November 22, 2012

• Dad's Lincoln

  While I was growing up, my Dad didn't really seem to care much about his automobiles, how they looked, what kind they were, etc.  As long as they ran and held all his family, it was good enough for him.  He owned a variety of vehicles over the years but he did have a " Dream Car"....a 1947 Lincoln.

  My Dad had a 1947 blue Lincoln car when he was courting Mom.  He loved that car and he loved telling stories about it's electric push button windows.  It was a classy car.  Just remember when electric windows really became popular.....in the 70's I think, so this car was way ahead of the rest in his opinion.  Somehow it was his dream car for many decades.

  

  No door handles.  Just push buttons.

  A few years ago he called my brother-in-law up and told him that he had finally acquired a blue Lincoln.  It was a 1984 model.  He told Raymond that he took it for a spin out on Rte 33 and it rolled along with hardly a wobble.  Raymond was glad for Dad realizing his dream and couldn't wait to see it.

  Later, Dad called me and he was all excited.  He had just purchased a 1947 Lincoln at scrap metal price.  Everything was there except a couple of trim pieces.  The horn and the radio still worked but the car didn't run.  He had plans to restore it and I helped by looking up a few things on the Internet for him.  Frankly, I was excited too because I've always thought if I were a guy, I think it would be so rewarding to get an old car and completely restore it.

  

  

  Once I laid eyes on the rust bucket, however, I was sure that Dad would never live long enough to restore it.  But I kept my thoughts from him.  The last thing I wanted to do was discourage him.  This was his baby and if it gave him something to do, "Then go for it, Dad".  It was fun to see how interested he was in it.

  He loved taking people down there to look at it and he and my niece, who is 5 years old, loved going down so she could blow the horn.  She had to stand up on the seat and push with her feet to make it honk, but when it honked it HONKED.  What a horn!  More like something on a train locomotive.  If you weren't prepared, it'd blast you 6 and 9/10th inches or however many that Frank Gilbreath did when his little boy blew the horn on Foolish Carriage.  (See Cheaper by the Dozen).

  

  

  

   

  When Dad got sick last summer, he knew his days were numbered so he lowered his goal to just getting it to run.  Vernon took his tools out in August and worked a couple of days but didn't succeed.  Later my brother Veasy tried also but still wasn't able to get it going.  So he died without realizing that dream.

  Of course, we all felt bad.  Who wouldn't want to see someone have his lifelong wish fulfilled?  Especially your Daddy?  Oh well, he's in a much better place and I am sure that Lincolns no longer concern him but still......

  Anyway, what happened to the '84 model?   I am coming to that.  When the family all converged on the homeplace before the funeral, I heard Lavina exclaim:  "I found Grandpa's blue Lincoln and I am keeping it.  It's mine now!"  Here she is with her prize:

  

  This is very typical of Bennie Glenn's humor.  

  It only remains to be seen what will happen with the car.  I hope someone will restore it.  Tootles

   

  • 8:31 pm
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