ust about the time you think there’s nothing left to do, tastefully, to a 1932 Ford roadster you see something that makes you rethink your thoughts. Such is the case with Bill Grimsley’s (Sausalito, California) Deuce channeled roadster masterfully constructed by two longtime friends and accomplished hot rodders Jackie Howerton (Tulsa, Oklahoma) and Steve Moal of Moal Coachbuilders (MC in Oakland, California). Howerton and Moal are no strangers to building hot rods and being longtime friends; and both being friends of Bill a collaboration just made sense.
Bill, in working with Howerton and Moal and the artist Alberto Hernandez, developed the concept whereby the combined American hot rod theme (think Moal) and the race car appeal (think Howerton) was brought to fruition. As mentioned earlier, the build was a collaboration with Howerton handling the design, chassis, suspension, and body support structure fabrication. All of this work was done at his shop in Oklahoma. While this was happening Moal and the staff at MC, comprised of sons David and Michael,and craftsmen Troy Morris, Shane Lindsay, and Robert Smith, worked their magic. MC was responsible for the body construction, final fabrication, machining, paint, assembly, and wiring. Thus the overall build completion was handled at the California shop.
Moving all this horsepower and torque to the rear wheels is a TREMEC TKO 500 five-speed through a Chevy flywheel, pressure plate, and clutch disc. From here an MC custom handle and mechanism select the proper gear. Linking the trans to the Halibrand quick-change rearend equipped with 4.11 gears and Currie axles is a Custom Driveline Service driveshaft. Other rearend suspension appointments include the AFCO shocks, Howerton torsion arms with custom uni-ball mounts, a Watts link, and Wilwood rotors with Dynalite calipers. The Wilwood dual-reservoir master cylinder is pressed into service by the custom pedal assembly from Howerton. Allowing the chassis to roll on down the road is a set of ET Kidney Bean–style wheels measuring 16 inches in front and 17 inches in back, all wrapped with Excelsior rubber measuring 5.50-16 and 7.50-17.
The 1932 Ford roadster body, combination of steel and aluminum, features a number of custom touches, making it truly unique. Resting underneath the PPG Blue hue is the flawless body- and paintwork all expertly handled by MC painters Mike Wenger and Darrel Schneider; MC also received the nod to fabricate the aluminum hood, under pans, rear roll pans, and decklid. The steel body was narrowed and sectioned and includes custom handmade doors along with a billet aluminum firewall and motor plate. In this case a steel motor plate was used to support the front of the engine and a billet aluminum mid-plate is used to support the rear of the engine at the transmission position. (The motor plate is reminiscent of early V-8 Corvettes that were supported off the front of the block.) In the rear of the body you will see custom aluminum wheelwell panels, representing more MC craftsmanship.
There’s one inescapable hot-rodding truth … stick around long enough and you will see it all. And just when you think you have seen it all, take another look because someone with creativity and craftsmanship will expose you to a fresh idea.