Feature - Brian Boyd's '32 roadster

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Brian Boyd has owned this '32 roadster since 1974, though when he first bought it he wasn't in any hurry to get it on the road. Ken Brown had located the roadster at Langdon's Auto Wreckers in Brisbane back in 1969, and Ken's mate Ian Wallace had bought the car from Langdon's and set about building it into a rod. There are photos of the car when Ian owned it in Larry O'Toole's book "Australian Hot Rod Pioneers", one photo of which is shown below.
Ian had boxed the frame and installed a 272 out of the then ubiquitous Customline, and adapted a Humber 4 speed box to the Y-block. The front end was a beam axle with split radius rods, and the diff was also out of a Customline.

As it appeared in 1970. The guards were sold and replaced with fibreglass units - these are now on Darryl Kuhnemann's roadster.

The stance is perfect, and the wheels are a change from the usual types.

The Navy colour stands out in the sunlight.

The ever reliable 302 Windsor hasn't missed a beat in years of touring the highways.

This area is often packed with family & friends at the many rod runs that the Boyd's attend in the course of a year.

The rake is exaggerated in this shot, though it is substantial.

The dropped headlight bar and small lights tell us this car is modified, though not a lot.

Brian & Daph take this little roadster to all their local runs around their Casino home, and many long distance events.

The dash insert was custom made to house a set of accessory gauges.

The path to the rumble seat is by way of the step plate on the guard.

A dapper Brian stands beside just one of his '32s. Brian & Daph are currently trying to sell a fully restored Phaeton to finance an all-steel 3 window project.

A side-on photo shows the rake in its correct proportions.

When Brian first brought the car home, his Father was quick to point out the lad's foolishness - "You paid $750 for an old '32 roadster? What were you thinking?!", he said.

Brian didn't touch the car until the '90's, at which point he installed a Holden front end, replaced the 625 lb Y-block with a thin-wall cast 302 Windsor, and turfed the Humber box, replacing it with a thoroughly modern FMX auto.

The diff was also replaced, this time with a Borg Warner diff, and new suspension.

Dick Bushell replaced the original wood (Australian '32s were full of wood, even in the doors) with light steel tubing, then painted the car in Navy blue.

The trim is a very pale Dove Blue doe hide, and as the car doesn't yet have a top, the choice of leather is a sound one.

The wheels are Dragway model DB3, and they have taken the reliable roadster to many a run, including the recent Goulburn Nationals.◄

Accreditation: The Editor, and Ken Brown.

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