1932 Ford 3 Window Rat Rod

Make: Ford

Model: 3 Window Coupe

Type: Truck/SUV

Seller Type: Private

Build Sheet

VIN: 18132150
318ci Mopar V8 engine
Automatic transmission
Original 1932 Ford steel cab
Dodge Dakota chassis frame
Blue paint with clear-coated patina and surface rust
Extended rear bed with herringbone-pattern red cedar wood floor
3-inch whitewall tires
Vintage-style wheels
Custom exhaust system with copper-colored tips
Custom cabin floor constructed from vintage license plates
Aftermarket backlit dashboard gauges
Floor-mounted shifter with Austin Powers figurine topper
Yellow front fog lights

Wrench Report

By Chris Esparza

RestoMods Head Mechanic. 20 year classic car mechanic & builder.

Rat rods are all about attitude and clever engineering, and this '32 Ford pickup nails it. Sitting an original steel cab on a modern Dodge Dakota frame gives you that killer pre-war silhouette with a chassis that actually handles like a real truck. Powering it with a Mopar 318ci V8 keeps the build simple and reliable, while the clear-coated patina ensures you get the "rusty gold" look without the metal actually dissolving. Weighing in at just over 2,000 lbs, it's bound to be a rowdy ride, complete with classic rat rod character touches from the license-plate floors to that custom herringbone cedar bed.

Description

This 1932 Ford pickup is a custom "rat rod" build that utilizes an original steel cab mounted to a Dodge Dakota frame. The truck was constructed to emphasize a patinated aesthetic, combining nearly century-old bodywork with a modern chassis and a Mopar-sourced V8 powertrain. Featuring a variety of custom Americana-inspired details and a herringbone-pattern wood bed, this pickup is now offered by the Los Angeles based private seller with a clean California title. The vehicle is titled as a 1932 Ford.

The exterior features an original steel cab finished in a custom blue paint that has been clear-coated to preserve intentional patina and surface rust. The build includes an extended rear bed with a red cedar floor arranged in a herringbone pattern, which also houses the fuel cell and battery box. Additional exterior elements include yellow fog lights, copper-colored exhaust tips, and new three-inch whitewall tires mounted on vintage-style wheels. The driver-side window is currently missing, and the body exhibits a deliberately aged finish throughout.

The driver-side window is currently missing, and the body exhibits a deliberately aged finish throughout. The seller notes the vehicle weighs approximately 2,072 lbs.

Power is provided by a 318ci V8 engine paired with an automatic transmission. The seller reports the drivetrain runs and shifts well, with the engine bay featuring a simplified layout consistent with the build style. The truck is equipped with a custom exhaust system, and the cooling and electrical systems have been configured to support the non-original powerplant. Maintenance under current ownership included the installation of new tires and the verification of the lighting and braking systems.

The body is mounted to a Dodge Dakota frame which is described as being free of rust. The truck features a custom suspension setup and four-wheel brakes that the seller reports provide reliable stopping power. The undercarriage is exposed, showing the integration of the Ford cab and custom bed to the later-model chassis. Functional exterior lighting, including the turn signals and brake lights, is reported to be fully operational.

The interior features a custom-fabricated layout including metal seating with supportive lower cushions. The cabin floor is constructed from vintage license plates, while the bed floor uses aged wood slats. A set of aftermarket backlit gauges is installed in the dashboard, though the seller notes they require further connection and the true chassis mileage is unknown.