A pair of AA Trucks in the Boneyard...

US Wednesday 11th July - 2018

Today, I took a few photos of two AA Ford Trucks that Sammy has resting peacefully in his Ford auto boneyard here in Chandler, Arizona. 

The grey truck [below] is a short wheel base like my new truck & the light green bucket of rust [two photos down] is a long wheel base model. You can see and compare the difference in length of the tray in the rear end photos I took.

Here's the short wheel base AA Ford Truck, just like my new acquisition.
In the background is my stored RV on the right.

You can also see my stored RV in the back ground with the white wheel covers over the front tyres.

These two AA Trucks are definitely a handy man special investment. My new AA Ford Truck which I have nick-named ‘Hoover’ is such a good deal, because by the time you restore vehicles like you see here in the boneyard & pay for all the replacement parts you would be well in excess of what I paid for my newly acquired AA Ford Truck last week.

One of two AA Ford Trucks that Sammy has on his property here
This is the long wheel base version

The dry Arizona air is a perfect storage location for old cars

I forgot to mention to you that my new AA Ford Truck has a Russian built engine in it, apparently the Ruskies bought all the moulds and specs off of Henry and Ford America when the Americans finished making them in the USA.

Cheers for now
Warbo

Related Stories:
To read about & see my new AA Ford Truck CLICK HERE

Gutters and Bushells Tea flowing...

US Monday 10th July - 2018

Now this photograph below is also a very rare sight for me here in the ‘ex-Trolly-Dolly’s’ over 55’s Mobile Park here in Chandler, Arizona.

I purchased my upmarket 52ft x 12ft trailer here in Chandler, Phoenix back in 2012, I have never witnessed rain like what you can see in this photograph. The gutters on my patio were actually overflowing with water & you can see puddles of water on the ground.

During today's rare desert downpour my patio gutters overflowed
there had been no rain for the previous 119-days.

The green vehicle in the photo above is a Model T Ford, the Blue Pick up is a Model A Ford. The Guthrie Family here have at least 40 Model A Fords scattered on the property throughout the Park, & now that all the Snowbirds have returned to their various homes throughout the Northern States for summer it is very quiet around here.

Today I asked Sammy’s Dad, Sam Snr, how many people were resident in the park at the moment, he said that there were only 48 people. During their busiest time of the year (US winter time) when all the snowbirds are here from the northern States the park swells to 365 residents.

Gotta go, Sammy & another friend of mine will drop around in about 30-minutes for a cuppa & a selection of good old Arnott’s Classic Dark Aussie TimTam biscuits, washed down with Bushell's Blue Label Tea.

Cheers
Warbo

Monsoonal Thunderstorm hits Phoenix

US Monday 10th July - 2018

Part of the biggest thing that happened here in Phoenix today was this dust storm that swept through Chandler like a locomotive at around 1600 this arvo. The pleasure of living in the desert. 

A massive Monsoonal thunderstorm powered its way across the Valley of the Sun on Monday breaking an amazing 119-day streak without any rainfall officially recorded in Phoenix Airport.

My view of the Monsoonal front that brought a huge dust
storm followed by heavy rain, the first for Phoenix in 119-days

This photo [above] I took from my front porch, you can only just make out the mules in the paddock to the right, then looking towards the left you can hardly see my RV through the dust, my RV [mobile home] is the first one that you can see. 

The storm, which also brought severe wind, dust and hail in many areas of metropolitan Phoenix, also broke the record for the most rainfall ever recorded for July 9 at Sky Harbor International Airport at 0.54 inches, the National Weather Service said.

The Valley of the Sun also got some much needed heat relief through the storm, which dropped Phoenix temperatures about 25ºF degrees from above 100ºF degrees in half an hour.

Damage from wild wind and rain caused debris from the Airport Inn's
roof in Phoenix to hit several parked cars in the area.

Phoenix's official rainfall total is recorded at the airport, which had not recorded an official measure in recent days even as other parts of the Valley had rainfall. Rain was officially last tallied in Phoenix on March 11 this year.

Hail was also reported in nearby Mesa. The storm continued moving west toward the rest of the East Valley, Scottsdale and Phoenix, leaving some parts of west Mesa with more than three-quarters of an inch of rain and Tempe with just more than half an inch.

The storm continued moving westward by early Monday evening but had diminished significantly by the time it reached cities such as Glendale and Surprise.

The sand-storm moves across Tempe, Phoenix
adjacent the Arizona State University

National Weather Service meteorologist Mark O'Malley said the storm was a "weather disturbance" from New Mexico that found favorable conditions to develop into severe thunderstorms once it hit Arizona moving westward.

Although there are chances of rain every day through the rest of the week, O'Malley said Monday's storm would likely be the largest.

"You don't have too many days in a year where you get this type of outcome with this much dust and severe storms like this," he said.

Above: Local Fox 10 Phoenix TV storm coverage

Heading south for San Diego

US Thursday 5th July, 2018

Once I finalised the purchase of my new AA Ford Truck & with the 4th of July Independence Day celebrations behind me it was now time to move on to other things. Today I was headed for San Diego.

I was up at 0300 and departed Santa Clarita in ‘Sheila’ as the clock struck 0400 on Thursday morning. My thought was to beat all the peak hour traffic as I manoeuvred my way south on the massive Interstate 405 towards San Diego.

LA's 6-lane wide freeways can be congested at any time of the day
This is the 405 Freeway just south of the 10 Freeway
clover leaf intersection - just north of LAX Airport

Peak hour on the outskirts of LA begins well before 0500, if you do not hit the road early you could be caught up for hours bumper to bumper on their 6-lane Freeways (each way) & let me tell you that is no fun.

Things ran according to my well-hatched plans to avoid the early morning commuter traffic snarls, as I made it through to the South side of LA heading towards San Diego without a hitch. 

From where I was staying in Santa Clarita it is 60-miles north of LA on the big Interstate 5 Freeway. The journey south to San Diego was a 3-hour drive, one of my goals was to revisit the famous Hotel del Coronado once again & enjoy my morning tea there, which I did.

'Shelia' parked outside the Hotel del Coronado
both elements were created long ago in times faraway

For 130-years, the Hotel Del Coronado has served generations as an iconic hotel in an unrivaled setting, with old world charm by the seaside.

I would have spent probably an hour or so looking around this magnificent Victorian wooden Seaside Resort Hotel built in 1887, it is an ageless landmark with historic architecture, in a remarkable Southern Californian beach setting. As you can see by the photographs.

Hotel del Coronado - San Diego
Now a Hilton property - standard rooms go
for about $600 AUDs per night.

As you all know I am a great believer in that you must have control of your countries Borders, needless to say with what has been happening over here in the USA since my man the Donald become the President, I could not help myself to check out the situation on the US/Mexico Border.

Warning signs approaching the US/Mexico border

The US/Mexican border at Tijuana is just 14-miles [22Ks] from the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego. I wanted to see with my very own eyes the prototypes of the new wall (fence) that has grabbed everyone's attention in the world wide press for the past 18-months or so. I had absolutely no idea of what I had ahead of myself, nothing ventured nothing gained I thought, & as sure as night follows day “I will not die wondering”.

I decided to pay a visit to a tourist bureau and ask them how I would go about it. They very kindly gave me a detailed map so that ‘Sheila’ and I could drive on out to the Border. We arrived at the most Southwestern section of the Border Fence and we were greeted by a Border Patrol officer with a HUGE weapon hanging from his belt. (you can not see his weapon in the photo [below] because it is hanging from his right side hip).

I got to see the US/Mexico border close-up and the
well-armed officers of the US Border patrol

As you can see in the photographs, Tijuana Mexico is on one side & the US on the other side of the fence. As you do, I approached this Border Patrol officer because I wanted to know right from the horses mouth what was happening. The “lCE” melted (excuse the pun) when I explained to him that I was an Australian.

I wanted to know if there was a display area where I could see the new prototype fences as we have all seen on the T.V. He told me that was not possible as they were in a restricted area & I was not allowed there. 

I then asked him in what time frame will you guys start erecting the “wall”. His answer to my question was : We have already started to build the “wall”.

'Shelia' - parked alongside the US/Mexico border fence line.
as close to Mexico as she may ever get

This Border Patrol officer was very personable towards me, you can not see it in the photos, because I had to park ‘Sheila’ some 400 metres from where I met this chap & he could not see where I parked ‘Sheila’. He asked me if I had walked to the fence & offered me some water to quench my thirst because it must have been 115ºF/43ºc in the sun. 

Anyway this is the story from me reporting live from the Tijuana/Mexican Border. I certainly hope that you enjoyed my “No fake news” reporting.

US Border Patrol conducts security on the US/Mexico fence line 
right down to the waves of the Pacific Ocean [background].

Later in the afternoon I decided to drive east towards Arizona along the Mexican border. I stayed briefly at a small town in Southern California right on the border called El Centro, because I needed to be fed & watered, I also wanted to check the World Cup results between Brazil Vs Belgium (big upset there). It was so stifling hot on the journey, I also needed to know what the temperature was once I stopped.

I do not have Air-Con in my Model A Ford, the perspiration was just pouring out of me hour after hour during the 3-hours that it took me to drive from San Diego to El Centro, I must have drank a gallon of water in that time.

Any wonder, when I Googled the temperature at the restaurant it said 115ºF/43ºC & I am sure that driving through the desert the temperature would have been slightly hotter. My guess it was in excess of 120ºF/49ºC. This is not “fake news” every word is the gospel truth.

Yuma, Arizona
My last overnight stop before making it back to Phoenix, AZ

Later on in the evening when I eventually arrived at the Motel in Yuma, Arizona I had a cold shower & collapsed in a screaming heap, very exhausting for a middle-aged man like myself.

Tomorrow is another day, I should arrive back into Chandler, Phoenix in the morning, and once again become Trailer Trash in my 'over 55-year-olds' Trailer Park.

I have another week here in the States before it is time to fly back to LA to catch the HUGE Qantas freedom machine back to home soil.

Cheers 
Warbo

Nicole Tompkin's brush with fame...

Monday 9th July - 2018

Texas born, but now Hollywood, Southern California, based, Nicole Tompkins has showcased her talents on stage, screen and TV. She is also a voice over artist featuring in WB's Games 'Shadow of Mordor; Shadow of War' game.

Fans loved seeing Nicole on the season finale of 'American Horror Story: Hotel', portraying older Scarlett alongside Wes Bentley and Chloe Sevigney and then she geared up for even more buzz as three of her feature films were released in 2016.

(Above) I managed to spend some memorable time with the delightful and talented actor Nicole Tompkins. Nicole not only drives her own Model A Ford, she confidently double shifts through the gears

A gifted singer, Nicole enjoys writing and recording her own music. Having performed in over 20 stage musicals, she is well rounded in a range of vocal styles. Industry professionals recognize Nicole as a solid and reliable studio performer.

(Above) Nicole with her grandfather on the 4th July, 2018 in Santa Clarita, California. She proudly drove him in her Model A in the 4th July street parade. Her grandfather is a WWII veteran.

Nicole Tweeted: "I had the pleasure of parading my Grandfather in his 1928 Model A Touring in celebration of 4th of July. He is a WWII vet and has been an example of love and generosity my whole life. Happy July 4th everyone!"

Nicole has voiced leading roles in films such as "Caroline and the Magic Potion" as well "Antboy" and "Antboy: Revenge of the Red Fury". She has also been featured as principal vocal talent for numerous children's sing-along CDs, commercial spots, and educational products.

(Above) Nicole Tompkins behind the wheel of her 1929 Model A Ford Phaeton dressed up for the 2018 Santa Clarita 4th July street parade

The yellow 1929 Model A Ford Phaeton [above] is Nicole’s vehicle. The other couple in the photos [below] are Rick & his wife Susan, they are the couple that sold me their Ford AA truck.

(Above) With Nicole again, the other couple in the photo is Rick & his wife Susan, they are the couple that sold me their Ford AA truck this week.

Tomorrow when I arrive into San Diego I am going to drive over the Coronado Bay Bridge & visit the famous & historic, Victorian-era, Hotel De Coronado and have my lunch there. Then early afternoon I will drive south along the Silver Strand & that will bring me to the Mexican border, so that I can check out the construction of Donald Trump's Mexican wall.

Then if there is any time left I will visit the 1,200 acre Balboa Park... visit the Car Museum and the Air Museum. I have already explored the San Diego Zoo on my previous visits to San Diego over the years, so I don't need to do that. The big and busy, east-west, Interstate 8 that links San Diego with southern Arizona has lots of places to stay, that's the route I will take when I head for my home base back in Phoenix, Arizona.

(Above) Model As lined up in the driveway of Ron's house in Santa Clarita for our 4th July celebrations

The way it looks now, I will not be returning to Chandler, Arizona until Saturday or Sunday, which then leaves me 7-days to endure the desert heat in Arizona before boarding my Southwest Airlines flight to fly from Phoenix to LAX and then connect my journey home to Australia aboard my Qantas jet.

It is very hot here today in Santa Clarita, California (110ºF/43ºC) the good thing about the climate here is that it cools down rapidly once the sun sets, then in the mornings it is delightful weather.

That’s all for now

Cheers

Warbo

4th July 2018 - Santa Clarita - Part II

US Wednesday, 4th July - 2018

My friends did talk me into hanging around for the Parade today, & I am so glad that I did because it was an absolute blast.

Early this morning we dressed ‘Sheila’ for the parade. One of my friends from the Santa Clarita Model A Ford Club even went to the trouble to print up an Aussie flag for me last night, downloaded from the internet, as you can see so it's proudly displayed in the photo below.

My US-Based Model A Ford aptly named 'Shelia'
is dressed for the 4th July Day street parade in Santa Clarita
One of my friends printed my up an 'Aussie flag' to proudly display

This is the fourth time over the years that I have been in America for the 4th of July celebrations. On the other three occasions I have witnessed the parade from the sidewalk, however this year I was actually part of the celebrations, savouring the chance to drive in my very own vehicle.

Independence Day here in the US is HUGE, there were thousands of spectators lining the streets watching as the many floats, bands, fire trucks, Vintage vehicles etc, etc, were displayed throughout the small town here in Santa Clarita.

The locals really get into the spirit of the day

Not forgetting that these parades were happening all around the Country today.

In the photo [below] that yours truly is wearing the Stars & Stripes hat, the gentleman that I have my arm around is the guy that organised the Aussie Flag for me. 

Mike the guy in the black shirt is a Kiwi who has lived in America for 30-odd years, Ron the Model A Ford GURU is the person that I stay with here in Santa Clarita is on the right, the rest are all members from the Santa Clarita Model A Ford Club here in town, a great bunch of blokes. 

A great bunch of car loving blokes from the
Santa Clarita Model A Ford Club

In the other couple of photos you can see the punters lining the streets watching the parade as it passes buy, then there is the lady dressed up like the Statue of Liberty, they really go to so much effort as you can see.

Once the parade was finished about 60 friends of Ron & Carol’s (all car people) returned to their house where we enjoyed food, drinks and a good old chit chat long into the afternoon.

Hollywood starlet and Model A enthusiast Nicole Tompkins
and I. Not only can she act & sing she can double shuffle gear changes
in her own Model A Ford

The young lady Nicole Tompkins that I am with [above] is absolutely beautiful, she is only 20-years old. She owns a Model A Ford & drives it herself, not only that she also knows how to double-shuffle when changing gears, I was very, very impressed with this vibrant young lady as you can see by the look on my dial.

It is now Wednesday evening here on the west coast, either tomorrow or first thing on Friday morning I will depart Santa Clarita & drive south to San Diego to check out the Donald’s wall on the Mexican border, before changing course east to Phoenix Arizona.

As a heat wave sweeps across the south-western US, I really am not looking forward to returning to the soaring heat of Phoenix, Arizona.

Cheers for now
Warbo

4th July 2018 - Santa Clarita - Part I

US Wednesday, 4th July - 2018

This morning before the 4th July Parade commenced here in Santa Clarita, California, there were eight Model A Fords, we were all meeting at Ron’s residence before we drove downtown to muster for the Independence Day Parade through Main Street.

I was busy doing various things to prepare my Model A Ford, ‘Sheila’ for her big day out in the Parade, when I noticed this AA Ford Truck driving down the road & it pulled up out side the house.

My new purchase on this 2018 US Independence Day
This magnificent 1930 AA Ford Truck

I turned around and was gob smacked by this magnificent 1930 AA Ford 1-ton truck, in all it’s glory & almost original Patina.

Needless to say I immediately fell in love with this beauty before my very eyes. I dropped every thing that I was doing & walked on over to introduce my self to the owner/driver, most of all to have a closer look at this vehicle.

Note the dual wheels at the rear, very sexy. I just love it.

To cut a long story short & don’t ask me how or why, I am now the proud owner of this vehicle. Tomorrow I meet with the owner to finalise the deal & then make arrangements to de-asbestos the truck before I ship it back to Sydney town.

This vehicle is a real coup for me because I have always had a soft spot for the AA Ford truck.

The reason why is that years ago I was watching a documentary on how they built the Hoover Dam all those years ago. If you Google that documentary [click here] you will notice that most of the vehicles working to build the Hoover Dam were these AA Ford Trucks, that was the moment in my life when I decided that one day I would own one of these work horses.

My new AA Ford Truck features dual rear wheels and a beefed
carrying capacity from one ton to two & half tons

Rick, the previous owner and I were having a chat about the ins & outs of this vehicle it turns out that this is a very rare model, & the following reasons are why:

1) This Truck has a short wheel base, 131” in total.
2) The vehicle has double springs on each side of the rear suspension.
3) Dual rear wheels. 
4) I am only the 3rd owner of this vehicle from new with all the history carefully recorded.

Why am I telling you all this? Because of the beefed up rear suspension this AA Ford Truck increases it’s carrying capacity from only one ton to two & a half tons.

A view inside the cabin of my new 1931 AA Ford Truck

The other AA Ford Truck models only have single wheels on the rear, they are also longer in length & their carrying capacity is only one ton. My model can be used as a tanker or grain hauler. However you can also convert it into a dump truck. That is why this particular vehicle is such a rare find.

Guess what!!!  Today is that special day that I realize my dream, I am so excited with my purchase that I am almost beside myself. What’s more these AA Ford Trucks are very few and far between in Australia.

So that is my story for today, I hope you enjoyed it.
Cheers from Santa Clarita, California.

Warbo.

Reno to Santa Clarita, California

US Sunday 1st July - 2018

Yesterday afternoon after departing the Reno, Lake Tahoe area and heading south for Los Angeles, I decided to give ‘Sheila’ a breather beside a stream in the Eldorado National Forest. 

Located in Eastern California, in the central Sierra Nevada mountain range, about 30-kilometers south of Lake Tahoe, we spent around 1-hour there listening to the water as it meandered over the rocks heading down stream to who knows where.

The forest ranges in elevation from 1,000 feet [300m] in the foothills to 10,000 feet [3,000m] above sea level along the Sierra crest. Snow pack in here in the Winter can get up to 15 feet high. 

These are the hidden camp grounds scattered all around the US National Parks, you pay maybe $20.00 to camp there for 24-hours, there are no facilities (other than a bush dunny) just a nice spot where you can park your rig & relax & let the world go by in the middle of no where. 

'Sheila' parked by a stream in the Eldoardo National Forest
which is located just South of Lake Tahoe.

Here, you pay by an honour system, (there is no National Park Rangers here to greet you) when you enter these park sites there is a collection booth with envelopes, on the envelope you write your camp site number & place the money inside the envelope then drop the envelope into a sealed container depending on how many nights you stay in the National Park, & it actually works fine. Brilliant !!!

Today, I decided to drive 300-miles to my friends residence in Santa Clarita, (approximately 50-miles north of Los Angeles).

When I arrived at Ron's house in Santa Clarita, at 2:30 pm they had not made it home from the National Model A Ford Rally in Sparks, Reno, Nevada, so I decided to have some lunch & then drive back to their place & leave them a note just to let them know I dropped by to say hello earlier.

But when I drove up to their house: SURPRISE !!! SURPRISE !!!

Ron Mosher is this gentleman’s name, he is the undisputed GURU of the Model A Ford mechanics here on the West Coast of California, & what I witnessed as I drove into his drive way I could not believe.

As you can see by the two photographs, they were unloading his beautiful 1931 Model A Ford Woody from the back of a tilt-tray tow truck. I sheepishly walked into his driveway to find out what had happened to his vehicle. 

This was definitely not a place for me to be, I could see how upset & pissed off he was, so I decided to say a quick hello, find out what had happened & then be on my merry way to check into a Motel for the evening until things had cooled down.

Ron Mosher's beautiful 1931 Model A Ford Woody being unloaded off a
tilt-tray after cooking the engine coming home from Reno

Apparently his engine run out of water & he cooked the engine approximately 150-miles from his place here in Santa Clarita., CA.

Now this is the same person that I stay with when I am here in L.A. He also looked after my ‘57 Chevy & 2 Model A Fords at his place before they were shipped to Australia, so l know him well.

He is the person that invited me to stay at his place & also invited ‘Sheila’ & myself to attend the Parade on the 4th of July.

Fast forward a few hours: My cell phone rang while I was resting in my Motel room, it was Ron’s wife Carol calling to apologise for what had happened earlier.

Ron's magnificent 1931 Model A Ford Woody being delivered
home after cooking the engine on the way home from Reno, Nevada

In the morning I will meet up with Ron & his mates for coffee & donuts, then I need to drive into Pomona to go to the So-Cal Speed shop because I need to buy some parts for my ‘57 Chevy. 

Then in the afternoon when I return to Santa Clarita they have asked me to stay at their place on Mon-Tue-Wed night, so that I can attend the 4th July Parade on Wednesday which he actually organises for the Model A Fords.

So now that the dust has settled & by the time I make it back to their place tomorrow afternoon all will be good, Carol also invited me for dinner tomorrow night.

Never a dull moment in the life of an International Model A Ford enthusiast. I have no idea what to expect at the upcoming 4th of July Parade on Wednesday, all I know is that it will be BIG for ‘Sheila’ and her loyal driver, can’t wait to find out.

At the moment I have planned to leave here here & head south towards San Diego first thing on Thursday morning.

To be continued.
Cheers
Warbo

So much going on in Reno

Wednesday 27th June - 2018

I have included a few more details of this meet, this information gives you an idea of how much activity is going on here in Reno for the week-long 2018 Model A Ford Club of America [MAFCA] National Convention & Rally.

The program of events lists all the happenings here this week
I've marked the events that I am interested in with a *

There is a enthusiast Kiwi couple that I have met previously on the other three National Model A Ford Rally’s that I attended. I have have invited along to join me on the ride for the Grand Tour on Thursday. 

As they do not have a Model A Ford here in the States as I do, they were going to complete  the Grand Tour in their modern rental car & when I offered them a ride in my 1931 Model A Ford 'Sheila' they were over the moon and jumped at the chance to join me.

On the left is the Grand Tour drive map
it skirts around the eastern shore of Lake Tahoe
I will make the drive and have invited my Kiwi friends to join me

I know where I am centered...

I have included the map & information of the Grand Tour on Thursday [above]. The other photo shows the week's activities & where I have marked them with an asterisk*, indicates the events that I will follow or participate in.

Warbo

Judgement Day - Reno

Tuesday 26th June - 2018

I am totally gob smacked with this 1931 Model A Ford Town Car Delivery as is every body else here at the National Model A Ford Rally. Earlier this morning I went along to witness the Judging of some of the vehicles.

It's hard to believe this car is 87-years old and only has 2 -miles on the Speedo.

You may ask why this vehicle can demand such a price on the open market WELL!!!  Here is only one reason why, & it is hard to believe what I am about to tell you. The Speedo has only 000,002 miles on the clock. That's right - just 2-miles.

I know that the Good Year tyres would not be the originals [below photo], however these tyres are exactly (the same replicas) of the original tyres, if you look closely at the top of the tyre, you will notice the rubber tits still protruding from the tread. 

Even the tyres are showing no signs of wear or use.

Not only that you will also notice the small yellow & blue flag that is on the exterior wall of the Good Year tyre, unless the tyres have that flag emblem, one would not consider owning this vehicle.

Vehicles coming under the close scrutiny of the event judges

 

The judges take things very seriously indeed

In the two photos [above] you can see the judges inspecting a couple of the other entrants, and believe me, they take it very seriously indeed. I would say that these vehicles would be in better condition than when they rolled off Henry Ford’s production line in Detroit, Michigan some 87-years ago.

Warbo