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The Centennial Celebration

by Russ Furstnow

(Most of you have read the blog that Marilyn Petersen wrote while we were driving our Model T's back to Richmond, Indiana. If you haven't done so, please go to the website at and click on the Centennial Celebration....it is quite interesting and has some great photos.)

The Centennial Celebration Tour began on July 5th with three Model T's and one motorhome departing Flagstaff at 7:30 a.m. Marti and Gary Hays drove their 1915 runabout, Dave Chance drove his 1916 runabout/pickup and Kathy and Russ Furstnow (along with Tess and Spencer) rode in their 1915 runabout. Marilyn Petersen followed everyone in her motorhome and she towed Russ's trailer, which was filled with luggage and repair parts. The first night we stayed in Kayenta. Our goal was to leave early every morning (around 7:30 a.m.) and arrive at our destination no later than 3:00 p.m. (we had to be "in the pool" with a drink in hand by 3:30 p.m.). We drove along on U.S. highways rather than interstates, so we were able to really see "Americana". We ate in small mom-and-pop restaurants and met some great people along the way. If we came upon an antique shop, we stopped and checked it out. Also, we stopped about every hour to get out and stretch and use the potty. Just outside of Clayton, NM, Art and Tommie Wimmer joined the caravan with their new motorhome and Model T in tow. It was great to see them, and Art was always there to assist when needed.

The T's ran beautifully, and it was surprising that each car just motored along at 40-42 mph, getting 20-21 miles per gallon! It was great fun, until we got close to Fort Scott, Kansas......that's when we got a call from Gary and Marti explaining that their car had developed a VERY BAD noise in the engine. Gary thought it was a stuck Bendix spring, but upon further inspection, it was clear that the crankshaft had broken in two. So the little Model T was sadly placed into the trailer (Gary has just now recovered from this devastating experience!!). The two remaining Fords continued on through Missouri, where green rolling hills were the norm, and finally we drove into Illinois. As we were preparing to visit the Lincoln Museum (a MUST SEE) in Springfield, IL, we stopped in a small town to stretch, and a large man named Jim McClellen came out of his business and checked out our Model T's. He told us that he had a "Touring-Sedan" in his shop, and we asked if we could see it. The car turned out to be a 1924 Tudor in surprisingly good, original condition. Russ asked if it was for sale, and Jim said "everything" in the shop was for sale, so Russ decided to purchase the car. We got the car after the Centennial.

The tour continued through Illinois and into Indiana, where we encountered more and more antique stores. We had made great time across country, and were even a day ahead of schedule, so we took every opportunity to stop and enjoy the sights. We arrived in Centerville, IN and took photos of the cars, documenting the fact that we had made it, and then we drove to the KOA Campground where we would camp for the week.

The Centennial was held at the Wayne County Fairgrounds, and it was quite a sight to see all the Fords and different venues. We joined up with two more CCMTC families, John and Montana Renkema and Dick and Joyce Erfert, who had driven "modern" to the Centennial. Harold and Karen Crutcher also joined the tour for a couple of days. Jim and Doris Martin were at the fairgrounds with their 1913 touring, and they had come in early to assist with registration. Jim's daughters, Robyn and Dawn, had their newly restored Model T's at the fairgounds, and Robyn's firetruck drew a lot of attention. Ford Motor Company had a beautiful display with many of their new models and even brought the famous "999" race car and the 1908 Ford from the Henry Ford Museum. Registration went very smoothly, and each car got a special dash plaque and tour bag filled with nice goodies. As was said earlier, this tour was "done right", and nothing was spared!!!

Some of the events that took place during the week were various seminars, timed assembly of a Model T runabout, a two-day swap meet, a special place called Gasoline Alley where participants could work on their cars, a parade of 380 Model T's through the streets of Richmond, a tour to Hagerstown's airport along with a "fly-in" of several antique planes, a day at an oval race track north of Richmond (Dave Chance took his Ford out to see what it would do!!), and a special stop at Wick's Pie Company, where we ate "sugar-cream" pie (WOW!). There was so much going on that you could not participate in every event, and it was all very well organized!!!

The week sped by, and our group left Richmond on our way to visit Craig Beek and his special collection of early Model T's. Gary and Marti decided to leave the group and visit relatives, as did Art and Tommie. Following our visit to Craig's we departed for the Black Hills of South Dakota, a favorite spot of many of our group. While in the Black Hills, we were able to take in a few days of the Sturgis Bike Rallye (what fun!!), visit Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park, Deadwood and Sturgis. On the last day of the tour, Dave Chance's car encountered problems, and his new Warford transmission gave out.....and Marilyn, who was riding with Dave, was unable to see Sturgis first hand (sorry Mar).

Our last day of the drive found us in Kanab, UT, visiting Gene and Reet Mitchell, and we all lamented how sad we were that the vacation was at an end. We had a great time with a great group of people!! Next year will be just as enjoyable with the Canyonlands III Tour, though, and we are already anticipating the FUN!!!