Lot 3158

Auburn Fall 2013

1932 Ford Drag Car Five-Window

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$55,000 USD | Sold

United States | Auburn, Indiana

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It can be argued that the roots of hot rodding began on the west coast prior to World War II. While this may be true, the excitement of hot rodding soon spread throughout America and by the mid-1950s hot rodders in the midwest and the east coast were soon building cars that were serious competition to those being built in California.

One of the most famous of the early, east coast hot rods was a 1932 Ford five-window coupe known as “Satan”. The original car was constructed in 1956 by Fred Allen in Philadelphia. It was powered by a fuel-burning, 331-cid Chrysler “Hemi” engine. The car became an instant icon with its multiple racing victories including a NHRA class win in 1958. However, it was the Satan’s fit and finish which set the car apart from all other east coast hot rods and its unique style which differentiated it from all other hot rod trends of the period. Satan was well-received during the late 1950s and was featured in Rod Builder and Customizer Magazine as well as in Rod and Custom. In 1959, Monogram immortalized the hot rod by making it into one of their best-selling model kits, calling it the Devil Deuce.

Sadly, the original Satan coupe, like so many great historic hotrods, is long lost. Jim Jard, a noted Texas hot rod enthusiast and collector became enamored with the famous Satan high boy coupe and hired the noted California hot rod builders, the Kennedy Brothers, to reconstruct the famous lost hot rod.

To begin the project, an original 1932 Ford frame and an all-steel, five-window coupe body were located. A 1956 354-cid “Hemi” engine was purchased and rebuilt by engine specialist John Marchman with custom pistons, a competition camshaft and a rare, period intake manifold topped with four Stromberg 97 carburetors. The chassis was re-created to resemble the original with a period, chromed, drop front axle, transverse Ford leaf springs and a Ford “banjo” rear end assembly. The steel disc wheels were clad with “Mooneyes-style” wheel covers and “big and little” tires were used to achieve the proper stance.

The original 1932 Ford coupe body was restored and chopped just like the original. A period yellow and white tuck-and-roll-style interior was replicated using buckets seats and a fully padded headliner. The chrome dashboard is fitted with period Stewart Warner gauges. The body was expertly finished and painted to match the original Satan color scheme.

Like the original Satan, the iconic recreation was featured on the cover of the October 2007 Street Rodder magazine which also included a five page article. Monogram also re-issued the popular model kit in recent years, proving that this hot rod’s legacy is alive and appreciated. This milestone hot rod recreation represents an unrepeatable opportunity to acquire one of the most legendary period hotrods.