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Car enthusiast’s vintage Ford shines at Melfort show

Jun 19, 2016 | 9:26 AM

Cars, trucks, motorcycles, military vehicles, and hot rods, and even snowmobiles were present at this year’s Mix 101 Melfort and District Show ’n Shine.

Cars, of all shapes, sizes, makes, and models were spread throughout downtown Melfort on June 17. Some classic, some rare, some that needed lots of love, and some that were so pristine they looked as though they rolled right off the production lines.

Amongst all the hubbub, parked in the middle of Main Street Melfort, which at times felt like a wind tunnel, sat a 1930 Ford Model A. The sounds of the Village People’s ‘YMCA’ floated out of the car built well before the popularity of the song.

Painted bright yellow with hand painted flames stretched across the body, the car was a stark contrast between a military service truck meant to transport troops in combat, and a black muscle car from the 70s.

“My son bought it and gave it to me as a retirement gift,” Alex Smith, the owner of the model A said.

The engine needed to be rebuilt, the rear-end needed replacement, the car needed to be completely rewired, amongst many other fixes. After spending three days building the engine while working around his own work schedule, Smith’s son, Ian, did a fair share of work for his father’s new car.

Finding parts wasn’t easy, Smith said. A lot of tracking parts down is knowing exactly what you’re looking for, and being willing to do what it takes to get the parts you need. Anything and everything at hand is bartering material, and Smith once had to swap a truck for some of the parts he needed for his Model A.

After putting between $8,000 and $9,000 of work into the car, it was finally show ready. For the last four years the car has toured all over Saskatchewan, and has travelled into Alberta for numerous shows.

Smith takes special precautions to keep the vehicle in tip top shape.

“I had to buy a trailer to get it around, that’s how we got here today, loaded her up into the trailer and hauled it out,” Smith said.

The car cannot be driven much anymore because of the stress driving causes on the car. Being as old as it is, the body of the car can actually develop hairline cracks just by taking it for short drives. Every five years the car needs to be repainted not only to keep it looking fresh, but to also to keep cracks in check.

“You’ve gotta take it to Edmonton to get the paint done, the flames are hand painted you know. Anyways, it takes about six weeks to be done. The way it works, is you bring your car and drop it off. When it’s done, you’d better show up with the cash otherwise you won’t be getting your car back,” Smith said with a wry smile on his face.

At 72, his passion for cars is still very apparent. When he was younger, he used to race trucks in the Melfort area. As if that wasn’t enough adrenaline he also used to ride bareback rodeo. Recently he came across a mechanical bull, and hopped on to ride for 7.5 seconds.

“I had always wanted to try one of those… When I walked in and saw it there in front of me I knew I had to jump on and give it a go!” laughed Smith. “I’ll tell you though, the second and third tries at it didn’t get any better.”

His days of rodeo and racing are long passed according to Smith.

“With the racing, you can hit a bump the wrong way and you really feel it when you get older,” Smith explained, as he reflected on his racing days.

Smith now focuses his attention on his Model A, which is a summer show car. Melfort is his third stop this summer, with a full schedule ahead during the summer show season. This winter, Smith said he will have the car repainted the same vibrant yellow it currently is. The flames, of course will be staying as well.

Manufactured in 1930, the Model A was a staple in the Ford line up between 1927 and 1931. The car is noted as being the first Ford with a conventional clutch, brake pedals, throttle and gearshift. The Model A was Henry Ford’s answer to replace the successful, yet aging Model T line-up of cars. As such, many variations of the Model A exist. While over four million made it off production lines, some variations of the car can sell for a staggering US $300,000.

 

Bryan.eneas@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @BryanEneas