APRIL 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, April 1, 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 George Abernathy on Fentanyl, Refreshments by Max & Johanne Glover.
NEXT BOARD MEETING:
BREAKFAST GROUP: Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 8:30 am at Village Inn, 1741 Rio Rancho Dr., Rio Rancho, with tour of Abernathy’s garage following. (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
April 1st, 2025 Meeting
The program will be by our own George Abernathy, Veterinarian at Sunrise Veterinary Clinic. George will speak on a very timely topic, Controlled Drugs and the Trafficking of Fentanyl.
The meeting will be held Tuesday, April 1st , 7pm at North Domingo Baca Center, 7600 Carmel NE. If you have any items appropriate for the raffle, please bring them.
April Breakfast and Garage Tour
We will be gathering for breakfast on Saturday, April 12th in Rio Rancho at the Village Inn, 1741 Rio Rancho Dr SE, across from Intel. Breakfast will be at 8:30am, and afterwards we will proceed to George and Jackie Abernathy’s old and new garages to view their ever-expanding collection of vehicles. Their address is 2019 San Pablo Rd NE, Rio Rancho, NM 87144. Let’s have another good crowd for an interesting tour.
April Birthdays and Anniversaries
Philip Lovato (1)
Joe Abbin (4) Richard & Barbara Polk (23)
Lorna Azevedo (16) George & Jackie Abernathy (28)
Johanne Glover (16)
Nancy Agnew (17)
Bob Agnew (18)
Gus Van de Velde (27)
2025 April President’s Message - Joe Abbin
In March we had the second installment of a talk by Larry Azevedo on Henry Ford’s early years. What a guy (Henry & Larry)! Our monthly breakfast and the Frank Brown tour on the following Saturday were also excellent in spite of iffy weather. Thank you, Frank!
This month George Abernathy will give us a talk on Fentanyl, a drug that is a popular tool of legitimate healthcare givers like George, while at the same time it is also illegally available on the black market causing large scale misery and death. Ouch!
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 March 4th Meeting
Joe Abbin called the meeting to order at ≅7pm.
· Minutes from the previous meeting were approved and accepted.
· Guest: Kyle
· Refreshments were provided by Gus & Debbie Van de Velde and Anthony Wagner.
· Anniversaries and birthdays were noted.
Amy Joiner gave the Treasurer’s report.
· Almost all members have paid their dues.
Joe Baird was out of town for the NMCC meeting, but he printed out flyers of upcoming events for the meeting.
New Business; March 2025
· Breakfast on 3/8/2025 will be at Sopas at 8:30am with a garage tour to follow at Frank Brown’s, weather permitting.
· Larry Azevedo gave the second part of a presentation on the early life of Henry Ford.
· Joe Abbin needs to re-home his son’s two dogs: a pit bull mix and a chihuahua.
· 1966 Continental project is for sale by Joe for a friend; $1000 OBO, engine, transmission, and driveshaft out of car, but the interior and bodywork are done.
April 2025 events
· Breakfast at Rio Rancho Village Inn (4/12).
· George Abernathy will present a program on Fentanyl.
· Tour of Abernathy’s garage after breakfast on the 12th.
Sale & Trade
· Neil Yaeger has speed parts for sale.
50/50 Raffle ($40)
Meeting adjourned at approximately 8:40pm.
Liz Johnson, Secretary
March 8th Tour
What a wonderful time was had on Saturday March 8th. First a group of us V8ers, plus some of Joe's car buddies, met at Sopa's for breakfast. Judging by the licked clean plates on the table when we left, the food was very good. Service was fast and friendly.
Then onto Frank and Andi Brown's place, to admire the cars, see what his latest project was and swap stories. Seeing Frank's cars make you wonder if he ever sleeps. All so nice and varied. He told the story of dating his wife in one of the Vettes in the back garage. He picked up both of his high-speed Mercedes in Santa Fe (hidden dollars there).
As the crowd thinned out, Frank invited us inside. He wanted to tell us about turning the empty building into their home. But, we were mainly interested in the pictures hung in the hallway. Frank has worked as a prop manager for so many movies that it is hard to believe until you see all the framed pictures of him with so many stars. He said one afternoon they were talking to Eizabeth Taylor and invited her to lunch. She was busy that day but told them she would pick them up Tuesday and take them to lunch. Sure enough, on Tuesday she drove her Rolls Royce to the building and took a group including Frank to lunch.
MONTIE’S SAGEING (Montie Avery)
COUNTIES NAMED FOR PRESIDENTS
As American developed from East to West, new territory was added, new States joined the Union and new counties were formed. Many of which were named for a President. States with counties named for Washington (31), Jefferson (23), Jackson (22), Madison (18), Lincoln (16), Monroe (17), Grant (11), Polk (10), Garfield (6) , the Adams (9), Harrison (4), Pierce, Taylor and Van Buren each (4), Buchanan and Fillmore each (3), Cleveland, Roosevelt, Tyler, Harding, (2), and Arthur, Hayes and McKinley for (1). Patterns soon emerge, Presidents with no counties bearing their names, and the diminishing numbers as development moved west. Some Presidentially named counties were renamed, Cass County, Missouri was previously Van Buren County, Stephens County, Texas was previously Buchanan County. Washington County DC ceased to exist when DC became a District. Garfield County, KS was folded into Finney County. New Mexico has five of these counties, Grant, Harding, Lincoln, McKinley, and Roosevelt are named for Presidents.
HIGHWAY NUMBERING SYSTEM
America’s early explorers made their way west along game trails. As their use increased, they would be given names, Bonneville’s Trail, Jonesboro Road, and many Civil War activities are identified by Telegraph Road. With the coming of the auto the road identification system became increasingly complicated. Still nothing more than trails, they were often marked with colored bands on the telegraph or telephone poles. Early motoring brought Auto Clubs and these clubs brought the naming of routes, Lincoln Highway, National Old Trails Road, and later Eisenhower Highway. Names, numbers, and markers were soon overlapping. The old Southwest New Mexico stretch of road was identified as Apache Trail, Atlantic-Pacific Highway and Lee Highway. This confusion was first addressed with the planning for a US Route 66 and the adoption of a highway numbering system. This system has developed into an Interstate system with the following guidelines. Primary Interstates have one or two digit numbers; shorter routes including loops, short connecting roads and spurs have three digits with the last two digits matching the parent route; odd numbered routes generally run north to south; even numbered routes run east to west; the lowest mile marker numbers begin in the south and the west, at the state line, and get higher as you move north and east; the most important cross-country interstates get numbers divisible by five, meaning they end in zero or 5, i.e. I-25 or I-40. The numbers 50 and 60 were omitted in deference to the cross-country routes, US Highways 50 and 60, which cross our country. US Highway 60 spans New Mexico for 400 miles but doesn’t quite get to California as it ends west of Brenda, AZ where it merges with I-10.
BONUS: While sharing numbering trivia, I would share that house numbers generally cover the pattern with even numbers on the east and south side of the street and odd numbers on the west and north. Now look for the exceptions.
Men’s Underwear During the Flathead Era
By Joyce
During the Great Depression and WWII years, most clothing, including underwear, sleepwear and lingerie, was homemade. Clothing patterns and fabric were cheap. Flour millers used cotton flour sacks, some with pre-printed designs, that were used to make clothing for the family. RIT fabric dye was used to color the white sacks for more colorful clothing; the colors were bright at the start, but rapidly began to fade when washed.
The first Simplicity pattern is from about 1932, the style that Clyde Barrow probably wore. The shorts had a deep yoke in front and an adjustable waistband in back. The fabric would have been cotton, possibly flour sacks.
The DuBarry pattern was dated 1943. The undershirt pattern was included and could be made to match the shorts or contrast with them. The shorts also had an adjustable waistband.
The last pattern shows a new style with baggy seat and adjustable waistband, or with normal seat and elastic at the waist.
Even men’s styles changed over the years.
DAD JOKES
I’ve got a great joke about road construction, but it’s not done yet.
What do you call a fake noodle? An impasta!
Why couldn’t the bicycle stand up by itself? It was two tired!
What’s blue and not very heavy? Light blue.
What do you call a Frenchman wearing sandals? Phillippe Flop
Did you hear about the restaurant on the moon? Great food, no atmosphere!
What happens when you go to the bathroom in France? European.
Why are spiders so smart? They can find everything on the web.
How does Moses make his coffee? Hebrews it.
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
“When Bad Luck is Good?” Joe Abbin
Early in February, I went to take a ride in my 1955 Chevy Bel Air. The brake pedal went to the floor! The master cylinder was dry. No leaks at the wheels. I refilled the master cylinder, still no brakes. Found the master cylinder leaking near the actuating rod and fluid leaking invisibly down the inside surface of the firewall. O’Reilly’s had a new unit and I installed. Problem solved.
Since the Chevy was temporarily disabled while the master cylinder was on the way, I decided to take a spin in my 1950 Mercury. Oh, oh, a flat rear tire. Further investigation found that the tire had exploded, with a hunk of tread the size of my hand, protruding from the rest of the tread. Humm, those Coker Classic tires might be 5-7 years old. I checked and found I had bought them in 1999! I ordered a new set. Since the old tires had a lifetime warranty for materials and workmanship from Discount Tire I should get at least one tire free……haha.
If either one of these failures had occurred on the road, the cars and I might have been history. Keep good records, check your vehicle and don’t assume anything.
APRIL 2025 CLASSIFIED ADS
For Sale: Radiator for 1953 Ford P.U. - very good $150. Gary McGlasson 505-250-1586
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.
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.
For Sale: The picture is of the correct make and model, but not the actual car offered. The car for sale is a partially disassembled roller with all the trim, bumpers, engine, etc. included, but less the transmission. The body is excellent. Engine is a stock 462 cu.in., 340 HP unit which has not been started sincebeing rebuilt about five years ago. The car can be inspected by appointment at 9800 Acoma Rd. SE, Joe Abbin, 296-7678 (office). Email:roadrunnerengr@msn.com .
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 – George Abernathy on Fentanyl. 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
Sat/Sun 18-19th 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
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
www.wildheartranchtexas.com