Art & Inspiration A very special Fathers Day---39 Ford cabriolet!!

I have to share this great story. Last year I took 4 pals with me to tour a friend's car collection that was some 4 hours a way. Loaded the suburban and off we went. While touring the collection, my friend told us that a few of the cars were for sale and shared his prices but did not really try to sell us on anything... he was just sharing his treasures and giving answers and prices when asked. It was a great trip and a good time was had by all.
One particular car was especially interesting to several of my pals; a 39 Ford cabriolet that was very complete and kept in very good storage for a long time.
One of my pals favors 39 Fords above all others so he was very interested in the car and liked it a bunch but couldn't bring himself to buy it as he didn't have room for it and he didn't want to put forward that much money just on himself. I later talked with the owner and with him but couldn't get my pal to step forward.
Fast forward to this year at York, PA where I was attending the NSRA nats east.
My pal's son called me and told me he wanted to get the car for his Dad for a surprise on Fathers Day and wanted me to help make it happen.
As luck would have it, my friend that owned the 39 was at York, too.
It took a while but I immediately went looking for him and told him the situation. Being the good guy he is, I think he made the son a bargain he couldn't refuse and the son didn't. He also threw in some additional parts that he had already purchased for the car; making the deal even sweeter.

Here is the picture the son sent me before leaving my friend's garage.


The car was hidden in the son's friend's garage until it was parked in front of Bob's house about 4:30 this morning. They expected Bob to find it when he went to get the paper about 6:30. I've been dying to tell but the son swore me to secrecy.

I spoke to the very surprised Father this morning and he was stunned to say the least. His son and grandson hid in the bushes and filmed the whole thing.
My pal said he immediately recognized the car but was befuddled that it was at his house! He first thought I bought it and had left it for him to work on!!
Needless to say there was a great Fathers Day celebration at my pal's home this morning!!

I was honored to be a part of this really neat story.
Thought y'all might enjoy the tale.

A very Happy Hamtown Al

 

Great story. Thanks for sharing it. I'm partial to 39 Cabriolets as the teenage guy up the street from me had one and let me ride with him to the parts store (with my mom's permission). I was about 9 or 10 at the time and it left a lasting impression on me. I remember it in detail.

 

Great story.
Somebody is going to have fun!

 

Great car and a heartwarming story. His son really stepped up and his dad still didn't think that it was his. I would like to see the video

 

Good stuff. Thanks for sharing. Snowman

 

Fantastic gesture. Shows how great a father he is.

 

Beautiful car! Great son, too. Mine would never do anything like that.

 

Great story, Al. Thanks for sharing it with the rest of us.

 

Wow, wish I could be so lucky. Congratulations on being the next caretaker.

 

Cool story and that looks like an awesome 39!

 

That is some good stuff right there..

 

That's a beautiful car.

 

I haven't done this before so don't know if this link will work.
Turn your volume all the way up.



MVI_7540.MP4

Enjoy,
Al

 

Nice. Made me think of this one here in MD.

 

My 1939 Ford rag top unfinished project.

 

The good news is that I went to see the car today and take pictures. The bad news is my dang smartphone outsmarted me in getting them to my computer!!

The engine turns over by hand pretty easily. The oil on the original dipstick seemed pretty fresh and smooth to the touch on the original Ford dipstick that said 40W for summer and 20W for winter!!

Car is more impressive in person. Very solid and well kept. I expect it to run with a minimum of effort. The spare tire was securely mounted behind the driver's seat with three lugs used to keep the wheel steady on the factory bracket.

My pal was still somewhat starstruck even today... and I don't blame him!

I'll try again to get the pictures.

I knew everyone would love this story. I was honored to play a part in it happening.

Forgot to mention that the tags were good thru Aug of 1977 and the inspection sticker was marked to expire in January of 1978.

 

Awesome story and a beautiful car!

 

Round two for pictures!



Garnish moldings looked like were chrome... or used to be!!


I should have taken a picture of the dipstick! Sorry.
Looked like it had at least one repaint as paint was still on the chrome trim is places.
Interior is very serviceable. Also had stock Ford radio.
I'll bet that thing is running the next time I see it!!

 

Left out his 39 sedan he has had since the 60s!!

 

My friend Ron Bjorski had a '39 Cabriolet in high school, kept it 'til around '62...he graduated in '57, joined the Harley Davidson #1 Team, raced for a few years. The little Cabriolet got sold to another friend of his, Rodney.
Rodney drove the car for a couple of years, garaged it at his Mom's in '65.
I wanted it, Rod didn't care if he sold it or not...I was busy with '63 Dodge drag racing and my roadster at the time, so I quit pestering him.
Sure would be a peach to find out he still had it...

 

That's the kind of story every father dreams of !
Your friend's Son is a class act and so are you Al.
KK

 

Cool story, thanks for sharing.

 

OMGosh!

 

super cool story. i love how the video ended.

 

good story and very nice car good luck with it and enjoy

 

........................Half asleep, confused and in total disbelief!........Great Son, great friend (Al, the coordinator) and fabulous story.

 

One of my wish list cars is a 39 Deluxe sedan.

 

...............One of my all-time favorites as well.

 

Just too Cool