Passing of Steve Coniff

[KimDobbins]

Steve Coniff of Colorado Springs passed yesterday after a long health battle. He was a Montana 500 winner, Rosenthal award winner, mentor and friend to many. I visited him a couple month ago, his wife Janet made lunch for us and Steve and I went up to his shop and spent some time reminiscing. He did so much for me and so many others. Our trip to the mountains in the model T’s is forever engrained in my sons and my memories. Such a great man and so much knowledge lost. Our hobby has lost a giant, rest in peace.

[JTT3]

Kim I am sorry for the loss & I am not amazed at how these little cars have brought so many together, making memories & bonds that will echo through eternity. RIP Steve Coniff.

Regards John

[Ron Patterson]

This is truely sad to hear. Steve Coniff was a giant in the Model T hobby.
I was honored to have been one of his freinds.
If you were ever lucky enough to be invted on one of Steve's Colorado rocky mountian Model T trips the experiences were etched into your memoriy and would never be forgottern.
So long old friend.
Ron Patterson.

[Wayne Sheldon]

Another of the old greats of the hobby I never personally knew. But I recognized the name immediately.
My condolences to his close friends and family.

[SurfCityGene]

Wow, That's sad news, Steve was more than a master of the Model T. The hobby will miss him greatly. Rest in Peace...
My Condolences to family and friends

[Mark Gregush]

My Condolences! I know the name but never have met him.

[1915ford]

Steve Coniff was one of the true gems of this hobby. He wanted no credit for all the help and knowledge he shared and often refused payment for the extensive work he performed for others. When I told him I had plans to drive cross country in 2009 he rebuilt my short block at no charge just to make sure I would “get across” in good shape. He developed a method for timing engines that made them smooth and powerful and then took time to teach others how to do it. We once did a complete valve setup on one of my engines in our hotel room at Chickasha. When he came to Minnesota with his “red sled” I later saw him driving it on the freeway…..yes it was that fast. During the cross country trip of 2009 he donated ruckstell parts to one of the participants so he could rebuild it en route. He built his own cams, from scratch. He cared about the model t deeply and loved to stretch their capabilities to its limits. He was a renowned expert on Stevens, KR Wilson and Starrett tools. He was the kind of picky, fussy and stubborn guy that you knew was the absolute best at his craft. His wife Janet is a saint. Farewell old friend.

[Moxie26]

If memory serves me right, was it Steve, one of the first to sell Kevlar band linings in the late '70s and '80s out of his shop ?

[Pat Branigan Wisc]

Yes I believe that He may have been the first for Kevlar. I bought a few sets from him. I also bought that original 13T touring from him. What a loss for everyone on his passing!