Second Chance Love – Martin Miller’s 1932 Ford 3-Window Coupe
When you own an award-winning hot rod, you tend to improve it around edges. Maybe you add new wheels at some point, or bigger brakes – that sort of upgrade. Martin Miller of had a different goal when he decided to update his 1932 Ford three-window coupe. Martin wanted the ultimate next-level ride, so he turned to Zac Love and Love Kustoms to accomplish the major transformation. Love and his team of collaborators accepted the challenge and produced a gleaming, 730-horspower hot rod.
Starting with the three-window Outlaw steel body, Love’s team disassembled the car, precisely adjusted the body gaps, and applied the PPG Vibrance Mercedes Silver paint. The refreshed body sits on a smoothed and polished TCI chassis. Kugel independent front and rear suspensions handle the ride quality, while a Winters quick-change center section with 3.55 gears gets the power to the pavement. Wilwood discs front and rear handle the stopping chores. Billet Specialties wheels (17x7s in front, 20x12s in the rear) are wrapped in BFGoodrich rubber.
Building the LS3 engine to meet Martin’s specifications was tasked to Jeff Taylor Performance in Sellersburg, Indiana. Martin wanted the powerplant to sound like an altered dragster, so the Taylor Performance team utilized a custom-ground cam, a Hogan’s Racing intake manifold, and stack injection. Billet Specialties valve covers sit on stock GM heads. Exhaust gases exit through custom stainless steel headers that are fully polished.
Countless hours were required to hide the wiring and injection controls in the engine compartment to create the clean, uncluttered appearance. A Billet Specialties system controls the accessories while a Walker Radiator keeps everything cool. The Tremec TKO five-speed manual transmission features a Tilton twin-disc clutch and is controlled by a Hurst shifter.
The stylish interior is the work of Chuck Hanna of Hot Rod Interiors by Chuck in Mooresville, North Carolina. Red leather is used throughout, from the custom bucket seats to the molded door panels. The custom-built dash houses Classic Instruments gauges. A Billet Specialties steering wheel sits atop a Flaming River column. A Vintage Air system keeps the coupe cool while an American Autowire harness connects all of the electrical components. Billet Specialties also supplied detail items like the door handles and pedals.
The old adage about love being better the second time around isn’t always true in personal relationships, but it sure is when you’re talking about a refreshed hot rod like Martin’s 1932 Ford. Wouldn’t you agree?
Photos by John Jackson & Todd Ryden
