Glad you asked... The vehicle, a gift to the college, is for sale and you have a chance to not only own it, but also know that your purchase will fund a scholarship for another engineering student. Keep reading... (click on photos to see enlarged)

The Story.

In December 1988, Benny T. Bootle (Mechanical Engineering, ’53) donated his 1940 Ford Delivery Sedan to the college. His request was that, when he passed away, the historic car be displayed and then sold, with the proceeds to be added to the endowment of the Professor Frank B. Herty Scholarship Fund.

Mr. Bootle passed away in 1996 and the car was moved to Swearingen. After being exhibited in the college for several years, the car went on display at Pulliam Ford in Columbia. It has recently moved back to the Swearingen Engineering Center, where it will remain on display until sold.

The Model OIA-78 Ford, one of only 2,160 made, is a classic beauty. Sporting a garnet body with black fenders, it offers a 221 cu in., V-8 flathead, 85 hp motor, and a three-speed manual column shift. Entered in numerous competitions during the ’80s, this Ford received several national awards.

With an appraised value of $28,000, the car is now for sale. Sealed bids will be accepted until November 1, 2007, and any amount over the value of the car can be considered a charitable contribution to the Herty Fund.

For more information, or to schedule a visit to see the car, contact Deborah Wells at 803.777.9017 or dawells2@engr.sc.edu.

1940 Ford Deluxe Sedan Delivery
Model OIA-78

• 1 of 2,160 made
• Garnet Maroon body with Black fenders
• 221 cu. in. V-8 flathead
• 85 HP
• 3-speed manual column shift (1st year)
• Sealed beam headlights (1st year)
• Hydraulic brakes (2nd year)
• 112" wheelbase
• 600 x 16 tires
• Leather passenger car seat (opt.)
• 40 miles on odometer since body off restoration

• 1st Junior, Asheville, NC, 1984
• Senior Award, Cheyenne, WY, 1984
• 1st Preservation, Hershey, PA, 1984
• 2nd Preservation, Columbia, SC, 1985
• 3rd Preservation, Winchester, VA, 1985
• 4th Preservation, Carlsbad, NM, 1985
• 5th Preservation, Schaumburg, IL, 1985
• 6th Preservation, Huntsville, AL, 1985
• 7th Preservation, Moorehead, MN, 1985
• 8th Preservation, Hershey, PA, 1985
• 9th Preservation, Jekyll Island, GA, 1985
• 10th Preservation, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 1986
• 11th Preservation, Kingsport, TN, 1986
• 12th Preservation, Cherry Hill, NJ, 1986
• 13th Preservation, Asheville, NC, 1986
• Grand National First Place, Asheville, NC, 1986
• 14th Preservation, Lake Placid, NY, 1986
• 15th Preservation, Hershey, PA, 1986
• AACA National Award, Hershey Region Truck Award, 1986

Early Ford V-8 National Meets

• 1st Dearborn Award, Beaver Creek, CO, 1984
  (This vehicle had a perfect score for safety check, authenticity, detail and workmanship. It had 8 point deducted for over-restoration from the possible score of 1,000 for a net of 992.)
• 2nd Dearborn Medallion Award, Atlanta, GA, 1985
• 3rd Dearborn Medallion Award, Dallas, TX, 1985
• 4th Dearborn Medallion Award, St. Charles, IL, 1986
• 5th Dearborn Medallion Award, Westborough, MA, 1986
• 6th Dearborn Medallion Award, Fairfax, VA, 1987

Note: This vehicle has been shown in National competition in 17 states, including three of them twice and one three times.

The vehicle is currently on display in the Assembly Street lobby at Swearingen. More detailed photos can be made available upon request. Click on photos to view enlarged.