Canton Man's Show-Stopping Car Featured in Concours d'Elegance

Paul Coleman is no stranger to classic cars and car shows.

The Canton man owns a 1957 Ford Skyliner convertible and typically takes it to between 10 to 12 shows every summer. In fact, the car usually takes first place in just about every show it is in, Coleman's wife Ann said.

Coleman is not even a stranger to the distinguished Concours d'Elegance event, having been invited to participate for the third time this year. 

"What makes them (Concours) different is that you have to be asked to go," Coleman said. "They ask different people who have different styles of cars based on the year's particular themes for the show." 

Coleman's car was invited because it falls into the category of Jet Age Convertibles. 

"Back in the mid-50s to the mid-60's, the most unique advanced thing that companies were liking themselves to was the jet airplane, which was brand new then," he said. "So the jet airplane represented in peoples minds technology and the future. So a lot of car companies would design your car based on the vision of this jet airplane. That's why you had the fins and things like that in the design element."

Coleman purchased the Skyliner 13 years ago from its original owner, who received it as a graduation present. The car had 68,000 miles on it then. Today the odometer shows 72,000. 

Before that, he owned a 1951 Ford Convertible, which was also featured at Concours. Coleman admitted to being partial to Ford vehicles.

"I grew up in Dearborn, it's kind of hard not to like Fords," he said.

Coleman said he's been restoring cars since the 1960's, and that his son also picked up the hobby.

"It's just a passion, I like the design of the cars and the particular eras that they represent," Coleman said. "And there's a sense of gratification when you take something that's ready for the boneyard and bring it back to life."

The Skyliner has all of its original features and looks like it just came off the factory line. 

"The 1957 Ford doesn't look anything like this and neither does the 1958 Ford," Coleman said. "Each year, automobile companies would change. That's what created this love affair with the automobile with Americans. Every year, you couldn't wait until September came because all the cars came out in September. You couldn't wait to see what the new design was. It was  a great marketing ploy and sold a lot of cars based on design alone. I mean, they have great designs today, but they're not changed so drastically year after year."

Although his car has won numerous trophies throughout the years, Coleman really can't name a specific number because he regularly donates the trophies to scouts and other organizations who can change the plaques and reuse them. 

"Where do you put all that stuff? I just don't have the room," Coleman said. "Some people have pole barns and warehouses to display all that stuff. I dont. It's more of just a personal hobby for me. It's not an investment thing. Lord knows, you're not going to get rich restoring a car. It's very expensive."

The Concours d'Elegance will be held at the Inn at St. John's on Sunday. Click here to read more about the event and other car themes that will be on display.