Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

[Stuart F.]

Recieved an Email today from Tom Stanton's wife regarding her need for help to evaluate Tom's 65 Coupe (and parts)for disposition. As some of you may recall, Tom (Member #41491) passed away on 26 August from a very fast moving lung cancer. He had been rehabing a 65 Coupe in preparation for judging. As I recall, it is equipped with Powerglide, either base or L-75 engine and A/C. He had replaced the bumpers and trim, and had a major detailing effort underway when he was struck down.

I'm going to suggest she contact some NCRS members here in Florida closer to her residence in Cape Coral for help and advice on how to proceed, i.e. evaluating it's state of completion, the market value and the venue to use for sale (the Driveline and perhaps an Auction come to mind).

Can anyone offer any suggestions, and/or contact information for members in her area?

Thanks Guy's.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

Well, guess everyone is more interested and involved with finding out where their car was born. Understand, but do hope we can lend the widow of one of our members a little help with advice on the disposition of Tom's midyear 65 coupe.

Thanks;

Stu Fox

[Dick W.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

I would contact Raymond Morrison, whose information can be found in the contact list. He is a former NCRS National Team Leader.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

Thanks Dick. Appreciate your help.

Stu Fox

[Chuck S.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

Well, guess everyone is more interested and involved with finding out where their car was born. Understand, but do hope we can lend the widow of one of our members a little help with advice on the disposition of Tom's midyear 65 coupe...

Stu, I was unaware of Tom's passing...1087 posts on the TDB. I never met Tom in person, but my impression from his posts was favorable. Every time I'm away from TDB to work on the car, or handle family crises, something bad happens it seems. I'm surprised there's not better response to your request...shame on us if we don't take care of our own.

If Tom's widow gets good midyear expertise, she'll do much better. I hate to think of Jan liquidating my Corvette mess. If Tom's widow can wait until January, there will be lots of midyear snobirds passing through for the Florida regional. There could be more interest in stopping by then. In what area of Florida does she live?

[Jimmy B.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

Stu.

There is a nice 65 a/c roadsterr here in Sarasota for $45K and nobody has bought it yet. 2 tops, auto, tele, ps, pb, pw, ko's (probably repo), yellow w/white interior.

Jim Blakely

[Stuart F.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

Chuck and Jim;

Thank you for your posts. Tom was from Cape Coral which is near Fort Myers, south of Sarasota and Punta Gorda on the Gulf (west) side of the state. He and his wife Denise always managed to make it up here to Orlando (Kissimmee) for the winter meet and usually the October Vettefest. They traveled around the country as well for other regional meets including a trip to Carlisle last year. I was surprised that a number of people I talked to up there this year knew him. He had a real nice red C-4 when I first met him several years back which he sold and bought a red 2008 for his travels. Tom was a Vietnam vet who suffered the affects of agent orange for many years, but never let it get him down. He and his wife sure loved the Corvette hobby and specially the folks he met from the NCRS. He always wanted to get himself a midyear that he could rehab without too much difficulty in order to experience the fun and challenge of judging. He found a good 65 coupe, I believe in Georgia, and was in the process of doing just that. Many of his posts from the recent past were concerning his work on it.

His wife, Denise, now thinks it's best to pass on the 65 to a good Corvette home - to someone in the hobby who will appreciate it and take good care of it. As previously mentioned, I believe it is an air coupe with a base engine and powerglide. I have asked her for a few more specifics if she can find them; however, one might look through Tom's past Threads to perhaps find out more about the car. I have not done this as yet myself, but will try soon.

Stu Fox

[Stuart F.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

OK, OK, I finally took my own advice and checked Tom's posts about the 65. It is not a coupe, nor an air car. I got confused in my old memory. He wanted a coupe real bad and had a line on one in Georgia, but that fell through as the owner was badly misrepresenting the car, which you all helped him realize with discussions about stamp pads, etc.

What he did have is a 65 Convertible; a Ermine white w/optional Red interior and a white convertible top. He had the hardtop with the car, but it was in primer and needed a headliner. It is a 250 hp w/ powerglide and has knockoff wheels and, as he said in his posts, all options except power brakes. It was a (1) repaint original color. and has 65k original miles. The interior was all original except for the carpeting which is new.

It sounds from his posts as though he was pretty far along with the rehab and was planning to attend the October Vettefest here. He probably didn't have time to complete the restoration of the top as it was probably a lower prioity for him.

Stu Fox

[John D.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

Stu, What about Tom's C4. I remember Tom looking for an original battery. I also remember us talking about the black C4 oil filter on his car.

Maybe Jorjorian can help although he lives on the east coast and is a ways from Fort Myers.
Michael Hanson lives north of Fort Myers. He may be able to help Tom's widow.
Stu if you will email me at johndegreg@aol.com I will put you in touch with Hanson since he isn't a member here any more.
John D

[Jerry W.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

I didn't know Tom other than from this forum.....I suspect he was a lot like us....Take time to know Tom and pics of his cars.....click on photo galley

http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=Thomas-Stanton&lc=7080&pid=144968042&mid=4360337

[Kim T.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

I live in Cape Coral and would be happy to assist. Please PM me if you want me to make contact.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Tom Stanton's Widow/His 65 Coupe

Thank you Jerry.

Kim;

Thank you for your response.

Dick Whittington put me on to Ray Morrison who I believe lives down that way as well. He is a former NCRS National Team Leader and spent a lot of time judging mid-years. He is in touch with Tom's wife Denise and plans to meet her perhaps this week end in order to give her a good evaluation of the car and advice on how to proceed.

If you would like to view the car as well, please send a pm to me and I will forward your contact information to her.

Stu Fox