Petersen plans early for 1932 Ford’s 80th anniversary

It's never too early to plan a party, especially when that party celebrates the iconic 1932 Ford. The Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles is already prepping the streamers and horns for Deuces in March 2012. If the first flathead Fords trip your trigger, read on:

The streets of Los Angeles' Miracle Mile will once again resonate with the sounds of finely tuned V-8s when the Petersen Automotive Museum celebrates the 80th Anniversary of hot rodding's most popular car, the 1932 Ford, during Deuce Week in March 2012. Mention the word "Deuce" at any hot rod event around the world and no matter what the native language is, they will instantly know you are talking about a Ford vehicle built in 1932.

The Deuce is a significant part of automotive culture because it was the first V-8 powered vehicle available at a price affordable to the common man. Quite often '32 Fords were stripped of their heavy fenders, running boards, and sometimes even headlights and windshields (on open cars) simply for the pursuit of speed. As the number of speed equipment manufacturers grew, an entire aftermarket industry was born, eventually finding a voice on the pages of Robert E. Petersen's Hot Rod Magazine.

"The Petersen is the perfect venue for a celebration of the Deuce," says Buddy Pepp, Executive Director of the Petersen Automotive Museum. "The 1932 Ford has been a huge part of the hot rodding community and the automotive culture of Southern California for 80 years. Few man-made products can boast of that kind of following."

This four-day event begins Wednesday, February 29, 2012, and will include two driving tours which will visit local hot rod builders and private collections. On-site events at The Petersen include Thursday evening's "Hot Rod Round Table; Past, Present and Future" panel discussion featuring distinguished hot rod builders and historians, a Friday night gala, and a Saturday "Deuce Day" car show featuring over 400 1932 Fords. The show will be limited only to Fords built in 1932.

All proceeds raised during Deuce Week will help fund educational programs and exhibits at the Petersen Automotive Museum. The Petersen Automotive Museum Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charity. For more information, to buy tickets, or to register your 1932 Ford for Deuce Day, go to www.DeuceWeek.org.

The Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Boulevard (at Fairfax) in Los Angeles. Admission prices are $10 for general admission adults, $5 for seniors and students with ID, and $3 for children ages 5 to 12. Museum members and children under five are admitted free. Covered parking is available for $2 per half hour with an $8 maximum for Museum visitors. Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 6pm. For general Museum information, call 323/930-CARS or visit the Museum’s Web site at: www.petersen.org.