Wednesday, November 17, 2010

WAAAAY back machine..

My entries in this blog are mostly about the recycled 40 ford woodie, and I try not to stray from my escapades with the car too much. However, this is cause for deviation.. 


a little history.. (adapted from an email sent to a long standing woodie club member and friend Phil S) 


Phil..
my dad's had a 1940 chevy sedan delivery since 1973 or 1974.

its been off the road for about 10 years now.. and I am doing everything I can to help him get it back on the street so that we can travel to some events together..

while I am currently involved in the leadership of the national woodie club. Back in the 70's my father was very active in a now defunct sedan deliverys limited..


while i don't believe he was ever an "officer" he was however a very active member.. (or as active as he could be.. )

at that time.. the club was much like the woodie club with the obvious exceptions being the focus on sedan deliveries.. I believe Dick Royer was the SDL founder, and I think that he had some connection to Will Oniel,  in fact dad thought that the two groups might have done a few things together..


anyhow.. not too long ago.. my father and I were talking about a car show he attended in Harleysville, PA..  that he thought was in conjunction with the nwc (and sedan delivery's limited)


apparently this was a pretty big deal to dad.. because he and my mom would have been married almost 3 years at this point, and I would have been just 2 years old when this occurred.. AND Harleysville to Williamsport  (even today) isn't exactly just around the corner..

anyhow.. from  conversations you (phil) and I have shared. .. i think you would have just bought your pontiac around 1977 or so? Perhaps you had some other old car and you might (given your proximity) have attended this show in harleysville?


its a long shot.. but do you know if the nwc was ever involved in this event? and is it even more (remotely possible) that you were also at this event?


lastly  the contemporary historical vehicle association had a presence here.. do you know if it does today?  





i didnt expect much from my inquiry to phil.. 
but was pleased to receive phils response. ..


Jeff,
 
Wow, way to make a guy feel old.  I was, in fact, at Harleysville in 1977 (bought my Pontiac in 1975)  I don't remember the show being held in conjunction with any other club, though.  I'll look at my pictures from the show.  You'll have to excuse me, but they're what we old-timers called "prints", and you actually hold them in your hand to view them!  Now I have to find them!!
 
I do remember the sedan delivery club, remember it well actually.  They held a major show each year called "The Back Door Bivuac", and there was a connection to the NWC, probably through Will O'Neil's friendship with someone in the Sedan Delivery club, probably that guy you mentioned.
 
Let me look into the NWC archives that I have here to see what I can find.
 
By the way, I have a brand-new license plate frame from the Sedan Delivery Club here somwewhere.  I'll get it to you for your dad.
 
of course I had to go on and  forward my research to my father.. 
who responded. 
 
 
Jeff
 Will O'Neil, Dick Royer "Mister 29", Skip Redio all had some connection, I remember O"Neal at the Back Door Events with his 39 or 40 wood. see pics of plaques Also have news letters from the SDL around some were with members names and there rides listed, will have to look
 
 
 
 
 
 


a few photos of the cars my father thought were neat.. (in 1977!)
this photo..
is very special.. I think.. (although i could be wrong.. that the woodie behind the 34 is Phil S pontiac.. and I think I know the owner of the town and country to its right.. 



another car that puzzles me.. 
I think that this car "Lives" a few miles from my house..