OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FORDS UNLIMITED CAR CLUB

Transcription

1 March 2015 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE FORDS UNLIMITED CAR CLUB P.O. Box Ballwin, MO Board of Directors Syl Biermann Paula Goodrich Dan Kelly Rich Sutorius Josh Johnson Secretary-Cindy Ahrens Editor Bob Layton or Publisher-Bill & Barb Giese Web Master-Scott Lewis Keirsten McDaniel A t our snowy February board of directors meeting, some our club events for the year were planned. Some event dates have not been set as of yet and will be added as we get information. This month we will be touring the Anheuser Busch Brewery in South St. Louis on March 21st. Details are listed on page 3 of this newsletter. In April, we have two events scheduled. On the 11th, we will attend the Mustang Round- Up presented by the Mustang Club of St. Louis. On the 18th, we have a new event planned. We will be touring the Fox Theater. We will be doing lunch/dinner after the tour. Details on page 2. May will bring several events. Normally we have attended the Classic s on Wheels car show in Elsberry, Missouri in the Fall. This year they moved it back to May 5th. Unfortunately, this is the same date as the Shelbyfest. To make all happy, we will post each as a club event and you can choose which ever show that you like. On May 16th, we will have Fords Unlimited night at the Rascals baseball game. We will be able to drive our cars and trucks around the field. This will be a fundraiser for the BackStoppers. On May 17th, we will attend the Salute to the Troops car show held in O Fallon, Missouri. On Friday, June 5th, we will attend the Wentzville Rod Run. We are also hoping to be able to set up a club tent at the Great Race witch will start in Kirkwood this year. The event will be held on June 18th-19th. Later in the month, some of our members will be heading to Tulsa, Oklahoma, for the Mid-America Ford Nationals. July is always a busy month. On July 5th, we will travel to Granite City, Illinois to attend the Patriots in the Park car show. This will probably start with a stop at the A p p l e t r e e r e s t a u r a n t for a great breakfast. On July 25th, we will hold our pre-show BBQ and meeting at McDonnell Park. Of course, the event of the year for us will be our 29th annual car show which will be held on the 26th. On August 5th, we again attend the Wentzville Rod Run. There will be several other shows added. Right now, we have nothing scheduled in September but that also will change as the time draws near. Although the date and location have not been set, we will hold our annual Fall Color Tour in October. On November 11th, we will again participate in the Veterans Day Parade held in Arnold, Missouri. From what we understand, the parade may have a longer route this year. Other events planned but we do not have dates as of yet include: the Sinclair display, the MCSTL car show, the Mid-West Rides for Guides car show, The Show-Me Mustang Club car show, the Purina Farms car show, the Troy First Baptist car show, and the Valley of Flowers car show. We will post these shows as soon as we receive the needed information. As usual, we always offer plenty of opportunities to attain points.

2 March 2015 Page 2 O n February 21st, some members of our club attended a trivia night to help support the Gateway Chapter of the I have scheduled our outing on Saturday April 18 th. Our tour will start at 10:30 am and will be approximately 60 minutes. If we have 20 or people our ticket price is $8.00 with a private tour guide. I am pretty sure we will have at least that many. Syl and I thought we would just meet at the Fox. People should try to arrive by 10 am, no later than 10:15.The Fox does have a small parking lot in the back of the theater, but please carpool where you can. There will be elevators but the lady did tell me that there are a few steps throughout the tour. The tour will include a history of the theater. We will see 10 different locations of the building including the orchestra pit and the Might MO. We will see the original furniture that was chosen by the wife of movie mogul William Fox that was used in the Men s Lounge. After our tour I have made reservations at the Triumph Grill for lunch at 12:30. I did ask about parking and sorry to say they do not have Sudden Cardiac Arrest Association. This fine organization provides AED/CPR education and the placement of ADE s in the local counties. A Red Bird Basket was donated by the Laytons and crafted by Donna that contained a Cardinal lap blanket, Cardinal deco mesh wreath and various other Red Bird memorabilia. Our club also added a $25 Darden gift card. Our short manned table did OK considering as we answered 53 of the 100 questions and came in 24th place out of 32 teams. We thank Dan Kelly for setting up this event for our club and all of the members and family that were able to attend. Sandy Carey has been busy arranging this tour. Since it will be held early next month, the info is listed this month a parking lot. The only parking is on the street. There are meters (25 cents). The lady I spoke to said she didn t think there would be a problem because it is on a Saturday. They have a great looking menu and anyone can go on line to check it out at Triumph-grill.com. There is a museum attached to the grill that showcases different motorcycles from around the world that we can tour. I will need to call both the Fox and the Grill by April 10 th so the cut off will need to be around April 6 th. Since we won t be able to have the sign-up sheet for the April meeting, I have listed my telephone number and just in case anyone who can t go to the meeting can still sign up to go smcarey141@gmail.com

3 March 2015 Page 3 O n March 21st, we will be touring the Anheuser Bush Brewery in St. Louis. Based in St. Louis, Anheuser-Busch is the leading American brewer, holding a 47.6 percent share of U.S. beer sales to retailers. The company brews the world s largest-selling beers, Budweiser and Bud Light, and distributes these and many other popular brands through a strong network of more than 600 independent wholesalers. Anheuser-Busch operates 12 breweries across the United States, is a major manufacturer of aluminum cans and has been a leading aluminum recycler for more than 30 years. We will meet at the brewery at 9:45 am for a 10 am tour. After the tour, we will head to the new hospitality house to sample some of their products. We should be done about 11:30. The brewery is located at 1127 Pestalozzi, St. Louis, Missouri, Their phone number is For lunch, we will be heading to Soulards Restaurant that is located on the corner of Seventh and Soulard streets. We need to know how many are coming for lunch so we can firm up our reservation. If you cannot attend our membership meeting, please contact Syl Biermann at W hile going through and cleaning out my hordes of car club photos, photo albums, club albums, old car show books and flyers, and so and so on, I found these photos of some of our current members at one of our shows that was held in 1988 or 1989 at Lindenwood College in St. Charles as it was known at the time. It appears that some of us have changed a little and some, not so much. Their identities are listed below. The photo quality is very poor. Shown from left are Syl Biermann, Jack Greiwe, Bill Bufka, Jim Biermann, Mike McDougal, Gary Burch, and Bob Layton.

4 March 2015 Page 4 Club member Jack Anderson is known for his stable of classic Fords, from his 1957 F-Bird, a Ford retractable and a KR Shelby. He has now purchased a very rare Thunderbird and has sent the information below. I purchased a D/F 1957 Thunderbird this week. It is a Phase 1 supercharger factory setup that Ford built for testing and racing at Daytona in It is 1 of only 15 D/F Birds build by Ford in Dearborn only, on January 25th, It has the provenance of racing on the beach, and also drag racing.the rear traction bars are still on the car.as are the front tow hooks welded onto the frame. Ford built 8 in white, the remaining balance of 7 in one each different colors.mine is triple bronze.one repaint of bronze over bronze in 1963.the only update made, besides a fresh NAS- CAR spec engine several years ago. There are only 8 D/F Bird survivors left, 7 of which are frame off full 300 point restorations, 2 white cars and 5 color cars. Mine is the only original unrestored survivor car, completely rust free, 60,000 miles, no wrecks or body damage. Runs and drives out VERY strong. What makes this D/F so special is the National T-Bird Club documented fact that it is the only 57 D/F Bird with all 20 factory original D/F Phase 1 Supercharger engine components present on one car, that differentiates the D/F models from the 208 Phase 2 F-Code Birds that were built by Ford beginning June 7th, 1957, to comply with NASCAR rules that at least 200 factory supercharger Birds be available to the general public for purchase Just a few minor things to tweak, but I think it is a pretty nice rare car and I will try to have it at our July 26th Club Show. (The photos below are file photos).

5 March 2015 Page 5 L ast year we had changes on who was collecting dues, new member apps, and Points. This had caused some confusion. We will try to clear up this problem. ALL new member applications and dues go either to Cindy Ahrens or should be mailed to our P.O. box that is posted on the front page of every newsletter. Cindy will then forward the needed information or funds to our treasurer, and to the people who do our roster, the newsletter mailing list, and our newsletter list. Things should go easier this year. Maria Warren, mother of Burt Pennington of our club, passed away last month at the age of 98. Our condolences go out to Burt and his family. Paula Goodrich is selling her 2003 Mustang GT. If you are wanting a turnkey show car, this is the one for you. Check out her ad in our classified section. Our winners for February were Mike and Teresa McDougal who went home with an additional $45. T his month we welcome three new members. Debra McBee has joined. Her husband, Dennis had joined our club last month. The McBee s reside in Manchester and own a couple of late model Mustangs. Marc Glaser has also joined. Mark drives a 2007 Mustang GT. He was sponsored by John Sullivan. Also joining is Norm Weck who lives in St. Louis. Norm owns a stable of Blue Oval rides dating from 1951 to Norm was sponsored by Ken Farrar. Welcome to all! March Events March 4th Board of Directors Dorsett Sybergs-7 pm March 11th Membership Sports Café-7 pm March 21st Anheuser Busch Tour the brewery at 9:45 am

6 March 2015 Page 6 By Jerry Grimmer I recently read a fascinating book, The Arsenal Of Democracy by A. J. Baime. This deals with the epic American feat ramping up from almost nothing to becoming the premier source of armaments for the WWII Allies in just four short years. The book focuses on Detroit as the epicenter of this effort and more specifically the role of Ford Motor Company in mass producing the B-24 Liberator bomber and other armaments. A major part of this story is the struggle of Edsel Ford against his father, Henry for the success of this effort. I was struck by this as Edsel is almost synonymous with failure. As I discovered the car model maybe yes, the man definitely not. As Ford people I thought it important that this is recognized. Edsel Bryant Ford was born to Henry and Clara Ford November 6, He was delivered by a doctor who arrived at the small Ford apartment on a bicycle. Henry remarked that he cost twice as much as when he was born (July, 1863) but he was happy. Despite the then modest circumstances of the Fords he was given the name Edsel which was old English for rich. He would be an only child and as his father s pride would grow up by Henry s side. To understand and appreciate Edsel it is necessary to know a little of Henry. A truly self-made man he began with no formal education or wealth. In November, 1893 he was working the night shift at Detroit s Edison Illumination Company for $40 per week which was good money at the time. In August of 1899 he founded the Detroit Automobile Company and it failed within a year. At age 40, with a family, broke, jobless, and living with his 76 year old father he persevered and in June of 1903 with new investors founded the Ford Motor Company. By 1907 the company s profits were $1,124,675. Henry realized he had made it big the day Clara came to him with an u n - c a s h e d check for $ 75,000 she had found in his pants pocket which he had apparently forgotten about. Nonetheless he confided to his friends that his personal success was not f o r e m o s t, rather it would be the achievement of his son, Edsel. One prominent historian said With his Model T Henry Ford affected the world more than any other man in fifteen hundred years We are all familiar with the dramatic rise of the Ford Empire. It was driven by the autocratic Henry who became so powerful that he would almost not recognize impossibilities. It was in the shadow of this man that Edsel had to make his way. In many ways Edsel was the antithesis of his father. Early on Edsel developed a love for the automobile. Although very smart after high school graduation no college, he went directly to work for his father at Ford. As he matured into a young man he acquired all of the social graces and refined tastes befitting a prince of the American aristocracy. The difference was from the austere and aloof Henry was his natural genuine acuity and gentle demeanor. As was said there was not a scrap of artificiality about Mr. Edsel Fords smile. It just happens. And from a young woman he was handsome enough to charm the dogs off a meat wagon. Edsel continued to learn the business from his father and his genius assistant at Ford Cast Iron Charlie Sorenson. In 1919 at the age of 25 Henry named Edsel president of Ford Motor Company. Among his first acts were to give Ford s 28,000 employees

7 March 2015 Page 7 a 20% raise (From $5 to $6 per day) and to quietly buy out the remaining Ford stock holders. In 1927 it was estimated the worth of Henry and Edsel to be 1.2 billion. Stock ownership was 55% Henry 45% Edsel and 3% Clara. The rift that would separate father and son began to emerge as the forward thinking Edsel strove to modernize Ford often to the resistance of Henry. Seeking his own legacy the innovative Edsel recognized the airplane as the wave of the future. Investing in and later buying the Stout Metal Airplane Company, Ford built many aircraft models including the famed Tri Motor (The Tin Goose). Edsel became a true pioneer in the beginnings of commercial aviation with the reluctant support of Henry. Constantly pushing the new and improved Edsel ran up against Henry in such things as replacing the outdated Model T against which General Motors and Chrysler overtook Ford in sales with more modern offerings. The situation between Henry and Edsel worsened when Henry hired a shady character, Harry Bennett to head up Ford s private security force. Bennett s security people eventually became known as the Ford Gestapo answering only to Henry himself. Edsel distanced himself then until the catastrophe in 1937 over the unionization of the Ford plants. Recognizing the unreasonable positions of his father and their potential to damage the company, Edsel began to reassert himself bringing a semblance of order and control albeit under difficult and trying conditions. Later as war clouds began to gather over Europe the Administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt realized the inevitability of American involvement and began to take steps to harness the tremendous productive capabilities of Detroit. Important here was that Henry openly opposed the Democrats and particularly Roosevelt whereas Edsel could be counted on to do the right thing. The visionary Roosevelt perceived that airpower would be key in the coming conflict. In May 1940 he called for the building of 50,000 military planes. The centerpiece would be the newly designed heavy four engine bomber, the B-24 Liberator. Who else understood aviation and fully integrated mass production? They went straight to Ford, where nothing was ever impossible. Edsel, his two sons Henry II and Benson and Charlie Sorenson looked at the B- 24 which the designer Consolidated was then building one at a time piece by piece. Several days later they boldly told the government that with their backing they would build the largest airplane factory in the world and turn out a bomber an hour. The aircraft industry thought this impossible. Starting with building the factory, Willow Run in June 1941 overcoming a myriad of tremendous obstacles the production target of one B-24 an hour was reached in July This was in addition to the thousands of aircraft engines, jeeps, gliders, and other armaments Ford built. These operations were all overseen by Edsel whom often put in grueling long and stressful hours. Sadly this took a toll on Edsel s failing health and on May 26, 1943 at age 49 he passed away. For a brief time control of the company reverted back to the aged Henry, but in a Ford family Stock holders showdown led by Edsel s wife, Eleanor control was passed to the young Henry Ford II, who was honorably discharged from his Naval Officers Commission directly by the secretary of the Navy himself specifically for this purpose. The Ford descendant, Edsel s son would reign over the Ford Empire for the next 42 years.

8 A FREE SERVICE FOR ALL FOR ENTHUSIASTS. CALL OR March 2015 For Sale Mustang GT auto excellent condition meticulous maintenance by Ford all records 106k miles everything works Ford MACH 1000 sound system moon roof no leaks chrome wheels dark red metal flake w/clear coat grey interiorgreat show car. Asking $7,500 Contact Paula at or leave message. For Sale Mustang GT (Fastback), 351 (4BL), Crimson color Cougar Convertible, blue w/white convertible top, 351 (4BL), auto, power steering, air Cougar Boss 302 Eliminator, yellow, 4 speed (real Boss 302). All are clean and drivable. Would not be embarrassed to take anywhere including a Ford show. Call John Saxton for more details or For Sale. Set of GT40P Smallblock heads. Exhaust port matched. $125. Tall set of Trickflow valve covers. Black Powercoated with red lettering. $ Parts Wanted. T5 bellhousing & T5 shifter. Also 69 Mercury Marauder wheels Parts Wanted Ford NOS small baby hub caps, B7A C, white painted centers Ford Factory stamped VR- 57 Paxton Supercharger setup or parts. EDB-C and EDB-D Heads, EDB-F 4 Bbl intake, EDB-AA or EDB-AB or EDB- C Holley teapot 4Bbl carbs, supercharger air cleaner. Also 14"x5" and 14"x5 1/2" and 14"x6" Ford SOLID faced steel rims. Any quantity ok Memories Cruise Nights. 1st Friday of the month, April through October. Faith Church, Gravois, sunset Hills, MO. The will be collecting canned good for the church. JJ s of St. Charles cruise nights. April 11th, May 9th, June 13th, July 11th, August 8th, September 12th, and October 10th. Info March 1st. Automotive Swap Meet. Highland Speedway, Madison Co. Fairgrounds. $4 Admission. 7 am till 1 pm. Info day, Evenings, misfit3366@gmail.com March 21st. Our club will tour the Anheuser Busch brewery. Details on page 3 of this newsletter. Club event. March 29th. Automotive Swap Meet. Perry County Fairgrounds, Pinckneyville, Illinois.. $4 Admission. 7 am till 1 pm. Info day, Evenings, April 5th. 29th annual Real Easter Show to be held on the Lower Muny Parking Lot, Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri. Info (after 5 pm) or misfit3366@gmail.com April 11th. Mustang Roundup presented by the Mustang Club of St. Louis. No other information available yet. April 12th. April Fools Swap Meet to be held at the GCS ballpark in Sauget, Il. $1.00 admission, free parking. Info: Donna at (evenings and weekends). April 17th-18th. The Branson Auction held at the Branson Convention Center, Branson, Missouri April 18th. Our club will be touring the Fox Theater. Details in the April newsletter. Club event. April 25th. St. Louis Co. Police Welfare Assn. car show & BBQ. Mehlville Senior High School located at 3200 Lemay ferry Rd. 32 classes. $20 registration. Info April 25th. Immanuel Lutheran car cruise. 115 So. 6th St. in St. Charles, MO. Free registration. Special awards, prizes, food & Fords Unlimited Car Show Sponsor 2/15 Fords Unlimited Car Show Sponsor 675 Dunn Rd. Hazelwood, MO

9 beverages. Into April 30th-May 2nd. The Shelbyfest. The show has been moved to Jefferson City. This year. The show day is May 2nd. Club event. May 1st. Magic Dragon Street Meet Nationals to be held at historic Bagnell Dam Strip at the Lake of the Ozarks. Open to all makes, models, and years of cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Info May 2nd. Classics on Wheels car show in Elsberry Missouri. Details to follow. Club event. May 16th. Fords Unlimited night at the River City Rascals. Details to follow. We will be able to drive our cars around the infield. Club event. May 17th. Salute to the Troops car show to held at the VFW Post 5077 located on 8500 Veterans Memorial Parkway in O Fallon, Missouri. Club Event. May 21st-23rd. Blue Oval Rally. Held in Hermann, Missouri. Info-MidwestBlueOval.Club May 22nd-24th. Mid-America Street Rod Nationals. Held at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield, MO. Info June 6th. The Mustang Club of St. Louis all Ford show. No other information available. June 6th. 6th Annual show for the benefit of Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital. Hosted by the Coachmen Car Club of St. Louis. 3 awards in each of 20 classes. Located at Dorsett Road (just West of Lindbergh), Maryland Heights, MO. 8:00AM - 4:00PM (rain or shine). Info or or July 18th. Afton Parents Club car show. $20 preregistration, $24 day of show. Benefits the Thomas Boley Fund. Held at Affton High School, 8309 Mackenzie Road. Info June 20th-28th. Hemmings Motor News Great Race that will start in Kirkwood, Missouri. Details to follow. July 26th. Fords Unlimited 29th annual all Ford Show to be held at J.S. MacDonnell Park in St. Louis County, Missouri. August 9th. 5th annual Show Off Car Show. Open to all cars, trucks, and motorcycles. No location posted as of yet but it is normally at the Machinists' Hall in Bridgeton. Info November 5th. Automotive Swap meet held at the Belle-Clair Fairgrounds. Info Our monthly membership meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month except January at Sports Cafe, 3579 Pennridge Drive, Bridgeton, MO Their phone numbers is (314) Please call Sports Cafe to check on weather related meeting cancellations. Our board of directors meetings are held the first Wednesday of each month at Sybergs which is located at the NE corner of Highway 270 and Dorsett Road. Check with any board member on weather related cancellations. All meetings start at 7 pm. 2/15 Central Securities Investments, Securities, Construction Wentzville, Missouri careyj.central@gmail.com SINCE 1925 PHONE Matt Birkenmeier Sales Representative-mbirkenmeier@davesinclair.com Like Us On Facebook Thank You and Here s My Address Fax SINCLAIR 7466 S. Lindbergh at Lemay Ferry, St. Louis, MO /15 James Michael Carey Fords Unlimited Car Show Sponsor 2727 West Clay Street, St. Charles, MO Fords Unlimited Car Show Sponsor 4/16 Service Hours Mon.-Fri. 7am-8pm Gravois Auto Radiator is St. Louis only radiator repair and distribution center all under one roof. We can restore your original radiator so you can keep the OEM stamping & logos. We also restore gas tanks, heater cores & a/c condensers. We have been in business for over three generations and are currently located at 4040 Gravois. Phone gravoisautoradiator@gmail.com Our hours of operations are Monday thru Friday 7:30 to 5:00 and Saturday 8:00 to 12:00. Joe Vander Pluym-Club Member 2/16

10 REMEMBER, BUSCH TOUR, MARCH 21st