Bob McCoy 1940 Ford prom photo and 1st wife to be Judy Grobbel, baton twirler -1956 SDHS San Diego High School. I came across this 1956 photo of the legendary real Fifties guy Bob McCoy and his famous 1940 Ford with flames. Bob lived the American dream. He was in the heart of it in the Fifties and continued his love of Hot Rods in his sign painting and artist career. He passed away last year and left his memories with his art and his friends. He will always be remembered in Hot Rod history.
flashback to 1956: Would you have let your daughter go to the prom with a car like that sitting out front? Must have looked like a real hoodlum car. he, he Cool pic and bit of history
Wow what a great memory of a real great guy. Met him in the 90s at Pomona and have one of his prints he signed for me.
Bob was the first artist I met when I started hitting the shows with my own art and apparel. It was Good Guys Del Mar just a few years ago. He made me feel welcome, showed me his work, and gave me all kinds of advice during our first conversation - smiling the whole time. I introduced myself every year since while vending near him at the L.A. Roadster show. He'd always say "Sure, I remember. Good to see you BO..." and then show me some new piece he had created. He loved what he did and made me feel like a peer - even though he was the legend, not me. Great artist. great man.
^ I never followed the magazines and I'm on the wrong coast...but now that you just showed the nerf setup...why yes indeed,... I do very much remember the car. Another cool pic. hey, the shirt....the Beach Boys copied him
Back in the day the Stone's allowed Mary Stone to go out with a guy that had to park on a hill to make sure his car would start. Heck, they allowed her to go out with Tommy Ivo and we all know he likely drove too fast.
I think its terrific people build tribute cars like this, that show a piece of history that reflects a great era of the Fifties.
Chick and I met Bob through the Forties Limited, he did the art for the shirts back in the 80's and 90's. Great guy, we would run into him at the car shows, always remembered us and would just give us prints and explain why he drew them. He loved all types of cars, from hot rods to Porshe 356's. He was an artist that truly lived the Hot Rod Life, and he is missed.
Thanks for posting the prom pic! That's awesome! This is my dad and I in front of our McCoy Flamed '40! We enjoyed talking with Bob while building it. Sorry we never got the chance to meet him in person. Dad bought his '40 in 1958 the same year Bob's was on the front of the Hot Rod annual. Dad always wanted his to look like that so I made it happen
Okay if it was me in the fiftys, I wouldn't choose to be the dad, I would be Him!! Drive that everywhere, go anywhere with here and go all in that car and that girl! The are so beautiful together
Thx Stretch! U heading to Wayland tomorrow? Wish I could make it... Gotta work to pay for my habits! Good and bad!
The Jalopy Journal
