THE HUB AND SPOKE We had our cruise in at Advance on the 13th. At first it looked like it was going to hit us with lots of rain. There August 2013 Issue 8 was rain all around us but it never rained on the cruise in. We had Harvey E., Ron and Joyce B., Perry Lynchburg, VA Region, Antique Kellam, Don Jones, Jan and Sara Peterson, Glen and Automobile Club of America Anne Kituskie, , Bob Rox, C.J. Leighton, Owen Burks, Kathy Kellam. Guess who didn’t show up? There were A Club for All Lovers of Old Vehicles two of them. I am not saying who they are yet. I think long distance were Ron and Joyce. If I forgot anyone Kathy Kellam, President, 434.248.9829 please tell us at the next meeting on 8/26/13. ([email protected]) Jan Peterson, Vice President, 434.933.4430 I want to thank Bob and Reva Fox for being our “HUB ([email protected]) and SPOKE” sponsors for August. Remember without Kathy Wesley, Secretary, 434.239.5384 our sponsors we would not have a “HUB and SPOKE”. ([email protected]) Have a safe summer. Ron Blalock, Treasurer, 540.583.0437 Please do not forget our next event in Appomattox ([email protected]) on September 8, 2013. See the flyer elsewhere in Joyce Blalock, Activities, 540.583.0437 this Newsletter. It is important that we support our ([email protected]) sponsors and this great event with all funds going Elizabeth Williams, Sunshine, 434.821.8213 to the JDRF. ([email protected]) Virginia Vallastro, Webmaster ([email protected]) Kathy Don Jones, Editor, 434-609-7199 ([email protected]) FYI go to Facebook @ Advance and you’ll see all that Spoken from the Hub attended the cruise-in. President Kathy Kellam Secretary’s Report Can you believe it’s August already! Well did we all Lynchburg Region AACA Meeting Minutes have fun so far this year? I know that I did and I have Wanda Barnes Recording had some ups and downs. Currently I am working on our club July 29, 2013 shirts. Attendance: 27 They will be golf Meeting called to order by Kathy @ 6pm. She shirts with greeted the gust with Owen Burks collars Treasury report not given accepted with miniscule and short change sleeves. I Sec report—in newsletter will let you all OLD BUSINESS— know at our next Discussion was held on the recent Collector Car meeting. Appreciation Cruise at the Appomattox Advance Auto Someone asked about colors, I will see what I can do. Store on July 13, 2013. Ron Blalock remaking signs—Per Jan Computer I had Don Jones and Chris Jones come over to help problems get my Auburn back on the road. The rain came and Jim Blackburn went to parkway to tell Randy he that stopped them from working on it although they did wouldn’t be there! Jim’s words manage to disassemble the front end. It looks like I might be taking it back home to Indiana. Maybe the NEW BUSINESS warranty is still good. We will see. Owen . Burks invited all to attend the Campbell County th We will be back at Charley’s for our August 26 Heritage Festival Saturday August 3rd.. There is no meeting. Dinner at 5:30, meeting at 6:30. I will not be admission charge when you bring a car. there, Jan, our Vice President, will put the meeting on. Don Jones discussed the fact that we now had a–full Bring your items for the auction. I will be going to page of events in last issue wants to keep it up Auburn for the National A.C.D. meet. .Upcoming shows—see newspaper. Jan discussed his Riley on E-Bay 890 viewings, 44 watchers, no bids 50/50 $23.00 won by Bill Hoskins Jan has 50/50 money in Ron’s absence Auction Lively Jim Blackburn now has a pair of pink satin slippers. Kathy and Jan to talk to Bateau festival committee about participating in the vent next year and into the future. Kathy wants Logo shirts for club. Golf shirts with collar and 3 buttons, will check on prices at High Peak. Registrar /Cashier for the meeting auction was CJ Leighton who reported the most ever in revenue due to items provided especially the Hussey’s tomatoes.
Meeting adjourned. At approximately 6:45 PM/ 1922 Marmon Model 34B Speedster Respectfully submitted – Wanda Barnes The August “What’s It?” HUB & SPOKE SPONSORS Jan Peterson Thanks to the following for generously stepping up to sponsor the production of this newsletter. We greatly appreciate your generosity. January Jan & Sara Peterson February Owen S. Burks March Jamie and Linda Christie and Jim and Pat Blackburn April Kathy Kellam and John & Anne Hussey May Kirby and Syble Nuckols June Chester and Carolyn Leighton July Robbie Harris August Robert and Reva Fox September Jack & Marguerite Shields The drawing above was from a catalog for a short lived New York state-built car. The view is from the rear. October David and Wanda Barnes and Those of you who know such things will quickly realize Claude & Liz Williams that the suspension system shown was far ahead of its November Don Jones & Diana Davis time. Chevrolet did not adopt a somewhat similar December Ron and Joyce Blalock arrangement until the 1963 Corvette. Other American makes came along much later. The auto maker’s unhappy story has a lot in common with the Tucker of decades later.
Visit Our Website UP COMING EVENTS Joyce Blalock http://local.aaca.org/lynchburgva/localevents.htm National Events
August 18-21 - AACA Southeastern Tour • Flat Rock, North Carolina* Local Events August 17, 2013 - Wilson Memorial Ruritan Club Annual Car Show 9: - 3PM. Must be there by 12:30. Entry Fee $15.00/ Located at Ruritan Ground 1010 Wilson Memorial Trail Vernon Hill VA. Info: Conway Goodman 434-476-6000 September 2, 2013 - Moose Lodge Labor Day Car Show. Benefit for Muscular Dystrophy. 9 A.M. until 3 P.M. 934 Waterlick Road, Lynchburg. $10 entry 2nd Saturday of each month, Grand Home fee. Furnishing store, Valley View, 6 P.M. until?
September 8, 2013 – Help Stamp out Juvenile 2nd Saturday each month at Bad Wolf Barbecue, Diabetes and join in the fun at Appomattox Advance Williamson Rd. Auto. Hours: 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Food, Live Auction 4 P.M. until? and great music by Jason Ring. See the flyer elsewhere in this newsletter for all of the details. 3rd Saturday of each month, Advance Auto Offices at Crossroads, 5 P.M. until? September 14, 2013 - Olde Salem Days, Salem VA. Car show and craft fair. One of the best craft fairs and August Sponsors, Bob & Reva Fox car shows in our area. 10 A.M. until 5 P.M. It is best to have your car in place by 9 A.M. $15 fee for pre- Bob & Reva are long standing members of the registration. Call Ron Vanderpool to pre-register, Lynchburg region. They add much fun to our club as phone: 540-387-3301. $20 fee at the gate. demonstrated by this picture of them in costume as Bonnie & Clyde at one of our Halloween parties. September 21, 2013 - Appomattox Auto Works Show. 9 A.M. until 2 P.M. 7169 Richmond Highway, Appomattox. (route 460.) free food all day. Live Oldies Band. No admittance Fee.
September 26, 2013, Monthly Meeting Charley's Restaurant, 707 Graves Mill Road, Lynchburg, Virginia. Eat at 5:.0 and Business Meeting to follow at 6:30.
Area Cruises
Cruise To Puckette’s Place 14465 Brookneal Highway, Naruna VA Saturdays 4:00 – 9:00 PM Next Cruise: July 20, 2013 Phome:434-376-3220
Cruise to Farmville Tractor Supply and Schewles Parking Lot 6:00 - ??? Next Cruise: July19, 2013 Missing from the picture is the authentic looking Darlington Heights Vol. Fire Dept. Tommy Gun Bob/Clyde was carrying, perhaps a piece from the Dillwyn prison armory where he was working Cruise to Altavista- This event takes place in the at the time. They also have a 1936 Dodge sedan, a historic district of downtown Altavista on the 1st fine looking old car that we don’t see often enough. Saturday of each month from April thru October. The event starts a 5:00pm and runs to 8:30pm on Main Street from Bedford Avenue to Pittsylvania and on Broad Street.
August 23 2013 Cruise-Thomas Road Baptist Church. 4:00 – Dark Sponsor: Fire On the Mountain Car Club. FREE ADMISSION
Chatham Cruise – In - The events are held on the 4th Saturday of each month from April through October typically starting at 4 pm to approximately 8 pm, depending on daylight & weather conditions
Cruises In The Roanoke Area Thanks, folks for sponsoring the Hub & Spoke First Saturday each month: Berglund Chevrolet, Williamson Road - 5 till 9 P.M.
2nd Friday of each month, Downtown Buchanan, 5 P.M. until? The State capitol on the US 66 map was relocated to a Mother more direct route to Albuquerque. Road II
Jamie Christie
Nine hundred seventy-nine miles SW from Chicago, US Route 66 crosses into Texas. Not until 1938 was this I78 mile stretch of highway paved with concrete. Today, 1-40 pretty much occupies the original road bed.
A few miles west of the Texas-Oklahoma border is Shamrock, where East/West US-66 crosses Canada to Mexico US-83. In 1936, until the mid-1990's, the Fina Central Avenue, a long Albuquerque thoroughfare Tower gas station, and the U-Drop Inn in Shamrock used as the Route 66 through town, still has many were fixtures along this part of Route 66. motels and restaurants as well as gas stations that Twenty miles west is McClain, home of the Devil's were built in the hey-day of the Mother Road. The Rope Museum which highlights the history of barbed KIM0 Theater dates from 1927 and is typical of the wire. From 1943-1945, this Texas Pan-handle town preservation of buildings found along the original hosted up to 3,000 German POWs. highway in New Mexico. [Look at the street picture on our website and figure out if that Buick in the About 100 miles further west is the main center for foreground actually belongs to Ron & Joyce.] commerce in the Pan-handle, Amarillo. The Big Texan Steak Ranch opened in the '50s and offers a free 72 Gallup is 138 miles west, 20 miles from the Arizona oz. steak, to anyone who can eat it along with several border. Just before reaching this town, the highway sides in an hour. Just south of Amarillo is Cadillac crosses over the Continental Divide at 7,275 feet Ranch above sea level. The El Rancho Hotel in Gallup opened in 1937 and has been restored and maintained to preserve its "charm of yesterday". The town itself is so well preserved it has been used extensively as a location for many Hollywood movies. Twenty-five more miles west is the Arizona border.
It took until the mid 1930s to fully pave the 400+ miles of the highway west across Arizona. In some places, wooden planks served as the where a group of 10 Cadillacs were buried nose first in road bed over Arizona sand 1974, with their fins pointing to the sky. Models range [US Bureau of Land from a 1949 to a 1963. [The Cadillacs have become a Management photo]. garish palette for graffiti artists since this old Internet photo was taken.] The first section of the road passes through the Navajo Twenty-three miles from the New Mexico border, the Indian Reservation. The little town of Adrian is the half-way point between Petrified Forest National Park and Painted Desert are Chicago and Santa Monica. The aptly named Mid Point nearby sight-seeing destinations. Just beyond these Café has been serving travelers here since the 1920s natural attractions is the Wigwam Village Motel in ... beginning with a one-room dirt floor facility. Holbrook which has offered overnight accommodations Tucumcari, New Mexico is the next major city west of in concrete teepees since the 1950s. The Jackrabbit the Texas border. Road weary travelers often stopped Trading Post, since 1947, is another local man-made in Tucumcari motels such as the Blue Swallow which attraction. opened in 1942. Just west of the Jackrabbit is Winslow, and the LaPosada Hotel which opened in 1930, and was Originally, Route 66 went NW from Santa Rosa to developed by Fred Harvey and the Santa Fe Railroad. Santa Fe. In 1937, the "Santa Fe loop" to include the Just beyond Winslow is the visitor center to view the Meteor Crater-2.4 miles in circumference, and 550 feet deep ... (20 football fields would fit inside). This hole was created when a meteor crashed into the earth some 50,000 years ago. Up the road a few miles lies Flagstaff, a popular base for visits to the Grand Canyon, 65 miles north. Flagstaff has many of the old original motels still functioning, as well as other Route 66 businesses such as cafes, diners, gun shops, and souvenir outposts. Another 35 miles west is Williams, the last town on the old road to be bypassed by the interstate, in 1984. Original buildings, period motels with flashing neon, make Williams quite a nostalgic stop. Williams is also the terminus of the Grand Canyon Railway. Forty miles further on is Seligman and the best Dale Evans Museum is located in Victorville [now preserved section of Route 66 in Arizona. Beyond that closed –“Sic transit gloria mundi”]. are Kingman and Oatman, and a white-knuckle, curved and mountainous road through the Mojave Desert. It is San Bernardino is 40 miles further West, through easy to understand why water bags and ice were a Cajon Pass into the San Bernardino valley. Another required purchase prior to venturing further on what concrete Wigwam Motel is just west of San Bernardino was once referred to as the National Old Trails in Rialto. Bono's Restaurant, since 1936, is between Highway. [The water bag shown was on eBay when Rialto and Fontana. Twenty-five miles further is Azusa, this item was written. It had a “buy it now” price of home of one of the last drive-in theaters on the old $66.00] road, The Foothill Drive-In.
Just across the Colorado River and the California state Further along are Monrovia and the Aztec Hotel built in line is Needles. Since 1934, the highway from here 1925. From here, US-66 heads toward Pasadena and through Barstow, Victorville, San Bernardino, Colorado Boulevard, site of the Tournament of Roses Pasadena, all the way to Santa Monica, was paved. Parade. Needles still has several lodging facilities surviving from the late 30s including a vintage Harvey House. Beyond Hollywood, US- 66 finds its way to Santa US Route 66 continues on to Barstow, now the junction Monica Boulevard to the end of the Mother Road at of I-40 which has shadowed US-66 since Oklahoma Ocean Avenue in City, and I-15, north from Las Vegas and south from Palisades Park. San Diego. This is the No access to the place where Internet was used in the travelers could development of this choose to article [except some continue west pictures]. to Bakersfield or head Sources: southwest to *Rand McNally Road Victorville Atlas 1956, 1964, 1977 towards San *Travelling Route 66, Bernardino. Nick Freeth,2001 The Roy *Route 66, Quintan Scott and Susan Croce Kelly, 1988 Rogers- *Route 66 Remembered, Michael Karl Witzel, 1996 *Route 66 The Mother Road, Michael Wallis, 1990 *Roadside America, Jan Jennings, 1990 *Road at Ocean Avenue in Palisades Park.
Visit Our Website
http://local.aaca.org/lynchburgva/localevents.htm The August “What’s It?” Revealed Now the Tucker similarity: Birmingham manufacture was to be supported by sale of stock shares, much as Tucker did. Like Tucker, rumors got out that Birmingham was actually a scam. The Federal government looked into it and during the extended investigation period people would not buy their cars, much less their stock. Birmingham was eventually cleared but by then the company was bankrupt. Sound like Tucker to you?
Per Mr. Seeley, about 47 to 50 Birmingham automobiles were actually produced, but none were known to exist in 1974. Seen one since then? If not, look under just about every new car on the market today and you will see a variation of the Birmingham’s fully independent suspension system
Editor’s Note: I failed to run the answer to Jan’s always great puzzles so I chose to run the entire piece again for all to enjoy. Sorry for the error Jan. Studebaker’s Tree Sign to be Restored for 75th Anniversary
Daniel Strohl
As you recall, the family of our late member Fred Hepinstall gave us Fred’s collection of the Antique Automobile magazine. They are available to any member on request. In the meantime, I’m finding fascinating stuff in these archives. For example:
The November-December 1974 issue carried a lengthy story by Walter S. Seeley about the Birmingham automobile of 1920-24. The Birmingham originated in Detroit but production, such as it was, moved to Jamestown, NY. The Birmingham was an “assembled” Photo courtesy St. Joseph County Parks. car, much like Lynchburg’s Piedmont. “Assembled” means it was built out of components purchased, not At 75 years old, any Studebaker will show a little wear manufactured by the Birmingham Company. and tear and probably require some restoration work, and the world’s largest (and greenest) remnant of the The unique feature of the Birmingham car was its all automaker – a half-mile-long sign made up of pine independent suspension. Most cars of the 19-teens trees outside New Carlisle, Indiana – is no exception. and ‘20s were using rigid axels front and rear, with all Left to suffer damage from storms and invasive plants, of the passenger jolts and handling inadequacies “cart” the sign may be getting help soon, now that an effort springs imply. Not the Birmingham. has begun to raise funds for its restoration and preservation. Birmingham’s makers used to take their production samples to fairs and other public places then lay a “road” of offset logs for their car to navigate. No other With a $9,000 challenge grant from the Wisconsin- car of the day could drive on the logs without shaking based Jeffris Family Foundation in hand, the St. itself and its passengers silly. The Birmingham Joseph County Parks and Recreation Department now independent suspension took the logs in comfortable has to match that amount in donations to secure the stride. grant, which will provide for the removal of dead trees and undergrowth as well as the planting of new trees to would step out of his famous fathers shadow and make fill in damaged letters of the sign, which is on the his own mark by founding Dodge Boat Works in National Register of Historic Places. Evie Kirkwood, Detroit, Michigan in 1923 with a $2 million dollar director of the department, said that about 2,000 red bankroll from his mother Anna Thomson Dodge. In and white pine trees are left in the sign and that every early 1924 Horace Jr. produced the first "Dodge Water storm that comes through the area topples a few more. Car". By 1930 Dodge Boat Works was known as The “These pine trees are not the longest living when Horace E. Dodge Boat and Plane Corporation and was planted in our area, and because they were planted so at this time located at a larger facility in Newport News, close together, they’re now stressed and don’t have Virginia, although Horace still owned facilities in Detroit the root systems they should,” she said. “The trees that too. The 1920s were a prospering time for Dodge Boat are left have filled out their crown and filled in any Works, however by 1936 his operations had shut down potential gaps, so we won’t know how many trees will due to the Great Depression, and a few years later need to be replaced until the dead trees and briefly re-opened during World War II to make military underbrush are removed.” crafts but shut down for good after the war
8.5.1882 - The Standard Oil Company of New Jersey The Civilian Conservation Corps planted the 5,000 or so trees that made up the sign in 1938 on what was was established on this day as part of the giant then the Studebaker proving grounds, established a Standard Oil Trust. The trust had been organized dozen years prior. Studebaker sold the proving earlier in the year, bringing together John D. grounds to Bendix in the mid-1960s, and Bendix later Rockefeller's oil empire under one central donated the part of the proving grounds that contains management, run by Rockefeller and an "inner circle." the sign to the county before eventually selling the The Standard Oil Trust became the first great remaining proving grounds to Bosch. While the sign monopoly in American history, eventually acquiring 90 survived the last 75 years with no maintenance budget, percent of the world's oil refining capacity before it was the parks department began to look into preserving the ordered to dissolve in 1892. sign in 2011 with a study that considered the health of 8.9.1912 - The Sterling Motor Company is the trees and suggested long-term management incorporated by William C. Durant, J. Dallas Dort, strategies for the sign. Curtis R. Hatheway, Edwin R. Campbell, and Fred A. Aldrich as part of the corporate web created with the To raise the matching funds, the parks department will Chevrolet Motor Car Company. apply for local and regional grants as well as appeal to the public, offering individual letters in the sign for 8.13.1898 - After a visit to the Winton plant with his “adoption” at $2,000 per letter. brother William, James W. Packard purchased a Winton automobile #12. However, the car turned out to In addition, the parks department has planned a 75th be a poor purchase. Dissatisfaction with it would anniversary celebration for the sign that will include an prompt Packard to build his own car and establish the all-Studebaker car show and presentations on both Packard Motor Car Company. CCC and Studebaker history. The celebration will take 8.18.1937 - The Toyota Motor Company, Ltd. is place September 21 at Bendix Woods County Park, established by separating the automotive department the location of the giant sign. For more information, from the parent Toyoda Automatic Loom Works visit SJCParks.org. 8.22.1901 - The Cadillac Company, named after Ed Note: Used by permission Hemmings Daily Post, eighteenth century French explorer Antoine de la Daniel Stohl, Editor Mothe Cadillac, founder of the city of Detroit, was established on this day. Henry Leland, a former Yes you may say I have a love for Studebakers. mechanic and precision machinist, founded the However this is a note worthy piece of company that would come to be known as the Automotive history for a truly unique sign that can maker of America's luxury car. be found at the former Studebaker Test Facilities 8.24.1832 - Nicolas Carnot, a pioneer in the outside of South Bend IN. This sign is listed on development of the internal combustion engine, died in the National Register of Historic Places. These Paris at age 36. The import of advanced British facilities are still in use today and owned by the engines dismayed Carnot, for he saw how far behind BOSCH Corporation. French design had fallen. However, his own work would change that. He would go on to develop the This Month In Auto History Carnot cycle and Carnot efficiency, improving the efficiency of all types of engines. August .2.1900 - Horace Elgin Dodge Jr. is born in 8.25.1921 - Six-Cylinder Love, one of the first full- Detroit, MI. The son of auto baron Horace Dodge Sr. length plays based on the motor car, opened at the Sam H. Harris Theatre in New York City. The play It’s Worth What??? Five classics you’d never traces a family's purchase of an expensive car and guess are so valuable their resulting woes. Several car-based musicals proceeded this show. A silent film version of Rob Sass the play was produced in 1923, and a talkie starring Spencer Tracy followed in 1931. Some classics wear their price tags on their sleeves. 8.26.1957 - The Ford Motor Company rolled out the Look at a fuel-injected ’57 Chevy Bel Air, and it’s first Edsel automobile on this day. The car was named immediately apparent that it’s valuable merchandise. after Henry Ford's son, Edsel Bryant Ford. 110,847 On the other hand, there are the sleepers of the classic Edsels were built before the company pulled the plug car world, the cars that are worth a lot of money but it’s after three years due to lack of sales and negative only obvious to those in-the-know. Your Accord-driving press. Ironically, market research conducted just a few neighbor would, for example, never guess that the years earlier had pointed to the Edsel's success; proceeds from a restored VW microbus could put his consumers had said they wanted more horsepower, kid through college at a very good state school. Here tailfins, three-tone paint jobs, and wraparound are five you’d never suspect of being quite pricey: windshields. However, by 1957, fickle consumers had changed their minds, and despite a relatively low price, Edsel sales lagged. Today, due to the limited number produced, the Edsel has become a collector's item.
8.28.1921 - Construction of the Paragon Motor Company factory began in Cumberland, Maryland. The company's production was limited to only four prototypes, and the factory was never completed.
8.29.1885 - The world's first motorcycle, made by Gottlieb Daimler, was patented on this day. The two- wheeled vehicle gained immense popularity after 1910, when it was used heavily by all branches of the armed forces during World War I. The motorcycle's popularity lagged during the Great Depression, but came back Volkswagen “Samba” Microbus: There’s a simple with a vengeance after World War II and remains rule of thumb with VW Microbuses: More windows popular today. Often associated with a rebellious equals more money. The 21- and 23-window versions image, the vehicle is often used for high-speed touring of the venerable ’50s bus can bring money that would and sport competitions. shock the hippies who ran them into the ground in the 1960s—around 70 grand for a nicely restored one. 8.30.1945 - A pale green Super Six coupe rolled off the They’ve even been known to break $100,000 at the Hudson Company's assembly line, the first post-World right auction. War II car to be produced by the auto manufacturer. Like all other U.S. auto manufacturers, Hudson had halted production of civilian cars in order to produce armaments during the war. The Super Six boasted the first modern, high-compression L-head motor, though it garnered its name from the original Hudson- manufactured engine produced in 1916. The name stayed, though the engines became more sophisticated.
Visit Our Website http://local.aaca.org/lynchburgva/localevents.htm Fiat Jolly: The Jolly was an open-top version of the classic Fiat 500 that was meant to be stowed onboard yachts and used as transport in places like Monaco and Positano. They have no doors, the seats are made of wicker and the tops are meant only to provide shade. Appallingly cute, the pint-sized Jolly can sell for upwards of $70,000. BMW Isetta: Prior to becoming known as the ultimate Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser: The classic Jeep-like driving machine, BMW suffered from a case of bipolar 1960-1984 Toyota Land Cruiser was one tough disorder, selling the super-expensive V-8 507 roadster vehicle—so tough that they invited horrific abuse, and the tiny egg-like Isetta microcar out of the same which explains the dearth of clean examples. A nicely showrooms. It’s no shock that the gorgeous 507 restored one sold at an auction in Scottsdale, Ariz., last roadster sells for a ton of money, but the fact that January for $88,000. We’ve heard stories of $100,000- Isettas can pull more than $40,000 is surprising plus examples. In response to FJ40s getting so indeed. expensive, first-generation 4Runners are starting to increase in value. Don’t say we didn’t mention it. Editor’s Note: Used by permission of the author and Hagerty’s Classic Cars Weekly Edition.
Cars and People at Advance Auto, 13 July 2013
On a rain threatening Saturday, several of us met at the Advance Auto store in Appomattox. The gathering was both in support of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and in recognition of the National Car Collectors Day [formal title?].
In the first picture is Perry Kellam’s VW pick up, an original Rabbit. The blue wagon is Kathy Kellam’s Ford Escort of 1976, also bought new. Perry is seen looking at a Studebaker with its mouth open.
Ford Bronco: The humble 1966-77 Ford Bronco was a product of the same team that brought us the classic 1964½ Mustang. Unlike the Mustang, which sat on Ford Falcon underpinnings, the first Bronco was a totally unique platform. The size and shape were just right, and collectors have latched onto them in droves. Totally stock, unrusted Broncos without cut fenders and flares are rare; it takes around $30,000 to get a nice one.
The Studebaker, a 1963 Gran Turismo Hawk, belongs to our editor, Don Jones. and the 50+ mile trip from Bedford to Appomattox did not phase the car or the driver.
Harvey Elder brought his 1960 Edsel. Note the “Continental Kit” and the chromed fender skirts, rare Owen Burks brought his 1994 Chevrolet Camaro. period accessories. This Edsel convertible is one of Owen is working to get this future classic into the same very few left in the world. Ford dropped the Edsel line condition as his 1968 Camaro SS, although perhaps of cars shortly after the 1960 models were introduced, without the “trailer to match,” as they used to say in the making all 1960s uncommon. As always, convertibles designer ads. sold in very small numbers so ’60 convertibles are scarce to a point well beyond mere uncommonness.
Glenn & Anne Kituskie drove their last series MGB. Glenn & Anne have become regular attendees at our events. They have a Model T Ford as well.
The local boys tended to ignore the uncommon Edsel. But then, pickup trucks have their charms too, although rarity is not often one of them. What can we expect of the hoi polloi? [Be sure to read that while looking down your nose.]
President Kathy is seen Kathy chatting with Bob Fox seated in his 1930 Ford Model A rumble seat coupe. Ron Blalock is explaining the intricacies of his 1838 Our club could have a sadistic competition, offering a Buick to President Kathy. Joyce Blalock is observing generous prize to the member who enters and exits from inside the car. Ron drives his Buick everywhere that rumble seat in the least time. But then, Bob might find one of us trapped forever in the back of his car, when the old joints failed to cooperate during the exit FOR SALE:: Many 50-52 Studebaker parts including part of the contest. body parts, fenders hood and more. Also some engine parts including fuel pumps. Also some AMC parts Interested call Don Jones 434-609-7199 for more info.
For Sale: Old shop manuals, auto books, and other items for sale. From the collection of Fred & June Heppinstall, long time Lynchburg Region members. Call their son Fred at 813 835 0997 or Nancy at 813 965 1522 to see the items in Lynchburg. Email: [email protected]
Wanted: 1961 Set of Virginia tags for my Studebaker P/U. Will pay a reasonable price for a good to excellent set of tags. Contact Don Jones if you have a set or a lead on one.
Wanted: Need something or want to sell an item? Why not place it here? Email or mail it to your editor – Don Jones. Finally we see Harvey Elder discussing Model T Fords and other things with C.J. Leighton. That’s the wheel of C.J.’s 1926 Model T pick up in the foreground. The Peterson’s ’66 Riley Kestrel and the Blalock Buick can also be seen.
1947 Morgan Super F – Three Wheel Roadster
Editor’s Ramblings
Just over eight months ago my phone rang and on the other end was one Kathy Kellam. Who is this I wondered and then she told me. After a few minutes she asked out of the clear blue sky would I edit The Hub and Spoke. After picking myself up off of the floor We need not mention subjects that might be included in this report such as the weather, the delight of I told her I had to think about it as I had never edited a newsletter before. Well you all know the rest of the showing cars on black top in mid-summer, the meager story. turn out of spectators, the fact that, in spite of the good company, we didn’t elect to eat together after the show It has been a very busy eight months for Diana and I because of the threatening skies, and ...... the weather. as we have moved, gotten our new home together and We should, however, not forget the graciousness of jumped feet first into our new community as volunteers our Advance Auto hosts, the non-AACA cars and folks at the Museum of the Confederacy, members of the in attendance, and the chance we have to do it all 1865 Society as well as the Appomattox Historical again at Advance Auto on September 8. Society. In addition I have additional roles within the Studebaker Drivers Club and the Avanti Owners CLASSIFIEDS Association International. Diana is in the process of volunteering at a local hospital and with the Red Cross. )FOR SALE: Fifty Seven (57) years of Motor Trend To say the least we are extremely happy to be here Magazines (1950 – 2000). Some missing issues. and sure glad to be part of the Lynchburg Region $300.00 Call Jamie Christie 434-525-3720. AACA and hope to be for many years to come as we are home and plan no more moves of any sort. I want to personally thank our member Owen Burk for the tremendous job he did in organizing the Campbell County Heritage Day Festival Car Show. At my last count there were 63 cars on the field and our club was well represented. There will be more on this next month with pictures to boot.
Now as Jan mentioned at our last meeting in Brookneal, our up coming meeting on August 26th at Charlie’s Restaurant is the most important of the year. At this meeting we will be appointing a Nominating Committee and asking them to assemble a slate of Officers for 2014. It is an awesome responsibility to be Linguists have already noted how the term “redneck” an officer in a club of any type but one that can provide has gone through a reappropriation transition in recent much satisfaction. Please consider stepping forward years, becoming less of an epithet and more of a and stand for election to one of the many offices that means of group participation through self-idenficiation. are available within our club. I have served in many At the same time, we’ve seen a shift in the use of the roles in different organizations from another AACA word as an adjective, becoming less a term to describe Region to positions in Service Organizations and something shoddy and careless and more a term to Charitable Events and always enjoyed the challenges describe anything improvised; moving along the and opportunities each presented. I know there are spectrum from “half-baked” toward “MacGyvered.” We many within our club that feel the same so why not presume that Dale Osterman used it in its latter volunteer for a role before being asked to do so. meaning in his story on My Hemmings when describing the paint booth he set up for his 1976 Pontiac Trans By the way please come to the Advance Auto Show in Appomattox on September 8tth. Last year it was my Am. first appearance at an event in the area and that’s right I was the one driving the Studebaker P/U. I’ve been Dale, of Prattville, Alabama – who a few years back asked several times this year about the truck and sent us some family car photos – bought the Trans Am where it was. Trust me it is safe and sound secured in in 2004, calling it his “mid-life crisis car,” and put it into our garage still loaded with some of the art work that use as a daily driver for the next six years. While he we have not yet hung and need to decide what to do removed the wheel spats and decals during this time in with it. Yes, the overdrive transmission still rests in the preparation for the pending restoration, it wasn’t until bed also. Details of this show are located elsewhere in 2010 that he began to tear it down in earnest, sanding this newsletter and it is bigger and better including live and priming the body in his backyard without need for entertainment by one of the most incredulous one man a garage. Instead, he put up a picnic shelter with flyscreens and went to work. The carport that he built last year appeared to come in handy for painting the whole car too. With all but one coat of clear on the bands I have ever had the pleasure to watch and listen Trans Am (he’s saving the decals for after that last too. coat), he’s satisfied with the results enough to share some photos with us here. Thanks for reading my ramblings and giving me the opportunity to be your editor. Editor’s Note: Thanks Hemmings for sharing See you in the future as I write about our past.
Don