Opportunity Knocks

It wasn’t that Bill R. was looking for another car when he bought his ‘40 Ford Standard coupe in March of this year. He had completely revamped the air conditioning for the previous owner at his B & F Air Conditioning shop and did like the car. When the owner decided to downsize his collection by selling eleven cars in varying states of restoration, Bill helped him and he wanted Bill to buy the ‘40.

Bill had always liked Ford coupes of the 40's since his first car had been a ‘47 Ford coupe and was not unwilling. Especially since the price was more than fair. With an IROC Z28 Camaro 350 CID engine mated to a Turbo 400 auto trans and pushed along the highway by a Ford 9" differential, it was no slouch in the power department. The front suspension was from a Mustang II with disc brakes to bring it to a stop. Bill liked the car, but there was the matter of convincing his wife Karin of the wisdom of the buy. At first she was less than enthusiastic. After all, she has her ‘64 Impala and Bill is pouring money and time into a ‘41 Ford street rod he is creating in the garage. But when she was driving it on a Roamin Angels’ event and punched it, leaving a nice strip of rubber on the asphalt, she said, “I like this car.” So opportunity knocked and Bill & Karin opened the door.

Side Note:
Bill’s 1940 Ford:
The paint and flames were done in Southern California by Walt Pray. The wheels at American Mag style. It won a trophy in June at a car show in Quincy as the “Best Ford Modified.”

Story and photos by Roamin Angel Ron C. ©2007