Dupont's 'Top Gun' 1937 Ford Cabriolet

The Vancouver Motorsport Show will be displaying the gorgeous 1937 Ford owned by Don & Karen Blacksmith of Grant’s Pass, Oregon. This Ford was one of over 900 applicants throughout North America to be submitted for the DuPont’s “Top Gun Award”. The company narrowed the applicants down and the top 12 were picked to be on the 2000 DuPont Top Gun Calendar.

This “Top Gun” Cabriolet was modified and completed over a 2-1/2 year period. All purchases and fabrication were done by businesses in the Grant’s Pass area.

The outstanding paint on this street rod are all DuPont products. The white is Diamond Pearl with a tint of tan added. It is a 1995 Cadillac colour. The darker colour is Prairie Tan Metallic and is a Ford Colour. The two colours are separated by a highlight band of magenta. The paint and graphics were applied by Paul Hulst of Hulst Customs in Grant’s Pass, Oregon. In four shows this car has won “Best Paint” in three of them.

This is one hot rod that has already gathered its share of awards and trophies. At the Grand National Roadster Show in San Francisco in won second place in its class. At the Portland Oregon Show it won five awards including: 1st place in its class; “Best Roadster” and “Best Paint”. At the Boise, Idaho Show it won six awards including first in class, “Best Paint”, “Best Engine”, Best Display awards and “People’s Choice”. At the Eugene, Oregon Show it won first in class, “Best Paint”, “Best Upholstery” and “Best Hot Rod”. That is a total of 16 awards in four shows or an average of four awards per show.

The car body is from Downs Manufacturing and mounted on a TCI chassis. It has a GM 223 350 V-8 engine that develops 340 hp. The transmission is a B & M Turbo 400 and the rear end is a nine inch Ford 3:73 posi track. Tires are Firestone Firehawks with 16” in front and 17” in the back. Boyds Spirit wheels are used 16 X 8 in front and 17 X 10 in the back.

In the luscious interior, the dash and console were hand built by Leroy’s Rods. V.D.O. gauges were installed. An IDIDIT brand steering column was used while Specialty brand power windows, trunk and wipers were installed. Full leather interior was stitched by Jon Lind by Antique Auto of Eugene, Oregon.

The engineering is extensive. Stainless exhaust, polished stainless 15 gallon gas tank, one piece polished aluminium driveline, bumpers triple plated both sides, front and rear suspension, Borgeson steering shafts and joints all hand polished, all brake and fuel lines highly polished, complete belly pan, inner fenders, splash pans and rear roll pan all hand built and louvered by Leroy’s Rods.

The vehicle is so exquisite that you must see it in person in order to appreciate it. So come to the Vancouver Motorsport Show where you will be able to see this incredible Ford as well as many other hot rods, customs, low riders, etc. The dates of the car show are March 3,4 & 5, 2000 and the location will be the Pacific Coliseum at the P.N.E. fairgrounds.