Story and photos by Mark Wing
This spring day was a busy one at Larry’s Garage with projects ranging from fire truck repairs, body work, transmission disassembly, and reassembly of a “barn find” roadster.
The local chapter of the Ballut Abyad Shriners (an organization dedicated to assisting families in need) own a Model T fire truck that they use in parades. Larry helped the Shriners get their fire truck running, after a long period of storage and disuse, at previous work parties at his garage. On this day, Tin Lizzie member and Shriner, Don, brought the fire truck and a new recruit, Josh Lines, to learn about Model T’s and assume maintenance oversight of the vehicle. The fire truck was slipping badly when the low band was engaged so band replacement was in order. Under Larry’s tutelage, Don and Josh learned how to replace the worn out bands with new Kevlar ones. Once the band replacement was complete and adjustments made, Larry and Josh took the fire truck out on a test drive around the Village of Corrales. Being new to the world of Model T’s, it was also an opportunity and for Josh to get a driving lesson from Larry who has a half century of experience. It must have gone well because Josh joined our club later that afternoon!
Dave Ferro brought a transmission and three drums that he bought at the Bakersfield Swap Meet for disassembly. The parts are intended for a speedster project. The transmission was stripped down, and unfortunately, some of the components were too worn or damaged to be useful. Of the six drums, two were in usable condition. The magnets could have been used, but Dave’s speedster will have oil slingers instead of magnets. Upon measuring, the transmission shaft turned out to be good and will be used on the speedster project. Dave also had a car jack in need of repair for his 1918 depot hack.
Luke Berglund (Larry and Lorna’s son-in-law) was doing some body work to headlight rims for his 1921 Model T speedster. These rims were modified to accept modern seal-beam headlights. Luke’s speedster project is nearing completion!
Mark Wing brought a dashboard and a rear cross member for his 1925 touring car project for media blasting. The touring car body is making slow but steady progress.
Lance family members – Phil, Zack, and Danielle brought their 1926 “barn fresh” roadster for some assembly work and maintenance. Phil had recently sent the original radiator to a local shop for a new core. This rebuilt radiator was installed at this work party with the help of Mark Dominguez. Among other items on the “to-do list” were checking the rear differential for oil, installing new spark plugs, checking and adjusting coils, troubleshooting a electrical problem with the number one cylinder, and adding a bolt to the front driver’s side wheel that attaches the felloe to the split rim.
Visiting Larry’s garage for the first time were Larry Young (a member of the Tulsa, OK MTFCA chapter) and his son Tom who lives in Albuquerque. The Youngs drove their 1926 Tudor that has been in the family since the 1950’s. Larry A. gave them a tour of his collection and we’re very pleased that Tom signed up to join the club! We hope to see a lot of Tom and the family’s 1926 Tudor in the future.
What a busy and rewarding day – multiple projects made progress and we acquired two new members! Thank you to Larry for sharing his expertise and the use of his shop, and to all of the club volunteers that help keep the club cars on the road. Thanks too to Lorna Azevedo for her generosity and hospitality in letting the club enjoy their idyllic Corrales residence!
