We’ve made it through 8 of the Top 9 Cars To Turn Into Hot Rods! We covered the Ford T Bucket, the Chevy Tri-5, a few more Fords and even the 1941 Willys along several other iconic hot rod donors. For most of them, the common denominator is that they were cheap, light and practically useless for everyday life. Topping off the list in the number 1 slot is the highly revered 1932 Ford Roadster.

The 1932 Ford was the first mass produced passenger car with a V8 engine for the common driver. Coupled with clean lines, multiple body styles and removable fenders for a Hi-Boy look, the car was an instant classic. To get more of an idea of the draw behind the 32 Ford, we spoke with long time hot rodder Donnie McNeil, owner of Flat Out Engineering. “Back in the earlier days of hot rodding, the 40s and 50s,” Donnie explains, “the 32 Ford not only had a good body style, a little longer wheelbase and a good frame, it had a V8. Hot rodders picked up on them and a ton of flathead V8 performance parts became available.”

Doane Spencer’s ’32 Deuce Hi-Boy was originally built in the 1940’s and had lived an interesting life. Image from Mecum Auctions.

There have been countless famous 1932 Ford Roadsters. These cars were used for award winning builds, movies and are the most common hot rod in America. Doane Spencer’s ’32 Ford Hi-Boy was recently featured in our Hot Rods You Should Know series because of the lasting presence and rich history it has. One of the most famous Deuce roadsters is the bright yellow coupe from legendary American Graffiti. Rod Authority recently marked the car as number one in the Top 15 Hot Rods From The Movies.

So that’s it. We’ve gone through the Top 9 cars to turn into hot rods and made it out the other side. What do you think of our list? Do you have anything you would change about it? Let us know!