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The Huron Expositor, 1979-04-19, Page 31Old car festival recall, horseless carriage era. Visitors to Greenfield Village during Old' Car Festival can almost hear drivers coaxing , and sweet-talking their 300 antique automobiles as the„ cars clang landsputter' their Kay down quaint Village.. ; streets. None built later than 1925, the cars recall the age of au- tomobile adventure. Here one can see the drivers in gogglesand dusters and, flap- pers in their frills, symbols of an age revolutionized by the Model. Ts, Stutz. Bearcats, Studebak�ers and many more. The Old Car Festival is one of the pre-eminent events of its .kind. -a chance for Pam- pered motorists to glimpse early automobiling and for, enthusiasts and collectors to compare notes and trade tales: The Village is an ap, nropriate place for such a 1. athering: it was founded by he late Henry Ford, Daily parade • During the daily parades, the cars clatter past a collec- tion, of more -than 80 historic homes and buildings, relo cated.from.all over the Coun- tr'.and set: down in the pat- tern of a typical New England Village. The setting takes 'on a par- ticularly ,Early' American mood. .when riders on high wheel bicycles, a special fea- ture of this event, glide placidly by, . exhibiting both balance and bravery. Some cars, like the bicy- cles, have -almost djsap peared from modern mem - pry, for few people canre- member when a Jewett Tour- : ing Car or a Holsman Auto Buggy trundled down Main Street. A car from the 1920s is new by Old Car Festival stars - dards, It is a festival tradition to divide the cars into two categories: the venerable au- !tare :cars Like .;Some nearly, extinct tion on: parts and repairs. They might barter with a local, hot rodder for a rare CAR CARE SECTION z a Your friendly BP agent FOR ABLE A car that is well Maintained can last indefinitely. This Ricken backer (top) is one of only nine still in existence. And not. many' remember when this Saxon (below)'was built a half -century ago species, many cars are ex- tremely rare, . For instance,' the five Rickenbackers at a recent event were among the nine sole survivors of about 55,000 cars.:. Products of a simpler era, these cars invite 'tinkering. °Collectors "will; have spent many. a Sunday afternoon preparing for this eventby polishing the outside and workingon the engines; ' try- ing to turn those sputters into purrs. Hunt for parts Many of the ::participants. belong ,to antique car 'clubs, which prove to be convenient - clearing houses for informa tomobiles of the pre -1917; era and the upstarts from the 1918 and '1925 period Cars in each group compete in sepa- rate eonteststandt games, in- cluding judging for authentic- „ ity. 5, Amidst . the Fords, Buicks and Dodges, there are cars. recalling the shattered hopes of early. manufacturers. Just ask an owner of a Wills Ste. Claire about C.H. Wills and his short-lived enterprise. near the shores of Lake Hu- ron. %I 1, Try radials If you're in the market for new tires -and are trying to cut gasoline •consumption at the same time—you might give a thought to purchasing radial tires. While the initial cost will be higher than'. for regular tires, tests •have shown that both steel and rayon, belted,. radials increased gas mileage. by up to 10 percent while im- .proving car handling charac- teristics. G part or track down the latest; rumor about a cache of these valuable, objects. One entrant' followed up the story of a lone hubcap: dying in a farmer'sfield and: discovered a veritable trove: a hubcap,,twlo wheels and an' axle. That. of course, is part of '. .he fun of owning anantique automobile; it takes more than just turning the ignition key to keep the car running The owners take a lot of satis,• faction in their avocation, and it is no wonder that they come to the Old Car Festival each year to show off the fruit of their labor. The 1979:old` Car Festival will be held September 8 and KEEPS US _ FIRST We'll care for your car this season to keep you smiling WE'RE YOUR TOTAL SERVICE CENTER cLAUGHLW s CH EVRO ; -OLDS LTD. Service -Selection -Savings 'Satisfaction. Seaforth 5270140Ply' Our service area is Blyth, Seaforth;' Clinton, Bayfield, Dublin & Brucefield •AUL KERR1GA!N 'FUELS-. "Your friendly Bp Agent” .Gasolines, fuel Oil, Lubricating Oils & Greases Phone 482-9653 Clinton; Ont. rMg into your ride! We are a, frainc.hise Lifetime Guaranteed Mufflers:and Shocks,,. • FRONT END ALIGNMEN WHEEL BALANCING TIRES FOR. ALL CARS - Belted FROM °W35.00 Polyester FROM 32.60 Radial FROM 55.00 Prices based on G78 X 14 or 15 size. FREE INSTALLATION AND BALANCE Call or come in OPENS 6 days for appo'lntment : M CLOSED 12:1; ' HAUGH TIRE and Muffler Supply Ltd. N,.... l„co9,nn H,q ' i, Sn„7h c,4 CANTON 482.3752 or ,f but, 482-9796