November, 2005
2100 Walnut Street
Kansas City, MO 64108
Local Chapter of MAFCA and MARC
NEWS
‘A’
LETTER
Heart of America Model A Ford Club
“
Certificate of Merit” 2004
“
Best Newsletter
Honorable Mention” 2004
1
FROM THE OVAL OFFICE
Recently I was exploring in a bookstore when I happened across a neat little book that looked like the bestseller book,
The DaVinci Code. However, on a closer examination this book was entitled, The DaVinci Cod. On the front cover it
said, “Not The #1 New York Times Bestseller”. Come to find out the author, Don Brine, was a pen name, or pseudo
name, for Adam Roberts, a Professor of Nineteenth-Century Literature at London University. Now, it seems to me a Pro-
fessor of Nineteenth Century Literature might be a kind of serious guy. However, his book is a comical parody of the
New Times Best Seller, The DaVinci Code. Okay, this is a Model A Club! What does this have to do with the Model A
hobby? This is a good question.
When I joined the Heart Of America Model A Ford Club, and was trying to restore my car, I discovered there was an
abundance of opinions and, to my confusion, there was abundance of myth. How do I separate fact from fiction or lack
of experience? This was the birth of my recent articles in our newsletters. Also, a current popular Cable TV shows, The
Myth Busters, caught my attention. So, I decided to write some articles that challenged people to critically think about
issues of restoration concerning the issues of myth versus reality.
I admit, these articles have come under fire because some people do not understand the idea behind each article. The arti-
cles are hopefully set in a humorous background, yet each article has a very serious intent. Hopefully, I have challenged
people to think about myth versus reality concerning the restoration and operation of the Model A.
Chris Launer
MISSOURI FALL TOUR
On Sunday Morning September 11th, thirteen folks departed from McDonald's in Louisburg, KS on a 1000 mile trip
down eastern Kansas and southwestern Missouri. Traveling with Bob and Nancy Hess were Mike & Nancy Clayton,
Don & Lois Lobner, Bruce & Vicky Mills, and Dick "Chili" Canada. For the first time on an overnight Model A tour
were Bob & Helen Melton and Frank & Donna Kelley. We headed south on US-69 to see Big Brutus. On the way we
stopped to see a nicely restored Texaco Gas Station in Weir, KS. After Big Brutus we hooked up with Route 66 and
headed east into Missouri. Following Route 66 to Halltown, MO we left Route 66 and headed south to spend the night
in Casseville. MO. From Casseville we spent a good part of the morning in Eureka Springs, AR,then on back north to-
wards Branson, MO We stopped for lunch in Branson West at the home of Phil & Melanie Knokie. Melanie is the
daughter of Bob & Helen Melton. After lunch it was a short drive to Branson. We spent the afternoon exploring Bran-
son and took in a show that evening. Next day everyone took a ride on the Branson Scenic Railway. We then headed
for Springfield taking the scenic route. We wound around on the county roads through Reed Springs, Galena, Nixa and
onto US-65 at Ozark. Lunch was at Lambert's Cafe. That evening we met in the motel parking lot with members of the
Springfield Model A Club. Next day it was back on old Route 66 which parallels just south of I-44. At Lebanon,
MO we went north toward Jefferson City and on to Herman, MO. We arrived at Herman a bit late so we stayed longer
the next morning to check out the wineries, bakeries and restaurants. We then headed we st and toward home. The
weather was good for the most part. It got quite hot in Springfield but it rained that night and that cooled things off. We
had rain the final morning in Herman but it was not enough to cause much trouble. We drove out of the rain just west of
Herman. No one had any Model A problems to speak of. We all had a great trip, and enjoyed the scenery and sights.
—Bob Hess
