Joe Ward / Spinner /Wingfan

Hemi_tyme · September 13, 2008, 10:53:34 AM

As many here knew Joe Ward as Spinner here on Mopowerstyle and Wingfan on Areo cars board. I met Joe thru Doug S when Joe was looking to buy his bird and needed some info. Joe bought the bird and when it arrive it was a nice 15 footer and need a little work here and there. Since Joe was not very mechanically inclined, I agreed to let him use my shop to work on his car, while I was there working on other birds, and I would walk him through the things he wanted to repair. So when we started repairing the little things, which snowballed into bigger things. Joe saw how the other cars were turning out and decided he wanted to do the same, so that's how Joe and I had started the restoration of his Tor-Red 440-4 asp bird last winter. Joe became sick in April and passed away in May. There the car sat for months until I talked to Joe's sister in July and was given the go ahead with the restoration. RIP my friend because the work is well under way
Ken

Hemi_tyme · September 13, 2008, 10:54:53 AM

Hemi_tyme · September 13, 2008, 10:56:42 AM

Hemi_tyme · September 13, 2008, 11:00:00 AM

Hemi_tyme · September 13, 2008, 11:03:39 AM

hotrod98 · September 13, 2008, 11:09:15 AM

Looking good.

Blown70 · September 13, 2008, 11:16:11 AM

I am sure he is smiling from above. Glad you could finish this for him.

tan top · September 13, 2008, 11:19:17 AM

sad he never got to see it in paint

awesome job

Aero426 · September 13, 2008, 11:21:03 AM

We will be giving an award in Joe's name at Monster Mopar next weekend.

Ghoste · September 13, 2008, 11:25:48 AM

I remember when his passing was posted so it is nice to see something he loved will be finished. Good for you.

billssuperbird · September 13, 2008, 03:24:29 PM

very nice work. keep up the good work.

Magnumcharger · September 14, 2008, 05:57:27 AM

Nice work. Who is paying for all of that restoration now?

nascarxx29 · September 14, 2008, 08:12:20 AM

Doing some nice work

Rat Exterminator · September 14, 2008, 09:10:34 AM

Nice to see the car get completed. I have a couple cars in various stages and it would be nice to see them completed if something happened but its very hard to get it done. People's worlds tend to fall apart when they pass. Kudo's to you for working with the family to get it done. Greg

rav440 · September 14, 2008, 10:18:54 AM

great work

keep the pics comming

BigBlockSam · September 14, 2008, 12:45:42 PM

i didn't know Joe. he seems like a nice guy.it's a shame he didn't get a chance to see it restored. you do nice work Ken

moparnutty · September 14, 2008, 09:46:00 PM

I really liked Joe. Ken looks like your doing a super job,Joe would be proud.

Hemi_tyme · September 14, 2008, 10:42:09 PM

Thanks for kind words guys

I did work on the bird some what over the weekend since getting it back Friday...But this Ike storm had cut the power here today until late afternoon and I forgot my camera at the shop with updated pics.
Ken

Hemi_tyme · September 30, 2008, 09:20:54 PM

Hi all. Just a update on Joe's car. Finished up the Yellow Superbird just in time for the monster weekend

So now I'm back full time and try and get it finished for last big show of the year (3 weeks) around here on the river in Little Rock ( Joe as ways liked this show) Ken

hotrod98 · October 01, 2008, 12:12:01 PM

Joe would have been so excited right now. Life isn't fair sometimes.

pettybird · October 01, 2008, 02:56:23 PM

I wish I could afford to send you my car!

that's awesome stuff--

moparstuart · October 01, 2008, 03:01:19 PM

Quote from: pettybird on October 01, 2008, 02:56:23 PM
I wish I could afford to send you my car!

that's awesome stuff--

Aero426 · October 01, 2008, 11:14:45 PM

At Monster Mopar on Saturday night, we gave an award in Joe's honor. The crystal "flame" plaque was presented to Jim McCauley (3-Daytona). The award didn't have to do with Jim's cars, but more with his spirit and ability to overcome some physical problems that might have driven others away from the hobby. Anyone who knows Jim, knows that it is impossible to keep him down. His wife Delma shown with him here is a big part of things. I can tell you that there was nary a dry eye in the place and Jim received a standing ovation. I think Joe would approve.

hemigeno · October 02, 2008, 09:09:25 AM

Quote from: DougSchellinger on October 01, 2008, 11:14:45 PM
At Monster Mopar on Saturday night, we gave an award in Joe's honor. The crystal "flame" plaque was presented to Jim McCauley (3-Daytona). The award didn't have to do with Jim's cars, but more with his spirit and ability to overcome some physical problems that might have driven others away from the hobby. Anyone who knows Jim, knows that it is impossible to keep him down. His wife Delma shown with him here is a big part of things. I can tell you that there was nary a dry eye in the place and Jim received a standing ovation. I think Joe would approve.

Ken, keep up the good work on Joe's car. Awesome stuff.

69_500 · October 03, 2008, 03:08:59 PM

Congrats to Jim on the award, and the car is coming along very nicely Ken. I'm sure that the family will really love it when its completed.

3--Daytona · October 07, 2008, 01:21:45 PM

Doug,,,,,,Sorry to be so slow in replying. Delma and want to thank you again for the Joe Ward AWARD. We were most certainly shocked and surprized. And very very grateful.

I never met Joe Ward in person,,It is very possable that our path's have cross, It's not that far to Little Rock from here. I showed the red car in a indoor show there a few year ago.

THANKS AGAIN...............jim mccauley ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,3-daytona

pettybird · October 07, 2008, 01:41:19 PM

You and Delma make a hell of a pair--I feel honored to know you both, and I know I'm not alone in that sentiment.

472 R/T SE · October 07, 2008, 06:01:47 PM

Did Joe's car have original paint?

What I'm really curious about is whether the factory blacked out the radiator support with wing cars?

Sorry 'bout Joe, sounds like a heck of a guy. I worked with a Joe Ward back in western Kansas.

Hemi_tyme · October 07, 2008, 09:37:22 PM

Thanks all for the "Pat on the back"! But I'm just here to help and share the restorations projects that I've done over the years on the wing cars. That's how Joe and I became friends.
Doug, You and I have talked about creating this Award since the day Joe passed. VERY NICE JOB!!!..........Congrats to Jim on the Award !!!
I sent this link to Joe's sister last week so she could see the Award and follow the updates.
Here's what she wrote back ..........
Wow Thanks for that it was great even if I did cry all the way through it. I can't wait to see the car in person.
The car is up and running on it's own power. Will update with pictures soon

Ken

Hemi_tyme · October 07, 2008, 09:43:16 PM

Quote from: 472 R/T SE on October 07, 2008, 06:01:47 PM
Did Joe's car have original paint?

What I'm really curious about is whether the factory blacked out the radiator support with wing cars?

Sorry 'bout Joe, sounds like a heck of a guy. I worked with a Joe Ward back in western Kansas.

472, Yes it was original paint and No The factory didn't blackout the core support on the superbirds.
Ken

hemigeno · October 07, 2008, 09:50:52 PM

Quote from: Hemi_tyme on October 07, 2008, 09:43:16 PM
Quote from: 472 R/T SE on October 07, 2008, 06:01:47 PM
Did Joe's car have original paint?

What I'm really curious about is whether the factory blacked out the radiator support with wing cars?

Sorry 'bout Joe, sounds like a heck of a guy. I worked with a Joe Ward back in western Kansas.
472, Yes it was original paint and No The factory didn't blackout the core support on the superbirds.
Ken

... but they did do the blackout on Daytonas...

Hemi_tyme · October 07, 2008, 10:02:05 PM

Quote from: hemigeno on October 07, 2008, 09:50:52 PM
Quote from: Hemi_tyme on October 07, 2008, 09:43:16 PM
Quote from: 472 R/T SE on October 07, 2008, 06:01:47 PM
Did Joe's car have original paint?

What I'm really curious about is whether the factory blacked out the radiator support with wing cars?

Sorry 'bout Joe, sounds like a heck of a guy. I worked with a Joe Ward back in western Kansas.
472, Yes it was original paint and No The factory didn't blackout the core support on the superbirds.
Ken

... but they did do the blackout on Daytonas...

Gene you know more than I on the Daytonas

Thanks again for the use of the tent at MMW

Ken

hemigeno · October 08, 2008, 07:47:31 AM

Quote from: Hemi_tyme on October 07, 2008, 10:02:05 PM
Gene you know more than I on the Daytonas Thanks again for the use of the tent at MMW
Ken

There's still a whole lot more to learn, but I do find some of the differences between the Daytona and Superbird interesting. I'd have bet money they blacked out the 'Bird core support, just from how they did everything before them.

The Monster Mopar show is where I actually met and talked with Joe Ward several times over the last couple of years, mostly trying to stay cool in the shade of my truck. I think he would have liked how this year's event turned out a whole lot.

He was a good guy and is missed.

Hemi_tyme · October 08, 2008, 10:12:20 PM

Hi All, Finshed all the final hook ups,and started the fresh rebuilt motor and broke in the MR 6 pack cam (man I love this cam) yesterday.

So today I was able to drive the car out of the shop for a little wash job.

Aero426 · October 08, 2008, 11:30:50 PM

Ken I don't know where you find all the hours in the day to get this stuff done.

hotrod98 · October 09, 2008, 12:59:19 AM

And run his construction company at the same time....

Hemi_tyme · October 19, 2008, 09:53:50 PM

Thanks Doug,and Larry.

Believe it or NOT I'm ahead of schedule, and actually drove the car 30 miles this afternoon!

Here's my main man Gary he's so happy this project is about over.We have been working alotta overtime on this project over the last 5 weeks ...Love ya man and
Thanks

Ken

moparstuart · October 19, 2008, 10:06:27 PM

looking sharp joe would have been proud

Hemi_tyme · October 19, 2008, 10:44:53 PM

BigBlockSam · October 19, 2008, 11:07:56 PM

wow! car looks great.

69_500 · October 21, 2008, 03:54:06 PM

Stunning. Definitely a great looking ride.

Hemi_tyme · October 23, 2008, 09:16:35 AM

Thanks guys

I'll post some pictures of the car at the show this weekend. Ken

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Joe Ward / Spinner /Wingfan