5.3L Vortec-Powered ’32 Ford Highboy Roadster

This 1932 Ford highboy was built in 2024 around a Downs reproduction fiberglass roadster body and Fat Cat Rods chassis, and it is powered by a fuel-injected 5.3-liter Vortec V8 paired with a 4L60E automatic transmission with overdrive. The build includes a Pete & Jake’s chrome drop axle, hairpin radius rods, triangulated four-link rear suspension with adjustable coilovers, four-wheel disc brakes, UniSteer steering, a Ford 9″ rear axle with a 3.50 limited-slip differential, and 2.5″ stainless-steel exhaust with Borla mufflers. The body has been finished in black and features a steel hood, shaved door handles, power trunk lid, aftermarket grille insert, and a custom interior. The selling dealer acquired the car in 2025. This ’32 Ford highboy is now offered by the selling dealer with service records and a Florida title listing the car as a 1932 Ford.

The Downs fiberglass roadster body is finished in Black and features a steel hood, shaved door handles, power-operated trunk lid, spreader bars, and an aftermarket grille insert.

The 16″ steel wheels measure 5″ wide at the front and 7″ wide at the rear and are mounted with Diamond Back Auburn Deluxe radial tires measuring 6×28 front and 7.5×31 rear. The chassis is a Fat Cat Rods unit powder-coated in gloss black and uses a Pete & Jake’s chrome drop axle, hairpin radius rods, a custom K-member, and a triangulated four-link rear suspension with chrome Gaz adjustable coilovers. Steering is handled by a UniSteer half-rack system. Braking is provided by four-wheel discs with stainless-steel brake lines.

The interior was trimmed with tan leather and includes seatbelts, a Lokar shifter, and a custom brake-pedal assembly.

The driver is provided a polished steering wheel, a tilt column, and Dakota Digital analog-style gauges. The five-digit odometer shows 442 miles, approximately 10 of which were added under current ownership. Total mileage is unknown.

The 5.3-liter Vortec V8 was installed in 2024. The build includes polished stainless-steel block-hugger headers, a PSI wiring harness, Speedway Motors body harness, a hidden battery tender, aluminum radiator with electric fan, GPS-Series fuel-pump module, and a Tanks, Inc. fuel tank.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 4L60E automatic transmission with overdrive. The car is equipped with a new John’s Industries Ford 9″ rear axle with a 3.50 limited-slip differential. A 2.5″ stainless-steel exhaust system with Borla mufflers is fitted.

Images of the build and paperwork are displayed in the gallery.

The car is titled as a 1932 Ford Roadster using VIN FLA133026. The title carries an “Assembled Parts” brand, an “Other Jurisdiction – Street Rod” brand, and a “Not Actual” odometer notice.