There's one prominent trend of recent years among bona fide car collectors: finally, everyone realized that a car's history and provenance are of tremendous importance, greatly affecting its value. This holds true for the way "early" Hot Rods are perceived as well; the ultimate recognition of a storied past is commensurate part of the equation.
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Even at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance--certainly a very elitist affair--historic Hot Rods have found their rightful place on the manicured lawns, to great public acclaim.
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The 1932 Ford "Deuce" Cabriolet presented here, built during the Golden Age of Hot Rodding, is one of those amazingly rare, fully pedigreed survivors. A derelict-looking body purchased in 1954 by a teenager named Sal Rizzo for the astronomical sum of $100.00, the car was built from the ground up, in his driveway. Mind you, this was in the days before aftermarket restoration parts were available. Many trips to the local "Day & Nite Auto Supply" yard were necessary, and you also had to know how to use a torch. MG seats, a 1937 Packard windshield frame, '52 Ford truck steering box, and many other goodies were utilized.
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Young Rizzo took quite a few photographs along the way, all of which are included, showing the various stages of completion. The car was painted by Tootie Foutin of Sparks Street Auto Body in Brockton, using 20 coats of hand-rubbed 1955 Chevrolet Sierra Gold lacquer. The amazing documentation contains a 6-page account of the "Sierra Gold Beauty's" gestation and history through the decades, typed by Rizzo in the 1980s.
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Rizzo proudly drove and showed the car for years, even drag racing it at the Sanford, Maine airport, achieving an astonishing 132 miles per hour. Ultimately, in 1958, a growing family and the purchase of his first home required Sal to part with his beloved Rod.
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In 1960, the Rod was featured in "Rodding and Re-styling" magazine's Top Cars from the Northeast section. The car's then-owner, W. Packard of Braintree, Mass., was credited with the handiwork instead of Rizzo. Indeed, Rizzo had Richie Page at Page Sheet Metal in Braintree fabricate the unique grille insert and front and rear nerf bars from copper tubing, chromed by the "Old Colony Plating Co." and still bright and shiny today, more than 50 years later!
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Rizzo didn't see his car again for 30 long years, always wondering what became of his beloved Deuce. As fate would have it, in 1987 a picture of his long-lost "Sierra Gold Beauty" attending the Lead East car show was published in Hot Rod Magazine and Sal was able to track down its owner. An emotional reunion lead to additional newspaper articles and letters, all of which are included.
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Fast forward another 20 years and the car, unchanged since the 1960s, finally makes its way to California. Rizzo, now well into this Seventies, still keeps in touch (see the letter above). The car's new owner will have to promise to facilitate one last reunion of Mr. Sal Rizzo and his visionary car, the "Sierra Gold Beauty." Only this time, let the video cameras roll for some invaluable documentary footage of a man and his labor of love, both part of early Hot Rodding history!
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The "Sierra Gold Beauty" has been repainted in a deep burgundy with black fenders, however, its bodywork presents itself unchanged. There's still that famous grille insert and the hand-made hood scoop, fashioned after the--then brand new--1955 Ford Thunderbird's. The car's tough stance was achieved by channeling it over the Deuce frame, and it still looks radical today!
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Front and rear fenders were bobbed; for the rear fender guards, a second set of fenders was cut, plated, and laid over for an exact fit! Sal's friend Sy Steinberg of S&S Upholstery in Boston was responsible for the upholstery and the design of the folding convertible top.
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With its polished alloy 1937 Packard windshield frame, the car looks like a true roadster; meanwhile, its roll-up windows and fabric top provide decent protection from the elements. Top stows easily behing the seats.
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You can't beat the looks of the Deuce. 76 years after the last one was manufactured, a 1932 V-8 Ford is still hot rodding's benchmark car. Especially if it's an original, Henry Ford Steel example, such as this rare Deuce Cabriolet, one of just 6,091 made in '32! How many (or few) are left is anybody's guess . . .
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Under the 3-piece hood (also built by Richie Page and fitted with solid brass hood latches) lived a succession of engines, in true hot rodding tradition: a Mercury Flathead, an Olds, a Buick Nailhead, and, finally, a Chevrolet. Not your ordinary mouse motor, mind you, but a 1969 302, straight out of a Z-28 Camaro. The engine is said to have been balanced and blueprinted, developing over 400hp on the dyno. It's backed by a worked TH400 transmission. Needless to say, the car is as fast as you'd ever want to go!
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Featuring this rare set of STAHL crossover headers, the "Sierra Gold Beauty" sounds the part. Wear earplugs!
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Inside, it's all business, plain and simple. The vintage Stewart-Warner speedo still works, as do a few of the other gauges. The '40 Ford column and steering wheel were replaced at some time with a later, tilt column and GRANT wheel.
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The old MG seats are very comfortable, even for taller pilots. Maroon and beige upholstery is in excellent condition, as is the matching maroon carpeting with cream piping.
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Rear view reveals elaborate red pinstriping by Emil, bobbed fenders, rolled rear pan, wide tires, tube bumper, and '48 Chevy tailights.
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Open sesame: trunk upholstery is all original, colors are reversed. Fuel filler hides on the right.
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Original Deuce frame was fully boxed and strengthened by Don Gentile to withstand the onslaught of 400+ wild horses. It's a pure work of art! Don also installed an early Pete & Jake's 4-bar setup and disc brakes up front, over 35 years ago. In the rear, there are Panhard and traction bars. Rear sway bar is missing. There's no rust!
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May 14th--the day we took these pictures-- was another fine, sunny day here in San Buenaventura, just right for a test drive in the Thirty-two. The car started willingly, idled with the classic rump-rump of a high lift cam, and was a delight to drive. The front tires are a bit wide for our taste and have a tendency to "wander," but the car is very responsive. The transmission shifts fabulously, the brakes are very good, and the engine's power is just awesome.
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Almost like traveling back in time in a 1940s track roadster. It's just a very special feeling to drive this historical automobile; the spirits of Sal Rizzo and all those folks who helped him realize his dream still seem to accompany us today. Needless to say, this Deuce is an incredible crowd pleaser; everybody wants to touch, admire, and ask questions.
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There you have it: a fully provenanced, authentic, magazine featured Deuce of the 1950s. You couldn't duplicate this original Hot Rod, ever. Sal's "Sierra Gold Beauty" is looking for a new caretaker who's ready to add more miles, smiles, stories, and priceless memories to the annals of hot rodding.
Don't let it pass you by; documented, historic, all steel Rods like this one are rarer than hens' teeth!
Steel is real!
Addendum:
We sold this Deuce in August 2008 to a customer in Northern California.