A Father and Son’s Bond Goes Deeper Than Just Hot Rods!
Justin recalls as a 10 year old boy his father built their 40 Ford coupe. Justin and his brother would ride along across the country to car shows in the 40 Ford to places such as: Minnesota, Oklahoma, Louisville and Columbus. As the boys grew older the hot rod bug remained in them. In the early 1990’s, Justin’s brother wanted a 40 Ford of his own. The Father/Son team built a 40 Ford pickup together!
While 40 Fords were the passion of his father and his brother, Justin says, “The 1932 Ford was more my style.” The wheels went into motion for plans of a roadster build one day.
In 2009, Justin’s father, now being a retired union electrician, experienced a health concern and developed the need for a kidney transplant. For the father that had been helping others, was now in need of receiving something himself. Who better to step in and help than one of his own sons? It was Justin that was there and able to donate one of his kidneys to his father.
After Justin’s father began to feel better, his father suggested, “It was time to build the roadster.” One of the first parts that his dad surprised him with was the V Spreader Bar. The Father/Son team took five and a half years to build the roadster “piece by piece.” The Spreader Bar that helped start the build, in fact, ended up being the very last piece that they put on the car together (see picture). According to Justin, “It’s been my turn the last couple of years to have taken him to all of the out of town shows and most of the local shows to continue their journey together.” The relationship between a father and son has now come full circle.
In conclusion, the next time you see a slick, bright green roadster going down the road, look close – it may just be a father and son smiling while riding along – living in the moment together!