Age 72 - Was there when it all happened

I am 72 yrs old. I was there when it was going on. Have owned 82 cars, lots of antique Fords and 41 motorcycles - all HD except 2.

High School rides were: 31 Model A 2dr Phaeton, 40 Coupe w/ 3/4 race FH, 49 Coupe with 3/4 race engine. Also a 40 Mercury Convertible Sedan which I kept original.

After being away from hot rods for a number of years, I am looking for a 40 Coupe - trying to recapture my HS days. My questions and contributions would relate to cars of the 50's and particularly speed equip and techniques for the FH engine.




Forty Coupe - engine had Iskendarian 77B cam, Edelbrock Manifold, Offy Heads, Smithy mufflers. Chrome wire looms. I kept the top tank polished.

Lost my license for 120 days for street racing with this one.

We broke LOTS of transmissions in those days 'speed shifting'. So much so we knew the part numbers of the gears by heart - and our local Ford dealer always ordered in an extra supply of those gears. Every now and again you would break the case too. That was cause for much sympathy from your buddies, because used cases were not to be had and new ones were dear. We were realistic about breaking transmissions - we just figured every gear had one weak spot and when you threw a shift under full power and it happened to hit that spot; BLOOEY.

Because we were poor, it wasn't unusual to drive a car with a transmission that was crippled in some way - like three forward, but no reverse, or first and third but no second gear. You would drive it that way until you got enough money together to fix it.

We occasionally blew up a clutch or rear, but mostly it was transmissions.




49 Coupe, OD trans, had one of those X style white oem accy. steering wheels with the futuristic car in the center. Electric doors, 8 tube radio. Engine was stock ex. for Edelbrock heads and manifold Smithy mufflers. Flying wing grille bar, Continental kit. Skirts.

Those familiar with 49/50 Fords will remember they had a fresh air vent on either side of the dash. We were always scheming how to get your date to sit next to you - more or less in the middle of the car - so the trick was to leave the passenger side fresh air vent wide open, which made the passenger side somewhat drafty. Bingo!

Also, some guys would swing the Ford shift lever clear over the steering wheel, so the shifter was on the LEFT side. This of course reversed the shifting pattern, but it meant you could keep your right arm around your honey. Another tactic - with the stock column shift was to offer to let the girl do the shifting. My buddy and his GF were really good at this and she would watch when the clutch went in, and shift at the right time. This wasn't used when you were trying to drive fast though.



This was my daily driver for about five years.

Am I a traditionalist? Well I believe Chevy engines don't belong in Fords.

Regards and Best Wishes,

Henry

 

Cool.....welcome....nice pics....
Always neat to hear from guys who were there...

 

Welcome Henry, looking forward to your post on flatheads, got anymore pic's?

 

welcome to the HAMB henry

 

WELCOME, we need lots of pictures, stories and knowlege!!-MIKE

 

Welcome from Southern Maryland, Henry. Neat pics, post up some more when you get a chance. Enjoy the H.A.M.B. It's quite an interesting place. Hope to hear more from you about the " good old days " of hot rodding and heres to many more in the future. Good luck in your search for that '40.......Don.

 

welcome man!! love the pics..

 

Welcome.. With the Name ""Henry"" you had to be a Ford Man.. Nice photos .. Do you have more?? This place has a mix of ages from teens to 70 year olds.. I think that every one will enjoy any post that you make on the main board...So post those over their as not everyone looks at the intros... Bobby...

 

Welcome - cool pics, nice rides, fine memories. FlatHeads 4 Ever! (while supplies last). Good Luck on the hunt!

 

Welcome to the HAMB Henry. Listening to you is like hanging with my 75 year old father n law. Helped him build a nice full race flattie for his 47 ford. If I here of any 40's I'll let you know.

 

Kool stuff! Doing a 51' Buick with the big fresh air vents. Love your trick! Modern day version: I had a Volvo with heated seats and when I was out on a date I made sure her seat was always "warm" even in the Summer.

 

Welcome! Great people here and you just added to the list.

 

Henry, Welcome to this here, hoaky ass message board. The picture of you on the back of the shoebox is pricelss!

My uncle Jerry is about your age. He and his buddy, came to the Rumblers show laste weekend. They where walking around with a big smile reminiscing about the good ole days.
J.T.

 

Someone once said to me that i will grow out of my love of cars.it didnt happen to you and that makes me smile. welcome Henry nice pictures.

 

welcome henry, we love pictures and hot rod stories from the "original hot rodders". i don't know if you have kept up with pricing,but , 40 coupes can be pricey these days. good luck in your search.

 

Welcome to the forum from Nottingham, MD

 

Great coupe! I love those old pics! I hope you find another one and build it the same way- just don't get caught street racing this time! Welcome to the HAMB!

 

Great stories....we'd all love to hear more.

 

Welcome, and thank you for posting such great stores. I love to hear about how it really was. Now I want a three on the tree on the left side too cool!

 

Henry, you ARE tradition.

Not very often we get to hear and see what it was like. Welcome to the HAMB!

 

Can I ask you out on a date? we can just sit and talk?

 

yer sick Steve! haha!

Welcome to the HAMB! I really enjoyed your stories, never would have thought about flipping the column around to cruise with your honey! Thats good stuff there!

Your 30 years older than me, and anything I can do to help you out, let us know.

Best regards,
John

 

Henry,
Welcome from KY., I'll be watching every thread for you.

 

Wow! I'll be happy to be anywhere and doing anything at 72...

 

Welcome from Canada! If you've got any more of those cool old photos, post away! That stuff is always popular here.

Flatman

 

Glad to have you here.
Expect questions.

 

Welcome to the Hamb

 

Welcome aboard buddy. Great pics and stories!

 

welcome. im sure glad i finally got a external hard drive so i can start saving old pictures like this