November 2024 Vehicle of the Month

Alex Foth, 1940 Special DeLuxe

We are very pleased to announce the winner of the November 2024 Customer Vehicle of the Month: Alex Foth's 1940 Special DeLuxe! Our Marketing Assistant, Kylie Sickles, had the opportunity to connect with him and find out more about his amazing vehicle and its restoration journey.


Over a decade and a half ago, a young Alex Foth sat in his grandfather's lap, looking out from the inside of a 1940 Chevrolet at the procession they were a part of to celebrate Veterans Day. Now, Alex has inherited the same beloved car where he formed his first memory, continuing to keep its beauty alive.

In 1940, the 19,667th Chevrolet Special DeLuxe Coupe rolled into existence in Terrytown, New York. With a black exterior and a tan mohair interior, this vehicle was a chic example of the vehicles of the time. Five decades later, Frank Gigantelli purchased the vehicle that he would eventually pass down to his grandson, beginning a 25 year building process that would span generations.

When the vehicle was finished, only the frame and body were original. Going for a street rod look, the vehicle had many parts from a variety of different sources built into it, like 52 Buick taillights and 75 Firebird headlights. It sported cragar wheels and a 350 small block. Finally, it received a 3 1/2 inch chop and was painted with General Motors Bright Aqua Metallic. As Alex puts it, this is how "the Chevy we know as JIGS came to life".

Alex has many memories with the vehicle, including attending car shows with his father and grandfather. As the current owner, he has now taken it to shows himself, most notably having been invited to the Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals in Chicago. At this event, the car was a part of the Youth Invitational for Car Owners Under 25 and placed at 975/1000, earning the Red Ribbon award.

If you ask Alex Foth what his favorite part of the car is, he'll tell you about its beautiful paint job. "For 20 year old paint it is still eye appealing and shows small details as you look further into, including raindrops blended in and netting on the hood." This vehicle still serves in a similar way that it did all those years ago during Alex's first memory, being shown in honor of all the Vietnam Veterans that served overseas.

After finishing his story, Alex wrapped up by saying that "without Chevs of the 40's, getting parts for these cars would be impossible!" We are so proud to be able to help keep vehicles like this alive, along with their amazing histories.

Congratulations again to Alex Foth and his 1940 Special DeLuxe!