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Weekly News March 28, 2005Description
Some think my father, T. Clarence Marshall, was a charter member of the Antique Automobile Club of America. Far from it, he didn't know of the club until 1942, seven years after its founding in Philadelphia. I'm not sure Hyde Ballard was a charter member, either, but he was active in the club by 1938, and being interested in steamers and Packards, he heard of this man in Yorklyn who had one or more Stanleys. My dad had the Model 76 road-worthy and licensed by the spring of 1941, used it quite a lot around here that year, and at the end of June, 1942, the Model 740, his second Stanley, arrived. It was about this time that Hyde first called here and met my dad. He was invited to attend an afternoon meet at Mary Ballard's parents' home in Merion, where she and Hyde were living at the time. My dad went over in his 740, but he wrote to me: "I should have taken the 1913, the 740 is not old enough". That day he met the likes of Sam Baily, George Hughes, Sr., Ted Brooks, Ralph Weeks, Joe VanSciver (father of our new member, Joe III), and Tom McKean. Possibly Earle Eckel was there with his '14 Stanley roadster. My dad joined AACA immediately and became about the 75th member. In February, 1952, he was elected president of the club at the Annual Meeting, held at the Franklin Institute, and served one year.
Our initial session of the "Stanley 101" course was held last Wednesday, with Richard Bernard, Mike May, and myself participating. Bill Schwoebel taped the proceedings. Mike gave an excellent description of the Stanley engine, and how it operates. This Tuesday, March 29, the second session will feature boilers by Butch Cannard, and burners by Bill Schwoebel. Remember, 7:00 P.M. in the Museum.
The Board of FAHP met on Thursday evening in the house. Our insurance program was reviewed by Tom Heckman, and the Board voted to obtain liability coverage like we had last year for our special events, plus Directors' liability to protect the Board. Tom said the insurance I carry on the cars will protect us on the road and at events off the property, but we are requesting excess liability coverage up to $5 million as an umbrella on all our coverages. New Board Committee chairs were appointed by the president and approved by the Board: Development, Cam Yorkston; Finance, Joe Mosteller; Education, Dan Muir; Collections, Mike May and Greg Landrey; and Buildings, Grounds, and Safety, Emil Christofano. The committee chairs plan to call their committees together in the next few weeks to settle in on the work ahead. The Board elected Anne Cleary and Joe Mosteller as full members of the Board, they being Secretary and Treasurer, respectively. Charlie Johnson and Brent Campbell have agreed to be members of our Advisory Board, increasing the number of Advisors to nine. As president, I plan to ask Rose Ann Hoover to be Assistant Treasurer and Membership Chairman, with the approval of the Treasurer and the Board.
Remember, this Sunday, April 3, Steve Jensen wants 6 or 8 eager volunteers to begin track work on the Auburn Valley. The time is 10 A.M. until 3 P.M. or as much time during this period as you can spare. Steve is also replacing the coil springs in the passenger car trucks on one of our "train sets", which we hope will solve the derailing problem. We hope to have the water tank from the Model CX ready to go back in the car this week, and then the 100-year-old horseless carriage can go back on display in the museum. With better weather promised in the next few days, I hope to try out the Model K, and then get the bonnet back on, and it, too, will be ready. Hopefully, the rebuilt differential will be returned to us in a week or two, and then we can re-assemble the rear of the Model 76. Emil has completed the new flue for the Model 87, and did a beautiful job, and Jim Personti repaired the feed water heater on the 76. Our paid membership is now either 57 or 58. Welcome to the new members. Happy Springtime! Tom
