TUMBLEWEED CLUB OF NEW MEXICO September 2012
RG #79, EARLY FORD V-8 CLUB OF AMERICA, PO BOX 21538, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87154-1538
MEETS FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, 7:30 P.M., OLD CAR GARAGE, 3205 CLAREMONT NE
TIMES
SEPTEMBER PROGRAM
Ladies’ Night with Beth Jackson and Joyce Clements. See Joyce’s article in this newsletter for details.
PLEASE NOTE: All meetings include Show & Tell. Members are encouraged to bring items to share.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, September 4, 7:30 p.m., at Old Car Garage.
PROGRAM: Ladies’ Night with Beth Jackson and Joyce Clements. See Joyce’s article for details.
REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED BY: Lori & John Shelton and Bob & David Mathes.
SEPTEMBER ACTIVITY: State Fair Car Show, September 16. Please see Jeff’s article in this newsletter
for details.
BREAKFAST GROUP: The Breakfast Group will meet Saturday, September 1 at 8:30 a.m. at Rich Ford’s Mustang Café, Wyoming and Lomas.
NEXT BOARD MEETING: Tuesday, September 11, 7:30 p.m., Jay Hertz’ home, 8704 La Sala Del Sur, NE. Jay’s home phone number is 296.3137. See article in this newsletter for details. All members are welcome.
MEETING REFRESHMENT VOLUNTEERS 2012
September Lori & John Shelton / Bob & David Mathes November Mark & Larry Williams / Neva & Marvin Coffee
October Al & Jo Seery / Bob & Joan Quirici December Holiday Party
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FOR SEPTEMBER 2012
Jay Hertz, President
Whereas the Mercury and Edsel lines were developed in house by Ford Motor Company, the Lincoln line was acquired. The acquisition added to the Company’s reputation for quality and mechanical advancements at a time when the Model T was becoming passé. Even the new Model A was benefitted by the acquisition because the beautiful lines of the Lincoln were incorporated into its design. The year was 1922. The U.S. economy was coming out of the depression of 1920-1921. The depression had caused 19% of all U.S. car manufacturers to go out of business. Where 88 manufacturers had produced cars in 1921, the number had shrunk to 59 by 1924. Although the 1920-1921 depression had weakened Ford Motor Company, nevertheless Ford was left as one of the best-positioned survivors, due primarily to efficiencies of mass production.
Along with Ford Motor Company, the Lincoln Motor Company, under the direction of Henry Leland and his son, had also withstood the depression, but barely and for different reasons. By no means a mass producer, Lincoln’s profits were kept intact by reason of high margins on high priced luxury cars. The Model T and the Lincoln of 1922 could almost not be more different. In 1922, Ford made 1.8 million vehicles, compared to Lincoln’s 5000. The T was spartan; the Lincoln a fine luxury car. Ford’s engineering focus was on producing the maximum number of reliable cars, whereas Lincoln’s was on precision engineering. The Model T’s appearance, dressed only in basic black, was austere, and its lines were severe. Lincoln’s appearance was more streamlined, with softer, lower lines, and was available in virtually any color. So fine was the Lincoln’s styling that many chassis were sold to custom builders such as Brunn, LeBaron, Locke, Brewster, Derham
and Dietrich. Where Ford’s operations generated regular, predictable profits, Lincoln’s income was sporadic, and its weak financial backing left it insecure and vulnerable. The joining of Ford and Lincoln would cure this shortcoming in the Lincoln company, the synthesis making for a stronger combined company.
The means by which this favorable combination came about was, however, less than pretty. It began with a series of troubles at Lincoln, including the 1920-1921 depression. Additionally, Lincoln lost some key executives over a dispute surrounding the hiring of an unpopular industrial management consultant. This occurred at the same time Henry’s son-in-law was hired to be in charge of styling. The son-in-law was thought to be inept, mired in the past. The company had recently re-tooled at a huge pre-depression pricetag, and the re-tooling took about 18 months. During that time, the company had essentially no sales. It lost favor among good customers. And it lost the ability to attract financing. Production delays ensued, and this naturally impacted revenues in a negative way. Soon, the company could not pay its debts as they came due. The bankers who had been approached for loans, and who visited the factory in 1921, concluded the situation was hopeless. The decisive blow did not occur until the fall of 1921, when a tax lien was placed against the company’s assets for an unpaid federal tax debt of $4 million. In November, 1921, the company’s directors went against the Lelands’ wishes and placed the company in bankruptcy. A receiver took control of the assets. During the receivership, it was discovered that the supposed $4 million tax debt was really only $500,000, a figure which might have been manageable. But by then the damage could not be repaired. In a last gasp effort to save the company and retain ownership, the Lelands secretly approached Henry Ford for a loan. Perhaps Henry Ford realized the Lelands’ desperation, and perhaps he saw this as an opportunity to acquire Lincoln – an option more attractive than becoming a mere creditor of Lincoln. In any event, Ford did not react favorably to the loan request. When the bankruptcy court set a date for the auction sale of
Lincoln’s assets, Henry Ford announced that he would make a bid but only if the Lelands would stay on and retain control of the Lincoln line. This was an uncharacteristic gesture for Henry Ford because he had steadfastly insisted on rigid control of Ford. But Henry Ford’s willingness to cede control to the Lelands apparently earned the confidence of the Lelands, the banks, and the bankruptcy court. No other bids were made at the auction, and Ford was able to buy the Lincoln assets for the minimum bid of $8 million. Within four months, the Lelands were fired. The reasons were never known. Whether the ousting of the Lelands had been Ford’s plan all along is not known. Suffice it to say that it was predictable. Henry Ford naturally suffered bad press when he reneged on his commitment to retain the Lelands. But he largely overcame the stigma when he agreed to assume $4 million in unpaid debts to Lincoln's creditors, something he had no legal or moral duty to do. This did not placate the Lelands, however. They felt they had been lied to. They asked Henry Ford to additionally pay money to Lincoln’s shareholders as a means of making things right. When Ford refused, the Lelands sued for breach of contract. The suit was decided in Ford’s favor and affirmed on appeal in 1931. When Henry Leland died one year later at age 89, he died
knowing he had been beaten.
Lincoln Motor Company had been saved from demise, and there is surely some positive value in that. Some say that the reverse is also true: that the acquisition of Lincoln saved Ford at a time when Ford desperately needed fresh styling, technological innovation, and a modern management style which had characterized Lincoln. The corporate synthesis was mutually beneficial. But the history of the process by which this was accomplished reflects badly upon Henry Ford’s integrity and sense of fairness. To most observers, Henry Ford emerged as a ruthless raider rather than a savior. And Ford lived about another 25 years to enjoy the fruits of that conquest.
For further information about this subject, see “Wheels For The World” by Douglas Brinkley, which was the source for some of the information in this article.
AUGUST MEETING MINUTES
by Micki Hughes for Secretary Mark Williams
President Jay Hertz called the meeting to order at 7:35.
Treasurer’s Report: Larry passed around copies of the Annual Report in which he used 2011’s income and expenses and his projections for 2012 to create a pro forma budget for the Club. As of the end of July, the Club had $687.90 in checking and $5,294.12 in savings.
Activities: Jim Clements spoke about the Club’s August activity, the All Clubs picnic at Oak Flat. Joyce has tickets for the $5/car admission.
Joyce said the Swap Meet registration is $25/space through tomorrow for South field. They need volunteers to help run the meet and more stuff to sell. They’ve set up online registration and it is working well.
Old Business: Jay said the Don Chalmers 16th anniversary show was enjoyable. Jay, Frank, Al and Jeff & Beth all showed their cars and they were served barbeque and ice cream. They got a nice thank you from Shauna at Don Chalmers who said they will be doing the show again next year.
Jim Clements said the hospitality at the Fourth of July picnic at the Azevedos was nice and the lunch was great. He said there were various kinds of cars there, including lots of Model As and a surprising number of Ts.
New Business: Jay said at the July Directors meeting they came up with four ideas for the Club to spend some of the money in its reserves. He asked the group to discuss two of the ideas tonight and the remaining two next month.
1. Creating a website. Discussion: Hemmings will let us use their site and the All Car Club has space for us to use on their website. A website is a necessity now and it can also be used as a portal for the newsletter. There would be a one-time website design cost and then ongoing hosting and editing costs. The Model T club has a good website that might be used as an example. A motion was made, seconded and passed to explore a website. Jay will be calling people and asking them to volunteer.
2. Hosting the Western National Meet in either 2014 or 2015. Discussion: The Club has not hosted a meet since 2000 when there were more members and the group was younger. Do we have enough motivated, willing and eager members to do this, because that is required. New Mexico is an ideal site for the meet, and it doesn’t have to take place in Albuquerque; it could be Santa Fe, Taos or other locations. Albuquerque is probably not the best location. National has an application and acceptance process and an information packet they mail to interested groups. The meet could also be a Club fundraising event. After the St. George meet, it was suggested that meets be scaled back to three days. A concern was raised that there is a human cost as well as money. The rebuttal was that it takes some time but it’s not a huge amount; it isn’t the killer people think it is. The work has to be done during the week. It was suggested that we ally with other groups who might be interested. National had discouraged doing that, but St. George was a success with three groups so the thinking may have changed. The Classic Car meet was eight-nine people doing the work out of twenty members. It worked well for Lou Mraz of Denver to go on tour. There was no judging,
no sit-down dinner, no full-fledged meet. Is there enough interest? A motion was made, seconded and passed that the Club look into a Western Meet with a driving tour as an alternative. Jay will be calling and asking members to volunteer to look into this.
State Fair: Jeff said the Club will participate in the car show on September 16. He said participants will gather at the Caravan East on Central Avenue well before 7:30; he said to get there early because the group will be leaving at 7:30. There will be magnetic dash plaques for Club entrants, along with ribbons for people’s choice winners. Jeff suggests this is a good time to invite anyone who seems interested to join the Club.
Belen Airport Open House/Chimayo Tour: Jay said he has heard from Robert Uecker in Belen who would like to have a car show along with planes on October 20. Jay was going to suggest they also invite other clubs. The Chimayo tour in October might be a conflict because it needs to happen before the first frost. It was decided the Chimayo tour will be scheduled for October 27. Lunch will be at the Inn at Chimayo with a visit to Marco’s foundry and the 7-mile tour.
Jackson Barbeque: Jeff and Beth are hosting a picnic barbeque on August 26. An invitation will be sent out to all members.
Horseless Carriage License Fee: Jay announced that the license fee has been raised from $7.50 to $9.50.
Show & Tell: Max Glover has two VHS tapes he will loan to anyone who is interested in knowing more about the B-24 Liberator.
Johanne Glover said Bert and Jo Loring have a nice collection of model cars that Jo wants to sell. If anyone is interested, call Johanne.
Joe Abbin said he is working on the library at his shop. He had some manuals to donate for the raffle.
Raffle: Mistee Thompson conducted the raffle.
Program: James Vigil gave an interesting and spirited presentation on model cars and brought along some very nice models to show the group.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:30.
SEPTEMBER 2012 MEETING PROGRAM
Ladies Night
by Joyce Clements
Beth Jackson and Joyce Clements are organizing a “Ladies’ Night” for the September meeting. We are asking for all lady members to share a hobby or interest with the membership. Please call Beth at 890-2704 or Joyce at 884-7912 to let us know what you can share. It does not have to be car or history related, and it can be very short. Think about it, ladies. What do you do in your spare time? It’s your chance to shine!
SEPTEMBER 2012 CLUB ACTIVITY
September 16 – State Fair Car Show
By R. Jeff Jackson
The Tumbleweed V8 Club will participate in the Car Day at the New Mexico State Fair again this year. The fair is shorter this year and will run from September 13 to September 23. Car day is Sunday, September 16. Everyone who participates will receive a participant ribbon and a nice magnetic dash plaque. Our club is assigned the same great spot as last year. We will meet at the Caravan East on Central Avenue on Sunday, September 16.
Everyone should be there by 7:15 a.m. We will leave as a group promptly at 7:30 a.m. to enter the
fairgrounds. We will be escorted out (to beat the traffic) about 3 p.m. that afternoon.
We’re all looking forward to great weather day, showing our cars, and introducing more folks to old car collecting and driving. Let’s make this a big day for our flatheads (referring to the engines of course).
SEPTEMBER 11, 2012 BOARD MEETING
By Jay Hertz
Hello, All. This is to let you know that we will be holding our September directors’/officers’ meeting on Tuesday, September 11, at my house, 8704 La Sala Del Sur, NE (phone 296-3137) beginning at 7:30 p.m. It is near Wyoming and Candelaria. From that intersection, go east and take the second left-hand turn bay, which is General Stillwell. Go to the end of General Stillwell, which is only about four blocks. Where it ends, the house on the right is mine. It is a corner house with a stop sign on the property. The entrance is on General Stillwell even though the address is on La Sala Del Sur. I will have refreshments. All members arewelcome at our Board meetings.
2012 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
President: Jay Hertz (jdhhag@comcast.net)
Vice-President: R. Jeff Jackson (jbjaxun@gmail.com)
Secretary: Mark Williams (mwdomesticengineer34@gmail.com)
Treasurer: Larry Williams (l-m-williams@comcast.net)
Director of Club Purpose: Neva Coffee (marvin.coffee@comcast.net)
Director of Education: Joe Abbin (roadrunnerengr@msn.com)
Director of Touring: Frank Corey (frankford4@aol.com)
~~‚~~
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Happy Birthday to:
4 Joyce Clements
4 John Shelton
5 Marvin Coffee
8 Jeff Jackson
9 Jo Seery
15 Mary Gorenz
23 Leonard MacDonald
27 Danice Calderon
28 Richard Selby
Happy Anniversary to:
11 Tom & Dee Patterson
21 Larry & Lorna Azevedo
23 Max & Johanne Glover
~~‚~~
NEWSLETTER NOTE
Members are encouraged to submit articles and ads for inclusion in the newsletter, but please remember we have space limitations. Article submissions may be reformatted for newsletter purposes, but they will not be edited without the author’s approval. The deadline for submissions is the 20th of the month. Please contact Micki Hughes, newsletter editor, 505.359.3227, or email: tumbleweednewsletter@gmail.com.
2012 CLUB EVENTS
9/1 Breakfast group will meet Saturday at
8:30 a.m., Rich Ford’s Mustang Café.
9/11 Board Meeting, 7:30, Jay Hertz’ house
9/16 State Fair Car Show Jackson
9/28-30 Swap Meet Clements
10/2 Air Cleaners: Joe Abbin & Will Clements
10/6 Breakfast group will meet Saturday at
8:30 a.m., Rich Ford’s Mustang Café.
10/20 Belen Airport Open House & Car Show
10/27 Tour to Chimayo Abbin
11/6 Elections & Tabletop Show;
TBA
Board 11/3 Breakfast group will meet Saturday at 8:30 a.m., Rich Ford’s Mustang Café.
11/13 Board Meeting, 7:30, Jay Hertz’ house
11/17 Festival of the Cranes, Bosque del Apache Tour
12/4 Holiday Party
12/1 Breakfast group will meet Saturday at
8:30 a.m., Rich Ford’s Mustang Café.
SWAP MEET – SEPTEMBER 28-30
See the information in the flyer with this newsletter for the Swap Meet in Los Lunas. Early registration ends September 11. Joyce is seeking volunteers to help with striping the field, guarding gates, directing traffic, registration, etc. If you can help for a couple of hours, please call 884-7912 or e-mail oldcarnut1932@earthlink.net. You get a ticket for free lunch and a hat.
STATE FAIR CAR SHOWS
Below are the dates for the car shows at the State Fair, September 15 through September 23. If you plan to enter a car, please check with the show chairperson. Some require pre-registration. Go online at http://exponm.com/entriescompetitions/premium-book/creative-arts-2/ and check on your particular show.
Confirm dates and times with the person in charge listed there. Entry rules and eligibility are also there. September 15 – Air-Cooled VW Show – Open to all air-cooled VWs: Bugs, Ghias, Buses – Sean Squires, ssquires@netzero.com or 514-3360.
September 15 – Mopar Muscle Club Show – Open to Chrysler products that are driveable and/or restored
– Paul Van Ostrand 896-8115 or Steve Lauer 821-8034.
September 16 – Antique Car Show by VMCCA – Open to restored or original cars 1976 and older – Ken Murphy 821-5624 or Bill Gilmore 294-8348.
September 16 – Model A Ford Show – Open to Model A Fords 1928-1931 – John McDowell 301-4127.
September 16 – Model T Ford Show – Open to Model T Fords 1909-1927. Vaughn Rockafellow, 410-7492
September 16 – Early Ford V-8 Show by Tumbleweeds – Open to all Ford/Lincoln/Mercury products,
original, partly restored or fully restored, from 1932 to 1953 – Jeff Jackson 908-7565.
September 22 – Rods & Customs Show – Open to all New Mexico rods and customs – Joe Velasquez
344-1547 or Jerry Velasquez 344-0235
September 23 – Classic Chevy Club Show – Open to all Chevrolet cars, trucks and GMC trucks 1912 to 1985 – Gilbert Duran 239-5018, Les Martinez 967-6350, or Pat Wightman wightman55@aol.com
September 23 – Corvairs of New Mexico Show – Open to all Corvair vehicles 1960 to1969 – Robert
OTHER NEARBY ACTIVITIES
September 7-8 – 16th Run to Hillcrest – Hillcrest Park, Clovis – Pre-'73 – Abby Parrish (575)762-7893 or
www.desertcruzers.com – Entry fee $30 before Sept 1, $40 after – Clovis Music Festival is Sept. 6-9
September 8 – Los Lunas Mystery Cruz – Wells Fargo Bank, Bosque Farms – 6:00pm – Bill Schofield (505)565-2105 or e-mail vintagegasser@aim.com
September 8 – 13th Orphan Car Show – Rt. 66 Malt Shop & Grill, 3800 Central SE (at Solano) – 9am setup, 10am-3pm show – Entry $5 – Open to all brands no longer manufactured (includes Mercurys) – Mistee Thomson, 877-9181.
September 8 – 7th Annual Elephant Butte Car, Boat & Cycle Show – Downtown Elephant Butte – Alan Briley (575)744-4892
September 8 – Land of Enchantment Fly-In – Moriarty Airport – Cars and aircraft on display 8am to 3pm – Breakfast for donation served 8am – Lunch for donation served 11am to 1pm – Seminars and tour of Soaring Museum during the day – No entry fees – Curt Smith mach2@centurylink.net
September 8-9 – Las Cruces Swap Meet – Mayfield HS, Las Cruces – Walter Brown (575)640-5920
6
September 14 – 1st Responders Event – Brookdale Place Valencia Senior Living, 300 Valencia SE, – 11am- 2pm – Free, open to all – Free Food – rryma5@aol.com
September 21-23 – Farmington Collector Car Weekend: Cruise, Swap, Show – fazzlow1@aol.com or Richard Fassler (505)327-7614
September 22 – NNMSR Fall Swap Meet – San Juan Plaza, Farmington
September 22 – Ruidoso Mt. High Fly In/Pine Top Car Show – Ruidoso – www.pinetopcarclub.com
(575)257-4966
September 23 – 15th Annual Sunset Grille & Bar Hot Rod, Musclecar & Cycle Show – 6825 Lomas Blvd NE, Albuquerque – 10am-4pm – Open to all makes, models – Benefit to Presbyterian Hospice Assn – Entry $25, includes participation and special awards, goody bag, T-shirt, lunch – annmatt1@msn.com
September 28-30 – Annual NMCCC/Los Lunas Swap Meet – joyce@nmcarcouncil.net or 884-7912
2012 WESTERN NATIONAL V-8 MEET
September 11-14 – “Round Up at Redmond” in Redmond, OR. See www.earlyfordv8.org for information and registration form.
2013 GRAND NATIONAL GOLDEN JUBILEE
The Early Ford V-8 Club will celebrate its 50th Anniversary at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, June 17-21, 2013. This is the site of the first meet held by the founding members of the Club. It will be a big event, and the only National Meet for 2013. Start thinking about attending, and get your Ford ready for the road. Registration and information are available at www.earlyfordv8.org.
EARLY FORD V8 CLUB CENTRAL NATIONAL MEET
Branson MO, 20-23 August, 2012
by Tom Stacy
As the only member from the Tumbleweed Region who attended this meet I submit this report.
Birdie and I left Williamsburg, NM on Sunday 19AU in my 1953 Ford Victoria. Google Maps routed us on I-25N to ABQ, I-40 to almost Fort Smith, AK, I-540N to Fayetteville, AK, AK412 E to US65N to Branson. We overnighted in Clinton, OK which split the trip into 600 miles the 1st day and 400 miles the 2nd. AK412 is being converted to a 4 lane divided highway but at present there is still about 30-40 miles of the old 2 lane hilly, winding road which offered the only fun driving on the whole trip. We arrived at the Branson Radisson at about 3:00PM on Monday. I checked in and got settled in the room then hurried down to get registered just before they closed at 4:00PM. That evening was the welcome party and it was here that I learned the unique thing about this meet was that it was put on not by a region but by the national board. They appointed 2 guys who did the actual work. One of the innovative things they did was to outsource the registration process using the same vendor that does the membership registration for the national club. This is something that organizers of future meets can utilize. Tuesday was meeting day in the afternoon. I attended only the president’s meeting so the rest of the day we spent exploring Branson, I washed the car and got the tech inspection done. That evening we attended “Legends in Concert” at the Dick Clark Theatre. This featured impersonators of Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and a couple of country singers I didn’t recognize. Their songs were accompanied by dancers and it was quite entertaining. Below the theatre was a car museum which featured “celebrity” cars but it was
mostly cars that had been used in various movies and would have appealed more to a movie buff than a car nut.
Wednesday was the concourse which was located about 5 miles away on the lawn of a church/theatre. That evening was a dinner cruise on the Branson Belle. This is a modern [built in the 90's I think] paddle wheel boat that looks on the outside like an old time paddle wheel steamer but on the inside is a theatre. You sat at long tables facing the stage and ate and watched the show while the boat cruised out on the lake. The show was pretty good. It featured a master of ceremonies who was also a comedian and magician, a singing group and a woman who played the violin, sang and did an acrobatic act on some kind of fabric hanging from the ceiling while playing the violin. Quite entertaining. Overall I would say the meet was successful. There were about 160 entrants. But it is not the best meet I have ever been to. I don’t like Branson. It is all hills. You are going and parking either up or down a slope. If you have a full tank of fuel and you happen to park facing up fuel runs out the filler pipe. Also it is extremely religious, lots of churches and religious messages in shops. The concourse was poorly done in my opinion. First of all there was nobody there when I arrived to tell me where to park so I just found some other '53 Fords and parked there. The grassy area was about 100 yards from the building where the restrooms are up a pretty substantial slope. It was hard for me to climb that slope but other members are older and more frail. I wonder how they handled it. There should have been porta johns nearer the cars.
Finally I wish I could say the car performed admirably. It did until the last day. As I pulled out of Amarillo, TX where we overnighted I noticed the engine misfiring when under load at high RPM. However it handled road load at 72 MPH and whatever grades we encountered all the way to Las Lunas where I pulled in for gas. I left the gas station but didn’t make the freeway before it died completely and would not restart. My analysis is the fuel pump failed. It was showing weakness back in Amarillo and couldn’t overcome the vapor in the fuel line from the hot soak in the gas station. I had my doubts that even if I could get it started it would make it the remaining 150 miles home so I called AAA. They sent a rollback truck and made a reservation at Enterprise for a rental car. The driver loaded the car and took us to Enterprise at the airport where I picked up the rental and followed him back to his place of business in Belen. We transferred our luggage
and stuff into the rental and drove home tired and disappointed.
EARLY FORD V-8 FOUNDATION & MUSEUM
The Foundation has received a grant from the Sioux Falls Community Foundation to organize, catalog, and preserve the paper and archival material donated to the Museum. A graduate librarian from the University of Indiana and an intern from Mcpherson College in Kansas are working on this project currently. It will prove to be a valuable source of information on the Ford products of the V-8 era when completed. Another group is working on restoring a very large, original Rotunda sign for display outside the Museum. This group has donated many hours of labor getting the sign ready for reassembly. As soon as enough money is available, the electrical work, coverings, lettering, and mounting equipment will be done, and the sign will go on display with a plaque honoring the donors of parts and time. The sign is part of the larger plan to build the Ford Rotunda styled building to house the collections. In order to facilitate this goal, the Foundation is seeking to increase membership. Individual memberships are $25 per year, and for the remainder of 2012, if you join a buddy can join for free. It’s a two-for-one special! Find out more about the Foundation at www.fordv8foundation.org.
A SPECIAL DANCE PARTNER
At our school, in Pequaming, Michigan, in the Upper Peninsula, we were all required to learn classic dances, including the mazurka, the quadrille, the Viennese waltz and the schottische. Martha Washington costumes were provided when we performed at other schools. Dance lessons were a favorite activity and took place in a hall with beautifully polished floors. One day, in 1941, our teacher said we were going to have visitors during our dance lessons. A dignified elderly gentleman dressed in a suit and tie entered the hall. A woman with him was dressed as if going to
church. The boys sat on one side of the hall, and the girls on the other. When the music began, all was quiet. The older gentleman walked across the room and stood before me. He bowed and quietly asked, “May I have the pleasure of this dance?” He had a nice smile and a twinkle in his eye and seemed to enjoy being a part of our fourth-grade class. But why did he look so familiar?
I stood and curtsied, as I had been taught. He led me around the floor, then went from girl to girl, dancing with all of us. As the boys prepared to race across the floor to invite a favorite girl for the next number, the older woman curtsied to one of the boys and invited him to be her partner. Embarrassed, he bowed and accepted her invitation. They went from one student to another, so everyone had the opportunity to dance with them. Then I realized who the man was. His photograph hung on the wall of our one-room school, as well as the local high school. Our guests were Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford, and every man in town worked for Mr. Ford in the local sawmill or woods operations.
Yes, indeed, we had very special guests visit our dancing class. This little story is by Pat Halverson, of Bloomington, Minnesota, and it appeared in the May, 2007, issue of Reminisce magazine.
CLASSIFIED ADS
For Sale: V-8 Times Magazines. Issues from the '80s to date. $1 each or 6 for $5. Several year sets in hard binders. Half the proceeds to our club. Joe Abbin, 505.296.7678.
For Sale: Auto road test and auto related magazines from the 1950's thru the 1980's. Find out how your
1956 Mercury performed “in the day” from Motor Trend or how Consumer’s Guide rated it! “Time
capsule” assortments of 3-6 magazines for various years for $10 each or individual magazines for $3.
Various titles, Motor Trend, Popular Science, Mechanix Illustrated, Consumers Guide, etc. Joe Abbin,505.296.7678.
For Sale: Rebuilt generators, starters, carburetors, distributors, water pumps, clutches, etc. for your
flathead. Best deal in town. Also parts. What do you need? Art Leupold, 505.299.7154.
For Sale: 1946-1948 running gear including brake drums. Joe Abbin, 296.7678.
For Sale: 1953 Ford Victoria. Larry Dyer, 821.5324.
For Sale: 1949 Ford Big Job Truck Engine. 337 cu. in. Turns freely. Still in truck. 850 lbs. Current
price for scrap iron is 6.5 cents/lb. Available at Capitol Scrap in Santa Fe. 575-471-0740.
For Sale: 1934 Ford Truck Engine. 221 cu.in., 21-stud. Joel Wirth. 505-281-6752. Sedillo, NM, near
exit 181 on I-40 East of ABQ.
For Sale: Welding and cutting equipment. Lincoln Electric Pro Cut 25 plasma cutter, cuts 3/8" easily. $1500. Lincoln Electric portable 110v, 20A wire feed arc welder with tanks and cart. $500. Other welding equipment: acetylene set with tanks, $250, Ultra-Shade helmet, $100. Kathleen, 822-0325.
For Sale: For information on the following, email Tom Stacy at tombird@wildblue.net or call 575.894.7137:
I give up. I have run an ad for a flathead V8 engine and 2 transmissions for the last 3 issues and no
takers. I would rather one of you have these than the landfill so just come and get them. First come first serve. Flathead V8 engine '49-50. This is a truck engine since it has a floor shift transmission behind it. It won’t turn but is fairly complete lacking only the starter and generator. Come and get it. Two '51 transmissions. One Standard, one Overdrive. Come and get it.
For Sale: 1951 Ford Victoria. This is a rust-free example. I bought it in 1999 from a guy here in Truth or Consequences, NM who was attempting to restore this car which formerly belonged to a relative. Presumably it is a New Mexico car. The exterior was done so I completed the interior,
rebuilt the flathead V8 engine 23,000 miles ago, added overdrive, dual exhaust and 1" lowering blocks to correct a slight rake. I recently replaced all the wiring. Because the paint job
is less than top quality and the miles I have put on it I am classifying it in #3 condition. Old Cars Weekly Price Guide and NADA.com price it at $13,500. At present it needs nothing and you could drive it home. 575-894-7137, tombird@wildblue.net. More photos: http://s1170.photobucket.com/albums/r538/TumbleweedPhotos/Toms%20Car%20Photos/.
Wanted: V-8 Times Magazines. Need May-June 2007 issue, and any issues from the '60s and '70s for my own set. Joe Abbin, 505.296.7678.
Wanted: Five 15" wheels, W5@5½" holes, for 6.70 x 15" tires. Max Glover, 249.7344.
Wanted/Lost: I loaned an antique Fish carburetor to someone. Please contact Joe Abbin at 296-7678 if you have or know who has this carburetor. Thanks.
Services Offered: Vintage engine rebuilding, any make, any model. Stock or modified. Dynamometer testing available. Results guaranteed. References available. Gary McGlasson, 505.250.1586.
Services Offered: Frank Corey, who recently made a presentation about the mechanical aspects of Ford overdrives, is available to consult on the electrical aspects as well. Frank has a supply of overdrive parts for sale, for those who may be interested. Frank can be contacted at 505.299.5168 or (frankford4@aol.com).