Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska Tinkering Times Volume 55, Number 9 www.antiqueautomushersak.org September 2, 2015 Model A s Rock in Soggy Soldotna Fredenhagen Fredenhagen At Left, AAMA members mingle with local car enthusiasts at the 2015 annual Rib Fest hosted by Model A owner, Barb Dilley in Soldotna. Above, AAMA cars (all Model A s) are parked at the site of the barbecue: Fredenhagens 1930, Packers 1931 pickup, Kimzeys 1931, Fenas 1931 and Bartlett s 1931. A car show followed at Trusty s Hardware in downtown Soldotna. On August 15 th, a group of Model A s, most of whom are AAMA members, trekked down to Soldotna for Barb Dilley s annual Rib Fest and a car show. As usual when Model A s are involved Jim Fredenhagen was there to lead the group, and he reports that the weather was a little drizzly, but everyone had a great time and incredible ribs. by Jim Fredenhagen This was the 4th Annual Soldotna Rib Fest, and it got started at 8:00 AM at Carr s Huffman in Anchorage with just 4 cars: Jim and Victoria Fredenhagen plus passenger, Larry Yates, 1929 Model A Tudor sedan; Ted and Colleen Kimzey, 1931 Model A Tudor sedan, and Curly and Heidi Packer, 1931 Model A pickup. Bob Bartlett, in his 1931 Model A pickup also came but left earlier to beat the traffic. Weather for the trip was cloudy up to Sterling, where Jim and Shirley Fena joined the group. At that point it became a drizzle that lasted all afternoon. At Barb Dilley s beautiful estate, they met two other local cars, Barb Dilley s 1929 Special Coupe and Dorothy Gray s 1950 Pickup F-1. The ribs were just coming off the grill, and she had everything planned including a 20 X 20 tent to keep everyone dry. A fine potluck included amazing salads and rhubarb pie, brownies, and freshly baked cookies. Plans were for a car show at Trusty s Hardware in downtown Soldotna, but they thought it would be rained out. Wrong. Even with only five cars, people kept showing up in the rain for two hours. Not quite drowned rats, they headed home about 3:30 PM. With an ice cream stop at Summit Lake Lodge, they got back to Anchorage at 7 PM. All the A s made the trip unscathed and everyone got to see if they had any water leaks. Jim planned this trip to be after fishing season in Soldotna to avoid the crowds. It worked quite well and traffic was quite tolerable. Thanks go to Barb Dilley, who as the owner of a 29 Model A Coupe is quite an antique car enthusiast. She extends a warm invitation to our AAMA group every August. September Meeting Join us for some business and the last drive about for the season at our September 9th rolling meeting 6:30 PM at Day Break Center, 9210 Juniper in Anchorage. Our route will be designed by our president, Brian. Last month s drive was planned by Linda and Rich Golding, and Linda guided us to Arctic Road Runner. Thanks!
2 Tinkering Times Running Board Reflections It s funny how things happen sometimes, the little surprises that enhance your day. I enjoyed a couple of them recently, both associated with my 1952 Hudson Wasp convertible. I had been having some buyer s remorse over this vehicle, which arrived with even more problems than I chose to overlook at purchase. Maybe I just needed a sign to boost my spirits. The other day, I stopped by Action Locksmith to have some spare keys made for the car. The set that had come with the car was nondescript, and the salesman didn t know what the keys were for. He spent a long time scanning the massive collection of key blanks before finding some that would work. It wasn t until I got home that I noticed that the new ignition key had the name Hudson marked across it. For a moment I wondered how could the shop have key blanks from a marque that hasn t been made since 1957? But upon closer inspection, I discovered that the blanks were actually made by Hudson Lock Incorporated, a company based in Hudson, Massachusetts, and established in 1963 (made in USA, just like the car). It was just a crazy coincidence, but at least now I have keys that look like they belong to the car. Soon after that, I was perusing Ebay looking for Hudson parts, when I came across a listing for a book entitled Independent Convertibles 1940-1954 by Don Narus (2015, Lulu Press). I didn t find the parts I was looking for, and I hadn t made any impulse buys yet that day, so I thought why not? When the book arrived in the mail, I quickly turned to the page showing an example of a 1952 Hudson Wasp convertible, and the photos Darnell This photo of Brian is the work of Anna Darnell (a top XC skier and senior at Anchorage South High.) It was the first showing of Brian s very nice 1952 Hudson convertible. were of my car! One photo even shows the Minnesota collector car license plate that now resides in my growing collection of excess plates. My guess is that the author didn t venture too far from his computer desk to assemble material for this book, and he simply acquired the images from an Internet site where my car was being advertised last year. I know that there aren t many useful photos on-line of this relatively rare model (220 produced, only five that I m aware of). At any rate, it looks like I ll have to keep this book around as long as I own the car. There are a lot more activities still on tap for us this driving season. Over the next four weekends, we have the State Fair parade and car show, the Classy Classics car show in Palmer, the Adopt-a-Road cleanup and Kendall Car Show, and the Denali Tour. We also have our final rolling meeting in September. Thanks to everyone who is working hard to organize and lead these events. Let s show our support, participate, and enjoy the ride! Brian Last Minute Information Available for Denali Park Tour by Tamea Isham Our 2015 Denali Park trip is scheduled for September 19-21 (Saturday thru Monday.) There are 11 AAMA member cars scheduled to travel through the park on September 20: Allens, s, Drydens, Evans, Fowlers, Hulses, Ishams, Kimzeys, Reese, Stoops, Syrens, and Wiedmers. On Saturday, Sept. 19, at 6:00 PM we have been invited by Monty and Dianne Burbank to a barbecue at their home in Healy. Monty restores Mopars and some of us visited his garage last September. There may be other car nuts from Healy for us to meet and get to know. The Burbanks will provide chicken and burgers. We will provide salads, desserts, finger food, side dishes, etc. If are signed up for this event and your plans change, please contact me at 688-3671 or isham@gci.net September 2, 2015 www.antiqueautomushersak.org 2015 Officers President: Brian Anderson 345-9244 Vice President: Gwyn Wiedmer 243-7005 Secretary: Pam Tanora 868-1575 Treasurer: Donn Reese 245-7203 Sergeant at Arms: Sara Stoops Members at Large Dennis Allen 345-6355 Tam Isham 688-3671 Kurt Rein 344-5554 Past Presidents (10 years) Mike Wiedmer (2013-14) Howard Hansen (2012) Donn Reese (2009 2011) Jeff Hassler/Donn Reese (2008) Jim Fredenhagen (2006-2007) Fred Schurman (2005) Diane Allen (2004) Tinkering Times Staff Editor: Tom Proofing, scheduling and keeping the old man in line: Marcy Send correspondence to: Tinkering Times Tom, Editor P.O. Box 770703 Eagle River AK 99577 or email: tmcresap@mtaonline.net The Tinkering Times is published monthly by Alaska s premier classic and antique automobile club, Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska, P.O. Box 232086, Anchorage AK 99523-2086. Opinions expressed by authors who contribute to Tinkering Times are their own and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of the Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska.
September 2, 2015 One Man s Treasures Our ads are intended for members and others who wish to sell cars and related items. There is no charge, and the ad will run for three consecutive issues before being removed. To pull an ad, extend it or to place a new ad, contact Tom 694-7510. Secured EnclosedStorage West Downtown Anchorage location 9 x18 x7-1/2 high space $125/month for single 2 spaces $225 Dave Syren, 440-2982 Tinkering Times Schedule of Events August 29 Palmer State Fair (Mark Graber) September 7 12:00 4:00 Classy Classics, Palmer Train Depot September 9 6:30 PM Rolling Meeting at Day Break Center September 12 9:00 AM Adopt-A-Road (Sara Stoops) September 12 12:00-4:00 Kendall Show (Milt Tanora) September 19-21 Denali Tour (Tam Isham, 688-3671) September 25 Palmer Senior Center Guys Only Car Show (Mike Wiedmer, 632-1687) October 10 Trouthouse Tour with Model A s (Jim Fredenhagen, 351-3115) October 14 7:00 PM Regular Meeting at Day Break Center (Refreshments s and Tanoras) November 11 7:00 PM Regular Meeting at Day Break Center (Refreshments?) December 12 4:00-TBA at Day Break: Christmas Party 3 For Sale: 1968 A100 Dodge P.U. $15,000. Call Howard at 440-1002 For Sale: 1940 Ford pickup project, mostly complete but apart. Either resto or rod. Has 351 windsor eng also apart. Make offer. In Jewel Lk area. Call Monte Handy, 230-8557. For Sale: 1977 Volkswagon convertible $14,000. Call Howard at 440-1002 For Sale: 1953 Kaiser Dragon $18,000, call Howard at 440-1002 For Sale: 1930 Model A pickup with extra motor; $16,500; Sharon or Skip, 907-229-2369, 907-562-7082. 1940 Dodge Coupe with dual carbs and dual exhaust. $15,000. Call Howard at 440-1002 For Sale: Maxwell 1-Ton truck; worm drive transmission with approximately a 15-mph top speed; engine still turns with crank; needs attention. Registered in Alaska as a 1919, on books in Nebraska as 1917 or 1918. Comes with copies of original Nebraska titles and many interesting spare and original parts. Asking $7,500 with extra parts; will be released in stateside publication in August for $15,000 OBO. Erik Christenson, ekchristenson@gmail.com o r 907-223-8045. FOR SALE: Rolling Model A Chasis; 1930-31; will sell as one piece or as parts; excellent condition! Also, miscellaneous parts of all kinds just ask. Call Lee, 745-4404.
4 Email Incoming: Friendly The following comes from Marion Daley, former Alaskan, who currently lives in Vermont with her husband, Darrel. Marion and Darrel receive the Tinkering Times in exchange for Darrel s publication, the Digital Dispatch, house organ for the West River Radio Club. Are there any ham radio people in our club? We are sure Darrel would welcome a shout at K1KU. Dear Editor Tom and Proof Reader Marcy, I enjoyed reading your newsletter. Your club has an ambitious schedule for 2015. I see the warmer weather has influenced your touring schedule. I also noted that you, like us, are saying too many good byes at memorial services. I guess it comes with the age. Particularly liked and laughed at the Turn, Turn Turn, humorous article by Rich Golding. I like to reread your Tinkering Times. I don t know all the people but I know of the places you tour to and I am familiar with some of the events. Laugh every time I read about Marcy keeping the editor in line. I gather from your calendar of events that once the snow falls most of your touring stops. Am I right? To Tom, I get lots of newsletters from my many organizations and I can really say that yours is the best! How much time does it take you each month? Marion Marion Thanks for the compliment. I don t think anyone has ever asked but after many people contribute information, photos and what have you, it takes me about two-and-one-half days to edit, compose and print. Marcy handles the emailing after that. Tom Fredenhagen Curley Packer displays his trophy for Best Antique Truck at the Hot August Nights show in Palmer Tinkering Times September 2, 2015 Third Annual Kendal Car Show Announced Milt Tanora has announced that the 2015 Kendall Car Show will happen after our Adopt-A-Road cleanup on Saturday, September 12. We usually finish the cleanup at around 11:00, so street cleaners can go directly to Kendall s. If you skip the cleanup, you can show up at about 11:30 to set up for the show, which will run from 12:00 to 4:00. Milt said lunch will be provided, and those who were at the show last year can tell you that means you don t want to miss this one. Tidbits Model A Patches Carl Godsoe again has graciously fronted the money again to bring us 50 Model A Day patches. They re available by sending $5 ea to Jim Fredenhagen, 2720 Valley Forge Cir, Anchorage, AK 99502, or at events between now and Model A Day, which is Sat, Sep 19 th this year. The Anchorage and Valley groups are planning to take a run to Hatcher Pass for lunch and pie on that day. The supply is limited to 50, so order now while they last, and remember to show off your A on Model A Day. Thanks, and thanks to Carl... Jim Hot August Nights Jim Fredenhagen, our Model A guru, reports that there were 11 cars and 5 trucks representing AAMA and guests among a total of about 200 vehicles at the Hot August Nights car show in Palmer last week. This was good participation considering the threat of rain. Two of the group took home trophies: Best Antique Truck Curly Packer and Best Antique Car Jim Fredenhagen. Congratulations on these welldeserved awards. Barry Fowler s beautiful 1919 Model T Center Door was featured on the corner of 9th and Gamble during the 2014 Kendall Car Show. This year, the show will take place Saturday, September 12th after AAMA s Adopt-A-Road commitment is completed. Gentleman s Lunch For Pioneers This is a pioneer centennial event to be held in Palmer in September 2015. All igloos of the state will be present. The theme is Farms, Barns & Colony Charms. We are invited to show our cars at the gentleman s lunch, on September 25. It is a guy s-only event. There should be 100-150 in attendance. Vehicles for the lunch will gather at the Fairgrounds. They want a sign for each vehicle sharing its history in Alaska. Questions: Mike Weidmer, 243-7005 Palmer State Fair Parade and Show Saturday August 29, 2015 Come at 10:00 AM parade starts at 11:00 See Article on p. 6 for more details. Chairman: Mark Graber
September 2, 2015 Tinkering Times 5 Robbie Robinson Receives Posthumous Award The Lagonda Club in America is happy to announce the first recipient of the Lee Duran Memorial Trophy: Harry (Robbie) Robinson of Anchorage, Alaska. Mr. Robinson, who passed away July 29 th, 2014, had been a member of the Lagonda Club for several decades. Robbie and his wife, Marianne, both of whom piloted their Lagondas Robbie, his 1934 Racer and Marianne, her M45 openbodied while racing in Malaysia, had been consistent supporters of all Lagonda events and festivities. Their attendance at the Lagonda Centenary in Springfield, Ohio with their Lagonda Racer was the highlight of the event. When Christopher Claridge-Ware and his co-pilot had an engine failure during the Round the World Rally in the wilderness of the Yukon, Harry unhesitatingly removed his engine and within hours had it air shipped to meet the disabled car at Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Claridge-Ware and his racing partner were able to rejoin the Rally in a timely fashion and without penalty. In London, David Hine and Alan Brown made the posthumous presentation of Robbie s well-deserved Lee Duran Memorial Trophy to Marianne in recognition of Robbie s contribution to the Lagonda Club in America. We excerpted the following from and email Dee Brown sent Mike Wiedmer about the 2016 Palmer Senior Center calendars that have now been produced and are available for purchase. Mike, About the parade, we've decided to put the models on a Senior Center float as we've done in the past, holding a sign showing which month they are in the calendar. We hope to see the antique cars in the parade however, and we will meet you at the yellow gate with our calendars. Will that be OK? Did you receive the info from Sally regarding the calendar-signing event? Luckily, the Monday Farm Market has decided to sponsor us for a Labor Day Monday Event. Hopefully, the antique cars will be there (from noon to 4:00), the models will be there in appropriate costume, live music, & dignitaries. The event will be called "Classy Classics." In the depot, the farm market people will be hosting several contests, so the day should attract family participation with community interests. Looking forward to hearing from you. Dee Editor s note: The Board agreed to At left: Marianne and Robbie are shaded by their Lagonda parasols June 12, 1993 in Gakona, Alaska, where they attended the Joint Meet (AAMA/VLNAAC-F) driving Robbie s Lagonda Racer. Above: the 1934 Racer appears at AAMA s 1992 Fur Rendezvous car show. Tragically, the car was later destroyed in a fire while being restored in Vancouver. Classy Classics to Feature Palmer Senior Center Calendars take part in this event. The event will happen at the Palmer Train Depot on September 7th, from 12:00 to 6:00, with the car show running from 12:00-4:00. Chugiak HS Reunion Show Cancelled by Tom At the August meeting, I asked for volunteers to attend the Chugiak High School 50 th Jubilee celebration at Alpenglow Ski Lodge. When I got no offers for participation, I was a little surprised. Next day, I made some calls and ended up driving my 1938 Chrysler (part way) up Arctic Valley road. It had been some years since I had driven up that mountain (in a modern 4-wheel drive vehicle.) I was shocked that it was so forbidding and rough. On my return home, I notified the Chugiak reunion committee that it would be unwise to take antique car to their event, and they were very understanding. My apologies for my lack of good judgment about the road and for asking you to take your cars on it without first doing my homework. For the record, this event has been officially cancelled.
6 Knee Jerk Reaction Humor by Rich Golding Each of us is granted only so many days on this earth. A finite time period with which to live, love and contribute. Some become kings or presidents, doctors or lawyers, poets or musicians. Some may achieve greatness and even fame. It has been said that each and every one of us has been endowed from birth with some special, unique skill or talent. It is the lucky ones that manage, as they strut and fret their own particular hour upon this stage of life, to realize that special gift, to nurture and exploit it for the good of all mankind. Having trodden the dusty roads of this small blue planet for some six decades, I consider myself fortunate indeed, in having recognized my very own special talent. Singular and solitary, rare and uncommon, yet nonpareil... idiosyncratic indeed sui generis! I am, all modesty aside, the selfproclaimed world s greatest knee driver. Now I realize, of course, this is quite a bold statement. Some of you may be confused. You may not be aware of exactly what a knee driver is. Do not fret, humble reader, for I shall explain. I assure you no one will be left out. A knee driver is that most excellent permutation of the automobile driver, that can, and does, from time to time, control the vehicle entirely with his or her knee. No hands are used to steer the wheel, rather the knee driver skillfully and voluntarily employs the upper thigh muscle to raise the left knee into direct position below and in contact with the lower portion of the steering wheel, thus controlling the path of said vehicle solely and completely with said knee while the right foot is simultaneously used to actuate the accelerator and brake pedals. [source: Encyclopædia Britannica, 15th edition, 2010]. Many of you reading this, well some of you... okay, a few of you, are probably shaking your fist at these words afore yea, screaming at your Tinkering Times and making threatening gestures towards your computer screen. How dare you Rich, crown yourself Emperor of the knee drivers! What impudence, what gall! Know you not of the famed French knee driving legend, Jacques Femur of Nice, or his eminent American counterpart, Mrs. Eleanor Pewty (nee Patella) of Bend, Oregon? Tinkering Times September 2, 2015 I believe some history, by way of explanation is due. Allow me to elucidate. Born to simple parents on the Illlinois prairie. I, like most prodigies, knew not of my special talent, nor my fame to come. Though many years later, my mother did reveal to me, in the strictest confidence, of the wondrous and extraordinary abilities I had exhibited as a small child, piloting my little tricycle up and down the sidewalk, using only my knee to steer the handlebars above. This God given gift flourished as I grew to manhood, and matured along with my taste for transportation from bicycle to automobile. Driving down the street, after having picked up some lunch at the local drive in, I found myself completely unaware of the magic I was performing, as I motored home or crosstown to school, happily gobbling down my Big Mac and fries, using my hands to feed me, whilst my left knee did all the work necessary to steer the vehicle. I would arrive at my destination refreshed and nourished and ready to take on the day s challenges, without ever having dripped a single drop of secret sauce on my shirt. No fries were ever to be found fallen between the seats. All of my ice cold Coca Cola was transferred successfully into my bladder, never a rogue drop ever spilling onto my pants. Later, as a family man, I would often delight and scare relations and friends with spontaneous demonstrations of my knee driving abilities, as I chauffeured them within and about our town. My children grew up telling their schoolmates many stories of their father s miraculous talents. Their little friends would be so curious as to, on occasion, intentionally have themselves invited over to our house for dinner, just so I could be enlisted to drive them home afterwards. Upon returning home and bragging their experience to their nervous parents, many were warned and then made to completely avoid my sons or daughter, but most especially never to accept a ride from their father again. I noticed, too, that my own friends, many whom I and my wife have known for years, began to act strangely around us. Our social circle began to shrink. (See p. 7, Knee Jerk ) PALMER STATE FAIR PARADE AND SHOW SATURDAY AUG. 29, 2015 The details are a little different from last year. The parade begins at 11:00 AM. It is very advisable to come early to avoid the fair traffic. Our staging area for the parade is on the east end of the MAT-SU Borough parking lot. Enter the lot from E. Elmwood Avenue. The Parade ends at the Veterans and Pioneer Home parking lot. After the parade, we will continue as a group to the fairgrounds. The following is the route to the show area: Exit the Vets/Pioneers Home parking lot at Chugach Street and turn right, heading south. Turn right at Outer Springer Loop (at the Shell station) and then take the first left at Inner Springer Loop. We need to use the new vendor gate. Coming south from Palmer on Inner Springer, go past the first gate and the exit gate. The third road is the new vendor gate. Enter at the vendor gate and follow this road through the woods to the orange vendor s parking lots. Bear to the left and go between the orange parking lots. Turn left at the Hoskins Bldg. and follow this road to the show area, which will be just past the Woodlot grandstand. Mark Graber, 863-0056 or 745-8570 lazydogs@mtaonline.net
September 2, 2015 Tinkering Times 7 Birth of New Non-Geographical Region Announced I want to take a moment an introduce myself, my name is Leif H. Mangulson a third generation and lifetime member of the AACA. I currently reside in New Jersey, work full time, and manage to be very active within the collector car hobby. At 30 years old, I am serving as President for the newly chartered non-geographic young adult region, The Greenhorn Region. The GHR is focusing on young adult recruitment via Driver Participation and Historical Preservation of Original Features classes - helping young adults realize you do not need to have a fully restored (Continued from p. 6) Knee-Jerk Reaction Whenever we went out to dinner with them, which admittedly seemed very seldom now, they would insist on taking a taxi to or from the restaurant. Their anxieties related to surviving a ride from me became more and more apparent. They simply did not understand, appreciate or trust the true gift I possessed. I knew something had to be done. To assuage all fears I decided to arrange a demonstration. Not a simple drive around the neighborhood mind you, but something more comprehensive and conclusive. I decided a much longer trip... a journey, might be in order. One that involved road obstacles, mountain passes with steep drops, hairpin turns and the like. Never being one who does anything small I studied long nights, plotting over maps and road atlases spread about the kitchen table, until finally I routed what I considered to be the perfect road trip across our entire country. A true expedition. An adventure! The local press was notified. Much to my surprise I became a bit of a celebrity, and with each request for an interview, I realized the journey would have to be more spectacular, more challenging. This would become more than a trip. I was embarking on a mission to further my fame and claim the crown that was rightfully mine. King of the knee drivers! I believe it was sometime between scheduled interviews with the New York Times and the Today show that I altered my plans and made the decision to drive the entire cross-country challenge in my antique Model A Ford. The switch from journeying in my modern car to the collector car to be a part of the hobby! The GHR is a young upcoming region, with 30 members, and we are looking to build on it, but we need young adult contacts out West to help grow our region, and grow your region as well! Our region is currently FREE from dues. All that is required is that your National dues are paid! Best Wishes & Happy Motoring! Leif H. Mangulson President The Greenhorn Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America Model A seemed to me to add the perfect touch of sensationalism to my challenge. The public ate it up. Suddenly I was a star, even though I had yet to drive a single block, I was news, big news. Parades were established for me in the many towns I would be passing through while traveling along my route. I received requests from mayors to award me the key to their cities. A studio in Hollywood had even called to discuss plans they had for a major motion picture. Trying to remain humble throughout this process becomes more and more difficult. And money became tighter and tighter as the costs for such a grand project seemed overwhelming. I decided that an appropriate way of recouping some of these mounting expenses would be to sell off my modern everyday car. After all, I thought, what will I need that for, since I am going to be driving the Model A? And, in fact, the car sold very quickly indeed, as many prospective buyers perceived it as being the once personal chariot of a celebrity. Last I heard, it had been turned on ebay for a handsome profit. Finally the day came. I ate a light breakfast and kissed my wife and children goodbye. I promised them phone calls and postcards from across the country. Upon entering my garage, I dusted off my Model A, then rolled up the garage door. Along my driveway, and down the street there were crowds and reporters and television cameras lining both sides of my route. Helicopters hovered above my house. I took a few steps out onto the driveway and waved at the cheering masses. The crowd went wild as I turned back and hopped into A Shy Chevy Now what we have here is something we do not see often enough. Ken Evans brought his beautiful but shy 1931 Chevrolet Coupe to the Jay Ofsthun Show and Shine. Antique Auto Mushers fielded over 33 cars at the show. Show total set a record this year: almost 500. Ken s excuse for not showing this car? Maybe he has too many to choose from. and behind the wheel of the old Ford. I slammed the door shut with a flourish of enthusiasm, my body language exuding the confidence my fans had come to expect from me. I gave one final herolike wave from out the driver s window as I started the engine. I remember the local high school band, camped out at my driveway s end began playing a Sousa march and somebody down the street started setting off fireworks. The crowd began chanting what had become my special slogan, my own personal mantra: knee only... knee only... knee only... As proof to my followers, I raised both of my hands above my eye level, in plain sight through the windshield. The crowd cheered again. I engaged the clutch and was about to put the vehicle in gear, when my body went into a complete cathartic spasm, as I stared wide-eyed downward onto the clutch pedal next to the brake pedal. The clutch pedal... a CLUTCH and a BRAKE and an ACCELERATOR pedal!? Three pedals! The cheers of the crowd, the music of the band, the chants of knee only... knee only... knee only instantly extinguished themselves from my mind. I gazed wide-eyed at the three pedals and then up at my two knees. The math was inescapable. Throughout my illustrious career I had always driven an automatic transmission. In quiet desperation I looked back and forth again at all that lay below my lap. " Good Lord, I thought, I was one knee short!
8 Tinkering Times September 2, 2015 Antique Auto Mushers of Alaska August 12, 2015 The meeting was called to order by President Brian Anderson at 6:30 p.m. at the Daybreak facility on Abbott Road. There were 28 present at our meeting. Ken s grandson, Dillon, was a guest at our meeting. The treasurer report is $7,646. Brian presented a letter for contribution to the liability insurance $110, same as last year. Moved and seconded to pay the bill for renewal. Four complimentary memberships need signatures of the president and the secretary. Tom gave a congratulatory shout out to all of those receiving trophies and awards this summer. Tom won the valve cover race, Art Isham was second, and Brian took third. At the Pre Show-N- Shine, Bob Bartlett s Model A Pickup took Best Antique and Donald Morfield s 1961 Corvette won the Best GM. Jim Graham won the Jay Ofsthun trophy for his 1953 Chevy Pickup. Marcy and Tom s 1938 Chrysler Royal received the Mr. Ed s Choice award. Jim Fredenhagen took the best antique car at the Hot August Nights show. What a great summer our club has had! The September issue of Tinkering Times will come out on August 26 th, all material must be submitted by August 24. The Chugiak High School multi-year reunion will include a car show on Saturday, September 26, and all cars are welcome. The school opened in 1964, Tom started teaching there in 1965. The show is 1:00 4:00 but should come earlier to organize cars for the show. The minutes taken by Gwyn for July were read and approved. Mike reported that the 1965-1975 decade was the last for the club to show cars at the Cyrano centennial plays. Seventeen families and 24 cars over six decades were shown at the event. There may be a cemetery cruise in the future. New Business: State Fair, parade and show is being led by Mark Graber. August 29 th, be at the parking lot (same as previous years by 10:00) parade starts at 11:00, after the parade we go through the Pioneer Home arch and then to the fair. We should have tickets to get into the fair. We will get August Minutes parking passes for the fair from Mark. There is no official end time for this event. Sara reported there is a Road Clean-Up scheduled for September 12, 9:00 at Carr s on Northern Lights. Don reported on a car show in Seward over Labor Day, it is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 5, 8:00 4:00, at Bear Creek RV Park. It is a western theme, with three categories. Milt reported on his contact with Kendall about a car show in September. It was decided to set up a car show at Kendall at the Gambell Street (SE corner of Gambell and 9 th Avenue) location after the Road Clean-Up on September 12 th. Milt will provide lunch. (This is the Kendall Porsche Audi Volkswagen showroom parking lot, same as last year). AACA is promoting a Greenhorn Region, trying to get young people interested in the club. There will be no fee. Tam Isham reported on the Denali trip. We will travel to Healy on Saturday, enjoy a potluck Saturday night and then go through the park on Sunday, and travel home on Monday. September 19 21, 2015 are the dates for this event. For the potluck we are to provide salad and desserts our host will provide the barbequed meat items. You must let Tam know if you are going by Monday, August 17 th. Mike reported on the Pioneers of Alaska event scheduled for September 25 in Palmer. The car show is set at the Train Depot. They request that we have signs that give the Alaska history of your vehicle. Don shared about the internment of his mother and her father at Butte. Don has fond memories of his grandfather giving him his tools and promoting his interest in old cars. Scott reminded us that we are to host the Joint Meet next year and need to be thinking about a good plan. There was not a split-the-pot tonight. The meeting was adjourned at 7:35 pm. The Rolling Meeting was to the Road Runner Restaurant on Old Seward, Thank you Linda and Rich Golding. Respectfully submitted, Pam Tanora, secretary Some Eye Candy From the Jay Ofsthun Show On August 2nd, 2015, the Jay Ofsthun Show offered a plenary array of automotive eye candy, but in the AAMA corner were many examples of original automotive crafstmanship. Clockwise: Louie Finch s 1956 Thunderbird, Curley Packer s 1931 Model A pickup, Ken Holland s 1929 Model A coupe and Bob Bartlett s 1931 Model A pickup.
September 2, 2015 Tinkering Times 9 From the Editor: Somehow, Things Just Get Busier by Tom I don t know about anyone else, but things just get busier and busier. Or maybe it is a product of our slowing down, and things begin to appear as though they are zooming by more. For me, this summer has been a whirlwind. I haven t been able to make it to all the events because of travel outside for family events. Consequently, it has been a constant game of hopscotch trying to keep up with the Tinkering Times, even though I had to report on the activities vicariously. Thank goodness, lots of folks offered stories and photos to keep things going. Last month, our humorist, Rich Golding, had to be out at Mayo Clinic a couple of times, once when his lovely wife had a hip replacement and once when he went to get his funny bone checked. Apparently everything was okay, because he came back like gangbusters this issue. Jim Fredenhagen stepped up to bat to supply an ample supply of stories and photos about our Model A contingency. Thanks to Jim for filling up some column inches with the entertaining antics of the Model A s, as well as coverage of the Long Distance Tour to Whitehorse and Dawson. Bruce Campbell also helped there. Of course, others have helped out as usual: Scott Hulse with stories and photos, Tamea and Art Isham with ideas and reporting; Donn Reese always offers great stories and photos. Dennis and Diane Allen have been a great help in various ways, including photos and stories. Then, there is Mark Graber, who has been roped into things, goes along with a smile and keeps me notified of the details. During this year s Anchorage Centennial celebrating, Mike Wiedmer has been our liaison and has kept us up to speed. He has also been indispensable in dealing with the activities of the Palmer Seniors. Finally, Pam and Milt Tanora have been very precise with the minutes, and I have tried to publish them, because they contain details I sometimes miss. Summer activities are not over yet, so look out! Godsoe Model A s Do a Day in Wasilla More goings on: left, Bill and Joyce Chace in Canada Days Parade, Whitehorse; top, Dale Dryden s Model A Taxi; above, Kurt Rein s 1926 Packard. Fredenhagen A total of 21 Model A s, including 9 pickups, gathered at John Tichenors beautiful Wasilla estate on Saturday. The weather was gorgeous and John s crew had good signs for us. This was one of those rare occasions where every photo was good no matter what angle. After a blessing we feasted on an amazing array of 3 flavors of ribs, salads, deviled eggs, and an assortment of desserts. Kim Linse made a very special cake that looked just like a Tudor Sedan and very tasty, too. After lunch John showed us his garage, one of those special places that blended everything a mechanic could ever want size, height, storage, and all the parts you could imagine. Thanks again, John, to you and your family for making us feel so welcome. We ll look forward to another picnic next year! Jim
10 Tinkering Times They re Baaaack Dawson Walt and Sachiko are on they way home!! Art and Tamea Ishams friends, the Dawsons, took this photo on their way home to Texas. More later on Walt and Sachiko s Model A adventure. The Dawsons recognized the Sonnens from photos in our book on the North Slope Tour. September 2, 2015 September Birthdays Louis Finch 3 rd Christopher Harding 8 th Ira Perman 12 th Johann Mueller 19 th Jean Lear 24 th Ken Holland 30 th Anniversary Linda and Richard Golding 11 th Johann and Claire Mueller 30th AAMA P.O. Box 232086 Anchorage AK 99523-2086