Petersen Museum announces “Deuce Day” 85th anniversary celebration

Peter Fontana’s Deuce coupe at The Race of Gentlemen. Images by the author.

There probably has not been a time, at least in living memory, when the 1932 Ford was anything less than an icon of motoring. The “Deuce,” with its new V-8 engine and streamlined styling captured the public imagination. Splitting the difference between the light weight of the Model A and the power of the later V-8 Fords, it was naturally sought after by the performance minded from the 1930s to the present day. It’s certainly no coincidence that the ’32 roadster was among the first bodies to be reproduced in steel for the modern enthusiast.

To celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Model 18 and Model B, the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California, is honoring the memory of renowned hot rodder Pete Chapouris with its “Deuce Day,” scheduled for July 15, 2017. Held on the Petersen campus, Deuce Day will feature both a cruise-in of ’32s and a panel discussion with “nine hot rodding legends,” yet to be named.

Jan-Ove Freitag’s Deuce roadster at The Race of Gentlemen.

Chapouris, perhaps best remembered for the California Kid ’34 Ford, was a co-founder of Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Repair and more recently president of So-Cal Speed Shop. His major contribution to the history of the Deuce, beyond the number of ’32 hot rods that wear Pete & Jake’s and So-Cal parts, is having led the restoration of the iconic Doane Spencer roadster in the 1990s. Chapouris, age 76, died in January of complications following a stroke.

Deuce Day is free to the public, though those who want to display their Deuce need to purchase tickets. For more information visit the Petersen Museum website.

Willy Snyder’s Deuce coupe at The Race of Gentlemen.