32 Ford hot rod sells for $700,000 in US

The '32 Ford roadster was purchased by Tom McMullen in 1958, and already had a 'Hollywood' connection, appearing in publicity stills for TV shows "Lassie" and "Life of Riley" in the US.

McMullen upgraded the Deuce's running gear with a GMC 301ci small block V8, and added a 4-71 supercharger. Other mods included a '39 Ford gearbox, Halibrand 'quick-change' rear end, pressurised Moon aluminium fuel tank up front, and drag 'chute out back.

While McMullen may not be that well known here in Australia, the guy who did the classic hot rod flames and pinstriping is - Ed "Big Daddy" Roth. When the flamed '32 graced the cover of Hot Rod Magazine (US) in April, 1963, it claimed to have sparked a trend in hot rod styling that continues to this day.

The Deuce proved to be something of an ongoing project for McMullen, with numerous other modifications, including a 327ci V8. In this configuration, the McMullen roadster was raced on the dragstrip, the street, and also on the dry lake bed at El Mirage, where it set an A/Street Roadster record in 1964 of 167mph.

The '32 appeared in innumerable magazines, TV shows, advertisements and movies until McMullen sold it in 1970. Subsequent owners further modified and repainted the Deuce until it came into the hands of Roy Brizio, who performed a comprehensive rebuild of the car in the mid-2000s.

Restored to its 1963 Hot Rod magazine cover appearance, the standard of Brizio's work on the McMullen roadster was recognised with a Third in Class award at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours 'd'Elegance, one of the USA's most prestigious concours events.

Against a big consignment of hot rods, muscle cars, restomods and classics, the iconic status and immaculate condition of the McMullen roadster saw it beat all comers, selling for US$700,000 (AU$675,800 approx.). The next-best seller from Mecum's Anaheim auction - a 1930 Duesenberg Model J limousine - fetched "only" US$370,000, while another hot rod with history - the 1936 Ford 'Jack Calori Coupe' - made US$300,000.

Also featuring in the top ten sellers from this auction was a 1950 customised Cadillac convertible built by Rick Dore, which made $170K. A pair of 1969 Ford Boss 429 Mustangs made US$175K and US$162K respectively, while a first year Corvette sold for US$170K.

Full details and further results from this auction can be found at www.mecum.com

Images: courtesy of Mecum Auctions