MARCH 2025 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, North Domingo Baca Mutigenerational Center,

7600 Carmel NE, Albuquerque, NM

V8

TIMES

PLEASE NOTE: All meetings include Show & Tell. Members are encouraged to bring items to share.

NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 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 Larry Azevedo on the early life of Henry Ford Part II. Refreshments by Van de Velde’s and Wagner.

NEXT BOARD MEETING:

BREAKFAST GROUP: Saturday, March 8, 2025 at 8:30 am at Sopa’s (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 4th, 2025 Meeting

Come to the March meeting for Chapter II of the Henry Ford story. We will travel back to the farm where Henry meets a girl, works to make the farm more efficient and ultimately goes back to Detroit where his first jobs prepare him for greatness.

The meeting will be held Tuesday, March 4th, 7pm at North Domingo Baca Center, 7600 Carmel NE. If you have any items appropriate for the raffle, please bring them.

BREAKFAST AND GARAGE TOUR

Our breakfast (Sopa’s, 3/9, 8:30 am) and tour (Frank Brown’s collection, after breakfast, about 10:00 am) this month will be one of our best. Good food at Sopa’s and great cars at Frank’s. Frank has an outstanding collection of restored and custom cars including stock 1949 Mercury and Ford convertibles, a stock 1934 Ford Convertible Sedan, and a stock 1932 Ford Cabriolet. He is an expert on 1932 Fords.

Sopa’s is at 1700 Bosque Farms Blvd, Bosque Farms, NM 87068. Frank’s is at 905 Sichler Road, Los Lunas, NM 87031

March Birthdays

Larry Azevedo (6)

Vi Chavez-Cropp (12)

Bob Payne (15)

George Abernathy (16)

2025 March President’s Message - Joe Abbin

In February we had a talk by Larry Azevedo on Henry Ford’s early years. As noted before, this was a fascinating period in Henry’s journey to found a worldwide automotive empire. He was an early innovator, craftsman, entrepreneur, and racer! This month Larry will do a continuation of Henry’s early years. We are sitting in suspense after the first talk. Don’t miss this one!

The meeting will be held at our regular spot the North Domingo Baca Multi-generational Center one block north of Wyoming and Paseo Del Norte. See you there!

Joe Abbin

Minutes of the February 4th Meeting

Joe Abbin called the meeting to order at around 7pm

· Minutes from the previous meeting were approved and accepted

· Guest: Helen Quintana

· Refreshments were provided by Joe Baird

· Birthdays and Anniversaries were noted

Amy Joiner gave the Treasurer’s report: We continue to meet our budget.

Joe Baird gave the NMCC report:

· Lowriders are planned to be the feature cars for the Museum Show this year on Sunday, May 18th

· Joe printed out numerous fliers (in color) of upcoming shows for all to see

New Business February 2025

· Breakfast on 2/8/2025 will be at Golden Corral at 8:30am

· Larry Azevedo gave the first part of a presentation on the early life of Henry Ford, more to come next month

· Joe Abbin gave a presentation on the Barrett-Jackson auction results in Arizona

March 2025 events

· Breakfast at Sopa’s

· Garage tour at Frank Brown’s

· George Abernathy will give a presentation on fentanyl (later changed to Larry Azevedo on Henry Ford, Part II)

Show and Tell

· Liz Johnson presented a Norlipp greyhound

50/50 Raffle ($12)

Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:30pm.

Liz Johnson

“When is Enough…. Are We There Yet?” Joe Abbin

In 1947 Bell labs invented the transistor. These transistors became the building blocks of the computers to follow. By 1960 we had “integrated circuits” that had a few transistors on a single silicon chip. Today we have chips with billions of transistors on half inch chips. Wow! So now our cell phones and automobiles often incorporate powerful computers that exceed the capability of mainline computers of even a few years ago.

So the good news is that low cost, compact computers are available to control and optimize the performance of our autos, cell phones, and many other appliances. These control systems can often diagnose themselves when they have problems and can even fix themselves in some cases.

The bad news is that replacement parts are increasingly not available after these computers fail for good. For the most part these control systems can’t be repaired. Some very reliable cars such as the Crown Victoria police cars, taxis, etc. from the 1990’s are being retired before they are mechanically worn out because the engine control modules (ECM’s) are failing and new ones are no longer available. Even older cell phones, laptop computers, garage door openers, TVs, etc. are suffering the same fate. Complexity has its price. When was “good enough” enough? Quiz later!

What will be available to the auto restorers in 2125?

Jokes of the Month

Why shouldn’t you use “beef stew” as a computer password? It’s not stroganoff.

What do you call a cat who wants to sit on you when your’re working on your computer? – A laptop.

Why did the computer show up at work late? It had a hard drive.

Did you hear about the octopus who stopped printing? It ran out of ink!

Did you hear about the raccoon who was evicted? It was moved to trash.

How does a computer get drunk? It takes screenshots.

What do you call a sleepy little computer? A naptop.

What kind of music is rooted in a set of computer commands? Algorithm and Blues.

What’s the biggest lie in the entire universe? “I have read and agree to the Terms and Conditions.”

THE CIRCLE SKIRT

The Circle Skirt came to be in the late 1940s, sometimes just a skirt and other times as part of a dress. The fabrics and styles showed a lot of variety and styles. In the mid-1950s, it was very popular with young people, usually made of felt, many with appliques glued or sewed on: cats, dogs, horses, telephones, flowers, 45 records, music notes, or whatever piqued the fancy of the owner. In the latter part of the 20th century, it was renamed “poodle skirt” and was adopted by girls and women who wanted to dress retro. The pictures below, except one, came from 1951 and 1953 National Bellas Hess sale catalogs. From L to R, top to bottom: taffeta skirt with rayon tissue faille blouse from 1951; well-dressed family from 1953 including a circle skirt of embossed cotton and halter overblouse; Simplicity pattern from 1951 recommending felt or border print for fabric; 2-piece dress of rayon satin from 1953; rayon faille dress with plaid taffeta loop-the-loop design from 1953; girls’ party dress of bright red rayon taffeta from 1953; navy and white cotton dress of cotton with embossed daisies from 1951; last is a cotton percale sundress in a large colorful checkerboard pattern. Check out the prices.

(Sorry, no pictures)

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

MARCH 2025 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: 1940 Mercury Sedan Coupe. Call Max Glover for more information. 505-249-7344 Cell or 505-792-2011 Home.

For Sale: 1936 Ford Phaeton, $40,000. Call Chris Joiner 505-382-8723.

For Sale: 1940 Willys. Former gasser. All steel. 468 cu.in. BBC, TH350 transmission, Ford 9” rear end, disc brakes all around, straight axle, Mustang steering box, Custom grey ultra leather interior, Kenwood stereo, alarm. No A/C, PS, or PB. $79,000. Joe Abbin, roadrunnerengr@msn.com, 505-263-1946. NM

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.

Joe’s Favorite Photos from Grand National Roadster Show

Tumbleweed Early Ford V8 Club Calendar for 2025

January

Tuesday 7th Club Meeting 7pm North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center - Program Joe Abbin, Barrett-Jackson Auction Slides

Saturday 11th Breakfast 8:30am Hello Deli

February

Tuesday 4th Club Meeting 7pm North Domingo Baca Multigenerational Center –Program by Larry Azevedo on Henry Ford, the Early Years. Refreshments Joe Baird.

Saturday 8th Breakfast 8:30am at Golden Corral

March

Tuesday 4th Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center - Program – Larry Azevedo on Henry Ford Part II. Refreshments Van de Velde & Wagner

Saturday 8th 8:30am, Breakfast at Sopa’s with a Tour of Frank Brown’s Collection following at 10am.

April

Tuesday 1st Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center - Program –Will Clements on Early Ford Transmissions. Refreshments Glovers

Saturday 12th Breakfast 8:30am at Village Inn in Rio Rancho followed by tour of Abernathy’s garage.

May

Tuesday 6th Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center - Program – Open – Computer Security, Refreshments Liz Johnson

Sunday 18th Museum Car Show, 10am – 3pm featuring Lowriders

Monday 26th 11 – 2, Club Birthday Party

June

Tuesday 3rd Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center – Gus Van de Velde & Anthony Wagner on Corrales Church History. Refreshments Larry Bost.

Saturday 14th Breakfast 8:30am, Indian Cultural Center

July

Tuesday 1st Club Meeting 7pm N Domingo Baca Center – Program by Joe Baird on 6 to 12 volt Conversion. Refreshments Abernathys.

Thursday 4th Parade in Corrales and Picnic at Azevedo’s

August

Tuesday 5th Club Meeting 7pm – Program by Joe Baird/Eddie Corbin on Cormit Speedway, Refreshments Clements.

Sunday ??? All Clubs Picnic at Oak Flats

September

Tuesday 2nd Club Meeting 7pm – Program by Joe Abbin/Bob Davalos on ABQ Early Drag Racing.

Refreshments Joe Warren

Sunday ?? State Fair Car Show, meet for breakfast after set-up.

October

Tuesday 7th Club Meeting 7pm – Program on Auto Pin Striping, Refreshments Joiners

Saturday 11th Breakfast TBD

Saturday-Sunday 18-19 Manzano Harvest Festival, Torreon NM

November

Tuesday 4th Club Meeting 7pm Officer Election – Program Model Car Show. Refreshments Open

Saturday 8th Breakfast 8:30am K & I Diner with tour of Commemorative Air Force in Moriarity

December

Saturday 6th Club Christmas Party 1pm Potluck

Christmas Parades

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