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Topic starter
27/07/2024 10:16 am
In the 20s and30s, there was a contentious relationship between old Henry Ford and son Edsel. Edsel was fascinated with European designs and was constantly proposing new designs only to be rejected by Henry who was very happy with his low cost, high output strategy and derided his son as an effete cultural elitist. Edsel had one win over Henry when got him to replace the Model T with what was called the "baby Lincoln" (AKA: the Model A For 1934, Edsel went to his chief designer Eugene Gregorie asking him to build a sleek, low slung two seat speedster. Gregorie was formerly a designer at Brewster that built bodies for American built Rolls Royces. With Edsel given some reign over Lincoln (bought by Ford in 1922), The two were collaborators that were to build Lincoln Zephyrs, Continentals and Mercurys. The Model 40 Speedster was on a scaled up chassis for the Model Y English Ford that Gregorie had designed. For performance, the car was powered by the 239 cid flathead V8 with twin 2bbl Strombergs that produced 115 HP. Edsel was generally happy with the design and shopped around the prototypes to see if they could get the car produced in limited quantities but could not make it happen. Although costing $100,000 to build, when Edsel died in 1943, the car, at that time powered by Mercury V8, was bequeathed to Edsel's widow for $200. She didn't drive so the car was stored until her death. Passing through a few hands, it was finally restored and refinished in its original "Pearl Essence Gunmetal Dark" and sold in 2008 for $1.76 million. This boat-tailed, pontoon fendered speedster was to be a paean to European design, but to me, it looks like the precursor to the classic American chopped, channeled, nosed and decked hot rod. Model by Minichamps. Note the strapped down spare tire behind the seats.
27/07/2024 12:02 pm
Thanks for such an informative piece on this famous, but little understood car.
27/07/2024 1:50 pm
Yep! THIS is the 1/18 resin model that has tempted me the most. I've come OH-SO-CLOSE a few times, but I just can't do it. I love this car, but more for the history behind it. If I had enough "play money" I'd do what Leno occasionally does....
"Excuse me, but I love this car; here's a blank check.... you fill in the amount and I'll take your keys, deal?"
27/07/2024 3:37 pm
Nice wish Chris !! I wish I could do the same thing and get me a '72 Pantera !! 👍
Jack Dodds and Christopher Moroni reacted
Topic starter
27/07/2024 3:59 pm
@chris Is it expensive now? It was released 11 years ago.
Steve Jacobs and Christopher Moroni reacted
27/07/2024 5:36 pm
@100ford2003 I've purchased a few 1:1 collector cars (not for sale, but parked at a house ) by knocking on the front door, talking to the owner and striking a deal.... but I doubt I'll ever be handing anyone a blank check. 🙄 🤨
Jack Dodds and Steve Jacobs reacted
27/07/2024 5:40 pm
Is it expensive now? It was released 11 years ago.
No, no... my "blank check" statement refers to the actual 1:1 car. I've seen Minichamps 1/18 resin versions go for as little as $28 (missing a few pieces ) to just under $180 for "NIB" examples.
28/07/2024 1:02 am
@100ford2003 I've purchased a few 1:1 collector cars (not for sale, but parked at a house ) by knocking on the front door, talking to the owner and striking a deal.... but I doubt I'll ever be handing anyone a blank check. 🙄 🤨
A friend of mine, now passed away sadly, lived up in Pasadena and used to get all these great cars at next to nothing $. He would regale me with the cars he had and what it cost him and we used to have the best times laughing and giggling and just having so much fun talking about all the Packards and Cadillacs and whatever it was he was able to get from the thirties and forties. Good Lord Bruce there's so many people and collector car people that miss you. You were such a Beacon of Hope !!
May you always RIP in Car Heaven my Bestest Friend ever 🙏😇
28/07/2024 4:33 am
@100ford2003 How nice that you remember him in that way; he seemed like a great guy. As I've noted before, my best friend and I have owned over 400 cars...but he's had the bulk of them. Talk about stories! No doubt, if Bruce were still with us, these two would have plenty to discuss! 😉 😉 😉
28/07/2024 1:38 pm
Thanks 👍
We had a great time moving him up to where his deceased dad had property in Mira Monte, CA. This was in '05. It's in the mountains East of Bakersfield and close to Kings Canyon & Sequoia National Parks. Beautiful country there. Sadly, he passed from cancer a few years ago. 😇
Jack Dodds and Christopher Moroni reacted
28/07/2024 2:57 pm
@100ford2003 ... well at least he got c.15 years living peacefully, surrounded by beauty. Not a bad way to go, not bad at all.
Steve Jacobs reacted
29/07/2024 11:22 am
Due to space limitations, I have this and the other Minichamps models in 1/43 scale. Thanks for the info. Rich.
Jack Dodds and Christopher Moroni reacted
29/07/2024 11:29 am
I have this and the other Minichamps models in 1/43 scale.
Funny you mention this Bob..... I didn't realize Minichamps had even released a 1/43 version until two days ago. 🙄 🙄