I first became interested in old cars when i was about 13 years old. The car that started it all was a friend of the familys 48 ford coupe. My sister had a horse at a familys friends house and we would go to their farm so she could ride it and take care of it. Having no interest i always wandered and looked for something to do(trouble).In a side barn was this old car in some disrepair. After a couple visits I asked Wayne(the owner) about it.The story about the coupe was that some time in the late 50s this car was destined to become a "stock car" The owners put the 53 merc in it and then realized the exhaust and oil pan and trans wouldnt work, so there it sat. The car is from Minnesota and Wayne has had it since the late 70s. So every visit after I would go check out the car as my sister would go play with her horse. About the time I was 15 i got a job at the local chevy dealer and had a little money here and there.Was still in touch with Wayne even thou the horse hobby was short lived by my sister. I asked if he would ever sell he car and told him I was interested. Shortly there after I struck i deal with him and started giving him $50 payments when i could afford it. price of the car was $600 at hat time and I had big dreams for my 48 because this was about the time that Jacks orange 48 and Jerrys 40 were in Hot Rod and other mags. So after a year or so of dreaming I realized I had no place to put the car no money to fix the car and was too interested in keeping my 76 impala on the road and chasing girls. So another talk with Wayne and told him I was thinking buying the car wasnt such a good idea. He agreed to give me my money back because he was having second thoughts about selling it. Since then I have stayed in touch with Wayne although some times years between visits and always I would ask about "my" car. and always he still had it, buried in he garage where you could only see a fender or the bumper and a comment of "you have first dibs".Wayne had moved 2 or three times and luckily the car moved with.I had several late model cars over the years but the 48 was never quite out of my head. About 2 years ago another friend took me with him to Bonneville and re kindled my love for 40s cars, And shortly there after I found the H.A.M.B. He also found me a 47 buisness coupe for a project. I figured the original 48 was going to sit in the heap pile in Waynes garage never to see the light of day.I did minor work to the 47 but because of an unfourtunate incident and financial difficulty i was forced to get rid of it. So about a month ago i ran into Wayne again. He was outside his house shoveling snow and I stopped to say hi and check on my car. Once again i asked if he was ready to sell it. The answer was again no and the reason like always was he was waiting to get a model a roadster......he wants a stocker. So about a week later I get a call from Wayne saying its time. He sat down with his family and decided to let me have it but it wouldnt be 600 this time.We dug it from its latest resting place and ***esed its condition. Neighther one of us wanted to do the whatta you give me whatta you want game so we both wrote down numbers. I told him I would write down the most i would pay or i will walk away if his number was higher, or i would meet him half way if his number was lower that way there wouldnt be any hard feelings. We were within a hundred bucks and I got the car after 27 years of dreaming........now where to start. With a welding school coming up i will probably wait til spring to start on it but persistance pays off.
Cool story...looks solid. Appears someone started customizing it at some point...what headlights were the fenders cut for?
yes i think they were cut for olds lights also has viynl marroon door panels with ****ons fairly solid but rockers are 2x4 wood witth some aluminum siding for running boards. I have been following 47 resurection for rocker replacement. kinda excitied about 53 flathead merc that turns over nice ,also came with dis***embled 49 8ba
I've got a similar one waiting for the old guy to say he's never going to get to it. In 1985 I found a '37 Coupe sitting in a fairly new pole barn. Rust free and complete. Sitting on a pallet right next to the car is a Ford factory rebuilt short block coated with cosmoline that was bought for it in the very early 50's. I've got a note that says I've got first right of refusal should the old boy take a sudden turn for the worse. He retired in 1987 and was supposed to start the restoration then. I stop every year hoping this will be the time for him to part with it. It hasn't moved since he put it there and I know it never will. Each year it takes him longer to get out to the barn to show me it's still there and repeat the same story about how he has "plans". Maybe next year. Frank
First time around I had it 3/4 paid off and he gave me all money back. Second time a round it was less than 3 times original price, but had I got it the first time around it would be long gone by now. Will start build thread in spring when it gets to my shop at least a dis***embly thread to start with. What flathead books do you sugesst to get familiar with them. Would like to build 53 motor into street driver for the 48.I have 3 holley 94s to pick from only would use 2 probably.
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