Spark `N Throttle
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JUNE, 2015
VOLUME 43,
ISSUE 6
President’s Message, June 2015
By Burt Lecher, President
May is flying by. It started with Pate. There is always a huge turnout with
the Houston A’s. When there is work to be done, our members step up and
ask “what can we do?”. Security is our job at Pate and Bill Strickland and
Bob Brower kept those carts a rolling. Bill and Dian Jones kept all of the
workers full and happy and then after all the cleanup from feeding the group,
it was time to start playing games. I think this is one of the best times of the
year for our club!
In between the rain drops I am trying to get my Model A back in running
condition. As stated before, we took a modern car on the Poor Boy tour and
we also took it on the May tour. Those of you who did not attend the May
Get-A-Way tour missed one of the most beautiful tours of the year. Great
Model A roads and absolutely beautiful scenery. Driving a modern car is not
nearly as much fun as driving a Model A. People are waving and thumbs up
from those driving by and it has nothing to do with what I am driving. As I
said, it’s not nearly as much fun!
My car will definitely be ready for the Texas Tour. In case any of you have
not heard – the Houston A’s are hosts for the June 11-14, 2015 Texas Tour in
Beaumont at the Elegante Hotel. The committee has been working on this
tour for a year and it is going to be WONDERFUL.
As I am writing this newsletter, the west area of Houston is getting
approximately 10-11” of rain. This storm is reaching all of southeast Texas
and, hopefully, all of our members and their extended families are safe.
Mother Nature is truly showing us who is boss.
INSIDE INFO!
►
MAY GET A WAY
TOUR
- PAGE 2-4
►
HUBLEY RULES
- PAGE 5-6
►
GULF COAST
TOUR REGISTRATION
- PAGE 7
►
ADVERTISERS
- PAGE 8-9
►
OFFICERS,
BIRTHDAYS,
ANNIVERSARIES
- PAGE 10
► MAY MINUTES
- PAGE 11
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the Texas Tour.
Burt
June Tech Session
Our program for June will be Dale Snyder's presentation on the turbine engine period at the
Indy 500. Dale has a great collection of photos and film on this interesting subject.
June 2015
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May Get-Away Tour
May 23, 2015
Text by Mary Dehart and Photographs by Mary Dehart, Patsy Pollard
The May Get-A-Way started with a drive through the country side and led to good food, a museum,
shopping and an impromptu Model A auction.
Tom and Jackie Walne picked a pleasant, relaxing drive for us through horse country which led us to
our destination, Historic Downtown Rosenberg. We arrived just in time to eat lunch at Another Time Soda
Fountain. Besides the good food, you could spend time in the restaurant just viewing the pictures and knickknacks throughout the place. Following lunch, we had the choice of shopping or touring the Rosenberg
Railroad Museum.
The Railroad Museum tour was slightly delayed. It only took one member to announce that a Model A
was going to be auctioned off at 1:00 about a block away. What could it hurt to check it out? None of our
members ended up with another old car, but who knows, maybe there’s a future member for our club.
The museum tour was very interesting and since we took our modern car, we took in some more shopping afterwards. We also made another stop at Another Time Soda Fountain. This time we sat at the soda
fountain and had an ice cream treat!
One of the benefits of belonging to the club is the chance to see new places, some just practically in our
backyard. Thanks to Tom and Jackie for a great day.
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Drove by a herd of Longhorns Drove by a herd of miniature donkeys Lunch at Another Time restaurant in downtown Rosenburg Some of the gang Looking over the Model A that was up for auction Model As with modern train passing by Railroad Museum June 2015
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For Bob’s newsletter quiz, what are these ? Mechanical train routing device used up to 2004 Wanted - new 1st place Hubley winner
by Richard Washburn
Janice has decided to leave her Hubley at home and not bring it to the Texas Tour in Beaumont. She thought
it was time to give someone else a chance to win because if her red roadster was there no one else had a
chance. So, this may be your only shot to pick up a trophy while the champ is sitting on the sideline. You
still have until June 11 to get ready. Here is the view everyone sees of it pulling away during a race.
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General Info about Hubley Races
(Texas Tour rules may be slightly different)
The Track:
Three lanes wide
Forty feet long.
Manual Start
Electronic Timing
The Cars:
The cars must be metal 1:20 scale models made by Hubley, Gabriel, or Scale Model.
Any of the seven Model "A" body styles may be used:
Sedan
Station Wagon
Coupe
Roadster
Roadster Pickup
Victoria
Phaeton
Cars must be stock including the original tires, wheels, and axle screws. No
modifications allowed. No Bearings.
Steering may be secured or loose at maker’s choice.
Weight of each car can be no more than 1 pound, 5 ounces (station wagon weight). A
small amount of leeway will be allowed due to the differences of scales. Weights
added to lighter cars must be secured, not loose in car.
A dry lubricant (graphite for example) is allowed at owner’s choice.
The Classes:
Junior: under 18 years old
Senior: 18 years old and older
The Race:
Inspection and Check-in:
Racing entry form must be filled out
Car will be weighted to make sure it is no more than 1 pound 5 ounces (weight
will be available to be added if needed)
Car will be assigned a number (sticker attached to car)
Car will be turned over to race officials for duration of the event.
Once the car completes the check-in process it cannot be handled or worked on
by the owner.
June 2015
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The Race (continued) :
Racing:
Each car will be raced three times once in each of the lanes
The time for each race will be recorded
The lowest combined time is the winner for that class, 2nd fastest is second place
and 3rd fastest is third.
Overall Champion Race:
The first place car from the Junior
The first place car from the Senior
The overall 2nd fastest car – Consolation (either Junior or Senior)
Three races with each car in each lane and the combined lowest time will be
awarded the Overall Champion Trophy.
Peoples Choice:
Before the last race is held the ballots will be tallied and a “Peoples Choice” award will
be given to the car with the most votes.
Once the Overall Champion Race is complete and the Peoples Choice trophy has been given
out then the car owners are responsible for picking up their cars.
Schedule:
Timing will be set once the final schedule is completed.
Registration:
Starts 2 hours before the race start – Last registered car ½ hour prior to the event start
Race:
As Scheduled @ X:XX am/pm
Peoples Choice:
Ballots will be accepted up until the end of the normal racing event and prior to the Overall
Race is held (So the ballots can be counted before the event ends)
Trophies:
After the last race has been run and the “Peoples Choice” ballots have been counted
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June 2015
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Spark `N Throttle
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June 2015
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JUNE ANNIVERSARIES
GREATER HOUSTON MODEL A
RESTORERS CLUB
Officers
President-Burt Lecher, 281-531-1964
Vice-President-Tom Walne, 713-504-7682
Secretary-Janet Graves, 281-286-1930
Treasurer-Lou Riekert, 713-941-7432
Board Members
First Year Directors:
1: Bob & Sudie West, 2: Rodney & Emma Block, 2: Vic &
Shirley DeCoster, 2: W.A. “Bill” & Gail Strickland, 4: Louis
& Loretta Gaskamp, 4: Don & Patsy Wilson, 6: Louis &
Mary Ann Macey, 7: Don & Lannie Whatley, 8: Mel & Jane
Rivers, 9: Douglas R & Sarah Busker, 10: Eric & Joyce
Long, 13: Herb & Mary Koenig, 14: Elmer R. & Jean Johnson, 14: Thomas & Mildred Mazzucco, 16: A. J. & Ruth
Berg, 16: Micah & Tracy Webb, 22: Ray & Sherry Hinnant,
23: Matt & Mika Taylor, 24: Heriberto & Corina Perez Aparicio, 25: Paul & Cathy Dominguez, 25: Jim & Peggie
Harvie, 26: Ted T. & Lydia Karis, 27: Jim & Billie Corry,
27: Paul & Marge Gross, 30: Jerry & Annette Kent
Bryan Perkins, 281-557-4080
Mel Rivers, 979-696-0476
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
Willie Sanders, 361-576-2853
1: Stephanie Dorsey, 1: Lannie Whatley, 2: Bobbie Brower,
2: Modena Huffman, 6: Harold Kenny, 6: Dan Kundts, 6:
Bill Palmer, 7: Pablo Gonzalez II, 9: Cathy Unger, 9: Nick
Vamvakias, 10: Vivian Galligan, 10: Sandra Ham, 12: Jerry
Morgan, 12: Heriberto Aparicio, 12: Ross Heard, 12: Jessie
Bryant, 12: Jo Goodwin, 12: Corina Perez, 12: Patsy Wilson, 13: Ronald Phillips, 13: Rique Fuste, 15: Michael Eisenbise, 15: Art Shaddix, 16: Sandra Sharp, 17: Cliff Sharp,
17: Ron Perry, 23: Virginia Hellebrand, 24: Arnita Hoekstra,
25: Matt Taylor, 25: Patricia Loocke, 26: David Gould, 27:
Mel Rivers, 27: Paul Escallier, 27: Michael Busker, 27:
Debbie Burns, 28: Pablo Gonzalez, 29: Bill Dorsey
Second Year Directors:
Ted Edwards, 409-925-5508
Lloyd Gray, 281-960-1813
Cliff Sharp, 281-398-8109
Past President:
Richard Washburn
Chairpersons
Apparel - Patsy Pollard, 281-482-7362
Christmas Party - Doug Busker, Minta Busker,(Co
Chairs), 281-648-6026 Dolores Ross (Ladies
Door Prizes)
Hospitality - Joan Lecher, 281-531-1964 from the
Houston Chronicle (2 of 5 in a series)
Technical Library - Paul Escallier, 281-692-2352
Membership & Roster - Dian Jones, 281-383-2246
& Bob Pond, 281-996-5524
Newsletter-Mary & Kent Dehart, 281-554-7788
Pate Director - Bill Strickland, 281-331-4219,
cell 713-252-7985
Pate Registration-Gail Strickland 281-331-4219
Pate Assistant - Bob Brower, 281-923-4642
Phone Committee - Annette West (A-L)
Joan Lecher (M-Z)
Photo Albums - Bob Pond, 281-996-5524
Ford Plant Opens With 150 at Work
The assembly plan of the Ford Motor Company in Houston
opened Monday with about 150 men working. More then 2500 men
reported for work and were turned away as it will be several weeks
before every department of the plant is running.
There are about 400 former employees that will have preference for the jobs, officials said. These men have been notified by
telephone or letter when to report. Others who go to the plant are
doomed to disappointment at this time.
Programs – Tom Walne, 713-504-7682
Publicity - Bob Pond, 281-996-5524
The following forms are available on the club website:
Registered Agent – Patsy Pollard, 281-482-7362
www.HoustonModelAFordClub.com
Sunshine - Dian Jones, 281-383-2246 &
Olga Buck, 713-941-8315
FORM: Texas Tour : June 11-14 in Beaumont
Tour Coordinator – Lloyd Gray, 281-960-1813
FORM: Gulf Coast Tour : October 16-16 in Lake Jackson
Webmaster - Kent Dehart, 281-554-7788
FORM: Membership (renewal & new)
Internet URL www.houstonmodelafordclub.com
Facebook page => Houston Model A Ford Club
Signup sheets for following upcoming events will be at the club
meeting.
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Minutes of May 19, 2015 Greater Houston Model A Club
The meeting was called to order by President Burt Lecher who called on Tom Walne to lead the club in prayer and
the Pledge of Allegiance.
The April minutes were approved following a motion by Larry West and seconded by Willie Sanders.
Bob Brower made a motion to approve Lou Riekert’s April Treasurer’s Report. Tom Walne seconded the motion and
the motion passed.
Newsletter: Kent Dehart asked that articles for the newsletter be given to him by the first of the month. He also
asked to be notified if anyone was failing to get the newsletter.
Pate Swap Meet: Bill Strickland said that the meet had gone well and thanked those who worked there. Gail Strickland thanked Bill and Dian Jones for their meal planning and preparation.
Publicity: Bob Pond is continuing to send articles to the national publications.
Tours: Tom Walne announced plans for the May Get-Away on May 23. Doug Busker reviewed plans for the Texas
Tour in June.
Sunshine: Burt noted that Jerry Buck was at the meeting.
Apparel: Patsy Pollard pointed out several different styles of club shirts and told what she was able to order.
Items for Sale: Tommy and Mary Scott have donated all their copies of the Restorer and Model ”A” News to the
club library. Brian Perkins has used them to fill in missing copies and the rest are for sale.
50-50: Nick Vamvakias won the 50-50 drawing.
Newsletter Quiz: LaVerne Riekert correctly answered Bob Pond’s question.
Burt Lecher announced that Cliff Sharp had resigned his position as Director and the Board appointed Bob Brower to
replace him.
IMPORTANT: Burt also announced that we will now get our bills when food is served, but we do not need to pay
immediately – but we do have to pay. There will also be three servers.
Tom Walne introduced Michel Bechtel who gave a very informative presentation on the proposed “Ike Dike”.
Bob Brower made a motion to adjourn the meeting. Willie Sanders seconded the motion and the motion passed.
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Graves
June 2015
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Spark ‘N Throttle
402 Senna
League City, Texas 77573
Stamp
Spark ‘N Throttle
is published monthly by
the Greater Houston
Chapter of the Model ‘A’
Restorers Club.
Editors: Mary & Kent
Dehart
IN GOD WE TRUST
SUNSHINE REPORT
When you have health issues,
Please e-mail Dian Jones at
MODEL ‘A’ EVENT CALENDAR
JUNE 11 - 14, 2015
JUNE 16, 2015
[email protected] or
Phone her at 281-383-2246.
JULY 4, 2015
JULY 21, 2015
AUGUST 18, 2015
2009 Texas Tour Texas Tour - Beaumont, TX, Houston A’s
Club Meeting TUESDAY 7 pm
Bass Pro Shop Hwy 288 at Beltway 8 South
239th USA Independence Day - Liverpool,
TX & Various Parades
Club Meeting TUESDAY 7 pm
Bass Pro Shop Hwy 288 at Beltway 8 South
Club Meeting TUESDAY 7 pm
Bass Pro Shop Hwy 288 at Beltway 8 South
Please send articles, photos and classified ads by the first of each
month to:
Kent and Mary Dehart; 402 Senna; League City, Texas 77573
email: [email protected]