Good weather and destination make successful tour
The weather man predicted a sunny Saturday and a dozen or so Model A enthusiasts took him at his word. It was a pleasing sight from the back of the pack as the old cars twisted through the rural roads following Martha and Jerry Baker to the aviation museum and on to Cynthiana for a delicious lunch.
Most were surprised by the large and varied display of aircraft at the museum. Modern jets and single engine prop planes from the thirties shared space with the very earliest of experimental aircraft. Did you know a Casey County inventor was working on manned flight at the same time as the Wright brothers? His work shop and plane have been recreated in the museum. Just think if events had been just a little different Angel Ridge, Ky would be as famous as Kitty Hawk, N.C. is today.
Our group was large enough to split into three separate tours allowing the guides to take the small groups in different directions providing a much better look at the exhibits. Unlike most museums we were allowed to get inside the planes and helicopters to try them on for size. Jerry Floyd looked right at home behind the controls of a Vietnam era attack chopper and Diana Hanks managed not to crash the flight simulation trainer. Our guides, who also volunteer in maintaining and restoring the exhibits, were very knowledgeable and enthusiastic. They demonstrated the same passion for their hobby as Model A owners performing a parking lot seminar.
As always lunch at Biancke’s was very satisfying. A room had been reserved for the club and everyone enjoyed the opportunity to catch up on the latest news. The drive to the restaurant couldn’t have been better with all the A Models performing flawlessly through the beautiful country side of bluegrass horse farms. Sunny Saturdays in February are pretty rare in Kentucky. Thankfully we were able to enjoy this one with good friends exploring the back roads close to home.

Words from our President
Old Man Winter will be out of here this weekend and I’M sure you’re as ready as I am to see him go. We’ve got a good tour planned this Saturday to celebrate his departure. Herman Butler has been working hard developing tours for the 2006 membership meet and were going to try one. Well leave Holiday Inn North at 8:30 headed to the Kentucky History Center in Frankfort to see a new exhibit on the rivers of Ky. If the timing works out we may see a short drama about the flat boat adventures of John Stuart. He left Boonesboro in1806 floating his crops to New Orleans, returning home by way of the Natchez Trace.
While were in Frankfort Well also visit the Ky. Vietnam Memorial and a lunch stop is planned for the city of Midway. If you haven’t picked up your new club calendar Herman will have those available for you. What more incentive do you need to get out and enjoy a day in your Model A.

MODEL A STYLE
Someone noticed on our February tour how many people were wearing hats and how well they matched the era of their cars. It turned out that instead of a fashion statement it was more of a winter survival strategy. Let’s face it, as much as we like our old cars they were never designed to be as warm and cozy as the ones of this century. If you’re fortunate enough to own an old roadster or phaeton this is especially true. People wore hats for a good reason back in the thirties, to keep their head and ears warm. Ladies winter hats were often crocheted and stretchy enough to pull down over your ears. Mens caps were usually made of wool with inside flaps lined with fleece that felt mighty good folded down over your ears.
Another article of clothing that makes a winter Model A ride more pleasant is a long coat. If you’re the passenger you can draw yourself up inside of a thick coat like a sleeping bag and protect yourself from all the cold drafts blowing in around the door and window seals.
Whether its 1930 or 2005 smart folks dress for comfort. A floppy hat and a long coat over blue jeans and sneakers and you’re ready for a cold winter day. Long Johns are optional.

When You’re Hot You’re Hot, Part II - by John Blair
As was stated last month the Lestoil radiator cleaning process reduced the severity of my Model A over heating problem but it was not the cure. I wanted to maintain the car as original as possible and keep the factory round tube radiator with the fan shroud. All Model As had a fan shroud from beginning of production until February 1929 when it was discontinued. My car was built in August 1928. I finally came to the conclusion that for any service of the car on our tours, I would have to replace the radiator. I called Brassworks in California and they were making one like the original for the fan shroud. I ordered one but I wasn’t pleased with how it fitted up with everything. I sold it on one of the Model A internet swap sites (Ford Barn) for what I had invested in it including shipping. I was lucky to get my money back I suppose. I was talking to Noah Logan and he advised me to have my original radiator recored rather than try to use a replacement without the fan shroud. He recommended a radiator shop in Maysville, KY and recommended using a flat tube core if I was planning on driving the car on tours. The round tube was for show cars and would not give good service in today’s driving world. On Noah’s recommendation I had a flat tube core installed in my radiator frame, keeping the original tanks and fan shroud. I have not had to add any water since, making two trips to Virginia during the summer plus our tours last year. On our 600 mile October tour to Land Between the Lakes the water level never changed.

Letter to the editor:
I read with great interest the “Tech Tip” from John Blair on using Lestoil to clean out his radiator. I have another Tech Tip to share with our club members. Installing a “leakless” rear seal on the water pump is a great idea. I have a seal in the rear bushing and a seal inside the packing nut. Lubricating the rear bushing with a grease gun can be hazardous ... you can blow out the bushing seal. The correct way to lube the “rear bushing with seal” is to unthread the packing nut from the bushing and move it forward on the pump shaft. Lube as usual — the excess grease will push out the front of the bushing. Wipe off the excess and then thread the packing nut back into place. This method will ensure the rear seal will not be “blown out” and allow grease get into the cooling system. Additionally, my dad told me that every fall he would clean his radiator out with “Sal -Soda” (washing soda) and water. He put this in the radiator and drove the car. When he got home he drained the coolant, flushed the system a few times and refilled with a mixture of glycerin and water (early antifreeze). This was preventative maintenance for the radiator and the engine.