Recent Hot Rod Car Show
Posted: Thu Sep 19, 2019 9:59 am
Being retired, recently widowed, and a little bit bored, I entered “Gwendolyn” my survivor grade, original Ford 1915 Touring, in a Custom Hot Rod car show. My goal was to just have a few people to just talk with, besides I paid my 35 dollars entry fee so I was committed. There was a 1923 Coupe on the same row that was restored 10 years ago so I wasn't alone. There were 150 cars, trucks and motorcycles.
I didn't even take the time to dust Gwendolyn off after getting her out of the barn. You know once you start you have to clean the WHOLE car. Also I don't want to disturb the oil encrusted dirt on the motor and running gear.
“Gwendolyn” has very sad upholstery with the tops of the seat backs just about all weathered away. A few scraps of feeble tan base fabric are all that is holding it together. The stuffing is sticking out, spring showing, and most of what does remains is brittle and cracked. Gwendolyn has her fair share of dents, dings and scratches. You can't live in a barn and be 104 without getting a few.
If the stars are in alignment and it's a warm day she starts after about three or four quarter primer cranks. Turn on the key, crank and BINGO, but never ever when a crowd is watching. I feel like she is out to teach me a lesson sometimes. She starts on three cylinders, once warm the lazy cylinder join in on the fun.
Most of the cars owners in the show spent more on the rims on their car than Gwendolyn is worth. But you can't put a price tag on a member of the family. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them spent more on the paint job than my house is worth. Most were dripping with chrome and very clean, with all kinds of custom tire and rims. This show attracted all kinds of eye candy, it's a University town.
I just enjoyed a day of visiting with a few people who wanted to know a little about my old car.
There's always the story about granddad backing up a hill or how Ford used the shipping crates boards in his cars. One lady told me a story repeated in her family, about her grandparents coming back from California during the dust bowl days in a model T. They had 27 flats from California to the high plains of Texas. Doing some rough math that's a flat about every 55 miles.
Well at the end Gwendolyn won a “Top 40” car award, they said because of historical preservation and age. I was very shocked.
I didn't even take the time to dust Gwendolyn off after getting her out of the barn. You know once you start you have to clean the WHOLE car. Also I don't want to disturb the oil encrusted dirt on the motor and running gear.
“Gwendolyn” has very sad upholstery with the tops of the seat backs just about all weathered away. A few scraps of feeble tan base fabric are all that is holding it together. The stuffing is sticking out, spring showing, and most of what does remains is brittle and cracked. Gwendolyn has her fair share of dents, dings and scratches. You can't live in a barn and be 104 without getting a few.
If the stars are in alignment and it's a warm day she starts after about three or four quarter primer cranks. Turn on the key, crank and BINGO, but never ever when a crowd is watching. I feel like she is out to teach me a lesson sometimes. She starts on three cylinders, once warm the lazy cylinder join in on the fun.
Most of the cars owners in the show spent more on the rims on their car than Gwendolyn is worth. But you can't put a price tag on a member of the family. I wouldn't be surprised if some of them spent more on the paint job than my house is worth. Most were dripping with chrome and very clean, with all kinds of custom tire and rims. This show attracted all kinds of eye candy, it's a University town.
I just enjoyed a day of visiting with a few people who wanted to know a little about my old car.
There's always the story about granddad backing up a hill or how Ford used the shipping crates boards in his cars. One lady told me a story repeated in her family, about her grandparents coming back from California during the dust bowl days in a model T. They had 27 flats from California to the high plains of Texas. Doing some rough math that's a flat about every 55 miles.
Well at the end Gwendolyn won a “Top 40” car award, they said because of historical preservation and age. I was very shocked.
