I just completed a 3,500-mile round trip adventure in my 1930 Sedan Delivery. I traveled from Texas through Louisianna, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virgina and back again in just 14 days. I are proud to report that car made the trip without a single issue, no accidents were incurred, and I averaged a little over 18 miles per gallon. It was a bit of whirlwind trip but I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to visit the Outer Banks of North Carolina once again in my Model A. I am proud to report that all along the way, the car garnered interest and comments whenever I would stop for fuel, food, hotels or sightseeing. People in general are infatuated with old cars and especially want to know if you drove them to whichever destination you happen to be. Stop for fuel in say Virginia with Texas license plates on your car and I’ll guarantee the first question will be: “Did you drive that thing all the way here?” I always get a kick answering, “yes I did and I’m going to drive it back home also.”
I’m also a member of the AACA and I enjoyed Stacy Zimmerman, the Speedster Editor’s comments in the most recent AACA Speedster Newsletter that “Every time you drive your car, talk about your car, and even allow someone to simply sit in your car, your passion for this hobby is visible to everyone by the smile on your face and the enthusiasm in your voice.” When we share our cars in public, allow people to touch them, sit in them or even honk the horn we are, at that time, ambassadors for our hobby, our respective clubs and ourselves. Stacy went on to say: “Have you ever heard the phrase… ‘people join people?’ It’s totally true! We always say that everyone initially comes for the cars, but that they stay because of the people. We need to be in this together.” I think Stacy has hit the nail squarely on the head. Get out there and be an ambassador for your local club, MAFCA and the Model A hobby in general. People will be captivated by your enthusiasm for our cars and our hobby and we will all grow from it.
Even though I am barely home from my trip to the Outer Banks, I am beginning to plan my routes for driving to Ruidoso and attending the 2024 MAFCA National Convention. The Southwest Model A’s have created an excellent convention for us and I’m looking forward to the cooler air in Ruidoso, NM. Ruidoso’s 6900′ altitude will give me a welcome reprieve from the sweltering humidity and hot temperatures of Southeast Texas. Right now, we have five cars caravaning. Three cars from Texas, one from North Carolina and one from Oklahoma. Our routes include stops for some classic Texas historical spots, plenty of chicken fried steak and Mexican food to boot. My wife has a tee shirt she wears that sums it up: “All we do is drive around and eat!” And with all of this, don’t forget an essential stop at Dairy Queen for ice cream at least a couple of different times during the trip. There is always room for ice cream.
“See you down the road!”
Robert Bullard, 2024 MAFCA President