May 2004 Newsletter

Dear Model T’ers Everywhere,

"The first few trips made by the Murphys in their new Ford were spoiled for Mr. Murphy by the actions of his wife. Se sat behind him and offered advice and information, generally accompanied by a poke in the back. Mr. Murphy became very tired of "Blow your horn, Paddy" and "Look out for the hearse behind us," and reprimanded Mrs. Murphy severely. On the occasion of Father O’Malley’s first ride with them he took particular pains to make his meaning clear to his wife and said he would sell the car if he heard a peep from her. So with little Jimmy beside him in the front seat and Father O’Malley and Mrs. Murphy in the rear, the party sallied forth to the country. After a mile or two of rough roads without a word or a poke from his wife, Murphy had commenced to feel at ease when the good lady leaned over the back of his seat. "I don’t want to iffind ye, Paddy," she said, "But I thought ye might like to know His Riverence is no longer with us!" (Funabout Fords by J.J. White, The Howell Co., 1915).

Talk about a road trip! We had a great time, with nary a problem amongst us. We all met at Jack and Suzie Whitt’s at about 8 a.m., and they had a very nice spread of coffee, sweet rolls, and some of the best OJ we’ve ever had from a local grower. Mike Bartlett, Jack Mahaffey, Mike Story and Vince Leffler all loaded up in one of Jack’s golf carts and set out to see Vince’s "new" gas pump he had recently procured from a local that had been in the same location since the 1920’s – and we immediately ran out of gas! Of course we all immediately blamed Mike – you guess which one of us! The gas pump was superb, still worked, Vince is going to fix-er-up – so we all know where to get some gas now, but it’s really a self service unit! What’s really neat about it is you get to see the gas in the big glass container at the top and then you just push the handle and it runs down into your tank. If you have been reading the papers here in Central Florida you will know how important that is to us since we found out that a few of the local gas stations were selling ½ a gallon for the new improved and exorbitant price of a full gallon. We set out from Jack and Suzie’s around 9 a.m. and had a nice leisurely ride throughout the beautiful Lake County countryside. We arrived at a very nice little restaurant that was out on a pier in a huge lake where we had some really good food and there was an auction house just around the corner that offered to auction any of the 12 cars that were with us. Off we went again after lunch and after about an hour out in the countryside again we came to a beautiful horse stables – just a few miles from Gayle and Barbara Smith’s place in Leesburg where there were at least 100 horse drawn carriages from all over the world – most of them beautifully restored. There was only one car in the place that had "sufficient" horsepower – a very early Rolls Royce – that had 17 steps as requirements for starting the car – I couldn’t even remember the first 12 – but you know Richard Fortner – he was memorizing them – I just wonder what the next tinkering tip will be all about? The management also presented each of our ladies a beautiful broach pin, and each of the guys got to pay for both themselves and their ladies entrance fee. Those of us that had brought our camera’s in were told that we couldn’t take pictures inside the museum, but as we were leaving they wanted to take pictures of our cars! Seriously, if you haven’t been to this museum – it is a must see. They also have classes to teach you how to drive a team with a horse drawn carriage at this farm, and many people from all over the world come for the experience. It’s the first time I have ever been in an air-conditioned barn! Garage yes, barn no. Off we went to Leesburg for a really great treat of ice cream that was just delicious. A few departed company here on their way back home, but most of us returned to Jack and Suzie’s, loaded up and headed home – 120 delightful, trouble free miles – our tops are down to you Jack and Suzie for another super tour – thank you both!

Our meeting place and monthly meeting night has changed to the THIRD MONDAY of the month, and we found a clubhouse at Whisperwood Townhomes where we will be meeting from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. The address is 7457 Whisperwood Drive, Winter Park, FL 32792 – map attached. This was voted upon at the last meeting after our board went over to investigate and survey the facility – and recommended it to the club. There is no cost attached and we will have storage room for our TV, sodas, and video library. Parking is in front of the facility and just around the corner. For further information please call Mike or Judie Story 407-678-5477. Several of our folks have been unable to make the Wednesday meetings because of prior church commitments and we were able to get permission to use this facility.

Already we are planning for tours in the fall and our Christmas party which will be held on December 18th at Christmas, Florida, at the Fort Christmas Park – you can bring your Christmas cards and have them mailed from Christmas, Florida! If you or anyone in your family would like to help out with the planning of any events please contact either Jack Mahaffey,Vice President or Mike Story, President.

I must make a retraction and clarify that the Model T Ford Club International is selling raffle tickets for an opportunity to win a 1923 Model T Speedster for $50 each. This is the car that our Youth and a local chapter of the MTFCI have built from the ground up – it is a Red Boat-tail Speedster, totally restored, rebuilt motor, transmission, rear-end and new cream white wire wheels. All proceeds for this raffle will go to the MTFCI Foundation Youth Scholarship Fund. Our club bought two tickets (and several of our members did also). Jack found out that there is going to be sold an unlimited number of these tickets sold and the winner of the Speedster will be announced at the MTFCI 48th Annual Tour Youth Auction, Thursday evening July 22, 2004 in Merrimac, Wisconsin -- sooo, Smilin Jack, just bring it on back from the tour anyway!

It has been rumored about that one of our members (previously known as a Model A Man) has not only been seen starting his Model T, but also driving her up and down the driveway in either a 1911 or 1912 T with a mother in law seat. Wayne were you really able to get Elaine to sit back there? Should I call you guys the Thalasionos or the Murphy’s, and did you really loose Father O’Malley?!

MAKE a grea"T" day! Mike Story, President Model T Ford Club of Central Florida

TRADE: 1992 Mercury Capri Convertible (the cute one) for T Model or what have you. Richard Fortner 407-892-8580 or email RfordT20@aol.com

FOR SALE: 1922 Model T Touring and a 1920 Model T Express Wagon. Gary Lawing, 1717 N Oregon Cir, Tampa, FL 33612 phone 813-932-5248

FOR SALE: 1927 Model T Roadster in good condition at Maitland Tractor on U.S. Hwy 17-92, $8,500 call 407-834-7272.

COMING EVENTS:

June 21 - Monthly meeting 7 pm. 7457 Whisperwood Drive, Winter Park, FL 32792

July 18-23 – The Model T Ford Club International 48th Annual Tour, Wisconsin Byways, contact Sheryl Stier 847-669-3848, Don Krull 309-344-2515, and Register with Linda Eden 815-436-5489.