1932 Ford Model 18 V-8 Drophead Coupé by Carlton Carriage Company
- Engine
- 3.6L (221 cu. in.) L-head V8, 65 bhp
- Colour
- Black with red interior
A right-hand-drive 1932 Ford Model 18 V-8 chassis built at Ford's Canadian plant and exported to England, where the Carlton Carriage Company of London clothed it in a well-proportioned drophead coupé body. Carlton was celebrated for coachwork on Rolls-Royce and Bentley, and this Ford reflects that pedigree in miniature. Following a meticulous multi-year restoration — including sourcing a correct 1932 engine and all year-specific parts — it earned recognition as a CCCA Full Classic and took class honours at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in both 2003 and 2011.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$175,000 – US$250,000
- 1958 → 1986Private saleRetired US Navy captainpartial documentation
Purchased the vehicle while it was in England; held it for nearly three decades before selling.
- 1986 →Private saleCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Sourced a period-correct 1932 engine and undertook a comprehensive multi-year restoration to original specification, including new interior woodwork and correct period components.
Competition
- 20032003 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance2nd in class
Shown in a dedicated pre-war Ford V-8 custom coachwork class following completion of the restoration.
- 20112011 Pebble Beach Concours d'EleganceClass award
Second appearance at the event; specific class placement not detailed beyond receiving a class honor.
- 2011Classic Car Club of America2011 Classic Car Club of America Annual Meeting96.75 points
Judged as part of the CCCA Full Classic recognition process; the high score confirmed the car's eligibility and restoration quality.
Maintenance & restoration
- —Restoration
Multi-year comprehensive restoration to return the car to its 1932 configuration, encompassing sourcing and fitting a correct 1932 Ford V-8 engine (replacing a later unit), locating numerous year-specific components, and fitting entirely new interior woodwork. Bodywork refinished in black with a red interior.
The owner described the process of finding correct 1932-only parts as lengthy and difficult. Restoration was completed prior to the car's 2003 Pebble Beach appearance.
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