Memories Are Made of This

2018 Grand National Meet

By John Emmering

My dash mounted GPS was set for the Edward Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan and indicated that we had a 306-mile journey ahead estimated to take 4 hours 28 minutes.  We were off with myself leading and my GPS showing us the way.  Although it was cloudy the weather was not threatening, and we headed down Route 64 to I-355 crossing over shortly to I-294. After an hour we reached Indiana and felt elated as we entered the Hoosier State with the cars running great and the weather still dry. 

As we cruised past Michigan City, Indiana our fears were realized as rain began to pour down.  The windshield wipers came on in Pat’s car but as I pulled out my vacuum switch the 1951 Ford wipers were not cooperating.  A coating of Rain-X on my windshield was all that allowed me to see the road.  The rain came and went during the journey.  At one point in Michigan during a down pour we pulled off into a gas station until the rain subsisted. 

We got back on the road and further into Michigan clearer weather raised our spirits, however another problem arose.  The rear right-side door of Pat’s 1936 Ford accidently flew open causing the hinges to bend.  Pat pulled over and called me on the two-way radios we had been using.  Soon he was able to close the door and continue.  After a quick stop for some food and  gasoline the journey continued.  Seeing some other V-8s passing by raised our excitement.  By the time we reached Dearborn there were plenty of Ford V-8s converging on the site of the Grand National and the Edward Hotel was a welcome sight.

Entering the Hotel, I headed for the registration table where my wife Robin was already at work having arrived earlier that day. After registration I picked up my meet shirts and other items and received my mileage tab for driving a V-8 to the meet.  Soon I hit the operational check with the ’51 Ford and then rested up from the journey.  As Monday dawned, it was great to hit the concours and admire the Fords on display and check out the swap meet vendors.  The highlight of that evening was a social hour where all of us from the Northern Illinois Region got together.

As Tuesday dawned Robin and I got on the tour bus to Detroit to see the Piquette Ford Plant.  The plant used by Ford from 1904-1910 is where some of the very early model Fords were built and the Model “T” Ford was designed.   We got some great pictures and enjoyed seeing the rare early Fords.  A guide even let me get into a Model “T” and tried to teach me how to operate it.  Looks like I need further training however.  Late afternoon held some interesting Seminars on Carburetors, Transmissions and Spark Plugs.  Several of us headed over to Ford’s Garage restaurant for dinner and enjoyed the food surrounded by Model “A” Fords and other Ford automotive paraphernalia.

Climbing into our Ford V-8’s early Wednesday morning we headed over to Greenfield Village to tour that great Historic attraction and have an enjoyable picnic lunch. We had the chance to talk to some Club members from Australia among others.  During the picnic it seems I had managed to drop my set of keys to my 1951 Ford.  Fortunately, the finder gave them to then Vice President Mike Driskell who, after some detective work identified me as the owner.   Fortunately, we ran into Mike who kindly returned the keys to me. Wednesday night ended with the Owners/Judges meeting putting us all in anticipation of the judging which would take place the next day.

With judging coming up later that morning, I headed out to the concourse to do some last-minute cleanup of the 1951 Ford before it faced the judges.   Robin got ready for the Ladies Luncheon where she would create a lovely painting featuring a Ford V-8 parked in a field. Shortly past 9:00 am the judges approached, and I handed them my judging sheet.  My car got a through going over lasting slightly over an hour.  The deputy judge went over my sheet carefully and eliminated a few of the deductions he felt were not appropriate.   In the end I was satisfied with the points my car had earned.

The day held one other interesting event, which was the Rouge Factory tour.  Once again, we headed off on a tour bus, this time taking us to the famous Ford Rouge Plant.  Entering the Rouge building we were presented an exciting video presentation at the Legacy Theater.  We then moved to the Manufacturing Innovation Theater where we saw a 3D projection of the manufacture of the Ford F-150 truck.  Before long we found ourselves in the factory looking down on the assembly of actual Ford F-150 pickup trucks. It was interesting to watch the interplay of automation and human workers as they assembled the trucks. The sight brought me back to a school trip I had taken to Dearborn back in November 1967 when we watched the new 1968 Mustangs and Cougars being assembled.

Leaving the factory our group headed into the Legacy Gallery where five beautifully restored milestone Rouge produced Ford vehicles were displayed.   First was a 1929 Model “A” roadster, second a 1932 Ford V-8 Victoria, then a 1949 Ford Custom Coupe, a 1955 Ford Thunderbird, and a 1965 Mustang.   We also had a chance to sit in a new F-150 Ford pick-up truck on display. 

Our last full day in Dearborn was Friday which offered us free time to explore area attractions.  Robin and I joined Pat and Dee Maroney for a tour of the Henry Ford Museum.  The Kennedy Presidential limousine was an attraction we all wanted to see.  The first 1949 Ford on display and the 1932 Ford Cabriolet were also high on my list of attractions.  The 2018 Grand National Meet culminated with the awards banquet. After a great meal the awards were announced, and it was a good night for our Northern Illinois Region participants.   The first time judging experience of Pat Maroney and I ended up with both our cars   earning a second-place award. 

Early Saturday we were on the road again with my 1951 Ford in the lead followed by Pat and Dee’s 1936 Ford.  While rain was not an issue on the return trip, warm temperatures prevailed.  Some battery-operated fans we had purchased helped a little, but we experienced the heat, as in the old days, without air-conditioning.  The Fords did great however with no hint of vapor lock as we traveled back to Illinois, arriving safely home by the end of the day. The 2018 Grand National really proved to be a memorable event.  The camaraderie with other Ford V-8 Club members as well as the tours and    activities were excellent.  I’ve already signed up for the Central National Meet in Auburn,  Indiana set for August 2019 and anticipate another motoring  adventure!