Moonlight Pattern Prototype: 1932 Chevrolet Speedster



























A wise man once said that the coolest cars that are discovered by a person are most likely the ones not being looked for in the first place. I experienced this when my dad worked at a nearby junkyard when I was a kid; the amount of treasures in that junkyard was too much to take in at once. Some of the most desirable cars anywhere are factory prototypes; the problem is, finding a factory prototype is like trying to find a four-leaf clover in a two-hundred acre field. This 1932 Chevrolet Speedster is not only coach-built, it is a pattern prototype! Find it here on Hemmings in Verona, Wisconsin, with an asking price of $95,000 obo.
























Who said that the only wood-bodied cars built in the United States are station wagons? Produced by GM for the Australian market, this Speedster was based off Vauxhall's Hurlingham Roadster and uses a body prepared by Holden Coach Builders. Overall, Chevrolet built ten cars and this wood-buck prototype; today, only one of the production cars and this wood-buck survived. Thought to have been destroyed 85 years ago, this wood-buck instead hung in a barn in Ohio as barn art until the seller purchased it. The seller then embarked on a two-year, frame-off restoration that was just completed last month. Painted in 1950s Porsche Ruby Red, the color really contrasts yet complements the wood body, especially with the black spoked-wire wheels and blackwall tires. The radiator was also re-cored and nickel-plated, as were the headlights. I could see this car running in Hemming's Great Race for 2018.


























As with all 1932 Chevrolets, this Moonlight Pattern Speedster is powered by a 194 cubic inch Stovebolt Six. Factory rated at 50 horsepower and 122 lb-ft of torque, this Stovebolt Six benefits from dual Edmund Racing carburetors, so power definitely got a boost on this engine. Backed by a three-speed manual transmission, no expense was spared on the powertrain both mechanically and cosmetically. 


























Unfortunately, this is the best view of the interior, so you'll have to use your imagination a bit. Inside, the floor is all-original and all-wood, and two brand-new all-steel unfinished Speedster bucket seats are currently fitted. I dig the gauge cluster surround and the vintag clock on the passenger side. I would finish the seats in black leather to complete the vintage look and take this car for some back-road driving. Overall, this car will be the life of every vintage car show, and I love the overall look and build; I would tour with it, vintage race it, and take it to car shows, cruises, and Cars and Coffee events. What are your thoughts on this one-off 1932 Chevrolet Moonlight Pattern Speedster prototype?
Location: Verona, WI 53593, USA

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