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Jack Sibley’s ’32 Cabriolet dubbed the “Dearborn Deuce” is one jewel of a roadster that flaunts an impressive list of custom work and upgrades to both creature comforts and performance. The one thing that remains is the beauty of deuces through their minimalist design. With that, simplicity is often underestimated and consequently difficult to master. Take a closer look at Sibley’s “Dearborn Deuce” and check out the payoff of mastering subtlety, with a bit of amped up power of course.
The folks over at Hot Rods & Custom Stuff handled the build of Sibley’s ’32. They worked this thing from the ground up and the end result was a real-steel body with a lineup of top market instruments and parts.
Powertrain And Suspension
The ’32 features a 510 h.p. LS2 that churns out more than 480 ft/lbs of torque. This engine was built by Turn Key Engine Supply in Oceanside, California.
A Gear Star, 4l65E transmission with a Yank Racing Converter and stand alone reprogrammable computer tied up the drivetrain.
The guys installed a Heidts polished IFS with 12 inch disk brakes and for the rear a Currie 9 inch Ford type rear end. Both front and back are supported by coilovers.
Photos Courtesy: Hot Rods & Custom Stuff and Deuce Steel
MasterShift Paddle Shifter Kit
One of the more unique features in Sibley’s ’32 is the modification to a paddle shift system. The conical housing above the transmission tunnel that would have originally held the shifter was instead used to mount stereo system controls.
The paddle shifter is gaining popularity within the hot rodding scene due to the ease in driving experience it provides. While some crave the connective aesthetic of manual and even auto stick systems, alternatively some prefer the comfortability that paddle shifters afford, especially on more tasking road trips and cruises.
This feature was definitely one that stood out to us because it was so different. The kit was provided by MasterShift, a company that specializes in universal paddle shifters catering to both manual and automatic transmissions. Check out their website for some detailed information on kit breakdowns and specifications.
A cool feature that was inlaid into the dash of the ’32 was an LED gear screen that allows one to maintain awareness of the gear they’re currently in. The design is flush and for a modern advancement the overall kit meshes well with the rest of the interior.
MasterShift was formed in 2002 to commercialize its D&P work. The brand name is rooted in its line of products–electronic paddle shifters and transmission enhancement technologies. The company is based in Fallbrook, CA.
Last year Mastershift and the folks at Tremec teamed up to work on the Tremec T56 Magnum Hardware and went on to win gold place for SEMA’s Best New Engineered Product for 2013. Furthermore, back in 2010 Mastershift won SEMA’s award for Best New Custom Car Product.
Nerf Bar And Louvre Work
On a stock ’32 the protruding frame horns and spreader bar serve as a front bumper.
To give the car a more flush and tightened look the guys chopped those and substituted them with a custom nerf bar that beautifully accents the contours of the lower grill shell.
The stanchions for the roadster’s bucket headlights were mounted on the bar giving the front end a truly appealing look–subtle, tucked, and streamlined.
The louvre work was the product of melding both custom metal-working with the hood sides of a ’32 Chevy. A neat feature is the ’32 Chevy louvre’s ability to be manually opened and shut to allow control of air flow through the engine compartment. The contrast of opened chrome louvres against the “Strawberry Jewel” body paint is simply stunning.
