MARCH PROGRAM – JAY HERTZ
The March speaker will be Yours Truly. I will talk about Henry Ford and three of his closest friends. Two
of them will be very familiar to you. The third is not one you are likely to know, but nevertheless a very
important figure in automotive history. I think you will gain some insight into Henry Ford’s personality,
plus see a side of Henry you may not know much about. Come, and we'll have a fun time ~ Jay.
PLEASE NOTE: All meetings include Show & Tell. Members are encouraged to bring items to share.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 5, 7:30 p.m., Old Car Garage.
MARCH PROGRAM: Jay Hertz will talk about Henry Ford and three of his friends.
MARCH SHOW & SHARE: Jay Hertz will bring one of his cars for the 7:00 Show & Share.
REFRESHMENTS WILL BE PROVIDED BY: Jim & Joyce Clements.
BREAKFAST/LUNCH GROUP: Will meet every third Saturday, alternating monthly between breakfast
and lunch. Times and locations for the next two months will be announced in the newsletter.
MARCH ACTIVITY: March 9, Car Show & Shine, Rich Ford. March 23, Las Cruces Show & Swap Meet.
See the March 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. Members are welcome.
MEETING REFRESHMENT VOLUNTEERS 2013
March Jim & Joyce Clements April Tom & Dee Patterson / Al & Jo Seery
May Ray Calderone / ? June
July August Jeff & Beth Jackson / Art & Betty Leupold
September John & Betty Shelton / ? October Bob Mathes / ?
November December Holiday Party
We need refreshment volunteers for a number of months. Your help would be appreciated.
Please note. We will be adding a new Show & Share feature to each of our business meetings this year.
Each month a club member will volunteer to bring a Ford to the meeting and to spend about ten minutes
at 7:00 discussing the car. We will pass around a sign-up sheet and ask for a different member to sign
up each month. 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. If you are going to be showing your car at the meeting, please be
sure to call Bob Agnew so he can arrange a space for your car.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE FOR MARCH 2013
Jay Hertz, President
Hello, All. There is an old saying that winning a race on Sunday helps sell a car on Monday. In the first
decade of the twentieth century, this concept had already taken hold. Car racing, despite being in its
infancy, was the rage. No one learned more about the connection between racing and sales than Henry
Ford. Perhaps this is because, with only minor exceptions, no manufacturer knew more about racing
than Ford in the early years.
Henry Ford’s fascination with racing was more than a matter of business acumen. Surely, he knew that
racing results led to sales, which led to profits. But, more than that, he wanted to go fast, and he wanted
very much to win. It was a matter of personal pride with him.
Henry’s first race car was built in 1901 under the auspices of the Detroit Automobile Company, and
before the founding of Ford Motor Company. It was a two-cylinder model, with huge cylinders. Most of
the car was of Henry’s own design, including the frame, suspension (such as it was) and carburetor
(actually a vaporizer). It weighed 2200 pounds. Henry raced it as the driver, but needed a mechanic
named Spider Huff to act as a ballast by riding outside the body to counterbalance the car’s weight on
turns. The car’s first test came on a dirt oval one mile around, in Grosse Pointe, Michigan. It was a
ten-mile race and the first prize was $1000 plus a crystal punch bowl. Public attention was eagerly
focused on the race, which originally had four contestants in the main event. (The main event was the
gasoline-powered race, the electric cars and the steamers already being considered second rate). But,
by the time of the race, mechanical problems eliminated all but two drivers: Henry Ford and Alexander
Winton.
Alexander Winton, by that early date, had achieved considerable notoriety in racing, and was expected
to win. He drove a high-priced, high-powered Winton of his own design, which had 40 horsepower.
Henry’s car was much lighter, but less powerful, so the race was pretty evenly matched. The problem
was that Winton was an experienced driver, whereas Ford had spent so much time designing and
building his car that he never had time to practice driving it. He was able to take only two practice laps
before the race began. Predictably, once the race began, Winton’s superior power and driving
experience allowed Winton to take a substantial lead. But Ford soon began to master the curves and
he began to gain on Winton. On the seventh lap, the Winton began to blow black smoke and to slow.
Ford, whose car did not falter, became the easy winner, averaging an astounding 45 miles per hour. Ford
was ecstatic, and so was the crowd. But Ford reported that he had been scared to death by the turns,
and he vowed never to race on an oval again – a promise he kept. Nevertheless, Ford didn’t need to win
any other races in order to establish his name and reputation for all time. That one race won him such
acclaim that he was propelled to international fame, which, in turn, helped him finance Ford Motor
Company two years later.
Henry Ford’s victory at Grosse Pointe in 1901convinced him that racing was as worthy an endeavor as
manufacturing cars for the masses. Although he did less and less of the actual driving over the next
decade, he did not back away from race car production.
Henry’s most remembered race car is probably No. 999, which was usually driven by legendary racer
Barney Oldfield. But on one memorable occasion, Henry personally set a world record for a measured
mile of 96.37 miles per hour in No. 999, this on the frozen Lake St. Clair. Car No. 999 may be familiar
to you, as it is housed at Greenfield Village and exists in many photos of the era. It was a monster of a
car, measuring 9'9" long by 5'2" wide, and boasting four huge cylinders. Lacking a crankcase cover,
hood or windshield, it was a raw racing machine. It generated 70 horsepower by conservative reports,
100 horsepower by those who knew its power. This car gained notoriety immediately upon its first race
on October 25, 1902. This was the date of the Manufacturers’ Challenge Cup, also held in Grosse
Pointe. Driven that day by Barney Oldfield, No. 999 defeated all challengers including the Winton. But
curiously, Ford had ceased to be the owner of No. 999 shortly before the race. He had sold it to his
erstwhile partner, Tom Cooper, to settle a dispute that had developed between the two men.
Following No. 999, Ford designed and built the stripped-down No. 666 to compete in the Daytona races
in 1907. Then, shortly thereafter, he changed his thinking and built two heavyweight racers to compete
in the 1910 season. These latter cars set a record of 103 miles per hour for the one-mile run, beating
such notable competitors as the Buick and the Fiat. It seems that, whatever Henry built, it was a winner.
Around this time, Henry Ford began to turn his attention to other ventures such as the Fordson tractor,
the tri-motor airplane and war production for World War I. But he never lost his fascination with racing.
Racing is what allowed him to combine so many of the features for which we remember Henry:
engineering genius, the drive to win, the need for public notoriety, and an uncanny ability to convert his
fame into fortune. Who can say what might have become of Henry or his company, had it not been for
his racing career? Fortunately, there is no need to speculate about this, as Henry had it all, and did it all,
in spades.
FEBRUARY 2013 MEETING MINUTES
by Neva Coffee, Secretary
Meeting opened by President Jay Hertz.
Guests welcomed.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Was reported in the newsletter this month.
CAR COUNCIL REPORT: Jim reported the usual events are being planned. The IRS declined the
council’s application as a charitable organization.
DUES: Club and national dues need to be paid now. See Larry with your renewal form and money
please.
OLD BUSINESS: New business cards were passed out to those present. A Ford Foundation Brick was
purchased in honor of Bert Loring. The recent garage tour was reported to be informative and enjoyed
by all. Jeff reports that we need more activity on our website and asked the membership to log on often.
The Saturday breakfasts are not well attended. Much discussion and ideas about changing days, times
or places ensued. Motion made and accepted to alternate between breakfast and lunch on every 3rd
Saturday of the month, the venue will be listed in the newsletters. February will meet at 8:30 am at Furrs,
San Mateo and Montgomery, 2/16/13. Jay reminded all about upcoming photo tour.
NEW BUSINESS: April 20, will be the Spring Thaw at Bob Agnew’s Garage (new location). At every
meeting there will be a short time at 7:00 to show and talk about our cars. A mini Show and Share time.
Tonight Jeff and Beth brought their 1948 Ford P/U. Jeff shared interesting facts and answered questions.
This new event at each meeting will give members time to learn about each other’s cars or exploits with
their car.
Bob asks that whoever does a Show and Share, call him that afternoon so space can be made at the
garage for their car. Jay will be our next Show and Share event in March.
For Show & Tell, Max brought an article to read and Jeff showed a 1940 New Mexico license plate that
had been expertly renewed by Art Leupold.
The rest of the discussion was about our club sponsoring a National Tour. Jay reported to the National
Club our interest in hosting a tour and the National Club awarded the 2013 National Tour to our region.
Majority of those present were positive about this idea. Most debate was only about when to have the
tour.
Refreshments were enjoyed by all. Raffle conducted by Misty with some nice prizes.
The program was lively and interesting. Jared Matts, CPA spoke on Car Collector Tax Considerations
and Estate Planning.
MARCH 2013 CLUB ACTIVITIES
March 9 Rich Ford Show; March 23 Las Cruces Show & Swap meet
March 9 – Rich Ford Car Show and Shine, Lomas & Wyoming NE, Albuquerque – 9:30 to 3:00; 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 301-8857 or
bcougar67@msn.com
March 23 – Wheels of Dreams Show & Swap Meet – Field of Dreams, Mesilla Mall, Las Cruces, all day
event – Open to all – Entry $25 till March 22, $35 at gate – Proceeds to benefit youth of Las Cruces –
Bob Ogas, 575-649-9919 or ogasr@comcast.net or Cindy Torres 575-649-1646 or
Cindy@torreswelding.com.
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)
MARCH BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Happy Birthday to:
1 Ira Rimson
6 Larry Azevedo
15 Bob Payne
26 Frank Corey
28 Frank Hammond
Happy Anniversary to:
7 Al & Geri Gallegos
29 Frank & Dorothy Hammond
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 TIMES
by Joyce Clements
The Ford Times was a Ford employee newsletter, published from April, 1908, and discontinued in April,
1917. In 1943, a newspaper called Ford Times was again published. Since the format was different,
the company decided to start numbering from Vol.1, No. 1. The first issue was released April 2, 1943,
with the stated purpose to “reflect accurately the ebb and flow of Ford employee activity.”
The introductory column says further: “In its columns we will bring you up-to-the-minute news of your
company, of your fellow employees, of your activities, and will seek constantly to keep you informed on
matters important to you as a United States citizen, and as a member of your particular community. We
will endeavor from time to time to bring you reports from the battle fronts, on performance of the planes,
tanks, jeeps, engines and cars you are building. We will recognize in the columns of Ford Times
especially meritorious work, service performed out of the ordinary, abilities and occupations of an unusual
nature.”
The front cover picture on this newspaper is of an M-10 tank, labelled, “Rommel Router.” Further articles
in the paper include photos and stories about the Ford-built glider (built from Iron Mountain wood) and
the Ford-built amphibian car (“Does Anything Either Car or Boat Can Do”). On a personal note, there are
many short articles on individual employees enlisting in the military, knitting for the Red Cross, collecting
books for the troops, buying war bonds, and women working in the Ford plants.
One story that particularly caught my eye was about “Jesse Owens, who established three individual
records in the 1936 Olympic games at Berlin and aided a relay team to a fourth.” His Olympic victories
were in the 100 and 200-meter dashes, the broadjump, and the 400-meter relay. Hitler refused to shake
Owens’ hand, as he considered black people to be inferior. By 1943, Owens held world’s records for the
100 and 200-yard dashes, for the broadjump, the 60-yard and 60-meter dashes, and the broadjump
indoors.
Owens went to work in the Employment division of the Ford Rouge plant, having given up track to go into
the business world. He was married and the father of three daughters, ranging in age from three to ten
years of age.
Of the Germans, Owens said, “The sprints they are staging now at Stalingrad and in Libya are of
championship caliber. But, when the American boys send them into frantic retreat at Bizerte and Tunis
they’ll run so fast they’ll make my records look silly.”
Art Leupold has a complete set of the newsletters, published every other Friday during 1943 and 1944.
These are fascinating accounts of what Ford Motor Company and its employees were doing for the War
effort. More stories from them will follow in later newsletters.
EARLY FORD V-8 FOUNDATION & MUSEUM
by Joyce Clements
From the Foundation News, Nov-Dec 2012.
Jim Edison, former National Director and Trustee of the V8 Foundation, passed away in September,
2012. He was an ardent supporter of the Club and the Foundation, and was an expert on Ford products
from 1939-41. In 2005 he wrote a letter in his Indiana RG newsletter, thanking the members for their
contributions to the goal of a Ford V8 Museum in Auburn. His RG contributed over $100,000, which
helped pay off the mortgage on the land. He wrote:
The question arises, “Why do we need an Early Ford V-8 Museum?” Since its inception, the EFV-8
Foundation has been purchasing and receiving donations of many historically significant items specifically
related to the Early Ford V-8 era. This period of automotive history in America is so important because
the Ford Motor Co. produced cars that matched the “common man’s” pocket book, helped our country
to survive the Great Depression of the '30s, pioneered the many contributions of Henry & Edsel Ford
which forever changed internal combustion engine technology and automotive design, produced vehicles
and engines significant to the victories of World War II, contributed greatly to auto racing, and produced
many innovative concepts for America’s motoring public to enjoy for many years in the future.Currently, there are many automotive museums in existence in the USA, which are solely dedicated to
certain marques: Packard, Corvette, Model A, Model T, Chrysler and, most recently, the new $8,000,000
Studebaker Museum in South Bend, IN, just to name a few. But none devoted solely to Ford V-8s!
Because of our belief in the unique importance of the Early Ford V-8 Era, the Foundation is dedicated
to preserving that history through the collection and display of memorabilia, collectibles and actual cars,
plus a literature collection in a library setting, where restorers, visitors, researchers, journalists and
historians can have “hands-on” use of these materials. Since no one else has previously established a
museum dedicated solely to the Early Ford V-8 era, it’s fairly obvious that if the EFV-8 Foundation doesn’t
succeed in this important museum project, most, if not all, of these materials will be lost (as an organized
collection) for all future generations to view, study, understand and enjoy.
If you’re not currently a member of the Early Ford V-8 Foundation, you are urged to please seriously
consider joining and thereby contributing to the realization of this very worthwhile historical endeavor.
You’ll also receive a bi-monthly Foundation Newsletter with breaking news updating you with the progress
concerning the Museum Fund and current donations. – Jim Edison
We have seen and helped judge Jim’s fine Lincoln at National meets. He was a great guy, and we will
miss seeing him in the future.
Don’t forget the Foundation is still seeking to increase membership. Individual memberships are $25 per
year. Find out more about the Foundation at www.fordv8foundation.org.
OLD CARS WEEKLY
by Frank Corey
In the latest issue of Old Cars weekly, the March 7 issue, there is a fine article on ignition lock repair for
1935 and 1936 fords.
OTHER NEARBY ACTIVITIES
February 28 – Belen High School Career Day – Anthony Chavez, Belen High school auto instructor
is looking for some cars to show at the high school for career day, Thursday, February 28, 2013, for any
time 8AM till 3PM – If some club members can come and show their cars, call 859-0491 (cell), or high
school at 966-1334, or email chavezan@beleneagles.org.
March 3 – NSRA Appreciation Day – Adult Toy Factory, Las Cruces – Bob Nall (575)382-5742.
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 301-8857 or
bcougar67@msn.com
March 17 – ASR Drags – Arroyo Seco Raceway, Arroyo Seco – Roger (575)494-4794 or
www.arroyosecoraceway.com.
March 23 – Wheels of Dreams Show & Swap Meet – Field of Dreams, Mesilla Mall, Las Cruces – Open
to all – Entry $25 till March 22, $35 at gate – Proceeds to benefit youth of Las Cruces – Bob Ogas,
(575)649-9919 or ogasr@comcast.net or Cindy Torres (575)649-1646 or Cindy@torreswelding.com.
March 29-30 – 16th Annual Main Event Car Show and Cruise – Downtown, Heritage Plaza, Main
Street, Artesia – Sponsored by Artesia Car Enthusiasts – Early Registration 1-6pm, Cruise 6:30-8pm,
fireworks 8pm, March 29 – March 30: Show setup 7-11am, show 9am-4pm, Awards 4pm – Entry $25
car, free to spectators – Dorothy Hammond at (575)746-9477 or dorothy@tberryweb.com
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. Bob Agnew and the Clements family have already registered. Registration
forms and information are available at www.earlyfordv8.org.