Words & photos: Gary Rosier
Tony Keller of Daytona Beach, Fla. owns this cool 32 Roadster “High-boy.” Almost everyone I meet and talk with about their road to owning cars, bikes or whatever has such an interesting history about their particular road traveled through life.
Tony’s story isn’t really any different than that of any of us. You travel through life’s journey; someone’s road may be a little harder than others. Tony had to deal with 25-30 years of some personal struggles – starting with a family member who sold him a car which had serious title problems! It was the gift that just didn’t keep giving… even though it was a neat ’68 Plymouth Fury III… and got him started in cars at the age of 15.
Cars, motorcycles and custom vans all were part of Tony’s life’s journey. He credits a former girlfriend’s dad for taking him under his wing and teaching him about detailing cars, caring for them and maintaining them at a very young age. It seemed like motorcycles had become his go-to ride early on too. Age and health issues eventually crept in, so two wheels morphed eventually back to four again.
Found recently at the Daytona Turkey Run, this ’32 fit the bill perfectly. He was drawn to the flames – like a moth to fire, he was smitten with this car. A back-and-forth negotiation took place and soon the car was his. He felt a certain sense of satisfaction that was almost therapeutic, or shall we say spiritual… it was his ticket to freedom!
It’s a fiberglass car and while Tony did not build it, he has spent much time getting all the details just right. It’s powered by a 350/350 combo with Lokar shifter and has a Ford 9-inch third member. A straight axle dropped two inches and coil-overs let her sit just right. It rolls on a set of chrome aftermarket wheels mounted with P16580R15’s in front and meaty P27545ZR20’s out back. A tilt I-Did-It column and Banjo steering wheel gets her around the corners and straight on the highway when he mashes the gas.
Autometer gauges wired up with a painless wiring kit gives him all the information reliably and accurately. Black and silver piping on vinyl seats with black pile carpeting makes it all comfy. He has a black canvas top with Lexan side windows but likes to cruise down the road topless so he can hear the sweet roar of the motor and feel the wind in his face. Euphoria indeed! The powerful Pioneer am/Fm/CD stereo with Kicker hide-away amp and 4 – 8″ woofers, which resides mostly hidden in the interior, kicks it up a notch too!
Other features include front disc’, a 10 gallon fuel cell and Flowmaster series 40 dual exhausts with stainless Camaro exhaust tips. The 4-inch chopped windshield keeps the bugs off his teeth (motorcycle days, he says with a grin!). Appropriately, a K&N “Flying Nun” air filter resides over the Holley carb. Tri-bar headlights light the way at night.
Like ‘Ghost Dancing,’ the song by Simple Minds, says: “Come take me back home, come take me away, Ghost Dancing,” and this ride does that in a big way. Every time Tony mashes the throttle, the ghosts of times past flow out those tailpipes! Ghost Dancing? You bet – he’s loving every minute of this cool ride!
