1932 Chevrolet Confederate 4 Door Sedan
In the midst of the Great Depression, auto manufacturers were selling half of the cars they sold in prior years. In 1932, the Confederate replaced the Independence for Chevrolet which was still the sales leader in the U.S. with Ford hot on their trail with the introduction of the V8 in the Model 40. Ground clearance was important in the 1930's, the cars often travelled on rocky dirt roads better suited for tractors, so the wheels were at least 18" in diameter and in most cases, even larger.
For consignment, a '32 Confederate that took a different route with ground clearance. Dipping its lowered body into the rat rod realm, this dropped Chevy is intentionally rougher than a stucco bathtub, yet the wheels and tires look fresh. And its low bomber seats will make you feel like you're driving a bathtub, and that's the point man!
Note: This vehicle carries a reissued VIN branding on the Pennsylvania title.
Exterior
The body is painted Dark Ivy Green Metallic and the paint is pleasantly imperfect. That being said, starting at the front the radiator, which has some bent splines, is topped with a Rat Fink hood ornament. And it's rusty...which is great. The exposed suspension and brake parts look great and lead to the open engine compartment with four carburetors under tall velocity stacks. The body paint itself is scratched, has some surface rust, patches, and rough surfaces. Put away your Griots Garage chemicals, you won't need them here. There's some gap misalignment, a rear taillight is cracked, and metal work is pitted. And it has a wood luggage rack, bitchin' side pipes, and an intimidating stance. Plus, the rear doors open suicide style. Perfect.
Interior
The only thing soft on the interior of the pads on the bomber bucket seats and the cloth rear bench. Everything else is bare metal and wood in true patina. The steering wheel looks 60's era but has a patina of its own. Handwritten labels, hanging wires, and the original dusty gauge cluster are all part of the ambience inside. The speedometer is inoperable, but there is a modern Sunpro tachometer mounted on the column. There is no carpet to speak of and the headliner is wood framed with a burlap like underside and vinyl or fabricated top.
Drivetrain
A 503ci V8 is perched out front fed by four 2-barrel Weber carburetors. This is connected to a TH400 3-speed automatic transmission which sends power to the rear wheels where it is met by a Ford 9" rear with 3.43 gears. Disc brakes are up front and drums out back.
Undercarriage
Mostly clean and flat underneath with a bit of surface rust in various places, some oil on the pan and some residual moisture on the transmission pan. Heat wrapped headers and exhaust are side mounted as noted and have a chrome heat perforated heat shield before dumping outward just before the rear tires. A transverse leaf spring, visible to the world, is seen up front with a 4 bar with coil overs in the rear.
Drive-Ability
Our initial excitement to roll this car out was tempered somewhat by some backfiring carbs which will need some tuning and perhaps attention to fuel delivery. Despite that, the car is appropriately raucous and loud and low. It's got a lot of power but this is a cruiser, not a racer. The low center of gravity certainly relays road bumps, but the 16-inch wheels with high white walls absorb the imperfections a good bit. It stops well and we can resume conversations once the key is turned off and as noted earlier the speedometer and odometer are inoperable.
If you're not a bad boy or tough chick, you will be after driving this rat around. It's got a patina and attitude and showiness. Even if you're not looking for attention, these things get more looks than a Kardashian on Rodeo Drive. Sick of polishing your show car? Consider this retro ride!
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8 acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
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