Sonny Kahal's 1932 Ford Tudor Sedan

A photo of an early iteration of the Tudor Sedan taken while Sonny Kahal owned it. Shown at the 1953, 1954, or 1955 Detroit Autorama, the car featured a chopped top, a 1951 Oldsmobile engine, and bobbed fenders. Photo from The Fred Thomas Photo Collection.

In May of 2023, Daniel Landrum told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that his great uncle, Herb, purchased the car from Sonny Kahal, and he extensively modified it with great taste. The car underwent significant alterations, as depicted in the black and white images available from Herb's album. This photo shows it running steelies and whitewall tires up front, and American Racing Torq-Thrust Wheels in the back. Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

A photo of Herb Derose with the Tudor Sedan in the 1960s. Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

Herb installed American Racing Torq-Thrust Wheels on the car. Available on the market since 1965, the original “D” model originally targeted Corvettes with disc brakes and were only available in 15x6 and 15x7 sizes. The modern version, which still is available today, was released in the 1980s, and it has more sizes to offer. The wheel is available in gray, black, and chrome. Check sizes, prices, and availability for these wheels on Amazon.com.

Derose frequently showcased the car at various events and also raced it at Detroit Dragway during the 1960s. An original time slip from this period reveals an impressive performance of 14.65 seconds at 94.09 mph. Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

In the late 1960s or early 1970s, upon learning of the car's fate, Herb Derose made a trip to Columbus and salvaged several essential components, including the exhaust pipes, fenders (front and rear), gas tank, rear gas tank cover, and rear bumper. In the early 2000s, Daniel Landrum expressed a desire to build a hot rod after acquiring his driver's license. Daniel and his father, Ed, extensively discussed potential projects, and eventually, they decided to rebuild the 1932 Sedan that Herb had owned in the 1960s. Due to budget constraints, they opted for a 1931 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan instead. Herb discovered Daniel's plans and offered the original fenders and bumper from the 1932 Sedan, which he had meticulously stored in the attic of his garage for decades. Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

Although the exhaust pipes were no longer available, as they had been repurposed, Ed took on the task of rebuilding them based on the original design. The majority of the car's construction was carried out by Ed, with Daniel himself assisting where he could, primarily focusing on engine tuning. Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

This, and the two photos above were taken at Herb's house. "The same driveway where he took the picture standing next to his old 32," Daniel told Kustomrama. Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

In 2023, the car lived on, albeit in a different form, through the efforts of Daniel and his father. The vehicle serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of Sonny Kahal's 1932 Ford Hot Rod, with certain original components, such as the fenders and bumper, contributing to its unique character. Photo courtesy of Daniel Landrum.

From Strip to Street - Kustomrama's Guide to American Racing Torq-Thrust Wheels. Click here to check it out.

1932 Ford Tudor Sedan owned by Sonny Kahal. While Kahal owned it, the car was shown at the 1953, 1954, or 1955 Detroit Autorama. Back then, the car featured a chopped top, a 1951 Oldsmobile engine, and bobbed fenders.

Sold to Herb Derose

The car eventually found its way into the possession of Herb Derose, a resident of Toledo, Ohio. In May of 2023, Daniel Landrum told Sondre Kvipt of Kustomrama that his great uncle, Herb, purchased the car from Sonny Kahal, and he extensively modified it with great taste. Daniel believes that Herb bought the car in the mid-1960s. "Herb took my dad for a ride in it when he was a kid. My dad lived around the corner from him at the time and moved a little further away when he was in the 4th grade, so we are timing it off that." The car underwent significant alterations, as depicted in the black and white images available from Herb's album. Derose frequently showcased the car at various events and also raced it at Detroit Dragway during the 1960s. An original time slip from this period reveals an impressive performance of 14.65 seconds at 94.09 mph. Photos taken back then, shows it running American Racing Torq-Thrust Wheels.

Sold to Garry Roberts

In the late 1960s, Herb sold the car to Garry Roberts, another resident of Toledo. Subsequently, it changed hands once again and was acquired by an individual in Columbus, Ohio. The new owner dismantled the car with intentions of transforming it into a Resto-rod, although it remains unknown whether this project was ever completed.

Herb Salvages Some Parts From It

In the late 1960s or early 1970s, upon learning of the car's fate, Herb Derose made a trip to Columbus and salvaged several essential components, including the exhaust pipes, fenders (front and rear), gas tank, rear gas tank cover, and rear bumper. The exhaust pipes were repurposed for another vehicle, a 1931 Ford Model A Coupe, also owned by Herb. The remaining parts were carefully preserved in his garage, representing a piece of the car's history.

Daniel Landrum's Tribute Build

In the early 2000s, Daniel Landrum expressed a desire to build a hot rod after acquiring his driver's license. Daniel and his father, Ed, extensively discussed potential projects, and eventually, they decided to rebuild the 1932 Sedan that Herb had owned in the 1960s. Due to budget constraints, they opted for a 1931 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan instead. Herb discovered Daniel's plans and offered the original fenders and bumper from the 1932 Sedan, which he had meticulously stored in the attic of his garage for decades.

Although the exhaust pipes were no longer available, as they had been repurposed, Ed took on the task of rebuilding them based on the original design. The majority of the car's construction was carried out by Ed, with Daniel himself assisting where he could, primarily focusing on engine tuning.

Keeping History Alive

In 2023, the car lived on, albeit in a different form, through the efforts of Daniel and his father. The vehicle serves as a testament to the enduring spirit of Sonny Kahal's 1932 Ford Hot Rod, with certain original components, such as the fenders and bumper, contributing to its unique character.