Bob56 Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I have been looking for a 1930's car for a few months now and happened to find a 1932 chevy convert and a 1936 ford four door convert. I am drawn to the Ford because of the flathead V8 but the wife loves the 32 chevy because of the rumble seat. I guess to get the best of both worlds I should probably look for a two door Ford convert with rumble seat but can't seem to find one that isn't $60K + or needs a lot of work or made into a hotrod. Which of the two cars above is the most desirable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Cocuzza Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 Why not just make it easy and buy them both???HA HA !!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Water Jacket Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 If you want something spunky from the '30s get a '33 Hudson Terraplane 8 or 1935-37 Packard One Twenty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 With the limit of your two examples I would choose the Chevy. 32's Chevy's are the baby Cadillac in the looks department and were designed to look that way. There is a big change in body design in cars after 1932 and then again in some after 1934, so it also depends on your preference in style or era.D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidAU Posted June 10, 2012 Share Posted June 10, 2012 I would take the 36 Ford in a heart beat but then I love Flathead Fords :DAll things being equal the Ford is worth more money and with the exception of body panels (although new floor panels and some patch panels are avalible), just about every other part is avalible in NOS or repo for repairs or restoration. There also still seems to be plenty of used parts avalible.The Ford also has an all steel body (no woodwork), run all day at 60MPH and in my opinion would be far easier to sell in the future if you ever want to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 You didn't mention the condition of either car. If they are both street ready take the Ford and drive on knowing you have a better car. Bob:)I have been looking for a 1930's car for a few months now and happened to find a 1932 chevy convert and a 1936 ford four door convert. I am drawn to the Ford because of the flathead V8 but the wife loves the 32 chevy because of the rumble seat. I guess to get the best of both worlds I should probably look for a two door Ford convert with rumble seat but can't seem to find one that isn't $60K + or needs a lot of work or made into a hotrod. Which of the two cars above is the most desirable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Water Jacket Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I leave the Ford 'n' Chevy info to the above gents. Nothing wrong with either, am just suggesting you might widen your search, broaden your sights. A '32-'33 Plymouth PB with its torquier four cylinders, will walk away from a '32 Ford V-8. The Plymouth is better engineered than the Ford or Chevy, and looks more expensive in the win-win bargain. 1934-on six-cylinder Plymouths are also husky little cars, witness Bogie as Mad Dog Earl in 1941's High Sierra racing up the titular mountains from a flock of late model CHP Buicks in a '37 Plymouth coupe, similar to the car he drove in later flicks as Sam Spade. There's more to this hobby than Ford 'n' Chevy, Ford 'n' Chevy, Ford 'n' Chevy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Old48Truck Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 It all depends on your relationship with your spouse. If she's likely to take permanent umbrage at the selection of the Ford, get the Chevy....and make her ride in the rumble seat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Braverman Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I believe the '32 Chevy has the same or more hp than the Ford. Performance will be very similar. Chevy has better suspension. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Water Jacket Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 You can get a woman anywhere. A good car, now that's something. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brightboy 1914 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I am Chevy guy and I have '32 Chevy's. I really like the lines on my '32. But the '32 is good for speeds up to about 40 mph. I'm sorry to say that it will not keep up with the '36 Ford. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob56 Posted June 11, 2012 Author Share Posted June 11, 2012 Looking for Ford or Chevy for the mere fact of finding parts more readily available if the car needs something. Thirty years ago I had a 1937 Buick and parts were very difficult to find back then so I can only imagine what it's like today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Bob, just a thought but 30 years has actually changed parts availibility for the better, IMO, Internet, club support and suppliers who look beyond Ford & Chevy seems to have made the parts situation better. Also, Fords, while always popular are no longer viewed as the "only" non-Classic 30s car to own. That said, an open 30s Ford is a pretty nice car to have, I really like the look of the 36 myself and I have to believe it would be a bit more "roadable" than the 32 Chevy but you really should drive them both if you can. Keep us posted and good luck with the search! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel88 Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 I would go for the 36 Ford. Both cars are nice and very good looking but the great sound and rumble of a flathead V8 just can't be beat! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john2dameron Posted June 11, 2012 Share Posted June 11, 2012 Hands down, four door convertible sedans have more class than 2 door models and are much scarcer. The '36 Ford convertible sedan is a very attractive car (although '32 Chevies look good too) and throw in the V-8 and it is no contest in any way. Buy the Ford and then go wife shopping if you have to. LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Continental Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Chevrolet hands down, rumble seat over the phaeton. Now over comparable models, I think I'd take a Ford over Chevy '32-34. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poci1957 Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 I am drawn to the Ford because of the flathead V8 but the wife loves the 32 chevy because of the rumble seat. We regularly advise people looking at open cars of the 1930s and older to "try them on" to make sure they can fit inside the often cramped front seat area. This is probably good advice on climbing into rumble seats. Does your wife actually want to ride in the rumble seat? And if so is the subject car nice enough that you would prefer to avoid scratching the paint climbing in? Just a thought, Todd C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_Mack_CT Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 This is an educated guess but assuming simillar money - say a $30K buy price - I wonder what the wife would think of the really nice Packard 110 convertible that 1935Pack has listed over in the Packard buy sell forum? If you are not "married" to one marque there are many choices - I would try a few on for size for sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Moskowitz Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Bob, as you can see we are all adamant that you really buy both cars to be happy! Asking Ford and Chevy guys which to buy will get you exactly the response you would expect! So, being totally unbiased I would suggest looking for an Oldsmobile! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 13, 2012 Share Posted June 13, 2012 Bob, as you can see we are all adamant that you really buy both cars to be happy! Asking Ford and Chevy guys which to buy will get you exactly the response you would expect! So, being totally unbiased I would suggest looking for an Oldsmobile! And I, a 32 Pontiac model 302 V-8 ! D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty12 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Of the two, I would prefer the Ford V8. They are great running cars, easy to handle and there are a lot of new and used parts available. Another group of cars worth looking into are the 1936-1940'ish GMs such as the smaller size, non Full Classic Cadillacs, La Salle, Oldsmobile, Buick, etc. All of these cars are really great road cars when they are set up right and are a little bigger and more roomy than Fords and Chevys of the period. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motoringicons Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Remember there is nothing wrong with a non-convertible. They tend to be more comfortable and tighter cars to drive as well as being more affordable. There are some very nice Full Classic 1930s non-convertibles that can be bought in the 25-45K range. However, there is nothing wrong with a good Early Ford V8-regardless of body style. Like everyone else says, they are great and fun cars to own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john2dameron Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 If you don't follow thru on the Ford don't wait too long before you check out the Packard. After that you can consider Cadillacs and Buicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob56 Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 The reason for the Ford is parts availability. I had a 1937 and 1949 Buick some 25+ years ago and parts were very hard to come by. When I look at the ads in this forum there are more wanted items than for sale in the cars that are not Chevy or Ford. Trying now to find an inspector for the Ford Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest 36chev Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) I love the looks and styling of the 1932 Chevrolet (baby Cadillac...), but the 36 Ford is definitely the speedier car. The Chevrolet engine is more into torque, the Ford revving ability. There have been high speed differentials made in recent years for the early 1930's Chevrolets that will let them keep up with the V8 Ford for cruising.In my opinion, both are equally mechanically reliable (but did the flathead V8 Ford have a reputation for running hot...?). Although not as easy to get parts for the Chevy, there are parts suppliers for the 32. Edited June 14, 2012 by 36chev (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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