Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford Club

As the sun rose on History Park in San Jose, antique vehicles of all types gathered at the entrance gate for the 7th annual Antique Autos in History Park. And by noon antique autos, fire equipment, bicycles, motorcycles and early day gas engines filled the streets of the Park. This annual event is presented by our Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford Club with support from History San Jose.

Assembled on the Park grounds were 140 antique autos from the 1900 to 1945 period. Of these autos, there were 36 Model Ts, 50 Model As, plus 54 antique autos of various makes and models. There were Reos, Packards, Lincolns, Cadillacs, LaSalles to mention a few. Milt Cavalli brought his newly purchased 1915 Saxon, Larry Johnson brought his Biddle, Norman Schwartz brought his 1910 Buick from Lafayette, Don Azevedo brought his Reo and Kent Keyser brought his beautiful 1911 Model T Touring. Doug Muntz (and student Joseph Hsieh) trailered the Los Gatos High School's partially built speedster to put on display. There were many many other fine antique autos brought by our Club members.

There was a 1913 Pope Hartford which came all the way from Soledad, a 1907 Stevens Duryea, and a 1905 Cadillac and 1926 Reo that were both Fire Chief cars. Joining us this year was a 1918 Chevrolet V8 (yes, it is original) that has been invited to the Great Race from New York to Paris in 2008.

On the grounds of the Park, in addition to antique autos, there were two antique fire trucks, one of which was an antique hook and ladder truck. There were 4 antique motorcycles plus one antique motorcycle with a side car. Four high wheel bicycles cruised the streets, one of which was ridden by Bob McConnell. The early day gas engines (often called hit and miss engines) lined some streets and fired away to provide power for equipment such as washing machines and wood saws. And the Wings of History Museum exhibited early day aircraft artifacts.

Antique Autos in History Park provided a day of enjoyment for the entire family. A Dixieland Band played music of the 1920s while participants strolled the streets in early 1900s apparel. In the Hotel, old time movies with early day autos tickled the funny bone. In the Empire Firehouse, crafts people displayed and demonstrated their crafts, which included painting, auto art, water coloring, clay working, quilting, lacing, fly tying and wood carving.

History Park looked as if the hands of time were reset to the early 1900s. Several participants who dressed in period costume were rewarded with a certificate and a wooden nickel for ice cream. Ted Nunes and a friend took the judge's choice award. Sara Schwiesow had a very good day. She received a certificate for the best ladies' hat and also won a door prize (she picked out a tie displaying antique cars for Ivan).

The kids were kept entertained as well. Activities such as building a model racing car and assembling and disassembling a lawn mower engine were provided by the Schmahl Science Workshop. San Jose Fire Department Explorer Post 888 assisted kids in a bucket brigade and with a garden hose to put out simulated fires.

The day went by all too fast. The sun set on History Park and the antique autos and other antique vehicles returned home. All traces of the day's activities were gone, all but the memories. We thank everyone who helped on September 9 and we thank all for coming out that day.

Allan & Lucy Greenberg