This adventure and project started began 29 June 2024 when I had a casual chat with Ashley and her mother. “We may wish to sell our Model A Ford Roadster,” they told me; “Do let me know if you decide,” I replied.
October 1, 2024, the email came, “we are ready.” The first chance they had for a visit was 2 pm the coming Saturday
October 5, 2024, the Saturday. Arriving promptly, ten minutes later I was counting out my cash. “She runs great,” I was told, “but this morning she would not start, and we would prefer you not drive her home.” She would not start, and sadly I left trying to figure out what to do next.
November 1, 2024 — instead of moving Auntie EM directly to Dr. Dewey, he and I decided to wait for to fix what was supposedly “a starter problem” AUNTIE EM had a piggy back ride to “44”.
about January 3, 2025 — the good Doctor and I chatted, and he planned a visit to “44” – when here we found the engine stuck, and the gas tank totally dry – no wonder she would not start on October 5.

January 13, 2025 – AUNTIE EM had another piggy-back ride to Dr. Dewey’s on a remote mountain top in Weston, VT. A half hour after her arrival he emailed with this image saying, “be prepared for a complete engine rebuild.”

It got worse — starting at the front bumper — replace bearings and king pins in front end — recore radiator – total engine rebuild – flywheel teeth chipped (freezing engine) – three gears in transmission shot – emergency brake assembly bent.

Enough said – you get the point – EVERYTHING mechanical from front bumper to rear bumper inspected and repaired or replaced (no Federal funding – no Medicare – simply cash – thank you books). I now have a 95 year old car with a new drive train – and that was our plan for my serious driving to come — my desire to replicate some of my road trip adventures in NH and VT in 1963 and 1964 traveling up from my home in Wilton, Connecticut.

Below my visit at Dr. Dewey’s on March 28 — almost done !

And, on 31 March we agreed to meet in Chester, Vermont (yes was first there in 1963 in my 1929 Model A Ford Roadster – Belzebuth). We changed cars at the Sunoco station after gasing up.

and, now 1 April — I took a five mile spin (no fooling) with two young Belles in the rumble seat. LET THE ADVENTURES BEGIN — and remember to follow AUNTIE EM’s adventures on “Shunpiking with Ray” – luv, RAY