May 2017 Issue #288 President s Chatter May is almost over with a few tours behind us already! We need to keep the momentum going with more planned tours or events. The tour we had on May 21st, worked out just great meeting and touring with 3 other clubs. With this being the first time, it went over very well. The idea of joining up with a few Model A Clubs was suggested by the Fairfield Model A Club at one of their planning meetings I attended during the winter. I have a good feeling that this will happen again next year, possibly using the same place for lunch. The response started out slow but, we kept adding onto the number of people who wanted to join us at the G.W. Tavern. The next thing we knew, we had over 45 planned for lunch with 34 cars. WOW!!! We learned a few things from this experience - possibly set a cut off date a few days before the event for a more accurate head count and, to have one person from each club lead their group on the tour to the next stop. Refreshment sign-up list until July: June: Dick Wells, July: Dave Habersang. We need sign-ups until November. Let Don Bruno know which month you will help out. President, Don Bruno Directions to our Meeting Meeting Location! The Harwinton Public Library (80 Bentley Drive Harwinton, CT 06791) From Route 8- Take exit 42 onto Rt. 118 east toward Harwinton. Travel 2.5 miles on Rt. 118 to Bentley Drive. Take a right onto Bentley Drive, the Library is a half mile on the left. Editor s Note: If anyone has items for sale, just email them to me and I will be glad to post them in the newsletter. Our newsletter has a wide range of exposure being on the internet. Please email your requests by the 15th of the month. Also, articles are always appreciated. cabrioletdave@yahoo.com
Minutes of Northwestern CT A s Meeting Tue., April 25, 2017 Harwinton, CT Meeting Called to Order at 7:40 pm by our President, Don Bruno. Guest: - None Secretaries Report: Minutes of the Mar. 28, 2017 were read and accepted. Treasurer s Report: Read and Accepted. Membership: Presently we stand at 22 paid members. Cheers: Dave Chanko recovering from shoulder incident; card sent. Also a card was sent to Ed Covill who has a foot ailment. Video library: Newly organized. There are excellent videos of restoration, technical, history, etc. Historian: When you have pictures, send them to Dave Habersang via: cabrioletdave@yahoo.com Old Business At this date, no decision has been voted on with the subject below. It looks like our state legislature is close to changing the $500 town assessments on antique autos to $1000. It is likely to be voted on soon. Also, antiques of 20 years is likely going to be minimum of 30 years. New Business The Dust-Off Tour was April 23rd and went to the New England Air Museum in East Granby. There were 6 cars and 10 people. Archie had a flat on the tour. Don still expects the other Model A Clubs in the Conn. will meet us on a tour Sunday, May 21st as reported on last month. The destination will be in Washington Depot at the G.W. Tavern. Prospective new members: Here's a $40 value for them. MAFCA is conducting a national drive for new members. Archie has applications for NEW members that join. They get 1 year free dues, incl. bi-monthly magazines. So, if you know someone who'd like to join us, give them the news and sign'em up. John Thew turned 90 in March! Congratulations and a belated Happy Birthday. His '31 Town Sedan S/W is now for sale. 6000 miles SMO done by Jim Davis. John's phone is 860-542-5003. Tours: May 7 - Rhinebeck NY tour May 21 - Possible Group of A Clubs meeting and tour. May 28 - Limerock Raceway June? - Possible Roast Beef Run July 14 thru 16 - Cooperstown NY tour, Archie Aug 6 - Picnic planned; maybe Northfield Dam. Aug 20-42nd Car Show & Flea Mkt.; Goshen Fairgrounds Technical: Dave Habersang explained some differences in speedometer cables. Some of the new splines are too long and need to be shortened a little so that the screw clamp secures itself to the drive gear case. Dave had good luck and priced right with his speedo being rebuilt by Harry Warburton of NC. Tel 336-875-5978. Don Bruno showed some black/white 10 x 14 prints of "Model A" body styles that are available locally. Meeting Adjourned at 8:58 pm Respectfully submitted, Nick Nesci, Secretary Attendance Archie Bardwell Jay Reynolds Rick Fattibene John Thew Nick Nesci Tom Fix Don Bruno Bob Watley Sr. Glenn Royals Dick Wells Dave Habersang Paul Dubreuil
Memorial Day Poem He was getting old and paunchy And his hair was falling fast, And he sat around the Legion, Telling stories of the past. Of a war that he once fought in And the deeds that he had done, In his exploits with his buddies; They were heroes, every one. And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors His tales became a joke, All his buddies listened quietly For they knew where of he spoke. But we'll hear his tales no longer, For ol' Joe has passed away, And the world's a little poorer For a Soldier died today. He won't be mourned by many, Just his children and his wife. For he lived an ordinary, Very quiet sort of life. He held a job and raised a family, Going quietly on his way; And the world won't note his passing, 'Tho a Soldier died today. When politicians leave this earth, Their bodies lie in state, While thousands note their passing, And proclaim that they were great. Papers tell of their life stories From the time that they were young But the passing of a Soldier Goes unnoticed, and unsung. Or the ordinary fellow Who in times of war and strife, Goes off to serve his country And offers up his life? The politician's stipend And the style in which he lives, Are often disproportionate, To the service that he gives. While the ordinary Soldier, Who offered up his all, Is paid off with a medal And perhaps a pension, small. It is not the politicians With their compromise and ploys, Who won for us the freedom That our country now enjoys. Should you find yourself in danger, With your enemies at hand, Would you really want some cop-out, With his ever waffling stand? Or would you want a Soldier His home, his country, his kin, Just a common Soldier, Who would fight until the end.. He was just a common Soldier, And his ranks are growing thin, But his presence should remind us We may need his likes again. For when countries are in conflict, We find the Soldier's part Is to clean up all the troubles That the politicians start. If we cannot do him honor While he's here to hear the praise, Then at least let's give him homage At the ending of his days. Perhaps just a simple headline In the paper that might say: "OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING, A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."
Entering Fashion Competition at MAFCA Sanctioned Events By Lynette Marcione There are several opportunities each year to consider entering fashion competition. Why not make it your year to enter? Putting a Model A outfit together for fashion competition can be an enriching and rewarding experience. After you have decide to compete, remember three things: have a plan, do your research, and execute your plan with energy and enthusiasm. You are going to make several key decisions while you are engaged in this interesting process. The question we ask ourselves everyday, What shall I wear? is an important choice. There are many more decisions, but don t let that scare you. The MAFCA s publications, Fashion Guidelines, A Book of Fashion Facts, and the Fashion Judging Procedures Manual are rich sources for the direction and guidance you will need. MAFCA s Fashion Guidelines, and the Fashion Judging Procedures Manual provide a step by step set of instructions to enter the world of fashion judging. They cover everything from the entry form, what happens in the judging room, and finally, walking along the fashion show runway to receive your award. The Plan Select your outfit. Decide your category, Original, Reproduction, or Model A Era Image. You will find the definitions of these areas in MAFCA s Fashion Guidelines, and the Fashion Judging Procedures Manual. It is important to coordinate your outfit so you look together. Consider the fit of the garment, and is the outfit appropriate for you? You will need headgear, or an era styled hairdo. Coordinated apparel, accessories, and footgear are the other areas that are judged. Sometimes an outfit may not be quite complete. Don t let that stop you from showing your wonderful ensemble. Some outfits take years to finish. Don t miss out on the fun while you are prowling the internet, antique shops, and swap meets looking for that perfect item. Complete and helpful details are provided in MAFCA s fashion publications available for sale in every Restorer magazine. Entering Fashion Competition www.mafca.com Page 1
Research MAFCA s Fashion Guidelines, A Book of Fashion Facts, the Restorer magazine, the Model A Era Pattern Catalog, and the Jewelry DVD will certainly assist you in this area. There are many variances in styling during the Model A era period. Not all styles are featured in these references, although contributors to these documented sources have done an outstanding job capturing the principal styling elements of the time. If your outfit does not closely represent the images seen in the variety of media offered by MAFCA, it s a good idea to further your research to find a close example of your item. Look for period magazines, and periodicals for additional documentation. You can find these types of publications on the internet, antique shops, and swap meets. Only authentic Model A era documentation is acceptable in the judging room. When submitting the fashion entry form it is always helpful to note the page number and illustration you used to reference your item when using a MAFCA reference. If you are using other material you obtained outside of the MAFCA references, it s a good idea to provide copies of the dated documentation with your entry form, or bring a copy with you to the competition for the judges to review. Remember, the chief reference the judges use is MAFCA s Fashion Guidelines. Execute Pay attention to your overall appearance. This aspect of judging is particularly important in the Model A Era Image category. Additional points may be award for those individuals who go the extra mile as outlined in MAFCA s Fashion Guidelines. Fill out the forms in detail whenever possible. The judging team always appreciates additional information. MAFCA s website and the Fashion Judging Procedures Manual contains examples on how to prepare the entry form with complete details of your outfit. An article on the MAFCA website titled Jazz it Up by Harriet McNeill provides a wonderful description on how to fill out the form in an informative and exciting way (Era Fashions-Articles- Past Articles). A completed sample form is also available in MAFCA s Fashion Judging Procedures Manual-Fashion Entrant Forms section on the MAFCA website. This form can also be filled out by you while on-line, printed and then submitted as instructed. Make sure your outfit is clean, pressed, and in good repair. A simple shoeshine can make the difference. Allow plenty of time to get yourself ready on judging day. Arrive at least 10 minutes before your judging appointment. Try to relax. You are being judged against the standards of styling of the era, and not against other participants. The fashion show is a wonderful event to showcase era fashions for the Model A enthusiast. Enjoy your walk down the runway and the applause of appreciation. A copy of MAFCA s Fashion Guidelines, A Book of Fashion Facts, the Model A Era Fashion Pattern Catalog, patterns, and the Jewelry DVD can be purchased from MAFCA Headquarters. # # # # # # # Entering Fashion Competition www.mafca.com Page 2
By: Edward P. McCreery Four Club Tour The restaurant was very accommodating. We filled an entire room with A ers. Thanks to Don Bruno for that again. Walkie talkies were a must. Worked great for our club. The group of 10 cars is ok but, 35 was unwieldy for a tour. Always pre-drive the route. Very odd how Google maps showed one road being a turn but it really was going straight. I found the hill fun but, it un-nerved some. Should have skipped it as originally planned. With bigger groups it is best to stay on nicely paved roads. If we do a large group again of multiple clubs in the future, we will have to pick a location where we can meet in a field and maybe do some Model A games but skip the tour idea. It was about 97 miles all together for the Trumbull Monroe group. Maybe 100 for the Westport group I am thinking. Here is a short video clip in anticipation of the photos. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8io0lzwmayw&sns=em
We need Volunteers for 2017 Workshops 1. Navigating Our Website 2. Restoring the Model A Stainless Steel Parts 3. Paint Restoration and Care (Using the right car care products) 4. Timing the Model A Ford 5. Front End Alignment 6. Adjusting the Steering Box 7. Setting up a CB Radio in your Model A 8. How to change a Tire 9. A Night on Trouble Shooting and the Solutions (Members could bring in their past solutions and experiences) 10.The proper way to Torque the Model A Head 11.Cooking on the Model A Manifold 12.Brake Adjustment 13.Video Nights ( How To and entertainment videos) 14.Era Clothing (Show and Tell) 15.How to Run a Club Tour (Things to consider and proper touring etiquette) 16.Winterizing the Model A Ford 17.How to check your Fan Blade for cracks and wear. 18.How to adjust your Clutch 19.What to bring in your trunk for road repairs 20.Non-Auto related Topics 21.Show and Tell (Model A Era accessories) If anyone has experience or knowledge about any of the above topics and would like to put on a workshop at one of our club meetings, please contact Bert Serra at 860-283-8959 and let her know.
Floyd Clark s Model A Ford This is the story of the hard life and 48 year restoration of a 1930 Ford Standard Coupe. We will begin the story in Lincoln County Kansas near the town of Westfall at the start of WWII. The coupe was a well used farm car since there were few paved roads in Lincoln County. During WWII while Floyd was serving his country in Europe, the coupe was converted to a truck by removing the trunk lid and installing a box since you could get more gas ration stamps for a truck during WWII and it was a farm vehicle. The car was used to haul heavy loads for many years and the rear spring shackles were worn out allowing the rear spring to wear a groove into the rear axle housing. The floor of the trunk is bowed down and still has the mounting holes for the box. Floyd s in-laws lived in the small town of Westfall Kansas, and Floyd helped the family that owned the Model A through the years. When the farmer passed away in the early 1960s, his widow offered the Model A to Floyd. Floyd and his son Clint set out to tow the car from the farm to his in-laws house with eight tires. Because of the conditions of the tires and the rock roads in the area, they had four flats on the trip. Clint posed with the car upon arriving at his grandparents house. The car was stored in a shed until it could be hauled home to Manhattan Kansas. Once the car arrived in Manhattan, it was disassembled by Floyd and his sons Clint and Russ, the body was stored in the back yard until a proper restoration could be preformed. This inspired Russ to buy a 1931 Model A coupe of his own in 1966 at the age of 16. Russ is a longtime MAFCA member, still has his 1931 coupe and a 1929 Model A pickup he built from parts in the 1970 s. The coupe has never been restored, just repaired to remain drivable. During the summer of 1966, a tornado hit Manhattan, lifting the body shell in the back yard carrying it over the house and depositing it upside down in the front yard. The motor was rebuilt in the 1970 s and then the project stalled. Russ and Floyd brought the car to Russ house in El Dorado Kansas in 1997 to work on as a father and son project. The chassis was assembled, the body installed by Russ and his sons Chris and Matt, and primed. The front fenders and splash aprons were in poor condition and were replaced with a pair of fenders and splash aprons thanks to a friend of Russ. He had put them in the Model A bone pile in the woods at Russ house because they were too rough for him to use.
Floyd Clark s Model A Ford Floyd and his wife Helen were able to drive the car in this condition in 1998 (photo at left) and once again the project stalled. In March of 2012, Floyd was nearing his 89 th birthday and was having some health problems. He asked Russ to try to complete the car for him. Since Russ works full time, a friend who is retired offered to help by doing the body work and paint, Russ and his son Chris worked on the car on weekends. Between March and June of 2012, the body work was completed and the car was painted, assembled, new glass installed, wired with new lighting installed, new seat, door panels and kick panels installed. The car still needs a headliner installed and the bumpers rechromed, but it was complete enough to be returned to Floyd. Floyd was reunited with his Model A on July 4, 2012 in Manhattan, as you can see he was happy with the results. It only took 48 years for Floyd to be able to drive his Model A Coupe. Hopefully, Floyd and Helen will have many more years to enjoy their Model A. # # # # # # #
Fill out the form below and submit it to: Dave Habersang, 65 Woodbridge Lane, Thomaston CT. 06787 (Attach a photo print of your car or email a digital photo.) cabrioletdave@yahoo.com Model A of the Month Owner: (Owner/owners of the car) Description of Vehicle: (Model) Brief History: (Where and how you found the car.) Condition when Bought: (A short description of the car s condition when purchased.) Restoration done on the car: (Explain the things you did to the car.) Tales of Glory: (Explain some nice accomplishments.)
Northwestern Connecticut A s 2017 Club Officers and Committee Chairpersons PRESIDENT Don Bruno 315 Pineridge Rd. Torrington, CT. 06790 VICE PRESIDENT Paul Dubreuil SECRETARY Nick Nesci TREASURER CLUB APPAREL Archie Bardwell Don Bruno 20 Colin Drive 860-489-7158 Torrington, CT. 06790 MEMBERSHIP Archie Bardwell 20 Colin Drive Torrington, CT. 06790 GOOD CHEER CLUB HISTORIAN Dave Habersang EDITOR/WEB-MASTER Don Bruno Dave Habersang 860-489-7158 860-283-0743