In the nine decades that have passed since the introduction of the 1932 Ford, hot rodders have turned this into what is arguably the most popular machine of the sort. So, how do you reinvent customizing a ’32 three-window coupe and turn it into a creation that’s as far away from the original as possible and yet still recognizable? Welcome to the Ford FE32, a 2022 SEMA-bound project that’s currently in its early phases (i.e. what you’re seeing is a rendering, backed by a massive “pile of parts”).
This project started back in 2009, when New Zealand-born conceptual designer Aaron Beck, who has relocated to Los Angeles, was doing his penning work for Mad Max 4, the monumental motion picture that would be released six years later under the Fury Road name.
However, this was Beck’s personal work, one that saw him cutting a 32 Ford three-window coupe into F1 shape, using the MP4 McLarens and the Ferraris of the early 1990s—his favorite Great Circus era—as a reference point. One thing led to another and the project, which was nicknamed F132 for obvious reasons, ended up in the hands of gamers across the world, since this is present in multiple Need for Speed titles between 2015 and 2020.
The NFS design has already been built in the real world, but this is an EV
Over the years, the striking design of the F132—it’s surprising how well the ingredients blend—has been built in the real world. For one, back in 2015, I wrote about an example powered by a Honda S2K engine (you can find it by Googling “1932 ford honda s2000” and my name).
However, what sets this project apart is the fact that it uses electric propulsion, hence the “E” taking the place of “1” in its designation—no, the FE32 won’t be animated by a Formula E, but we’ll get to that shortly.
The FE32 is currently being put together by a Maryland-based shop dubbed Industry Garage. And with the project destined for the 2022 SEMA show taking place this November (it will be featured at the CSF booth), the schedule is uber-tight, which, as SEMA fans will tell you, is not something unusual.
For the time being, the crew’s Tim and Xavier, whom you can see in the video below, are executing the mock-up build. For this, they’re using the fiberglass body of a ’32 Ford, which they’ll cut and stretch and eventually turn into a mold for making carbon fiber panels for the final form of the endeavor.
Right now, the team is working with a pair of Chevy Volt batteries and one Tesla motor, but they’re hoping to install some Eluminator e-crate motor. This was showcased at the 2021 SEMA via Ford’s own 1978 F-100 Eluminator concept. And it basically consists of a Mustang Mach E GT rear motor, with each unit delivering 281 horsepower and 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) of torque.
And while the builders are currently working to cram one Tesla motor into the small body of the Ford, thus sticking to the RWD hot rod recipe. However, it’s not clear whether the final form will involve one or two motor (for the record, the said F100 concept came with a pair of them).
F1, IndyCar, Corvette, and Miata—there’s a bit of everything in the FE32
The suspension will involve a cantilever setup (i.e. inboard hardware), and while there are four Reynard IndyCar control arms, the rear knuckles come from a ‘Vette, while the front units are borrowed from a Miata—why not?
There will be 15×14-inch wheels at the back, while the front units could be as wide as 15×12, even though a 15×10 setup is also possible.
While the builders are starting to put things together (check out the YouTube clip below), Beck is also 3D-working at his end, as highlighted in the Instagram post at the bottom of the story.
Yes, the electric propulsion of the FE32 does take away quite a bit of drama and this will undoubtedly split opinions. However, even with all the forms the classic icon has taken over the years (e.g. turbine engine, AWD, four-digit output, etc.), the marriage between the F1 styling, the EV power and the said mélange of parts means this might be the furthest the ’32 Ford has ever been from home.
