AUGUST 2020 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., OLD CAR GARAGE, 3232 GIRARD BLVD NE
TIMES
PLEASE NOTE: All meetings include Show & Tell. Members are encouraged to bring items to share.
NEXT MEETING: No August Meeting
NEXT BOARD MEETING: TBA.
BREAKFAST GROUP: No August Breakfast
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
2020 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
President: Joe Abbin (roadrunnerengr@msn.com)
Vice-President: tbd
Secretary: Beth Jackson (jbjaxun@gmail.com)
Treasurer: George Abernathy (gabernathy@sunriseveterinary.com)
Director: R. Jeff Jackson (jbjaxun@gmail.com)
Director: Demetrio Lee (Dmost_1@yahoo.com)
Director: Roger Wilbur (rogerwilbur88@gmail.com)
Director: Chris Joiner (Amy2001tweety@hotmail.com)
Director: Larry Bost (LBost11@gmail.com)
President’s Message for August 2020
Joe Abbin
Unfortunately, there is still too much uncertainty as to what we should do as far as public gatherings to schedule a normal club meeting or breakfast in August. The Governor may change the rules on the 16th, but that remains to be seen. No regular club meetings or breakfast until further notice due to ongoing health concerns and evolving government rules and recommendations.
Our cruise and picnic on Saturday, July 18 to Rotary Park in Bernalillo was very pleasant. A little hot on the drive, but we had our own tree which provided lots of shade and room for social distancing for our small (5 cars, 13 folks) group. This month I propose joining in on member Philip Lovato’s cruise to Los Alamos on August 8th. See flyer elsewhere in this newsletter.
Now we have some nominations for our GOAT 1932-1953(Greatest of all time) Ford contest. I have some thoughts along with input from Jay Hertz just prior to his death. See below. Send Beth Jackson or I your nominee for flathead GOAT and why by the end of August. As noted before, pictures would be nice but not necessary and our editor will publish entries and we will vote on winner(s). The winner will receive “The Key”, a priceless new top secret product from Roadrunner Engineering. Oh boy!
On the subject of Jay’s passing after a bicycle accident July 2, I am still stunned. Jay was one of my best friends and a major asset to our club. His entry in the GOAT contest elsewhere in this newsletter is an example of his knowledge, passion, and willingness to participate in any club activity. If you have any favorite Jay pictures or stories, please submit to me or Beth Jackson to include in a memory book for our club and Jay’s family. Jay advocated estate planning for our club members, while I’m sure not expecting that it would be so relevant for himself. This is a lesson for all of us. I send my thoughts and prayers for Helen and the rest of Jay’s family. RIP old buddy.
Stay well and stay tuned!
August Birthdays and Anniversaries
Jeannine Kontny (1) Roger Wilbur & Bobbie Benzaquen (15)
Bud Hennessey (3)
Pat Willan (27)
Jim Clements (29)
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 (for sale items will continue to be updated at the meetings). The deadline for submissions is the 20th of the month. Beth Jackson, 505-908-7564, or email: JBJaxun@gmail.com
GOAT Nominee by Jay Hertz
My nominee for GOAT has to be the 1933 Ford roadster, with the 1933 Ford cabriolet and phaeton coming in a close second. Many people share this view, including Henry Dominguez who comments so favorably on these models in his book about stylists E.T. Gregorie and Edsel Ford. But back in the day, the 1934 models were so greatly admired that many owners substituted 1934 grilles and hoods for those on their 1933 models. These parts were interchangeable.
But the 1933 front end sheet metal was sheer grace. The grille is handsomely vee’d and also shovel-nosed, with a tasteful concavity. The hood louvers replicated that shape. By contrast, the 1934 grille was more massive and lost the shovel feature. Both models shared fenders that joined in the front under the grille. The 1933 fenders were skirted both front and rear. This new feature not only allowed the fenders to taper into the running boards, but it more completely covered the front spring and shock absorbers.
The 1933 front design was complemented by a dip in the bumper, accentuating the heart shaped grille. Dual horns added symmetry.
The doors were hinged at the rear, allowing for the front edge of the door to be slanted to match the rake of the windshield. Genuine leather was used for the seating on open models. The dashboard was wood grained with a burl pattern and the gauges were mounted on a machine-turned insert.
Aluminum cylinder heads appeared on the 1933 models and provided superior engine cooling. The engine was peppy. Due to the light weight of these cars, they outperformed virtually anything on the road, even cars with larger engines. They remain very road-worthy cars even today.
Jay’s 1933 Ford Cabriolet Jay with his 1934 Ford Phaeton
JAY HERTZ
NOVEMBER 5, 1947- JULY 2, 2020
Jay Hertz was a long-time member of the Tumbleweed RG and was currently serving as Vice President. Jay was very active in the group. Jay’s favorite cars were open Fords and Chevrolets from the early to mid-1930’s. He meticulously restored many 1933 to 1936 Fords and some older Chevrolets. He had a love of history and collected a lot of 20th Century Americana, especially from the 1930’s. Jay led us on many tours, including two National Driving Tours.
Jay generously shared his knowledge, tools, and facilities with our club. He served in one club office or another for the last 30 years and was a regular presenter at our club meetings.
Jay was often considered the sane one in our regional group, providing thoughtful comments during all open discussions. Jay’s meticulous restorations didn’t prevent his cars from developing a reputation for fuel starvation issues (vapor lock or out of gas). Even on some local area tours, Jay occasionally forgot to put gas in his car. All of our good-natured comments about his fuel issues were met with a smile. Jay’s wife, Helen, occasionally joined us to remind Jay to put gas in the car. Overlooking his cars’ propensity to have fuel issues, Jay was always willing to sit with his car friends and provide detailed advice for their questions. Jay never failed to amaze us with the breadth of his collections at club meetings. From women’s compacts to Ford salesman watches to old maps of the United States, Jay talked knowledgeably about his passions.
He had a combination museum/restoration garage where he spent many hours and was always glad to have groups tour his collections of cars, parts, watches, vintage pinup calendars, books, toys, model railroads, etc.
Tragically Jay’s life was cut short by a bicycle accident, and he will be truly missed by the Tumbleweed group. Jay was a cornerstone of our group and an irreplaceable asset. He leaves a big pair of shoes to fill.
Joyce Clements, Jeff Jackson, Joe Abbin
Jay (in orange shirt) working on his 1936 Cabriolet in a familiar scene on our Tumbleweed Southern NM Tour 2018. He once told me “this car had never returned to the barn under its own power”.
Jay’s presentation on watches at a club meeting
Jay and Helen at a Club Christmas Party
J
Sheloshim for Jay Hertz
A Sheloshim is a Jewish period of mourning starting on burial day and ending 30 days later. Concluding this period for Jay there will be a Zoom memorial service. See info below to participate.
When: Aug 4, 2020 05:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpfuitqDwpGNx4gBA_nxE9NSiEtcBIKW1W
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Joke of the Month
Teacher: George Washington not only chopped down his father’s cherry tree, but he also admitted it. Now, Louie, do you know why his father didn’t punish him?
Louie: Because George still had the axe in his hand….
Submitted by Joyce Clements
VINTAGE CAR BROCHURES ON LINE
Go to the web site below to see some vintage car brochures. These are not for sale, just for your enjoyment.
Pick the manufacturer, the year and the model, and go. http://www.lov2xlr8.no/broch1.html
Tumbleweed Early Ford V8 Club Calendar for 2020
August
Tuesday 4th – Sheloshim for Jay Hertz (see announcement on separate page)
Tuesday 4th Club Meeting Cancelled
Saturday 8th – Los Alamos Cruise (see flyer on separate page)
Sunday 9th All Clubs Picnic Cancelled
Saturday 15th Breakfast Cancelled
September
Tuesday 1st Club Meeting 7pm Program – Civil War in NM by Sanders. Refreshments by Joiner’s
Sunday 13th State Fair Car Show CANCELLED
Saturday 19th Breakfast
Sunday-Thursday 20-24 Western National Meet, Alamosa, CO - CANCELLED
Friday-Sunday 25-27 Annual NMCCC Auto Swap Meet
Saturday 26th Party for Lou and Mary Gorenz to celebrate their 90th birthdays!
October
Tuesday 6th Club Meeting 7pm Program – Electric Cars Now & Then.
?? Northern NM Overnight Tour being planned
Saturday 17th Breakfast
November
Tuesday 3rd Club Meeting 7pm Officer Election Refreshments by Robert Napier
Saturday 21st Breakfast
December
Saturday 12th Club Christmas Party (tentatively pot luck)
Tuesday 8th (tentative Board meeting with new and old officers and directors to plan for 2021)
Saturday 19th Breakfast
UPCOMING EVENTS
At this time, the following are the only events I have not received a cancellation notice on. Check before you try to go to any event, as the event has probably been cancelled.
AUGUST
August 1 – 2nd Annual Special Olympics Car Show Fundraiser – Holy Family Catholic Church, 562 Atrisco SW – Sponsored by Knights of Columbus, District 21 – Registration 8-9:30am, show 10am-4pm – Entry $10 minimum donation – Open to all cars, trucks, tractors & motorcycles – Adrian zdsgambler@gmail.com
August 1 – 4th Annual DeeDee’s Golden Ram Car Show – Riverside Park, Aztec
