JUNE 2024 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., LOCATION TBA
V8 TIMES
PLEASE NOTE: All meetings include Show & Tell. Members are encouraged to bring items to share.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, June 4, 2024 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 John Taylor on the USS New Mexico Battleship.
NEXT BOARD MEETING:
BREAKFAST GROUP: Saturday, June 8 at 8:30am at Vick’s Vittles, 8810 Central Ave SE.
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
June 4th Club Meeting
Meeting is at 7pm, Tuesday, June 4th, at North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, 7600 Carmel NE. The program will be by John Taylor on the USS New Mexico Battleship. As always, bring your show and tell items and money for the raffle. Refreshments will be provided by Gus & Debbie VandeVelde.
June 8th Breakfast
On Saturday, June 8th, 8:30 am, club members and friends will meet for breakfast and conversation at Vick’s Vittles, 8810 Central Ave SE, just east of Wyoming.
June Birthdays & Anniversaries
Debbie McLain (6) Larry & Pat Bost (26)
Joe Baird (9)
Ken Chapman (16)
Vern Willan (19)
Barbara Polk (27)
2024 June President’s Message - Joe Abbin
John Taylor will be our speaker at our June meeting at the North Domingo Baca Multi-generational Center. See announcement elsewhere in this newsletter. John is an excellent speaker who presented previously to the club on the 2926 locomotive restoration
We had several activities for our club to participate in during May. In addition to our regular meeting on 5/7, the club was invited to the “Rodder’s Reunion” at my shop on 5/11. This was a potluck coffee and donuts affair to gather and celebrate drag racing on nearby Eubank Blvd in the ‘50’s through the ‘70’s. We had two “star cars”: the restored 1957 “Iron Brogan” dragster presented by the Davalos brothers, and the 1970 Oldsmobile “Travelodge Special” presented by Lyle Greenberg. Although the target audience was former Eubank drag racers and friends, several of the Tumbleweed crowd were part of the 100+ who attended. Next up was the Museum of Albuquerque show on 5/19 reported on elsewhere in this newsletter. After that we had our Memorial Day picnic in Corrales, which was a huge success. Pictures from these events are also included elsewhere in this newsletter. Thanks to all those who attended and especially the Joiner family who organized the event. We had our first $100 50-50 raffle! The winner was a guest who may be a new member soon with a beautiful 1950 Ford Club Coupe.
The people make the club!
Joe Abbin
Minutes from the May 7th Meeting – Amy Joiner
The meeting was called to order by President Joe. There were twenty-two people present. We had no guests. Treasurer Amy reported that she has filed the annual report with the state and paid the $10 fee. She also mentioned that she is still missing some dues. Joe said to go ahead and cut it off and stop accepting them. That will make it easier to finish the 2024 roster. Joe talked about nametags again. Chris and Amy notified him that we need a minimum order of $100 and we only have three people who have requested nametags so far. Joe mentioned the idea of the club purchasing them for new members, but the club keeps them instead of the members being able to take them home. It was put to a vote and membership approved. Anyone who wants a nametag that way was told to talk to Amy. Until we get a $100 order, we cannot place our order.
Joe offered two birthday greetings. There are no May anniversaries. Thanks to Liz Johnson for our delicious refreshments. The minutes from the April meeting were approved by acclamation. Bob Payne said he had not received his newsletter yet, but then decided it might be in his stack of mail. Joyce gave a car council report. She listed a few upcoming events. She also mentioned the museum car show is on Sunday, May 19. The theme is the Roaring 20’s and the fee is $10. Joyce went on to say that after May, she will no longer be the car council representative for our club. We need a new representative. She talked about what that would entail.
Saturday, May 11th, there will be a Rodder’s Reunion at Joe’s shop. It will be like an open house of his shop. Bobby Davalos will be there. There will be coffee and water provided. Please bring breakfast pastries to share if you would like. It will be from 8-11am. The club breakfast in May will be Sunday, May 19th at Little Anita’s after museum car show set up.
Our club birthday party will be on Monday, May 27th at the Village of Corrales old gymnasium (next to the pool). It will be from 11-2. The club will provide sandwiches, chips, and drinks while members are asked to bring sides. There will be email reminders sent out in the coming days and weeks.
Our June meeting will be on 6/04 and John Taylor will be our speaker. We all really enjoyed him when he came and spoke about the 2926 locomotive. This time, he will be speaking about the USS NM Battleship. All are welcome to come and listen to him.
Joe announced that Al Seery is now in a full-service nursing facility in California. Joyce is going to speak with his daughter and get his mailing address. He has been in the club a very long time and will be missed.
For show and tell President Joe brought his copy of the 1949-1951 Mercury Book recently published by the Early Ford V-8 Club of America. This is a spiral bound book with definitive descriptions and illustrations of all aspects of these cars and is an invaluable reference for restorers and owners.
We then had an exciting raffle and refreshments.
The program consisted of two parts. The first part was Joe talking about the items he brought that aid in rust removal. Some of the products are harmful and will eat through anything. Therefore, proper precautions must be taken. Other products work but are like watching paint dry. The second part of his program was a slideshow from the Grand Nationals Roadster show. All of it was interesting. The downside was we did not get to finish the slideshow since the facility was closing.
Jokes of the Month
What do you give a thirsty crocodile? Gater-aid.
Why are owls so carefree? Because they don’t give a hoot.
Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. Spring was pretty good, too.
When is a door not a door? When it’s ajar.
I never really like facial hair. But now it’s starting to grow on me.
Why did the pony need a glass of water? Because it was a little horse.
Did you hear about the book on glue? You can’t put it down.
Where do armies go? Into your sleevies.
Did you hear about the frustrated doctor? He lost his patients.
What’s the best way to hire a horse? Bring a ladder.
Why do cows wear bells? Their horns don’t work.
What did one eye say to the other? “Between you and me, something smells.”
What’s the best way to attract a squirrel? Act like a nut.
I’m afraid of escalators, so I take steps to avoid them.
Did you hear about the frog that lost its car? Apparently, it got toad.
2024 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
President: Joe Abbin (roadrunnerengr@msn.com) 505-263-1946
Vice-President: Chris Joiner (amy2001tweety@hotmailcom) 505-382-8723
Secretary: Jackie Abernathy (docszoo22@gmail.com) 505-269-4010
Treasurer: Amy Joiner (amy2001tweety@hotmail.com) 505-382-8724
Director: George Abernathy (docszoo22@gmail.com) 505-771-2113
Director: Joe Baird (clanbaird@gmail.com) 505-263-5329
Director: Larry Bost (LBost111@gmail.com) 505-379-7891
Director: Jeff Jackson (jbjaxun@gmail.com) 505-908-7565
Director: Liz Johnson (diesel_buster@yahoo.com) 505-281-5747
Director: Bill Joiner (joinerenterprise@cs.com) 505-238-1794
Director: Roger Wilbur 505-603-5031
Al Seery
Long time member, Al Seery, has moved to an assisted living center near his daughter in California. He would enjoy hearing from old friends. His address is 125 Heather Terrace, Apt. 231, Aptos, CA 95003. His phone number remains the same, 505-363-9636.
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
MEMBER OF THE MONTH
Larry Azevedo
We are indeed a fortunate club to have so many knowledgeable members. I’m not going to mention each by name relative to the flatheads but today I am going to talk about Mr. Model T. - Larry Azevedo. Larry is a long-time member of the Tumbleweed club and is recognized as being Mr. T. Larry is past US President of the Model T Club of America. He is an active member of the local Tin Lizzie’s. He is preparing his T for another 500 mile race in Montana. He won that race last year in only his second try. He has graced us with a technical review of how to make a model T go fast reliably. His wife, Lorna, entertained us with a wonderful telephone operator skit where she counseled Ford executives.
He recalls driving a 1952 Ford truck around in California when he was only 8-9 years old. He also admits to regretting he didn’t release the emergency brake until it got so hot it smoked the floorboards. Sometimes he’d do the shifting for his dad from the right hand seat by shifting with his left hand. Larry came to Albuquerque in 1977 to work at Sandia.
Larry worked at Sandia until he retired to do what he really enjoys which is diddling with vehicles. At Sandia Larry measured things. Yep, he and his group were the measurement experts. He knows precisely what an ounce is and what a cubic foot of air should be. We have seen how that precision has translated to making a Model T run.
He regrets he hasn’t finished his 1941 Ford pickup yet. But, he says he is again overcome by a need to run the Montana 500 in his model T. He says he avoided that race for years because he knew once he got involved, he would be committed. On the side, at the May picnic Lorna told me sometimes, when Larry is working on his T, she thinks he should be committed!
Jeff Jackson
(Note) Past Members of the Month articles can be accessed on our website www.abqfordflatheadv8.com Go to Showcased Members and learn more about your fellow club members.
JUNE 2024 CLASSIFIED ADS
For Sale: Radiator for 1953 Ford P.U. - very good $150. Gary McGlasson 505-250-1586
For Sale: 1936 Ford Cabriolet, $30,000. Tan exterior, LeBaron-Bonney interior and top. Working radio in box with correct controls is included. Extra parts go with the convertible. Bob Quirici 505-821-1646 or 505-350-2454
For Sale: Three disassembled 1940 Ford Trucks, with two titles and one flat head V-8 engine and transmission. Items sold as a package and not individually. $9500 or OBO. Contact Nick at 505-980-0841 or nick.s.bakas@gmail.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.
A Bit of History - 10 interesting facts about the life of Henry Ford
How much do you really know about the man who started it all? The inventor, innovator, entrepreneur, and all-round American genius Henry Ford.
1. Henry Ford made extra money as a pocket watch repairman when he was in his early teens. A mechanical genius from a young age, Ford taught himself the craft of watch repair by repeatedly taking apart and putting back together a pocket watch given to him by his father. He even made his own tools to work on watches, including tiny screwdrivers he laboriously filed from old nails and tweezers made from the spring steel “bones” from a discarded corset.
2. When he was only 20 years old, Ford was promoted to Chief Engineer of the Thomas Edison Illumination Company’s main electrical plant in Detroit which provided electrical power for the city. He worked there for six years before Edison himself encouraged Ford to follow his dream of creating an affordable, reliable, gasoline-powered automobile.
3. Among many, many other innovations Henry Ford brought to his manufacturing plants was a willingness to hire handicapped people, including the blind, deaf and those who had lost limbs in combat or in accidents. By 1919 more than 20 percent of Ford Motor Company’s workforce had some form of disability.
4. After being convinced he should seek a life in politics by his friend President Woodrow Wilson, Ford ran for a seat in the United States Senate in 1918. He only lost by 4500 votes even though he didn’t spend a dime on his campaign.
5. Henry Ford was America’s second billionaire after oil magnate John D Rockefeller. ~13~ April 2024
6. Still an innovator well into old age, Henry Ford debuted a prototype of a plastic-bodied car in August 1941. Even more amazing the car’s body was biodegradable with the lightweight panels made entirely from soybeans. While Ford hoped to include the soybean panels in production Ford cars and trucks to lighten weight and lessen the cost of new vehicles the outbreak of World War II sidelined the project.
7. One of the stranger objects on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan is a vial containing the last breath of Ford’s idol and former employee Thomas Edison. As the great inventor was dying Ford convinced Edison’s son to sit beside Edison’s bed with a glass test-tube then capture his last breath and seal the tube with a cork.
8. Among Ford’s many inventions over the years is a summertime staple: the compressed charcoal briquette. With Ford plants turning out the Model T which featured many parts made of oak, Ford found himself awash in wood scraps. Ford’s brother-in-law E. G. Kingsford suggested they create a charcoal manufacturing plant and Ford named the product Kingsford Charcoal in his honour with Kingsford still being a top producer of briquettes to this day.
9. During World War II Ford took to the skies when he founded the Ford Airplane Company. While the company didn’t achieve the success Ford had hoped it did create the sturdy and now-iconic Ford Tri-Motor airplane, which was produced between 1928 and 1933. A Ford Tri-Motor even appears in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” film.
10. Ford designed and built his first operational steam engine in 1878 when he was only 15 years old.
Taken from the magazine of RG 21
Pictures from the Museum Car Show
Tumbleweed Early Ford V8 Club Calendar for 2024
January
Tuesday 2nd Club Meeting 7pm North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center - Program Ford Service Manuals & Info by Joe Abbin, Refreshments Amy & Chris Joiner and Joe Abbin.
Saturday 13th Breakfast 8:30am Dave’s High Desert Grill.
February
Tuesday 6th Club Meeting 7pm North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center – Program by Jay Melin who will present a brief history of NM License plates. Refreshments by the Clements.
Saturday 10th Breakfast 8:30am at Golden Corral
March
Tuesday 5th Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center - Program – Liz Johnson on the 1937 Ford. Refreshments Jeff & Beth Jackson
Saturday 8th 8:30am, Breakfast at Sopa’s with a Tour of Frank Brown’s Collection following at 10am.
April
Tuesday 2nd Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center - Program – Joe Baird on Ford Specials. Refreshments Joe Warren
Saturday 13th Breakfast 8:30am at Golden Corral
Sunday 28th Cruise & Schmooze at Sonic on San Mateo
May
Tuesday 7th Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center - Program – Joe Abbin on Grand National Roadster Show Slide Presentation & Rust Prevention Demo, Refreshments Liz Johnson
Sunday 19th Museum Car Show, 7:30am – 3pm - “The Roarin’20’s”, breakfast following set-up
Monday 27th 11 – 2, Club Birthday Party
June
Tuesday 4th Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center – Program - John Taylor on the USS New Mexico Battleship, Refreshments Gus and Debbie Van de Velde
Saturday 8th Breakfast 8:30am, Vick’s Vittles on Central –
Tour of 2926 Locomotive or Commemorative Air Force.
July
Tuesday 2nd Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center – Program by Gus Van de Velde on Tractors & Farm Equipment, Refreshments Don Gutierrez
Thursday 4th Parade in Corrales and Picnic at Azevedo’s
Saturday 13th Breakfast, Tour, Collector Car Appreciation Day – Wheels Museum
August
Tuesday 6th Club Meeting 7pm – Program by Joyce Clements on Flathead Era Fashion, Refreshments Gary & Laurel McGlasson
Sunday, 11th All Clubs Picnic at Oak Flats
September
Tuesday 3rd Club Meeting 7pm – Program on Paintless Dent Repair,
Refreshments Max & Johanne Glover
Sunday 8th State Fair Car Show, includes breakfast.
Saturday 14th Chimayo Tour
October
Tuesday 1st Club Meeting 7pm – Program by Roger Wilbur on Jewelry Making, Refreshments Larry & Lorna Azevedo
Friday – Sunday 11th – 13th - Trip to Durango to ride the train. (Tentative)
November
Tuesday 5th Club Meeting 7pm Officer Election – Program by Joe Abbin on Flathead Lubrication, Refreshments Rich & Barbara Polk
Saturday 9th Breakfast 8:30am K & I Diner, Moriarty Museum Tour
December
Saturday 7th Club Christmas Party 1pm Potluck at George’s Warehouse
Tuesday 3rd (tentative Board meeting with new and old officers and directors plan for 2025)
Pictures from the Club Birthday Party on Memorial Day
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. The Santa Fe Detail, 7512 Avenger Way, Unit 2, Santa Fe NM 87507, 505-204-5120, Luis.
6. 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
7. Wild Heart Ranch Texas, 3120 FM 1995, Van TX 75790, 505-908-7565