Restorers Class Committee
The intent of The Restorers Class shall be to recognize MAFCA members who utilize their Model A Ford vehicle as a “driver” through its primary use of being enjoyed on today’s roads and highways. In consideration of today’s modern roads with faster highway speeds, vehicles require improved performance, reliability and safety. This class allows owners to operate their vehicles with original, era and aftermarket parts. While original parts are considered the “benchmark”, quality replacement parts and accessories with the look of the original part are acceptable. Improved or modern parts such as an overdrive, air conditioner or alternator are permitted but are not evaluated. The recognition is to encourage members to maintain their vehicles to a standard that reflects the original design and look, while permitting the owner to operate their vehicle with reliability, safety and comfort.
The Restorers Class Committee Members
Howard Eckstein
Chairman-Director
I got my start with the Model A hobby in 1965 when my dad bought my car for me. He passed the 1931 standard coupe that was chained to a billboard in front of a chiropractor’s home and office in North Hollywood on his way to work every day. When we knocked on the door, the crusty old man looked me over and declared that he wouldn’t sell it to us. He didn’t want the car turned into a hot rod. After swearing that I wanted to keep the car original, he finally relented and sold it to us for the asking price of $350; top dollar for a Model A in those days. I still have that car. It’s the car I learned to drive in. In 1969 I bought a wrecked 1930 Fordor sedan for $150 and got it roadworthy. In 1972, I bought a 1931 deluxe coupe that was in pieces for $250. Within two years that car was restored and roadworthy. Since retirement, I’ve spent a lot of time restoring or repairing other people’s Model As. I became involved with MAFCA about 2015. A local chapter was started about that time, and I soon found myself on the board where I’ve served in various capacities since then. I submitted an article to the Restorer which earned the Bill Reeder Literary Award. This necessitated that my wife, Gemma, and I go to Medford, Oregon to get it. It was there that we were encouraged to go to the convention in Loveland where Gemma competed in the era fashion contest. In Reno, I attended a seminar about the Restorer’s Class. I responded to the invitation to join in the evaluation of cars under the watchful eyes of the senior evaluators. I’ve since been invited to serve on the committee.
Dave Vestal
Director-Qualifications
I have been in the Model A hobby for more than 30 years serving at the local, regional and national levels. Elected to the MAFCA Board of Directors, I served four years, one of which as president. I am a Senior Vehicle Judge, a Master Fashion Judge and an Evaluator with The Restorers Class. Now serving a two-year term on The Restorers Class committee, I am looking after qualifying new evaluators.
Dan Morris
Director-Secretary
I have restored two model A's. I am working on my third. Of course, I have assisted many others in making repairs and getting their Model A' s roadworthy. During the Loveland Colorado National meet, we had our car evaluated in the Restorers Class. In Reno 2018, my wife and I attended the seminar on the Restorers Class and decided to sign up to be evaluators. We did our first apprenticeship in Reno. We had planned to turn in our tests and complete our second apprenticeship at the 2020 Kerrville National that was cancelled. In 2022, We completed our second apprenticeship and turned in our tests to be evaluators. The Restorers Class Evaluations are exciting to us. Most persons involved in the hobby can participate in this class. The Model A's we own are drivers - cars for having fun driving around, not ones for high point judging. I am excited to be a member of the Restorers Class Committee.
Al Glen
Director At Large
By the tender age of 14, Al was a proud owner of a 1928 Special Coupe. His path in life had been determined. A lifelong Model A enthusiast, Al has made numerous contributions to the hobby both locally and internationally. A long-term supporter of MAFCA, he apprenticed for Blue Ribbon judging in 1989 and attained his Master Judge status in 2014. He has proudly served on the Judging Standards Committee. Further, Al is a founding member of the Canadian Model A Ford Foundation and continuing contributor to its archive of technical knowledge and original parts. As a founding member of the Lions Gate Model A Club of Vancouver - Canada, Al has served as vice-president for ten years and been the club’s technical advisor during that entire period. Many members will recall Al diligently working to guarantee the success of the 2010 MAFCA International Convention. Al is a founding member of The Restorers Class initiative that brings a new recognition to Model A Ford owners. He has been a key contributor to the development of the evaluation process and spent many hours with members who have entered their vehicles in the evaluation process. In his spare moments, Al is currently undertaking a ground-up restoration of a 1931 Sports Coupe when not pursuing his passion of rebuilding distributors. Next on the agenda will be the restoration of his 1931 Roadster Pickup.
Don Bader
Director At Large
I acquired an interest in and fascination with the Model A ford at a young age. I located a 1930 Sport Coupe in 1958 for sale and purchased the vehicle for $75 with monies earned from my paper route. The engine and transmission were out of the car and disassembled. I was able to have the car assembled and on the road before I turned 16. I look back and am surprised that I was able to put the vehicle together as I had very limited funds, no manuals or instructions, and we did not have a garage. I joined MAFCA in 1972 and attended the 1972 MAFCA National Convention held in Seattle. My wife and I have been members of MAFCA for 43 years. I graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Mechanical engineering and spent 28 years employed with the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton Washington. After leaving the shipyard I worked for an energy consulting firm for 7 years. I have attended a number of MAFCA National Conventions and Regional Meets held in the Northwest and always enjoy driving my vehicle to the event and participating in the tours and program. I was on the planning committee for the 2000 NWRM held in Olympia WA, and the 2014 MAFCA National Convention held in Puyallup WA. I am interested in the aspect of maintaining the Model A in its original configuration and try to avoid reproduction parts as much as possible. Currently I am a member of the Gallopin Gertie Chapter in Tacoma WA. I presently have a 1931 Ford Town Sedan 160B, and a 1931 Cabriolet 68B. I have special interests in rebuilding carburetors and restoring and repairing speedometers. Also I am a Senior Judge in Vehicle Judging
Brian Lindenlaub
Member
was introduced to Model As as a youngster in the 1960s. My great-aunt kept an old Model A station wagon named “Tilly” at her farm. The highlight of each visit to the farm was when she would load all the kids into Tilly and take us for a ride around the farm. As a teenager I attended a number of antique car shows where I admired the Model As on display. At age 15, I purchased a disassembled 1937 Dodge pickup for $225. Two trailer-loads were required to get all of the truck parts home. With my dad’s help, we reassembled that truck over the next several years. I later sold the truck to help with college expenses. But I always dreamed of owning and enjoying another old vehicle. The next 35 years were focused on raising a family and on my career as an engineer in the commercial nuclear power industry. Then, while preparing for retirement, I finally found myself in a position to realize my dream. I considered the options and concluded that a Ford Model A is the ideal antique vehicle for an amateur hobbyist like me - simple but not primitive, relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain, parts available, and strong local and national club support. I joined the Utah Valley Model A Club in 2017 and MAFCA in 2018 to learn all I could about Model As while I searched for a car. I attended the 2018 MAFCA National Convention in Reno, where I assisted with fine point judging as an Apprentice Judge and helped evaluate vehicles in the Restorer’s Class. My search for a vehicle was fulfilled in September 2020 when I found and purchased a balsam green 1929 roadster. Although relatively new to the Model A hobby, I am passionate about driving and enjoying my Model A and helping others do the same. I am excited about working with the Restorer’s Class Committee to assist Model A owners in improving the reliability and safety of their cars while maintaining the original character of these marvelous vehicles.
CONTACT US?
To contact the Restorers Class Chair, write to Restorers Class