I've brought the coupe's site up to date. Take a look. http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/latest-stuff/stroker-s-tom-medley-s-1940-rebuild-project.html
You guys are doing a fantastic job on the coupe. Dig looking over the photos. Can't wait to see the finished product.
Thanks so much for the pics of my friend Tom...He's looking good as is the Forty...I talk to him quite often via phone, but haven't seen him since his birthday bash at the NHRA Museum...I'm attaching a pic of me and him at the Quincy vintage kart deal a few years back and damn if I don't think he looks better today! He's an amazing guy and you guys at HRCS are doing an amazing job on the "rebuild"...Joe
Sorry for the long gap in updates - no excuses. We came back from the LA Roadster Show and got back to work. The list of tasks completed included: Installation of the all important front sheet metal Installation of the Vintage Air climate control system Installation of the gl*** provided by Tri-Valley Gl*** with seals, fuzzies, and regulators courtesy of Bob Drake Wiring by local wire wizard Kip Dunne Engine start up with no hiccups Exhaust courtesy of our local friends at Wholesale Performance Muffler A session on the alignment rack A few shakedown miles And finally, a trip to Tom Sewell's Trim Shop in southern California's high desert for the upholstery. For those who don't know of Tom or his work, let me tell you that he's world cl*** - both personally and the work coming out of his shop. Just look him up and you'll see. We're thrilled to have him doing the interior on Stroker's coupe. The next stop is Pleasanton. We'll present the keys to the coupe to Tom at the Good Guys West Coast Nationals there. Everyone's welcome. Check the Good Guys website for more details, and I'll also post them here and at the Hot Rods & Custom Stuff website. Speaking of which, the latest pictures are posted at the Stroker page on the Hot Rods & Custom Stuff website: http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/latest-stuff/stroker-s-tom-medley-s-1940-rebuild-project.html
Very cool, wish I could be there in Pleasanton. Thanks to you guys for helping a hero of many, and I am glad to be a tiny part of it.
If you've been following my updates here and our website, you're aware that Hot Rods & Custom Stuff has been diligently working over the past nine months to bring Tom Medley's (aka, Stroker McGurk) 1940 Ford coupe back from a fiery grave. Tom, now 92 years old, and one of the founding fathers of the street rodding movement, watched his coupe and garage burn in a disastrous fire last October. <OWhen Randy Clark stepped up to take on the task of bringing the coupe back to streetable condition, he knew that it would be a daunting proposition. However, he also knew that he had the talented staff at Hot Rods & Custom Stuff to pull off this miracle. With that staff and the support of generous industry and individual donors, the impossible was realized. The Phoenix had, indeed, risen from the ashes! Next weekend, August 24th thru the 26th, the Good Guys Rod & Custom ***ociation hosts their annual West Coast Nationals in Pleasanton, California. Chief Good Guy, Gary Meadors, being an old friend of Stroker's, suggested that Pleasanton would be an ideal venue to turn the coupe's keys back over to Stroker. The timing was right, and the West Coast Nationals hosts a large number of Tom Medley fans who would be eager to witness this momentous occasion. All the stops were pulled out and the Hot Rods & Custom Stuff staff as well as craftsmen such as Curt Hamilton (Jag rearend rebuild), Tom Sewell (upholstery), Kip Dunne (wiring), Tony English (exhaust), and Tom "Itchy" Otis (pinstriping) all pitched in to make the dream a reality.<O</O We'll have Stroker and his coupe at Pleasanton where the coupe will be on display during the event at the Clock Tower, and you can join us all in presenting the keys to Tom during a special ceremony in conjunction with the awarding of the America's Most Beautiful Street Rod trophy on Saturday afternoon at 5pm at the Main Stage by the Race Track Grandstands (near the double decker bus). We invite you all to stop by our booth anytime during the event and saying, "Hi" to Tom and taking a close look at his coupe, as well as joining us at the presentation ceremony on Saturday afternoon.<O></O> We look forward to seeing you there.
Just flat out AWSOME, been following since the horrible fire! Glad to see Tom behind the wheel again. God Bless all the people who helped with the project! KK
Thanks to all of you who participated in this revival. All I could contribute was some $$$ but you are the true heroes of this project. This is awesome. My only hope now is that Tom lives a healthy life for a long long time.
As usual, you can see up to date photos at: http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/la...d-project.html The latest pix were taken on Friday August 17th with Stroker and Itchy in the house.
another pic Plenty more here: http://www.hotrodscustomstuff.com/latest-stuff/stroker-s-tom-medley-s-1940-rebuild-project.html
I got Tom to sign my Hot Rod Mag with Stroker cover. Sat and talked with him for a while on Friday-he said they got to the Fairgrounds Thursday, place was pretty empty, so he took the coupe out for a little spin and did a few burnouts! Same old Tom, even at 92! Big thank you to Randy, Chick, Jack, Bruce, G Med and others for a great tribute to Tom!
The pictures of Tom riding into the event are great... Good to see him and his car back out cruising.
glad to see such good updates was it ever determined if it backfired out the carburetor or the tailpipe? wondering from the perspective of safety and something to think about with these old garages, I'm in the same boat, my garage is over 100 years old, anything that creates sparks stays outside
well done Randy, we saw the car and Tom at LARS in June, you have done a great job for a great gentleman, THANKS from Noel and Elaine.
its so good to see tom in that 40! wow! hes got to feel like a kid again. thanks to everybody who donated there time and money. it doesnt get any better!
Update !!!!!!!!!!! Page 52, Nov. 2012 issue of Street Rodder has a pic of Tom and the 90+ % completed '40. It was done by Hot Rods & Custom Stuff in Escondito Ca. Glad to see Tom and his ride dong great !!!!!!!!! 4TTRUK
Didn't see the other posts.....Still a great happening for Tom and his car. Happy Roddin'..... 4TTRUK
What an incredible story, and to see the Phoenix rise from the ashes(no pun intended) Unbelievable restoration of Tom's Coupe. Wouldn't have believed it , had I not seen it with my own two eyes. Just sent Tom a letter, wanted to get in touch before it's too late. He penned the logo for My Uncles car club, WAY back in the early 50's. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=93930&highlight=north+florida+roadster+club My hats off to All that were involved in the project. So well worth the effort. JT Orlando Misfires C.C.