Volume 32 - Number 10 Established 1983 October 2014 Board Meeting All board members are reminded that the next board meeting will be held in the back room at Coco s Restaurant, 5050 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa. The meeting will start at 6:00 pm with an opportujnity to order off the menu. With new board members nominations to be finalized and a busy schedule ahead (including the Speedster Run, annual auction in November, and the January installation lucheon) there will be plenty of things to discuss. All members are invited, no reservations required, and we have been happy to see some take part in our board meetings. Showing at the Museum Showing now: Lead Sleds and Custom Cars (October 3, 2014 to January 2, 2015) Welcome New Member We welcome the following new member to our club: Fred Eivaz 1902 Northstar Way #310 San Marcos, CA 92078 (760) 518-1388 ducat03@hotmail.com 1925 Pickup Congratulations to all the following members who observe an October birthday: 5 Carlos Royal 15 Jim Glendinning 17 Jennifer Hubenthal 18 Scott Lemler 22 James Janz 23 Phyllis Burke Mac MacPherson 26 Barbara French 31 Robin Judd Bill Mendoza Catherine Noxsel The Ruckstell Review is the monthly publication of the Model T Ford Club of San Diego. Annual dues are $20. The club holds a dinner meeting on the second Wednesday in odd numbered months and tours during even numbered months. The date of the next event can be obtained by calling any of the club officers or by checking the Upcoming Events listing in this issue. The club is a Chapter of the Model T Ford Club of America, P.O. Box 126, Centerville, IN 47330-0126. Membership information for the 'National' can again be obtained from any officer. The main publication of the MTFCA is the Vintage Ford, which alone is well worth the national dues of $40 per year. Lifetime memberships are also available. The Model T Ford Club of San Diego 2014 Board President Greg Rising 760-789-9614 Vice President KIrt Simpson (acting) 619-741-1341 Secretary Janna Laughon 619-933-6205 Treasurer Tony Bowker 760-789-3954 Membership Carolyn Lemler 619-469-3042 Tour Chairman Jerry Yeadon 619-405-5852 Editor Chuck West 858-277-5421 Mbr. At Large John Chapman 619-384-2871 Historian Norm Kling 619-445-5525 Sunshine Chm. Judy Burrell 949-492-4255 Past President Kirt Simpson 619-741-1341 National Website: http://www.mtfca.com
President s Message Our tour to the Alpine Railroad was a lot of fun. The owner, Roy, knows everything about the old railroads and loves to show off his. He makes you feel wecome. The run out and back was pleasant and we had a good lunch. The next event is the speedster run in October. If I don t call you to assist with the run, please come anyway on Saturday or Sunday, see the cars, meet the people and eat with us. Call me if you want to help. The annual auction will be held at the November meeting. The proceeds help defray the cost of the January banquet so, bring some nice things to sell. And, bring money. You never know - you might find just the thing you ve been looking for. We have several club members who live in other places. Bill and Cheryl Shumate are in our club and live in Phoenix. They come to the speedster run each year. Tragically, they lost their young-adult son recently. Also, as you may have heard, we lost Lee Pierce to a heart attack on September 24. Life is sometimes short and never certain. Cherish your loved ones. Stay connected. Keep yourself and your T healthy... and on the road. Sunshine Report The only son of Bill & Cheryl Shumate (members thru the speedster run) died at the end of August. John Holthaus and Lee Pierce have both passed away. See their obituaries on page 4 Tony Bowker spent last Friday in the emergency room due to a sudden eye infection Your sunshine chairperson, Judy Burrell, has been ill for the last 3 weeks with stomach problems, We need to keep these families in our thoughts and prayers. Remember to call me at 949-492-4255 or email me at judynjohn@burrellteam.com when something happens, so I can send out cards or call. We care about all our members in the San Diego Model T Club. Judy Burrell Club Website Be sure to visit the club s website. Pictures of member s cars and car data are requested. The website can be reached at the following address: mtfcsd.com - - - Special to Club Members Only - - - A Members Only portion of the club website is available to members using a special password which will change fom time to time. To access this special section, use the current president s wife s name: Cathy. Currently, the club roster is there, but more will follow. 2
Minutes of the General Meeting - September 13 Held at the San Diego Automotive Museum Start Time: 7:16 PM Following an excellent dinner by the BBQ Pit, Greg opened the meeting. Old Business: President Greg thanked the BBQ Pit for dinner, Cathy for decorations, the Phillips and Mendozas families for the cookies, and to everyone else who helped with the set up. Ron Lambrect is taking over the beverage service for our general meetings. The July meeting minutes were unanimously approved by all. New Business: Greg is looking for a nice place for our January banquet. It will be in the $30-$35 range. Email We are collecting email addresses from all members so that we can have faster communication when necessary. Make sure Tony has your current email address. Tony We have sufficient funds to run the club. Norm nothing to report. Tours: Jerry is leading the South County Tour May 31 Sept 20 Alpine/Descanso Tour starts at Histerical Auto Works (Santee) Oct 24-25 Speedster Run in Temecula Nov 15 Hidden Valley Tour to Point Loma Open House and the San Salvador Dec 20 Hidden Valley Club Holiday Lights Tour (Escondido) Jan 10 HCCA tour to Point Loma (pre 1916 cars only) Jan 26 Annual dinner Feb 7-8 Hidden Valley Club tour to Joshua Tree Nat l Park Chuck nothing to report. John Car Club Council s Greatest Show On Turf raised enough to donate $500 to the museum. Sharing: John Chapman s cousin, Edna, is here for her annual visit. Nice to have her here again. New member, Fred Eivaz, has a 1925 Pickup. He lives in the San Marcos area. Where have you been with your T? Greg Recent tour on the Simpson Memorial Tour lots of fun! Tony Took a road trip with Bob Anderson to Minnesota. Bob s only been out of California three time before this, and he bought a 13 Speedster. Jerry Took his fender-less T to use in a friend s wedding pictures. Very popular. Carl Calvert He s been working on Richard Perry s 24 TT. It had a new engine with a part jammed in it, but it had no cam. Special Presentation: Jerry Yeadon talked about his other hobby Cuckoo Clocks. He made a wonderful comparison between clocks and Model Ts. End Time: 8:21 PM Greg adjourned the meeting. Janna Laughon, Secretary 3
IN MEMORIUM John Charles Holthaus May 8, 1950 - September 17, 2014 John Holthaus was the third president of the Model T Ford Club of San Diego serving for the calendar year 1985. He was a talented artist and designed many club logos including our first logo shown at the left. It featured his own car which unfortunately was destroyed in a fire several years later. He was active in the San Diego Chapter of the HCCA. John is survived by his wife, Dede, who lives in El Cajon; son, Dale, of San Diego; and daughter, Deborah who lives back east. Lee PIerce February 5, 1924 - September 24, 2014 Everybody s friend and favorite Model T mechanic, Lee Pierce passed away on Wednesday, September 24. He had suffered a heart attack the Friday before and was in the hospital recovering. A tool maker by trade, Lee could fix anything associated with the Model T and had performed many engine rebilds in his lifetime. He was always ready to help and got many new members on their way. It was fitting that at the national Model T tour, held in San Diego in July, that Lee was honored at the Wednesday banquet with a plaque for his cheerful attitude and willingness to help anyone with a Model T problem. Lee is survived by his wife, Helen, and daughters, Marlene and Janet. He will be missed by the hundreds of those he helped through the years. We will always remember him in his Keystone Cop outfit and his ever faithful 1912 Model T labeled Police Farce Bet You Didn t Know The following articles came from recent copies of the Flivver and Flapper News, newsletter of the Orange County Model T Club. They contain statements that we have all heard but were not sure of the source. Enjoy Early aircraft s throttles had a ball on the end of it, in order to go full throttle the pilot had to push the throttle all the way forward into the wall of the instrument panel. Hence balls to the wall for going very fast. And now you know, the rest of the story. Common entertainment included playing cards. However, there was a tax levied when purchasing playing cards but only applicable to the Ace of Spades. To avoid paying the tax, people would purchase 51 cards instead. Yet, since most games require 52 cards, these people were thought to be stupid or dumb because they weren t playing with a full deck. 4
During WWII, U.S. airplanes were armed with belts of bullets which they would shoot during dogfights and on straflng runs.these belts were folded into the wing compartments that fed their machine guns. These beits measured.27 feet and containted hundreds of bullets. Often times the pilots would return from their missions having expended all of their bullets on various targets. They would say; 1 gave them the whole nine yards, meaning they used up all of their ammunition. Did you know the saying God willing and the creek don t rise was in reference to the Creek Indians and not a body of water? It was written by Benjamin Hawkins in the late 18th century. He was a politician and Indian diplomat. While in the south, Hawkins was requested by the President of the U.S. to return to Washington. In his response, he was said to write, God willing and the Creek don t rise. Because he capitalized the word Creek it s deduced that he was referring to the Creek Indian tribe and not a body of water In George Washington s days, there were no cameras. One s image was either sculpted or painted. Some paintings of George Washington showed him standing behind a desk with one arm behind his back while others showed both legs and both arms. Prices charged by painters were not based on how many people were tobe painted, but by how many limbs were to be painted. Arms and legs are limbs, therefore painting them would cost the buyer more. Hence the expression, Okay, but it ll cost you an arm and a leg. (Artists know hands and arms are more difficult to paint.) Early politicians required feedback from the public to determine what the people considered important. Since there were no telephones, TV s or radios, the politicians sent their assistants to local taverns, pubs, and bars. They were told to go sip some Ale and listen to people s conversations and political concerns. Many assistants were dispatched at different times. You go sip here and you go sip there. The two words go sip were eventually combined when referring to the local opinion and, thus we have the term gossip. Ladies wore corsets, which would lace up in the front. A proper and dignified woman, as in straight laced wore a tightly tied lace. Ruckstell Review October 2014 Bet You Didn t Know - Continued. 5 As incredible as it sounds, men and women took baths only twice a year (May and October). Women kept their hair covered, while men shaved their heads (because of lice and bugs) and wore wigs. Wealthy men could afford good wigs made from wool. They couldn t wash the wigs, so to clean them they would carve out a loaf of bread, put the wig in the shell, and bake it for 30 minutes. The heat would make the wig big and fluffy, hence the term big wig. Today we often use the term here comes the Big Wig because someone appears to be or is powerful and wealthy In the late 1700 s, many houses consisted of a large room with only one chair. Commonly, a long wide board folded down from the wall, was used for dining. The head of the household always sat in the chair while everyone else ate sitting on the floor. Occasionally a guest, who was usually a man, would be invited to sit in this chair during a meal. To sit in the chair meant you were important and in charge.they called the one sitting in the chair the chair man. Today in business, we use the expression or title Chairman or Chairman of the board.. Personal hygiene left much room for improvement. As a result, Winner, many Billy women Shumate, and men had awarded developed Trophy acne scars by adulthood. The women-would spread bee s wax over their facial skin to smooth out their complexions, When they were speaking to each other, if a woman began to stare at another woman s face she was told, mind your own bee s wax. Should the woman smile, the wax would crack, hence the.term crack a smile. In addition, when they sat too close to the fire, the wax would melt. Therefore, the expression losing face.
(Editor s Note: One of the stops on the first daily tour of the 2014 National Tour, was at the San Diequito Heritage Museum. This article apprared in the July 18, 2014 issue of the Encinitas Advocate) Model T collection rumbles its way into San Dieguito Heritage Museum Residents visiting the San Dieguito Heritage Museum take a trip back in time. Around 25 Model Ts at the museum on July 14 made the experience that much more authentic. The Model T Club of America stopped at the museum as part of a five-day tour across San Diego. For two hours, the vintage car owners showed off their rides, dating back to 1908 to 1927. And they answered questions from residents.... Local resident Warren Raps who restored a 1917 model T that can be found at the museum, helped arrange for the cars to visit the museum. Raps has been enamored with the vehicles since he was a youngster. When I was 6, I went with my dad to look at a farm he was interested in buying, Raps said. In the barn was a 1926 Ford Model T Touring with the top up. I thought it was the most beautiful thing I d ever seen. Raps, who belongs to the Model T Club of America and the Hidden Valley Model T Club, said the vehicles have a special place in America history. That was the first car to put America on wheels, he said. Comparatively, they were cheap. Driving them isn t easy, because of the odd position of the throttle, brake and shifter. It took me about six months to get the hang of it, Raps said. It s fun, though. Tony Bowker; treasurer and past president of the San. Diego Chapter of the Model T Club of America, said he enjoys the camaraderie of the events. People in general in the club are real nice, said Bowker, adding that the Model Ts frequently break down, so we re always willing to lend each other a hand. Warren Reps with his restored 1917 Model T Kirby Pray and Terry Loftis at the Museum Jackets Anyone? A couple of club members would like to order a club jacket and if the order can be for a minimum of 10, the price is more afordable. If you are interested, please let Diane MacPherson know (760) 741-9033. Scot Uran Family - Potato Stab 6
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FOR SALE - 1924 Model T, C-Cab truck with 1925 short bed on the rear. Drive every day. Runs great, reliable, a real head turner. From a former member. $14,500 OBO. (03/14) Joe Ditler, (619) 435-0767 or josephditler@san.rr.com. From a former member of many years: 1924 Roadster Pickup - 12v system with alternator and distributor. Ruckstell, 26/27 wire wheels with spare, very good top and leather seat. Very good touring car. Wood bed w/cover. Adjustable lifters. High compression head, external oiler, fuze panel, Rocky Mtn. brakes, turn signals, Running board tool box and fuel cans. Side curtains. Spare running engine with same features as engine in car. Spare engine numbers match those on registration. Car with excellent running engine and spare, Asking $11,000. Very large collection of parts including 26/27 engine (dissambled), alternators, starters, generators, bearings, etc. Value of this is over $9,500. A list of parts is available. $4,000. 09/14 - Rev) Dell Pound 760-685-3461 dellpound@gmail.com Wanted - 1926-1927 Rear Axle complete with brake assemblies and hubs for wire wheels. Drums are optional. Radius rods and torque tube are not needed. No Ruckstell axles. It has to be in good condition and restorable. (05/14) Doug Lested (760) 918-1815 Cell: (760) 845-5194 dlested@roadrunner.com 1917 Oak bed Pickup - Ground up restoration in progress will paint and upholster any color or it will be black when finished. This is a great opportunity to have a say in the finished product. Call for price. NOTE: special consideration given to club members. Wanted - 1917-1923 right rear fender, Emergency brake cam and levers. NOTE: I will buy any and all Model T parts in lots or individually, so get rid of some of your unwanted parts. (09/14 - Rev.) Kirt Simpson, (619) 749-3112 Ruckstell Review Classifieds Policy For Sale items will be listed at no cost and will run for a three month period. Listing will be extended for an additional three month period on request of seller. It is requested that the Ruckstell Review Editor be notified when listed items have been sold so that they may be deleted. When contacting the editor, Chuck West, please be advised that there are two of us in the club with the same name, I m the one on Greyling Dr. My son keeps getting my mail and (fortunately) we are on good terms so I eventually get the information. Thanks. 8
Upcoming Activities Date Activities in 2014 Oct. 8 MTFCSD Board Meeting. Coco s Restaurant, 5550 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa 6:00 pm Oct. 25-26 Speedster Run. Save the date. Details, page 6 Nov. 12 Dec. 10 MTFCSD General Meeting. SD Automotive Museum, Hall of Fame room, 6:00 pm Aucion and Voting for 2015 Board MTFCSD Board Meeting. Coco s Restaurant, 5550 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa 6:00 pm (NOTE: This meeting may be cancelled in lieu of a board meeting in January) Jan. 25, 2015 Annual Installation luncheon. Watch for location. 9