A love story with four wheels
Tad Leach and his beaut of a convertible Maybellene at the 2019 Chicago Autorama where the car received the top awards, Legacy Cup and Fan Favorite, from a field of over 600 entrants
Coeur d'Alene's Tad Leach is a fortunate man. He retired in 2011 after a 40-year career in law enforcement and has celebrated 55 years of marriage to his high school sweetheart, Sue. On Saturday in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the 50th anniversary of the famed Barrett-Jackson collector car auction, Tad bid adieu to his “other woman” of several years, Maybellene.
“Maybellene” is an electric blue stunner Tad bought in 2015 and then sent to Kindig-it Design in Salt Lake City for a custom re-build. The 1958 Lincoln Continental Mark III convertible is powered by a 600ci V12 engine and twin Magnuson superchargers. I think that means it goes really fast. Tad and Sue have traveled to car shows throughout the region and country where Maybellene has received many prestigious awards.
When she went on the auction block with a white knuckle “no reserve” it was obvious Maybellene was the belle of the ball. When the auction gavel came down and the auctioneer declared “sold!” it was like winning the lottery for the Leaches. The new owner paid $735,000!
Following the auction Tad made a heartfelt post on Facebook ...
“To all my family, friends, neighbors, past coworkers, car guys and gals, and just people who enjoyed Maybellene: I was humbled by the love and support shown throughout the process of building and showing Maybellene, and during the recent Barrett-Jackson adventure and departure of my wonderful ride. I can't thank each of you directly or enough, but I obviously have to mention Dave Kindig and crew who built this magnificent ride and "The Big Boss" Sue Leach who let me do my last bite at the apple and enjoyed Maybellene with me. Thank you all! I truly hope you enjoyed coming along for the ride! For those who asked if I brought something back with me from Scottsdale. I did - my behind and marriage intact.”
Here’s to Tad and Sue’s next adventure!
Happy birthday today to Donna Wemple, Randy Medlock, Chad VanBrunt and Seth Yost. Tomorrow Jackie Jameson, Leslie Damiano, Cindy Spence, Denise Lundy, Dawn Magness, Kay Burke and Donna Armbruster celebrate. On Friday Gene Reed, Cindy Mead, Connie Johnson, Chariesse Gross and Nancy Wilson blow out their candles. Susan Jacobson, Sophie Medlock (13!), Leslie Deubner, Sharon Anderson, Vicki Johnson and Jeanette Dunn mark their birthdays on Saturday. Marie Widmyer, Quinn Widmyer, Jimmy McAndrew, Samuel Nolting, Randy Oaks, Rich Morrow, Carole Fredekind, Cris Burnham, Rick Altman, Pat Clevenger, Stephen Scott, Lisa Hunt, Duane Justus, Matt Ormeshed and Mike Grabenstein celebrate on Sunday. Carlette Johnson Smith (70!), Pat Coffield, Amanda Miller, Jim Thyssen, Lori Malin, Angel Duthie, Terry Ellis and Shawn Aldrich take another trip around the sun on Monday. On Feb. 8, Barb Bradley, Linda Davis, Natalie Forsyth, Pamela Thoms, Lynn Hayes, Henry Hildreth, Rocky Brockhoff and Larry O’Leary put on their party hats.
Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.