www.sdmodelaclub.com

MODEL A RESTORERS CLUB OF SAN DIEGO INC. 

                                                                      TOURS 

 Read about it in the Quail Call. Check the calendar for Parade and Tour dates.

Again this year, the membership will volunteer to plan and lead a tour each month.  There are a few months still available.  Bud would like to hear from you        

 if you have any ideas.  For the latest information on upcoming tours check the most recent issue of the Quail Call.

UPCOMING TOURS: July 10 following the Descanso Parade, the cars are going to continue into the mountains with a possible picnic lunch stop 

planned.  More details will be at the meeting on July 9th and send out on emails.

************************************************************************************************************************

Polo Fields Tour:  Airplanes again were involved in our tour on Sunday June 13.  We met at the Morena Blvd. Toys-R-Us parking lot, then headed north 

on a scenic drive through La Jolla and North Torrey Pines Road through the Torrey Pines State Reserve.  The outstanding weather afforded some spectacular views 

of the Pacific Ocean, coastal lagoons and mountains to the east.  We continued north through the coastal communities of Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea 

and then Encinitas where we turned east toward Rancho Santa Fe.  The caravan meandered along tree lined country roads through the village of Rancho Santa Fe, 

then south winding up at the polo fields for the opening day of the 2010 polo season.  At the polo fields, we parked among the ten vintage airplanes flown-in the day 

before.  A picnic lunch while watching two polo matches was enjoyed by all. 

Friday June 4^th was the first day of the Wings Over Gillespie WW II Military, Vintage, and Special Interest Air Show.  Bud Swartwood and Gene Amy displayed 

their Model A’s as part of the air show car display which was organized by Dan Seeman.

ORANGE COUNTY PANCAKE BREAKFAST: Once again the Breakfast was a huge success and the San Diego club was well represented with cars, people 

and winners.  Our group is not only active, but resilient. Shortly after getting on the freeway heading north, Reen Kota's car decided that an uneventful trip to Laughlin 

was enough and was not to be repeated with another to Orange.  Reen's son and AAA came to the rescue and Reen joined us in Orange in his "modern".   Steve & 

Ladd Graham exited the freeway in Orange and headed for the motel.  A left front wheel bearing froze and once again AAA to the rescue with the car being 

transported to the motel parking lot. Soon Rich, Walter, Arlyn, Paul, Reen, and of course the on looking gallery were helping to remove the wheel.  The inner part of 

the bearing that was very reluctant to come off the spindle was finally removed with the assistance of a stranger who just happened along. His expertise is with Formula 

One cars (similar to a Model A of course).  Walter has named our stranger “GOD”.   New bearings were installed and the car was on display Sunday morning followed 

by an uneventful trip back to San Diego Sunday afternoon. I have to believe Steve, Kathy and Ladd Graham appreciated traveling with the support of both our Club and 

the members of the Palomar Club.  Congratulations to Ed Woodruff who won not once, not twice, not three, but four times and we’re talking major items, way to go Ed. 

****************************************************************************************************************************

LAUGHLIN TOUR:   Paul Abbott once again led a successful trip to Laughlin, six Model A’s on the road and one on the trailer.  A low tire was detected 

on Valarie’s cars just as the group was entering the freeway, she took it as a sign and headed home to get the modern.  The group reassembled again in Temecula 

where a distributer was replaced on Paul’s car.  After that it was smooth sailing with just a couple of stops to add water.  Friday morning was a poker run, and the 

BBQ along the Colorado River finished out the day.  Saturday morning we met in the parking lot of the Riverside hotel to show off our driving skills, and then moved 

inside to race our Hubley’s.  Saturday night was the banquet where awards were handed out and the San Diego Club did well; winning gymkhana award, car awards,

 long distance awards and more than our share of raffle prizes too.  Early Sunday morning the group headed back home, a condenser or two was changed out on Jean’s

 car and why is the return trip always faster?  Mileage will go to the Paul Abbott, Karen Wittkop, Jean Anderson, Dave Sohr & Penny Smiley, Reen Kotas, Bill Corson, 

Don & Joan Minnick.  Participation to Sue Winnett, Ralph & Joyce Schuler and Valarie Basham.

****************************************************************************************************************************

MARCH TOUR:  Taking advantage of a break in the seemingly non-stop rainy weather on weekends, our club participated with the San Diego Antique 

Airplane Association for a car and airplane display at Gillespie Field, El Cajon, on March 20.  This was a great event enjoyed by all who participated.  We had 

22 Model A’s meet at the El Cajon Target parking lot, then traveled to Gillespie Field where we joined the (approximately) 20 vintage airplanes on outdoor 

display, plus the outstanding collection of planes and aviation memorabilia inside the Allen Airways Flying Museum, courtesy of Bill Allen.  Breakfast treats and 

refreshments were provided by neighbors in an adjoining hanger and all participants enjoyed a great display of cars and planes.  Most members departed around 

12:30 and then met for a great BBQ lunch at Wranglers in El Cajon.  

JANUARY'S TOUR: After a week when rain, wind, and generally nasty weather caused a rain-out of the first tour of 2010, 40 members in 23 Model A’s   

cashed in a Rain Check and participated in a “Follow-the-Leader” tour on January 30^th.  The weather cooperated; the sun was bright and the streets were dry 

for our excursion.  Starting from the IHop parking lot in Mission Valley, we headed south, up Texas Street then drove through San Diego neighborhoods that 

were young when our cars were new.  We traveled through University Heights, Normal Heights, Kensington, and Talmadge before heading west along “The 

Boulevard” (El Cajon Blvd.) and Washington Street through Hillcrest.  All along the way we were greeted by smiling and waving residents, families, shoppers 

and outdoor diners, many of whom were taking pictures with cameras and cell phones.  

The group made its way, without any incidents, to Liberty Station, the 

historic Naval Training Center in Point Loma.  We assembled for photos alongside the famous USS Recruit (aka USS Goes Nowhere) and then headed for 

lunch.  Thanks to all for making this a fun event and such a successful first tour of the year!   

2009 PAST TOURS:  

Wonderful, Wacky tour: Sunday November 22  

On a sunny Sunday morning seventeen Model A’s converged on Gene & Barbara Amy’s home in Santee to view his extensive bottle collection and hear tales of the digs.  

Barbara shared her quilting projects. 

 Steve  & Ladd Graham brought their car out for the first time so everyone had to check it out: it is great and ready to go!  After filling ourselves with muffins, 

cinnamon rolls and donut holes, the group meandered over to Peggy Dalby’s home in Scripps Ranch.  Walter Faust spent HOURS concocting the chili which was 

quickly consumed along with the corn bread muffins.  We all sat outside enjoying food and friendship while savoring San Diego sunshine.  

For those with a sweet tooth, there was one more stop on our tour.  We headed to Pacific Beach to Ralph & Joyce Schuler’s home.  They have a lovely view 

of San Diego bay and the skyline.  Some members were glued to the football game and others sat outside munching on home-made desserts and enjoying the view.   

******************************************************************************************************************************************                                            

Idyllwild tour:  October 23-25

It was Friday morning when Model A’s and moderns lined up for an outing that everyone was looking forward to.  We started out in small groups at different 

ocations headed to Santa Ysabel and Dudley’s Bakery where we ate lunch and joined up as one group.  Then we headed down the road, stopping in Warner 

Springs where we met Dave and Jeanine   Lowe and immediately had a lot of smiling faces out admiring our cars.  Back on the road, we made one more stop at

 DQ for ice cream before continuing on up the hill to Idyllwild.  

What a gorgeous weekend we had in the mountains.  Who knew it would be in the 70’s in late October!  The skies were soooo blue and the mountains majestic 

with the golden leaves of the oaks trees scattered in among the pines.  Upon arrival, we all got settled in our “rustic” lodging.  JoBeth tried out the hammock and got 

more than she bargained for with an extra thrill from the ride it provided.  We all gathered for snacks on the back porch of the Silver Pines Lodge where we could view 

the beautifully landscaped grounds including Koi in a large pond with waterfalls.  The Lodge dog, Ella, an English bulldog, made sure we got to know her well.  We all 

pitched in to grill food for the evening meal and after a delicious potluck, we gathered near the fireplace in the Lodge Room for a celebration of Arlyn’s Birthday with a 

“This is Your Life” presentation, his opening of birthday cards and serving of birthday cake.  

Saturday saw us off to the Idyllwild Nature Center.  Sitting outside on a beautiful morning, we listened to a speaker tell us how to identify acorns and how early-day 

Indians ground the acorns into flour.  We even got to sample muffins made from acorn flour.  Then we saw a demonstration on how to make Indian pots from clay.  

After a walk to the top of the hill to view the valley and the surrounding mountains, we headed back to the village where Dave Sohr conducted a class on carving a 

Model A design in a pumpkin.  (The finished pumpkins made a great display lit up and lined in a row on a table in the Lodge Room.)  Late in the afternoon we all headed 

to the Historical Society Museum for a trip back in time, with a pictorial presentation by Bob Smith on what it was like in Idyllwild back in the era of Model A’s.  Dave 

and Penny took a drive up to Inspiration Point for pictures of the sunset while many of us repeated the same routine of Friday – snacks, grilling, followed by another 

delicious potluck dinner (and boy did we eat well both nights!).  Then it was an evening of Halloween games; frog jumping, beanbag throw into a pumpkin, straw with 

M&M competition and pantyhose/potato race.  But the highlight of the evening was the judging of the homemade Halloween masks.  We had three fantastic masks by 

Valarie, Rich and JoBeth with JoBeth winning with her mask made out of aluminum cans.  

Sunday morning the group headed back home, stopping at DQ for ice cream and Dudley’s for bread.  As you can probably tell, we all had a great time traveling in 11 

Model A’s and 3 moderns for a total of 28 folks.  It was an awesome trip, with awesome people!  As with any Model A tour, it wasn’t just the destination, it was the 

journey and the people that made it special!  

************************************************************************************************************************

INTERNATIONAL MODEL "A" DAY: The International Model A Ford Day went well. Approximately 60 people  and 33 cars participated in the event. The day was picture perfect, from the meeting place at the Visitor Center on Mission Bay and throughout the day. Having the cars parked at the Bali Hai on Shelter Island provided interest for many people in the area. There was a wonderful Continental Breakfast hosted by the Bali Hai and many of us took advantage of the tours of the facility. Thanks to the efforts of many who got the cars arranged and everyone in place for the group photos, the photo op on Harbor Island at Tom Ham’s went well   . There were people who came by to be impressed by the large number of Model A’s. The Bahia on Mission Bay provided parking for all  the cars, a fine cafe for lunch and a great grass area for our picnic. An added bonus was getting aboard the William B Evans, a large paddle wheeler. To our surprise a Bay tour on the William B was available, a wonderful way to end a great Tour with friends honoring an incredible car, the Ford Model A. 

The entire weekend went well. Friday morning we had 6 cars participate in an opportunity to appear with Dave Stall, the Car Guy, at the KUSI News station. Dave Sohr, Ray Beardsley, Gregg Mann, Paul Winchester, Tom Allingham & Bud Swartwood made the early morning drive that proved to be a successful venture. When we arrived at the Bahia a lady came out form the cafe and was so pleased we were there. She had seen the program and came in from East County with her family in response to having watched the TV program the previous morning. Patty Winchester provided a flyer that gave a brief history of the Model A. Many of the general public who came to see the cars liked having the handout available. 

We do have a good Club. So many members participated with several additional participants not yet members but likely to make the plunge in the near future.  

Mission tour: On August 29, 2009 Paul and Patty Winchester lead, twenty Model A’s and two moderns along with 36 people from the IHOP Mission Valley parking lot on a tour of early San Diego History.    Patty briefed us on why this tour was chosen, “The reason Paul and I chose this tour is because I am a native San Diegan with family roots here, all the way back to at least 1838. San Diego was still part of Mexico then. Every stop today has San Diego History, and my family history associated with it.”     Our first stop was at the Mission San Diego De Alcala, on San Diego Mission road. We were given an educational tour of the Church and archeological dig at the ruins of the early buildings. The first Mission here was burned to the ground and the Priest killed by upset local Natives. After being rebuilt and used as a Mission until it was decommissioned after Mexico broke away from Spain 1821 and by the Decree of Secularization in 1834. In 1850 when California became part of the United States it was occupied by the U.S. Army, the church building was used for stables. In 1862 President Abraham Lincoln signed papers gaving the nearly destroyed  Mission property back to the Catholic Church. The property has been continuously rebuilt and improved upon since that time. Patty told us that her father’s, mother’s, grandparents, Jesse and Perfecta Ames were married at the Mission San Diego de Alcala in April 1838. And her Father’s grandfather was born at the Mission in May of 1853.

  From the Mission we drove to the site of the old Presidio, where San Diego Department Store magnate George Marston built a Museum in 1929 to save the few historical relicts from the Presidio days. We were given an informative slide show about the history of the Presidio and old town. We were then given the opportunity to climb the seventy five stairs to the tower, where we all got a fantastic view of the San Diego bay and Mission Valley areas.  Patty told of her family connections to this area as well by saying  “In 1846 we were at war with Mexico. The Californios (Mexicans) occupied the Presidio and the Americans held San Diego (old town). My ancestor Jesse Julian Ames helped the Americans hold off the Californios in their attacks against San Diego.”   “Family stories tell of my GG Grandfather planting Pepper trees in the old town and Presidio area. I like to think some of these trees here, may be from some that he planted.” After walking back down the steep hill to the parking lot we headed off in search of Pioneer Park-Calvary Cemetery, our next stop.

   

  Calvary Cemetery is on Washington Place and Randolph St. in Mission Hills. Paul brought us up to date on the connection of this location and our tour, by stating, “Jesse Julian Ames and his wife Perfecta are buried here, along with some of their children and friends from that time. He was first buried in the little El Campo Santo Cemetery in Old Town in 1866, then he was moved here after his wife died in 1890.”   “In 1970 the Mission Hills residents wanted to expand the park here, so the city bulldozed all the grave markers down, the graves were not moved.” “The few markers you see here were saved for historical purposes, about 600 were dumped into a ravine near Mt. Hope Cemetery where they lay for 18 years, then they were covered with dirt. Only 13 have been recovered. Some other markers were found in neighborhood back yards and down the canyon below the park.” All in all, a sad day for history.   “Maybe someone in the City, knew that Jesse had been a San Diego City Trustee President from 1853 to 1859, or he would have been dumped in that ravine too.” Leaving this chapter of history behind us we began the final leg of our journey down the hill to Old Town and lunch.

   

  Patty had arraigned for a parking lot behind the old Caltrans office to be closed to the public so we could all have a parking spot. This worked out well as parking on a Saturday afternoon in the summer can be a problem here.  After parking the cars Paul thanked everyone for coming and was in such a rush to go get lunch he neglected to have Patty give her final talk about how old town fits into our tour, my apologies Patty. Here is what she would have said, “Old Town San Diego is where many of my early family lived and had businesses. I still have family living here in old town.” “I visited my grandmother often here.  When I was a little girl of about five, one of my memories is walking with my grandmother from her house on Harney St. to “Ramona’s Marriage Place”, which is now the central park.”   “I also remember walking across the street from my grandmother’s home to her neighbor Hazel’s house.   I went through the front hedges, to the side yard and entered through the kitchen. To a five year old, Hazel seemed to be a very old woman. She let me come into the kitchen where she gave me cookies but would not let me into the parlor, which I could see from the kitchen. The room was dark and I could see a long dark stairway to the upper floor.”   “Hazel would not let any of us kids go any farther than the kitchen, we were frightened to disobey her. Now years later, I have discovered that her house has been moved to behind the Whaley house, and for a period of time it was marketed as a haunted house. Since then it has been many retail businesses. Today it stands as the Pendelton House.”   “Have a good time here in old town, there is a lot to see and lots of good food. And remember, if this was the 1800’s my family would be here to welcome you to town.”   The group then separated looking for a favorite place for lunch, with many ending up at El Fandango. 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June Tour to the Wieghorst Western Days was a lot of fun.  We had the opportunity to display our cars on TV with Dave Scott on  KUSI Channel  9, even had a “typical Model A engine” shown on the local airwaves. There was a nice turnout for both the display on Saturday and the actual tour on Sunday. It is always nice to see the interest in the Model A when on display. We do have a great Club and some very fine cars. Thanks to all who continue to participate. 

3rd Annual Hubley Derby in Murrieta, Ca. The San Diego club did very well this year with Roxy winning 3rd place, Gene Amy taking 2nd place and the 

Club car won 1st place in the Charity race.  Once again this event was well attended by clubs through-out Southern Ca. and plans are in the works for next year.