Virginia Davies brought her 1915 Model T.
The announcer yelled “Go,” the timer started the clock and an eight-person team lugged over a 1926 Model T Roadster pickup truck engine weighing 377 pounds and attached it to a bare truck frame. Next came the front axle, front wheels, drive shaft, back axle, back wheels, steering column, running board, fenders, radiator, seats – 15 pieces in all. In 12:11 minutes, they put it together, revved up the engine and it sputtered to life.
Called the “Take Apart Car,” this contest was a highlight of the Antique Car Show held at the Sully Historic Site in Chantilly on June 15, an event sponsors billed as “Classic Cars and Classic Fun for Father’s Day.”
“It’s really a put-it-together event,” quipped the announcer Ford Chinworth, “but it started as ‘Take Apart Car’ so we call it that. In the Model T world, things don’t change very much.”
The Nation’s Capital Model T Ford Club hosts five take-apart events a year, with three remaining this year: July 26, Berryville, Virginia; Aug. 30, Charles Town, West Virginia; and Sept. 20, Manassas, Virginia. Visit https://ncmtfc.org/take-apart-car.
Gleaming Classics
Despite the drizzly weather, around 200 exquisitely-maintained cars gleamed across the grounds, inviting targets for car buffs to explore under the hoods and in the trunks and interiors. There were antique cars, classic cars, muscle cars, foreign cars and even a 1924 paddy wagon. True diehards could buy antique oil cans and old license plates at the flea market.
Harry Dinch from Woodbridge showed off his 1969 Pontiac Firebird convertible. Its windward blue patina sparkles when the sun shines, he said. He has restored several Firebirds because “I’ve always had a passion for cars,” he said.
Herndon resident Marc Lieberman had a pace car, a 1995 Corvette and replica of one of only two made that once led the Indianapolis 500 race. Jim North drove his 1973 white Rolls Royce from Amissville with the steering wheel on the right since it’s a British vehicle. As he pointed out the mini-bar behind the driver’s seat, he said, “The car was in pieces when I bought it and I put it back together, including redoing the wood trim and dashboard.”
Their love of Mazda Miatas blossomed into romance for Tasha and Mike Pablo of Mount Vernon. They met at the Mazda Sports Car Club of Washington and the now married couple have two Miatas: Tasha’s is black; Mike’s, red. “It’s nimble and quick. I feel connected to the road when I drive it,” said Tasha. “You and the car are one.”
Samuel Reid from Fauquier County touted his white 1978 Lincoln Continental Town Car which gets eight miles per gallon of gasoline. He paid $300 for it and got it running himself. Noting the cowhide interior, he opined, “This car was the epitome of luxury,” contrasting it to today’s cars’ synthetic leather and “tons of plastic.”
For some, owning a vintage car means reclaiming their teenage years. Tom Hyden from Falls Church spoke fondly of his 1972 Viking blue Oldsmobile Cutlass with bench seats (Bucket seats came later). He has clung to his factory-ordered Cutlass for 53 years “for sentimental reasons,” he said.
Chinworth drove his 1927 Model T to Chantilly on several county back roads from the U.S. 1 area in an hour and six minutes, good timing for a vehicle with a top speed of 38 miles per hour. It’s unsafe on interstate highways, he says. Patiently explaining to visitors the 13 steps to start it, he said, “It takes five hands and three feet to drive this.”
Car enthusiasts chatted up owners from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Lou Pecora from Alexandria said, “The car show reminded me that cars had a greater variety of colors and styles in the past. Cars were more fun!”
Susan Koscis remarked, “What was interesting to me was the pride and joy that the owners take in their old beauties. The cars shone like pieces of fine jewelry. Today’s cars may be high tech, but they are no match in terms of beauty of design and detail.”
“Each car is a piece of history,” emailed Sarah Oberther with the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA).
“Even with the rain, families came out to learn, explore and celebrate the past through classic cars. It’s a testament to how powerful community connections can be when we blend recreation and education,” said Laura Grape, FCPA Division Director for Resource Management and Interpretation.
The record for assembling the Model T pickup truck? 7.5 minutes, said Chinworth.
The Park Authority hosts this annual event in partnership with the George Washington Chapter of the Model A Ford Club of America.
Photos by Glenda Booth
Bill Hilliard showed his gold fire mist1969 Cadillac El Dorado.
Mara Surovell admired this 1951 Ford Victoria owned by Jim Nice.
Tom Hyden has had his Oldsmobile Cutlass since 1972, straight from the factory.
Harry Dinch restores Pontiac Firebirds.