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Cross Pollination As the sun sets over the majestic Hudson River, painting the water in hues of gold and amber, there’s a different kind of glow taking over the Cortlandt Waterfront Park in Verplanck, New York. For decades, this picturesque stretch of shoreline has been the stage for community gatherings, but for one spectacular weekend in September, it’s transformed into a showpiece of American auto- motive history. The air is thick with the scent of roasted corn and a hint of gasoline, and the rhyth- mic rumble of powerful engines provides the soundtrack to a breathtaking display of chrome, steel, and vibrant paint jobs. Hundreds of classic cars, from roaring muscle machines to meticulous- ly preserved antiques, line the park’s expansive lawn. But even among this stunning collection, one Ivory Parchment vehicle blends with the river while standing out amongst the kaleidoscope of colors, a testament to what happens when classic
design meets modern engineering. It’s believed this is the first Coast to Coast ‘39 Ford built as it appeared in their earliest marketing, including shows, ads and their “Handy Man Kits.” While its elegant, teardrop silhouette and iconic grille pay homage to a bygone era of streamlined design, everything else about it is a masterpiece in custom craftsmenship. The Coast to Coast ‘glass body gave the car its signature unbroken trim line, giving it a sense of perpetual motion. Pop the latch and you won’t find a Ford flathead V-8, but a Chevy small-block 350 engine, meticulously built to pump out a formidable 355hp. It’s a bold choice that speaks to the hot-rodding tradition of cross- pollination—marrying the best of different manu- facturers to create something truly unique. Air sus- pension allows it to be slammed low for that per- fect show-car stance or raised to navigate a tricky driveway with ease. Inside, every modern conven-
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