Lasting Beauties
There’s always room for one more in Fergusons’ garage
When Ruby Ferguson met her husband, one of the first questions she asked him was what kind of car he drove. She claims she was just making polite conversation. Fortunately for Tommy, it was the right kind of car — a four-speed, 1963 Super Sport Chevrolet. Now, 38 years later, the Fergusons’ enthusiasm for each other, and for classic cars, is as strong as ever.
Tommy’s interest in cars runs in his blood. His grandfather began the family business, a service station, back in the 1950s. The business has evolved into an automotive collision shop on Lemoyne Avenue in D’Iberville.
Ruby and Tommy, members of the Singing River Street Rod Association for the past 10 years, have been participating in Cruisin’ the Coast since it began 12 years ago. They plan to enter five cars in this year’s Cruisin, including one of the first cars they restored, a 1929 Model A Ford Roadster. It took about 10 years, off and on, to fully restore it.
“We call it the little fancy sister,” says Ruby, laughing. Displayed in the Ferguson’s 12-car garage, the Model A gleams in the overhead spotlight while the “older brother” sits nearby. “The ‘older brother’ was my dad’s 1929 Model A Ford Roadster,” explains Tommy. “We left it the way it was when my dad had it. We didn’t touch the paint — we just left it the way it was.”
Surprisingly, the older brother gets more attention at car shows than the little sister, and Ruby explains that they post a sign for curious onlookers. “Some people put signs on their cars at car shows that say ‘do not touch,’ ” Ruby says, “but we have one for this one that says, ‘please touch.’ ”
Another point of pride is their 1955 Chevy. They bought it completely restored. “It’s much cheaper to buy a car completely restored,” Tommy advises.
“With the time it takes and the parts that end up not working, sometimes it’s easier to just get a car that’s already restored,” Ruby agrees.
Just past the 1959 jukebox (that still plays records) and ‘50s diner-style table, sits a 1968 Camaro with a unique feature. “The 409 motor engine is what attracted me to this car,” Tommy says. “This is the only ’68 Camaro that I know of that has a 409 motor.”
The Fergusons plan to enter their two Model A Ford Roadsters, 1968 Camaro, 1955 Chevy and 1951 Ford Truck, but there’s one car in their collection that still has a few years before it’s eligible for Cruisin the Coast — a 2007 GT 500 Ford Mustang.
“Our Mustang only has about 150 miles on it. This isn’t a car that you drive to the grocery store,” Ruby says, laughing. “In fact, this particular Mustang was designed by one of the most recognized names in performance car and racing history, Carroll Shelby. Shelby’s first Ford products were Ford’s legendary Cobras and Shelby Mustangs of the 1960s.
When you ask Ruby if they plan to make more room for another car or two, she’ll quickly tell you there’s no more space. But Tommy has a different opinion.
“There’s some more room to enclose for additional garage space,” says Tommy as his wife laughs and rolls her eyes.
Well, she knew from day one she was marrying a car enthusiast.