There are hot rods, there are show cars, and then there are builds that genuinely define the standards by which others are judged. This extraordinary 1932 Ford Roadster, created by the highly respected Johnny Z’s Hot Rod & Custom Shop, firmly belongs in that final category.
Heading to Chicane Auctions with a price guide of $150,000–$170,000+, this Dearborn Deuce all-steel Roadster represents thousands of hours of craftsmanship, engineering and artistry, resulting in one of Australia’s finest contemporary street rods.
Built by Johnny Z not as a simple custom car, but as a showcase of the workshop’s capabilities, every component was selected, fabricated or finished to an uncompromising standard. The result is an elite-level Roadster that has earned multiple major awards across Australia’s premier hot rod and custom car events while remaining fully engineered and genuinely road usable.
The 1932 Ford Roadster has long been regarded as the ultimate canvas for hot rodding. Nearly a century after Henry Ford introduced the Deuce, its proportions remain virtually untouchable, and the Dearborn Deuce all-steel body used for this build is widely considered among the finest reproduction bodies available anywhere in the world.
Finished in stunning multi-award-winning Candy Wine paintwork, the Roadster commands attention from every angle. The flawless finish extends beyond the body itself, continuing underneath to a fully body-coloured undercarriage that reflects the obsessive attention to detail invested throughout the build.
Chrome and custom copper detailing feature extensively, creating visual depth without ever appearing excessive. Every surface has been considered, every finish carefully matched and every component integrated into the overall design.
Traditional styling cues remain beautifully intact, including the steel ’32 grille shell fitted with a Vintique insert, large period-style headlamps incorporating discreet indicators, shaved door handles and a neatly concealed soft top that folds away almost completely out of sight. Electric windows and hidden power door releases introduce modern convenience without compromising the timeless appearance.
Beneath the sculptured bonnet sits a serious piece of American muscle.
Power comes from a Chevrolet Performance 350 cubic-inch crate V8 built to blower specification and topped with a polished Weiand 6-71 supercharger feeding twin 600cfm Holley carburettors. The combination delivers exactly the sort of instant throttle response, effortless torque and unmistakable induction whine expected from a traditional blown street rod.
Backing the engine is a proven 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission operated through a Lokar shifter, while a colour-coded Ford 9-inch limited-slip differential fitted with 4.11 gears ensures the power reaches the road effectively. Stainless exhaust components complete the package, delivering a deep supercharged V8 soundtrack worthy of the car’s appearance.
Importantly, the Roadster was engineered to drive every bit as well as it looks.
A professionally constructed custom chassis features a Super Bell dropped front axle, four-link rear suspension, adjustable coil-over shock absorbers and modern rack-and-pinion steering. Wilwood front disc brakes hide behind classic So-Cal finned covers, perfectly blending traditional hot rod styling with contemporary stopping performance.
The stance is equally impressive, sitting on American Racing Radar wheels wrapped in Excelsior front tyres and wide BF Goodrich rear rubber that perfectly captures the classic street rod look.
Inside, the craftsmanship continues.
The bespoke cabin has been beautifully trimmed in Grey Ghost leather centred around a Glide bench seat, while custom copper accents flow throughout the interior, dashboard and even into the fully trimmed luggage compartment.
The custom dash houses a full complement of AutoMeter instrumentation, while a Banjo steering wheel and Lokar Swan shifter reinforce the Roadster’s traditional personality.
Hidden beneath the lower dash extension is a cleverly engineered dual master cylinder and swing pedal arrangement, allowing modern braking performance without disrupting the clean presentation.
Modern amenities include electric windows, heater, stereo system, two-speed wipers, retractable seatbelts and a collapsible Flaming River steering column, creating a Roadster that is as enjoyable to drive as it is to admire.
The Roadster is fitted with an as-new, high-quality folding soft top that has been cleverly engineered to disappear almost completely from view when lowered, preserving the car’s clean, uninterrupted profile.
Constructed from premium materials, it can be raised or stowed in less than 30 seconds, combining the timeless look of an open Roadster with genuine practicality of fully enclosed cabin for touring and changing weather conditions.
Perhaps the greatest testament to the quality of the build is its remarkable competition history.
This Roadster has collected major awards at events including the Victorian Hot Rod Show, MotorEx, Summernats, Showcars Melbourne and the Adelaide Hot Rod Expo, along with multiple prestigious paint awards recognising the exceptional quality of its finish.
Yet despite its remarkable success on the show circuit, it has never become merely a static display piece. Fully engineered and carrying a Victorian Blue Plate for road registration, it was built to be driven.
Recreating a Roadster of this calibre today would require not only an enormous financial commitment but also access to increasingly rare craftsmanship and specialist knowledge. It is precisely these factors that make outstanding professionally built hot rods so highly regarded by collectors.
Combining award-winning presentation, proven engineering, supercharged V8 performance and genuine road usability, this remarkable Dearborn Deuce represents one of the finest opportunities to acquire an Australian-built street rod of exceptional quality.
For enthusiasts seeking a Roadster capable of winning trophies one weekend and effortlessly cruising the next, opportunities rarely present themselves at this level. Having travelled fewer than 800 kilometres since completion, the Roadster remains in virtually near new condition. As an added bonus, Johnny Z’s Hot Rod & Custom Shop will perform the vehicle’s first mechanical service following the auction – at no additional cost for the purchaser.
If you are to going to buy a Hotrod… make sure it’s the owner of a HotRod Shop’s own vehicle… like this one!
AUCTION DETAILS:
- Auction Starts: Thursday 9th July
- Auction Close: Thursday 16th July 8:30pm (AEST)
INSPECTIONS:
- Welcome by appointment at the Melbourne Showroom.
- Monday – Friday: 10am – 5pm
- Saturday: 10am – 2pm
- Contact Showroom Office on (03) 9580 7369
** Visit the Chicane Auctions website for hundreds of photos, videos and full vehicle descriptions – www.chicaneauctions.com.au
