At last back in Switzerland

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: At last back in Switzerland
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:03 pm:

Sorry for the late post but I had a hectic time since coming back to Switzerland had to travel some more but is finally home and have time to post this.To all my "new friends" in Longbeach, San Diego and all the surrounding places. I would like to thank all of you for all the hospitality and making me feel so welcome when I visited the US.
When I posted a few weeks ago that I will be visiting the US and want to meet up with Model T guys I never expected such a great response and hospitality!
Firstly I was taken for a spin in a Montana 500 T by Gene Carrothers and we met up with Ralf better known as Ricks-Surf City. The same afternoon Frank Harris and Humble Howard took me for rides in their magnificent speedsters and I had to join Frank and his wife for dinner. Friday afternoon I drove to Corona and visited Glen Chaffin to buy some much needed spares for me and my friends back home in South Africa. Glen took the time to show me all his "gems" even after closing time! On the weekend I met up with Mike Green at cars and coffee the Saturday morning and enjoyed the cars on show. I then visited Bud Williams at home to buy Rocky Mountain brakes and admire his collection of cars. Unfortunately I also had to do some work the next week but on the Friday I drove to Norman Kling to pick up the Warford I bought and had sent to his place He took me for Lunch and a drive around Alpine. I was Invited to join him and the San Diego Model T club for a tour the Saturday. I had a great time hopping between model T`s Thanks Norm, Tony, Bob, Mac, John & Judy and everybody else I apologise if I missed some names but I just cannot remember them all! And for everybody that invited me for dinners and lunches!
I had so much spares that I had to buy an extra suitcase to get it all home, a college of mine also had to take some in his luggage.
Here is some pictures of my trip and T`s I have seen I also visited 2 museums and added the pictures. In the Hyatt Hotel in San Diego the is some pictures of Model T`s I also included them for you guys.
Once again Thanks so much for a great time! It is so nice to put faces to the names when I read posts on the forum!
Kind regards
Ockert van der Berg
Ps. Thanks Bob for sending me the part I "lost" in the rental car.
And if any of you guys ever visit South Africa there will be a T for you to drive in! And if you are coming to Switzerland in the next year you are welcome to visit me although I have my T back in South Africa will not be able to take you for a spin.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:05 pm:

Some more pics




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:07 pm:

And some more



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:10 pm:

More



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:13 pm:

More



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:15 pm:

And some more



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:18 pm:




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:20 pm:




Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:22 pm:

And here is the last ones!



Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Dick Lodge - St Louis MO on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:28 pm:

Baie dankie vir die foto's en die verhaal, Ockert! This is the kind of experience that convinces me that T owners are just one big happy fraternity around the world. I am sure you must have had an unforgettable time...


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:29 pm:

I'm glad that you had a good time. You got to see many of the Southern California members and cars and drive along on tours.

Did you have any problems getting the transmission and parts through customs or aboard the airplanes?
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Bob Bishop, San Diego on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 03:56 pm:

Ockert,
My family and I had a very enjoyable time meeting you also, and I enjoyed having you ride along in my car. It was also a big relief to have someone who knows so much more about T's than I do, compliment my car on how well it was running when we came up the grade from the tidepools at Pt Cabrillo Nat'l Monument.
I too hope you got everything in your suitcases thru TSA and Customs, and glad you finally got the "lost" part. Take care,
Bob


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Wayne Sheldon, Grass Valley, CA on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 07:52 pm:

Ockert vdB,
Thank you, very much, for sharing these photos! (Basically what Dick Lodge said)
It does look like you had a good visit here. Thank you for sharing some of it with us.
Drive carefully, and enjoy, W2


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ricks - Surf City on Sunday, July 14, 2013 - 09:00 pm:

Yes, it was great meeting you, Ockert.

If you get up Zurich way, you should see Stefan Schaller. He has a T and a TT. PM me if you want his email and intro.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Gene Carrothers Huntington Beach on Monday, July 15, 2013 - 01:04 pm:

Glad you had such a good time during your stay. I am sure we all did as well and was a pleasure meeting you and hearing the amazing stories of your car.

Let us know if you have to make another "work" trip here.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Monday, July 15, 2013 - 03:50 pm:

Norm
I had some fun getting everything home I had 2 suitcases full of "stuff" weighing in at 70 pounds each! (max allowed weight limit) I had to buy a small case to carry my clothes in hand luggage. My colleague had the Rocky Mountain brakes and a Stromberg Carb in his suitcase and he weighed in at 66 Pounds. I do not think custom officials and security staff new what hit them when they were inspecting the cases. (gave them a good gim workout though) I had some notes in my suitcases informing me they inspected my luggage same for my colleague. I do not think they see a Warford in a suitcase everyday! I made sure I place Model T books and catalogs on top of everything so they could see it is parts for my old Ford and hoped for the best, It worked perfectly! Back in Switzerland I picked up the suitcases from the conveyor belt trying my utmost best to keep a straight face not to give away that they are super heavy and walked out "the nothing to declare" lane with a big smile on my face! Back home it was like Christmas unpacking all my treasures! Until I discovered I miss the riveted brass steering case. I phoned the hotels I stayed in but no luck also tried the Lost and found line for Avis rental car but no luck. In desperation I contacted Bob Bishop and asked him if he could go to Avis with all my details. Armed with a picture of my missing part he went to Avis unfortunately the car I had was already rented out, but they said it will be back later the same week and they will have a better look. A few days later Bob had my steering case and mailed it to me! I could not believe my luck!
This is a great hobby with GREAT people across the world!
Ockert


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Norman T. Kling on Monday, July 15, 2013 - 04:06 pm:

That's good news! We enjoyed the visit and your presence with us. Most of the Model T people I have met from all over the world have been good people.
Norm


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Ockert van der Berg on Monday, July 15, 2013 - 04:18 pm:

For interest sake here is all the parts I brought home:
1 x Warford gearbox
1 set of Rocky Mountain Brakes (and extra castings for a friend)
1 x Stromberg LF Carb
5 x KW contact sets for coils
20 x capacitors
1 x Brass casted radiator inlet
1 x Brass casted Radiator outlet
3 x Boyco cans
1 x Ruckstel axle gear
1 x Gear nob for the Ruckstel axle
2 x speedometers
1 x Exhaust pack nut spanner
2 x Top body brackets
10 x model T magazines and catalogs
4 x hard cover books
1 x Beugler pinstripe roller and 5m magnetic guide
1 x Mountain of paperwork on Towncars (compliments of Tony)
3 x Model cars (another of my hobbies)
1 x Universal Socket set.

A Lifetime of memories!

Ockert


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