Barber John's 409

[impalamike.com]

Does anybody have a vintage photos of this car? Was it Palomar red? Thanks, Mike

[real61ss]

I remember seeing the car, I believe it was Ember Red.

[MK IISS]

As Tommy said, Barber John's car is Ember Red. For several years now it has been located at the Don Garlit's Museum of Drag Racing near Ocala Fl. The museum consists of two large buildings which you can see from I-75. One building houses mostly race cars, the other old classics...mostly Fords. Gotta be one of the best collection of 30s-40s Fords there is. http://www.garlits.com

[SycloneJoe]

http://www.autospeak.com/dgmpic06.jpg

http://www.348-409.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=1561&d=1083848591

[MK IISS]

It must be the lighting when the photo was taken. It is not Palomar Red. Since the museum is close to my home I have seen the car several times. I can assure you it is Ember Red. The car was repainted and re-lettered but it is still the original Ember Red color. If you look close you can see a small cut-out in the grill for quicker camshaft changes.

[Ronnie Russell]

I am not going to debate Richard about anything. Ive learned better. Dont want to get my ears beat down in front of everyone. But about 15 yrs ago, I owned a 1963 Impala SS , 409-4sp car. Palomar Red with black interior. A magazine did an article about the Barber John car. The owner ran high 12s, granny shifting. The reason I read the article over and over , was th at it was the same color as my car. Much, much, much faster and with decals, but it looked like my car, so I loved the article. Instead of going out to the shop and digging through hundreds of magazines that are dirty, nasty and covered with bugs, I will instead say that ," I thought the Barber John car was Palomar Red. " Aint this a cool web-site?. The color of a 40 + yr old car can cause interest.:)

[MK IISS]

If you look at the back seat it also appears similar to the color of the car. Dark red or burgundy. Chevrolet only had a light red color interior. It is the lighting that makes the car and interior look darker.

[Ronnie Russell]

Richard, The pictures I referred to were taken at a drag strip The car was making a run in daylight. The car had just undergone a restoration. I could not see the interior, just added what my car was. It appreared to be burgandy ( Palomar Red) but I guess not. Everyone always referred to my car as maroon, even though it was called Palomar Red. You have seen the car in person, so Ember Red it is.

[MK IISS]

The photo certainly looks like Palomar Red. If I had not seen the car in person 4 or 5 times I would believe it was that color.

Fred has seen the car...let's ask him. I do know this. It's not worth getting into an argument about. Whatever it is... it's a decent car.

[Ronnie Russell]

Richard, Im sorry, I guess you misundertood my post. The last thing I want to do is argue, especially about the color of a car. My recollection is from an article I saw 15 yrs ago. I can barely remember yesterday, so Im sure I must be mistaken.

[real61ss]

I've seen the car also, it's Ember Red. This picture was part of an article in MuscleCar Classics, June 1992 . It's not good cause I don't have a scanner.

[real61ss]

Hey Ronnie,
I'm like you but opposite (does that make any sense!!!!) I always liked the Barber John car cause in 1963, I bought a new Ember Red Impala SS 409/400. Today, I have a 63 Palomar Red Impala SS 409/425. Looked for a long time for a Ember Red one but could never find one.

[MK IISS]

Ronnie: I didn't think you were arguing with me I was just talking about in general...that is any of us arguing about it.

I've seen the engine a couple times at the museum. Usually the hood is closed. It still has the blue A.C. breathers in the valve covers like it does in Tommy's photo. I don't remember it having hood pins though.

[Ronnie Russell]

Tommy, If you are the opposite of me , well, congratulations!!!! You must be on top of the world cause Im crawling along at the bottom. :rofl

[impalamike.com]

That's what I get for asking a simple question!!! Thanks to everybody! Ten years ago I had a '63 Impala SS (327) witha '65 409/400 and Mickey Thompson crossram. I ran out of money and sold everything off :cry
Now I have a '60 Impala Conv and a '59 Biscayne.

[impalamike.com]

Hey Ronnie,
I'm like you but opposite (does that make any sense!!!!) I always liked the Barber John car cause in 1963, I bought a new Ember Red Impala SS 409/400. Today, I have a 63 Palomar Red Impala SS 409/425. Looked for a long time for a Ember Red one but could never find one.

Do you have pics of this car?

[real61ss]

"Do you have pics of this car"

Which car, the one I had back then or the one I have now? I have one old black & white picture of the car taken back in 1963. Of course I have plenty of pictures of the one I have now.

[JIMS409]

Hello guys! It's been a while since I've commiserated with y'all as I've been in & out of the hospital so much...I'm starting to feel like a yo-yo (dizzy too!). They (wanted) to take my left leg off at the knee and it seems that my Heart failure/Pulmonary hypertension and Diabetes continue to march on.

Although these maladies can literally be a pain, I feel blessed for I had a dear friend that never complained and was active and loved each day, his family, and friends unconditionally til' the end. His name was "Barber" John Stepanek from LaPorte, IN and his '63 and mine are "sisters" off the SL assembly line and similarly optioned. His daughter's name is Jamie as is mine (Scary eh, Bob Walker) and our wives also new us gearhead's have to play.

His car is most certainly Ember Red/Red and John could shift that 4-speed like no one could and had fun til' the end as you see he died too young of cancer. Some other characters you would enjoy knowing are Stan & Georgette Horenzo and Rich & Gloria Kopanski as they are not only great folks...They were part of John's "Crew" and could also regale you with some great racing stories.:coffee:

I have many pics. of John and his car as does Doug Marion and I will dig them out and scan when I can. The linked photo I took on John's last ever pass hoping to catch him rowing the gears but alas...as always, he was too damned quick! I hope that someday John and I will again be able to trade war stories. Our days are blessed with great friends and I consider all on this forum "friends for life"...God bless you all and John and his family.:hug


[URL="http://www.348-409.com/photopost/data/500/229Barber_John_s_last"]

[61belairbubbletop]

Barber John was a local around here ( LaPorte, IN).

I remember seeing him and the car at local car shows when he became ill.

The car was awesome.

Randy