MARCH 2022 TIMES 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
PLEASE NOTE: All meetings include Show & Tell. Members are encouraged to bring items to share.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 1st, 7 pm at North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center, classroom 7 at 7600 Carmel NE, one-half block North and West of Paseo Del Norte and Wyoming. Refreshments George & Jackie Abernathy.
NEXT BOARD MEETING: TBD
BREAKFAST GROUP: Saturday, March 12, drive to Sopa’s and afterwards tour Frank Brown’s car collection. (see article below)
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
MARCH 1ST MEETING
The 1932 Ford & More with Frank Brown
The March 1st meeting will feature Frank Brown sharing his expertise on the 1932 and later flathead Ford era cars. Frank owns a marvelous car collection that includes several 1932 Fords, both stock and modified that we will see in our breakfast and garage tour on March 12. The 1932 Fords featured many firsts for Ford and caused excitement that endures to this day. Frank is intimately familiar with these cars and has done ground up restorations as well as street rods and race cars.
Frank was an early California member of the Early Ford V-8 Club dating from the ‘60s. He rebuilt his first flathead engine when he was 15 years old. He eventually went on to being a Hollywood movie property master for 30+ years. Lots of stories there! He and his wife Andy moved to Los Lunas in the ‘90s after his retirement where he maintains his fleet. Frank is a great storyteller and we are fortunate to have him share his knowledge with us, so come on down!
The meeting will be held at the North Domingo Baca Mutigenerational Center, classroom 7 at 7600 Carmel NE, one-half- block North and West of Paseo Del Norte and Wyoming.
March Breakfast and Tour
On Saturday, March 12th, we will meet at the UNM Pit Parking lot (on University just south of Avenida Cesar Chavez) at 8:30 am to caravan to Sopa’s in Bosque Farms to enjoy breakfast. Those living on the south side of Albuquerque are invited to meet us at the restaurant. After breakfast, we will be touring Frank Brown’s car collection in Los Lunas.
March Birthdays
Larry Azevedo (6), Vi Chavez-Cropp (12), Bob Payne (15) George Abernathy (16)
President’s Message for March 2022 Chris Joiner
We had a great time at the February 1st meeting. There were several guests from other car clubs. We gained three new members and we had a previous member re-join. That’s one of my long-term goals, to broaden who we include to give us more expertise and grow our club. Rosemary Winkler gave an interesting presentation.
For our outing on February 12th, it was great to see two clubs come together. We had several members of the Poco Quatros Model A club join us in going to the Commemorative Air Force in Moriarty. We all really enjoyed the airplanes they had there.
I, personally, am really looking forward to March. At the March 1st meeting, Frank Brown will be joining us and telling us about his 1932 Fords. Then on March 12th, we will venture to his garage to see his vehicles. A good time will be had by all.
Minutes of the February 1st, 2022 Meeting
The meeting was called to order by President Chris Joiner. There were 34 members and numerous guests present. Chris had everyone introduce themselves. Amy reported that we have collected $575 in membership dues, thank you to everyone who paid promptly. Birthday wishes were extended to Bob Quirici, Pat Bost, Debbie Van de Velde, Chris Joiner, Anita and Joe Warren and Richard Polk. Thanks to Larry Bost and Amy Joiner for providing refreshments.
Old Business: There were no corrections to the January meeting minutes. Joyce Clements, reporting for the New Mexico Council of Car Clubs, said their first meeting of the year had been held. The following events are in the works; Car Show at the Albuquerque Museum on May 15th, Collectors’ Car Appreciation on July 9th at the Wheels Museum and the All Clubs’ Picnic in August. A swap meet is also being planned for late September.
The board met on January 11th and are working on some fun and interesting activities for this year. Check the calendar printed in the newsletter for details. Tonight’s program will be “Stories of Early Albuquerque” by the author Rosemary Winkler, which will be held after refreshments and the raffle.
New Business: On February 12th we will be going to the Commemorative Air Force at the Moriarity Airport. Lunch will be served there. Our next club meeting will be Tuesday, March 1st at N Domingo Baca Mutigenerational building with Frank Brown as our speaker. He will talk about his cars – we are told he has seven 1932 Fords. On March 12th, we will be driving to Bosque Farms for breakfast at Sopa’s, followed by a tour of Frank Brown’s collection. The website is now up to date thanks to Jeff and Beth Jackson. Joe Abbin in his crime report says crime is worse than ever in Albuquerque. Fentanyl is a very big problem and is killing people.
Joe reported that he attended auctions in Arizona and that a 1929 Dusenberg sold for 2.9 million. It seems prices were up this year, good news for collectors.
Refreshments were enjoyed and the raffle was held.
Rosemary Winkler, the author of “Stories of Early Albuquerque” showed some pictures of events and people in Albuquerque. Some of the family names included in this book (compiled from stories told in the Albuquerque Genealogical Society Quarterly) are Keleher, Huning, Thelin, Prince, Stamm, Menaul, Hubbell, Franchini, Maisel, French, Girard, Lovelace Bellamah, Lembke and Montgomery. Her book is available in several small local bookshops. Thank you, Rosemary, for sharing with us. Beth Jackson, Secretary
New Members
Let’s give a big welcome to the following new members: Joe & Amanda Baird, Neva Coffee, Vaughn Rockafellow, and Anthony Wagner.
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
2022 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
President: Chris Joiner (amy2001tweety@hotmail.com) 505-382-8723
Vice-President: R Jeff Jackson (jbjaxun@gmail.com) 505-908-7565
Secretary: Beth Jackson (jbjaxun@gmail.com) 505-908-7564
Treasurer: Amy Joiner (amy2001tweety@hotmail.com) 505-382-8724
Director: Joe Abbin (roadrunnerengr@msn.com) 505-263-1946
Director: Larry Bost (LBost111@gmail.com) 505-379-7891
Director: Roger Wilbur 505-603-5031
Director: Joe Warren (jbwarren302@gmail.com) 505-554-1387
Director: George Abernathy (docszoo22@gmail.com) 505-771-2113
The Commemorative Air Force in Moriarty
Ford Trivia Questions
From The Crankshaft
In 1935, what was the approximate top speed of a new Ford V8 Sedan?
What is unique about Ford cylinder heads in 1933-1935?
Why did Henry Ford wait so long to use hydraulic brakes?
Very early Ford V8 engines needed to be overhauled at approximately how many miles?
In 1933, how often did Ford recommend you change the oil?
(Answers later in newsletter.)
JOKES OF THE MONTH
Can you guess which of the following are true and which are false?
1. Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.
2. When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop, even your heart!
3. Only 7 per cent of the population are lefties.
4. Forty people are sent to the hospital for dog bites every minute.
5. Babies are born without kneecaps. They don’t appear until they are 2-6 years old.
6. The average person over 50 will have spent 5 years waiting in lines.
7. The toothbrush was invented in 1498.
8. 40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year.
9. A coat hanger is 44 inches long when straightened.
10. The average computer user blinks 7 times a minute.
11. Most of us have eaten a spider in our sleep.
12. The REAL reason ostriches stick their head in the sand is to search for water.
13. The only two animals who can see behind themselves without turning their heads are the rabbit and the parrot.
14. John Travolta turned down the starring roles in “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “Tootsie”.
Ford Trivia Answers
1. About 85 mph. 2. Aluminum. 3. He didn’t want to pay royalty on other’s patents. 4. 30,000 5. 1,000 miles
True and False Questions
All these questions are true! Now go back and think about number 11!!
1939 FORD MERCURY
Ford Motor Company in the USA released the all new name plate “ Mercury” in late 1938 as a 1939 model. Rival company, General Motors had the Pontiac, Oldsmobile and Buick priced between the low cost Chevrolet and top level Cadillac. Similarly, Chrysler Corporation had the Dodge, DeSoto, and Chrysler priced between the entry Plymouth and Imperial. Over at Ford, it was a much larger price gap between the entry Ford V8 and the Lincoln Zephyr. Edsel Ford convinced his father Henry that they needed a car priced between these two makes, and it was called Mercury. The 1939 Mercury was available in four different body styles, the Town Sedan (4 door), Sedan (2 door), Sedan-Coupe and Sport Convertible. Sales were encouraging, and it proved to be a good move, thanks to Edsel Ford. When I attended the Early Ford V8 Nationals held in Auburn, Indiana, I was drawn to this original un-restored 1939 Mercury Town Sedan. What was very unusual, was that it was a very early production model and wore Ford Mercury hubcaps. I was unaware of these very early models, and since then, have become friends with the owner and his son. Of all the 1939 Mercury’s that I have seen displayed at USA V8 Nationals, this is the only one that I have seen with these Ford Mercury hubcaps. As the Ford Motor Company wanted to distance the entry Ford V8 from the upper-level Mercury, they quickly revised the wording on the hubcap to read Mercury 8 and removed the word Ford. In 1936, Ford Motor Company offered buyers an optional accessory full stainless-steel hubcap that they called the Spyder hubcap. This accessory Spyder hubcap was offered for all 4 years that the "wide five" bolt pattern wheel was used. Not to be outdone, Mercury also offered an optional accessory full stainless-steel hubcap for the 1939 Mercury. The script on the very early accessory full stainless steel also read Ford Mercury. This is an extremely rare hubcap. Wording on the accessory hubcap was also quickly revised to remove the word Ford. Ford Australia also released the 1939 Mercury, but only one body style was offered locally, the Town Sedan, and the hubcaps all read Mercury 8. What is very unusual, is that Ford Australia offered the accessory full stainless-steel hubcaps for the 1939 Mercury. The late Bobby Twyford owned a beautiful black 1939 Mercury Town Sedan that had the accessory full stainless-steel hubcaps. With old Fords, you never stop learning.
Trevor Poulsen
Published in the February 2022 Newsletter of the Queensland Early Ford V-8 Club
1949-1953 FORD FUEL PUMPS
Fuel pumps for 1949-1953 Ford vehicles were of two types: single-action and double-action. Both were available during all those years. For 1949-50 Fords the single-action was standard, and the double-action was an extra-cost option, and mandatory in California. In the 1951 model year, the double-action was standard on Fordomatic, overdrive-equipped, California cars, and optional on 3-speed transmission cars for other states. For 1950 and later Mercurys, the double-action pump was standard.
The advantage of the double-action pump was that it provided boosted vacuum for the windshield wipers, causing less slowdown on hills in wet weather. The disadvantage was much stronger pump spring pressure, which caused rapid wear to the pushrod and camshaft eccentric. During 1952, the wear problem got so bad that Ford dealers were advised to avoid using double-action pumps whenever possible. Later pushrods and cams were improved, with better hardening on the lower ends. Ford also advised that the fastest way to replace the cam is by removing the grille and radiator, while leaving the engine in place.
1949-51 Mercury double-action pumps had screwed-in fittings for vacuum. The 1952-53 Mercury used Ford pumps, which had pressed-in tubes. These vacuum tubes were straight from 1949 until August, 1952; later tubes had a 90-degree bend to avoid kinks in the attaching rubber hoses.
All 1949-50 pumps used the older type large fuel fittings on the input and output of the pumps, a coarse thread, ½”-20, called the Ford fitting. 1951-53 pumps used a standard 1/8”-27 pipe thread on both sides of the pump. The proper flex fuel line must be matched to the pump. The carburetor and its fuel line still had the same large fittings, so a brass adapter (Ford #353099-S) was required on the output side of the pump. The thread change happened a little later, during the 1951 model year, on Mercury.
More on fuel pumps later.
Joyce
Upcoming Events
MARCH
March 19 – Feed NM Kids Car Show – Philip & Sons, 4101 4th St. NW, Albuquerque – Donation for Entry – Includes
lunch, door prizes, raffle – Philip (505)264-9081 or (505)338-3665
APRIL
April 1-2 – Main Event Car Show & Cruise – Heritage Plaza, Artesia – Entry $25 – Friday: Registration 1-6pm, Cruise/Parade 6pm – Saturday: Registration 7-11am, Show 9am-3pm, Decades Awards 3pm – Face Painting, Food Trucks - (575)748-2744 or www.artesiachamber.com
April 2 – Smokin’ Oldies Car Show – Courthouse Park, Deming – Dorinda (575)494-7072
April 24 – Cruise & Schmoose – Goodwill Parking Lot, 5000 San Mateo NE (next to Sonic), Albuquerque – 10am-3pm
– Free admission but bring a donation of money or items for Goodwill – dash plaques for first 100 – Ron or Su
MAY
May 1 – Northern NM Honor Flight & Car Show – NM Veterans’ Memorial, 1100 Louisiana Blvd SE, Albuquerque –
Entry $20, Spectators Free – 8am-3pm – Shirley Johnson (505)410-3978
May 15 – Albuquerque Museum Car Show – 2000 Mountain Rd NW, Albuquerque (tentative) –
May 28 – Land of Enchantment GTO Club 12th Annual ACCH Car Show – Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center, Albuquerque – Benefits go to Albuquerque Christian Children’s home
May 28-29 – MCA Regional Car Show – Marriott Pyramid Hotel, Albuquerque – Open to Mustangs, Fords – Eric
Shirley (505)268-2595
Out of State Events
April 28-30 -51st Pate Swap Meet – Texas Motor Speedway, Ft. Worth, TX – 817-608-7293 or www.pateswapmeet.com
June 1-6, 2022 – Early Ford V-8 Club Eastern National Meet – Franklin, TN 630-858-9424 or www.2022enm.com
July 9-14, 2022 – Early Ford V-8 Club Western National Meet – Wenatchee, Washington www.efv8psrg.org
September 16-23, 2022 – The Border Affair Driving Tour – Colorado and New Mexico – Lou Mraz 303-755-4637 or lfmj60@aol.com (see article on next page)
Colorado/New Mexico Tour
Plan to spend the third week of September, 2022, (Friday 9/16 thru Friday 9/23) in Colorado and New Mexico, driving the “road less traveled”. Please note the exact dates for the tour will be forthcoming soon, and the dates will include arrival day. This will be a full, seven-day+ motoring adventure, featuring lots of very interesting things to see, do, and experience. And you will certainly enjoy the awe-inspiring vistas and scenery that will magically be appearing before your windshield. Among other things, we will cross the Continental Divide 4 times during the tour, and yes, there will be some serious elevations encountered. And did I mention the great driving and scenery? Remember the road trip vacations back when you were a kid? This tour will feel like a revisit to those days. We will begin the adventure in Trinidad, Colorado, a major stop along the fabled Santa Fe Trail, and conclude the tour in Chama, New Mexico, where we will enjoy an all-day excursion on the Cumbres & Toltec (narrow gage) steam powered scenic railroad --- think 1880’s state of the art rail transportation at its best, and you will be there. In between, we’ll experience the fun and joy of motoring down many of the less traveled roadways in both Colorado and New Mexico --- the kind of two-lane highways for which our vintage FOMOCO vehicles were designed. Have you ever driven on a road cut thru a huge volcanic dike? On this tour you will be able to do so, when we travel the “Highway of Legends”. Want to visit a cavalry post, where Col. Kit Carson had his last command? You can do so on this tour, and Fort Garland is the place. Also note the part of south-central Colorado/north central New Mexico that we will be visiting has a very strong flavor of historical Spanish Colonial times. The very first (acknowledged) European explorer to reach this part of Colorado and New Mexico was Francisco de Coronado, in 1540, and the following (European) settlements in this part of the world Predate the English settlement at Jamestown (VA) as well as the Pilgrims arriving at Plymouth Rock. The native American settlements hereabouts are much older, and we will also be visiting one. Great Sand Dunes National Park will also be on our tour list. What --- you didn’t know that Colorado is home to a huge dune field, now covering more than 30 sq. miles? Well, it really is here and bigger than life, with some of the dunes now approaching 800 ft. in height. This is a great place to visit and explore, so plan on getting some serious sand in your shoes while romping on the dunes. What else will we be doing? Driving thru mountains, and over Wolf Creek Pass will be one thing. Do you remember the country/western song by C.W. McCall? This is the place --- yes, there really is a Wolf Creek Pass. We will also be visiting small towns (some with very interesting histories), and then (maybe) relaxing and banishing all your aches and pains by soaking in very soothing natural hot springs (if you are so inclined). In addition to all of this, we’ll be visiting the newly designated Chimney Rock National Monument, which preserves a 1,000-year-old Ancestral Puebloan (Anasazi) village ruin, located high up on a mesa. And did I mention the great mountain scenery and the Continental Divide? Finally, we will drive to Chama, New Mexico, for the fascinating, 64-mile, all-day journey on the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad. The coal burning steam engines, which power the railroad, are a sight to behold as well as an experience not to be missed. And we will be able to get reasonably close to these metal monsters. This is a gritty and unforgettable encounter with technology from another time --- from the beginning of the industrial revolution --- that is very rarely experienced in the world of today. The Cumbres & Toltec is a ride that will be an adventure, and one that you will certainly treasure and remember. I’ve mentioned just some of the highlights that will be a part of the tour. There is much more available. Colorado alligators anyone? If you explore the route and do a little research, I’m sure that you will be able to identify many additional things that will capture your attention and interest --- and that is OK. These tours were never intended to be nose-to-tail forced marches, with everybody necessarily doing exactly the same thing at the same time. Deviations that grab your attention and intrigue your interest are encouraged. For further information, please contact: Louis Mraz, Chairperson 11195 East Warren Ave. THE BORDER AFFAIR by Lou Mraz (from the Feb 2022 issue of The Distributor}
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, 300 Aspen Ave NW, Albuquerque, NM 87102, 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. Horizon Auto Glass & Tint, 8201 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque NM 87110, 505-897-9000, Rod Williams. Also at 1560 Deborah Rd SE, Rio Rancho NM 87124, 505-822-1717.
Tumbleweed Early Ford V8 Club Calendar for 2022
March
Tuesday 1st Club Meeting 7pm - N Domingo Baca Center - Program – Frank Brown, Refreshments George and Jackie Abernathy
Saturday 12th Breakfast at Sopa’s (Meet at PIT at 8:30am) followed by tour of Frank Brown’s Garage
April
Tuesday 5th Club Meeting 7pm – N Domingo Baca Center - Program – Crime & Crime Prevention. Refreshments Max and Johanne Glover
Saturday 9th Tour to Madrid includes lunch, meet at Smith’s @ Central and Tramway at 9:30am
May
Tuesday 3rd Club Meeting 7pm Program - East Mt. Historical Society, Refreshments Clements
Sunday 15th Museum Car Show, breakfast following set-up
Monday 30th Club Birthday Party at Los Ranchos
June
Tuesday 7th Club Meeting 7pm – Program – Auto Electric, Refreshments open
Saturday 11th Breakfast 8:30am
July
Tuesday 5th Club Meeting 7pm – Radiators, Refreshments open
Monday 4th Parade in Corrales and Hopefully Picnic at Azevedo’s
Saturday 9th Breakfast 8:30am
August
Tuesday 2nd Club Meeting 7pm – Program – Max Wade on goats, Refreshments open
??? All Clubs Picnic
Saturday 13th Breakfast 8:30am
September
Tuesday 6th Club Meeting 7pm – Program on medical, Refreshments open
Sunday 11th State Fair Car Show
Friday – Sunday 23rd – 25th - Annual NMCCC Auto Swap Meet
October
Tuesday 4th Club Meeting 7pm – Program – Pinstriping, Refreshments open
Saturday 8th Tour to the Tunnels followed by lunch
November
Tuesday 1st Club Meeting 7pm Officer Election – Program – Women’s Interests, Refreshments open
Friday/Saturday 11/12th Overnight tour to Las Cruces
December
Saturday 10th Club Christmas Party (tentatively pot luck)
Tuesday 13th (tentative Board meeting with new and old officers and directors plan for 2023)