In 1974 while living in Trion, GA, I purchased a 1947 Ford Deluxe Coupe from a local auto salvage yard. After taking several years to restore the body, rebuild the engine and paint the car, I drove to Chattanooga and picked up my first set of Coker 600 x 16 tires. I named the car my "Black Beauty." It has been my everyday car all these years, and I have continued to use nothing on it but Coker tires.

My car is my ambassador of good will. It brings me cheerful smiles from onlookers as well as hearty waves and much horn honking. I am VP of our Uptate SC Chapter of the Early Ford V8 Club of America. We drive our cars to monthly meetings, and on several occasions during the year we drive convoy style to the local mountains and to other attractions in the upstate. At times we have from ten to thirteen cars, and people seem to enjoy the parade as we pass by. Anderson, SC,is my home, and I have shown Black Beauty in our annual Father's Day car show downtown for the past seven years.

On two occasions my car and I chauffeured the bride and groom from their wedding to the reception. What fun that was! The bottom line is that seeing these cars in use around town makes people pause and smile. It makes them feel good.

- Bob Hoover