THE AUTOMOTIVE RESEARCH LIBRARY

HORSELESS CARRIAGE FOUNDATION, INC.

Boyd Goddard’s 1910 Velie, Dan Seeman’s 1922 Ford, Jay Watkins’ 1910 Velie, Bill Ottemann’s 1911 Ford, and Ralph McNeil’s 1922 Reo. Photos by Dan Watkins & Boyd Goddard

Sweetwater Elementary School was treated to a history lesson in cars from the La Jolla Regional Group HCCA. The 5th grade children were given rides in the cars and were all very impressed with the old automo-biles. The children were also given a postcard, each with a picture of a old car and its general history. There were over 100 postcards distributed. The post cards were furnished by the Horseless Carriage Foundation Library.

The Library received 28 thank you letters from the children. Some of the comments of the children show just how much they were impressed by the cars and cards. Some examples are:
“Thank you so much for allowing me to ride in your fabulous green car. I liked it when you made those sick turns!....”

“I really enjoyed my ride in the red car. I liked feeling the wind in my hair while riding in your car… What a great time we had.....”
“Thanks so much for the opportunity to ride in a car that meant so much to you. I will never forget today!......”

“I loved the cards that you give us at the end….I will never forget the old fashioned cars…..”
“The cars were cool. I did not know that cars looked like that in the old days…..”

“It was fun to ride in a very old car. This was so cool. Thank you for this fun event. I will never forget it….”
Thank you for letting us ride in your fantastic cars. I really enjoyed it when you took us off road and into the sand….”
The LJRG and the HCFI members that attended the affair were Bill & Anne Ottemann (1911 Ford Model T) who coordinated the day with teacher Jan Richards (Jack Robinson’s daughter), Dan & Diane Seeman (1922 Ford Model T), Ralph & Connie McNeil (1922 REO Touring), Jay & Daniel Watkins (1910 Velie 4 passenger Roadster), and Boyd Goddard (1910 Velie Touring).

Bill Ottemann 1911 Ford Touring Car(above) and
Ralph McNeil’s 1922 Reo Touring Car, Watkins (1910 Velie 4 passenger Roadster), and Boyd Goddard (1910 Velie Touring (below)

How Do We Keep Our Hobby Going?

      The letters we received from these children really show how impressed they were with the cars. The car clubs are trying to find ways to en-courage the younger generation to become involved with these old cars. What better way to grab their atten-tion and get them started early in their desire to drive an old car with a visit to their school. We would like to encourage any of the car clubs to visit the schools in their areas. May-be even give a car to a school that has an auto shop and let them work on the car as a project. The HCFI Library would be glad to furnish the postcards to be handed out to the children.
Our local clubs have mostly gone to the elementary schools because they feel the high school children are al-ready set on muscle cars. As long as they are involved with cars, what different does it make. By showing them the antique and vintage cars, it just might spark their imagination and push them in the right direction.

    Some of our members are getting to the point they cannot work on their own cars due to health problems or age. Let’s encourage those mem-bers to let a student or interested individual come in and work on the member’s car under the member’s supervision. They could teach that person the hobby from the ground up. We are losing some members that are taking their vast knowledge of restoration with them. By training a student, they could pass on their knowledge and keep our hobby alive.
Roberta Watkins, Editor

     Lear Simpson passed away on May 2, 2010 in his sleep at home.
He is survived by his two brothers, Duane and Glenn, his wife of 61 years Eileen, his son Kirt and wife Drea, his daughter Debbie and hus-band Chad, Grandson Robbie, grand daughter Connie and husband Kevin, four great grandchildren, Tierra, Ta-mia, Devin Jr. and Dion

      He was a decorated Veteran of World War II and Korean War, receiving the “Distinguished Flying Cross”. He moved his family from Pennsylvania in 1961 and became successful in Real Estate and Construction.

During his retirement he enjoyed an-tique cars and belonged to many clubs. Lear also had a passion for old airplanes and served as Wing Leader of the Air Group One, CAF, in El Cajon at Gillespie Field.
He was a great husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather.
He will be missed but not forgotten

LIFE MEMBERS
Dr. Merl* & Joy Ledford
Philip & Joy Reed
Steve & Blanche Gordon
Paul* & Dorothy* Kettenburg
Thomas & Kris Kettenburg
George & Frances Sherman
Jack* & Gail Garrison
Edward & Jean Johnson
Don & Becky Sable
Nicholas Fintzelberg
Edward Meanley*, Ellen Browning
Scripps Foundation
* deceased
2010 Membership Pin
In memory of
Jack R. Garrison

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERS
Philip & Joy Reed
Marian Teague
Jeanne Deringer
Peggie Eccles
Bill & Loraine Cuthbert
Paul & Dorothy Kettenburg
*Jack* & Gail Garrison
Mr. & Mrs. Ross Bewley
David & Sondra Gast
Donald & Margaret Miller

Automobile Trade Journal April 1913

WISH LIST
Funds requested to purchase items needed at the Library.
Automobile Quarterly Subscription
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2010 Membership Pin
In memory of
Jack R. Garrison

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