Tag: Ford
Jerry Le Mere – Crete, IL
Director of Publications and Library
Having been a member of MARC since 1992,I belong to 4 local regions, Calumet (recording secretary, 2 years), Joliet, Highland and Henry’s A’s.
I have attended many National and Membership Meets and have been involved in hosting 2 Membership Meets and 1 National Meet.
I was a co-author of the TOURING CLASS JUDGING STANDARDS in 1995. As a member of the Touring Class Committee, since 1994, I have been a Team Captain and Chief Judge. I have also been an Apprentice Judge for Fine Point, judged in Blue Ribbon Judging and I have assisted the Lady A’s Region.
I have a 1929 Tudor and a 1928 Phaeton that I restored with a lot of help from my dad; we also restored Dad’s 1930 Pickup, a 1930 Deluxe Roadster and are presently working on a 1929 Leatherback Fordor Sedan.
I worked in the communications industry for 30 years and am currently working for Ford Motor Company, at the Chicago Stamping Plant, as a Production Team Member.
Term: 2017-2019, 2023-2025
James Zimmer
Director of Regions
My fascination with Model A Fords began at an early age when I noticed a derelict 1930 model A four door sitting in a field in 1961. At $75 it was too much to contemplate.
In 1972 I bought my first one, a non running 1929 Tudor for $500. I was thrilled when I sold it for a $25 profit a few weeks later!
Since that time, Model A’s have more or less followed me home, probably owning more than 20 Model A’s at one time or another.
I have restored two A’s, a 29 roadster pick up, a 31 wide bed pick up, a 1926 Model T coupe and am currently in the process of restoring a 30 standard coupe. I also have several other A drivers and projects awaiting restoration.
My wife Becky and I joined MARC in 1987 and have attended many National meets and co-chaired the 2018 membership meeting in Granville Ohio. I have also had a number of articles printed in the Model A News over the years.
I have been fortunate to have held director positions in 3 regional clubs, the Scioto Region in Columbus, Ohio, the Niagara Frontier Region in Buffalo, NY (also a member) and currently holding that position in the Model A Drivers of East Central Ohio region since 2018.
Our regions motto is “Just Drive Them” and that is what we do!
Tom Hovetter
Director of Membership and Public Relations
My name is Tom Hovetter and I have been asked to submit my name as a candidate for the MARC Board of Directors. Although, I am currently not a member of a local club, I remain active in the Model A hobby. I was previously a member of Hub City Model A Ford Club in Boonsboro, MD, serving as vice-president for two years and then becoming president, serving in that position for ten years. In 2017, I had the honor of chairing the National Meet in Gettysburg, PA. I have been a fine point judge at the 2018 and 2022 National meets. I have attended 7 National meets beginning with the 2007 National Meet in Williamsburg, VA.
I have always loved antique cars, hoping at an early age to some day own my own antique car. In 1984, that dream became reality. I purchased a 1930 2 door sedan in need of love and restoration. As many of you know, restoring a car is a labor of love and dedication. Finally, after 9 years, the 2 door was finished. I, now, also own a 1916 Model “T” Runabout, a 1930 Deluxe Roadster, and a 1928 Sport Coupe, which is finally being restored after sitting in pieces for fifteen years. In addition, I own a reproduction 1936-37 Mullins Trailer. Purchasing an original Mullins is on my list. One special hobby of mine is collecting authentic, period correct vehicle awnings.
I have had the honor for the last 23 years to own Fehl Awning Co., Inc. in Walnut Bottom, PA, a business with a proud tradition of manufacturing custom awnings and canopies since 1890. Yes, that’s correct, 1890.
I believe that the success of MARC begins with the local clubs and that the duty of the MARC board is to empower the local clubs to help with that success. It would be my honor to be able to serve you and the local clubs.
Model A Drivers of East Central Ohio
fall tour and picnic
The weather was sunny but cool and the back roads were very colorful.
Worth the Wait
1931 Roadster Restoration Takes 37 Years
By Karsen Palmer Price
Growing up with a body man as a father, my sister and I grew up watching cars come and go at our South Charlotte home. My father, Claude, worked by day for Toyota and by night for himself. He could fix anything, from totaled cars to rusty antiques, but he never kept anything for long.
One car never went on the chopping block — the restored 1930 Ford Model A Tudor Sedan that belonged to my grandfather. The car was like a member of the family. However, as most Model A lovers can attest, “You can’t have just one,” Claude says.
A member of the Queen City Model A Ford Club since 1973, Claude’s dream was to build a Roadster, “because they looked neat.” In 1976, fellow Club member Reid Robinson told him about two Roadster bodies that were for sale nearby. My dad appraised them, quickly realizing one was in better shape than the other. He bought both for $350, then stored the good body in my grandmother’s garage. He repaired the other and sold it for $700.
Over the next 30 years, Claude collected Roadster parts. The family joke was that he had an entire car stored in the attic!
In August 2007, at 62 years old, my father started on his dream project. “I decided I wasn’t getting any younger,” he jokes.
By this time, the good body he’d bought in ‘76 wasn’t so good. Every panel needed to be replaced or repaired, including the floor pans and rails. “I sandblasted the body and started cutting,” he says.
But then came a roadblock. In early 2008, Claude was diagnosed with aggressive prostate cancer and had a radical surgery. He was out of work for six weeks – the longest hiatus of his life. We weren’t sure he would live long enough to complete his dream build. He started back on the project that summer with a renewed focus.
In 2009, my dad decided to find out if the engine that had been sitting for 33 years would crank. My mom, Beth, and I watched as he hooked up a lawnmower gas tank to the engine, installed a battery, and turned the ignition switch. It ran like a champ! Mom put a video of the engine running – and my dad dancing happily – on YouTube.
Still working full-time, Claude devoted every extra minute to the Roadster. His grandson, Zach, and granddaughter, Peyton, helped with the car on weekends while visiting “Nana and Poopaw.” They learned to do light sanding and some assembly. I spot welded a quarter patch panel with my dad watching on, and my sister helped get the running gear in the garage, plus turned her hand to sanding. My mom photographed the car’s transformation along the way, helped with nuts and bolts work, and gracefully accepted being a “Roadster widow.”
When the body was ready, my dad took it to Town and Country Toyota, and asked painter Scott Williams to do the honors. The car was painted Bronson Yellow with Seal Brown trim, with orange wheels and pinstripe. Shue’s Auto Top and Trip installed the upholstery kit. Then came the installation of body to chassis.
In 2013, the Roadster finally was finished – 37 years after the first part was bought. The finished product contains parts from 21 different Model As, including an original 1931 N.C. license plate.
In 2014, my parents took the Roadster on its first overnight trip to Hendersonville, N.C. The car has since been driven all over North and South Carolina, and won second place at an AACA show at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Sadly, my parents only had four years to enjoy the Roadster together. My mom died unexpectedly in 2017 from rare uterine cancer. Today, the Roadster is a cheerful spot in my dad’s garage, residing comfortably beside the Model A Sedan. And I can happy say that, as of this writing, my dad hasn’t decided to sell it … yet!
