1932 Ford Highboy Roadster - When Worlds Collide

Just the Facts

Year: 1932

Make: Ford

Model: Highboy Roadster

Owner: Richard Varner

State: California

Richard is well versed on the subject of SO-CAL Speed Shop hot rod faire, originated by Alex Xydias and currently under the watchful eye of Pete Chapouris. Champions Moto and SO-CAL have collaborated on a limited edition of 20 British-style bikes. The SO-CAL Miler is a 355-pound bike powered by an 865cc Triumph Bonneville Twin that produces 78 hp and 55 lb-ft of rear-wheel torque. The bike features a Champions Moto gas tank, tail section, side panels, and front number plate with twin headlights handcrafted from aluminum. Well, there's the Varner and SO-CAL connection.

Presented is the Deuce highboy based on a Dearborn Deuce convertible body with retractable soft top and roll-up door glass. The chassis is the latest offering from SCSS in the New Traditionalist showcasing their line of forged steel chassis components. The power comes from the latest industry-stopping Ford Coyote 5.0L V-8. But we are getting ahead of ourselves.

Any hot rodder is well-aware of the SO-CAL Speed Shop red and white colors in the distinctive scallop pattern. Don't try and adjust the color dial on the following pages as you are correct in viewing the PPG Pearl Gold and white. This is the color sprayed on the original Xydias belly tank racer. (The red and white came later and is an interesting sidebar for a later date.) In so far as the highboy is a tribute to the 80th anniversary of the Deuce, a bit of a celebration of Xydias' 90th birthday, the 65th anniversary of SCSS, and to commemorate the limited edition (10) of the Coyote 5.0 roadster, a gold and white color scheme was resurrected.

While the Dearborn Deuce highboy body rests on an SCSS new Traditionalist chassis the construction occurred at Detroit Street Rods under Smith's eye. DSR is housed in the facilities of Alternative Automotive Technologies (ATT) in Troy Michigan, which is the former plant where the Saleen Mustang and later the Ford GT were produced, 2005-06. It was also here the roadster was sprayed in the eye-appealing gold and white.

In front is the SCSS chromed and drilled forged I-beam axle, hairpin radius rods, chromed spring with reversed eyes, polished stainless steel perches and kingpins, and chromed "shorty" tube shocks. The signature appointment on the frontend is the SCSS Buick-style drum brakes with custom Wilwood disc calipers nestled in between. Steering is the venerable Vega-style box.

The "soul" of any hot rod is its motor. There's a reason why the highboy is referred to as the Coyote 5.0; its namesake provides the basis for ample horsepower. While available in several power ratings this Coyote received a boost from a Ford Racing supercharger and now pumps out 624 hp at 9 pounds of boost. Other engine appointments include the radiator, electric fan, and intercooler from AutoRad LLC.

The body is based on a Dearborn Deuce, which came into the hot rod hobby known for the first retractable soft top and roll-up door glass, making it a convertible with the look of a roadster. A four-piece hood complete with louvers and a telltale "blister" to accommodate the width of the Coyote V-8 is visible along with a grille shell featuring an SCSS polished insert. Lighting comes by way of KSS for the headlights while the LED taillights are by way of Technostalgia. Other amenities include the dual-windshield wiper from Specialty Power Windows, swan-neck mirrors from SCSS, front and rear SCSS spreader bars, and a Bob Drake Reproductions '32 gas tank. All assembled under the watchful eye of Smith of DSR.

Just about the time you think you are looking at another "Deuce" you realize there's always enough that can be done to personalize what many hot rodders believe to be Henry's finest effort.