The devil really is in the details in this car. Busby has always had a great eye, and he is a master at collecting the right pieces. This coupe is very true to its era. The transmission is an original, cast-iron B&M “Shur-Shift” Hydra-Matic mated to an owner-built 1940 Ford column-shifter assembly. There’s an open driveline, and the rear is a rugged 1957 Ford 9-inch set-up with parallel leafs and the original ladder bars. Those beautiful hairpin radius rods are Gene Scott originals. The modified Ford F1 front shock mounts are authentic, as are the ’58 Buick drums (with ’46 Ford hydraulic brakes inside), the Mor-Drop filled-and-drilled dropped axle, the “deep-dish” ‘47 Mercury hubcaps with red accents and the Bell four-spoke race car-style steering wheel. Steel wheels were a must for this car. Busby used 1940 Ford 4x16-inch in front with 6.00x16 tires, and the rears are 5x16-inch Lincolns with 7.50x16s. Other running-gear highlights include a Model A front crossmember, a square-tube center X-member and the original 1932 Ford frame, which is boxed from front to rear for added strength. Look closely at the front and you’ll see a rare, period accessory: a U-shaped bracket that bolts to the front axle. It prevents side-to-side sway and bump steer, but still permits vertical movement. Late-1940s Ford cross steering means there’s no unsightly side drag link to clutter the view. Now, about that chop. The coupe’s killer proportions are a result of a clever and subtle set of cuts—some 5 inches in front, 4.25 inches in the rear. The result is unforgettable. As a friend of Busby’s said, “Jim, that car is great; you look like you’re headed for a fight.” Or as Gommi says, “this car is conservative and bad-ass at the same time, with a real history.” Busby’s coupe was the centerpiece for the opening-night Jet Center party at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2000. Then Busby drove it up to the Goodguys event at Pleasanton where it was awarded the Magnum Axle “Real Hot Rods” Award and also given a Street Rodder Top Ten Award at that same event. Busby was a noted IMSA road racer in the 1980s, and he competed successfully in and won the GT Class twice in Porsches at Le Mans. He’s campaigned Tyrrell Formula 1 open wheelers in vintage races all across the country. Years ago, he had an extensive Hot Rod and speed equipment collection. When he decided to sell all his cars, he kept this coupe for last. But finally, it was the old altered’s turn to go. Gommi helped Busby sell his collection, and he sent information and photographs on this carefully cut-up coupe to several likely buyers, one of them being Munz. “When Munz called me to ask about this car, I was surprised by his question, because I didn’t think Busby would ever sell the 5-window,” automotive journalist Ken Gross said. “‘Paul Gommi just sent me pictures of this really cool coupe,’ Munz said. ‘It’s got a drag-racing history. Do you know anything about it?’ I replied, I know all about it, and you’ve got to buy it. It’s the neatest ’32 5-window I’ve ever seen.” After he heard the car’s history in more detail, Munz called Gommi back and then quickly sent him a check, snagging the coupe without ever seeing it. Gross wasn’t worried for a minute that’d he’d not love this car at first sight, and of course, Munz did.
