Bring a Trailer NO RESERVE auction preview: The Ex-Kirk White Ford-powered all-metal '32 Hot Rod by SO-CAL Speed ShopPrevious BaT auction result
1932 Ford Hot Rod Chassis Number – 18199612Exterior Color –BlackInterior Color – Green LeatherEngine Type – Duane Spencer-Built 302 V8 Gearbox – 4-speed manualCurrent Miles – 5,065 miles The uniquely powerful and innovative world of Hot Rodding spawned from the convergence of used thirties cars and underfinanced teenagers looking for cheap ways to invigorate their otherwise boring 1950s lives. Though times and money have evolved the hobby through the ensuing 70 years span, the energy and excitement for Hot Rodding has always prevailed. Among the many significant participants in contemporary hot rodding, the names Doane Spencer, Pete Chapouris, and Kirk White certainly fit the bill as legendary players in the hot rod arena. There is no doubt as to the history and importance of the iconic original Doane Spencer 32 roadster, a car that would set the standard for stance, body and suspension modifications and design touches that would echo for more than half a century into the 21st century. Such was the motivation behind this 32 Ford Roadster Highboy, commissioned by hot rod expert and collector Kirk White. Powered by an engine specially built by Doane Spencer, constructed by Pete Chapouris and the crew at the iconic So Cal Speed Shop, this Doane Tribute hits all the hot rod buttons at top dead center.The project began in 1995 with White commissioning Spencer to build a “killer” 5 Liter Ford engine. Although the engine had not yet been designated for a project, Spencer put his heart into the build, unaware it would be his last. After Spencer passed away, his long-time friend and legendary engine builder Ed Pink stepped in to perform the final tuning and dyno work for the engine. The decision was made to build a hot rod with the goal of fulfilling what Doane Spencer might have built as a hot rod for the year 2000, something that might have competed in the Pan American Road Race. To meet the design challenge, Chapouris called on one of the industry’s top designers, Thom Taylor, who sketched out a clean highboy with triple hood louver lines, DuVall windscreen, Halibrand bigs and littles, vintage fog lamps, and finned brake drums. The design was subtle but refined, capturing all the details of a pure and aggressive 32 just as Doane would have done it. Construction began from the ground up using a So-Cal fabricated 116” chassis with Pete and Jake’s chrome ladder bars to locate the rear end, and So-Cal hairpins and batwings to mount a chrome 5” dropped Magnum tube front axle. The hairpins were specially mounted to the frame just like Doane’s original roadster – one of many specialized touches on the car. For steering duty, a quick-ratio Flaming River Vega-style steering box was installed, and traditional Buick style cast aluminum finned drum shrouds cleverly concealed 11” front discs and Ford drum rears, also with finned covers. The stainless tube brake lines were fed from a dual-circuit master cylinder. For wheels, So-Cal commissioned Halibrand to design and build a set of 16” front and 18” rear wheels with traditional kidney bean pattern and knock off mounts. For the bodywork, the industry leading Brookville roadster all steel shell was delivered to So-Cal and massaged by the So-Cal team with Tim Reed leading the team of body experts on staff. Numerous modifications were made fortifying the inner structure including engineering that ties the door jambs to a bulkhead structure mounted behind the seat. Strut rods and turn-buckles pre-load the rear quarter panels creating a super rigid shell, far above the level of often shuttering stock 32 roadster bodies. To accommodate the DuVall windshield, the mounting base was shaved down to create a smooth body to post transition. The frame ends were modified, and the center peak was extended over the cowl to give the hood a more dramatic presence as part of the angled stance. The dashboard began life as a 32 Pierce-Arrow instrument panel highly modified by expert Terry Seaholm, loaded with period correct Stewart Warner gauges filling the engine turned panel. To accommodate the wider dash panel insert, the 32 dash was split and extended, along with the column drop to house a Mullins steering column. Paint duties were handed to Tim Beard who laid down a gleaming black finish. A pair of vintage Lucas driving lights mounted to the front frame horn crossbar, stainless steel lines throughout, Sherm’s Plating performing chrome duties, a specially made aluminum license plate garnish, Jimmy Shine wiring, and Ray Brown seat belts all contributed to the final look. Throughout the build, the list of hot rod luminaries unfolds in an endless stream of award-winning talent including interior duties by Gabe Lopez who trimmed the car in dark green leather, adding special touches like armrests and storage pockets. German square weave wool carpeting and leather wrapped front and rear leaf springs were both nice touches to the vintage connection this Doane tribute perfectly depicts. Under the hood, the Doane Spencer built 302 mill uses a Ford forged crank mated to 5.3” Carillo rods. Spencer heavily ported and polished the Ford Racing high-port Yates heads, choosing to replace the stock valves with titanium 2.1” and 1.6” units, which were shot peen finished. A Yates specific single plane intake manifold is fed by a Holley 600 cfm carburetor. With the engine build nearly complete, after Doane’s passing Ed Pink stepped in to finish the motor. Pink elected to run 9.7:1 JE forged pistons with 40cc chambers, Crane forged roller rockers, and a Crane Cams 238/350-2S-10 solid roller tappet camshaft so that a streetable 385hp could be achieved on pump gas. All that power escapes via steel Hooker Header Aero Chambers fabricated by Ryan Reed. With a close ratio Saginaw Super T-10, McLeod clutch, and 3.2:1 Currie Enterprises 9” rear end, the 32” rear tires give this Doane Roadster some nice legs on the top end. The finished car was featured in Street Rodder Magazine, The Robb Report, and used sparingly during the past two decades since completion. After completion, the car was enjoyed by the former owner and sold in 2021 by Fantasy Junction on the website BringaTrailer. The new owner, a multiple car collector and enthusiast, enlisted his house staff to tend to all fluids, install a new battery, and relocate formerly under-dash switches to a visible panel mounted under the dashboard. Additional work included modifying the throttle cable for smoother operation, fabricating a leaf spring adjustment shackle, and installing a new (smaller diameter) steering wheel. Please note that the former larger diameter Nardi steering wheel is included as a spare which can be mounted in place of the current wheel. Also in 2021, a new Ford alternator was modified and fit to a new bracket and mounted to the engine, a new external mount voltage regulator installed, a new braided flex hose installed, and other details completed. In 2022, the car was transported to Pebble Beach, CA for the annual Concours d’Elegance for display. Fluid changes and adjustments continued through 2023 and 2024 as noted with a test drive in January 2024, then indicating 5,065 miles. Today this Doane Tribute continues to stand as the perfect embodiment of the quintessential hot rod. Every aspect of the build is superlative, with finishes today that continue to vividly depict the top-level build quality originally performed on this car. The cosmetic condition remains very fresh, the interior stands up to show standard scrutiny, hinting only slightly at patina reflective of mild use. The stance is absolutely perfect with just the right amount of drop and dive stretched out over the 116” wheelbase. The DuVall windshield brings the highboy look even lower to the ground and the gleaming black finish punches up against the polished Halibrand wheels. Traditional teardrop taillights, chrome dropped axle, finned brakes, and floating headlamps make for just the right look and feel on this hot rod. Underneath the centrally hinged and louvered hood, the Doane built 302 is finished with painted green accents, shot peened heads and intake manifold, headers, and other custom items. The steel firewall even displays the signatures of SoCal legends Pete Chapouris and Alex Xydias, himself a remarkable 98 years old today. The interior is a fantastic expression of hot rod simplicity captured with excellent material quality, supported by custom touches so perfectly selected, they blend in perfect harmony with the overall vision and themes established for this hot rod. Nothing is out of place, rather everything has been carefully perfected, much like Doane Spencer demanded, magnificently achieved in this singular and uniquely built hot rod. The car is accompanied by a removable top, the originally mounted Nardi wood rimmed steering wheel, magazines and reference materials featuring the car, sketch and rendering of the car, and documentation records from the original build.One of a kind and constructed by premier expert hands, this Doane Spencer tribute hot rod not only delivers power, performance, and exceptional build quality, it carries the proud banner of legendary American Hot Rodding, delivered in its finest iteration with right foot firmly planted on the gas pedal, forging a tire-smoking launch into the future.