Robar Family Weblog

Many of you know, and those that don’t soon will, I have two Model A Fords.  The 1930 five window standard coupe was my first car (and that’s another story) which is known as “The Mighty Rooster” (and that’s another story) or simply Rooster.  The other, a 1929 tudor sedan was my third car which I was a partner in ownership while in the army at Ft. Benning (ditto above) which is known as “The Georgia Peach” or Peach to her friends. Ok, for the record my second car was a late fifties VW Bug I had in Australia (ditto above).

So with winter upon us and temps dropping to the teens I put the Rooster in storage but decided to leave the Peach out for the winter so it could be available over the holidays.  Anyway, I bought a car cover (can you believe white (the only size that would fit right) and before covering her, thought to take a spin to Kincad Park and asked Birgitt if she would come along.  The old gal was a little reluctant in starting (the Ford, that is) but with proper mixture was soon ticking over smoothly.  We started up our hill and into second gear with a couple of backfires to get the local dogs excited.  We were chugging merrily along and I was once again heavily (and maybe heavenly) reminded of my teenage years on the way to AHS those early brisk mornings.  Hah! didn’t think so then though.  Heading down toward KKP the road became icy in spots and with only summer tires it was a little skittish (or should I say skiddish?) but certainly fun — if you minded your soup.  I was having a great time when I felt a grip on my right knee and glanced at Birgitt.  There she was wild eyed with feet spread, right arm gripping the dash board, and left hand gouging into my knee obviously preparing for the worst and soon mumbling things like :”looks very slick”, “better slow down”, “looks icy”, “best we turn around”, &c. Hah!, No way, besides I knew she was not that worried because she hadn’t reverted to German.  This too, brought back some rather buried memories.  Birgitt asked me what I was snickering about.  I had to confess that she reminded me of my mother when I, in those teenage years, drove mom to her appointment in the Rooster because the family Mercury was unavailable to her.  We arrived at the chalet without incident, made the circuit, and headed back mostly under the same situations.  I pulled over and asked Birgitt if she wanted to drive back; all I got was a strange cackle which I took as a no.  We arrived back home in good order and when checking the temperature gauge (not original equipment) noted the engine never reached 100 degrees.  Ah, Alaska.  So the Peach is now covered in white and I feel rather pleased about the whole thing.

‘Til next time,

Uncle Ben (or dad, or bro, &c)