Wednesday, October 18, 2006 · Page 14 Bob James remembers his 1957 Ford Convertible Now in his early 70s, Bob James still remembers a car he owned in Quebec over 45 years ago: "I was working for Goodyear Tire at PortCartier near Sept-Iles. A lot of the Euclid earth movers and other heavy equipment from the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway went up there. Goodyear needed a man up there to look after these big tires, like I had done on the Seaway. "I arrived in the fall of 1959. The following spring, I went to the shop one day and saw a smashed-up '57 Ford convertible in the yard. It was for sale `as is' for $500 so I bought it. "A fellow who worked in our shop was a body man from Rimouski and he helped me find a bumper and a used grille and a used right front fender. Then I hired a fellow to take the whole front end off and we put the new stuff on. "The car was black with red and white inside, but I knew at the time not to paint a fixed-up car black. If there was a wave, it would show, and I never liked black. Black is for funeral cars. The only other choice was white. "With the new paint job, I drove it all around with the top down and it was one of the nicest cars down there. "In those days, if you had a clock in the dash, it always ran too fast or too slow. But the clock in my car never lost a second. It was the best clock I ever had. The shock of the accident might have given it the right adjustment. "By the fall of 1960, I'm in Montreal and working for B.F. Goodrich. I still had the '57 convertible and it was my everyday car. But it was getting old (four Bob James and his `57 Ford Convertible. years old!) and I traded it for a '59 Ford station wagon in 1961. On my way to pick up the station wagon, I hit a pot hole. One heck of a bang. A week later, I brought the station wagon in for servicing and the salesman said to me: `Are you ever lucky!' And I said: `What do you mean?' And he said when the yard man went to move the convertible, a front wheel fell off. I must have cracked the front suspension when I hit that pot hole. "But I enjoyed that convertible while I had it. And I'll tell you this: I wish I had that car now." In the sales race between Ford and Chevrolet in the 1950s, both makes could claim to be the winner in 1957. Ford beat Chevy in model-year production by 170,000 units. But Chevy beat Ford in calendar-year production by a slim 130 units. Do you have any old car stories to share with our readers? CARSTORY I S SPONSORED BY Your Security. Our Responsibility. I N F O R M A T I O N N I G H T The Plains of Africa Nov., 8, 2006 "Kenya 13300 TECUMSEH RD. E., GREEN VALLEY PLAZA, TECUMSEH & COLLETTE VACATIONS Presents... E-mail: with your comments at: Countryside Upholstery "For all your furniture needs" · Foam for cushions · Furniture Reupholstery · Repairs · Antique Restoration · Pick-Up & Delivery · Free Estimates Proprietor Tom Collins RSVP Only! 519.979.9555 Call the Travel Zone: 979-9555 or www.tzone@mnsi.net Wildlife Safari" essexfreepress@on.aibn.com 737-6720 "Serving the Community for Over 30 Years" A STRONG VOICE FOR ALL RURAL CONSTITUENTS TOWN OF ESSEX PARKS AND RECREATION Ladies ONLY Aged 18 & up DAN DIEMER · INTEGRITY · EXPERIENCE · COMMON SENSE The only candidate who lives and works in Ward 5 at Essex Recreation Complex for 2 hours and fitness is ze in exercise ing lessons. The latest cra ssex pole danc ed in E ty being showcas gained populari n" pastime has fu e up This "sexy and l be able to ton ancers who wil th with budding d this October 25 hop being held with a works ation Complex. at Essex Recre erfect e room is the p tairs All Purpos Our downs kills and moves ut a variety of s try o arisa Makuch. private studio to ce Instructor L Dan with Specialty For More Information, Please Contact Us At: 519-776-8992