VANCOUVER — If we turn the clock back 75 years, Gone with the Wind was having its Canadian premiere at the Orpheum Theatre and local Ford dealers were offering the 1940 Ford – actually introduced in 1939 – with clean styling for the 1940 model year.
Major changes included a new front end with fully integrated grille, a new interior and dashboard, sleek roof curves and a split angular windshield.
Designed by Bob Gregoire, the 1940 Ford Deluxe Convertible Coupe may be one of the prettiest cars Ford ever produced. He was encouraged and influenced by Edsel Ford, who was always battling with his father Henry on approval for new innovations and models.
Gone with the Wind is regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, placing in the top 10 of the American Film Institute’s list of top 100 American films. I suspect most readers have seen the movie, but some might not have been exposed to one of Ford’s greatest models. This weekend in Vancouver, it can be viewed during the 2015 Luxury and Supercar Weekend at VanDusen Gardens.
The event’s Canadian Concours d’Elegance will feature a Michael Moore-curated display of some of the finest stock and modified examples of the 1940 Ford and Mercury cars, including one pickup truck. Just a few of the must-see examples of the 10-plus models on display include Earl Tucker’s 1940 Model 73B, which was available in a four-door sedan for the middle-class family. Bill Trant will display his restored 01A De Luxe, and the lone Mercury product belonging to Al Casselman is a very desirable convertible. It has been modified, but it is very subtle and only the wheels would give it away.
If you look at the photo of Lorne Embree’s Woody Wagon finished in polished maplewood, it is hard to find the words to describe what went into the build and resurrection of this incredible automobile.
Pictures are not enough. I suggest that you come and see it in the flesh.
Other feature marques during the two-day event include the 60th anniversary of the MGA, 60th anniversary of the Ford Thunderbird, future Japanese collectibles and a class of bespoke Rolls-Royce models dating back to 1912. There are also classes of prewar, American, European Classic and postwar European sports cars.
For complete information and tickets, visit luxurysupercar.com.
Nigel Matthews is the global director of client services for Hagerty Insurance Agency, LLC — Hagerty is the world’s largest specialist provider of collector car insurance and provides many resources that support the classic car lifestyle. Contact him at nmatthews@hagerty.com or visit hagerty.ca.
