Customs 39 Custom Ford Conv. Survivor-Ray Cass Revisited

Current OILERS CAR CLUB (NJ) taken about 2013. Dad is on the left, next to Mel (Dirtyest Devil)on the bike. They made Dad "Honorary Old Man"!!!

 

Here is Mel's (Dirtyest Devil) '32 at a car show, next to our '39.
The beautiful redheads are Dad's grandaughters, Gina & Jess!

 

Here is a stock 1939 Ford to compare with the custom chopped '39 below.....

 

MY FIRST ‘36
(From Ray)
Pic of my wife Kay ( Joys mom) in 1951, North Long Branch, NJ. We had an accident right after this pic was taken on Scenic Drive in Atlantic Highlands head on with a Cadillac, no one was hurt. One arm driving with a necker knob and mechanical brakes is not smart!
So after this accident is when I decided to chop it. I had a third '36 my father gave away or junked it when I was in Korea. (Korean War) No motor, but a perfect 5 window body, had juice brakes, '39 pedal assembly. The hood was off. I still have the hood but that's it. For about 40 years I wanted to tell my dad how dumb that was. When my dad was older and I figured it was safe to speak up (he couldn't beat me up!) I said, "You know the coupe would be worth $20,000 today. He said, "Well I wrote you a letter and you said I could get rid of it."
I know now that he did but it was a $50 car then and it was the last thing on my mind in Korea. And I really always wanted a 3 window anyway.

 

I love the 1st shot with the Appleton spots - is that the right name - what we called them many years ago - cooooool...

 

I am enjoying this, thanks for sharing

 

Oh yes!

 

Mike, I checked with my dad. No they are not Appleton spotlights on the '39, he's pretty sure they are Unity.
The pic of the '50 Merc I re-posted above has Appletons. Thanks for your interest, sorry for not getting back to your question sooner.

 

From Ray:
My first car, a 1935 Ford slantback 2 door. My friend Jerry McGregor and I made up a fake accident photo in West Long Branch, NJ in 1948. That's me laying on my back. (Check out the necker knob on the steering wheel.)
Stupid but fun. This day and age wouldn't be considered funny, but times were different back then.

 

Here's a reworked photo of the Pacemakers plaque that Joy sent me. I'll be adding it to the New Jersey page on my website. The darker color on the top appears to be a shadow .....

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If he hasn't already he should go to The Race of Gentleman. I'm sure that he would enjoy it.

 

Thanks for posting the plaque on your webpage! And yes, that is a shadow. I tried using a flash and taking it in the daylight without a flash, same shadow! If I can figure out a way to prop it up someday, maybe I will get a better one.

 

Cool and well deserved it is a very sweet ride

 

C'MON RAY, QUIT FOOLING AROUND, GET BACK TO WORK!

Just kidding, actually I did get a chuckle out of that pic; it reminds me of the Driver Safety films I watched in high school, like Blood On The Highway. Having a goofy sense of humor can be a very useful thing, especially over the long haul.

 

With deepest regret, I announce the passing of Mr. Raymond Cass at 84 years. How are we able to write down all the experiences we had over the last 43 years, with and without your car. It's impossible to write everything down without taking up volumes. Wherever we went, we always had fun, and, you were always a good friend and sounding board. No one ever got a bum steer from you, no matter what it was they wanted to know, be it cars, painting, art, or musical instruments, you knew it all. He was an extremely talented man, and, one that was taken from us way too soon. You will be missed.

 

With great regret, I announce the passing of Mr. Raymond Cass at the age of 84, a great friend and great father in law.

 

It is with deep sadness that we post this. Suddenly and unexpectedly, November 11, 2016, Raymond S. Cass Jr. "Ray", passed away.

He had always been there for us and his wife in good times and bad. He lived a simple life but it was rich in friendships and love for his family,
Passionate about his 39' Ford and always working on cars in the garage for as long as we can remember.

Rest in peace now, your life has touched so many souls. No one is going to be able to replace you. We will mourn your passing and respect your life. Goodbye to a
beloved husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, uncle, brother and friend.

Love always,
Kay, Joy & Kevin, Ron & Debbie, Wendy & Al, Ed & Beth
and many grandchildren & great-grandchildren.



A wake and celebration of life will be held from 2-4pm and 7-9pm on Thursday, November 17, 2016 at the Braun Funeral Home, 106 Broad Street in Eatontown, NJ.

 

Heartbreaking news. I always enjoyed talking with Ray at local gatherings. I will miss him.

 

Sad to hear of Mr. Cass' passing, he was definitely an exceptional individual. Please accept my condolences.

 

Joy,

Sorry to hear that your dad has passed. May he rest in peace and may his car last forever.

Bill

 

Thank you both for your condolences. If you could pass the word around, we're having some trouble with his phone.

 

Thank you so much Ed.

 

Bill,
Thank you very much for your condolences.
-Joy

 

Thank you for your kind words
-Joy

 

Dad's obituary......

Raymond Scott Cass Jr.

1932 - 2016 Obituary

Raymond Scott Cass, Jr.

AGE: 84 • Eatontown

Raymond ("Ray") Scott Cass, Jr., 84, a 60 year Eatontown resident, passed away suddenly at home on Friday, November 11, 2016. Ray was born in Long Branch, NJ to Raymond Scott Cass, Sr. and Beulah Golden Cass and grew up in West Long Branch, graduating from Long Branch High School. He then attended Parsons School of Design in NYC. Ray proudly served our country in the US Army and served in the Korean War from 1952 to 1954, where he oversaw the motor pool and drove ambulances to MASH units. For his service, he was awarded the NJ Distinguished Service Medal and the Korean War Commemorative Service Medal. After service, he worked as an auto body metal repairman for many auto shops until his retirement including Stein Cadillac in Asbury Park and McGloin Buick in Shrewsbury. In 1955, he purchased a 1939 Ford Convertible coupe and customized it. His work was admired by many throughout the years at local car shows and published in magazines. He was a member of several auto clubs including The Oilers and The Rumbler's. Ray was a multi-talented man that had an interest in many different things and had accomplishments in all of them. Raymond was predeceased by his parents. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Thelma "Kay" Anderson Cass, his sister Joan Hacker Anderson of Colorado, children: Joy Arban (Kevin Arban) of Oceanport, Byron Scott Cass (Debra Fernald) of New Hampshire, Raymond Edward Cass (Beth Cass) of Hamilton, and Wendy Palatucci (Al Palatucci) of Pennsylvania and grandchildren: Kristen, Renee, Jessica, Scott, Gina and great grandchild, Emmett. Visitation will be held on Thurs., Nov. 17th from 2-4 & 7-9pm at the Braun Funeral Home, 106 Broad Street, Eatontown, NJ 07724 with a service at 8pm. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ray's memory to Veterans of Foreign Wars of the US at www.vfw.org. Please visit Raymond's memorial website at www.braunfuneralhome.co.

Published in Asbury Park Press on Nov. 15, 2016- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/ap...&pid=182525102&#sthash.00G61j6m.Fpa6Ubtb.dpuf

 

Condolences to You and Your family in your loss. Thank for sharing your Dad's stories, pictures, journey and awesome Custom here with us.
Regards,
Stogy

 

Thank you so much for your kind words of sympathy.
-Joy