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Featured History Tom Cobbs: The SoCal Coupe

Discussion in 'Traditional Hot Rods' started by Ryan, Apr 8, 2026 at 5:22 AM.

  1. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 23,111

    Ryan
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    Ryan submitted a new blog post:

    Tom Cobbs: The SoCal Coupe

    [​IMG]

    Continue reading the Original Blog Post
     
  2. chevy57dude
    Joined: Dec 10, 2007
    Posts: 9,903

    chevy57dude
    Member

    Background stuff is great! Nearly every support vehicle is an open truck. The only shade in sight is on the timing tower guys.
     
  3. Outback
    Joined: Mar 4, 2005
    Posts: 3,646

    Outback
    ALLIANCE MEMBER
    from NE Vic, Oz

    what a grouse stack of photo's the cover photo is a killer! It just looks so right to my eye. The size of the rear tyres is what stands out to me, in the sea if super tall big's of recent times
     
  4. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,668

    brady1929
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  5. rod1
    Joined: Jan 18, 2009
    Posts: 1,630

    rod1
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    There is nothing more magical than the Bonneville Pits. I have been 19 times I reckon, and I hope to hit a few more . The people met here emblazed in the memory, sometimes fuzzy on the names .but conversations bring you back to lives that shape you forever. A truly captivating Experience. Thank you Heroes ,from then ,and now.
     
  6. Michael Ottavi
    Joined: Dec 3, 2008
    Posts: 413

    Michael Ottavi
    Member

    Is the So Cal 34' coupe the ultimate hot rod? It does have #1 on the door!
     
  7. stuart in mn
    Joined: Nov 22, 2007
    Posts: 2,910

    stuart in mn
    Member

    The '40 Ford pickup that's in many of the photos really catches my eye.
     
  8. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 23,111

    Ryan
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    I think about this more than I should probably admit.

    At any given moment, I’ve got a running list in my head, sorted by genre like some deranged internal “best of” broadcast that never shuts off. Hot rods. Customs. American Race cars. European Race cars. Pickups. Production cars. Etc... It shifts constantly, depending on mood, what I’ve seen recently, or what ghost decided to crawl back into my brain that day.

    But the American made race car list right now? It’s locked in.
    1. SoCal Coupe (Pre-hammer chop)
      34-Ford-SoCal-Coupe-Period-02.jpg

    2. Gurney Eagle-Westlake Mk I
      eagle.jpg

    3. Ford GT Prototype
      g5t.jpg
    And what’s interesting is how different those three are.

    The SoCal Coupe feels like defiance. Built by guys figuring it out as they went, chasing speed with grit and instinct.

    The Eagle is precision. Purpose built. Surgical. The kind of car that makes you believe in engineering as a form of art.

    And the Ford GT… that’s war. Corporate money, national pride, and a singular goal...

    Three completely different philosophies. Same end game. And depending on the day, I could argue any one of them deserves the top spot.
     
  9. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 23,111

    Ryan
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    I tried fellas... Lord knows I tried. But I just can't help myself. Bumper stickers ordered:

    godbless.jpg
     
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  10. Rolleiflex
    Joined: Oct 25, 2007
    Posts: 1,458

    Rolleiflex
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  11. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
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    Ditto
     
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  12. Sharpone
    Joined: Jul 25, 2022
    Posts: 3,665

    Sharpone
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    YES
    Don’t own a flat head, my favorite engine. Someday
    Count me in for a bumper sticker
    Dan
     
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  13. sr
    Joined: Feb 12, 2007
    Posts: 529

    sr
    Member
    from Monterey

    If you stare long enough you are transported to another time and place, I swear! I feel the fatigue and excitement.
     
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  14. brad2v
    Joined: Jun 29, 2009
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    K, I think I'll be needing some of those...
     
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  15. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 23,111

    Ryan
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    Funny enough... I have a screen print setup here in my shop for short runs. I did one of these on a whitesville t-shirt for me... and it's so amazing. I might do a small run, but on regular ole t-shirts to sell...
     
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  16. This needs to be a poster or at least a print!

    upload_2026-4-8_12-19-45.jpeg
     
  17. Malcolm
    Joined: Feb 9, 2006
    Posts: 8,190

    Malcolm
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    from Nebraska

  18. stuart in mn
    Joined: Nov 22, 2007
    Posts: 2,910

    stuart in mn
    Member

    Your choices are all good, although the Gurney Eagle will always be in the #1 spot as far as I'm concerned. :) Having said that it's a good example of how color can make all the difference - if it were white or red it wouldn't look as good, but that deep blue is just perfect.
     
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  19. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 23,111

    Ryan
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    Of course, historical accuracy is of utmost importance...

    foxcobbs.jpg
     
  20. Equipped28
    Joined: Mar 30, 2007
    Posts: 638

    Equipped28
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    Amazing photos, Sign me up for a shirt to display next to our tribute ones
    IMG_0524.jpeg IMG_0525.jpeg
     
  21. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
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    Ryan
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  22. flathead60
    Joined: Sep 10, 2018
    Posts: 82

    flathead60
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    from NH

    All of it sooooo cool!
    What caught my eye too, was the intake on the 7D roadster. Looks like it could be from a modern Formula racer. Seems to me way ahead of its time.
     
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  23. flyn schlosser
    Joined: Oct 13, 2014
    Posts: 360

    flyn schlosser
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    from Elko,NV

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  24. NoSurf
    Joined: Jul 26, 2002
    Posts: 4,940

    NoSurf
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    I like all the push trucks.

    The world may not be flat, but my motor is.
     
  25. rod1
    Joined: Jan 18, 2009
    Posts: 1,630

    rod1
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    Further questions arise; was the steering box and column mounting changed just to fit the Ardun, or were there steering issues to improve between the two versions? These Cobb archives are mind -numbing.
     
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  26. Jim Wood
    Joined: Jul 13, 2022
    Posts: 133

    Jim Wood

    Awesome pictures you are so lucky to have that file. Enjoy every time you post these.

    The Gurney Eagle is on display at the REVS Ins***ute in Naples Fl. where my wife and I volunteer time. It is truly a work of art. Probably one of the most important and financially developed cars in the 60's. We also have two Ford GT's one a 1966 and one Mark II 427 Holman and Moody powered car driven by Gurney and A J Foyt.
     
  27. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 23,111

    Ryan
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    These are, without question, the two most important race cars in American history... And I'm the lucky one? :)
     
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  28. Equipped28
    Joined: Mar 30, 2007
    Posts: 638

    Equipped28
    Member


    I’m sure it’s purely to clear the head, to be honest from a geometry sense it’s in a worse place with the Ardun than it ever was before but it actually remained with the 34 box in this position all of its racing career into the 90s. It’s interesting to see the footage of the muroc reunion where the so cal car is still a rough and ready race car being campaigned and the Pierson car is fresh from restoration on the lake as a display piece. IMG_3346.jpeg
     
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2026 at 9:17 AM
  29. richard noble
    Joined: Dec 30, 2024
    Posts: 124

    richard noble

    Another good one Ryan. What really knocks my socks off is the 41 pickup, other than the 40 chrome headlight doors and rear view mirror, it’s all stock. 41’s sit a little higher in the front than a 40, that’s because of the dropped front cross member, ment to accommodate the new 6 cylinder engine offered for 41, but that’s alright with me……Wonder who owned this beauty? IMG_0261.jpeg
     
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  30. Ryan
    Joined: Jan 2, 1995
    Posts: 23,111

    Ryan
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    That was Tom’s truck.
     
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