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February,2006

2100 Walnut Street

Kansas City, MO 64108

Local Chapter of MAFCA and MARC

NEWS

‘A’

LETTER

Heart of America Model A Ford Club

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Certificate of M erit” 2004

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B est N ewsletter

H onorable M ention” 2004

A NEW SENSE OF HOPE

In the May/June issue of The Restorer, there is a black and white picture of a formally attired

Henry Ford, leaning against a Model T. His body language speaks of Henry Ford’s confidence

in his automotive product. The bottom of this picture fades into a color picture of William Clay

Ford, Jr. He assumes the same confident pose, one hand on his hip, as he leans against what

looks like a Ford truck or possibly a Ford SUV. Embossed against these two pictures is a letter

of congratulations on the 50

Anniversary of The Restorer, and a rousing endorsement for the

Model A. It was the Model A that saved Ford from a dubious future.

In less than a year, the confident pose had changed. Bill Ford found himself the center of me-

dia attention because of the tremendous financial difficulty facing the Ford Motor Company.

The news reported the company was going to lay off 20,000 – 30,000 employees and close

several assembly plants because of the one billion dollar loss in the last fiscal year. Bill Ford

acknowledged the personal tragedy and trauma this decision caused those workers who were

laid off. However, there were no options until another vehicle or vehicles could be designed

and sold that would once again, save the Ford Motor Company.

Certainly, our hearts go out to those people who are losing their jobs and to those retired Ford

employees whose benefits are being reduced. Beyond this concern, the current situation at

Ford has given me a new appreciation for the Model A. The Model A stands as a historic ex-

ample of “thinking outside the box.” This car continued the Ford legacy of providing cost-

effective transportation. Just as important, the Model A provided employment and a new sense

of economic hope for thousands of people.

Today, my hope is that the heritage of the Ford Model A will inspire the Ford Motor Company

leadership to produce a vehicle that will provide quality transportation and give Ford employ-

ees a new and renewed sense of hope.

Chris Launer

President