2021 BELATED WANNA-BE DUST OFF TOUR

 

 It was a cloudy and breezy day on June 26^th as we took off on our belated dust off tour for 2021.  The Pandemic has kept us from gathering for events and meetings for about 18 months.  Bob Osborne planned a tour from the Water Treatment Plant in Scituate, RI along many country back roads.  We had   thirteen people cruising along in 6 antique A’s & one modern.  Instead of our usual April Tour – watching the daffodils and forsythia blooming and new spring green buds forming everywhere, we enjoyed day lilies, rhododendrons, & lush green lawns and trees.  The tour was the most eventful in years! Al Bowder got his “A” all ready to go, taking pains to get her looking good – and it failed to start – so he brought the truck.   Jeff Barnes’ “brand new” Woodie had a stuck starter and had to be pushed at each stop to get her going.  Bob’s 1929 Coupe overheated.  Everyone and his “cousin” tried to loosen his radiator cap to no avail.  Jeff Barnes knew the farmer who ran the Ekonk Turkey Farm where we had a scheduled stop.  The farmer had the right tool to get the cap off and after adding antifreeze, we got on the way.  Sean Fay’s car suffered a plugged gas line after our stop at Buttonwoods Ice Cream (where the ice cream was delightful) and David Peck was able to walk him through how to unplug it – they were successful, so again we went the several miles to end the tour at Beach Pond in Exeter, RI.  And the rain held off!

Admiring Jeff's "new" Woodie

Sean and Gretchen arrive at WG Town Hall

Jeff and Deb's new car

David Peck, Joyce and Dennis meet up at the Water Treatment Plant

Deb's scarf matches the car!

At the water treatment plant

Discussing that stuck starter

Solving the problem, well almost...

Line up at the Turkey Farm

Ekonk line up from the back

Evie is the Turkey

Sean tries the radiator cap

It's Dennis' turn

The farmer's daughter tries her hand

Pouring in the antifreeze...

And Some More Antifreeze, thanks Al!

Buttonwoods Farm Ice Cream

Up under the Pagoda

Also up under the pagopda

Clearing the gas line plug, David Peck instructs, step by step

Radiator Re-Coring Presentation by Dennis Allsop

On March 8th at 2:00 pm, Dennis Allsop, a long time member, did an amazing presentation for us on Re-Coring a 30-31 radiator.   The project started in Hershey in 1991 when he could not find a radiator with a perfect core for his second Model A restoration. He actually did this project over a two year time frame which included about 120 hours of work.  It definitely was a labor of “love” by a guy who is a perfectionist and a very talented and patient machinist/mechanic.  He researched and connected with companies that produced brass tubing both here and abroad. Then he ordered copper fins from a Connecticut company. He had to order enough material to produce five radiators to get the companies to agree to produce materials to his plans.  Finding a machine shop to produce four die plates to form, dimple, and punch the holes needed proved difficult and took about a year.   In order to complete the project, Dennis had to make a jig to press fit all 132 fins and then solder each one to the tubing.  After a labor intense re-assembly of the core to restored tanks, the radiator was tested 3 pounds of air in a tank of water.  Each step of the process was demonstrated on a board for all to see.  Dennis actually wrote an article about this project in the MAR/APR 1994 The Restorer magazine and distributed a copy to supplement his presentation.   

Folks at the meeting

 

Dennis Allsop presents

 

Getting into the finer points

 

Answering questions & show and tell

 

We were very impressed!

2019 CHRISTMAS PARTY, SO MUCH FUN!

Our Little Rhody Model A Club – led by Susan Mosca – again – had a really fun time at Richard’s Pub in East Greenwich, RI!  Festive & Bright!  Susan met us with shiny boas and head bands and Christmas light necklaces and more as we walked in.  Appetizers were there and then the dinner!  Again it was superb. No one went away hungry.  After dinner our Sparky Santa, assisted by Sue distributed gifts to everyone. But warned us not to get too attached!  Sue led us in a  game related to Santa’s lost SAC where we were instructed to pass the gifts along from right and left till he found his SAC again… lots of giggles.  We did have a bit of a meeting where officers were greeted as they came and went as the New Year approaches.  Dawn Mennucci presented the Herb Allen Award to Dottie Cece and the Carol Hathaway burns award to Sparky Pakuris. Members contributed a lot of Toys for Toys for Tots again this year. Merry Christmas!

Hostess with the mostess - Sue Mosca

Dom

Appetizers

Bob

Magic masks

Sue distributes gifts to everybody

Ed  and Mary

Pat and Larry

The Pillsburys

Sean and Gretchen

Santa and Sue

Santa being Santa, with helper Sue

Officers for 2020

Dottie receives the Herb Allen Award

Sparky receives the Carol Hathaway Burns Award

 

2019 Fall in Little Rhody

This fall, after the Harvest Tour and The Columbus Day Parade, Little Rhody Model A Club members were able to participate the annual “Chicken Run” at Wright’s Farm sponsored by the Minutemen Club in Massachusetts, and the Veteran’s Day Parade in Wickford Rhode Island.  Looking back, it feels like we were quite busy this year!  In truth, these events are annuals, and keep us on track year to year.  The weather was pretty good for all of these events, and attendance was high.  We have been welcoming some new members coming into the club, and that is terrific!

The Veteran's Day Parade in Wickford

Heading over the bridge at Wickford Harbor

Lining up at the Veteran's Cemetery

Dennis and Angel at the Chicken Run

Fine dining at Wright's Farm

The Barnes' and Sean Fay enjoying the Chicken