HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1986-11-05, Page 121...,�, Antique Club
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ChamPi0flS live on th
ntique
Club
GSSIWednesday, Nov 5, 1986
alk to Kip White about
Champion road graders and
i you could be involved in a
lengthy, but informative discussion.
And it is more w•�-riga„ appropriate
-
- that Champion's elder statesman in
terms of seniority and years of
service, and a man who knowsmore
about the service of road graders
than anyone, should be a Antique
force behind Champ
Club.
The Antique Club, for a Small band
ore
than eight .years ago by
of enthusiastic employees, has
dedicated thousands of man hours
restoring the Champion quality battle
to
lifeless machines left to idly
the elements.
The pride of the club's fleet and
restorative efforts is a 1939
Champion which was dealt back to
the company in the 1960s by the
Township of East Wathe grader was
Purchased for $3,550,
in service for almost three decades
before it was traded back to the
Champion Sales Company.
The club expended 1,385 man
hours to restore Model 130 in 1980-81
and it has since beenar favorite
at
attraction in local p
centennial celebrations and
exhibitions.
The 39 horse power driven engine •
featured four cylinders, four forward
speeds and could reachma machine
of 14 mph. The 14,000-p
featured a wheel base of 18' 3" and
is 22' in length.
The club has also restored and
displayed a 1906 scarifier -ripper; a
1900 Champion Patrol that was
rescued from the
yard from a customer
thatlow
was purchased
in Huron County. "generously"
The company "g
supports the diligent efforts of club, White explained ,adding that
management has been more
than,
rt. in the club's
w1lH1R6E1. 1A1\
The Antique Club, formed
by employees, has restored
many old Champions. The
old models are favorites in
local parades.
model 462 post-war grader and a
1958 model 581'
The Champion Antique Club has
maintained a high profile through
bid to restore the historic road participation county e
suppo in many
and through the indomitable spirit of
building machinery. people like White and Buzz Helesic,
"We had 22 members at one time cial the club is destined to flourish.nthe
a
project,"
eht 1939W i was our first saloffly some And that success, gauging by
project," White said. "Initially support offered from all levels of
together and employees just got the company, is guaranteed. "We
together formed a club and get co-operation and help from
we've received Ched co-operation from all fbrication, the machine shop,
levelsh at Champion: manufacturing and everybody. All
While conceding that membership ou have to mention -is that it's for
is dwindling of late, White said the the Antique Club and the guys will
club will remain active as both the get something done when they have
company and employees recognize spare minute," White explained.
the benefits of restoring the antique p like
especially during the Chances are that with guys
machinnn, esp Y ion Kip White and other club members
j0 In anniversary of the Champ around, a good part of Champion's .
In fact,edthe newroup has recently a history will live on for generations to
acquired five units including
1929 model 1020; a 1952 model 507; a admire.