Third Annual Early Ford V-8 Club Drive Your Ford V-8 Day

By John Emmering

A jaunt from St. Charles to Lowden State Park in Oregon, Illinois seemed like a great way to commemorate the Early Ford V-8 Club of America’s third annual “Drive your Ford V-8 Day” for three members of our Northern Illinois Regional Group.  The drive took place Saturday, June 20.

Driving his 1951 Ford Custom Fordor, John Emmering met up in St. Charles with George and Dawn Zulas who drove a modern car.  The three headed 54 miles west on Rt. 64 through some beautiful countryside enroute to their destination.  There was a little bit of rain at first, which quickly passed.

The group stopped to view a vintage 1947 Mercury along the road as they rolled into the rural hamlet of Kings, in Ogle County.  Entering Oregon, they stopped along the way to admire the Rock River dam and then continued on to Lowden State Park.

Once inside the park they located the 48-foot statue called the “Eternal Indian” also known as Chief Blackhawk and admired its size and artistry.  Leaving the park, the group stopped at nostalgic Jay’s Drive-in restaurant for an enjoyable lunch. Soon they hit the road for home having enjoyed   celebrating “Drive your Ford V-8 Day” for 2020.