Ten of America’s premier hot rod builders have each constructed unique ’32 Ford pedal cars. These cars celebrate the iconic 1932 Ford V-8 that introduced Ford's affordable performance appeal that continues with today's Mustang. These one-of-a-kind collectibles will be unveiled at the 2007 Grand National Roadster Show in Pomona, Calif., joining a display of 75 of the most influential ’32 Fords and kicking off a year-long 75th anniversary celebration commemorating the 1932 Ford.
The group of 10, Bobby Alloway, Roy Brizio, Boyd Coddington, Pete Chapouris, Chip Foose, Jesse Greening, Steve Moal, the Rolling Bones, Thom Taylor and Troy Trepanier, based their creations on a special edition “75th Anniversary” 1932 Ford roadster pedal car, donated by Warehouse 36.
Each of the 10 cars will be autographed by Edsel B. Ford II, great grandson of Henry Ford, and auctioned off at RM Auctions’ Monterey Sports and Classic Car Auction during the annual Pebble Beach Weekend in Monterey, Calif., August 17 and 18, 2007.
Proceeds from the auction will be split among the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) and the charities chosen by each of the builders.
“We have high expectations that these one-of-a-kind pedal cars will raise a lot of money for charity,” says John Nens, manager, Ford Brand Licensing. “Enthusiasts are lovingly referring to them as the Faberge Eggs of hot rodding. They are truly amazing to behold and their sale offers collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
In addition to the proceeds from the auction of the 10 custom built pedal cars, JDRF will receive a donation of ten dollars per car from Warehouse 36 from the sale of every 75th Anniversary ’32 Ford pedal car in 2007. More details can be found at www.fordpedalcars.com.
Following the Roadster Show, the pedal cars will spend the months before the Monterey auction touring the country, though all 10 will not necessarily be together.
“We have received many requests to have the cars appear at automotive events all across the nation,” says Nens. “But we’ve also seen a lot of interest in having the cars appear at JDRF functions as many among the JDRF community have been asking for the opportunity to bid on the cars.”
Several of the pedal cars will be part of a weeklong event celebrating the ’32 Ford, February 19-24, 2006, at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles.
Several of the cars have already made public appearances. Three were on display at Ford’s booth at the 2006 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas last fall. Chip Foose’s pedal car made its public debut at the May 2006 JDRF convention in Washington, D.C. and Boyd Coddington and his team delivered their car to Ford at the Theodore Robins Ford dealership in Costa Mesa, Calif. The event aired on Coddington’s Discovery Channel Show, “The American Hot Rod.”
The pedal cars are truly works of art, with each builder leaving little of the original models intact. Roy Brizio’s car features paint by Art Himsl and upholstery by Sid Chavers, and has working headlights and taillights.
Chip Foose’s pedal car sports a full leather interior, while The Rolling Bones creation uses axles and other bits fashioned from authentic ’32 Ford pieces.
“All of these builders put a lot of pride and a lot of themselves into these cars,” says Nens. “They went way beyond what was expected of them. This is their passion. The attention to detail is just incredible, mirroring the workmanship that has made them famous over the years.”