Hot Rods Let's have our own 84th anniversary event for the 40 ford...

Thanks but I wasn't the one that caught it, I just happen to see Rikster talking about it on another post. very kool history behind the coupe.

 

Biglerville,Pa. 2004. Thanks, Lyle

 

Today I saw a photo of Fred Cain's chopped and channelled 40 coupe on Instagram.
Beautiful custom I've never seen before.

http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Fred_Cain's_1940_Ford
Thanks Kustomrama

 

Is that El Matador

 

Probably been posted before, but what the hell. Mr Pratt's.

 

Considering how many show cars from that early sixties era had model kits made of them its surprising there was never a kit of the El Matador.

 

I am maybe prejudiced, but Starfires are just so right on a '39/'40.Man that looks good

 

that's right, I forgot about that!

 

POIFECT !!!!!!

 

I think the picture should be posted on here everyday. Love that shot!


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Paint run.....

 

My beater.


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My couple in the shop.
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I love this thread, I don't want to see it die! Sorry to those who may not care..... Here's another from the other facebook.

 

I thought I had posted this one here, but I looked back and it's not there. This is an old diner in my area that's slated to be torn down.

 

Hey...I have seen that photo recently! ;-)

 

From back in 1999, hanging out with the big guns.
(Photo taken at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield)

 

Great stance, your car has "the look"

 

Damn it! There's a lot of fine looking cars on this thread, I just love it! IMHO there's never been a better looking car than the 40 Ford. They look good laying in the bottom of a creek where they've been for 60 years. They're even better when somebody loves them and drives them. Salute!

 

This photo has hung in every school locker through Jr and Sr High, my college bulletin boards, and every office I have occupied in my adult life

Probably repeating myself with this one, but...heck....I turned 50 this year and believe I have the right to repeat myself whenever I do. This one may drag out a little longer than the last time, though, because I am old and take longer to tell my stories!

I shot this picture back around 1980, or so, of Gary Opitz' coupe at the Roarin' 30's Rod Run, at Lindenwood College, in St Charles, MO. As soon as I saw the car, I fell in love with it. Understand...I was 14 years old, had my current '40 coupe sitting in my dad's basement, and was trying to figure out how I wanted to eventually build it. This was the first '40 coupe, other than Gene Sonnen's that knocked my socks off. I asked around and tried to track down Gary, so I could ask him all kinds of questions about his car, but never caught up with him that day. I did hear him fire it up and drive away, that day, however. I'd never heard a gear driven cam until then, and I thought that was SO cool.

That was the only time I ever saw Gary's coupe outside of his garage. Not long after that, he traded Dickie Carroll for his old work truck, which was another of my favorite '40 Fords.

Somewhere around that time, I finally met Gary, and told him how much I thought of his '40 Fords. Every car event I would run into him at, from that point on, I would make a point to track him down and visit with him. He always had a story to tell, but what always made me feel important was that he always greeted me by name. When I finally got my coupe on the road, even though it has always been and will more than likely always be a beater, he would always tell me how neat it was.

Earlier this summer, I learned that Gary was in the late stages of cancer. After the StL Hot Rod Hundred, I made sure to swing by and visit with him. I had already sent him one of our 2016 event t-shirts (with my '40 coupe on the back) , but we printed a different color one for the StL run, so I gave him one of those, too. He was so gracious, and sat and told some stories to my older sister and I, showed us the coupe, the truck, his track T, his deuce sedan, and a cool collection of Cushman scooters, and various other cool things. We hopped in the coupe and headed back to Springfield, and my sister went on and on about how cool Gary was, and I smiled and agreed.

In November, I happened to be back in StL, this time in my 40 stake truck, and stopped by to see Gary. He told me he didn't have long, but still was full of stories and was as laid back as ever. I prayed with him that day, and he gave me a huge bear hug, with big tears in his eyes. I'd be lying if I said that I didn't shed a tear or more on the ride home.

This evening, I'm packing a bag, heading back up to St Louis in the coupe, for two things. One, to celebrate my dad's 75th birthday (which is today), and tomorrow, we'll celebrate the life of Gary Opitz. I'm sure gonna miss him.

 

^^^ A great story about a couple of great cars and a great friend. Thanks for sharing

 

Stopped in Rolla, MO and met up with @Mo Junk for a slice of pie, on the way home from St Louis.