www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20 -
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Published on: 7/5/2007
Last Visited: 7/6/2007
Gene Cross owns '39, '40 and '48 Fords.
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"Today, cars are all jelly beans with wheels on them," said Gene Cross, the Iowa representative for Goodguys Rod and Custom Association, a California-based organization that holds the country's largest hot-rod shows.
The car show tour first came to Des Moines in 1992, attracting the largest crowd for a first-time Goodguys event - 1,300 cars.This year's 3,000 cars are expected to draw at least 9,000 spectators.
Cross, of Des Moines, is like many of the gear heads.He has a wicked sense of humor and a love of gas-powered fun.
He bought his first 1940 Ford sedan in 1959 after seeing a painting of the vehicle from hot rod artist Bob McCoy.He has several cars today, including the '40 Ford, a 1939 Ford Deluxe and a 1948 Ford Super Deluxe four-door sedan that he brings to the show as a "joke."He hasn't painted the exterior, and there's a canoe on top.
Many are "drivers," cars that enthusiasts often take to the road for fun.Cross, 64, said when he is down and feeling old, he takes off in one of his cars across nation for shows."By the time I get back, I'm 16 again," he said.
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In 2004, at the Goodguys show in Des Moines, Cross saw a man with name tag of "McCoy."
"Are you the real McCoy?"he asked the man.
He was.
He was nearly struck silent before telling the artist that his 1940 Ford inspired a 40-year hobby.
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