Surprise in the Park Today

Today was a very nice day weather wise; warm, sunny and no wind.  The only reason John was not outside the whole day working on something is that we are still drying out from all the rain we got on Friday night and Saturday morning.  It’s mud city here.  Anyways, the surprise was what pulled into the park in the afternoon… A 1931 Ford Model A Roadster!
Completely restored and running like new.  The young lady that drove it into the park is the daughter of the owner, who was along for the ride as well.  John waved and stopped them asked if he could take a few shots of their roadster.  They asked if he knew who owned an enclosed trailer that is in storage here.  They are looking for a trailer to store either this car or their other Model A Sedan.  He told them no he doesn't know the owner.


They talked for quite awhile as this beauty just idled away.  You could tell John was admiring the simplicity of the design by the way he looked and pointed at all the details of the car.  Later he told me how this car as well as the Model T changed this country forever. 




This is how a museum should display items of history; outside and on the road.  That way you can hear the actual motor running, smell the car’s exhaust, experience it up close.  Be able to touch it without a velvet rope and sign preventing it.
John has told me about the many museums he’s been to where cars, trucks, planes or trains are on stands and it made him sad.  He told me about when he went to see car and truck shows where people drive their “heritage” or “dream cars” and sit to share their love of this type of machinery.  John has even been to historic sports car events where 20, 30 and even 40 year old race cars are raced again!  The sound and smells are intoxicating.

He went to Oshkosh to see World War II “War Birds” fly!  Not just sitting on the ground in a museum.  He told me of the time where he sat under the wing of a P-51 Mustang “Cadillac of the Sky” at Oshkosh with the owner and a Mustang pilot.  He just sat there and listened to them share memories.  John and I both know the risks of operating equipment like this and if something goes wrong it could be lost forever.

Remember the Liberty Bell.