(letter received from Hank Ashton describing the first session)
Steve,
The parts that you graciously gave us arrived today. Thanks so much. This is our first build of this type and it is heart warming to know that other car related businesses are so interested in what we think is important, not just for us now, but in the future.
We now have thirteen young people .We split them into two groups, one for the frame, and one for the body. Throughout the day we mixed up their groups to let everyone get to know one another. We were pleasantly suprised when they accomplished their goals ahead of schedule. We actually ran out of oak for the body at the end of the first day. We jumped into our next lesson plan and they took apart the updraft carbs and received lessons on the Model A engine. We have a cut-a-way engine that is connected to an electric motor for demonstration purposes.
The pictures do speak a thousand words. The young participants spoke volumes to us. We had three generations and six decades of people working together on a project that they all wish to complete. One part of this build that the photos don't tell or show is the electricity in the air. It was impossible to watch and not want to get involved. Some of our club members showed up to observe and were later admonished by their wives that they were working in their good clothes. Guess who came back the next day dressed for dirty work.
As you can see by the photos, everyone was learning something, and I mean everyone. I wanted to get my hands dirty but I was too busy talking with the press, giving interviews, talking with future partners, and some cooking. Saturday we went through ten quarts of chili and forty-eight hotdogs, not to mention soda, water, and cookies. It has been a long time since I have been beaten out of home made cookies by a group of teens. It has also been awhile since I have had some eating machines at home also.
On Sunday more home made cookies showed up and we tore the engine completely down. The parts washers were going constantly and they formed an assembly line to get everything clean. When dry it got painted. Anything that was painted Saturday received a second coat Sunday. The underside of the body was painted and excess was removed from the oak flooring. The oak flooring was trimmed off square and the kids were taught how to use a square and hand saw. They also learned how to cut hardwood without splintering the edge by using masking tape.
All in all, we were impressed and delighted with our first weekend. Next scheduled weekend will have the body taking shape and the frame completely reassembled.
Hank
Hank Ashton
SAM’s Garage Model A Team Leader
Saratoga Automobile Museum & Adirondack A’s Model A Club |
Saratoga Automobile Museum and the
Adirondack A’s Model A Club
embark on a unique restoration project.
The restoration project which involves restoring a Model A Huckster by, up to 15 Saratoga Springs area youths between the ages of 12-16 , is part of the museums “SAM’s Garage youth education program”. The restoration work itself will be performed at the museum and is to be completed over a series of week-end sessions, culminating in an unveiling of the finished restoration at the Spring Invitational and Auto Show on May 15/16 2010. Practical guidance and mentoring to the team members will be provided by the Adirondack A’s Model A Ford club members with needed materials donated by individuals and corporate partners such as LeBaron Bonney.
This program is designed to be a total hands-on experience for the students and an opportunity for the club members to pass on their many years of experience to a new generation.
Their first session, held in December, was an overwhelming success attended by 13 very enthusiast youngsters and numerous Adirondack A club mentors.
To learn more details about the program and view some pictures and video of their first session you may visit our web site www.lebaronbonney.com/news or the museums site www.saratogaautomuseum.org
Photos courtesy of Hank Ashton.
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