So with all these great photos of east coast hot rods I was hoping someone has pics of one of my favorite cars of all time. It was known as the Dick Morse coupe or the Blue Bird Special, run at various New England drags by Skip Lajoie and Ed Redding. In Dick Morse form it was unchopped, channeled with a '39 truck grille up front. Originally it ran a flathead, then later a Small Block Chev, I think. In Lajoie Redding Blue Bird form it got chopped, and ran a T-Bird 312 Y-block with a '37 Desoto grille. It was a seriously cool car that had pretty good success in Blue Bird form. This car is shown in Cool Cars Square Roll Bars, which of course as the young respectful New England hot rod enthusiast, I have. There is one photo of each rendition in there. But I want more!
I don't have any personal photos of the car although I always thought it was one of the nicest looking coupes around.I know I have SEVERAL magazines that it was in(including HRM).Let me see if I can find them.
Yeah! Thanks Ray. My dream is to build something similar to it. A tribute more than a copy. Much like the '39 truck grille is used to pay homage to some of the early cars, not the least of which is the Bannister roadster. Now, I just need to find a 37 Desoto grille for wall hanging inspiration (hmmmm).
I'll do some asking next time I'm around the people who would know.... I haven't seen Dick in a few years....He may even be the one to ask.
Is that the Dick Morse that was a bud of Sam TOHRJ Samson. He still crews on the Samson Coupe at B'ville every year????? Bob
hey general... im sorry to break the news to ya .. but here it is now, got these pics last night at the all timers show in haverhill ma. this is what has becme of the blue bird but at least it still lives ..dave
Really? That's it? Man, it needs to be rescued. I wonder what ever happened to the Desoto grille it used to sport. Maybe someday I'll have money, and that guy will need money... At least it isn't pushin' up daisies somewhere.
Some more history- A guy from Groton MA. named Davey Jones owned the car in the early 70's and would gas up at my dads Sunoco in Pepperell MA.It looked pretty much the same in 1971. About 1973 my friend Dennis Slocomb bought it.At the time preservation wasn't a big consideration.He has changed it around several times through the years and still owns it.He still owns the grill and hood and has painted them the 50's color and put them on a stand in his garage and will not sell them.
And if you do not know the Blue Bird, here is a pic - I too would like to see more pics of this car in this configuration!!
Did you try the search engine? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=58107&highlight=bluebird
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