Could You Tackle a Renovation from the Ground Up?
There must be a great story behind a car named Boogieman’s Impact! We do not have to look far to find the proud owner of this luscious red 1940 Ford Coupe hot rod. The Boogieman himself, Gary Zaborowski, is happy to talk DIY restorations with us because the Riverview, MI native did all the work himself. Share our video with fellow gearheads and see how many of them are up for the challenge. Tell us your own restoration stories in the comments.
From Wrecked Race Car to a Red-Hot Classic
Where does the hot rod get its name? Life begins for this car as a racer, until an impact with a track wall -at the blistering speed of 167 mph- brings a swift end to that career. The Boogieman sees the next incarnation of his car as one monster hot rod resurrected from the remains of the wrecked racer. And Boogieman’s Impact! is born.
The Boogieman Gets Creative with Modifications
The Ford is a complete renovation. “There is hardly two inches on this car that hasn’t been re-shaped,” Gary laughs. The hand-crafted all-steel body gets a new LS-1 engine and transmission. He expands the front and back fenders to accommodate oversized tires. Even the air conditioner is installed Boogieman-style. “We put it behind the back seats to eliminate the clutter under the front dash. I think it looks cleaner that way and works great.”
1940 Ford Coupes Hot-Rodders’ Favorites
It is not hard to see why Gary chooses to restore this car. With its high flat-topped hood and molded roadster body, the 1940 Ford Coupe is a favorite with hot rodders and stands out as one of the best models to modify into a smoking hot rod. Not only does Gary seamlessly piece together the body of the Coupe, he paints it as well. “It is Cherry Red over Gunmetal Gray. I call the color Candy Black Raspberry.” We call it hot.
Pride in a Job Well Done
So, what’s next for the Boogieman? He is working on a 1940 Willys that will be ready for the 2018 Detroit Autorama. For Gary, a retired GM employee, it is about doing the work himself. Pride shines through every time he speaks about his cars. “I want the other guys to know that you can do it, too!” he says. Knowing Gary’s passion for restoration, we are sure his next car will also leave an impact on those who see it. Best of luck, Boogieman.
Collector and Classic Car Insurance for Less
Seeing the hard work and creativity that goes into restoring and modifying hot rods is why we love shows like the Detroit Autorama. For the owners, protecting their restorations is a top priority. Classic Auto Insurance offers affordable coverage for your collection. Our friendly, knowledgeable staff can answer all your questions and customize a policy to meet your needs. Visit our website at www.classicins.com or call and see how we can help safeguard your dream hot rod.
