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Brooklands Special '32 Ford Is a European-Flavored Hot Rod

1932 roadsters are so common that their popularity has gone down a lot in recent years. Because there are brand new steel bodies and frames being made, you can make one from scratch, but the guys at Hollywood Hot Rods decided to do something completely original, they went full-retro with the "Brooklands Special".
HHR Brooklands Special '32 Ford 43 photos
Photo: Hollywood Hot Rods
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It pays tribute to the Brooklands Raceway in Surrey, England and the famous races that went on there in the 20s and 30s. The shape of those green Bentleys racing at top speed with daredevil drivers at the wheel has been etched into the memory of every petrolhead and definitely rubbed off on this American roadster.

The first thing you notice is that the driver sits on the right, something which we've never seen on a 32. That must have created all sorts of problems for the team that mounted the engine, but it didn't stop them. In fact, it placed them on the right track to creating something truly special, something nobody in California has ever seen.

Troy Ladd, the famous owner of the shop, is no stranger to thinking outside the box. Just like the cars that raced at Brooklands, the roadster has a nose piece below the grille, as well as wire wheels. To make the thick-bodied Ford appear more European, a small section of sheetmetal was cut from the middle of the bodywork, while the wheel arches were lifted to match the size of the tires.

There's a subtle hint of 1920s Bugatti at the front and the trunk deck is covered in wood ribs. Heavy gauge stainless mesh was used not only for the grille, but also for the vents that you see on top of the hood.

The interior shows the exact opposite of American hot rods - it shows restraint. Brown leather is used, combined with discrete wood inserts and a traditional buckles that hold everything together.

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About the author: Mihnea Radu
Mihnea Radu profile photo

Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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