Roger Miret's 1932 Chevrolet Coupe - Sue

1932 Chevrolet Coupe originally owned and built by Roger Miret. Affectionately known as Sue, Miret's hot rod was built in a mid-1950s style, capturing the spirit of traditional hot rodding. Roger Miret, the national president of the Rumblers Car Club and a member of the Dirty Devils, realized his dream of owning a classic hot rod coupe through years of meticulous parts gathering and community collaboration.

Design and Build Process

The idea for Sue began as an aspiration to build a hot rod suitable for vintage racing. The project involved years of sourcing hard-to-find vintage components from swap meets and car culture networks. The car featured a 1932 Chevrolet coupe body mounted on a 1930 Ford Model A frame that had been boxed for added strength. To give the car its aggressive stance, the body was channeled 4 inches over the frame and reinforced with 1-inch square tubing.

The suspension setup includes a '35 Moore dropped axle, Buggy springs from a Ford, and '30/'31 Ford radiator, modified in the re-cored new style. A '38 Ford pickup grille, a touch from New England, and '34 and '38 Ford wishbones help complete the front end, while the rear end features a '57 Chevy axle with '55 spring hangers. The brakes are a combination of '58 Buick finned drums and '48 Ford front brakes, paired with a '68 Ford Mustang dual master cylinder.

Engine and Performance The heart of Sue is a 1951 Oldsmobile Rocket 88 engine with performance modifications, including a .263 Predator cam, oversized Predator valves, and an Edelbrock 3x2 intake manifold. The engine's top end is dressed with Ford 94 carburetors and cooled by oversized springs and lifters. A custom exhaust setup includes Cadillac LaSalle headers, connected to a LaSalle transmission with a 3.78 rear gear ratio and a 3-speed side-loader.

Power is effectively delivered to the wheels through an 11-inch Ford pickup clutch and disc setup, making the car agile in New York City traffic. The electrical system features a Mallory dual point ignition, and the car's tires are mounted on Stocktone offset wheels wrapped in Firestone whitewall tires, contributing to its classic appearance.

Interior and Custom Features The interior of the coupe is as detailed as the exterior. It features a 1940 Ford Deluxe steering wheel, connected to a '40 Ford box, and a dashboard adorned with Stewart Warner gauges. The pedals include a '30-'31 Ford assembly, with an antique "Speed King" bass drum pedal cleverly repurposed as a gas pedal. The brake system uses a '54 Ford setup, and parking brakes are salvaged from a '50 Ford pickup.

The body was initially in poor shape, requiring significant work by Kowalski Customs in Pennsylvania. Ed and E.J. Kowalski oversaw the metalwork, including the installation of a roof insert, patching the body panels, and adding custom touches such as '40 Chevy hinges and '50 Pontiac taillights. The cowl vent and lid were smoothed over, and the body was painted in a sleek, traditional black.

Community Effort and Rapid Build The most remarkable aspect of the build is how quickly it came together: in just 21 days! Members of the Dirty Devils, including Willie, Rick, Johnny, and "Yankee" Dave, provided crucial support. Additional assistance came from Rumblers members and experienced hot rod builders like Sammy Reber and E.J. Kowalski.

Major milestones in the project include the meticulous metalwork by Kowalski Customs and the paint and finish work that stayed true to Miret's vision. The car was initially assembled at The Farm in Brooklyn by Chris, one of Miret’s friends, and the final assembly stages saw a crew of eight working tirelessly to bring the project to life.

Cultural Impact and Legacy Roger Miret’s 1932 Chevrolet Coupe is more than a car; it represents the collective passion and dedication of the East Coast hot rod community. Miret himself has expressed a deep connection to the car, even humorously mentioning that his wife might consider divorcing him for the time and energy he spends on Sue. The car has traveled widely to attend hot rod shows and has become a staple in events like the Rumblers’ annual gatherings, the Road Agents' and Alter Boys' shows, and East Coast Beatniks car events.

Miret's lifestyle extends beyond cars; he is also the frontman for Roger Miret and The Disasters, a punk band known for its streetpunk and rock ‘n’ roll sound. Despite his music career and extensive touring, Miret remains devoted to his car projects, helping other club members build and perfect their hot rods. The '32 Chevy stands as a testament to his dedication to both his music and hot rod culture.