Ford Coupes, A Popular Car In Germany In The 50's

[Shadetree]

Ford coupes in the 50’s were a big thing even when you were stationed miles away in a foreign country. This was taken in the late 50’s in Germany with three of my friends. I remember a story they told of a slickster in the squadron about diagnosing an engine problem. He stuck a long screwdriver down the throat of the carburetor and after a few minutes of diagnosing said “Yep, the cam is wore out!”
Sadly the one on the left passed away just recently and I haven’t been able to find the other two.

Although our numbers are dwindling we still have reunions in Myrtle Beach every year.

[19Fordy]

Thank you for your service to our country.

[Vic Piano]

Bud, that's neat. When I was stationed in Germany (Army, 1970), the most popular "American cars" were '65 Chevy Impalas and '66 Ford Mustangs’.

[Rand]

Great picture...I just saved it to my album
Randy

[Woodie1]

I was in the Air Force 1967-71. When in England someone was doing a cheap job restoring 48 MG's & selling them for around $850.00.

[FL&WVMIKE]

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SHADETREE .....................
Neat photo !
MIKE

[KGS]

Shadetree, Did you crew on the "Sabre Dog"?

[ventilo]

cool - on which air base was this picture taken?

ventilo
formerly with the German Air Force (and now with Ford)
my oldest son will start his pilot training in Phoenix, AZ next year

[blucar]

I was in the US Army in the mid '50's attached to the 14th AC at Fulda.. Fulda is about 60 miles north-east of Frankfort.. I was quite amazed at the old US cars I saw in Germany, of course they had been taken there by the US Forces..
Two that really stuck in my mind, one of which was a '38 Chevy coupe.. The best one I think I have ever seen.. It was black, had a Fulton visor plus other goodies. It was parked in a parking lot adjacent to an Army HQ building in Frankfort.
I have a pix of it in my album which I have not scanned into my computer yet.
I also saw a really nice '40 Ford conv. one day, unfortunately I was not able to get a pix of it..
I had a '50 Opel 2dr in Germany.. It was a 4 cyln OHV.. German version of a '40's model Chevy.. It was a really good car, always started during the cold German winter..
Several months ago I had a very strange thing happen to me.. While searching through eBay for a '49 license plate for my '49 Olds I came upon a '49 US Forces in Germany plate.. I scrolled through the listings and came upon a '57 US Forces in Germany plate.. Looking at the number, something seemed familiar about the plate.. I saved the listing so I could think about it..
Looking through my Army photo album I came upon a pix of my Opel... Wow! The '57 plate on my Opel was only five numbers from the plate on eBay..
The unit of the MP's that handled vehicle registration came to the outlaying areas on a set schedule.. All transactions pertaining to vehicle registration had to be handled per this schedule.. When new licenses were being issued they usually were done so on a "by Company basis". Since the plate on eBay was only five numbers from mine, this meant that the person that was issued that plate was only five people behind me in the line... SPOOKY TO SAY THE LEAST.. The original owner of the plate was a member of my Company or possibly the 501 Arm Medics..
I made sure that my bid was high enough to insure that I won the bid.. The set of plates now has an honored place on the wall of my shop with my other license plates..

[ventilo]

Anyone recon CJ-5005 (issued in Frankfurt area) and now hanging on my wall?

[oldbugger]

Originally Posted by Vic Piano

Bud, that's neat. When I was stationed in Germany (Army, 1970), the most popular "American cars" were '65 Chevy Impalas and '66 Ford Mustangs’.

Vic, I also was in the army in Germany 1970-71, medic- mechanic at the nuremburg army hospital. Friend of mine had a 67 Ford galaxy 7 liter that was fun to drive there. you could run away from those mercedes until about 130

[Steves46]

Bud, thank you for sharing the photo. During my Air Force career, Myrtle Beach AFB was my first assignment from 79 to 83. I was sad when the base was shut down and from the photos I see today, much of what I remember has changed or is long gone. Steve

[Vic Piano]

Originally Posted by oldbugger

Vic, I also was in the army in Germany 1970-71, medic- mechanic at the nuremburg army hospital. Friend of mine had a 67 Ford galaxy 7 liter that was fun to drive there. you could run away from those mercedes until about 130

The only vehicles I got to drive over in Germany were Jeeps, five quarters, deuce & a half’s and an occasional M-60 Tank... No fun in any of them...

[Shadetree]

Originally Posted by KGS

Shadetree, Did you crew on the "Sabre Dog"?

KG,
No I was never a crew chief. I worked in the hangar as a mechanic doing 100 hour periodic inspections on the F-86D. I did this for three years, 1956-1959 at Landstuhl and Hahn Air Force Bases in Germany, 5 1/2 days a week (No overtime!). But, I didn't have to pull alert or work outside. We went to Tripoli, Libya every winter for target practice. It was great duty and we got away from a month of winter in Germany!

This training helped me later in life. In 1984 I bought a 1963 Cessna 150 for $4800 and my son and I learned to fly it.

I am still in touch with my Hangar Chief! He is over 90 years old, a WWII Vet and still going strong. He never makes it to our reunions however.

Bud Reynolds

[Shadetree]

Originally Posted by ventilo

cool - on which air base was this picture taken?

ventilo
formerly with the German Air Force (and now with Ford)
my oldest son will start his pilot training in Phoenix, AZ next year

Ventilo,
The picture was taken at Hahn AFB near Loutzenhausen (sp). The base was closed and I believe Hahn is now an extension of Frankfurt Airport. Would you believe Chuck Yeager was once stationed there?

Every weekend we were in Koblenz! Loved that town!

That is wonderful news about your son. My son and I are refurbishing a `46 Aeronca Champ. Flying and working on airplanes never gets out of your blood!

Best of luck to your son! I envy him!

[ventilo]

Cool picture, didn't know Chuck was stationed over here in Germany.
Hahn is now a commercial airfield - mainly for low-cost carriers. Althouth it's called "Frankfurt-Hahn" it is at least a two hour drive form Frankfurt.


Here's are some pics from our club's outing to the former Ford flying club's airstrip south of Cologne

my 63½ Galaxie in front of a PA-18 Super Cup and a SB-5:



my youngest son (five at the time) before his first flight (the glider chute's harness wouldn't quite fit):


two 'Stangs:

[Shadetree]

Great pictures! Great cars and airplanes! I helped a friend build a 2/3 scale Mustang. Looked much like the one in the picture.

I sure enjoyed my stint in Germany once I started leaving the base, learning a little of the language and saw the country and its people. My friend had a `53 Merc Hardtop, wonder if it is still there?

I promised someone I would return, but didn't...

Thanks for your kind comment and pictures.