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Volume 27 No. 5 News of the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum Sept-Oct 2019 Phone: 260-927-8022 • Email: [email protected] 2019 CNM A Rousing Success!

Top States in hey came from Attendance: all corners of theT country and Ohio - 33 even from Canada. - 27 Some 275 registra- California - 23 tions and over 160 - 20 Early Ford V-8s New York - 20 gathered in Auburn, Pennsylvania - 15 Indiana, and the - 14 newly expanded Early Ford V-8 Mu- Thirty-six states seum. Read all were represented, about it on pages 3 along with Canada. and 4. All seems reason- able as it was a Cen- tral National Meet, with one exception: California!

23 members and families from that far away indi- cates the terrific support the Museum receives from our friends on the left coast. We were also thrilled to have founder Jerry Windle in attendance! Jerry was The winning ticket for the 1956 Mercury was: heard to say, “I like what you did with the place”. Josh Porte of Fairport, NY President’s & Editor’s Messages 2 The 2nd Place prize of $3,000 went to Mike 2019 CNM 3-4 Cash Donations - New Members 5 Weltzien of Houston, TX “A Great Day in 1936” 6-7 Miscellaneous 8 3rd Place prize of $1,000 to Mike Stump of Ft. Item Donations 9 Ford Store 10 Wayne, IN. Foundation Friends Ads 11 Congratulations to the Winners! Membership Form Back cover

Contents Page 2 Sept-Oct 2019 President’s Message... When rain threatened the Concourse from the Editor... day, Executive Director Josh Conrad Lynn and I got home went to our new neighbor John Kruse last night from the of World Wide Auctions, to see if we The Central National Meet 2019 Central Na- could use some of his 220,000 sq. ft. tional Meet of the building. All the point-judged cars and The big news of course is the 2019 Early Ford V-8 Club Rouge cars fit inside with lots of room. Central National Meet which was held hosted by Regional We are grateful to the V-8 Club for at the Museum in August. As John groups 141, 169 and holding its Meet at the Museum. I want stated in his message, it was an in- 56 at the Museum. I to thank the Foundation members and credible success. We have coverage on pages 3 and 4. The Raffle Winners are must admit that it is still a bit of a blur. members of the EFV8 Club Regional on the cover. I was wearing two hats all the time. I Groups for all of your hard work. am a member of the V-8 Club and of Thanks to Ken and Carolyn Bounds for It’s 1936 R.G. 141 so I was a host. Then I also doing all of the registration work for the was representing the Foundation and Meet . You all made it happen. We received an excellent article from our Museum which was not the host, Joe Floyd entitled: “A Great Day in but a facility being used by the host. I had been nervous about the Meet for a 1936”. You’ll find it on pages 6 and 7. But I was also a host because I was year and did not get much sleep for the President of the Museum Board. Are whole week but it’s over and was a big A New Street Address you following? I feel like one of those success. Now back to reality. We need old electric cat clocks that you’d see on help to sustain the Museum. We cur- We have a new street address and it’s a kitchen wall in the fifties. The black rently have $250,000 in the endowment appropriately named. See page 8. and white plastic one that had its eyes fund and a sizable operating account to and tail going back and forth with the pay the Staff and keep the lights on. Open Seven Days a Week seconds on the clock face. It was fun We have a $500,000 construction loan. and exhilarating but I’m glad that my It is our intention to pay off an addi- Finally! With the hiring of another wife was there to help with the drive tional $100,000 by the first of the year. full-time employee (Nick Miller), we home. We are currently having an audit done. are now able to be open 9-5 seven This was scheduled and is very thor- days a week. What really is great is that so many ough. The audit is a good thing. We people were able to experience the col- can stand on it to show to the world that The “Monument” displays a lections and the Museum. Now many we are on solid ground. Joe Floyd con- Special Message more people know the significance of tinues to contribute by having a genera- this undertaking. What began as Jerry tor backup system installed for the Mu- See page 8 to learn about the real rea- Windle’s dream is now an important seum. Joe has also funded additional son behind our Monument and what it American museum. It was wonderful to track lights for both the Floyd and stands for. have Jerry see the result. As I walked Corey galleries. The generator and around and watched people, I could see lights will be installed this fall. Car Donations the lights go on in their eyes. People appreciated what they saw. They en- The Museum, like any other museum, One came all the way from Dallas, joyed the collection and understood the needs support from its members. Texas. It’s a one-owner 1940 Ford Please consider helping the Foundation Fordor. The other is from Ohio—a mission of the Foundation. People were 1949 Ford Tudor. Read about them on smiling all four days. this year as December draws nigh. You page 9. have seen the letter from Trustee Bill Randolph on how to help with your Item Donations Board of Trustees RMD. There is still square footage available with the “Buy the Foot” cam- President: John Knecht- NY 5/22 Forgive us if we didn’t get all of the Vice President: Craig Floyd - SD 5/22 paign. We’d love to name the original many item donations we received be- Secretary: George Mercer - KY 5/21 building gallery for someone. If you fore and after the CNM. There were Treasurer: Milly Scheidt - NY 5/20 are interested, let’s talk. just too many to list them all! Audie Blaylock - IN 5/20 Henry Dominguez - UT 5/22 Put a trip to the Museum on your calen- And there’s much more. We’ve Tom Johnston - CA 5/22 squeezed a lot into these 12 pages and Jim LaDuc - MI 5/21 dar! John Dick Martin - IN 5/21 hope you enjoy it! Cecil Polan - WV 5/21 Bill Randolph - OH 5/20 The Foundation News is published bi- Frank Scheidt, Editor David Sharp - IN 5/20 monthly by the Early Ford V-8 Foundation, [email protected] John Smith - IN 5/20 a 501c3 Educational Organization Phone: 585-637-8863 (NY) Sept-Oct 2019 Page 3

The Weather was perfect until... Concourse Day!

’32 Roadster driven from New York

The Judging was brought indoors at the Kruse Plaza!

How often do you see a helicopter on a concourse field?

The Touring Class cars and Walk-Arounds had to stay out- doors during the rains. The Kruse Plaza next door graciously allowed us to bring the judged cars inside their massive build- ing, the former Military Museum. The following day, with forecasts of thunder storms through- out the day, was another perfect “no rain” day. So much for A BIG Flea Market with over 30 vendors weather forecasting! Page 4 Sept-Oct 2019

More pics from the 2019 Two Authors: Henry Dominguez (Left) is a Trustee of the Central National Meet V-8 Museum and author of books on Ford. He was in town for our Board meeting and the CNM. Tim O’Cal- laghan, also an author of many books on Ford, made a surprise visit to the Museum during the Meet. Both were blown away with the outstanding Museum.

Starting them Young!

ALL of the Memorial Bricks that have been purchased were installed just in time for the CNM. Sept-Oct 2019 Page 5

CASH DONATIONS Dan Adams, IL (Since our last newsletter) Kyle Aldrich, IN Up to $99 James Brunk, WI Terry Baxter, TX $1000 - $4999 Page Clinton, WI Diane Fitzgerald, IL Kaywin Martin, FL David Coleman, IN Paul Krueger, CT Jerry Vincentini, NE Ray Colesworthy, VA Bob Metcalf, IN Michael Polan, WV Nick Ellis, IL Cliff Miller, IN Bill Reynolds, IN Dave Embling, Grace Navarro, SD Chris Sanders, England $5,000+ United Kingdom Kathy Noble, IN $100-$499 Joe Floyd Carl Felton, IN Henry Otto, MI Jeff Horrocks, MD Diane Fitzgerald, IL Lee Packer, MI Tom O’Donnell, IL Scott Gilday IL Michael Reiling, IN Alfred Reeves, PA Frank Guzik, IN Bill Reynolds, IN Joseph Santoro, NY George Harris, OK Burt Richmond, IL The list of Sq Ft donors since the Phillip Hatch, MI Max E. Selvel, IN last newsletter. Some folks bought Greg Hawk, OH Kim Smith, MI more than once and their additional Joseph Hitchcock, ME Linda Souder, CA feet are listed here as well. Chester Holm, CA Joseph Valentino, CA EFV8 Club, RG #71, TX (1) for Alan E. Bentz Meg Hutchings, DE Erich Veigel, IN EFV8 Club, RG #141, OH (7) David Johnson, IL Dave Whitman, OH Dick & Linda Livingston, IL (1) Michael Kokocinski, OH Dale Wimer, PA Kenneth & Toddy Schroeder, IN (2) Don Leidel, ID

The “Buy the Foot” Campaign is still underway. All do- New Life Member nors will have their name on a plaque in the Expanded George Finley TX Museum. When you reach 9 square feet (1 square yard) you’ll receive this unique Pewter License Plate Tab. Recent Brick Orders

Bryan Allen, MI in memory of “LB” Allen EFV8 Club, RG#1, CA in memory of Mal & Elaine Pino EFV8 Club, RG#1, CA in memory of Tom Morri- son Jeff Hull, IN in memory of Richard Hull Donald & Georgene Iacobucci, OH in memory of Michael Iafelice Salvatore Seda, FL, in memory of Salvador & Gen- erosa Seda

Sam & Sharon Shreve, OH REMEMBER: Your Douglas J. Skinner, SC in memory of Benson Ford donation may be tax deductible under IRS regulations. Douglas J. Skinner, SC in honor of Benson Ford Jr. Page 6 Sept-Oct 2019 !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Six week later two freight cars showed up on the Canton rail- A GREAT DAY IN 1936 road siding. Normally, that did not happen except during harvest season. It was not long before some of the younger by Joe H. Floyd boys in town were down to the siding to see what was going on. When they returned home, they said all they could see was the freight cars were owned by the . here were some years your grandparents can point to as That news got around town quickly and the next morning being very important. 1936 was indeed one of those years. some folks came to see what was to be unloaded from the TAdolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany, Winston Chur- cars. Soon three brand new automobiles and two Ford trac- chill was elected Prime Minister of England, Joseph Stalin tors were unloaded. Mr. Wilson’s mechanics got them started had eliminated all of his opposition to become Premiere of and drove them down to his garage. One of the cars was a Russia and Franklin Roosevelt was getting ready to run for dark red four door touring sedan with a trunk. Folks com- his second term as President of the . The winds mented that was a good idea. Most cars of the time did not of war were blowing over Europe and the United States was have trunks as part of the car body. still suffering from a great economic depression which started with the stock market crash in 1929. The Ford Motor Com- pany had just opened its Rotunda to the public in Dearborn, Michigan.

Our story starts some 83 years ago on a 900-acre farm located in the lower Sioux River Valley in Southeastern Lincoln County, South Dakota on a homestead farm belonging to George and Sarah Reynolds. George had inherited the farm from his father. It is early June and George and Sarah had just finished their noon meal. Sarah was in the kitchen and George was at the dining table reading the local paper.

George says, “We should really go to town and see if we can purchase another automobile. I am just about out of bailing wire to keep ours running, and if we are going to visit your sister in Brookings this Fall, we need to do something.” After harvest, George drove Sarah to Brooking, SD some 100 Sarah replies, “George we cannot because there is a depres- miles north, mostly on newly paved roads recently con- sion on.” George replies, “Do you remember last fall at the structed by the local WPA Administration. However, before county fair we met that gentlemen, Whittie Larson. He gives they left George spent another eleven dollars and had Mr. the news for WNAX radio in Yankton. I was listening to him Wilson install a radio in their new Ford car, so he could listen on the radio in the living room before we ate and he said that to Whittie Larson on WNAX radio. It was a clear channel Henry Ford, in a speech to his dealers in Detroit, announced radio station at 550 on the dial. The station was owned by the the depression was over.” Gurney Seed Company, the same company that sent seed catalogues to your grandparents each Spring. There was a long silence and Sarah said, “Give me a few minutes to get my hat and purse.” COMMENTARY

So, the Reynolds left the house and got into their 1929 Model George and Sarah Reynolds are fictional, but they represent A Ford and drove the five miles to the county seat, Canton, the second-generation homestead farmers in the Sioux River SD, which had its own rail siding and granary. This was delta. It is some of the best crop land in South Dakota. The where George sold their crops the Fall of each year. farmers in this area sold their grains each year regardless of price to keep the soup lines supplied during the depression They crossed the tracks and headed west down Main Street, and helped feed most of Europe following WWII. The farms passed the courthouse square towards Mr. Wilson’s garage are much larger today, and land sells for over $7,000/ acre. two blocks down. As they approached Sarah said, “Look George, he has painted his building, new canvas awnings, For years historians have argued if it was Henry Ford or the signs in the windows and all the lights are on.” They parked beginning of the manufacture of war goods that ended the their car just short of the garage. As they walked towards the Great Depression. At that time when any of the nation’s in- garage George said, “Look Sarah, the sign says they have dustrialists spoke, like Henry Ford or Firestone, their com- financing.” ments were printed in every newspaper in the country. They were like Warren Buffet of today. My money is on Henry As George reached down to open the door of Mr. Wilson’s Ford. garage for Sarah, what they did not know was that thousands of families throughout the United States had made the same Wilson’s garage is fictitious, but there was a Ford dealer on decision. The Ford Motor Company, having fourteen differ- Canton’s main street. There is a picture in the court house ent models for 1936, were about to have one of the biggest showing the dealership with a large sign saying “1934 Fords sales years ever. $520.00”. Early Ford dealers were allowed to sell all Ford products. Sept-Oct 2019 Page 7

There is no evidence as to the ownership of the rail cars used to transport new Ford cars and trucks in the 1930’s. These The V-8 Museum is Invited rail road cars were specially fitted to carry up to four units and were either owned or lease by the Ford Motor Company. to a South Bend Event In the mid 1930’s the Federal Government established the Federal Communication Commission known as the FCC. Through a licensing process they established power levels and frequencies radio stations could operate. In the process they established several clear channel stations which could operate at full power, day and night. As a result, late at night you could hear the great bands of the time from a radio sta- tion hundreds of miles away. WNAX was such a station with the license given to Mr. Chan Gurney, then a U.S Senator from South Dakota. This station can still be heard by dialing 550 AM on your radio.

THE 1936 FORD GALERY

We took one of Joe Floyd’s incredible 1936 Fords, the do- nated black Roadster, along with our 1940 Lincoln Continen- tal Cabriolet to the Second annual Concourse D’Elegance Copshaholm in South Bend, Indiana on July 13th.

There were 74 outstanding vehicles in 11 classes. This was an opportunity to take our Museum to the public. John Knecht, Josh Conrad and Craig Floyd attended the Friday evening Collectors dinner. Saturday morning vehicle placement started at 7am. By our request, the Museum's cars were not Judged, allowing more time to meet the public. Let me personally welcome you to the 1936 Ford Gallery located in the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum in Auburn, The response to the Museum cars was fantastic. The Con- IN. When you walk in you will see it is designed to look like course Organizers are very impressed with our entire collec- an early Ford dealership by Group Delphi of Ft. Wayne, IN. tion and have invited us to participate in the 2020 event. There is a salesman’s desk where you can pick out the model that best fits your needs. Over to the right you will see a red four door Ford touring sedan, like George and Sarah’s, res- cued from a 70-year barn storage in southern Illinois. That is the car we used as a guide for the restoration of many of the models. In the center you will see how Henry made fourteen models possible that year. You will see one of the only remaining model Fords built in Nazi Germany. To the left is how the National Cash Register Company got around the restrictions in many cities that said “No Trucks Allowed”. Then on the turntable, one of the six stainless steel Fords stamped out by Ford for the Allegheny Ludlum Steel Company of Pittsburg, PA for their salesmen who drove them all through the war. The car was completely restored by Lon Krueger of Phoenix, AZ.

Enjoy your time in 1936. Details of the finding and restora- tion of each car is in a book for sale in the Museum Store.

(See page 10) Page 8 Sept-Oct 2019

It’s still 2181, but General Doolittle Drive is gone. We had the opportunity to rename our “street” and chose ROTUNDA DRIVE, since it goes right by our new Rotunda!

But for now, if you mail us via USPS, please continue to use P.O. Box 284, Auburn, IN 46706. For UPS and Fed Ex, 2181 Rotunda Dr. 46706 is best.

Nick Miller and Craig Floyd had the opportunity to par- ticipate in the 6th Annual Lincoln Homecoming at the Gilmore. The David Cole/Ken Tibbot 1940 Continental was in good company with many beautiful Continentals 2004 Ford Expedition Donated and Lincolns. Perfect weather for an event at Hickory Toni Vachon of Indiana donated this car to us. So far, it Corners, MI. The annual event is to maintain and operate has been invaluable in hauling donated parts (3 full loads) the Lincoln Motor Car Heritage Museum. Many people and items and supplies for the Central National Meet. It’ll thanked us for bringing the Lincoln to the event. be put to good use!

Some Comments left by V-8 Museum visitors:

Lots of classic Fords here. If you are into the older cars - this is the place to visit! This is a new museum - and well worth the stop!

WOW! Main focus is a private donor collection of 1936 Fords that is out of this world! Loved it and would go again!

The museum is stretching into 3x it’s previous space which includes showcasing it’s newest donation - one of the 4 re- maining stainless steel 1936 Ford Tudors (which has been completely restored & polished to an eye-blinding gleam!)

We stopped by earlier this week to take a pre-dedication look and while Josh had had a long day, he came around several times to chat with us. He’s the most interactive museum manager we’ve ever met.

We read the book, "All the Bright Places" which inspired us to want to come to Indiana. (The book is about two teenag- ers who want to escape from their small Indiana town. Then they travel around their state to see important or unusual sites.) Then we read about Joe Floyd donating his cars, so we had to come and see the museum and the Stainless Steel Ford! —Grace, Andy G., Joe and Alex from Elkton, South Dakota. Sept-Oct 2019 Page 9

Here’s the donated 1949 Ford Tudor, but that’s not the donor, Dave Koehler of Ohio! This is the previous owner, Mike Pitcher when he loaned us this car a few years ago. Dave bought it from him and is donating it to the museum. Mike Klinger (IN): 1939 Ford Running Gear (complete) Robert Reitz (OH): Several books and manuals Bill Beaty (FL): Floyd Clymers Historical Motor Scrapbook (1) A SCHULTZ FAMILY HEIRLOOM Carol Yeomans (CT): 1936 Photos in Frames (4), 1936 Photos (6) “This 1940 Ford V-8 Deluxe Fordor sedan was purchased in Perry Stump (OH): "Suggested Time Schedule" - FoMoCo Book Hastings, Nebraska by my grandfather, Albert Schultz who pur- Glen Stack (NY): A large 1932-41 Ford Horn Collection chased the automobile from my father, Robert Schultz. The Toni Vachon (IN): 2004 Ford Expedition. original 1940 Ford showroom brochure which remains in excel- Tom O'Donnell (IL): 2 Neon Clocks with Floyd Collections Cars lent condition was found in the glove compartment.” plus a ton of parts and some literature. So wrote Bert Schultz when he donated this beautiful ’40 Ford Ron Dopke (IL): 1 large framed photo of Henry II, Benson & Bill Fordor that was in his family its entire life. It was trailered to the Ford, framed portrait of Henry Ford, plus print ads and brochures. Museum by Jimmy & Connie Gibson of Texas as they made their Scott McGregor (CT): A much-needed Vise way to the 2019 Central National Meet. Bert also donated several Darlene Gunn (CT): Many books in memory of her husband, Charlie automobilia items shown in the photo below. Doug Swanson (CA): Original 1930s Check and Invoice Paul & Joanne Oman (WI): 1953 Ford Pickup Show Room Banner (In Memory of: Robert A. Zecher, Tujunga, CA.) Given by the Zecher Family, C/O Lisa Roberts (AZ): “The Ford Factory”, “The Good Old Fords”, “The Ford Shows” Don and Mary Samuelson (WI): 1937 Factograph Joe & Terry Vetter (NY): 1938 book "An X-Ray of the Quality Car in the Low-Price Field", "1938-39 Chassis Parts List" Jimmy Gibson (TX):1933 thru 1953 Ford Carburetor Collection Charles Pruit (IN): Massive 46, 47, 48 parts collection Lowell F. Beggs II (IN): Magazines, Books, Posters Darrell Harding (MI): 20 Ford Used Cars mirror hangers Mary Ann & Lynn Ewing (OH): 10lb Postal Scale Terry Maldeney (IN): Many 1953 Ford parts EFV8COA RG#36 (MD): Trash Can, Hose Ralph Alix: 1938 Service Bulletins - Mechanical - Book Mike Gall (PA): "The Ford Rotunda" Brochure Donald Storteboom (MI): Bronze Rouge Triangular tool Badge, Silver Ford Postmaster Sav-A-Key, Ford 30 Years of Progress Coin Randy McKean (MI): 2-1932 Engines & Parts

If we missed listing your donation on this page, please let us know. We received a record number of items during the CNM. Page 10 Sept-Oct 2019

1948 Ford Flathead V-8 1/6th Scale!

From HAWK— Incredible Americaʼs Oldest Model Detail! Company

Just $25 plus $7.00 S&H

Call 260-927-8022 to order or mail a check to: Early Ford V-8 Museum P.O. Box 284 Auburn, IN 46706

“THE FLOYD COLLECTION” A 95-page book written by Joe Floyd of South Dakota, donor of his complete collection of 1936 Fords to the Museum. Joe tells a bit about himself $25 + $3.75 S&H and his background, then a story about each and every 1936 Ford that’s featured in this book with ALL proceeds benefit color photos. the V-8 Museum! Sept-Oct 2019 Page 11

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