MAY 2014 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., OLD CAR GARAGE, 3232 GIRARD BLVD NE
TIMES
PLEASE NOTE: All meetings include Show & Tell. Members are encouraged to bring items to share.
NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, May 6, 7:00 p.m., Old Car Garage. Lorna and Larry Azevedo are presenting a fun night. Refreshments by Ray Calderone and Jay Hertz.
Starting in May, meetings will begin at 7:00 p.m.
NEXT BOARD MEETING: Tentatively July 8. 7pm at Jackson House.
BREAKFAST GROUP: 8:30 a.m., Saturday, May 17th at Milly’s, 7308 Jefferson NE.
CLUB WEBSITE: Be sure to check out our website at www.abqfordflatheadv8.com Updated “current Information and calendar” is on the current information page.
FORD V8 FOUNDATION WEBSITE: Another interesting website to check out is www.fordv8foundation.org
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE Jeff Jackson, President
The broader Jackson Family had some activities this month that made me think of the presentation from last year about ways to pass on cars, i.e. via Wills or Trusts or whatever. Actually, the question at the heart of the matter is: Do you have a plan for tomorrow that you are comfortable with? I am not going to make any pontifications about what to do or when, that is clearly a personal decision. I will ask you simply, are you prepared for tomorrow?
This has been a good month for the club. I understand breakfast at Little Anita’s went well. Beth and I were having fun with grandkiddies in Baltimore. I know the tour to Madrid and the lunch went very well. We had four vintage cars and two modern cars make the trip to Madrid on a blustery and cold day. The trip to Madrid was weather eventful. It was cold and windy in Albuquerque; cool, windy with scattered snow on the way to Madrid; and there was slush/hail outside while we were eating. Pretty good food for an old ghost town! Beth and I and my cousin drove a modern car because we continued north through Santa Fe and up past Espanola for a tour of Northern New Mexico.
Next month, May is a big one for our club. The museum car show on May 18th is a great place to showcase your car. The weather is normally nice and people like to stop and chat. Please take the opportunity to be an ambassador for the club and invite folks to a club meeting – spread the word. On May 26th we observe Memorial Day designated to observe those who passed in service to our country. In my mind, the makeup of our club gives special meaning to Memorial Day because many are of the Greatest Generation with clear memories of that history. Memorial Day also is the club birthday party, which is another good time to show your car and have another opportunity to be out with the public talking up the club.
The May meeting is going to be a hoot! What is a hoot? Besides the sound an Owl makes, a hoot is a good and fun time had by all. Bring your upbeat attitude and a smile to this meeting and be prepared to be part of the activities. Let’s all help Larry and Lorna make this a good meeting.
Have Great Month!
2014 OFFICERS & DIRECTORS
President: R. Jeff Jackson (jbjaxun@gmail.com)
Vice-President: Bob Quirici (bjq1985@aol.com)
Secretary: Larry Williams (l-m-williams@comcast.net)
Treasurer: Lou Gorenz (lmgorenz@comcast.net)
Technical Director: Joe Abbin (roadrunnerengr@msn.com)
Touring Director: John Shelton (john.shelton33@yahoo.com)
Club Purpose & Membership Director: Larry Azevedo (dribblebit@comcast.net)
NEWSLETTER NOTE
Members are encouraged to submit articles, ads and photographs for inclusion in the newsletter. Please be aware we have a volunteer Newsletter Editor so please try and submit typed and proofed articles, minutes and comments (for sale items will continue to be updated at the meetings). The deadline for submissions is the 24th of the month. Beth Jackson, 505-890-2704, or email: JBJaxun@gmail.com
MINUTES OF MARCH 2, 2014 MEETING
Beth Jackson, substitute Secretary
President Jeff Jackson presided and recognized guest David McLain, who subsequently became our newest member.
There were no corrections to the minutes of the March meeting.
The Program by Beverly Stewart was held at the beginning because she had a long drive home. Beverly talked about licensing and titling cars. Beverly shared very useful information with the club. There were many questions and several folks asked for her business card.
Treasurer’s report was given by Lou Gorenz. Checking account balance is $4895.92 and savings balance $1395.65.
Happy Birthdays to Marilyn Gigger (1), Joe Abbin (4), Al Gallegos (5), Lou Gorenz (8), Joanne Glover (16),Lorna Azevedo (16), Nancy Agnew (17), Bob Agnew (18), and Bob Mathes (21).
Happy 62nd Anniversary to Lou and Mary Gorenz (18).
Thanks for refreshments to Al Seery and the Glovers.
Old Business:
Car council report was given by Jim Clements. The May Museum Car Show is featuring 75 years of Mustangs and needs a few front row Mercurys also. Rt. 66 Rodders is having a swap meet May 4 in Los Lunas, Bud Hennessey is contact.
Thanks for the recipe of the month provided by Mark Williams. Joyce Clements volunteered to provide the May recipe.
The April luncheon is at Little Anita’s, chosen by John Shelton. John appointed Lou Gorenz to select the next month’s breakfast location.
Bob Quirici reported on the March trip on the Rail Runner to Santa Fe. 13 members attended, 3 from Los Lunas. Lunch at Tomasita’s was enjoyed and there was an Arts and Crafts Fair near the depot which most members attended.
Raffle tickets for the Central National Meet’s raffle and V8 Patches will be on sale during break.
Remember the meeting time is changed to 7pm starting next month.
Directors recommended that deceased members of our club be recognized by purchasing a brick at the Ford Foundation each year and, that the club maintains a simple plaque that recognizes deceased members yearly to be displayed at the May birthday party event. Jay Hertz volunteered to order the brick and handle the details of preparing the plaque.
For Show and Tell Joe Abbin showed some license plates and posters from the license plate meet. He also donated several interesting items for the raffle, Rex’s Rancid Recipes Cookbook, a Ford Oil Can, and a Mystery Box.
New Business:
We will include the web address for the Ford V8 Foundation in the newsletter as part of normal business. www.fordv8foundation.org
There is a board meeting at the Jackson’s on April 8th at 7pm. Everyone is invited.
Note that the April tour is on Sunday the 27th to Madrid. John Shelton is leading the tour and already scouted the area. Lunch will be at the Mine Shaft Tavern.
John then discussed tour guidelines which included “Follow the Leader and Watch the Person Behind You, stop if you can’t see them.”
The meeting ended with the raffle and refreshments.
May Breakfast Group
The May breakfast will be at Milly’s at 7308 Jefferson NE at 8:30 am. This location was picked by Lou Gorenz. Lou will select another person to choose the venue for June. See you at Milly’s!
Please note the following guidelines run from Dangerous to Ultrasafe Choices:
Dangerous: What’s for dinner?
Safer: Can I help you with dinner?
Safest: Where would you like to go for dinner?
Ultrasafe: Here, have some chocolate.
Dangerous: Are you wearing that?
Safer: Gee, you look good in brown.
Safest: WOW! Look at you!
Ultrasafe: Here, have some chocolate.
Dangerous: Should you be eating that?
Safer: You know, there are a lot of apples left.
Safest: Can I get you a glass of wine with that?
Ultrasafe: Here, have some chocolate.
Dangerous: What did you do all day?
Safer: I hope you didn’t overdo it today.
Safest: I’ve always loved you in that robe.
Ultrasafe: Here, have some chocolate.
1939: THE YEAR OF THE MERCURY
By Joyce Clements
The material for this article comes from "55 Years of Mercury" by John A. Gunnell. The book was published in 1994 in honor of Mercury's 55th anniversary year.
The Mercury idea started as the brain child of Edsel Ford, and it was designed to fill the huge price gap between a Ford Deluxe and the Lincoln Zephyr; GM was making Oldsmobiles and Buicks as mid-range cars, and Ford desired to penetrate that market.
In 1935, Ford created a new design department, and Bob Gregorie was given complete charge there. Edsel gave him the job of designing the new Mercury. The 1939 Mercury was the first car to be completely designed and developed there, from a clay model. When finished, it was one of the most aerodynamic cars of the era.
The new Mercury was offered in four body styles: Fordor Town Sedan, Tudor Sedan, Coupe-sedan, and Convertible Coupe, each advertised to hold five passengers. All were priced between $900 and $1100. The Ford Deluxe station wagon, the highest-priced body style, sold for $825, and the cheapest Lincoln Zephyr was priced at $1295. All body styles weighed approximately 3000 pounds. Exterior paint colors were Black, Jefferson Blue, Gull Gray, Dartmouth Green, Tropical Green, Mercury Blue Metallic, Folkestone Gray, and Bright Coach Maroon; Cloudmist Gray and Claret Maroon were added in the spring.
Press introduction to the new Mercury (name chosen by Edsel Ford) was on October 24, 1938, at the Ford headquarters in Dearborn. Showroom introductions were November 4, 1938. Initial production of the Mercury started at the Richmond, California, plant on September 21, 1938.
The Mercury was six inches wider than the Ford, running boards were narrower, and the frame was lengthened
and strengthened. The only engine option was the Ford V-8, bored out to 239 cubic inches to produce 95HP at 3500rpm.
The new Mercury was sometimes sold as a "big Ford" and sometimes as a "baby Lincoln". During its first year, 69,135 Mercurys were produced, of which 39,847 were town sedans. Only 7,818 of the cars were convertibles. Production numbers increased each year for 1940 and 1941; on February 13, 1941, the 200,000th Mercury was produced.
In 1942, Mercury introduced the "Liquamatic Drive" transmission as an option. On February 10, 1942, production of domestic cars was halted for the duration of WWII. As a result, only 774 cars were produced with the new automatics, and production was not resumed after the war.
Mercurys continued to be produced until the fall of 2010, when the last of the breed rolled off the assembly. Sadly, Mercury has joined the roster of "Orphan Cars" and you can no longer buy a new one. Keep the old ones rollin'.
Recipe of the Month by Joyce Clements
Spanish Rice
1 lb ground beef
1 28 oz. can tomatoes
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
2 cups regular rice
Olive oil
Salt & Pepper
Cook rice in water according to package directions.
While it cooks, saute the onion and bell pepper in oil.
When softened, add beef and brown. Add tomatoes and
bring to boil. Cover and simmer for about 15-20 minutes.
Salt and pepper to taste. When rice is done, add to beef-
tomato mixture and stir in well. Let simmer together for
about 5 minutes and serve. This dish, with a salad, makes
a complete meal for 6-8 people. The mixture before
adding the rice can be divided and part of it frozen for
another day. Reduce amount of rice accordingly. This
recipe is from the 1930's or before. It was published for Minute Rice,
but it tastes better with regular rice.
30th Anniversary Museum Automobile Show
The Albuquerque Museum and New Mexico Council of Car Clubs Automobile Show will be at the Albuquerque Museum, 200 Mountain Rd. NW, on Sunday, May 18, 2014. The show is open to antique, classic, sports, special interest, and modified vehicles; motorcycles, motor scooters, and vintage campers are welcome. Our club will be meeting in the parking lot of the Hotel Albuquerque at 7 am and will drive in to the show together. Please have the $10 registration fee in exact change so we may enter quickly. Let’s have a large club contingent this year.
ROUTE 66 RODDERS AUTOMOTIVE 26TH ANNUAL SWAP MEET
Held Sunday, May 4, 2014, 8 - 4 at Los Lunas Sports Complex, Hwy 314 & Morris Road, Los Lunas, NM. Free admission and space rentals starting at $20. For more info call Bud Hennessey at 505-715-3951.
Tumbleweed Club’s 40th Anniversary Celebration
We’re having a picnic on Memorial Day, Monday May 26th from 11am to 2pm. It will be held at Los Ranchos Village Hall, 6718 Rio Grande Blvd NW. We’ll line up all those flatheads for display and pictures. Then we’ll make sandwiches, share some goodies and tie everything together with birthday cake. Sodas and chips will also be provided, courtesy of the club! Wow, a free lunch (donations accepted!) Feel free to bring a side dish, a salad or anything else you’d like to share with your fellow club members and guests. Volunteers to help and cleanup are appreciated! Let’s put on the biggest display of flatheads since 1953! Bring your friends! We will have our popular 50-50 raffle with some nice prizes as well as the cash.Contact Joe Abbin at 505-296-7678 to volunteer and for details.
Tumbleweed Early Ford V8 Club Calendar for 2014
May
Tuesday 6th Club Meeting 7:00pm - Larry and Lorna Azevedo are presenting a game and fun night
Saturday 17th Breakfast at Milly’s, 7308 Jefferson NE
Sunday May 18 – NMCCC/Albuquerque Museum Car Show – Meet at 7am at Hotel Albuquerque
Monday May 26th Ford Club Birthday Party
June
Tuesday 3rd Club Meeting 7:00pm Radiators repair, replace, restore
Saturday 14th Picnic at Sandia Lakes – still in planning stages
Saturday 21st Breakfast
July
Tuesday 1st Club Meeting 7:00pm Larry Azevedo with the first in a multipart series on Henry Ford
Friday July 4th Corrales Parade and picnic with Larry and Lorna. We are encouraging the club to drive cars in the parade.
Friday July 11 – COLLECTOR CAR Appreciation Day Friday July 11 with activities planned for Saturday July 12
Saturday 19th Tour of Albuquerque Botanical Gardens and The Aquarium and Lunch (replaces Saturday breakfast)
August
Tuesday 5th Club Meeting 7:00pm To Be Determined (possible discussion of club history)
Sunday August 10 – All Clubs Picnic will also be our tour activity. This is a great picnic and nice drive.
September
Tuesday 2nd Club Meeting 7:00 Larry Azevedo presents the second part in the series on the life of Henry Ford
September 14th (Date Not Finalized) State Fair
Saturday September 20th Breakfast
September 26-28 – NMCCC/Los Lunas Swap Meet
October
Tuesday 7th Club Meeting 7:00pm
Saturday 18th A ride on the Sandia Tram and lunch (replaces Saturday Breakfast)
November
Saturday Nov 1st Garage Tour Jay Hertz and Jeff/Beth Jackson with a lunch at the Jackson’s. Drive your old car on the tour.
Tuesday 4th Club Meeting 7:00pm Election of Officers and a Ladies night
December
Tuesday 2nd Club Meeting 7:00pm – Christmas Party
Discussed but not confirmed: Ed Boles and a tour of the Railroad Yard, probably an afternoon activity
MAY BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Happy Birthday to: Happy Anniversary to:
3 – Geri Gallegos 27 – John & Betty Shelton
3 – Sue Mathes
21 – Betty Leupold
23 – Art Leupold
24 – Ron Gigger
29 – Mark Williams
30 – DJ MacAlister
OTHER NEARBY ACTIVITIES
May 3 – Christian Rodders' Swap Meet – Mayfield HS, Las Cruces – Ray Trigg (575)524-3371
May 4 – 26th Annual Rt 66 Rodders Swap Meet – Morris Field, Los Lunas – Bud Hennessy (505)715-3951 or budhennessy@comcast.net
May 10 – Hoffmantown Body Shop Car Show – 702 Carmony Lane NE – Sponsored by LOE GTO's to benefit Albuquerque Christian Children's home Pre-registration $20, $25 day of show – Food, entertainment, goody bags, T-shirts, dash plaques, for first 100 – Cash awards, trophies, door prizes, kids' prizes – Dave Kindig will be there – Set-up 8-10am, show 10am-4pm – (505)831-9697 to reserve space – Chris Carrejo ccarrejo@q.com for more info
May 10 – Northern NM Street Rods Spring Swap Meet – 3030 East Main, Farmington (next door to Dunkin Donuts) – Space $10 – Chuck Melazzo (505)326-0076
May 10 – Cars, Planes, Plants & More Mesilla Valley Invitational Road Tour – Open to all clubs – Car Show & Outlet Mall in El Paso, Sierra Vista Growers in La Union, NM winery tours, Old Mesilla
Plaza, War Eagles Air & Car Museum in Santa Teresa – Clubs plan own itinerary – Free admission tickets to Museum and discount tickets for nursery available from louiepaul@earthlink.net – Many hotels and restaurants available in the area
May 10 – 6th Annual Open House and NSRA Appreciation Day – PJ's Classic Stop, 6022 Second St. NW – 10am-2pm – Open to all cars, trucks, rods, bikes, customs – Live Bluegrass band, refreshments, door prizes – For more info 268-4100 or Art 873-1665
May 18 – Albuquerque Museum/NMCCC 30th Annual Car Show – 2000 Mountain Rd. NW – Celebrating 75 years of Mercury and recognizing 50 years of GTO & Mustang – Entry $10 day of show – Register 8:30am, Show open 10am-3:30pm – Over 75 trophies awarded by participant choice Model/Toy car show, Auto Art show – Free admission to Museum – Joyce 884-7912 or joyce@nmcarcouncil.net
May 19-June 3 – Czech Republic Rt. 66 Tour L.A. to Chicago – The Czech Route 66 Assn. will be travelling Route 66 from Los Angeles to Chicago. Group leaves Los Angeles May 19 and will be in NM
May 24-25. There will be a gathering at the old Whiting Bros. station in Moriarty. Vintage cars are invited to make an appearance to greet the group en route and show them some NM hospitality. Their schedule is May 19 Arr. Hollywood, May 20 Hollywood-San Bernardino, May 21 S.B.- Ludlow, May 22 Ludlow-Kingman, May 23 Kingman-Winslow, May 24 Winslow-Albuquerque, May 25 Alb.-Tucumcari, May 26 Tuc.-Amarillo, May 27 Amarillo-Clinton, May 28 Clinton-Tulsa, May 29 Tulsa-Carthage, May 30 Carthage-Eureka, May 31 Eureka-Litchfield, June 1 Lit.-Pontiac, June 2 Pontiac-Joliet, June 3 Joliet-Chicago and depart for Prague. Yes, there is a Route 66 Association in the Czech Republic, web site: http://www.rt66.cz/ – Roger Holden relivetheroute66/@gmail.com for local info
May 24-25 – 32nd Annual RGMC Mustang Show – Marriott Pyramid North – Frank (505)294-7902 or f.mcmullan@q.com or www.riograndemustangs.org
May 24-25 – Just For Fun Riverfest Car Show – Berg Park, Farmington – Richard Fassler (505)716-7100 or fazzlow1@aol.com
May 31 – Tecolote Auxiliary Fire House Festival – La Madera Fire Station, off Hwy 314 in East Mountains – 10am-2:30pm – Car show, art & craft show, raffle, bake sale, kids' sale, book sale, fireman's tug-of-war – Free entry with People's Choice and Fire Chief awards (he accepts bribes) – Open to all models & years, plenty of parking – All proceeds benefit Volunteer Fire Department – Peggy Fleming (505)286-3958 or paflemingnm@gmail.com
May 31 – Brad Francis All American Car Show – Los Lunas – Benefitting Valencia County Animal Shelter – Open to all American cars and bikes – Registration 10am-Noon, Show Noon-6pm – Entry $25, $35 day of show – Cash prizes up to $500 – Music, food, pet adoptions, jumpers, giveaways – Pre-register at www.bradfrancis.com – More info (505)620-6888 or Sylvia.Martin@BradFrancis.com
2014 NATIONAL V-8 MEETS
All the meets will be honoring the 75th Anniversary of 1939 model Ford products. Entry forms, costs, and schedules for all the meets can be found at www.earlyfordv8.org. Joyce will have sample entry forms at the meeting if you are interested in any meet.
June 6-9 – Australian National Meet in New South Wales, Australia – "V8 Dream in 2014" for the really adventurous. -mail andrew@wisegroupfm.com with queries.
June 23-26 – Eastern National V-8 Meet in Gettysburg, PA – "Celebrate America in your Ford V-8" for the less adventurous. Visit www.ENM2014.com for information.
August 19-22 – Central National Meet in Springfield, IL – "V-8ing Joy in Illinois" closer to home. Visit www.nirgv8.org for information. Jay has entry forms and raffle tickets for this meet.
September 2-5 – Western National Meet in Ventura, CA – "Fords & Folks in Thousand Oaks" in sunny California. Visit http://www.venturav8s.com for more information.
September 7-12 – 2014 National Driving Tour in Upper Peninsula, MI – "Say yah to da U.P., eh". For details, Keith Johnson (906)249-3262 (eastern time zone) or upv8tour14@att.net
TUMBLEWEED REGIONAL GROUP
EARLY FORD V-8 CLUB OF AMERICA
PO BOX 21538
ALBUQUERQUE, NM 87154-1538
SS MAIL