R. I. P. AzCoupe

Post #1 by **82F100** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 4:36 pm

I am not sure what to say, But wish I didn't have to make this announcement:
Mike (AzCoupe) Winterboer passed away yesterday morning at 11 am from Cancer. His passing is a great loss to our hobby as he lived with a great passion for all things about the Ford Inline sixes. Mike helped reawaken the enthusiasm and pride of owning and having a six, here in the U S anyways. I will miss you my friend, God speed.My thoughts and prayers along with Condolences to Mikes' Wife Barb, Son Jason and the rest of his family. 82F100

Post #2 by **Gene Fiore** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 5:15 pm

This is incredibly sad news....I came to know Mike in early 2006 when I found his ford six performance web site. I was looking for help to build a high performance 250 inline 6 engine for my Maverick. I peppered him with questions about building the engine for my Maverick and I still have email responses from him going back to January of 2006. He was always very helpful and encouraging. He assured me we could put together a streetable combination that would run high 14’s to low 15’s in the ¼ mile, which was my goal. He was right that it could be done! I was lucky enough to accompany him on dyno trips here in Phoenix with my car that, unbeknownst to me, would eventually occupy a place in his classic inlines dyno room. Mike was always looking for information to help others to put together combinations that would work best and fuel his ongoing efforts to produce fantastic products that would otherwise not be available for the Ford inline 6 community. I have been blown away over the years how dedicated Mike has been to this Ford Six forum and to the products he provides. The man never slept.
Mike…you will be missed! May you rest in peace and look down on all of us continuing to enjoy and love what you started years ago.

Soldmy66 · Post #3 by **Soldmy66** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 5:28 pm

I did not know Mike - but I have followed this forum for some time.

I feel like I lost a friend - despite never having met him personally.

That, in my mind, speaks a great deal about him.

To Mike's family - I am very sorry for your loss.

Post #4 by **ludwig** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 6:02 pm

This is a great loss to our small and quirky community. Mike provided me with a marvelous forum to give and get ideas and expertise for my Mustang. I am so sorry for his passing. He will be missed, especially since the Ford Six Forum was the repair shop I never got to hang around when I was younger and we all got a chance to share with those younger than us.

RIP, Mike. I found a great place to hang, chat, share and enjoy. Thanks to you.

65-coupe · Post #5 by **65-coupe** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 6:46 pm

This is a very sad day. I just talked to Mike a few months ago right before he found out. I really hate to hear this. RIP Mike. When I bought my Mustang just over three years ago I was not sure what to do about the engine. I thought the 6 was pretty cool but had no idea about what to do with it. After seeing Classic Inlines.I knew what was possible. With the help from Mike I ordered what I needed. Mustang Monthly will be doing another story on my bottom end rebuild. Hopefully Mike will be proud if it. Hopefully Classic Inlines will LIVE on so others can see what he had done. Thoughts and prayers to his family and close friends.

Post #6 by **Crosley** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 7:14 pm

RIP Mike. Condolences to the family.

Our first meeting I bought a Aussie 250 head from Mike way back, 2002 - 2003 ? He has always helped me with parts, went out of his way to help.

Mike sure put the Ford 6 back in many peoples minds from owners to the manufacturers of parts.

Post #7 by **JackFish** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 7:26 pm

Very sad news. I've been logging in every day expecting to see this post. :cry:

Cool23 · Post #8 by **Cool23** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 7:51 pm

This is sad news.

Post #9 by **Does10s** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 9:09 pm

We in the the Inline Six community lost a true pioneer yesterday. Ak Miller, Jack Clifford and Mike Winterboar have been the true innovators in our little, niche hobby.
On a personal side, Kelly's Falcon wouldn't be nearly as fast without the endless work that Mike put forth.
We met Mike personally at Fabulous Fords Forever in SoCal in '04. We already had purchased a cam and lifters from Ford Six Performance Parts as it known then. That show was the cars debut with the Turbo'd six.

We've been friends ever since!

Rich and I haven't talked about this yet, but I'd like to propose that Mike be nominated for the Inliners International Hall of Fame.

Rest in Peace my friend........

Will

YouTube · Post **#10** by **xctasy** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 9:12 pm

To the family, my sincere anguish for your personal loss and the problems that not having your own loved one here right now to go through picking up the pieces. 63 years is just too young.

I don't know what you all must be going through, suffering is never fair or right. Mike being no longer in pain is no comfort when you don't have him at your side. I am so sorry that things panned out this way.

Mikes memory is a thank-you for bringing a slice of peace to us. Every thing he helped with added another 150 plus rear wheel hp!

From "Bye-Bye, Little Buddy" , with a 175 hp shot of 'my babies love'...
http://www.hotrod.com/features/hrdp-071 ... -maverick/

to Will and Kelly's Does10's, the US made AZ head and its support network is your legacy. Mazel tov! He blessed a whole world community in aluminum!

225 rear wheel hp without turbo? You bet!

http://classicinlines.com/PCdyno.asp

Mike "Az" Winterboer and Ak Miller in the same breath? You bet!

Don, Rick, and the late Travis, and Az. (Fordsix forum members)

Just looking a Mikes Myspace, and spent some time seeing the great work he inspired...https://myspace.com/azcoupe/videos

His investment in production of all that is Classic Inlines was the right thing to do. People the world over have been profoundly influenced by all aspects of Mikes bravery.

As was said by Rick

82F100 wrote:....Mike helped reawaken the enthusiasm and pride of owning and having a six, here in the U S anyways. .....

But also in Australia, Canada, Poland, Holland, Belgium, Finland, lots of other places as well.

He made 200 cube T, B and X code and 250 L and C code engines the default for reworking a small Ford Six..no one thinks I'll just put a Windsor in it anymore...

mysavioreigns · Post **#11** by **mysavioreigns** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:10 pm

I haven't posted in a long time, but this forum was my go to place for any questions I had. I always admired Mike's work. Not only did he love the 6's, but he went so far as to provide hard to find (and impossible to find, and brand new products that we never would have imagined years ago...) parts to keep our hobby alive and thriving.

Will miss you Mike, thank you.

Post **#12** by **MPGmustang** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:25 pm

Rest in Peace Mike.

Mike and I met in 2009, after a year of owning my mustang he helped pointed me in the right direction. We spent many hours on the dyno, learning what was to be learned. how it all worked together and improving what knowledge we knew.

but not just in the car world, Mike in person was a character. I would consider cars was one of his 'Nine' lives, and his other lives were just as fun, out-there, and full of adventure.

I'm all for Mike joining the Hall of Fame, he's already in mine.

Richard

drag-200stang · Post **#13** by **drag-200stang** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 10:52 pm

Very sad news. My thoughts and prayers are with Mike's family. He will be missed by many.

Post **#14** by **XFlow_Fairlane** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 11:20 pm

Heard about this just now.

I just wanted to pass on my condolences also. This is a great loss to the community.

Post **#15** by **82F100** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 11:47 pm

Will,way ahead of you.wether Mike was still with us or not I was going to petition to have him inducted into the Inliners Hall of Fame for next years convention. What he did for all of us and the Inline Ford community should be enough merrit to do so.
In informing Linda Henry the Inliners membership chair of Mike's passing, she asked if I would write up a short article about Mike and it will be put in the Twelve Port news. Just my .02 cents but what ever happens to this forum or Classic Inlines, We are a community and even though we sometimes fight among ourselves we need to stick together! That is what Mike would have wanted and how we can support and keep his dream and legacy alive!!
Thanks to you all!!!

super4ord · Post **#16** by **super4ord** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 11:50 pm

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Mike's family and friends in their time of need. Mike was an awesome man who will greatly be missed not only by his close family, but by his extended family around the world from right here on this forum.

I met Mike along with Will, Kelly, Rich and a couple of other members at the Knot's Berry Farm Ford Event, I believe it was in 2007. We had breakfast at the IHOP restaurant and then went to the show.

This was when Mike had just started selling the cast aluminum valve covers. I remember carrying a red powder coated one with polished fins and thinking WOW, this is a really nice high quality valve cover!

He gave me a Ford Six Performance Parts hat that day that I shall forever cherish. It was a really wonderful day.

Thank you again Mike for your creativity, innovation, hard work and dedication to Ford Six hot rodding and the greatest forum on the net.

Rest in Peace My Friend.

Darrell R. Miller

rbohm · Post **#17** by **rbohm** » Sat Mar 28, 2015 11:57 pm

the inline community has lost a special friend, one who cannot be replaced. we shall mourn his passing, and try to keep his spirit alive in the community. rest in peace my friend, go with god.

Stormin' Norman · Post **#18** by **Stormin' Norman** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 12:01 am

Wow! What a legacy he's left to us! Generous to a fault with his time and energy to pass on the best opportunity for Ford and other six-bangers, My condolences to the family. May we honour him with the same generosity.

LWEL9226 · Post **#19** by **LWEL9226** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 1:41 am

Go with God my friend you will be greatly missed.....

:thanks:

Lynn W

64 200 ranchero · Post **#20** by **64 200 ranchero** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 4:02 am

Very sad news, rest in peace Mike

vssman · Post **#21** by **vssman** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 8:16 am

Rest in Peace, Mike. Thank you for bringing together the Ford six family from around the world. I appreciate the time and knowledge you gave me the few times we talked.

Frankenstang · Post **#22** by **Frankenstang** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 9:18 am

Sincerest condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Winterboers for their loss. I am shocked and saddened by this news. Mike's passing leaves a huge hole in our community. Peace be with you and your family Mike

xrwagon · Post **#23** by **xrwagon** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 9:41 am

Very sad news to hear, my condolences to his family. I have enjoyed my time on his forum, my wagon helped me through some very hard times, and rekindled my love of cars i had lost. Once i saw what the humble six could do, i cast away my thoughts of a Windsor and kept what i had, well there wasn’t anything wrong with what i had so used it. I read the website front to back, doing Fantasy Shopping Carts and dreaming big. And i managed to score some Classic Inlines parts from my local swap meet, all way down in Australia. I am sad, it was this day 1 year ago i lost my father in law to stroke and i lost my mum to cancer in May after 1 year of treatment. My prayers are with you.

Post **#24** by **65coupei6** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 11:16 am

No words to express how I feel. My condolences to his family. Mike was a great guy.

Invectivus · Post **#25** by **Invectivus** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 11:49 am

I'm sorry to hear this' my condolences to his family as well.

Godspeed mike.

Post **#26** by **bubba22349** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 1:51 pm

R.I.P. Mike, and my condolences to Mikes Family and friends he will be missed. Mike was always kind to me, and he worked hard to make the Ford Six Site the great resource that it is.

Post **#27** by **woodbutcher** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 3:24 pm

My condolences and prayers to Mikes family.RIP my friend.God bless.
Leo

Post **#28** by **Crosley** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 6:08 pm

Mike into the Inliners Hall of Fame seems very proper to me.

Post **#29** by **80broncoman** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 7:56 pm

So Sad to hear this. My condolences to his family. Mike was a really great guy.

Post **#30** by **jamyers** » Sun Mar 29, 2015 9:42 pm

So sorry to hear this. May Gods Peace be with his family.

redxm · Post **#31** by **redxm** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 1:49 am

RIP Mike. I will always remember your fantastic products,knowledge and service. Ben

kukm66 · Post **#32** by **kukm66** » Mon Mar 30, 2015 5:35 pm

We took a lot of road trips together over the years.
Fab Fords, HAN, Carlisle. Indianapolis, Birmingham to name a few

RIP Mike

Post **#33** by **STEVEN.** » Tue Mar 31, 2015 9:16 pm

Geez. I'm just hearing about this from the Folk's over @ Inliners.Org. Godspeed Mike,you will be missed for sure :cry:

. Sending Thoughts & prayers & positive Vibes to His Family.

Post **#34** by **Luckyman** » Wed Apr 01, 2015 6:14 pm

Just now seeing this. Words are so inadequate. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family and friends.

Asa · Post **#35** by **Asa** » Wed Apr 08, 2015 11:40 pm

... doggie doo

And no, I didn't mean "doggie doo," I meant exactly what I said.

jahearne · Post **#36** by **jahearne** » Tue Apr 14, 2015 1:50 am

My feelings like everyone else... huge loss! to our Ford Six community and humanity as a whole. I figured Mike would keep on running like our cars. I never had the pleasure to meet Mike in person, but spoke to him several times and emails going back years ago. I built two 250 motors with his parts and advice from this forum, one a tri-power and another 2V conversion.

RIP

Xargon321 · Post **#37** by **Xargon321** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 11:26 pm

This is sad news indeed. thoughts are with the family in this hard time. now ill ask what everyone is thinking. is classic inlines going to continue?

Post **#38** by **Mustang_Geezer** » Thu Apr 23, 2015 2:11 pm

I'm really sorry to hear about this.... I met Mike, Kukm66, Will, Anlushac11 and Rich @ the Falcon Nationals in Indy a few years back and really enjoyed talking and meeting Mike in person after talking to him on the phone on several occasions and chatting with him numerous times on the forum. I kinda lost touch with him several years ago but I will miss him.

God bless him and his family.

Doug

78merKri6 · Post **#39** by **78merKri6** » Thu Apr 23, 2015 11:30 pm

A sad time indeed. My thoughts, prayers, condolences to Mike's family.

Mike had become my new go-to source for Ford 6 performance parts. Just thinking of the rarity of it (Ford 6 cyl interest).

We all hold you high, Mike, and God bless you and your family.

Gary

stang65 · Post **#40** by **stang65** » Mon Apr 27, 2015 4:14 pm

RIP Mike

Post **#41** by **CobraSix** » Thu May 28, 2015 1:06 pm

I'm here late, been very busy. I couldn't believe this. As others, I never met him in person but transacted a lot of business with him over the years and tossed around a lot of crazy ideas with him. He will be truly missed by many.

Billr57 · Post **#42** by **Billr57** » Sat Aug 29, 2015 10:14 pm

All I can say is WOW, This is so sad to hear. RIP AzCoupe
Bill

jrx347 · Post **#43** by **jrx347** » Thu Jan 21, 2016 2:10 pm

I have been out the last 6 years dealing with the dreaded cancer thing. This is not the kind of news I was expecting. What a loss to the 6 cylinder crowd. I am just now getting back to working on the 66. The last 6 years have made a huge change in my life and now to hear this. Makes me want to crawl into a hole. I guess I will work harder on the stang.
L8tr
Steve

Who is online