By Dale M. MoreauPhotography by The Author

he history of old Fords and engine swaps practically began with the first one of Henry’s cars called a Model A in 1903. By the time the ’32 came around and changed history forever, guys had tried every way possible to make their Fords faster—and 112 years later it is still going on. Doug Beattie, of Vancouver, Washington, has gone back to the early days of the OHV V-8 swap and emulated that practice, but at a higher level than was possible at the time. His ’32 Ford highboy five-window coupe is just such an example.

Starting with an original Ford Sport Coupe body, restored by Donne Lowe master metalman, the plan was to make a five-window coupe using sheetmetal from Brookville. While doing this, he gave it a haircut and removed 4 inches off the top. He also redid the original dash to accept a genie ’30s Auburn dash insert and filled it with vintage Stewart-Warner gauges. The body and framerails are covered with a rich tone of PPG ’50 Mercury Green darkened with black and topped with a gold pearl by Joel Jones. Night driving is assisted by a set of ’30 American LaFrance firetruck headlights and ’37 Ford taillights with handmade trim and stands made by Doug. Check out the rear bumper, Doug took a page out of the Little Books of the past and came up with a cool nerf bar with plating by Jon Wright. Open a door and you’re invited right in by beautiful stitching in leather by Dave Feeken. So many stitchers of today have flat pleats and the seats look hard. Dave has the talent to make you want to go for a drive just to experience the touch of real workmanship. The ’40 Ford chromed steering column is topped with a beautiful Ford Crestliner steering wheel painted to match the upholstery.