Aussie carbon fibre hot rod launched

Two revered icons celebrate their 80th anniversary this year, both are world famous but are totally different; the Sydney Harbour Bridge needs no explanation and to many hot rodders around the world nor does the 1932 Ford the first mass produced Ford that was available with a V8 engine. 

But it's not just the fact the '32 or Deuce as it is commonly known, could be had with a side-valve V8 when new that has made it the 'must have' car for restorers and hot rodders, it is its uncomplicated styling and wide variety of body styles (coupe, cabriolet, roadster, van, sedan and variations of them) that has made them so popular.

Now, an Australian-owned company, Voodoo Hot Rods, has launched the world's first Kevlar/carbon fiber bodied '32 roadster and fully engineered tubular space frame chassis onto the world market. 

The Voodoo 32R ('R' for Revolution) made its debut at the legendary Grand National Roadster Show in Los Angeles earlier this year in the company of 100 of America's most historically significant examples of the 1932 Ford ever assembled in one location.

One example at the show has been valued at US$1 million and its owner has another six in his collection. 

The Voodoo 32R (www.voodoohotrods.com) is the brainchild of Australian Steve Walmsley and represents more than nine years development and $400,000 investment to create the most significant change to the overall design of a '32 Ford in eight decades. 

The result is a body that's half the weight of steel or fibreglass and offers more advantages in its design than anyone could imagine. Walmsley has incorporated 21st century materials and design elements into a car that was conceived early in the last century.

It features side impact protection, Watts linkage front and rear for vastly improved ride and handling, rack and pinion steering and an element of safety not found in reproduction '32 Fords currently on the market. 

A technical officer for the Southern California Timing Association which runs the Bonneville Speed Trials gave it the thumbs up to run at speeds in excess of 200mph, something they will not allow a conventional chassis '32 Ford to do.

There are a host of subtle changes to the Kevlar/carbon fibre body but you have to look close to spot them and some may even go unnoticed by the most dedicated hot rodder; for starters the body comprises three modules; the outer skin, the interior module and the boot module, the latter two are bonded in to the shell to provide superior strength and rigidity (read 'safety') to the car. 

Then there is an extra 100mm in the interior length, there are raised wheel arches and the only steel in the body are small lengths of stainless steel to provide secure internal mounting points for the door hinges and door locks, and yes, flashes of carbon fibre to emphasise the use of the unique composite material are obvious.

At its debut at the prestigious GNRS the crowds were in awe of what this former Sydney-based journalist and media specialist had presented and comments such as "simply awesome" "brilliant" and "fantastic" were overheard for the entire three days of the show. All agreed it was the most significant advancement in '32 Ford design for 80 years.

For many hot rodders the lure of the '32 is irresistible and the availability of the Voodoo 32R will further tempt hot rodders around the world to build what they consider the ultimate hot rod.