The 2008 MARC/MAFCA 3^rd World Model “A” Ford Meet in Addison, Texas was ‘A’ Great Success. The Texas weather was nearly perfect with mild temperatures, at least by Texas standards. On behalf of the MARC Touring Class Committee, I want to thank the Dallas Model Club for an exceptional meet and for all their hard work and support. We especially thank Meet Director and Registrar, Jill Sullins for all her hard work and an outstanding meet. Thanks also to Don Grubb, President of the Dallas Model A Club. What a meet! All the 3 plus years of planning was worth it!

Hugh and I attended the meet which was held in Dallas, Texas by the Dallas Model ‘A’ Ford Club, one on the largest club’s in the nation. (What would you expect? It’s Texas.) The last we heard, there were almost 1000 registrations with about 600 Model A’s and folks attending from 4 countries besides the United States and Canada. The heat, 90-100 degrees all week, wasn’t too bad because the humidity stayed low, there was almost always a nice breeze (though occasionally it felt like it was coming from a hot oven) and usually you could find some shade.

The meet started on Sunday with a few events like the “Hill Climb” a timed event for speedsters on a tenth of a mile course (no hill, unless you count the crown in the road for drainage). The car at the right was driven by a woman, note the eyelashes on the headlamps and I think she got up to 50+ mph over the short course.

There were many events for ladies besides the Ladies Driving course and tour but unfortunately I didn’t get to any of them due to other meetings for Touring Class Judging and MAFFI. Era Fashions judging took place on Tuesday and there were 60 entries! The Fashion Show took place on Wednesday evening during the Fashions Award Banquet. There were lots of folks, men and women, who wore Era type clothing to many other events throughout the week and it was fun to see them all.

It seemed incredible that in the middle of a busy city section with several high rise office buildings and large hotels that there would be any green space at all. Yet, there was enough room for the outdoor flea market with some trailer parking across the street from the hotel and for the touring class judging venue and more trailer parking less than five blocks away. This made it very convenient for the 51 entries in Touring Class judging and helped things to run smoothly. The awards for Touring Class were given at the Texas Motor Speedway in the Indy Racing League garage at the end of the Mandatory Tour and after the cars ran three laps (25 cars at a time). Amazingly this was accomplished with a minimum of confusion and in a timely manner especially considering the number of cars involved in the mandatory tour. The track officials were very helpful. Riding the track behind the pace car was a blast, we even got up to 50-60 mph, especially those in the back who were racing to get to the front without passing the pace car.

The Welcome Party picnic (they even furnished the blanket) was held at Addison Park adjacent to the touring class venue and followed by a movie and popcorn. Here we are enjoying the picnic (photo by Bruce Adams, MARC of Long Island). Each day was jam packed with events, an indoor swap meet, a plethora of raffle items, bus tours to the Fort Worth Stockyards and Bureau of Printing and Engraving, the JFK Museum in Dallas besides the many self guided tours available. I went on the JFK bus tour and we hit the Bureau of Engraving following the mandatory tour so we actually got to see something other than the hotel and its environs.

The ‘Twenty Millionth’ Ford was on display at this meet. It has not made an appearance at a national meet Model A meet since we saw it at Dearborn in 2003. It will revert to its private owner in a couple of years, so this may be the last opportunity we will have to see it. A 44 minute DVD which includes ‘never before seen film footage from 1931’ as the car made its coast to coast tour; the crowds, the excitement, the fashions as well as the modern day restoration process. To place an order email , indicate the number of copies you would like to order, your name and phone number and shipping address. You will receive a phone call to obtain your credit card number for payment. $25.00 cost covers shipping, handling and tax.

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‘Huff N Puff’ of the ‘Not So Rapid Transit’ made its first appearance, sponsored by the Model A Ford Foundation, Inc (MAFFI). It was a big hit with young and old alike. The bus was open for sitting in and taking pictures like the one to the right of the MAFFI trustees, recognize anyone? Each person who sat in the bus got a ‘I sat in Huff N Puff’ button picturing the bus. The MAFFI table was busy with folks looking through the original upholstery book, selecting factory photos for reprinting and perusing the Memorial Book as well as other MAFFI offerings. Check out www.maffi.org

One of the neatest things that was done at this meet was the taking apart and the reassembling of a Model A Roadster by the youngsters of the meet. Brent Terry of Terry Restorations in Tennessee sponsored this event which was attended by about 80 kids and was, I am sure, an experience they will never forget.

I heard they had 90 tables of 10 at the awards banquet. We were lucky to be at the front, were served quickly and could actually see the folks receive their awards. There were a lot of folks who had to give remarks, several Youth Scholarship Awards and then the awards for 51 Touring Class Model As, 31 fine point cars, 4 original and 5 modified. If you want to check out more of the meet go to www.martygast.com for pictures.

As we look forward on the MARC meet calendar, The Gold Mine Region, of North Georgia will be our hosts for the 2009 membership meet on March 26-28, 2009 in Marietta Georgia. Circle your Calendar Now and make plans for a Great time! Georgia is Fine in 2009! Y’all Come! We look forward to seeing you soon or at another meet. See you down the road and Happy Model ‘A ing.

–Loukie and Hugh Smith.