1952 Ford Truck

Car buffs gather for 102nd anniversary of Cobe Cup

CROWN POINT | Tom Rock looked like a living history exhibit at the Lake County Fairgrounds Saturday afternoon.

Rock, of Crown Point, donned a paperboy cap and vintage striped shirt as he sat behind the wheel of his 1929 Ford Model A Roadster pickup truck in the annual Cobe Cup cruise.

"I really just like old cars and the history of this event in particular," Rock said.

Rock was one of 65 drivers participating in this year's Cobe Cup car show and cruise, following the historic route from Crown Point to Lowell for the annual event.

This year's 102nd anniversary celebration of the Cobe Cup --sponsored by the Crossroads Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Lowell Chamber of Commerce -- invited pre-1984 cars, trucks, motorcycles and all years of Corvettes to participate.

The race followed the original route from Crown Point through Cedar Lake to Lowell, ending at American Legion Post 101 on East Commercial Ave.

The first Cobe Cup was in 1909 with Louis Chevrolet winning in a Buick. The race is believed to have been the first auto race in Indiana and the precursor to the Indianapolis 500.

Jane Shipley, director of the Lowell Chamber of Commerce, said there were nearly twice as many entrants last year, but acknowledged the event is largely influenced by the weather.

"A lot of the guys don't want to bring their cars out in the rain," Shipley said.

Denny Wilkening, a former Cedar Lake Town Council member and fire chief, brought his red 1969 Chevelle SS 396 to the event.

"I've got it all tricked out," Wilkening said, saying he purchased it partially restored and finished it himself.

Wilkening said he always loved cars and motorcycles as a kid and used to race at the old U.S. 30 Drag Strip.

"I traded those (vehicles) in for station wagons and SUVs when I got married and the kids came along," Wilkening said with a laugh.

Now retired and widowed, Wilkening said he enjoys the camaraderie at the car shows and cruise nights.

The drivers started their cars and revved their engines in Indy 500 style just before 1 p.m. at the start of the cruise to Lowell. Ken Reed, of Shelby, drove a 1963 Rambler Classic owned by Donna Estill, of Wheatfield, in the event.

"It's fun to drive that old route and relive a part of history," Reed said.

1952 Ford Trucks – Ford F1

You might be wondering to yourself: “Where can I find a classic truck? What classic truck should I get? Do I have to get one that is a rusted out hulk and restore it myself?” Well, I’m gonna answer your unspoken questions right here and right now. For starters, you should get a 1952 Ford F1. Don’t question it, just do it. There is no truck that has a lineage like that of Ford’s truck line. Now, to answer your first unspoken question, you can find a 1952 Ford truck for sale in many places. I suggest eBay. I can always find classic Ford trucks for sale on the website.

In regards to whether or not you will have to restore an old 1952 Ford truck on your own, the answer is a definitive “No.” Take this first truck for instance. The current owner has had all aspects of the restoration done by professionals, so now you could own it fully restored and you can trust that the work was done right, because the current owner also has the documentation, photos, and even the receipts from the restoration effort. He even has the build sheet that shows everything done in building this truck’s custom engine. This truck’s current owner has put over $75,000 into this truck, and now it could be yours!

The second 1952 Ford Pickup is also a complete restoration. This truck is show worthy right now and just waiting for someone to show it off. The two tone paint scheme is eye catching, but not so loud as to take away from the classic work truck vibe that surrounds this pickup. The bed sides are made from oak and match the wood used to restore the bed floor, which really lends itself well to this truck’s working history. The half moon rims and thin white wall tires add the finishing touch to this incredible restoration.

This final truck is not only fully restored, but is completely ready to be at home on a showroom floor. I found this truck for sale on eBay, just like the prior two trucks. This one is different, however, because it isn’t for sale by a private owner. However, it is being offered by a reputable dealer through eBay. So, having answered your unspoken questions about classic trucks, I encourage you to shop around. There are lots of 1952 Ford trucks out there. Just look and you’ll find one to suit your taste for sure!

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