right for change.
| 32 Ford Coupe Project Scrapbook |
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Ford out front in sales, technological advances at Chrysler and GM were yielding better, safer
cars, and by 1931 the A was becoming outmoded...and outsold. The country was beginning to
pull out of the Great Depression and the time was right for change.
cars, and by 1931 the A was becoming outmoded...and outsold. The country was beginning to
pull out of the Great Depression and the time was right for change.
From the beginning, Edsel Ford’s greatest love was
automotive styling. He had cultivated great working
relationships with several well known stylists of the day, and
had collaborated with stylist Joszef Galamb on the 1928
Model A. Fortunately for Edsel, and the company, Henry
focused his efforts primarily on the mechanical aspects of
car building and left the styling to his son. When the new
Model A was introduced in late 1927 it received great
acclaim. Because it closely resembled the luxurious styling
of the much more expensive car, many called the Model A
the “Baby Lincoln”. There could be no doubt that Edsel Ford
automotive styling. He had cultivated great working
relationships with several well known stylists of the day, and
had collaborated with stylist Joszef Galamb on the 1928
Model A. Fortunately for Edsel, and the company, Henry
focused his efforts primarily on the mechanical aspects of
car building and left the styling to his son. When the new
Model A was introduced in late 1927 it received great
acclaim. Because it closely resembled the luxurious styling
of the much more expensive car, many called the Model A
the “Baby Lincoln”. There could be no doubt that Edsel Ford
had an excellent eye for automotive style. The division of responsibilities between Henry and
Edsel allowed them to design and create the most famous Ford of all time in spite of their
tenuous relationship. While Henry busied himself with details of building a completely new
chassis to carry the new flathead V8, Edsel spent an equal amount of time and effort
overseeing the design of a body that would do the new running gear justice. New sheet metal
stamping equipment and techniques industry wide made more complex body panels and
compound curves possible. Utilizing this modern sheet metal technology for the new car, Ford
Edsel allowed them to design and create the most famous Ford of all time in spite of their
tenuous relationship. While Henry busied himself with details of building a completely new
chassis to carry the new flathead V8, Edsel spent an equal amount of time and effort
overseeing the design of a body that would do the new running gear justice. New sheet metal
stamping equipment and techniques industry wide made more complex body panels and
compound curves possible. Utilizing this modern sheet metal technology for the new car, Ford
eliminated the old cowl/straight windshield post
assembly, which bolted to the main bodies of
Model T’s and A’s, in favor of a cowl and windshield
header panel integral with the body. The ‘32
windshield posts raked gracefully rearward,
rounding gently as they made the transition to the
roof. A beautifully rendered three-window coupe
body, courtesy of the Murray Body Company, was
added to the line-up as the Deluxe Coupe. The gas
tank, previously mounted in the cowl, practically in
the front seat occupants’ laps, was moved to the
assembly, which bolted to the main bodies of
Model T’s and A’s, in favor of a cowl and windshield
header panel integral with the body. The ‘32
windshield posts raked gracefully rearward,
rounding gently as they made the transition to the
roof. A beautifully rendered three-window coupe
body, courtesy of the Murray Body Company, was
added to the line-up as the Deluxe Coupe. The gas
tank, previously mounted in the cowl, practically in
the front seat occupants’ laps, was moved to the
extreme rear of the car, beneath the body and between the frame rails. The wheelbase,
extended by three inches, and the new frame made the ‘32 Ford lower and longer than the
Model A. The 21” and 19” wire wheels of the Model A were discontinued in 1932, in favor of a
extended by three inches, and the new frame made the ‘32 Ford lower and longer than the
Model A. The 21” and 19” wire wheels of the Model A were discontinued in 1932, in favor of a
lower profile 18” Kelsey Hayes wire wheel
which allowed a tire with taller sidewalls and
better ride qualities.
Overall, the 1932 Ford was a very desirable
automobile package, offering power and style.
In spite of several new car “gremlins” like
oiling system failures and chronic overheating,
it created a sensation. People loved the
styling, the power, and the prestige derived
from driving a “common” car that could
outperform many more expensive cars.
which allowed a tire with taller sidewalls and
better ride qualities.
Overall, the 1932 Ford was a very desirable
automobile package, offering power and style.
In spite of several new car “gremlins” like
oiling system failures and chronic overheating,
it created a sensation. People loved the
styling, the power, and the prestige derived
from driving a “common” car that could
outperform many more expensive cars.
| A Short History of the 32 Ford |
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