Restoration Workshop at Max's Garage
December 4th 2021
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By Walter Payne
As has been the case for many of our recent Winter days, the LSMAFC December restoration workshop was blessed
with near-perfect Texas weather. Along with a friend of mine Mr. Kasden, we arrived early and were greeted
by only one or two Model A's in the drive way. Seeing my friends furrowed brow, I assured him that there are
usually quite a few more cars in attendance. And sure enough, no sooner than the words were out of my mouth,
Model A's started to trickle in, and trickle in they did! By my count there were a total of 14-1/2 cars in
attendance, and in that total I include the two in the garage plus the engine nestled in a chassis sporting
old wheels and tires resting in the corner counting as a half-car.
Speaking of blessed, it was our good fortune to once again have Max Phillips as host for the workshop. His
garage, combined with the covered part of the entrance and the winding driveway, made an idyllic setting for
a gathering of friends and fellow Ford Model A enthusiasts. Most of us are aware of Max's health challenges
as of late, and I know I speak for many when I say thank you for all you have done and all you continue to
do for the Lone Star Model A Ford Club.
Jim Ferguson made the rounds and offered a free coil-polarity check with his neat little "Sparklite" gizmo.
I was privy to several tests performed and even witnessed someone running with a reverse polarity on their
coil. Jim tells me of the five vehicles tested, three had reverse polarity. Yes the car will run that way
but not at its most efficient, losing about 10-15% power. Sounds like a great idea to get with Jim for a
tech article fleshing out the details.
For a while it seemed pretty busy with about two dozen or so folks milling about and the putt-putt-putter-putt
of running engines. Using Paul Ranney's old caliper, an impromptu alignment session blossomed mid-driveway.
Many a hand was waved around as well as opinions as to how to go about doing what was needed. One truck and
one car now have a better Toe in/out situation. On a nearby coupe, a broken shock mount was determined to
be irreparable with the tools on hand but arrangements were made for a proper fix elsewhere. What fine
examples of club members helping their fellow enthusiasts in the true spirit of a restoration workshop.
These were only a couple examples of the good deeds done that day.
A couple of hours into the workshop, folks gathered round to hear some words of wisdom from our host. Max
prompted members to become more involved in the club and reminded folks that the large majority of work
done for the club is accomplished by the same small group of folks. He reminded us of the old adage of
90% of the work is done by 10% of the people, and added these 10% get tired after a while. His praise for
current and past volunteers was genuine as was his encouragement for everyone to consider doing something
for the club they have not done previously.
Felix Boston, our current president, presented Max with an inscribed coffee mug honoring his past service
as president for the years 1998, 2008, 2014, and 2020.
In attendance were: Max Phillips, Rebecca Jordan, Jim Ferguson, Al Bohn, John Sullivan, JR Howard, Walter
Payne, Ed Herrschaft, Charles Powell, Fred Thompson, Ron Taylor, Patrick Beagle, Claude Folta, Jack Reeves,
John Ftacek, Felix Boston, Miller Casey, Charles White, and guests Bob Kasden, John Patterson, and Jim Baker.
My apologies for any omissions or misspelled names.
Also, let's not forget the Restoration Workshops would not come to be without the organizing efforts of Ron
Taylor and Al Bohn as workshop committee chairs. Thanks guys! …and we look forward to seeing YOU, dear reader,
at the next workshop.
A good crew adusted the distance between the tires on the back side.
