Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford Club

Antique Autos in History Park
September 2011

(Photos at end of article)

The 11th annual Antique Autos in History Park was the place to be for antique auto enthusiasts. History Park in San Jose was filled with antique vehicles from the early 1900s to 1945 which included not only antique autos but antique fire vehicles, antique motorcycles and antique scooters. This year, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Indianapolis 500, there were a number of antique speedsters and race cars. Ed Archer arranged for the display of a 1911 National race car that competed in the Indianapolis 500 in 1911. Ed and Brian Blain (the owner of the National) gave a very interesting and informative presentation on Indianapolis 500 racing and this historic 1911 National.

Luke Rizzuto, who organized the reenactment of the 1908 Great Race, gave a presentation and slide show titled "Longest Auto Race Centennial".

Filling History Park were over 190 antique vehicles. There was a wide variety of makes and models, too many to mention here, but we would like to list a few. There were three Stutz Bearcats, a 1902 Maxwell, a 1903 Cole, a 1906 Krotz, a 1911 Maxwell, a 1912 Willis St. Claire, a 1913 Pope Hartford, a 1913 Apperson, a 1916 Pierce Arrow, a 1920 Overland and a 1922 Mercer to mention a few. One of the more unusual exhibits was a 1941 motor home.

The event started with a dance performance by two members of the Swing Cats dance troup. Their performance included jazz and Charleston dances. Following the dance performance, participants and visitors to the Park were entertained with Dixieland music by the Donovan Dixie Demons while consuming food prepared by Peggy Sue's Restaurant. Following Ed Archer's talk on the National Race Car, there were awards presented to recipients for costume recognition. The costume judge said that she had a difficult time selecting recipients because there were so many wonderfully dressed people. Three members of the Model T Club were singled out for their outstanding outfits; Dan and Cindy Erceg and Gary Hagen (the judge had no idea that they were Model T members). And finally, door prizes were drawn and presented.

A large contingent of early day gas engines were displayed by the Early Day Gas and Tractor Association. And as usual, crowds gathered around the blacksmith shop for demonstrations of blacksmithing. The trolley engineer and conductor were kept busy giving rides all day.

This year, as in previous years, many participants and visitors enjoyed the display of antique crafts and collectibles. Many of the buildings were open, including the print shop, the Chinese Temple, the Portuguese Museum and Greek Heritage Institute.

We would like to thank all those who attended and those who helped make this event an enjoyable one.

Allan & Lucy Greenberg

 Scenes from Antique Autos in History Park

 A few of the many antique vehicles

 The Speedsters

The Race Car

 The Early Day Gas Engine and Tractor Association

 The Swing Cats Dance Performance

 A few of the turn-of-the-century crafts

 Sample from antique collectibles alley

Photos provided by Kevin Greenberg

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