SEPTEMBER 2025 TUMBLEWEED CLUB OF NEW MEXICO

RG #79, EARLY FORD V-8 CLUB OF AMERICA, PO BOX 21538, ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87154-1538

MEETS FIRST TUESDAY OF THE MONTH, 7:00 P.M, North Domingo Baca Mutigenerational Center,

7600 Carmel NE, Albuquerque, NM

V8 TIMES

PLEASE NOTE: All meetings include Show & Tell. Members are encouraged to bring items to share.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, September 2, 2025 at 7 pm at North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7600 Carmel NE, one-half block North and West of Paseo Del Norte and Wyoming. Program by Joe Baird & Eddie Corbin on the History of Cormit Speedway. Refreshments by Joe Warren.

NEXT BOARD MEETING: Tuesday, September 9, 6:30pm, Village Pizza in Corrales

BREAKFAST GROUP: Sunday, September 7, after setup at the New Mexico State Fair.

CLUB WEBSITE: Be sure to check out our website at www.abqfordflatheadv8.com Updated “current Information and calendar” is on the current information page. More club pictures are on the website.

FORD V8 FOUNDATION WEBSITE: Another interesting website to check out is www.fordv8foundation.org

EARLY FORD V8 CLUB OF AMERICA WEBSITE: www.earlyfordv8.org

September 2nd, 2025 Meeting

The program for the September meeting will be on the history of Cormit Speedway in the 40’s and 50’s, right here in Albuquerque, NM. Member Joe Baird and Eddie Corbin (of the Albuquerque Dragway) will be presenting this interesting part of local history.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, September 2nd, 7pm at North Domingo Baca Center, 7600 Carmel NE. If you have any items appropriate for the raffle, please bring them.

September Birthdays and Anniversaries

Joyce Clements (4) Nick & Diana Bakas (6)

Anthony Wagner (5) Larry & Lorna Azevedo (21)

Jeff Jackson (8) Max & Johanne Glover (23)

Evonne Joiner (22)

Amanda Baird (30)

New Mexico State Fair Car Show

V8 Day at the New Mexico State Fair will take place on Sunday, September 7th. Please gather at the east end of the Fair Plaza parking lot at the NW corner of San Pedro & Lomas by 7:45 am so we can drive in to the fairgrounds together starting at 8 am. There will be no charge for those entering with the club. We will drive in according to year of the car driven and will try to eat breakfast together after getting set up.

Let’s have a great turnout this year!

2025 September President’s Message - Joe Abbin

The September 2 meeting will be held at our regular spot, the North Domingo Baca Multi-Generational Center one block north of Wyoming and Paseo Del Norte. Last month Andy Steele briefed us on computer related security and artificial intelligence. Keep your computer security up to date! This month Joe Baird and Eddie Corbin will revisit the history of Cormit Speedway in Albuquerque in the 40’s and 50’s. Find out all about this fascinating part of Albuquerque racing history. See announcement in this newsletter.

Our major activity and breakfast this month will be at the Early Ford V-8 Day at the New Mexico State Fair on Sunday, September 7. We share the Main Street show area with the Model T’s, the Model A’s, the Old Car Club of Albuquerque, etc., so it is desirable for all of us to go in together to show together and preserve our space at future fairs. We usually meet up at the Fair Plaza parking lot at San Pedro & Lomas by 8 am and then proceed to the fairgrounds. Going with us assures free parking and admittance too! Gus and Debbie will provide more details at the meeting. After setup, many members have breakfast burritos, etc. together at the end of Main Street near the animal arenas. This is always a fun event with lots of shade, people, vendors, and exhibits. Show off your V-8, say “hi” to the animals, and recruit new club members. See you there!

Joe Abbin

Minutes of the August 5th Meeting

Joe Abbin called the meeting to order at 7pm.

· Minutes from the previous meeting were approved by the members present and accepted.

· Guest: Joe Wehling

· The Clements provided refreshments.

· Anniversaries and birthdays were noted.

· Amy Joiner gave the Treasurer’s report: no change from last month; on budget.

Joe Baird gave the report from the NMCC meeting. Complete listing at https://www.nmcarcouncil.com/nmccc-upcoming-events-page.html

· NMCC Picnic – 10th at Pine Flat (NOT Oak Flat) · Pistons for Patriots (& Chile Fest)– 8/23 & 8/24 at Expo NM

$25 Per vehicle when you register 5 or more club members

· NM State Fair – 9/7, Meet at 8am, Location TBA, Gus will be the coordinator?

New Business; August 2025

· Breakfast TBA

August 2025 events

· “AI, Tech, and Staying safe Online” was given by Andrew Steele

· He may be contacted with questions at ahsteele@gmailcom

Show and Tell

· Joe Abbin presented a copy of the 1953 Albuquerque City Directory, which was indexed by street

For Sale & Trade

· 49-53 bellhousing, $125

· NOS Model A high arch rear spring

· 41 convertible

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:35pm.

Liz Johnson

OCTOBER TOUR

Saturday, 10/11, we will be driving to Torreon and enjoying the Manzano Mountain Retreat Apple Festival. We will have more information as it gets closer. We were just notified that the tickets are on sale. They are $10/each, plus tax. The link is posted below. Please make sure you select the correct date. They will have food trucks there so we will have lunch there as opposed to club breakfast. Please plan on joining us.

Chris & Amy Joiner

2025 Apple Harvest Festival at Manzano Mountain Retreat!

Save the date and spread the word about this amazing event: https://2025applefestiv #2025AppleFestival at Manzano Mountain Retreat

2025applefestival.planningpod.com

What We Can Expect - Flathead Gas Mileage By Joe Abbin

The Ford flathead cars have never been gas misers by modern standards, although a professionally-prepared and driven 1950 Mercury with an overdrive transmission demonstrated over 26 mpg in the 1950 Mobil Gas Grand Canyon Sweepstakes competition.

There are many factors which affect gas mileage and they are usually not optimized in most normal driving. Engine condition and tune-up, vehicle aerodynamics, highway and weather conditions, driving style, tires, fuel, etc. all affect mileage.

Looking over old road test articles, the Ford flatheads delivered 14-18 mpg in "average" driving conditions and 17-23 mpg on the highway. Floyd Clymer conducted a 1949 extended road test study of over 3000+ owners of 1949 Mercurys. The owners reported an average of 16.6 mpg under average conditions and 19.4 mpg on the highway (about 50% had overdrive). All these were new vehicles, presumably in good shape.

In any case, I always check basic engine condition with a compression test and verify tune-up specifications (spark plugs, timing, air cleaner condition, fuel pump pressure, etc.). High compression heads, dual exhausts, and electronic ignition should all improve mileage. If an electric fuel pump is used, make sure it is not over-pressuring your carburetor (3-1/2 psi or less for Stromberg “97”) and that the distributor is advancing the timing properly. Verify your carburetor(s) have the correct float level and are not leaking. If you run a multi-carb setup, I prefer Stromberg "97" carburetors and an aftermarket mechanical advance distributor for proper engine operation.

In a famous 1950 “Mechanic’s Illustrated” magazine article, writer Tom McCahill mildly hopped up his new 1949 Ford with dual exhausts, high compression heads, a Mallory dual-point ignition, and a single Mercury carburetor (about 35 % more flow than the 1949 Ford). He gained about 18 horsepower at the rear wheels and improved his average mileage from 16-1/2 to 18-1/2 mpg! Win, win! My own experience is consistent with these results.

1939 – A YEAR TO REMEMBER (cont’d)

In 1939, it was starting to be “appropriate” for women to wear slacks and shorts in public for picnics, beach wear and other casual occasions. Pedal pushers were coming into vogue and were on the cover of LIFE magazine. If a lady couldn’t find a silly hat, decorating her hair substituted. The lingerie picture is from a folder handed out at the Philippines (where much lingerie was handmade) exhibit at the 1939 World’s Fair.

Joyce Clements

SEPTEMBER 2025 CLASSIFIED ADS

For Sale: Radiator for 1953 Ford P.U. - very good $150. Gary McGlasson 505-250-1586

For Sale: 1940 Mercury Sedan Coupe. Call Max Glover for more information. 505-249-7344 Cell or 505-792-2011 Home.

For Sale: 1936 Ford Phaeton, $40,000. Call Chris Joiner 505-382-8723.

For Sale: 1940 Willys. Former gasser. All steel. 468 cu.in. BBC, TH350 transmission, Ford 9” rear end, disc brakes all around, straight axle, Mustang steering box, Custom grey ultra leather interior, Kenwood stereo, alarm. No A/C, PS, or PB. $59,000 OBO. Joe Abbin, roadrunnerengr@msn.com, 505-263-1946.

For Sale: 1931 Model A Coupe. Older restoration. Runs & drives well. Modern radiator, 6v alternator, electrical upgrades. $16,000. Jake at 602=275-7990, jake@vintagepartsarizona.com

Storage: Outdoor $25/month, secure yard. Joe Abbin 505-296-7678

Wanted: 1957 Ford ½ Ton Truck, Don Gutierrez 951-241-4959

Services Offered: Vintage engine rebuilding, any make, any model. Stock or modified. Dynamometer testing available. Results guaranteed. References available. Gary McGlasson, 505-250-1586.

Newsletter Note

Members are encouraged to submit articles, ads, and photographs for inclusion in the newsletter. Please understand we have a volunteer Newsletter Editor so try and submit typed and proofed articles, comments, and new want ads. The deadline for submissions is the 20th of the month. Beth Jackson, 505-908-7564, or email: JBJaxun@gmail.com

Tumbleweed Early Ford V8 Club Calendar for 2025

January

Tuesday 7th Club Meeting 7pm North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center - Program Joe Abbin, Barrett-Jackson Auction Slides

Saturday 11th Breakfast 8:30am Hello Deli

February

Tuesday 4th Club Meeting 7pm North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center –Program by Larry Azevedo on Henry Ford, the Early Years. Refreshments Joe Baird.

Saturday 8th Breakfast 8:30am at Golden Corral

March

Tuesday 4th Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center - Program – Larry Azevedo on Henry Ford Part II. Refreshments Van de Velde & Wagner

Saturday 8th 8:30am, Breakfast at Sopa’s with a Tour of Frank Brown’s Collection following at 10am.

April

Tuesday 1st Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center - Program – George Abernathy on Fentanyl. Refreshments Glovers

Saturday 12th Breakfast 8:30am at Village Inn in Rio Rancho followed by tour of Abernathy’s garage.

May

Tuesday 6th Club Meeting N Domingo Baca Center - Program –Will Clements and Joe Abbin on Ford transmissions. Refreshments Liz Johnson

Sunday 18th Museum Car Show, 10am – 3pm featuring Lowriders, breakfast in the area.

Monday 26th 11 – 2, Club Birthday Party, Corrales Community Center.

June

Tuesday 3rd Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center – Debbie Van de Velde on Corrales Church History. Refreshments Larry Bost.

Saturday 14th Breakfast 8:30am, Flying Star, Alameda & Corrales Rd., Possible Old Church Tour.

July

Tuesday 1st Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center – Program by Joe Baird on 6 to 12 volt Conversion. Refreshments Abernathy’s.

Thursday 4th Parade in Corrales and Picnic at Azevedo’s, 209 Hansen Rd., Corrales, 87048.

August

Tuesday 5th Club Meeting 7pm – Program by Andrew Steele, on Computer Security/AI. Refreshments Clements.

Sunday 10th All Clubs Picnic at Oak Flats for info go to www.nmcarcouncil.com

Saturday 23rd 10am to 2pm High Desert Mustang Car Show, 11825 Lomas Blvd. NE, hdmustangclub@gmail.com

Sat/Sun 23rd & 24th Expo New Mexico, Pistons for Patriots-Veteran Benefit Car Show, www.pistonsforpatriots.com

September

Tuesday 2nd Club Meeting 7pm – Program by Joe Baird/Eddie Corbin on Cormit Speedway.

Refreshments Joe Warren

Sunday 7th State Fair Car Show, meet for breakfast after set-up.

October

Tuesday 7th Club Meeting 7pm – Program on Henry Ford, Refreshments Joiners

Saturday 11th Manzano Harvest Festival, Torreon, NM

November

Tuesday 4th Club Meeting 7pm Officer Election – Program Model Car Show. Refreshments Open

Saturday 8th Breakfast 8:30am K & I Diner with tour of Commemorative Air Force in Moriarity

December

Saturday 6th Club Christmas Party 1pm Potluck

Businesses Used by Members

(Send us names of businesses you have used)

1. Starters and Alternators of New Mexico, 3711 Franciscan St NE, Albuquerque NM 87107, 505-344-5025, Eldon.

2. Skinners Carburetor & Distributor Service, 3100 Pan American Fwy NE, Unit 6, Albuquerque, NM 87107, 505-344-3704, Albert & Nic.

3. McBride’s Springs & Welding, 1010 2nd St NW, Albuquerque NM 87102, 505-242-2174.

4. Old Car Garage/World Wide Automotive, 3232 Girard Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 505-881-2722, Bob.

5. Auto Glass Now, 8201 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 87110, 505-897-9000. Also at 8301 San Pedro NE, Albuquerque NM 87113, 505-445-7022

6. Wild Heart Ranch Texas, 3120 FM 1995, Van TX 75790, 505-908-7565