1932 Ford Custom Roadster

Steve Moal has been regarded by many as one of the greatest Hot Rodders/coachbuilders, receiving numerous awards at the major shows across the country. He is a member of the Hot Rod Hall of Fame, was Builder of the Year at the 1997 Grand National Oakland Roadster Show, and has many class wins to his name at the world’s greatest concours, the Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance. His creations are world-renowned for their design and quality, always pushing the envelope of Hot Rodding.

The vision for this 1932 Ford Roadster centers around the Gurney-Weslake engine, a truly unique and rare powerplant that powered some of the greatest race cars of all time, like the Lola T70 and Ford GT40. Moal had come across a brand new 289 CI Gurney-Weslake V-8 that he purchased directly from Weslake. Although the engine made incredible power in its race form, Moal decided to have the engine gone through and detuned for better street manners. A Tremec 5-speed transmission with overdrive sends power back to the Halibrand Champ quick-change rear end, making highway driving possible.

An all-steel roadster body was the clean canvas for the build, allowing Moal to start adding his custom touches. A chrome Duval windshield was incorporated to give the Roadster that elegant slanted raked windshield line, and the signature "Moal" dual cowl vents were added. Other unique styling touches include Guide headlamps, a custom front apron and spreader bar, a recessed fuel fill, a custom rear roll pan and a recessed rear license plate. This was all finished in a show-quality Jaguar Blue base/clear coat paint that has been wet sanded and polished to a high level.

A modified Eastwood frame with additional cross braces done by “Rod Sexton” helped increase both stability and handling to help cope with the increased horsepower from its famous Gurney-Weslake V-8. The front peaked, drilled and dropped front axle and suspension has been chromed, and the rear ladder bar suspension has been outfitted with adjustable rear coilover shocks, polished Wilwood disc brake calipers and drilled and slotted rotors. Meanwhile, 15-inch Kidney Bean wheels were chosen to give it a very tasteful and authentic Hot Rod style.

The custom interior was completed by Tom Sewell in a Saddle Tan leather cowhide with custom vertical-pleated seats with bolsters, door panels with door pockets, and firewall panels. A signature Moal steering wheel and tilt column were added, and the dash was outfitted with GPS gauges reworked by Classic Instruments. A Moal heater recaged with a vintage Art Deco housing offers heat for both the driver and passenger while adding an incredible styling component.