You know I am over a year behind in documenting and sharing my adventures, but they are “on the list.” But, now I must give you this adventure first. Actually this adventure began on June 29, 2024 (do visit that post of 29 June 2024,) — well, actually this adventure and ultimate adoption began back in 1962 – yes 62 years ago. On June 29th I attended a festival in Andover, NH, where I found a rack card advertising the  THE ICE HOUSE Museum in New London, NH. which ended up being a bonus on the way home. I had heard of the museum, but it had slipped my memory. Essentially a car museum spread across about five buildings there are many fascinating collections interspersed – RAY RECOMMENDS A MUST VISIT THERE.

Welcoming visitors was Ashley, a member of the museum’s board. We chatted cars – and my relationship with so many in the museum that my Dad had owned. She said her mother may someday be selling her 1930 Model A Ford Roadster – I expressed an interest. Ashley’s mother drove in later on, and we talked Model As some more, they promising me they would let me know when/if they made a decision.

When I joined my son and grandson in Canaan July 13 for the go-kart races I emailed Ashley if I could stop and see their “A.” “No,” she replied, “we will not be around at that time.” So, meant to be, and I figured when ready, hopefully Ashley will email. October 1, I get Ashley’s email, “Mom is ready,” I reply and she sends the image below the next day – we make a date for Saturday October 5. I head up north an hour with a friend – and cash – and made the perfect purchase – no way I could resist.

Often a “slight hiccup.” I planned to drive her home, but alas, starting fine in the morning she resisted after 2 pm when we were there. Obviously she had another idea. So, Ray starts to figure out how to move to Dr. Dewey to resolve whatever hesitancy “she” had. But, my October schedule was not conducive to a resolution, so a couple days ago I decided to have AAA just bring her home to “44” for hibernation until the spring. That will work, says Ashley for “Auntie Myrtle.” “Auntie Myrtle?” You know my possessions with four wheels are named – PERFECT – and learning that “Auntie Myrtle” had been in the family for over 60 years, “Auntie Myrtle” she remains.

Friday, 1 November, still a crazy schedule and phone calls back and forth with towing companies once AAA changed vendors. I was sitting on the front steps. Well, time to go inside back to “work.” Always the case, as I am getting up, what appears?

and backing down the drive

and a fantastic driver positioning to roll right into “Auntie Myrtle’s” stall in my stable – next to BLUE BELLE and with CORNELIA to the side. You can click the small images for a larger view.

time to acclimate awaiting Dr. Dewey and fun, fun, and more fun.

But why Ray? Well, you may know that threads run through my wonderful life. I grew up with my Dad’s old cars and exploring barns. I rode my bike on US 7 poking in antique shops (and buying books among others things that spoke to me). And, I finally convinced my Dad shortly after I got my driver’s license to sell me a 1929 Model A Ford Roadster he was planning to “flip.”

Yes, my father’s son. I have all of his license plates, and on my wall I have all the license plates I have had on my cars. Of the 29 on the wall below, eight (8) have been on my various Model As.

The beginning – December 10, 1962 – I named her BELZEBUTH (a Brazilian spider monkey – it just came to me)

My favorite image of BELZEBUTH is in West Cornwall, Connecticut, just over the Covered Bridge crossing the Housatonic River, and off my favorite stretch of my favorite road – US Route 7.

Below is twenty years later, just before I sadly sold her (for the second time, but that is another story) on November 7, 1982.

Make sure you start counting the number of As I have had of the 4,858,644 that Henry made between 1927 and 1932. 

Number 2 came January 11, 1965, halfway through my freshman year at Northwestern. BELZEBUTH was in Connecticut, so I bought this original 1928 Tudor Sedan south of Chicago. At spring break I drove her east – replaced a head gasket in Ohio, and barely made it up Nod Hill Road in Wilton. The rings were so shot there was no compression to climb “Nod Hill.” How do I get back to school? My Dad had just finished a 1931 Model A Cabriolet which he let me drive out and back – not mine so do not count it. I sold the Tudor shortly later to my brother.

Home that summer I bought a running 1930 Tudor Sedan from friend Leland on June 17, 1965. No interior, I recall we ran it around the woods pushing small trees down while sitting on milk crates for seats. My plan was to make it into a popcorn “truck” and serve popcorn out the back windows (remember corn has been popping though my life as well). Plan never materialized, my Dad sold the car to Bruce who owned Toll House antiques at the Covered Bridge in West Cornwall. I kept the radiator shell to make a shadow box for my Models of Yesteryear – but alas, never doing so, sold the shell last year (2023) after having it 58 years.

Don’t worry – number four came along real quick. Leland was going to school in Oskaloosa, Iowa, and had bought a 1930 Fordor “Blind Back” sedan, but decided to sell it to me. I went out to Iowa in my 1956 Chevy Two Door hardtop (wish I had kept it – about 70K today) and towed her back to Evanston October 15, 1965. Getting hard to keep “all balls in the air” between school and Navy ROTC cruises, this car departed my life May 20, 1966 (trust you keep similar records of your automobiles – at least collectible ones).

Still counting? Stay with me, do not loose track. Cathy and I married in May of 1995, and moved to New Preston, CT, with our bookshop on top of the waterfall. I thought it would be fun to have a Model A pickup parked outside with a sign advertising the shop. Cathy always encouraged me to get what I would like to have (and she as well was encouraged to do the same). A customer we were chatting with mentioned a pick-up for sale. We contacted the caretaker for the owner, and on a buying trip to NH for books first stopped near Hartford at an airport finding our pickup under the wing of one of the last DC-3s made. First purchase of that trip made March 5, 1997, and delivered a week later.

Never really used the pick-up – but at least I have owned one. Ebay was now coming into its own, and I saw a rare 1931 Model A Two-Door Phaeton — my Dad restored one and I enjoyed driving it. It was pricey, but we headed to nearby New Milford to look. Guess what? Next to it was a 1930 Roadster that had come out of a barn near where we lived, restored by one fellow, sold to this other fellow, and now became ours September 26, 2001. Knowing it was to happen we sold the pick-up a few days before on September 21, 2001.

Yes, “A” number six, and where did we drive to right away? The West Cornwall Covered Bridge, placing her in the same spot BELZEBUTH posed in 39 years earlier.

This Roadster moved with us to New Hampshire, and enjoyed Old Home Day Parades, as well as taking two brides to their weddings.

In early 2010 I finally purchased a 1958 TR3A, having wanted one since my neighbor bought a new for his son when I was growing up. A former customer in CT had been begging me for years to buy my roadster, and I gave in August 20, 2010, and she went back home to Connecticut.

Sadly, pining for another Model A, and thinking I needed to buy one, the hunt was on again, this time for a Tudor Sedan to die with. Ebay had one in Connecticut – owner and I emailed and planned a visit hours later. My small town bank did not have enough cash on hand (really I did not need much, but alas), I took what they had and drove south. Negotiations made, I had a Tudor, and delivery shortly by the former owner.

And, as I saw, and adopted her in Connecticut December 14, 2013. You still counting? Number 7.

coming home, she joined BLUE BELLE and BLACK BEAUTY – stable complete !

well, not used as much as I should have (but at least passed dozens of times a day in the stable), and not to mention bending with arthritis and back problems into the drivers seat, she headed to New York State September 19, 2018. Goodbye Number 7.

But wait — I just cannot live without a Model A Ford. I had thought that was it, but awakening one morning – actually March 19, 2019 (slightly late birthday present) and looking at Facebook Marketplace for Model A Fords — WELL you guessed it – a 1929 Roadster down in Charlton, Massachusetts next to my favorite Sturbridge and OSV. We exchanged messages, I hopped in the “new” car, and Number 8 was mine.

Yes, I drove her home — and made it – only to find later that the upgrade to a 12 volt system caused some ignition problems – Dr. Dewey to the rescue.

You still keeping track? Number 8 had some incorrect features with its “restoration” – but at least I had another 1929 Roadster. But, again not using her sufficiently I decided someone else should enjoy her. My Facebook Marketplace post got the perfect response – a young lady wanting to treat her dying Dad with an “A” arrived with trailer and cash, and away she went on June 28, 2021. Guess I will die without a Model A Ford.

Did I say back and bending problems? With that I did not drive BLACK BEAUTY for almost three years, and a month ago she went to Maine — again to an older gentleman with health problems thanks to Vietnam. He as well wanted to “relive his youth.” It was the right transition, but left a hole in my garage.

But, then as I related above, a serendipitous meeting a few months ago led to Number 9 – my last “A” and I am thrilled to have “Auntie Myrtle.” Purchased in about 1962 by Laurie’s family (we still have a date so I can get all “Auntie Myrtle’s” history) — this brings me about full circle to the timing of my first “A” – BELZEBUTH. I love “meant to bes” — and this was an ultimate perfect connection for all.

Stay well, love, RAY