Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

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Retro54
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Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Retro54 » Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:20 am

Good morning! I had to put out this dispatch in regards to the BEST new car tour on the east coast which occurred yesterday, June 29, 2023 at the Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown, PA. Put on by one of the 'young guys' in the Hobby, this pre-WWII tour was organized by Nick Sieber with help of family and friends. Check out the tour website here for more information. https://sites.google.com/view/stonegabl ... uNhb3HlSww

A novel idea for a tour, the entire event took place within the 275 acres that comprises the Stone Gables Estate in Elizabethtown, PA. After a train ride on a recreation of an 1800's engine and a tour of THE replica of the Lincoln Funeral Car, we paraded to the tour 'Parking' area, next to the world famous Star Barn, which was moved to and reconstructed on the Estate grounds a few years ago. Then we were on our OWN... to ride around several miles of paved roads, stoned roads, and muddy cart path trails complete with horse turds for period correctness (they have horses on site). It was a blast running my 1915 RPU with my father alongside, thinking that this must have been what the roadways were like 100 years ago when these cars were close to new!

Being pre-WWII, there was a strong contingent of Model A's, and several T's... but also local HCCA members who brought out such gems as a 2 cylinder Reo and Buick. There was also a Pullman Roadster on site along with other great cars. When's the last time you saw one of those at a show let alone watching it drive away?!?

With a strong showing this first year, I am certain it will continue to grow into a Central Pennsylvania version of the OCF or events at the Gilmore... albeit with a little more Mud.. Horse turds... and a stream crossing... what's not to love! Come on out next year, this place is MADE for Model T's!!! Enjoy the photos!
Attachments
This is the map of the estate. All trails were marked with direction and 'difficulty'. Made for some fun laps around the site. Lots of low pedal... but it was worth it!
This is the map of the estate. All trails were marked with direction and 'difficulty'. Made for some fun laps around the site. Lots of low pedal... but it was worth it!
My 1915 and one of the many re-located and completely restored barns on the Estate Grounds
My 1915 and one of the many re-located and completely restored barns on the Estate Grounds
Pre-tour line up.
Pre-tour line up.
04.jpg
Reo and Buick... HCCA members may recognize these cars that are often seen on tour!
Reo and Buick... HCCA members may recognize these cars that are often seen on tour!
Last edited by Retro54 on Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:41 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Retro54
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Retro54 » Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:23 am

I have LOTS of photos... here are some more!
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More of the Pre-tour line up.
More of the Pre-tour line up.
Off the beaten path... to the muddy one! This trail was a fun one!
Off the beaten path... to the muddy one! This trail was a fun one!
Crossing an actual Lancaster County covered bridge, which was saved, moved, re-built and now serves as one of the entrances to the Estate grounds.
Crossing an actual Lancaster County covered bridge, which was saved, moved, re-built and now serves as one of the entrances to the Estate grounds.
Dad and I scooting up a decent hill (Photo Credit Tracy Lesher)
Dad and I scooting up a decent hill (Photo Credit Tracy Lesher)
The Reo stalled on the tracks.... waiting for it to get pulled up the hill by a Model A Ford so that we could proceed.
The Reo stalled on the tracks.... waiting for it to get pulled up the hill by a Model A Ford so that we could proceed.
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Retro54
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Retro54 » Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:26 am

MOre photos.. too many not to share.
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A T sedan following Dad and I thru the woods.
A T sedan following Dad and I thru the woods.
Part of the day was a ride on the Estate's steam train.
Part of the day was a ride on the Estate's steam train.
Passing the covered bridge, on the train, with a Ford waiting at the crossing!
Passing the covered bridge, on the train, with a Ford waiting at the crossing!
Our cars, waiting for the train ride to be over.
Our cars, waiting for the train ride to be over.
Some of the other gents on the tour (photo Credit Nick Seiber)
Some of the other gents on the tour (photo Credit Nick Seiber)
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Retro54
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Retro54 » Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:27 am

And some more I tell ya!
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My T in front of a barn that was moved from Millersburg PA and faithfully restored.
My T in front of a barn that was moved from Millersburg PA and faithfully restored.
Sweet T speedser (photo credit Tracy Lesher)
Sweet T speedser (photo credit Tracy Lesher)
..and sometimes a T needs some help up a hill. This 15 had some intermittent trouble with slipping bands and a full load.
..and sometimes a T needs some help up a hill. This 15 had some intermittent trouble with slipping bands and a full load.
Another shot of that speedster.
Another shot of that speedster.
Tour line up
Tour line up
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Retro54
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Retro54 » Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:28 am

Why not some more?
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21.jpg
22.jpg
The Pullman roadster... in all its glory.
The Pullman roadster... in all its glory.
24.jpg
25.jpg
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Retro54
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Retro54 » Sun Jul 30, 2023 11:30 am

Final two pics. I'll be there next year... so should you!!
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The 15 T... which was owned/driven by a young guy that I'm guessing was under 20... cool dude, nice T.
The 15 T... which was owned/driven by a young guy that I'm guessing was under 20... cool dude, nice T.
Took advantage of taking a photo by the Star Barn.. a tremendous structure and worth attending the tour itself just to see it!
Took advantage of taking a photo by the Star Barn.. a tremendous structure and worth attending the tour itself just to see it!
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Steve Jelf
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Steve Jelf » Sun Jul 30, 2023 12:10 pm

For comparison, this estate is 75 acres bigger than Greenfield Village.
Is there a ford where Fords can ford?
The inevitable often happens.
1915 Runabout
1923 Touring
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Retro54
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Retro54 » Sun Jul 30, 2023 12:29 pm

Steve Jelf wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 30, 2023 12:10 pm
 For comparison, this estate is 75 acres bigger than Greenfield Village.
Is there a ford where Fords can ford?
Steve, great point on the acreage! It's a grand place.

Yes there is a small always running stream "Hidden Creek" that affords you the chance to ford your Ford! I'll try to find a photo.
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by greasemonkey100 » Sun Jul 30, 2023 1:56 pm

It was a great time, great location, and great people!
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Scott_Conger
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Scott_Conger » Sun Jul 30, 2023 2:01 pm

Andrew, most appreciate your taking the time to share.

as is often the case, I have a soft-spot for family's enjoying time together and find the photo of you and your dad to be the nicest photo posted. My dad is 92 and lives on the other side of the country plus isn't up to touring even for a day. I envy your time with your pop.
Scott Conger

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Retro54
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Retro54 » Sun Jul 30, 2023 3:42 pm

Scott_Conger wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 30, 2023 2:01 pm
 Andrew, most appreciate your taking the time to share.

as is often the case, I have a soft-spot for family's enjoying time together and find the photo of you and your dad to be the nicest photo posted. My dad is 92 and lives on the other side of the country plus isn't up to touring even for a day. I envy your time with your pop.
Thank you Scott for your words! I agree, good times with dad. We need to get his 16 there too next year. The event was a good one. I hope to see more Ts next year. Glad you enjoyed my writeup.
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Retro54
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Retro54 » Sun Jul 30, 2023 3:43 pm

greasemonkey100 wrote: ↑
Sun Jul 30, 2023 1:56 pm
 It was a great time, great location, and great people!
Great to meet you too! Maybe I'll run into you at Gretna sometime.

Andy
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Kaiser » Mon Jul 31, 2023 6:20 am

Andy, that is a great set of pictures, and a vrry nice roadster pickup !
When in trouble, do not fear, blame the second engineer ! 8-)
Leo van Stirum, Netherlands
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Retro54
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Re: Report from the 1st Annual Stone Gables Estate Pre-WWII Car Tour - Elizabethtown, PA

Post by Retro54 » Mon Jul 31, 2023 10:47 am

Kaiser wrote: ↑
Mon Jul 31, 2023 6:20 am
 Andy, that is a great set of pictures, and a vrry nice roadster pickup !
Thank you sir! It was a grand time... and I couldn't miss the chance to run my RPU around the 'coutryside' and restored barns!

Andy
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