Memorial Day

[Spike Morelli]

Hey! Happy Memorial Day to you all, and we give thanks, and Honor those who serve, and have served. As an 18 year old, I was in two very different car clubs, one, was a club called the "Gear Stretchers, and I had a chopped, Hemi urged '34 Ford coupe. The other club I was in was the San Fernando Valley chapter of the Model A Club, and 50 years ago today, FIFTY YEARS AGO, I was getting ready to drive my "A" Coupe in a Memorial Day Parade in L.A. Check out this photo of me ( on right), with fellow club member Todd Tanzi, who drove a deluxe roadster. Ah, what fun.

 

[NOT A T5]

You looka lika Gangsta LOL

 

[Spike Morelli]

Nah......."I'm a mello dude, bro." This shot was just as I was starting to decorate the car for the parade. there are two flags on the bumper, but I always put red/whie/blue streamer ribbon laced around the wheel spokes, including the spare. That car was rust free and straight. It was one of the better running cars in the club, and absolutely reliable. It snapped a starter bendix spring once, so I just pushed it, jumped in, and bump started her in 2nd, that was the ONLY non-start in 11 years of everyday driving. I replaced the spring when I got home, took maybe 15-20 minutes. As I look at the photo I crave getting another, it was just such a good car. Eventually , I wore out those blackwalls, and replaced them with Goodyear white sidewalls. Anyone know of a good stock '30 Coupe for sale?

 

[MaddMike]

This Memorial Day weekend I had my Mustang on display over here where it was a regular weekend and they don't celebrate the Holiday. But my car is my Memorial Day celebration. I went south from Cleveland to Ft. Bragg in Apr '78 to visit my uncle who was a 3 tour Vietnam Vet 7th SFG badass and also on the HALO committee. We went to buy a rust-free Mustang with the money I saved from bussing tables in the summers and 1 winter freezing my ass off, checking ski lift tickets. Later, I had this car while I myself was a paratrooper stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC '79 - '82 and still later I had it when I was stationed at Ft. Lewis, WA '83 - '86.

This weekend was one of the largest car expos in Central Europe and my Mustang got a LOT of love from people. https://www.facebook.com/Legendy.slavnost While I was there I spotted a young lady dressed as a cowgirl and handing out brochures. I asked her if she would return the next day and pose with my car. I did not know she is a rather talented woman. Here are a couple photos for your perusal and if you look on Youtube and search "Anny Western Show" you'll see what I mean about her talents.

There are a lot more American Classics than you might expect over here in Europe and some of them are VERY nice. Most of them are the result of American service members who brought their cars to Europe - there were THOUSANDS of them stationed in Germany in the '60s, '70s & '80s - and left them when they returned which, in and of itself I think is pretty cool. Mine, I shipped last November after having it stored away for 23 years.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Hey! Happy Memorial Day to you all, and we give thanks, and Honor those who serve, and have served. As an 18 year old, I was in two very different car clubs, one, was a club called the "Gear Stretchers, and I had a chopped, Hemi urged '34 Ford coupe. The other club I was in was the San Fernando Valley chapter of the Model A Club, and 50 years ago today, FIFTY YEARS AGO, I was getting ready to drive my "A" Coupe in a Memorial Day Parade in L.A. Check out this photo of me ( on right), with fellow club member Todd Tanzi, who drove a deluxe roadster. Ah, what fun.

Hey! Happy Memorial Day to you all, and we give thanks, and Honor those who serve, and have served. As an 18 year old, I was in two very different car clubs, one, was a club called the "Gear Stretchers, and I had a chopped, Hemi urged '34 Ford coupe. The other club I was in was the San Fernando Valley chapter of the Model A Club, and 50 years ago today, FIFTY YEARS AGO, I was getting ready to drive my "A" Coupe in a Memorial Day Parade in L.A. Check out this photo of me ( on right), with fellow club member Todd Tanzi, who drove a deluxe roadster. Ah, what fun.

Is Todd Tanzi related to the famous Ron Tanzi?

 

[Sheriff41]

Nah......."I'm a mello dude, bro." This shot was just as I was starting to decorate the car for the parade. there are two flags on the bumper, but I always put red/whie/blue streamer ribbon laced around the wheel spokes, including the spare. That car was rust free and straight. It was one of the better running cars in the club, and absolutely reliable. It snapped a starter bendix spring once, so I just pushed it, jumped in, and bump started her in 2nd, that was the ONLY non-start in 11 years of everyday driving. I replaced the spring when I got home, took maybe 15-20 minutes. As I look at the photo I crave getting another, it was just such a good car. Eventually , I wore out those blackwalls, and replaced them with Goodyear white sidewalls. Anyone know of a good stock '30 Coupe for sale?

Not a '30 but a '28 https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1928-ford-model-a-58/

 

[Spike Morelli]

Sheriff, that is a very nicely done early '28, worth the going price, as I'm sure the previous owner(s) have spent WAY more just to get it to that condition. For me though, It's got to be a "30 Standard Coupe 'cause that's what I had for so many years.

 

[Ron Tanzi]

Hey! Happy Memorial Day to you all, and we give thanks, and Honor those who serve, and have served. As an 18 year old, I was in two very different car clubs, one, was a club called the "Gear Stretchers, and I had a chopped, Hemi urged '34 Ford coupe. The other club I was in was the San Fernando Valley chapter of the Model A Club, and 50 years ago today, FIFTY YEARS AGO, I was getting ready to drive my "A" Coupe in a Memorial Day Parade in L.A. Check out this photo of me ( on right), with fellow club member Todd Tanzi, who drove a deluxe roadster. Ah, what fun.

A west coast Tanzi! That is weird. My Grandmother on my mother's side moved to San Fernando in the mid 1920s. My Grandmother stayed in RI to marry my very awesome Grandfather. I have to look into the California connection with my Dad's side.

 

[Spike Morelli]

Yes Ron, both Todd Tanzi and I lived in the San Fernando Valley growing up. I believe Todd's Father's name was Rick Tanzi, and he was a cinematographer ( camera man ), at CBS Television.Son Todd's real first name was Tim, but he went by Todd. Todd has since passed, but from way back, maybe even Elementary School, we;ve been friends. It would be interesting if there was a connection between you guys. Here's a photo of Todd's Deluxe "31 Roadster. Also, a photo of Todd inspecting my Hot Rod Merc flathead about to go into my Roadster pick-up. In Todd's words...." ...Allright Dad, gennie and cherry..".

 

[MAD IRISHMAN]

Sheriff, that is a very nicely done early '28, worth the going price, as I'm sure the previous owner(s) have spent WAY more just to get it to that condition. For me though, It's got to be a "30 Standard Coupe 'cause that's what I had for so many years.

PICKY,PICKY,PICKY

 

[Ron Tanzi]

Well, Spike, I have a very similar picture of myself posing with my Cleveland on the Dyno from 21 years ago. I have to do a deep dive into my family tree and see what shakes out. He was a Ford guy. So chances are there is a family connection. Thanks for posting those photos Spike.

Ron