Bob Drake Cancels 1940 Ford Coupe Project

Bob and the Drake crew...Thanks for posting

 

Thanks Bob.

 

bob, i'm sorry that thing's ended this way. i loved the fact that it was you who put this whole project together, and i hate the chance that others my enjoy the fruits of all your work. without knowing everything, i wish the investers had a grasp of the big picture and were car people. this project changed alot of things. alot of original cars could have been saved just with the panels you had made up. just for the record,i've talked to you on 4 or 5 occasions and you were always polite and engaging. i wish you luck with all the projects in your mind. kurt bohne.

 

Thanks BOB.

 

Thanks for the direct info.
You made a great shot at it and I was amazed at the progress and determination your crew showed. Class act and a real example of American ingenuity.
Keep at it.

 

I have talked to Bob and his crew at the SRN's many times, and they have always been very cordial, and knowlegable. I have purchased parts from them, and they have always been very high quality. I wish he coud have continued this project, but it sounds like a lot of it was out os his hands. Best luck to Bob and his entire crew. They are a class act

 

sorry but Ford did stuff for this forum.
Drake shit is Chinese junk, so u go ahead and buy that crap for your Ford car.
Opinions are American, unless the Hamb just went communist.

 

If it weren't for the people like Bob Drake that risk big and stand tall when it doesn't work out, we wouldn't have many of the things we have in the hobby. I can empathize with the pain it took to come here and set the record straight. I will say this, I wouldn't have any hesitation ordering something from Bob Drake after that.
The saddest part is that someone else will reap the benefits from the project that Bob Drake started.
The spoils of war.

 

No .... Thank you and my dads coupe thanks you

 

Hopefully after Jan 20, 2013 the economy will finally turn around and many of these American companies can finally breathe again.

 

yea, i geuss it would better if parts for our classic cars were not avalible. all things made in china are not junk. if you have a plan and don't just hand them your project and hope for the best, they can make super high quality stuff. i don't like buying anything from them ether, but some of the work can't even be done here anymore. a least not in california. i geuss it comes down to you can't please everyone. i'd wonder what he did to you to make you feel so cold to him. think about what he's done for this hobbie and what he's sacrificed to put all he has into motion. it blows me away.

 

Amen, brother/

 

Stupid,wrong,political and will get this thread shut down. Why not stick to the point?

Thanks, Bob, for this effort and all the parts you do successfully make,Squiggy excepted.

 

thanks for "showing" us how to communicate. who's going to shut down such a news worthy thread like this. this is huge stuff here.

 

I was using Gennie Ford stuff before anyone even thought of reproduced parts.
"Someday", I think was the term.
Around 1958: We had Argentina Model A parts; then other stuff trickled down from various sources.
When Bob Drake came on the scene, I was impressed. So much that when I opened my shop I could order Drake stuff, and not have to ask 20 questions, get a 'peek', or any of that nonsense.
Bob has always impressed me as exemplary, and his staff is just as professional.
I love my Drake '50 Pontiac taillights...
Hate the Drake? There's the lake...

 

I had the same experience that MickeyC had...... Ordered a complete floor pan for a 40' convertible in Feb. and was told it would be shipped in May.... Called last week and was told that 40' parts would no longer be available..... Put a call in to Dennis Carpenter on Monday and my floor pan was delivered today (Friday)....... I realize that things happen..... But Drakecould have let customers that had parts on order know that they could NOT fill the orders..... Just Sayin........

 

I like Drake's, but this is true. They also could have told you where you could now buy the parts. Wouldn't have cost them a dime,given that they can't supply the part, but it would have earned them a lot of respect that money couldn't have bought. Someone at BD dropped that ball.

 

This is true 5 window..... I must say that the folks at Carpenter's were VERY helpful and I ( and my client) really appreciate the fact that they got my parts delivered so quickly.... I know who I will be callin the next time I need sheet metal parts for a 40' Ford.....

 

Carpenters new catalog(32-48) has the coupe body and all the parts listed in it. Picked up cpl catalogs at Charlotte Auto Fair.

 

post #60.... What is the conclusion? I see nothing.

 

I too have met Bob several times and I have never been disappointed in him, his people or the quality of his parts. It's a business deal that didn't pan out for him. Fortunately for us, the project lives on and other projects like this can be undertaken by manufacturers like Bob, Brookville, Steves and the rest who can ramp up to the point of producing whole bodies.
My hat is off to DC as well who no doubt had to put up a fair piece of change to make this a reality. Somehow, I think that Bob can take some comfort, even though the bodies won't be called Drakes, everyone in the hobby knows that they are Drakes and without the efforts of Bob and his team, they wouldn't even exist.
As far as the availability of original steel, sure it's out there, but it's rare up here in MA. and other areas where rust never rests. I've done enough of this stuff to know that you can blast, cut, fabricate and weld to your hearts content and you're still working on stuff that's over 70 years old and it will be just as good as new till you put 8k worth of paint on it and wait a couple of seasons for the next uh-oh to rust through. I think all the guys mentioned above see the need for the stuff they're making not only from a business standpoint but from an enthusiasts view as well.

 

Very well stated and all very true. One of the best posts I have seen here in awhile.Our Road Tour '40 built by Troy Ladd and the folks at Hollywood Hot Rods hits the road on June 10. The Vintage Air Road Tour will be heading to the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green. Stop by, take a look and say hello.

 

Excellent post!

Ray

 

Has anyone ever seen the spare tire bracket in repro? It mounts on the trunk floor and just under the rear window.

 

I put in an order to the tune of about $5000 to Bob Drake just last week and got 5 boxes yesterday with just a couple items back ordered. I got my floor pans earlier this year and they all fit great with just a little filler used on the rear panel below the trunk lid. The comment that I read about him having poorly made products are without merit from my perspective. Because of the efforts of people like Bob Drake and others, those of us who enjoy tinkering with these old jalopys would have fewer options for restorations.
I hope the company can sort out the issues of late and keep being a recognizable name in the industry.

 

I was very impressed by the 40 body i looked at today ! http://www.facebook.com/DennisCarpenterParts It looks fantastic with the doors on it .

 

You do a Great Job, and have always come up with a way to make something for the Hobby. May the wind be at your back, just dream of it. That is what I do ! Old Dude

 

Compare Bob's straight up answer promptly given and compare it with, maybe, the Jamco threads. Then you will know why Drake's is a well respected and successful operation. best of luck to Bob and his team

 

I talked with Pat Ford, Dennis Carpenter rep, at the recent F100 Western Nationals and he said that not only is Dennis Carpenter moving forward with the 40 Ford program, he is also working on a 55-57 Chevy line AND a 56 Ford F100 cab that should be on sale within the next 5 years. I have personally been very impressed with the quality of the products from Dennis Carpenter...I am glad to see that he has picked up the ball from Bob Drake and run with it.

 

I have met Bob at the NSRA Nationals, and have always been happy with him and his staff. The quality of his parts is above reproach, just the greatest. Bob Drake will be around for many years.