Our Impressions of the 2019 Central National Meet

By Pat & Dee Maroney

Photos by Dee Maroney, Tom O'Donnell, and John Emmering

Traveling to an Early Ford V-8 Club National Meet with the Northern Illinois Regional Group means starting your engine and getting ready to take a peaceful ride back in time down some of the backroads of the Midwestern USA.  For the 2019 Central National Meet, this meant that the members from the NIRG would meet up early on Saturday August 24th and ride together on routes from the Lincoln Oasis in South Holland, Illinois to the meet destination of Auburn, Indiana. Riding in your early Ford V-8 on this trip meant cruising along with a flathead engine anywhere from 66 to 83 years old, so when some members spotted liquid under the engine of a 1940 Mercury, belonging to Tom O’Donnell, car engines turned off as the hood of the Sedan Coupe went up and multiple members surrounded the car with varying opinions until the final diagnosis of a loose heater hose clamp was discovered. With much relief and a simple fix, the clamp was tightened, and the trail of seven cars began the parade to Auburn.

In and out of the backroads and highways of Indiana, stopping briefly for gas in Plymouth, Indiana the group filled gas tanks and grabbed a snack. As commonly practiced on tours, members patiently lined up along the edge of the gas station waiting for all to join in the tour continuing to Auburn.  Suddenly the loud sound of metal hitting metal hit the ears of everyone at Speedway Gas Station.  Engines were turned off and everyone jumped out, shocked to see that a large Ford Pickup Truck had backed out of a parking spot in front of the station and right into the front bumper of Tom O’Donnell’s 1940 Mercury. The damage to Tom’s car was confined to the bumper, the fender and the head light on the right side. With half the trip still in front of us, the parade of Ford V-8s got back on rout. Soon we witnessed a lead car, Joe Serritella’ s 1941 Super Deluxe Coupe pull off to the side of US Highway 6 as cars and semi’s zoomed past. Again, multiple members jumped out and under the hood the heads peered.  Within minutes, problem solved, and all retreated to proceed onto Auburn.  All members checked into to their host hotel, thanks to the countless hours of organization and registration of many members, but primarily, Carolyn and Ken Bounds. We then all grabbed a bite to eat and headed to the Auburn Town Square Cruise-In.  The entire historic town square was the perfect setting to fill with dozens of early Ford V-8 cars. It was a beautiful evening to walk and talk about cars from an era gone by.

Sunday August 25th brought a tour of the Early Ford V-8 Museum.  We had the honor of meeting Joe Floyd who donated his 1936 Ford car collection and the entire wing he built to house it. Joe explained how his professional success came from being a pioneer in the cable television industry in the 1960’s in the Midwest that led to his and his wife’s love and purchase of old cars.  Joe explained how he was honoring his wife’s wish to donate the entire 1936 Ford automobile collection to one donor and not break up the group. Joe explained that his son will always keep a large collection of other year cars on hand to drive and enjoy.  That evening we got together to enjoy a meal at the Welcome Party.

While some of the ladies prepared for a tour of Shipshewana, planned for the following day, many of the guys from multiple regional groups stayed up most of the night preparing an indoor judging concourse inside the Kruse Auction House as heavy rains approached.

Thankfully, it was a brilliant decision, facilitated by Early Ford Foundation Executive director Josh Conrad and the generosity of the Kruse Auction Institute.  Everyone showed up Monday morning August 26th to witness the judging event and enjoy these unique, restored and original vehicles in a comfortable dry area.  The Touring, Display and Dearborn Emeritus cars were exhibited outside and did get a little wet. Tuesday evening’s Awards Banquet was held in the ballroom of the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum. Some of the most valuable, magnificent cars in in automotive history are showcased in this gorgeous, historic museum.

It was a vacation filled with oohs and aww, car hoods often propped up, multiple heads peering at one engine, folding chairs proudly displayed next to prized possessions, and even witnessing a three man attempt to push start a stalled car. It seems the draw of this club is the proud ownership of an early Ford    V-8 but something even more valuable is evident on these club trips. These old Fords come with proud owners who bring along a loved one or two. It’s often a spouse, but sometimes a daughter or a son.  And this is where you witness what this club is truly about, as those who ride along say, “I love to watch how happy this club and those cars make them feel.” Yes, the car club is about antique cars, but even more so about the loving relationship belonging to the driver behind the wheel, and that’s more valuable than the price of the car.

Michael Driskell, Early Ford V-8 Club of America National President handed out the awards earned by members’ cars entered into various categories of judging and competition at the Awards Banquet held on Tuesday evening, August 27th.  President Driskell was especially busy when it came to presenting awards to members of our Northern Illinois Regional Group.  The following NIRG members received awards for their entered cars:

Pictured above left to right: Ken and Carolyn Bounds, Dearborn Emeritus for their 1951 Mercury Sport Coupe, (1949-53 Mercury Closed), Dan Pudelek, Dearborn Medallion for his 1950 Ford Crestliner, (1949-53 Ford Closed), Tom O’Donnell, Dearborn Emeritus for his 1940 Mercury Sedan Coupe, (1939-48 Mercury Closed) Ron Steck, First Place Concourse for his 1941 Ford Station Wagon, (1941-48 Station Wagon) Delice Serritella, accepting a First Place Concourse Award for husband Joe’s 1941 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe, (1941-42 Ford Closed) , Joey Novak, First Place Touring A for his 1953 Mercury Coupe,  (1949-53 Mercury) , Richard Livingston, Rouge Medallion for his 1938 Ford Coupe, (1932-42 Rouge) John Scheve, First Place Touring A Award for his 1947 Ford Super Deluxe Coupe, (1941-48 Closed) John Emmering, Third Place Touring Award for his 1951 Ford Custom Fordor, (1949-1953 Closed) Pat Maroney, Second Place Touring Award for his 1936 Ford Deluxe Fordor, (1935-36 Closed) , and Rick Claybaugh, Third Place Concourse Award for his 1939 Ford Deluxe Fordor, (1939 Ford Closed).

Also honored, but not pictured was Scott Gilday, Dearborn Medallion for his 1947 Ford Station Wagon, (1941-48 Station Wagon),  Sam Van Bruggen, Dearborn Emeritus for his 1940 Ford Five Window Coupe,  (1940 Ford Closed), and Marshal Adams, Second Place Touring Award for his 1940 Ford Pickup Truck,  (1932-1953 Commercial).