Terry Bond

Indeed, a good newsletter makes a great club. Have been beating that drum since I conducted my first newsletter seminar in Philadelphia many years ago. Whether it's web or snail-mail, members are always anxious to see their photos, learn about the activities, see what they missed, and see their names in print. I've always said that folks read it three times - first is a quick scan to see if they are in there. Second time is a look at the words to see what is said about them (of if they got forgotten about) and the third time is a more detailed look at what others are doing and what the next events might be. You've got to excite them about belonging, and they will share with others and certainly help attract members. We have newsletters available to hand out at our various events and it does attract members. Over the years we've had a lot members who worked odd shifts, were periodically deployed with Navy assignments, or could not do much except enjoy their newsletters. Sometimes (years later even) when time and schedule permits, they swing into action and have even taken on leadership roles in the club. The newsletter is obviously a great retention tool. John, you are right-on and sorry it took me so long to respond. Terry

For those anxious and wondering - the Model t ford forum has a couple of posts with pictures. This is what I like to see-stuff on the tables, for sale in the swap meet, etc. It makes me wish I was there! Terry http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/708324/737716.html?1490024080

I started a thread on the AACA site here a while back when I first spotted the issue on the Model T club forum. A lot of the people who attended the event previously were Model T folks as well as AACA and HCCA members. Although I've never been to the event, I'd always heard it was really great and unique. I had hopes of being able to attend someday as Michigan is my home state and where I first fell in love with early cars. However, it now looks like the powers that be are trying to kill the event. I don't know why they just didn't cancel it outright rather than trying to institute those crazy changes to squeeze it into what they wanted. So, it indeed looks like there is interest growing in holding a similar kind of event in a new location and I'm glad to see that. They can do what they want there but certainly can't kill the enthusiasm of these old car folks! I hope everything works out and an alternative location is arranged. Maybe I'll get there someday but have no plans to try and attend the event at HF that's for sure. Terry

We should have some attendees chime in anytime now. I also watch the Model T club forum as they are usually among the first to post photos and stories of their bargains, etc. Terry

Just added to your other post.

Well after just a quick glance and quicker response, I realize there was something odd about the picture - that's an updraft carburetor and not Model T. I'm not sure of the specific application for it. Once we figure out what it's for, it might lead to a more accurate guestimate on value. Terry

A good idea is to check ebay to see asking/selling prices for them. You might want to post it also on the model T club forum by-sell section. Terry

Used to be a regular at the Chesapeake Region swap meet. I can recall some of the first years when it was held in a car dealership. I always had a space inside one of the buildings, think it was number 2. Had prime real-estate there next to an electric outlet so I could plug in a small heater to keep my toes warm, otherwise, it was often a cold event. I think the outside vendors were better off, especially when the sun was out. It was a great event that continued to grow and grow, eventually filling the outside (open) buildings. I can recall helping staple plastic up to help keep the wind from blowing through. The pots of soup, chili, and the hot dogs, and goodies were always a highlight and really helped keep us warm. Lots of great memories there. Used to come up on Friday, set up my stuff in the evening and stay with friends overnight. Years ago we decided to host our own swap meet here in the Norfolk area and guess who was chairman? A couple of years after we started, the date had to change because of prior rental of our facility and we've basically been on the same weekend as Chesapeake Region's event ever since. Well, I handled that job for over 25 years and this year was my "retirement" and am turning over the reins to another club member who is a real flea market guy who will do well with it. We've been through a couple of location changes over the years and are now at a great spot - the Virginia Beach Aviation Museum. Maybe the dates will get sorted out so I can once again do both events. Some of the best flea market discoveries I ever had were at that Chesapeake region event though. I still consider it one of the best (next to ours of course). Terry

They go back many years and were often supplied by car dealers with purchase of a new car or by garages. I have a few in my collections of collections with dealer names or car manufacturer logos on them. Small brushes were known as "upholstery brushes" and used simply to sweep off seat cushions. There are others that look more like shoe-shine brushes that can be found with advertising for gas and oil companies, tire manufacturers, and of course car dealerships.

I must repeat a story I've told before to many folks. While my heart is in the brass age, and stretches to the muscle car era, I vividly recall being stuck in traffic on a multi-lane road headed home after a tough day at the office. I noticed a lane or two over, several cars ahead of me, the rear end of a shiny maroon Chrysler Mini-van with the woodgrain applique. As traffic moved and I got closer, it became obvious what I was looking at was indeed a first generation, circa 1984 Chrysler Mini-van with a beautiful paint job, fantastic woodgrain, and looking very much like it belonged on a showfield. Memories flooded back - my late father-in-law had bought one of those first year vans and our family has owned a steady succession of them ever since! As I got closer to it, I realized it was being piloted by a young lady. As I drew along side of it, I rolled down my windows and gave her a big thumbs up. She rolled down her window and told me it was the family van and she had inherited it, had it repainted and was keeping it 100% original. As the light changed, she said "someday it'll be an antique" and I shouted "AACA" to her. I never saw it again, but it was at least a thrill to see it. Yes indeed, they belong on our showfield, and thanks for AACA's 25 year rule for bringing them out for us to see, and allowing/encouraging younger folks to get into the hobby. Bring-em on. And thanks to Tom for stepping to the plate. Terry

Welcome to the forum! You are just a bit south of us here in the Tidewater Va area and we have been known to frequent the New Bern area frequently too! There is a thriving antique car club there - a region of our national AACA, in fact there are a couple of regions close by. Check the AACA Website for a complete list of regions and chapters in North Carolina and you'll find contact information there. I'm not sure how many Brush owners are around but they will know, and there is also a lot of early car knowledge among members. I think there are a lot of basics to understand about brass age vehicles in general that you can learn about. Opportunities to share the hobby are what makes this great. You can also find information about the North Carolina Region of Horseless Carriage Club. There is an active touring group that covers your part of North Carolina. If you go to the Horseless club website you'll find contact info for Natalie Weaver who might be able to put you into contact with other Brush owners. Highly recommend you join AACA and make use of their great library and research center to get information about your car. Terry

What a great bright sunny day it was today at the Va Beach Aviation Museum. Despite chilly temps, the sunshine made up for a little early morning shivering and by 9Am the event was in full swing. This year a larger number of vendors offered stuff from 1900s up to modern performance parts. There were cars for sale, and parts, garage equipment, tools, collectibles, and just about anything to do with the old car hobby. We had tables there also promoting some local clubs including street rod, the recently formed Model T club, the local MG and Mercedes club, and of course Tidewater Region and AACA. There was a good crowd all day and vendors reported good sales, and we saw some happy customers carrying home their new treasures. This event signals the beginning of the old car season here and as a swap meet and a great social occasion, it's been tremendously successful over the years. This year with about 75 vendor spots sold ahead of time, it was a good sized event and everyone had a great time. Of course the setting at the Aviation Museum was fantastic and draws a good crowd itself. The staff of volunteers had planes moved out of one hanger by 630 Am so our inside vendors could begin setting up early so they deserve a big thanks for helping make things a success. Our club volunteers always excel too! See you same time, same spot next year and check out region website for more pics from the event. Pics and info should be posted as soon as possible. http://www.traaca.com/

And of course collecting auto sheet music has been a great passion of mine for many years. I have several hundred pieces with songs about cars or having cars nicely illustrated on them. Many are Ford pieces of course.

I recently found some old hip-pocket sized Hemmings Motor News magazines and they've made wonderful late night reading. They are from an era when the majority of cars were pre-war, and Model Ts and As dominated. I'm sure there are others out there who also occasionally step back in time and enjoy reading through these. One of the things in a June 1969 issue that tweeked my interest was a two page article (it was part 2 to a longer article, and I don' t have "part 1") that discussed forming of a new car club called the Roaring 20s auto club of America. It's an interesting article that indicates the focus is on vehicles from the era 1916-36. The article indicates there was a big demand for charters for regional groups, and plans to hold national scale tours and shows. One of my constant interests in this hobby is how clubs grow and develop over the years, so I'm naturally curious to learn what became of this effort. A little internet searching and I found the name continues today with a group in CT, in fact the logo resembles the one from that original HMN article. I know there have been a lot of attempts to form clubs to recognize this era of automobile but this one looks like it survived. http://www.roaring20s.club/ Looks like they have a big car show in CT in September and have done a lot of work raising funds for charity. Lots of happy folks in the pics on their website. Does anyone know more of the history? What seems to have started on the West Coast ended up about as far East as it could. Just curious as there is a portion of this hobby that evolved just before I really got into it. In June 1969 I was taking a break from school and patiently waiting my turn to head off to USN basic training at Great Lakes. Terry

Agree pics or descriptive inventory of some key items would be very helpful. There will be a lot of lookers on the internet for offerings of these items for sale. Either they knew what they were doing and stole the items to order for someone, or they simply took a chance and will be trying to fence them without knowing what they really have. In either case, there are a lot of smart collectors out there willing to provide some extra eyes in the search to nab the scum-bags involved and hopefully return some of the items. Ebay is flooded with mascots and motometers but without knowing more specifics it'll be hard to assist. Please provide as many details as you can. Terry

too many dealers (or wanna-be) forget the basic theory - you can only sell your good stuff once! Terry

That 35 Buick was a wonderful car Earl, and I'll forever be grateful for you having let us use it on that tour. Terry

What a nostalgia trip it's been reading thru these posts! Like many others, I started by building models with friends back in the early 60s. My cousin in Detroit dated a girl who worked at AMT and we always got plenty of extra parts by the bag-full to customize the kits. I eventually gravitated to the muscle cars and must have built those GTOs every way possible, from stock to drag cars. Terry

One of the best things AACA has done on the show-field was to bring about HPOF to encourage the preservation of unrestored cars. I've noted a tremendous increase in the numbers of 50s-60s unrestored vehicles that are simply being maintained and enjoyed. terry

I posted recently on another thread about an unrestored Model T that just surfaced, acquired form the original owners I believe. I think that crusty, old faded car is a real treasure. Like Earl though, my stuff is pretty because it needed to be that way - can't drive a wrecked MG and enjoy it, can't continue dragging that old Triumph Motorcycle around with pieces still held on with barbed wire and twine. The Model T looks best to me when the brass has been polished and then allowed to "mellow" for a couple of weeks, but I still like it shiny black and brass. One of the most often asked questions I've encountered at car shows is "what was it like when you found it?" I think people delight in hearing the before/after stories, and seeing something that represents as found can be a treat to many folks. It also imparts an appreciation for what we do (or have to do) to get them moving again and bring them out. I get Earl's point that some vehicles we term "original" are just "unrestored." Original was years ago when they were brand new and the term has been incorrectly applied sometimes. I had the pleasure this past weekend of visiting Jim Schmidt's impressive collection of cars in Ocala Fla. There were so many unbelievable low mileage cars in that collection that are truly original and should remain that way. I think it one of those things that will always generate a lot of discussion and differing opinion, but whatever you decide to do with your car, don't hide it away - bring it out for folks to enjoy and let them tell their own story, by either proudly wearing their crusty history or gleaming in the sunshine. Terry

Let us know how much you want for them - always interested in lamps. Terry

I'd call it a neat old car! Indeed-a survivor and I'm sure it'll attract a load of attention wherever it goes. I'll never forget seeing a 1902 Apperson displayed out in Iowa a few years ago. The old tires were falling off but it drew more attention than a freshly restored Dussie! Great to see them like this. Terry

I signed up to the Dot 5 group back in 2006 when we finished restoring our MGBGT. Believe me, the first time you spill some Dot 5 on a fresh paint job you'll be glad you went that direction. Happened to us when were installing the brake lines on the finished restoration. Forgot to include a washer and it poured out, dripping down our freshly painted firewall. All we needed to do was wipe it off. Regular stuff makes a pretty good paint stripper and that was one of the reasons we went with Dot 5 to begin with. So - with now over 30,000 miles of the car, we have never had to bleed the brakes and everything is still as new - clear fluid, no rusty parts, etc. This little car gets driven, including mountain roads, lots of twisty-turnies going places were MGs like to go. Straightening out curves is our favorite passtime. We live the MG motto - Safety Fast! Terry

I for one am extremely pleased to see this gaining some traction. I can recall years ago speaking at a meet, perhaps Philly even, about looking ahead to what technology can offer. I believed then (and now) that some of our seminars from Philly can be available on-line, and of course CJEs are a prime candidate. Through the wonders of technology they could be offered as live video recordings, or even as webinars done with powerpoint. There are programs available that would even enable us to offer them on-line and you could get credit. I use it at work all the time. I think the natural way to try and organize this is to focus on prioritizing the CJEs you'll want available with the most important first. Naturally Tires comes to mind. Judges etiquite, team captains, and I'm sure others could follow. My Model T CJE would be somewhere in the nice-to-have category, but I'm ready when you are! Terry

Properly licensing and insuring it would be my first consideration. If licensed for everyday use you maybe subject to safety and emissions inspections. If licensed as an "antique" or 'collector vehicle" you may have some restrictions on usage. Drive the heck out of it - but for hobby related events. Put the right tags on it and get the right kind of insurance. Terry