Ryan submitted a new blog post: The Bob McCoy '40 Appreciation Thread Continue reading the Original Blog Post
From what I understand there is a copy / tribute clone of it out there too. Marcus Edell out of California owned the clone for a brief time. Here are some pictures of the real "McCoy" I found on the internet.
That car was a big influence on me as a kid...I probably built this kit half a dozen times. BUT, even as a kid (and budding artist), I remember thinking that the blend/fade on the flames was poorly done
Several years when I was vendor at the LARS my spot was next to Bob. He and his wife were really nice and very interesting to talk to. I had him make one of his famous cutaways for a friend of mine which he proudly displays in his office.
I'm inspired by the stance and detail. I'd love to see a full feature. Engine, interior, more of the story type stuff.
Bob McCoy was a heck of an artist … and at times chose to use his own creations in his work… Somewhere years ago I snatched this off the web and threw it in a folder with other 40 stuff. You either love or hate the flames… there is no middle ground on that. But, this has been one of the most photographed Hotrods out there… so there is definitely something appealing about them
My dad had one of his art pieces, a painting of dad in a sprint car busting out of the frame, my step mom commissioned it.. I have a couple of his prints hanging on the walls at home. We would always chat with him at LARS too.
'40 Deluxe Coupe, Sedan or Pickup in the top of my list of favorites of all time. This one is outstanding !
I have an older car friend who has shared with me that when he got out of the military He was in California. He was looking for a 40 ford coupe. He spotted one on a used car lot. To his surprise it was parked next to the Bob McCoy sedan. Also for sale. He could afford either one but after a difficult decision he bought the coupe. Although he had the coupe a very long time, and made many memories with it he still regrets not buying the McCoy sedan.
It's kinda funny, especially since I've been involved in "automotive art world", that I never put 2 and 2 together...the Bob McCoy '40 Ford, and Bob McCoy the artist are one in the same.
My '40 sedan is of course very much influenced by a few '40's, first Bob McCoy's sedan, then Gene Sonnen's, and finally Chuck DeHeras' So-Cal speed shop built '40 coupe. I always loved the nerf bars on the McCoy sedan and Chuck's coupe. Anyways, that's that... My '40 will soon be getting a much needed freshening up in 2023, including a 327 topped with four Stromberg's, a repainted firewall, and a Dave Bell style multi-color pinstriping job. Here's some more of Bob's art. I was happy to meet him in 2014, just 3 months before he left us.
Bob's Tudor is such a cool jigger, I have seen many photo's of his car but hadn't realised he was connected to 'His' art as I have seen it around. if I was going to end up with a 39 or 40 Tudor it would have to look just like Bob's! Where is it now??
Bob did one of his 3D acrylic pieces of my Zipper about 17 years ago. The NHRA Museum had a nice display of Bob's art for years and the '40 was on display there for awhile. Bob was a Rodeo rider, sprint car driver and all around good guy.
My second & third hot rods were 1940 Ford DeLuxe sedans, both were black and I wanted to have someone do the Bob McCoy style flames on both, We were raising twins and I never could scratch up the money to have it done. I love all the Deuces I have owned but that doesn't diminish my application of the 40 Fords, We traveled all over the country in my black 40 with a glass Mullins trailer in tow with the wife and both girls, I miss that car. HRP
Having grown up in San Diego and known Bobby for many years, although beautiful, his 40 tudor is only a small part of and incredibly talented person, wrestler , rodeo cowboy, body guard, excellent sprint car driver with a future Indy car ride had he not suffered a terrible crash, kean Bonneville racer, artist, striper, and one of the craziest/ best good guys to ever appear on the automotive scene, and I am fortunate enough to to have known him! I proudly display two of his drawings in my overstuffed garage!
I’ve always liked that car. I agree, the fade on the flames could have been better, but it was radical for its time. The design of the flames is much better than a lot of earlier designs. We’re just so used to seeing perfectly blended colors it makes this one look off a bit, but anything else just wouldn’t be the same on that car, it gives it its identity. You say “ Bob McCoy’s 40 Ford” and we all know what you’re talking about. Like Anthony says, I’d drive it!
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