Hi Again!!! Its Here...My '52 Henry J

I posted a bit back that I inherited my Dad's project car, a '52 Henry J. Dad died last year (and after diagnosed w/ pancreatic cancer, wanted to sell it so as not to "burden" me with it but I talked him out of that!). After Dad died I ended up with the whole estate to deal with so the car stayed in storage til I had a way to get it. I recently bought a house and made sure to get a 2 car garage so I could bring the car here (it was about 100 miles away where Dad had lived). Took a little doing to get things set up to get it here but finally....its here!!!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...ryjishere1.jpg

Thats a shot in my garage. Here it is at the Cruise to the Woods car show about 5 months before Dad died, where he placed in the top 10 out of over 1000 cars....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...NRYjOCT075.jpg

Engine, a Chevy "Stroker" 350, 383 CU, bored out. It has a positraction rear end & air compressor, aluminum header. Wide back tires (I guess Dad wanted to drag race it?). No back seat to accomodate the back tires.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...NRYjOCT071.jpg

So thats my car/my Dad's car. Now I need to learn to handle the powerful engine vs. light body and start showing it!!!

Angela

No crying on a hot rod forum, right?

But thanks, thats nice to hear. I hope I can honor him well with it. I've considered having a decal on the back window honoring him by name some way, but not sure what I want it to say.

Its a nice way to keep his love of cars alive, though.

Angela

It seems that personalized plates, or a name lettered on the car would be appropriate.

Let's see....."Family tradition"...."The heirloom"...."Pop's Pride"...."Family Ties"...."My Inheritance"...."Hand-Me-Down"...."Family Obsession"....etc. :-)

Henry Js were most often regarded as candidates for a drag car. That would explain the big tires.

You and your dad were both lucky!

The area immediately above the front wheel well lips is just begging for one of the offerings from HOTRODPAINT. The front fenders or bottom of the trunk lid is where we put names when I was a kid (in the 50's). Bless you child for not liquidating one of your father's cherished posessions. You're special.

As far as the back window, a simple "In memory of John Doe, 19XX-20XX" or "In memory of Dad, 19XX-20XX" would be quite acceptable.

As far as the tires, it's fitted with "bigs and littles" in the tradition of hot rods since the beginning....it's part of the "eyeball" that makes the car so aesthetically pleasing.

Are you going to take it to the Goodguys event in July? Edd

How about "Thanks Dad!"

Sweet ride....Good to hear that you worked to keep it and even made sure it had a nice place in your garage.....'Keepin' the dream alive'

I could take it to Good Guys...hell, maybe I will. I'm supposed to be on vacation w/ my Mom over the 4th.......

But it needs to get there!

Angela

I dont know you,But I would be proud to call you my child!

thank you. Really. Its a really hard time to have this car here....I've always approached it with trepidation and reverence, and now I have to get to know it on a greasy, down to piston level.

It will be ok.

I am a quick study, and I have passion for all things vintage (hence my biz, www.dorotheasclosetvintage.com). Dad never really got my love of clothing, but at this point we are finding common ground.

But I miss him....


Angela

a beautiful car and a beautiful story behind it. i am sure that your dad is smiling.

Angela, as the father of two girls, I am well aware of the very special bond that can exist between a father and a daughter. By taking over ownership of this car that he loved, you have given him a wonderful gift. I'm sure he is very proud of you.

We are so proud to hear how you have kept your Dad's dream car in the family, and are taking such good care of it. You have to remember the love and work he put into it and even though he said he didn't want to burden you with it, secretly I bet he is smiling down on you for not following that wish of his. My Dad died when I was very young, and I wish I had some of his things to remember him by.

On another note, Henry J's are about as cool as a car can be. You won't find many rodders who don't secretly lust after one (me included) They are just bada**, especially when set up like yours. I bet a lot of guys have gasser envy when they see a female behind the wheel. :LOL:

Thanks for sharing your story, and we are so sorry to hear about your Dad's passing.

Don

We love you with out meeting face to face - but certainly feel we know you Angela! I have three adult daughters and one (Diane) shares my love of all things mechanical. She's helped me build engines and even put an exhaust system on a car for me as a Christmas surprise one year. We're real close. Tears are a good thing, trust me - and know that you've endeared yourself to a whole lot of old men who would be proud to help you with anything we can and look forward to meeting you in person!

You've made friends (men and women alike) all over this great land without ever leaving Des Moines.

You continue to make your father a proud man! The car is great and some subtle scripting with some pin stripe accents would be just awesome! Keep us up to date!

Warm Regards,
Glenn

P.s. I have a son - he is single and handsome and wealthy and has a way cool truck. Give me a call - I could make you a deal, eh?

Wow, what a wonderful community you all have here (I'd say you "guys", but I see its not male-exclusive!). I'm touched by all the kind words. Adjusting slowly to the idea of having the car here and calling it "my car" instead of "Dad's car"....though it will always be Dad's car to me really. I wish I'd talked to Dad more about the mechanical aspects of the car, but I'll have to learn on my own. In which case I'm glad I found this place, odds are good I'll have questions!! I'm anxious to drive it but of course its raining today....

PS, Glenn...you're not trying to trade your son for the Henry J, are you? ;) hahaha

Angela

ITOLDYOUSO is right.....Way cool car! It screams Americana. I have a buddy that built a Henry J in the same exact fashion only it was painted in a pale green. I can see that you and your father both have great taste and class as well. I'm at an age where I know that the inevitable is creeping up on me.....losing two of the most dear people in my life....my parents. I am sorry for your loss, but can assure you that you have made your dad soo very proud. I am certain! I am sure there will be no lack of help in here when you need it.

Dave G

Cool car and great that you are keeping it. I'm sure he's smiling! Welcome to CHR

Aw gee Angela - I was hoping to get you to marry my son and then I could have the best of all worlds - a daughter, a son, and a daughter-in-law that are into great cars!!

Angela,
I am a father of three children two daughters and a son. My entire family got my bug of a passion for cars.

A couple of weekends ago, there was a car show within 3 miles from my house and I wanted both the restored '29 Ford Model A and the Street Rod '34 Ford 4dr. Since the wife and son were both busy that day, I asked my daughter to drive the street rod as it has the automatic. While she didn't stay at the car show, she did drive my car and it made me VERY proud to have her do so. She was excited an nervous at the same time but I said - "there isn't anything to worry about as it's just like any other car".

As far as a tribute: "Driven in honor of my Dad"

Angela- Congrats on completing the relocation. I'm sure your dad is grinning ear to ear knowing the profound love you have for his car. He'd want you to drive the wheels off it :)

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Originally Posted by yellowhenryj

Wow, what a wonderful community you all have here (I'd say you "guys", but I see its not male-exclusive!). I'm touched by all the kind words. Adjusting slowly to the idea of having the car here and calling it "my car" instead of "Dad's car"....though it will always be Dad's car to me really. I wish I'd talked to Dad more about the mechanical aspects of the car, but I'll have to learn on my own. In which case I'm glad I found this place, odds are good I'll have questions!! I'm anxious to drive it but of course its raining today....

PS, Glenn...you're not trying to trade your son for the Henry J, are you? ;) hahaha

Angela

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You have a beautiful car Angela.
I took ownership of my Chevy when my dad passed away in 2002. I have to admit that I still call it Dad's car. I have already worked it out with my son to take it from me and keep it in the family. This wasn't my dad's favorite car, just his last. I am looking for a 33 or 34 coupe to be my toy to play with. But Dad's 52 will always be around and treated with respect.

Hey Angela, sorry to hear about your dad and it sounds like you have adjusted pretty decent to him being gone even though it still hurts. A lot of people like to hear the story behind the car and so you may want to consider putting the story into a photo album of pics of your dad building the car if they exist. This could be difficult for you, but it may also help you in honoring what your dad did. Like the others have already said, if you need help, there are plenty of people who are willing, including in DesMoines.

Hi guys & gals

Couldn't get on earlier, weird glitch. Site would NOT load.

I'm pretty overwhelmed, frozen with emotion and fear of driving it. There is a car show Sunday, on Father's Day, and I want to take it to that. Kicker is I'm supposed to be at my daughter's Dad's house for cookout with him & his Mom (we're divorced, but I try to keep up a relationship for her sake). I WILL do this show though!

The idea of a photo album is brilliant. My Mom is bringing down all his award plaques for me to create a wall in the garage by the car....Dad had a lot of cars, a '50 Ford and others.....that won awards. His lifelong passion was to own a Willy's and the Henry J was the closest he got.

I'll be trying to liquidate some of his model/die casts soon too....wayyyy too many to keep. Any thoughts on how to go about learning about those before I sell?

Thank you all, you are AWESOME!

Angela

Angela look on ebay, doing searches for specific models. Follow the bidding by selecting watch this item button. After a few you should get an idea how much people are willing to pay. You can also do a craigslist search, but may not be that helpfull. I'm sure there are model web sites that would be helpfull, esp. for collectors. Hope this helps. Steve.

What type of models do you have? (old, nascar ect.) My folks live in Waterloo and he has a bunch of them as well and has books concerning their value. I don't know how new the books are, but he might be able to give you some suggestions on what to look for. He may even know some people in your area who may be interested since he has traded with people all over IA.

Great ideas....I haven't really looked at them as hard as I should, they still smell like Dad's house and it makes me sort of sad, weird huh? I used to sit with him while he hunted eBay, or sold them on eBay, or worked on them at the desk behind his computer desk. Sat there and watched the Super Bowl a month before he died with him even.

Maybe can't sell them yet.

Ang

Yeah. Thing is, there are hundreds. What I had sort of planned was to sell most and keep ones that have meaning to me, some for my daughter, give some to my sister/her kids. But I can't justify keeping all of them all boxed up.

Though I have room. Seems a shame to have them in boxes in the basement though.

He sold off the ones that were worth the most before he died, so far I've researched 2 and they don't sell for more than 5-10 bucks...I run a website so I know the work that goes into selling online, doesn't seem worth taking pics/editing/listing on ebay and paying fees for those prices.

I'm keeping one for sure....the last time I spoke to Dad before the dementia from the cancer set in, a few nights before he died, he gave me his Paypal password to pay for a car he had custom done by a guy in Florida he'd been emailing back and forth with. He didn't want him to think he had forgotten.

The car came after he died.....I'd forgotten about it in the meantime. It was one of the last things he ever talked to me about.

Angela

Sell the models/die casts which the family doesn't snap up on ebay in lots of five or more each. Shouldn't be much trouble to get rid of them, and better than trashing them.

maybe you could name the car HENRITTA I AM SURE this would get you some attention

Quote:

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Originally Posted by yellowhenryj

Adjusting slowly to the idea of having the car here and calling it "my car" instead of "Dad's car"....though it will always be Dad's car to me really.

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I see no reason why you can't ALWAYS call it 'dad's car'

I was fortunate enough to inherit one of grandpa's guns. A .22 Sport King target pistol. I never refer to it as MY gun.. it's always refrenced as 'Grandpas' pistol'.

RIP our blessed ancestors

Quote:

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Originally Posted by firebird77clone

I see no reason why you can't ALWAYS call it 'dad's car'

I was fortunate enough to inherit one of grandpa's guns. A .22 Sport King target pistol. I never refer to it as MY gun.. it's always refrenced as 'Grandpas' pistol'.

RIP our blessed ancestors

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Inherited my uncles pump action .22 which was his grandfathers. Love that gun but still call it Uncle Ed's.
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/c...ens/gun002.jpg