FEBRUARY, 2021 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF RICHMOND REGION ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF AMERICA.

INSIDE FRONT COVER

SEE PAGE 2 FOR INSTRUCTIONS

FEBRUARY, 2021 -

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF RICHMOND REGION, AACA

ON THE COVER Russel Shon in Georgina See story, pages 4-6 JOE GUCKERT President C O N T E N T S [email protected] FROM THE PRESIDENT ...... 3 ANTIQUE & UNIQUE ...... 4-6 ANDY FUHRMAN 2021 AACA National Activities ...... 6 Vice-President CLUB COUNCIL [email protected] OF CENTRAL VIRGINIA...... 7-8 A SPECIAL TRIBUTE ...... 8 DEBBIE NOLEN MINUTES ...... 9 Secretary BITTEN OR INHERITED? ...... 10-11 IT’S NOT THE , MERT FOWLKES IT’S THE MEMORIES ...... 12 Treasurer WHEN DID CHECKER [email protected] CHECK OUT? ...... 13 NEW VIRGINIA LAWS ...... 14 BRUCE WOODSON HOW MANY CAN YOU IDENTIFY? ...... 14 Director 1916 FORD POSTCARDS ...... 15 FROM THE EDITOR ...... 15 JOHN SMITH CLASSIFIEDS ...... 16 Director [email protected] VIRTUAL MEETINGS BEFORE EACH VIRTUAL MEETING YOU WILL RECEIVE IINSTRUCTOINS BY EMAIL KENNY BAKER ON HOW TO JOIN IN THE MEETINGS. Director YOU MAY JOIN IN BY COMPUTER [email protected] OR BY TELEPHONE.

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Joe Guckert

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Antique & Unique

By Jennifer Schontg

S I STEPPED OUT of the bit- chanics and says that everything A ing cold and into the garage, a he knows about cars and motors small propane heater added has come from taking things enough warmth to take the edge apart to see how they work and of winter’s chill. On the table to from going to the library to read Russel SHon & Carolyn Belgrad my right lay a clutter of fasteners, up on things when he gets tools, and scrap materials, like so stumped. “I did join a 4-H tractor school,” he said. “My father bribed many pieces to an unassembled club as a teenager and learned a me and said that if I read three jigsaw puzzle. To my left, Georgi- few things, too. But I was ahead books over the summer, he would na sat, a task lamp fixed to her bed of the class, because I figured out help me buy the tractor. I was with even more pieces of the puz- a lot of things on my own tractor tickled to read those three books!” zle sprawled across her. She was before that. By the end of summer, he got his Russel Shon’s latest project – a The tractor was his very first tractor. The young Russel eagerly dilapidated 1921 Ford Model T motorized vehicle. When he saw set to work taking it apart, put- touring car that he was converting it for sale for $75, the fourteen- ting it together, and figuring it into a pickup truck. It had been year-old Russel was eager to pur- out. christened ‘Georgina’ by his wife, chase it, but the cost was beyond At age 15, Russel got some ex- Carolyn. “It was time to give one the means of a poor country boy. perience working on cars as well, of the old cars a girl’s name,” she His father offered to help him thanks to a wealthy older man in chuckled. make the purchase, but his offer the area with a thirty-year-old “I stumbled upon this one; I had a catch. “I had trouble read- Packard. “It had sat for ten years like her because she’s cute and ing and wasn’t doing well in and the old man let me play with rusty.” Russel was talk- ing about the car, of course. I asked him why he was making the car into a pickup. “Well, the seller had the parts for both options, for re- storing the car to a tour- ing and for turn- ing it into a pickup, and I opted for the pickup version as opposed to putting it back the way it was. It was more fun working with the wood, it let me be creative and do it ‘my way’”. Doing it “his way” is something that has been driving force surround- ing Russel’s interest with motor vehicles his entire life. He has never gone to school for me- Russel in Georgina.

4 - FEBRUARY, 2021 it. I got it running again.” His en- cars and trucks is that he counter with the Packard not only prefers to keep them look- gave him experience with working ing old, as opposed to fix- on cars, but also resulted in the ing them up. “Some people shady acquisition of an unusual like to fix it up and paint it automobile decoration that is still and shine it and polish it in his possession over fifty years and have all the wheels later – a small, cut glass, wall- match and have all the mounted flower vase. spark plugs match, but I “I stole that flower vase. There want to drive it and make were two of them in the 1929 it dig and make it spin and Packard I was working on. I can’t make it do donuts in the 1930 2-door. tell you why I stole that vase – it field!” he says enthusias- just attracted me. The old man was tically. Russel explains wealthy, and he let me play with that he likes a vehicle that is dual time, he was driving his second that car. I knew it was going to -purpose and who’s paint you road-worthy car, a 1930 model. It end up in the junkyard, so I decid- don’t have to worry about elicited laughter from some of his ed to take one. I’m glad I stole it, scratching up, one that you can peers, but he was always proud to but I feel bad about the fact that I “throw a pile of logs” in the back say that it was paid for. The older was willing to steal.” of. Mostly, though, he enjoys the cars were easy for him to work on, Today, the vase has taken up thrill of making something work which was a real plus for the fugal residence in a vehicle once again, again. “There is an excitement in young man and owning and work- mounted inside of one of his other making a motor run that hasn’t ing on old cars became a fulfilling antique projects, a 1923 delivery run in fifty years.” hobby for him throughout the truck. It is an unexpected decora- Drawn to old cars from the years. Retired and in his seventies tive touch to an otherwise rusty beginning, Russel even drove a now, his hobby has grown in the and rough-hewn creation. One of thirty-year-old car in high school. last ten years to a full-blown pas- the hallmarks of Russel’s antique He graduated from in 1960; at the sion. “It keeps me busy, but it’s expensive, and I don’t like that part of it, because it seems imprac- tical and that’s not my nature. On the Model A sedan (yet another project of Russel’s), I’ve spent twenty thousand on that car and I’d have trouble selling it for ten.” Ironically, what was once a hobby borne in part out of frugality has blossomed into a costly venture. Today, Russel frequents an- tique auto shows, where his crea- tions are a real hit. Unlike the pris- tine and fully restored antique ve- hicles so common at such events, his rough and rusty cars and trucks attract women, minorities, and anyone that can identify with being poor. He isn’t really sure why his vehicles are such a draw, but he speculates that it is a com- bination of the “making do” image coupled with the fact that his ve- 1930 Dump Truck (Continued on page 6)

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(Continued from page 5) Then it was just a matter of fixing it. 2021 While he grew up on a farm, AACA National Activities hicles just don’t look like anything where caring for chickens, picking strawberries, and taming a goat to pull April 8-10 else out there. The flower vase in Southeastern Spring Nationals - Char- his old delivery truck is a particu- a wagon were common activities for a lotte, NC lar hit with the women. “When boy with his aptitude, it took watch- April 15-17 (rescheduled) they see that, they just fall in love!” ing the school bus driver for him to Annual Convention - Philadelphia, PA April 19-22 He chuckles that this is a real learn how to double-clutch. Southeastern Divisional Tour - Central ‘woman magnet’ and that he keeps Self-employed at 22, he sold Am- Florida his wedding ring on so that they May 20-25 way and Earl Nightingale tapes. He Founders Tour - Davis, WV know he is married. rented rooms to bachelors until he June 2-5 When asked what traits make was able to support a family. By pur- Eastern Divisional Tour - Eastern him good at what he does, he chasing some run-down vacant apart- Shore of MD shrugs. “I’ve always been a fixer; June 17-19 ments, then three small trailer parks, Eastern Spring Nationals - Saratoga I’ve always liked solving problems, Russel was able to rent nice places to Springs, NY troubleshooting and being able to July 1-3 (rescheduled) nice people for less. He helped some of zero in on the cause, for seeing the Central Spring Nationals - Auburn, IN his renters to purchase their first home July 11-16 cause and effect. We can see the with unconventional and creative Vintage Tour - Lock Haven/Wellsboro, effects so often, but my mind likes PA to zero in on the cause. I have real agreements. July 22-24 knack; even in my sleep I will fig- During his life, he has mentored Grand Nationals - New Ulm, MN children and adults, giving generously Aug 13-14 ure things out . . . or in the show- Western Fall Nationals - Loveland, CO er!” He describes a time when he to people willing to help others. Rus- Sep 9-11 was wrestling with a mechanical sel supports compassionate causes Southeastern Fall Nationals - Green- such as the Mayo Clinic, Doctors ville, SC problem in his mind while getting Sep 12-17 a shower and the solution sudden- Without Borders, and Oxfam. He Revival AAA Glidden Tour® (VMCCA) - ly came to him. “I got out of the cherishes the thank you notes and Saratoga Springs, NY shower and went right back to the gar- October 6-9 photos he has received for his efforts. Eastern Fall Nationals - Hershey, PA age!” despite the fact that trying to He says he cannot contribute October 11-15 wash the grime off his hands afterwards much ‘backbone’ to the club because Southeastern Divisional Fall Tour - Mt. is Russel’s least favorite thing about his Airey, NC he has scoliosis, a deformation of his October 18-22 hobby, sometimes he can’t even take spine. As an introverted dyslexic, he Central Divisional Tour - Broken Ar- the time to pull on the rubber gloves his has given up lots of normal ‘fun’ and row, OK wife bought him before diving in – it’s November 4-6 now has been forced to give up dairy, Special Western Nationals - Phoenix, just his way. sugar, wheat, beer, and wine – which AZ has been ‘No Fun!’ Nov 7-11 Western Divisional Tour - Metropolitan A PERSONAL His practical-innovative creative- Phoenix & Central AZ ness, along with his need to be frugal, LOOK AT has provided a full life for himself and Would you like registration infor- RUSSEL SHON his family. His conscientiousness and mation and materials about any of confidence, along with his unshakea- these 2021 National Activities? You can: ble belief in Mother Nature and Fa- 1. Fill out the activity request card VER THE YEARS, Russel Shon ther Time, has resulted in a few friends that came with the last issue of Antique Automobile magazine O has probably owned over a hun- and, he hopes, even fewer enemies. and mail it in to us. dred vehicles. Starting with a tractor at Having no use for religion or mu- 2. Sign into the members only area of fourteen, his first road-worthy car was a the AACA website to print your own sic does not mean he is not grateful. In registration form and brochure. $50 well-used 1930 Ford Pick-up. He fact, he says that real gratitude is the 3. Call us at AACA Headquarters and was mostly self-taught, tinkering with we will fill out a request for you heart’s memory, and should be given, the mechanical components until and mail you the materials. but which no one has the right to Call 717-534-1910 Mon-Fri from something clicked in his mind that 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. helped him to understand the problem. expect.

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www.carclubcouncil.com

Important Information from the Car Club Council

REGGIE NASH Legislative Representative January Meeting Moved - Our next meeting will be Monday, February 22nd at 6:30 PM at a location The General Assembly session to be announced in the February newsletter. We will only be 30 days this session and they will will discuss actions of the General Assembly, use Zoom for the meetings. There are some in- discuss the 26th anniversary car show, and more. teresting bills in the General Assembly listed The meeting is usually in January but because of below. the governor's executive order limiting groups to • HB 1778 Removal of clutter from property; 10 or less until the end of January the meeting civil penalty: Provides that a locality may by had to be moved. We need to set a budget for the ordinance require the removal of clutter from car show in May. If we cannot meet in February property, or may, whenever the governing because of virus restrictions I will email everyone body deems it necessary, after reasonable no- a budget and ask that you approve or reject by tice, have such clutter removed by its own responding to that email. agents or employees, in which event the cost Polar Bear Run Cancelled – the 22nd PBR has been or expenses thereof shall be chargeable to and cancelled for this year and will be held paid by the owners of such property and may (hopefully) January 2022. The PBR is an annual be collected by the locality as taxes are col- mystery run that usually takes place on a Satur- lected. The bill defines "clutter" as including day in January but was moved to the first Satur- mechanical equipment, household furniture, day in February in hopes virus restrictions containers, and similar items that may be det- would change. I don’t think we will see a change rimental to the well-being of a community in virus restrictions and that would make it im- when they are left in public view for an ex- possible to visit the places that were planned for tended period or are allowed to accumulate. the run. Violations of the bill are subject to the exist- The 59th Annual Asphalt Angels Show has been ing civil penalty applicable to violations of cancelled due to virus restrictions. I think this provisions relating to the removal of trash, is the first time this show has ever been can- garbage, refuse, litter, and similar substances celled. I can recall a couple of them that took from property. place during snow storms. Why it may affect you - clutter is defined as Council Dues were Due in January - Please have "mechanical equipment" which could mean your car your club or organization send a check for $10 parts or other equipment. for the council dues. Make the check out to • SB 1130 Personal property tax exemption; mo- CCCCVA and mail to Fred Fann, 15628 Rowlett tor vehicle of a disabled veteran: Provides that Road, Chesterfield, VA 23838. If you have any one motor vehicle of a veteran who has a 100 question about the dues or if you'd like to find percent service-connected, permanent, and out if you club has paid them email fred- total disability shall be exempt from local [email protected]. Thanks for being a member! And thanks to the clubs that have already paid. (Continued on page 8)

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(Continued from page 7) other proceeding. The bill removes prohibitions on stopping or arresting a driver of a motor vehicle for taxes. This bill is the enabling legislation for the violation of a local ordinance relating to the a constitutional amendment ratified by the ownership or maintenance of a motor vehicle that voters of the Commonwealth at the Novem- is not a jailable offense. ber 2020 general election. Why it may affect you - this bill would reverse what Why it may affect you - if you or someone you the Assembly passed in the special session - police know is a veteran who has a 100 percent service- cannot stop vehicles for certain reasons and for connected, permanent, and total disability then expired stickers. A list of auto-related bills can be you will not have to pay personal property tax if found at vaacc.org/legis1.html this bill becomes law. Council Calendar 2021 – the calendar has a list of cruise • SB 1136 Special license plates; removal: Re- -ins and car events that is updated often. We are still peals the authorizations for issuance of spe- uncertain about what is going to happen this year and cial license plates no longer issued due to when virus restrictions on the number of people meet- low plate sales, expired authorizations, or ing will be lifted. As Jim Morrison stated “the future is inability to issue. In addition, the bill directs uncertain and the end is always near”. That pretty much the revenue shared for previous issuances expresses what is going on. and renewals and future renewals of Kids Cell Phone Ban While Driving – Virginia State Police Eat Free special license plates to the Divi- say they plan to be aggressive with enforcing this. First sion of Community Nutrition at the Virginia time caught it’s a $125 fine. If you are caught a second Department of Health. time or in a work zone the fine is $250. Starting January Why it may affect you - reduces number of special 1, a new state law is in effect making it illegal now to license plates. even have your cell phone in your hand if you are behind • SB 1139 Animal-drawn vehicle equipment: Estab- the wheel. lishes equipment requirements for animal-drawn vehicles operating on the highways of the Com-

monwealth, including brake systems, tires and wheels, headlamps, hazard lights, reflectors, rear- A Special Shout-out! view mirrors, and horns. Why it may affect you - if you live in an area where With the latest changeover people use horse drawn carriages. in Board Members, Alice • HB 1840 Issuing citations; certain traffic offenses: Cameron has turned over her Authorizes law-enforcement officers to lawfully stop a motor vehicle for operating (i) without a duties as our club’s secretary light illuminating a license plate, (ii) with defective after serving in this position and unsafe equipment, (iii) without brake lights or for 12 years. Before this latest a high mount stop light, (iv) without an exhaust role, she served as our Club President in 1999 and as system that prevents excessive or unusual levels of noise, (v) with certain sun-shading materials and Secretary at different times in the 1980’s and 1990’s. tinting films, and (vi) with certain objects sus- During her latest term, Alice has gone above and be- pended in the vehicle. The bill authorizes a law- yond her official responsibilities. In addition to accu- enforcement officer to stop a pedestrian for jay- rately recording all of the minutes from our meetings, walking or entering a highway where the pedestri- an cannot be seen. The bill provides that law- Alice became our “go-to” person to help get things enforcement officers are permitted to stop a motor done. Some of the key areas where she played a major vehicle for an expired safety inspection or registra- role included our banquets, regional tours, car shows, tion sticker immediately following the original ex- club dues collection, and welcoming new members to piration date. The bill removes the prohibition on using evidence discovered or obtained due to an our club. Thank you Alice!! impermissible stop, including evidence obtained with the person's consent, in any trial, hearing, or

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Secretary

Debbie Nolen recognized the out- going officers: Richmond Region AACA • Dave Dickey from the Board Minutes: Monthly Meeting • Alice Cameron Secretary January 7, 2021 Debbie Nolen welcomed the incoming officers for 2021-

Our meeting was called to order by our President, Debbie 2023 Nolen. This was our first all virtual meeting, members • President Joe Guckert were welcomed. • Vice President Andy Fuhrman Debbie Nolen our President opened our meeting with an • Secretary Debbie Nolen Apache prayer. • Treasurer Mert Fowlkes Debbie reported on Bobby Sneed’s wife has passed, Dayton • Board —Kenny Baker and Peggy Leadbetter sick at home , George Duke, re- • Board— Bruce Woodson covering from rotator cuff surgery, and Bob Richmon • Board —John Smith still in recovery. Debbie introduced our new president, Joe Guckert. Joe said Debbie Nolen shared list of remembrance for members pass- he looks forward to the coming year. ing during 2020. Joe thanked Debbie for all the resources we have used from Henrico County, meeting room, tent for Car Show, Sun- • Bank Greene Passed Dec 22, 2019 Funeral on January 25, 2020 day Afternoon with the Classics and Summer Program for campers. Joe thanked Debbie for all her work over • Judith Dickey Passed May 18, 2020 the past two years. • Doris Glisson Passed August 19, 2020 Cindi Nash also thanked Debbie for her job as President • Gay Glenn Passed November 18, 2020 during a difficult time. • Bob Kurzman Passed December 20, 2020 Moment of silence was observed. Debbie thanked Bruce Woodson for his help with the virtu- Debbie reported there are not many events due to the Covid al live set up for our at home members. restrictions. Debbie thanked Clif Edwards for the Gaslight. Debbie an- The Board has met and it was decided not to give out our nounced we will continue to mail the paper copy to our awards this year. We will not have our Annual Awards members to help stay connected. and Banquet in February. The big award trophies will Debbie thanked Mike Jones our Webmaster for his work be kept at the Belmont. The new trophy given at the establishing PayPal. awards banquet in the future will be given to winner to Debbie announced Reggie and Cindi Nash have won Na- keep. We hope to have a club meeting in March. Bruce tional Award for their 1909 Rambler and Tommy and Woodson plans to do a tour in March and end at Joe’s Debbie Nolen, for 1960 and 1961 Pontiac Ventura’s. The Inn. Annual Convention and Awards will be in Philadelphia, 2020 in Review on April 15-18, 2021. Car Show and Swap Meet canceled. Bruce Woodson reported he will do a Virtual Tech Sessions th Celebrated 4th of July with bring your own picnic lunch. on Brakes on January 30 . The morning will be for Eu- We also continued with some Fun Runs. ropean Cars and the afternoon on American. There will In person club meetings at Belmont August, Sept, October, be more information to come. Let Bruce know if you are Nov in-person and virtual and December in-person and interested. virtual. Meeting adjourned. Christmas Drive at St Joseph’s Villa on Dec 11th. Alice Cameron, Secretary

FEBRUARY, 2021 - 9

Bitten or Inherited?

By Mike Harton IKE MANY OF YOU I was L “bitten” by the car bug early in life. I’d say I inherited it from my dad. Dad always seemed to be working on a car, customizing included. I vague- ly recall the ’47 Dodge pickup, but the one I worked on with him was a ’50 Chevy pickup. By then I was playing Little League baseball with my dad as coach, and the team rode to practice and games in the back of the truck. I remember learning to “French” headlights, and how to figure out what other car parts would fit (the ’50 pickup Dad’s perfect Caddy. had four ’49 Hudson taillights mounted made a cool conversion. I could drive easily on the fenders, for example). the straight three speed with overdrive I’m afraid. Wish I’d thought to document all the so that it sounded just like a four I was the first in my family to go to customizations. Frankly, mostly what I speed. I also learned how to drop the college, and I guess my dad knew that I remember is the late nights we spent tranny pretty quickly as I man- didn’t need any distractions (like cars). working on cars, AND the fact that aged to tear He promised that when I graduated once we’d finished we ALWAYS had he’d buy me any car I wanted. I always to clean up (put all tools away and used the family car for dates, etc. and sweep the floor). never questioned my dad. So I was As I was getting my driver’s li- totally surprised when I got home cense we were customizing dad’s ’57 from my second year of college. I Ranchero. I really had no idea rode home with a friend, naturally, what dad had in mind when we and had just sat down to dinner started, but the pictures show when dad jumped up and said he what happened. These were the was going fishing and I couldn’t go. days when four headlights were Shoot, I just got home and was hungry, just coming out, and “frenching” was and thought he was crazy. no longer cool. The results: a tube grill, Finished ‘60 Austin Healey In a few minutes I heard a strange quad headlights, remade ’59 Chevy out three of them. The old ’53 tranny noise and got up to see dad sitting in bumper, and ’58 Edsel taillights. Inside, fitted to a 312 engine took a little more front of the house in a 1960 Austin T Bird bucket seats with a Hurst shifter care than I as a 16-17 year old gave, Healey. I was—I can’t even think of a word. I drove the AH Saturday, to church on Sunday, and Monday it went into the garage on stands. It was quite a pro- ject. In six short years someone had wrecked the car, inside and out. I recall now seeing the car sitting in my grand- father’s auto garage (among several cars) thinking, “Man, what a shame.” I had no idea that the grandad was re- building the engine, five months before I saw the car again. I hadn’t been driving the AH long when I passed an old garage with a ’50 model MG-TD sitting beside it. I had to stop—it was only the second one I had Mon presented with birthday present. Go for it! 10 - FEBRUARY, 2021 ever seen. It was for sale! The garage owner said a college student was driv- ing home and the engine locked up. He told the mechanic to figure out what was wrong and what it would cost to fix and took the bus home. The me- chanic said the engine had thrown a rod, and a new short block was $500 and the young man said to get what he could for it—he didn’t want it back. To make a long story short, I bought it for $175! And the best part of the story is that the rod had gone through a water jacket and hadn’t damaged the cylinder. We had it bored, a sleeve inserted and she ran great. But that was half the sto- ry, too, because a complete restoration ensued (turns out they are they are tin wrapped wooden frames). 1960 Austin Healey in rough stage. It was one project after another for dad, and soon he and mom got interest- ed in old—really old—cars. That’s cars and have added a couple from another story, too, but they bought my era. My wife would say it is just in each other old cars for Christmas and my blood. I can’t much argue with birthdays. Now I have two of their her, I guess.

Trying out the T-D Engine Rebuild.

My dad with headlight rim.

Finished ‘57 Ranchero Finished MG

FEBRUARY, 2021 - 11

It’s Not the Cars, It’s the Memories

T’S NOT THE CARS, It’s the Memories. By age biggest motivating factor; girls. But I 14, I got a copy of the Kentucky Drivers Manual. getting a part time job after school I read it front to back several times and memorized all the meant quitting football. Hmm? I stopping distances and other important facts. If only I started work at the Beechmont Key had that much enthusiasm for my school work. On Sun- Market making $1.60/hour. With some money I had saved from cut- day mornings I would get up and be ready for church Fred Trusty long before it was time to leave. My mother would let me ting grass and a loan from my father, Vice President back her 1967 Oldsmobile Delmont 88 out of the garage I paid $500 for a 1965 Ford Custom. Membership about 10 – 15 minutes before it was time to leave. I would The Custom was basically a Galaxy drive it the 200 feet or so down the driveway but I wasn’t without all the options and trim but for some reason this allowed to go into the street (or at least I didn’t get one was equipped with factory air, automatic, power caught) so I would go in reverse all the way back to the steering, power brakes, 352 CI engine, and a 4-barrel car- garage. Everyone told me that parallel parking was the buretor. Cars invoke memories of our younger days. Have hardest part of the driving test so I put chalk markings you ever noticed that when some people talk about their on the asphalt in front of the garage to simulate parking cars they have a gleam in their eyes? “I had one just like spaces so I could practice parallel parking. A couple of this in high school” or “The first date with my wife was in days after my 16th birthday I took the written test and a car like this?” What are your memories? I might not easily passed. Then a couple of months later I took the have a ’65 Ford Custom anymore but I still have the driving test and after 2 years of parallel parking practice, I memories. Now think of young people today. 20 years could parallel park that Olds blindfolded. I now had a from now when they see a car on the show field, are they license to drive but no money for insurance, and gas. Hav- going to say, “Wow, my first car was a ’95 Toyota Corol- ing a car meant no more walking to and from school up- la. I drove it in high school during the 2020 Covid-19 pan- hill both ways in the snow, or at least that’s what my demic.” If you see a 90’s car on the show field, don’t think kids say about me. I could be one of the cool kids at of it as just a used car. To someone younger, someday it school. I could be somebody. Oh, and let’s not forget the might bring back fond memories.

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When Did Checker Check Out?

By Greg Zula, SunpTimes

TS FOUNDER MORRIS MARKIN oversaw Checker Taxis experienced I the company’s growth from its birth as sales decreases as Ford’s Crown Checker Motors Corporation in 1922. In addition to Victoria four-door offered bet- metal stamping and producing smaller parts for sev- ter fleet discounts and Checker eral auto companies Markin’s specialty was build- sales suffered. In 1982, the last Morris Markin ing Checker Taxi Cabs, which he did very well. Checker was built although The “big city” Checker Taxis were assembled in thanks to the good relationship Kalamazoo, Michigan, and the main goal of the with General Motors, Checker operated as an auto- company was to produce a car that centered solely motive subcontractor providing body stamping for on roomy, up to eight-passenger transportation in the GMC/ truck lines and chassis compo- its four-door sedans. With its boxy design, large nents for Cadillac. trunk and lots of rear-seat room thanks to two extra David Markin, son of the founder, continued to jump seats, the Checker blueprint never really act as Checker’s Chief Executive Officer. On Jan. 16, changed. Year after year, it proved more than wor- 2009, in the midst of the auto recession/depression, thy for the people that relied on Checkers for daily the 87-year-old company filed for bankruptcy in transport. Notable were the eight-door, 15- Grand Rapids, Michigan, and Checker sadly came to passenger Checker Aerobus stretched to a 189-inch an end. wheelbase and a Checker , too. Checker built the taxis from 1922 to 1959 and in The TV show “Taxi” was first aired on ABC from late 1958, Checker entered into the everyday con- 1978 to May 1982 and then NBC from September sumer car business. They put together a network of 1982 through the 1983 season, winning 18 Emmy dealers and introduced its new 1959 Checker Mara- awards in the process. I also enjoyed the show as thon to the general public. The Marathon was near those Checker cabs were always in the garage where identical to the taxi sans the lively lettering and mechanic Latka Gravas (Andy Kauffman) repaired paint. Non-commercial sales topped 8,000 in 1962 them. To this day, I also enjoy the older TV shows and the Marathon averaged about 7,500 yearly over and movies from 1940 through 1980 that give tremen- the life of the independent dealers. dous examples of auto and truck history, including As the decades moved through the 1970s, all those Checker cabs.

FEBRUARY, 2021 - 13

New Virginia Laws Effective January 2, 2021

Handheld Devices Now Illegal . . . 46.2-818.2 when committing the offense can be What Happens If I’m Pulled Over? In the fined up to $2,500, up to 12 months in jail, and up event that you are pulled over for holding a to a six month license suspension, but shall be handheld personal communications device, act in fined a mandatory minimum fine of $250. A per- the same manner you would for any traffic stop. son who violates this law while driving in a high- You will NOT be asked to hand the device over to way work zone shall be fined $250. the officer. Keep in mind that WHAT you are do- Driver privilege cards to non-U.S. citizens ing with the device is irrelevant, it is the act of You are eligible to obtain a driver privilege card if HOLDING the device while driving that is illegal. you are a non-U.S. citizen who is a resident of Breaking The Law Will Cost You! A person Virginia, have reported income from Virginia who violates 46.2-818.2 is subject to a fine of $125 sources or are claimed as a dependent on a tax for the first offense and $250 for the second and return filed in Virginia in the past 12 months and subsequent offenses. A person who is convicted do not have a driving privilege that is currently of reckless driving who was also in violation of suspended or revoked.

How Many Can You Identify in 1970 Photo?

(1st row, l to r) Dave Garrigues, Jane Malone, Shirley Jones, Jimmy Jones. (2nd row, l to r) Bonnie Williamson, Reidy Via, Virginia Greene, Anne Via, Kitty Swain, Bill Swain. (3rd row, l to r) Hugh Hawthorne, Mary Penn Hawthorne, Warren Malone, Harold Via.

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1916 FORD MOTOR CO. POSTCARDS PAST PRESIDENTS RICHMOND REGION 1952-1953 David Garriques 1954 Frantz Hershey 1955 Jerome Powell 1956 Kenneth Adelstein 1957 David Garriques 1958-1959 Warner Hall 1960 Harold Via/John Adams 1961 John Adams 1962 Charlie Kidd 1963 Ellis Walton/Jerome Powell 1964 Jerome Powell 1965 George Taylor 1966 Donroy Ober 1967 James Brannon/Fred Singleton 1968 John Glisson 1969 Gary Greene 1970 Reggie Nash 1916 Ford Production mounted as high as 2786 cars in a single day. 1971-1972 Hugh Hawthorne 1973 Bill Bowman 1974-1975 Jimmy Jones 1976 Jim Whitten 1977 Hugh Hawthorne 1978-1979 John Puryear 1980 Hugh C. Hawthorne 1981 Lee Crenshaw 1982 Morris Cameron 1983 Robert Smith 1984 Morris Cameron 1985 Fred Phipps 1986 John Adams 1987 Fred Phipps 1988-1989 Morris Cameron 1990-1991 Dayton Leadbetter 1992 Morris Cameron 1993 Wendel Bowles 1994-1995 Dayton Leadbetter Crankshaft grinding department. 60 miles of belting are used to drive Ford machinery. 1996 Richard (Dick) Ivey 1997-1998 Mert Fowlkes 1999 Alice Cameron 2000 Kenny Baker From the Editor 2001-2002 Dayton Leadbetter Clif Edwards 2003-2004 Tommy Nolen 2005-2006 George Duke It may seem like a slow time for car shows and car 2007-2008 Peter Francisco events but it is the perfect time for us to get to know 2009-2010 Morris Cameron each other better. Send in some of your old pictures 2011-2012 Andy Fuhrman from Fun Runs or Car Shows. Restoration and travel 2013-2014 Budd Lacy stories are always interesting. It is not necessary that you are a profes- 2015-2016 Tommy Nolen sional or even a good writer, we can edit and re-write to make you look 2017-2018 Bruce Woodson, Jr. good. We can also touch up your pictures. Let’s take advantage of this 2019-2020 Debbie Nolen down time to make it a more interesting time.

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April 21 - 25 - Spring Carlisle - Wed - Sat: 7AM- 6PM. Sunday: 7AM- 12PM at 1000 Bryn Mawr Road, Carlisle, PA 17013. www.carlisleevents.com/events/events-detail/index?id=spring+carlisle

C L A S S I F I E D S

1981 Chev. El Camino Super Sport has all accessories for that year . A lot has been done but not completed. 1932 Ford 4cylinder B model motor, transmission, rear end. Lots of new parts. Warren Malone Land line (804)740-1456 Cell (804) 356-7400

FOR SALE - 1939 Packard Club Coupe Complete mechanical restoration and rebuild in 2008 by Al- drich Restoration Specialists in Ohio. Approximately 2500 miles since restoration. Many other new and NOS parts. Running boards restored with new original style mats. Many parts re- chromed including “Goddess of Speed” radiator ornament and radiator shell fins (thermostatically controlled open and close). Can provide complete list of all work and parts. Over $70,000 invested. Asking $29,500. Call or email David Terzi- an. 540-604-4086 [email protected]

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