Traditional Metalcraft Shows Just How Cool East Coast Hot Rods are with a channeled ’32 3-Window
Congratulations to Cody Walls and his East Coast styled ’32 Ford Coupe for being selected as a Top 5 Finalist for the Tanks, Inc. Hot Rod of the Year Finalist
It’s interesting to see different interpretations of the hot rod concept competing for the Tanks, Inc. Hot Rod of the Year title. Cody Walls had a vision of building a version from an underrepresented facet of the genre.
“This has been a dream of mine for over 15 years – to build a traditional East Coast hot rod as if it came off of a 1960 Car Craft cover,” Cody says, “An early show rod with a Wayne 12-port engine.”
As the proprietor of Traditional Metalcraft in Lewes, Delaware, Cody is well versed in “right coast” tradition and had a specific vision for his ’32 Ford three-window coupe. “I spent years reshaping all the details to make sure nothing was out of place,” he says. “I lost sleep and dreamt about this car, and I just had to build it to show people East Coast hot rods are cool.”
Starting with a rough but un-chopped body, Cody channeled it 9-inches over a modified ’32 Ford frame to achieve that hallmark East Coast look. The body was ultimately welded to the frame and fitted with custom floors, in addition to receiving custom touches like molded door hinges and recessed pockets for the license surround and ’50 Pontiac taillight bezels.
The frame was fitted with a dropped ’32 Ford axle, split wishbones, Posies springs, and a custom trailing arm rear suspension locating the quick-change rearend. Kinmont disc brakes from Walden Speed Shop were chrome plated, as were most other suspension components. Reversed ’56 Chevy front wheels and ’59 Buick rears with Chevy centers were also chromed and fitted with 5.60 Firestone front tires and Towel City rear cheater slicks.
Thunfield Rod & Custom built the 272c.i. Chevy inline six engine using a Wayne 12-port head, custom-ground cam, Spalding ignition, and a York Speed Shop intake with DCOE carbs from a ’57 Maserati. Cody crafted the stainless headers, chrome plated everything he could, and backed the engine with a Ford top-loader four-speed.
A period-perfect finish came in the form of beautiful custom-mixed turquoise BASF paint applied by Cody and enhanced with Murano pearl and subtle fades around the body lines. Lucas headlight and taillight lenses add proper ’60s flavor.
The vibe continues inside with a modified ’58 Simca dash, a ’53 Buick steering wheel on a Limeworks column, and rolled and pleated pearl white vinyl with NOS Mercury cloth inserts, all stitched by Mikey Seats. Cody even hand sewed Christmas tinsel into the carpet to get the effect of ’50s-era Trinidad offerings.
“This was a labor of love, a passion project that had to be built,” Cody says. “I’m so grateful for all the help and support from my friends and family along the way.”
Photos: John Jackson, Marc Gewertz
