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Backfire Editor
18695 Carriage Hill Drive
San Jose, CA 95120
Vol. XXII No. IX
Bob Kiehl’s amazing model railway. See story starting on page 7
Page 1
The official newsletter of the Santa
Clara Valley Model T Ford Club
2021 Club Officers
President Barbara Beach (408) 887-4857
Vice President Oliver Johnson (650) 269-1518
Secretary Bill Bratt (650) 341-8859
Treasurer Mary Beaman (408) 996-3110
Backfire Editor Jim Boyden (408) 268-4872
Coordinators
Touring “open”
Programs Lynn Alens (408) 205-5806
Membership Ivan Jorgensen (408) 874-6373
Tech and Safety Dan Smith (408) 287-3908
Endurance Run Oliver Johnson (650) 269-1518
Lowland Tour Peder Jorgensen (408) 358-3398
Librarian Maryann Steele (408) 867-4393
Webmaster Nikkie Gulko nikkieguyen@hotmail.com
Refreshments “open”
Historian Lucy Greenberg (408) 997-0879
Sunshine Helen Christensen (408) 739-8424
Public Relations Allan Greenberg (408) 997-0879
AAHP Peder and Maria Jorgensen (408) 358-3398
Allan and Lucy Greenberg (408) 997-0879
Past President Dan Gulko nikkieguyen@hotmail.com
The SCVMTFC is a chapter of the Model T Ford Club of America. The club was founded in 1969 to pro-
mote the history and the enjoyment of Henry Ford’s Famous Model T. Meetings which are normally held
at 7:30 pm on the third Friday of the month are being held on Zoom due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Membership dues are $30 per year. (But only $10 this year.) Send dues to Ivan Jorgensen, 475
Sunnyoakes Ave. Campbell CA 95008. Membership in the Model T Ford Club of America is encouraged.
Dues are $40 per year. Send dues to MTFCA P.O. Box 996 Richmond IN 47375-0996.
Page 2
President’s message for September 2021
Can you believe summer is winding down?
Feels like we just got it started.
The American Flyer tour was very success-
ful. Thank you to all that attended. We
were able to tour around old electric train
routes and end up at my childhood home to
see Dad’s famous train layout. This train
system has many fond memories for me.
Dad was on cloud 9 being able to share it. As he shared, it all started with the
gift of an American Flyer engine for Christmas when he was 4 years old. Has
not stopped playing with trains since. It has grown to take a whole room and
have intricate details that I am still finding to this day. But it was not all about the
trains. Dad took the opportunity to throw in a heckle at me about my truck bed.
I’m glad everyone got to see my truck bed that will be on my T someday. As
Dad explained, “she still has some work to do.”
Thanks to Allan for the display at Reid Hillview airport this weekend. Another
successful event. Several of us got to sit in a hot parking lot visiting and even
seeing Meneely’s plane. My daughter, Jordan, has long complained that she
has spent too many birthdays in hot parking lots going to Mom’s car things. Her
birthday is in June. It is a family joke, but also a reminder of how many happy
memories we have at car events.
We are so close to our big event at Kelley Park, Antique Autos in the Park. Lots
of planning has been going on all year. Hopefully we can all enjoy and support.
See you there.
Hey, what kind of vehicle does a chicken drive? A coop of course.
Happy touring.
Barbara
Page 3
SCVMTFC General Meeting
August 20, 2021
The meeting was called to order by President, Barbara Beach at 7:32 PM. Members
present were 16 and 0 Guests.
Secretary Bill Bratt had no comment.
Reading: Chuck Christensen had a photo and reading about Henry Ford’s Vice
President and Glacier National Park.
Vice President Oliver Johnson had nothing to report.
Treasurer Report: Mary Beaman reported that AAHP had been receiving substantial
donations. She also reviewed the current Club balance to date.
Programs: Lynn Ales not present due to anniversary.
BackFire: Jim Boyden needs articles and stories. Do you have something to sell?
Tours: Bob Meneely reported Sunday’s American Flyer Tour will start at 10:00 AM leave at 10:30 AM. Bring a picnic lunch and chairs.
Remember AAHP Sept. 19th, Potluck Oct. 2nd at the Boyden’s home. Stay tuned for Oct 24th tour to be announced
Public Relations: Allan Greenberg reported on past events.: July 4th celebration at The Alameda which 13 club members attended., Aug. 14 th
Keep the Spirit of 45 Alive, History Park.
Future events: Aug. 28th San Jose Nights at Reid Hillview Airport - contact Mike Hennessy. Oct 9th Santa Clara Parade of Champions, down-
town Santa Clara – contact Ray Pulver.
Membership: Ivan Jorgensen had no report. Ivan has a link for photos of Washington tour and he is selling the photos. Contact him for more
information.
Tech & Safety: No report
Librarian: Mary Ann had no report
Endurance Run and Lowland: No report
Antique Autos: Allan announced the 3rd AAHP eblast was sent Aug 11th to 926 contacts, 425 have been read.
Event Program sent to History San Jose for review- - History S.J. will print the program. Have received or printed material for goodie bags.
150 bags so far. Maria received donations from Clubs and businesses. She is in the process of contacting workers for the 19 th of Sept as well
as the day before on the 18th. If you are willing to help please contact Maria Jorgensen.
Website: Nothing
Sunshine: Helen Christensen sent a card to Dick Hess, Kathy Hess passed away. Pat Meneely mentioned John Walker has turned 97. Send
him a card, son’s address is 1067 Longfellow Ave, Campbell CA 95008 and John’s is 1252 Carmel Terrace, Los Altos CA 94024.
Old Business: None
New Business: Christmas Party mentioned. Rob Guxzzetta mentioned a Model T book, The Boy in the Model T by Stephen Longstreet.
Good of the Order: Happy Birthday Jim Boyden, Happy Anniversary Chuck and Helen Christensen’s 58th and Lynn and Nancy Alen’s 32nd.
Next Board Meeting Sept 13th Next General Meeting Sept 17th
Adjourned at 8:02 PM
Submitted by:
Bill Bratt, Secretary
Page 4
2021 CALENDAR (SCVMTFC Tours & Events noted in
BOLD)
Sept 13 (Mon), SCVMTFC Board Meeting on ZOOM, watch for the
email invite.
Sept 17 (Fri), SCVMTFC General Meeting on ZOOM, watch for the
email invite.
Sept 19 (Sun), Antique Autos in History Park hosted by
SCVMTFC and History San Jose. 11:00 – 4:00.
Oct 2, (Sat), SCVMTFC Potluck at Boydens. 18695 Carriage Hill
Drive, San Jose from 12:00 to 2:00. Bring a dish to share, your
chairs, and utensils. Best if food won't require a knife. Dessert and
water will be provided; bring your own drinks if you prefer something
else. RSVP with Jean at jimboyden@aol.com. We will have an infor-
mal tour from the north picking folks up at certain locations as we go.
Contact on that is Bob Meneely.
Oct 17 (Sun), Swap Meet at All-Ford in Campbell.
.
Page 5
Congratulations Tony!
Tony Wollesen, seen here with Model T Club member Donna Jones, won
Third Place in the American Classics class at the recent Pebble Beach Con-
cours d’Elegance with his beautifully restored 1924 Pierce Arrow
Member “Kathy” Catalina Dawson Hess passed away peace-
fully at her home in Monte Sereno, CA on May 27, 2021. She
died on her own terms after a battle with cancer. Kathy was
born on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 1942 to Juan Gonzalez
and Angeles Navarro in the town of Murcia, Spain. Kathy came
to the United States in 1965 when she was 23 years old. Dick
and Kathy married on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 1990.
She was an active member in our Model T Ford Club. During
our annual auctions, she loved to bid on any 49’ers memorabil-
ia. She leaves behind her husband Dick, her two sons and two
granddaughters. Kathy spent most of her career being a loving
caregiver. Kathy, we all will miss you, thank you for loving us!
Page 6
SCVMTFC American Flyer Tour,
Aug 22, 2021: We had a 17 car turnout! Eight T's, three A's, a '15 Buick,
a '32 Pontiac and four moderns. The route took us on a ghost railway
tour. What is a ghost railway tour? In the early 1900's, the Peninsular
Railway Company was formed and electric trolley cars proliferated in the
Santa Clara Valley and connected San Jose, Santa Clara, Los Gatos, Sa-
ratoga, Cupertino, Los Altos and Palo Alto. So, the intent of our tour
was to drive on segments of those old original rail lines. Bascom Ave-
nue, Los Gatos-Saratoga Road, Saratoga Avenue, Stevens Creek, and
Foothill Expressway all had electric trolley lines on them. As we drove
down those streets, you had to imagine what they looked like with a trol-
ley line down the middle. Back in the day, these were country roads link-
ing valley towns, today they are super busy thoroughfares that still link
the valley but bustle with traffic and red lights. The included map shows
the network of rail lines as it existed in 1915. The Peninsular Railway
Company lasted until the mid-1930's when trolleys were replaced by bus
lines and personal automobiles.
Our tour destination was Bob Kiehl's American Flyer Railway. Bob has
an incredibly detailed layout which is carefully set to reflect life in the
1950's. We all loved the detail, complete with sawmill, machine shop,
fishing pond, downtown area, and a wrecking yard. Like a lot of us,
Bob's model train interest dates back to the 20th century and a childhood
train set which sparked a lifelong interest.
Lunch was picnic style in Bob's backyard. Bring a lunch, bring a chair is
the new pandemic norm for old car touring nowadays and I think folks
enjoy it. 2021 driving patches were earned by two members on this tour,
Larry Johnson and Jim Lukash. Thanks to Bob and Ann Kiehl for host-
ing this tour at their house.
Bob Meneely
Photos by Bob M and Rob Guzzetta
Page 7
Page 8
Bob Keihl on right demonstrating his incredible scale
model railroad
Page 9
Page 10
Thanks to Chuck Christensen for this interesting story about an early investor in the Ford Motor Company
Page 11Antique Autos in History Park
September 19, 2021
Don’t miss out!
One of the highlights of the sum-
mer for the Santa Clara Valley
Model T Ford Club and all pre war
auto enthusiasts
Page 12You can also read
