Re: Interesting car at Auburn
Comments are from July/Aug '71 Ford Life:
Hollywood businessman Percy T. Morgan initially had two Ford chassis shipped overseas at a cost of $568 each plus ocean freight. Modifications included changing the Houdailles to Andre Telecontrol shocks that were adjustable from the drivers compartment. The steering column was raked and extended and the gear shift moved almost a foot to the rear by means of special linkage. Dual exhaust was fitted for performance as well as a 3.54 gear set. Naturally, the Ford fenders were much modified to fit the custom coach work. Mr. Morgan related in the 1971 article that the vehicles cost him $2300 and they were to sell for $2900.
Clark Gable was to buy the second car, the first being painted black with tan upholstery and the second silver with a red interior. He tried to get Morgan to sell him the black one, but Morgan wanted it for himself, lending the silver one to Gable for a few days upon which it was returned and Clark wound up buying a Duesenberg roadster instead.
The third Jensen that Morgan had built (at an undisclosed later date) was bought by a Cincinnati business man and it's fate is unknown. Back in '71 the black car was owned and had been restored by a Warren Wyman and the silver car had been located and purchased by Gordon Chamberlin, co-publisher of Ford Life magazine.
Gable had put down a deposit, sight unseen,of $1000 but that's as far as it went for him.
Last edited by Fordors; 09-04-2011 at 06:04 PM.
|