FEBRUARY PROGRAM – ESTATE PLANNING
Jared Matts, local area CPA, will be speaking on estate planning and other current developments with
income taxes. He is managing member of Matts & Co. Accounting Professionals, LLC.
PLEASE NOTE: All meetings include Show & Tell. Members are encouraged to bring items to share.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, February 5, 7:30 p.m., Old Car Garage. (Please note new address, 3232
Girard Blvd. NE)
REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED BY: Marvin & Neva Coffee / Ira Rimson.
BREAKFAST GROUP: The Breakfast Group will meet Saturday, February 2 at 8:30 a.m. at Rich Ford’s
Mustang Café, Wyoming and Lomas.
FEBRUARY ACTIVITY: February 24, photo tour to Coronado Monument and Tamaya. See Neva’s
February Activity article in this newsletter for more details.
CLUB WEBSITE: Be sure to check out our website at http://abqfordflatheadv8.com/.
NEXT BOARD MEETING: Tuesday, March 12, 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 2013
February Marvin & Neva Coffee / Ira Rimson March
April May
June July
August September
October November
December Holiday Party
Please note. We will be adding a new feature to each of our business meetings this year, beginning with
the February 5 meeting. Club members will volunteer to bring a Ford to a meeting and to spend about
ten minutes after the meeting discussing their car. Because this idea came from Jeff Jackson, Jeff will
be the one to bring an old Ford to the February meeting and then discuss it afterwards. We will pass
around a sign-up sheet and ask a different member to sign up for each of the following months. It will
be a great way to do some informal show-and-tell and for us to learn about each others’ cars and
restoration efforts.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FOR FEBRUARY 2013
Jay Hertz, President
Hello, All.
I plan to get back to my practice of preparing articles on the history of Ford and its founding members
next month. But this month, I wanted to follow up on a matter that the club’s directors first brought up
last fall, the concept of hosting either a national meet or a national tour.
National meets are probably familiar to most of us, either because we participated in the western national
meet in Albuquerque in 2000, or because we have been to one elsewhere. But few of us are familiar with
national tours since they have only recently come on the scene as a recognized activity of the Early Ford
V-8 Club. After the Tumbleweed officers and directors began to consider the possibility of hosting a
national tour last fall, I was contacted by Lou Mraz of Denver, who is the North Central Director of the
Early Ford V-8 Club, and the promoter of the inaugural national tour which occurred in September, 2012.
Lou has provided a substantial amount of information on hosting a national tour, and most of the
information in this message is derived from those materials or my conversations with him.
Let me describe in summary form what a national tour is all about. Then, at the end of this message, I
will describe the questionnaire we have prepared in order to gauge the level of the Tumbleweed Group’s
interest in hosting either a national tour or a national meet. As you will see from what follows, the concept
of hosting a national tour is not only feasible for our group, but promises to be very fun and very good for
our club.
1. National tours are sanctioned by the Early Ford V-8 Club as an alternative to, or in addition to, its
usual national meets.
2. The focus of a national tour is on driving flathead-powered, club-eligible vehicles. A typical
national tour might include about four driving days, and is designed for a group of about 30-35 vehicles.
Drivers would probably be drawn from a radius of about 450 to 500 miles from Albuquerque, although
some members might come from much more distant points. If more than 35 cars and drivers wanted to
participate, the tour might consist of two separate groups, possibly starting at opposite ends and meeting
halfway. The driving route could be a loop, or a point-to-point route.
3. A national tour is very simple to stage, when compared to a national meet. It can be organized
by 3 or 4 people. The ease of conducting a national tour can be seen from the following:
A. In a national tour, there is no judging, no awards banquet, no swap meet, no concourse or
organized vehicle display, no seminars, and no raffle. Instead, the focus is on driving through scenic or
interesting countryside, on secondary roads, and seeing points of interest that require little or no prior
coordination. The tour would ideally cover only about 150 to 200 miles per day, which is quite leisurely
compared to some of our recent tours.
B. The main responsibilities of the hosting regional group are date, route and site selection, and
coordination of meal stops, stops at points of interest, and identifying evening lodging. Actual lodging
reservations would be the responsibility of the individual club member attending. Other tasks would
include preparing a tour package which would likely include a map or maps, driving instructions, cell
phone numbers of participants, information on stops, information in case of breakdowns, and hotel
information/directions.
C. The structure of a national tour is informal. For example, tourers who want to deviate from the
planned route, linger longer, or see different sites, are welcome to do so. Although touring as a caravan
has many advantages, it is not required.
D. Having a “vulture wagon” is not a necessity. Most antique auto insurance policies provide
roadside service and towing coverage, and most tours are attended by several knowledgeable Ford
mechanics. But any club member who wanted to drive his own truck and trailer as additional insurance
would be welcome to do so.
E. The cost (to both the hosting regional group and the attendees) would be minimal. The only
significant expense for the hosting group is the preparation of the tour package. The cost to attendees
might be as low as $20, which would come to the hosting group to defray its expenses.
4. The national tour would be open only to national club members and club-eligible vehicles, in
keeping with the goals of flathead preservation and restoration.
5. Benefits of hosting a national tour include traveling with and socializing with fellow members from
different locales, and seeing cars we might not otherwise see. Also, touring together tends to overcome
the hesitation or reluctance some members feel in driving their cars far from home. It helps to expose
our vehicles to the public. A tour through the southwest shows off our cars in the terrain and environment
they were designed for, affords great photo opportunities, and gives our cars some needed exercise. It’s
also an opportunity to attract some younger people to our hobby, as they see the caravan driving along,
or as they visit with us at rest stops or evening stops.
6. The national club will partner with the hosting regional group. Specifically, the national group can
handle publicizing of the event in the V-8 Times, and arrangements for the national club’s event liability
insurance. Individual participants would still have to maintain insurance coverage on their vehicles. The
extent of the national club’s involvement would be a matter for negotiation and decision, since the
national tours are so new that there is no existing protocol yet.
Please take the time to respond to the following survey. Because we want to allow you to respond
anonymously, you should feel free to send your responses to Neva, our secretary, without identifying
yourself as the sender. Or, if you prefer, you can respond by email, if you are not concerned about
anonymity.
1. Would you like to see the Tumbleweed Group host a national event (meet or tour) in 2013, 2014
or 2015? If not, why not? If so, what is your preferred year?
2. If so, would you prefer a national meet or a national tour?
3. Are you willing to serve on a committee to prepare for your preferred event?
4. Are you willing to take an active role in hosting your preferred event?
5. Would you like to see your preferred event coordinated by the national club to the maximum extent
that national will do so?
Thank you.\
The Tumbleweed Group Officers and Directors
JANUARY 2013 MEETING MINUTES
by Neva Coffee, Secretary
Meeting was opened by President Jay Hertz.
Treasurer’s report: Larry gave report. Balance in checking account: 401.76. Balance in savings
account: 5,284.61. Christmas donation gathered for Roadrunner Food Bank: 225.00, plus a bag of
groceries.
Car Council report: Jim reported, the council intends to have the usual events and will have more to
report after their next meeting.
Thanks: Jay thanked the following, Mary for all her work on the Christmas party, Joe, for a wonderful
New Years day at his home, Jeff and Beth for their continued work on the web site. Also the members,
officers and board for their work and efforts last year and the expected efforts for this year.
Old Business: remarks of pleasure about both the Christmas and New Years parties. Jeff gave a quick
report on the web site. He states it has pictures of recent events, some member’s cars and has the past
newsletter on it. He also asked the membership to access it often and to associate it with other club
websites as this helps to move it higher in ranking in Google.
New Business: Jay reminded everyone of the upcoming directors meeting at his home, to plan for a
great year for the club, and reminded everyone that anyone is welcome. He then asked those officers
and board members to come with an idea for an activity and a program.
He brought up the idea of hosting a National Meet or Tour and asked that members give this some
serious thought. A motion was made and passed, to buy a magnetic sign that would be placed on one
car on every tour to generate interest and advertise the club. Cost about 50.00. Discussed idea of a
video library for the club. A motion was made and passed for the club to buy a brick from the V8 Ford
Foundation in memoriam of Burt Loring. Reminded all, about the wonderful upcoming garage tour of Ray
and Art’s collections and then handed out dash placards the club had from Sept.
It was mentioned the club’s new business cards with the web address and new meeting address have
been ordered.
Membership Dues now due, please pay Larry.
Joe, Art and Marvin brought interesting articles for show and tell.
Raffle was conducted by Misty with some fine prizes.
Refreshment had and enjoyed by all, and short tour of the new facility given.
Marvin Coffee and Ira Rimson will provide snacks in Feb.
Jay then introduced the speaker for our program, Bill Reider.
TREASURER’S REPORT FOR JANUARY 2013 - Deleted in Web Version
FEBRUARY 2013 CLUB ACTIVITY
February 24 – Coronado Monument and Tamaya
By Neva Coffee
Our February 24 tour will be a photo opportunity to try out some of the advice from our last meeting when
Bill spoke about photographing our cars. The tour will be out to Bernalillo to take advantage of some
great scenic views near the Coronado monument and the Tamaya resort.
We will meet at the Sprouts Market parking lot at Coors and Alameda between 9:00 and 9:30am. We
will leave at 9:30 and caravan to Bernalillo. From Bernalillo we will head up to Coronado monument and
the Tamaya for picture taking. We will have lunch at either the Tamaya or the Range for those that wish
to stay for lunch. I will have price ranges and information to give at the February meeting
Make sure you bring your camera. There will be a photo contest.
Categories are: Best under the hood, Best profile, Best frontal or ¾, Best grill shot, Best interior, Best
group shot.
We hope to display most of our pictures on the web site. Questions call Neva, 898-7833.
MARCH 12, 2013 BOARD MEETING
By Jay Hertz
Hello, All. This is to let you know that we will be holding our March directors’/officers’ meeting on
Tuesday, March 12, 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 serve refreshments.
All members are welcome at our Board meetings.
2013 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
President: Jay Hertz (jdhhag@comcast.net)
Vice-President: R. Jeff Jackson (jbjaxun@gmail.com)
Secretary: Neva Coffee (marvin.coffee@comcast.net)
Treasurer: Larry Williams (l-m-williams@comcast.net)
Directors: Joe Abbin (roadrunnerengr@msn.com)
Dee Patterson (patdcar@aol.com)
Max Glover (mfgjlg1995@aol.com)
FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Happy Birthday to:
5 Tom Patterson
5 Bob Quirici
15 Pat Casias
19 Neva Coffee
27 Tom Stacey
Happy Anniversary to:
19 Ron & Marilyn Gigger
28 Leonard & Jenny MacDonald
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 publisher, 505.359.3227, or email:
tumbleweednewsletter@gmail.com.
FORD IN ALASKA ARTICLE
from Joyce Clements
The following story is excerpted from the March, 1949, issue of Ford Times about Ford in Alaska.
Remember, Alaska was not a state of the Union yet.
CAR REPLACING DOG
by Herb Hilscher
One of the tough assignments of the farthest-north Ford dealer is deciding if an Eskimo woman is kidding
when she orders a red V8 convertible. That is only one of the qualifications needed by Dan Lhamon in
servicing and selling Fords at Fairbanks, Alaska, just under the Arctic Circle, and a scant six hours’ flying
time from the North Pole.
Strips of dried salmon are taken as down payment on new cars. Salmon only begins the list of items for
which Lhamon barters his cars. He has dealt in so much gold dust and nuggets that he has become quite
an assayer, and has surprised more than one sourdough by telling him what creek he had panned – just
by the type of his dust. Then there are trappers who close their car deals with pelts of marten, mink,
silver fox, and muskrat, and the dealer must have a good knowledge of the fur market to do business
promptly.
Lhamon has learned that fishermen, trappers, and prospectors want their new Fords quick after a good
season. A miner from Poorman walked into the dealership one day and loudly inquired about his order
for a new car. When informed about a shipping strike that had tied up all vessels, he waved aside the
delay with the instructions that his new car be flown in; he wasn’t concerned about the extra $1,000
entailed in this procedure. So many cars have been flown in that the event is no longer news to the
Fairbanks press. One editor told him, “Call us up when one of your Fords brings in a DC-4 piggyback,
Dan. We might be able to make a story out of that.”
A Fairbanks winter lasts from October to April, and during that time the dog-teams have the right of way
at arterial intersections. Dan says that some rival cars will perform fairly well down to 26 degrees below
zero, but below that he isn’t bothered with competition – it’s either Ford or dog-team. Alaskans, he
claims, especially like the “Ford feel” at 60 degrees below.
EARLY FORD V-8 FOUNDATION & MUSEUM
by Joyce Clements
The attached article on Ford laboratory test sets is from the Foundation News, Sept-Oct, 2012. Art
Leupold says that he used the Heyer test set for many years, and he thinks it is the best diagnostic
machine ever made.
Don’t forget the Foundation is seeking to increase membership. Individual memberships are $25 per
year. Find out more about the Foundation at www.fordv8foundation.org.
OTHER NEARBY ACTIVITIES
February 1-3 – 2013 SuperNationals – Lujan Complex, NM Expo, Albuquerque – (505)881-2722 or
(505)332-9222 or www.thesupernationals.com.
February 9 – Los Lunas Sweetheart Cruz – Wells Fargo Bank, Bosque Farms – 1:00pm – Bill Schofield
(505)565-2105, David Silva (505)550-8415, or vintagegasser@aim.com
March 9 – Los Lunas Poker Run Cruz – Wells Fargo Bank, Bosque Farms – 1:00pm – Bill Schofield
(505)565-2105, David Silva (505)550-8415, or vintagegasser@aim.com
March 9 – Car Show and Shine at Rich Ford – Lomas & Wyoming NE, Albuquerque – Food,
entertainment, chance to dust off the car after its long, cold winter rest – Presented by Old Route 66 Car
Show & Neon Cruise – No pre-registration, no fee, free show. Bruce Shaffer bcougar67@msn.com or
505-301-8857
For information/flyers about area events: http://nmcarcouncil.net/events-2/
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. A
registration form is in this newsletter, or registration forms and information are available at
www.earlyfordv8.org.
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: Flathead V8 tools. Pictured at the top, valve spring installation tool homemade but
it works, 2nd row left to right, transmission C shaft needed for transmission assembly or
disassembly, transmission guide pins corse thread, valve adjust tools, transmission guide pins
fine thread, bottom, valve R&R tool. Make an offer. Can be shipped. tombird@wildblue.net
or 575.894.7137. To see a larger ver s ion of the photo:
http://s1170.photobucket.com/albums/r538/TumbleweedPhotos/Want%20Ad%20by%20Tom/.
FOR SALE: For more information or photos of any of the following call Lou Gorenz at 450.1789.
67-68 Bronco Grille: $25.00.
1970 Plymouth 4-door Satellite. Runner, to refurbish or restore. $1750.
1981 Chevy Custom Deluxe pickup; short, wide bed; very, very good body, excellent driver, one
owner since new, $3600.
1969 Ford XL fastback 2-door, 429, auto, very solid body. Runs and drives excellent, needs paint:
$6500.
1979 Yamaha 80 GT, low miles, adult ridden, excellent condition. $650
Dayton Unit heater 100 BTU. $225.
24' Cargo Trailer, 8' wide, barn doors rear, side door and over 6 foot inside. $3950.
Wanted: Genuine 1932 Ford car front crossmember. Jim Clements, 884.7912.
Wanted: V-8 Times Magazines. Need any issues from the '60s and '70s for my own set. Joe Abbin,
505.296.7678.
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).
For Lease: Eight 2,000 square foot warehouses located at 3424 & 3426 Vassar NE for lease. Easy
access to the interstate. Units have office space, rest room and rear overhead doors; some with
connecting doors, making them usable as larger units. $7.20/square foot on one year lease, negotiable
for longer term leases.