FOR OPENERS:
1. open this file for a stunner(turn up the volume then double click on the icon, at the next screen click “open”, at the bottom of the next screen click the right arrow, sit back for 103 seconds and enjoy)
2. This video has been around but is well worth seeing again, turn up your volume, about 3 minutes.(cntrl click)
PREZ SEZ
Greetings GSMR/LDC Club Members;
2020 has been a year to forget. In my almost 82 years I have never seen my Country so divided, polarized and torn apart.
Hopefully we can salvage the last quarter of the year for our club by having some car shows, our club picnic on October 3rd. and our Christmas Party December 3rd. Details to follow later.
Some of you will not participate for health reasons and we certainly understand.
June 4th. we had a luncheon tour to StrawBerry Hill, approx. 18 cars and 30 members and friends attended. A good time was had by everyone. Several people stuffed themselves on strawberries, Homemade ice cream and whipped cream on top! 🙂 Won’t mention any names but you know who you are.
Our biggest car show event this year was July 4th. at The Falls Luxury RV Resort at Lake Toxaway. Jim Benson organized the event with over 75 beautiful cars, gobs of spectators and a Barbecue Buffet to die for.
Our club members Bruce & Coleen Mangeot received “Best Original” prize for their beautiful 1959 Mercedes Benz 190 SL roadster, what a beauty it is!!! Also Grady & Doris Hawkins received “BEST Street Rod” award for their beautiful 1947 Dodge Coupe. Congrats to both!!!
Remember our club meeting, July 21st. at Mike’s On Main 6:00P.
Keep the Shiny Side Up!
Keith R. Fisher (President GSMR)
LOCKDOWN STORIES
Life in the Time of Plague
Tom Loftfield
5 July 2020
With most antique car activities cancelled due to COVID, much of the enjoyment of our hobby was relegated to the areas of maintenance, repair, upgrade, and restoration. The 1912 Ford Model T touring car came back up to Brevard from Greenville, South Carolina, where it had been for some time having the upholstery done. A thousand thanks to Hennie Jacobs for putting me onto Bucket Stitch, exactly the right shop for what needed to be done. It was far more than merely upholstery. The wooden body frame needed to be re-glued, some of the wood stabilized with a deeply penetrating epoxy, and a few pieces of wood replaced. The top was put back to rights, and now the car looks nearly brand new. It was time for new tires, the stamp on the old ones indicating that they had been installed in 1979. I convinced our local tire shop to undertake the task by agreeing to help, which I did as the rims are non-demountable meaning the front wheel bearings had to come off, and they are clincher rims, always a major pain to get on without pinching the tubes. The hardest part was getting the old tires off, they having become permanently welded to the rims and about as hard as stone.
With the Model T now in tip-top condition we could contemplate some driving. We belong to the sector of the hobby in which owners like to drive their cars, not just sit and ogle them in car shows. Alas, with all organized tour events cancelled, it fell to us to invent some things to do. Fortunately, we have friends with Model T’s who also like to drive. Three weekends in June we set out, together, to explore local byways. Our first driveabout took us up into Dupont Forest where we followed the gravel road that goes by Cascade Lake Dam. This piece of local hydraulic engineering was started in 1909 to provide power to a hosiery mill in Brevard. Excess power was given to the city, churches, and the poor. The original wooden dam was replaced in 1920 by a stone and cement dam that has been raised a few times since. Of interest is the old powerhouse, the brick water pressure equalizing tower, and the wooden penstock that took the water from the dam to the powerhouse. The penstock was made like a long barrel, oak staves held in place by large iron bands. No power is generated there, anymore, but the archaeological relics are worth a look. We tried lunch in Pisgah National Forest, but the picnic areas were closed so we came home and picnicked together at the farm.
Our second drive took us up US 276 to East Fork Road where we met another Model T enthusiast who rode along. Both the Cascade Lake route and up East Fork Road required quite a bit of low-pedal driving, but the scenery was worth the slow going. The lower part of East Fork Road follows the East Fork of the French Broad River, providing lovely views of numerous trout holes where people were casting for dinner as we drove by. Our picnic lunch was eaten at the Rosman Town Park, immediately adjacent to the French Broad River, where many folks were putting in their canoes, kayaks, and tubes for a float down the river. After lunch we visited with a fellow nearby who has a wonderful collection of old cars, tractors, trucks, and even a steam traction engine. We were nearly wiped out twice getting in to his place off US 64. I was turning left, had my arm straight out to signal the left turn when a Jeep sped by, ignoring completely my outstretched hand. Since I had made an error in guidance (the Model T GPS system leaves much to be desired) I ended up making that turn twice, and both times was nearly totaled by a Jeep. I understand that for most younger drivers an arm outstretched means that we are looking at and pointing to some interesting feature of landscape or environment, but the lesson was learned well that day. Both cars had Florida plates, so I don’t know if the drivers were young, or merely Floridiots driving in the mountains, or maybe both.
Our last tour took us down NC 225 to Tuxedo and thence on the road around Lake Summit, another positively beautiful drive. Picnic lunch was eaten in Saluda on a table set next to the road. After lunch we braved the virus to obtain ice cream at a shop just behind the Railroad Museum.
On all these driveabouts our two cars were met with high-fives, approving toots of horns, lots of looks and pictures taken. Only the two Jeeps seemed impatient that we had denied them the opportunity to grossly exceed the speed limit. For many of us “drivers”, the sort of impromptu drives we took in June are hugely rewarding. No structured organization, no schedule, just make it up as we go along. I am not certain, but I begin the think that the virus has perhaps opened the door to a very pleasant way in which to enjoy antique cars.
Respectfully submitted.
Tom Loftfield
How I spent my quarantine time.
Alan Groome
I have been working on my 1949 Ford F1 truck for some time and during the alone time, between working on every one else’s Fords, I have made some progress. It is now together and taking a couple of maiden drives around the area. Few carb adjustments, a change in timing and it was running great. It did not run great for long, started bucking, back firing and left me on the side of the road. It finally ran enough to get back to the garage. Went thru everything again and it all appeared good. NOT! it left me on the side of the road again (2nd time). Joan came to rescue me, but I found about 1/3 bottle of coke thrown on the side of the road and I poured this sticky mess on the hot coil and drove it back to the garage. Well now we have located the problem, brand new coils are subject to breaking down or so I thought. Changed coils and off I go again only to be pulled to the garage again (3rd time). Finally pulled the dizzy and found a short in the wiring which was going to ground and heating up the coil. Fixed the distributor and put it back in, needless to say I only venture to the top of the hill, so I can coast to the garage. Done this several times, maybe I will venture further from the garage soon. That is how I have spent the last few weeks of alone time. It is shiny now as I have about finished buffing it out.
RON ALBRECHT’S PIDDLIN TIME
I have been piddlin on my 1963 Studebaker Cruiser since I got it in Jan of 2019. Mostly correcting problems caused by some idiot who was not car savvy or was trying to spend as little as possible. It has been slow but FUN? Hope to have it safe enough to drive soon. I’ll be eighty next month so time is of the essence.
Now for the long part of this email. I have decided to try and sell some of my old auto items that at one time I just HAD to have. This is a long list. OLD STUFF: One beautiful handmade directional switch from Limeworks in CA. suited for a twenties /thirties steering mast jacket.6 or 12 volt. End of lever lights up when switch is activated. Bought for my 34 Dodge and never got to install it.Paid over $140.00.$60.00 firm. 1 pair of chrome teardrop cowl or bumper lamps. Modern metal construction .2 filament 12 volt bulbs in them now 2 new 6volt bulbs included. From the Filling Station Chevy parts place out west. $20.00 firm. 1 pair of red lucite wing vent air deflectors . accessory from the late 30s/early40s. New in original box. Sometimes called Venties.$10.00 firm. 1 new accessory aftermarket ashtray w/slide .drawer style. Original box a little weathered but ok.$5.00. Four NOS 37,8 or9(not sure) Hudson 112 hubcaps. 1 is excellent.1vg,1 shows improper shipping slight damage to face, 1 has brass face chrome lifting in one spot. $100.00.(half of my investment). Five new 1930 /1931 Model A hubcaps. Very heavy made with beautiful stainless faces. Close to high show quality 5/50.00 firm. Seven teens through twenties screw on grease cap/hubcaps. STAR.WHIPPET<WILLYS KNIGHT,OAKLAND and others. All seven-$60.00 neg. One used 1937? Hudson Terraplane hubcap. Will be nice cleaned up. Kinda rare.$15.00. One unique drum style(twenties) clear lens steel bodied light. Has a universal type of mounting bracket. Headlight bar-bumper iron -spotlight pole on running board etc. aluminum tag says “KD Lamp Co. nice as is or restore.$60.00 neg. Two NOS 42-46 Ford car rear bumper guards in the original FORD boxes.$20.00 pair firm. One thought to be from the teens clear lens lamp with plate bracket attached as seen on rear mounted spare tire carrier. Need work but a neat old piece.$15.00. Plus some other later model back up lamp sets ,all new.$5.00 a set. Also have a few odd hubcaps and full wheel covers. All cheap. MODERN STUFF A set of four alloy wheels with mounted and road force balanced Continental all season tires w/about 15 to 20 thousand miles left on the tread . Metric 5 lug pattern. Were on a 2009 Ford Fusion. With center caps /original invoice from Discount Tire on Airport Rd. Said to fit most Ford front wheel drive cars ,some Mazdas and some rwd Ford products. Selling for a pal that works two jobs and doesn’t have the time or space in his apt. These are aftermarket but in very nice shape for $125.00 firm. ALL on display in my garage. Ron Albrecht 828 891 1750 till 10 pm most days.
A FEW MORE PHOTOS FROM THE JULY 4TH TOXAWAY CAR SHOW
Gary Barnett’s Riviera The Mangeot’s Mercedes 190 SL!!!
Keith, Paul, Bruce, Colleen Hawkin’s 1947 Dodge
That’s all for now. Look for Lagniappes in the near future.
Ed.
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