About the Book
In 1931, Henry Ford famously announced that his company would produce an eight-cylinder car, if only because its competitors were building fours and sixes. The result, introduced in 1932, was Ford Motor Companys first V8-powered car. The Deuce was a design and technological milestone that would become the quintessential hot rod platform.
Arriving just in time for the Deuces 75th anniversary, this is the story of that 32 Ford. A complete authoritative and illustrated history published with the Ford Companys cooperation, this book looks at every facet of the Deuces story: factors leading to its design, how it was manufactured and sold, the development of the now-legendary flathead engine, and motorsport exploits around the globe. And, of course, there are the hot rods: the 75 most influential 32-based hot rods as chosen by a whos who of the hot rod community. From the pacesetting Doane Spence roadster to Chili Catallos Lil Deuce Coupe, the American Graffiti coupe, and the cars of such hot rodding legends as Gray Baskerville, Ray Brown, Boyd Coddington, the Jackman Brothers, Ak Miller, and Veda Orreach of the 75 vehicles gets its own two-page spread, with rare and famous photographs and detailed descriptions of the cars builder, owner, history, mechanics, and design.
This spectacular book, for vintage-car enthusiasts and hot rodders alike, also includes a foreword by Edsel B. Ford II, grandson of the Deuces principle stylist.
About the Author :
Edsel B. Ford II is the great-grandson of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company. His grandfather was Edsel B. Ford, company president from 1919 to 1943, and his late father, Henry Ford II, was president of the company from 1945 to 1960. Edsel B. Ford II was named president and chief operating officer of Ford Motor Credit Company in May 1991 and elected a company vice president in December 1993. A graduate of Babson College and Harvard Business School, he is currently a member of the Ford Motor Company board of directors.Tony Thacker is the executive director of the Wally Parks National Hot Rod Association Museum and the author and co-author of several previous books on hot rods and customs, including Hot Rods by Ed Big Daddy Roth and SO-CAL Speed Shop. He lives in Southern California.Edsel B. Ford II is the great-grandson of Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor Company. His grandfather was Edsel B. Ford, company president from 1919 to 1943, and his late father, Henry Ford II, was president of the company from 1945 to 1960. Edsel B. Ford II was named president and chief operating officer of Ford Motor Credit Company in May 1991 and elected a company vice president in December 1993. A graduate of Babson College and Harvard Business School, he is currently a member of the Ford Motor Company board of directors.
Review :
American Car World Magazine (UK), August 2007
"A fantastic book that you can dip in and out of, and one I feel will beat my copy of the old version to the title of most thumbed in the bookcase. A very fitting 75th tribute."
Octane (UK), August 2007
"It's a superb book which should appeal to restorers and hot rodders alike."
Virginian Pilot, Dec. 14, 2007
"A detailed account of the first low-priced car sporting a V8 engine, the 1932 Ford, and its rise as a hot rod icon 20 years later. Edsel Ford II, grandson of the Deuce's principal stylist, Edsel Ford, provides the book's introduction. The book is an easy read, and period photos add to the story. But that's only half of the book. The rest is dedicated to the 75 most significant 1932 Ford hot rods."
Australian Street Rodding, August 2007
"Cars are celebrated with concise histories and photography both rare and famous. The result is a spectacular historical and visual celebration for vintage car enthusiasts and hot rodders alike."
Road & Track, November 2007
"An excellent historical source book as well as a visual success."
The New York Times, Dec. 16, 2007
"The book tells the history of the hot-rod craze and culminates with a selection of 75 significant examples produced over the years."
Edmunds.com, June 2007
"2007 celebrates the 75th anniversary of the 1932 Ford, better known as the 'Deuce.' It's hot-rodding's favorite car; it's the icon rod, the gotta-have ride. Thacker [has] mixed a heady cocktail of history and hot-rodding, presenting some of the best '32s of all time, along with notable builders and owners who've worshipped at the Deuce altar and left their mark."
Hotrodhotline.com, December 2007
"Thacker has written a masterpiece dedicated to the 1932 Ford Deuce. It isn't the heft or the size of the book that is impressive, but the quality of the book itself and the research that went into the subject."
