Shelby’s Hot Rod Roundup “HAMB online” Pick 2014

Mark Boccuzzi’s 32 Ford Five Window Coupe,our 2014 HAMB Pic…

Mark Boccuzzi
1932 Ford 5 Window Coupe
Bridgewater,Connecticut

When I was in high school I never really enjoyed reading,writing or history….shoot wasn’t real crazy about high school at all.I really can’t say what changed,but now that I’m older I enjoy reading very much and with all the short blogs and articles on either of my websites (www.shelbysspeedandkustom.com or www.shelbysway.com) writing is something I look forward to and not dread.The history of a old Hot Rod built years ago captures my attention and emotions.In the Hot Rodding world they call these cars “Survivors” and appropriate name.If your lucky enough to find one of these cars that was custom built to the owners preference and also graced the pages of Hot Rod,Rod & Custom magazine or those Little Pages Hot Rod magazines you want to preserve,not restore.Our 2014 Shelby’s Hot Rod Roundup HAMB online Pick was just such a car…Mark Boccuzzi’s 1932 Ford 5 Window Coupe “The Coleman Coupe” named after its builder Don Coleman since he passed away.I don’t know much about Don,but have been told he was one hell of a guy.Don found the cars body in the woods and from that foundation was built.Don did all the work himself at his shop-chassis,brakes,paint,upholstery,chopping the top 3 inches and then painting it black where you can’t hide nothing.
Later the car was purchase by former editor of Rod & Custom magazine Neal East (Neil also has built a few hot rods himself) and lives in Littleton,Colorado.
Now the Coleman Coupe is owned by Mark Boccuzzi in Bridgewater,Connecticut A.K.A ct1932ford on the HAMB a traditional Hot Rod forum owned by Ryan Cochran owner also of The Jalopy Journal www.jalopyjournal.com a online Hot Rod enthusiasts website.
Mark bought the Coleman Coupe from Antony Law also a HAMB member A.K.A BigDaddy in July 2013. Mark tore the car down that winter for a much needed mechanical restoration with a few improvements along the way.Mark is no stranger to hard work or Hot Rods…he has been involved in hot Rodding since he was 14 and is currently retired as a project engineer where he originally worked as a tig welder on stainless sanitary pipe/tube and industrial fabrication.
Mark decided to sell the coupe in June 2015 after a drive to Norwalk a town he and his wife lived most of their life.He said they have a beach cruise monthly throughout the summer and he had never taken the Coupe down for this event.Well it wasn’t long before the Coleman Coupe had a small gathering of fellow hot rodders around the car,many were old friends.Marks words…”one fellow was going ape crap over the car” and shared that he had always wanted a 32 five window coupe like the one he had seen in the early 70’s coming down Route 7 in Norwalk/Wilton.After they exchanged names,he tells Mark “hey that was you back then” (Mark had built a 32 five window back in the 60’s).Well the stars were aligned and to cut the story short he sold the Coleman Coupe on the spot.History comes to pass and after a few moments they recognize each other….years pass we change,our looks change and life changes.Mark shared that they are now still in contact and in fact he came up last week to check out the new 32 five window project he just picked up.
The Coleman Coupe again has a new owner,but unlike our late model throw away cars we have today the Coupe will live forever with him or someone else and 20 years from now guys will still be digging up history on the car and exchanging the glory days of previous owners.Life is the same we are but moments in time,just like the wind and the flowers or grass of the field…here today and gone tomorrow.I miss my Dad,Shelby and passed friends,don’t wait to visit a friend or loved one,don’t put off or come up with a excuse of why you can’t get together,life don’t last forever at least not here in this world.I Love you my dear friends and family and hope to be with you for a long time,but if not I will see you in Heaven! Are you ready? Are you prepared? Are you Saved? I want to be with all of you for eternity….please if you haven’t come to the cross come and tell Christ how much you Love him and need him.God Bless my friends.