May 3, 2002 Historical Automobile Restoration Takes Passion and Perseverance

The introduction of the mass produced Model-T Ford changed the North American way of life, socially and economically, about a century ago. One of the ways the Ford motor company is gearing up for its 100^th anniversary is by building six Model-T "Tin Lizzies" from scratch for museums. There were 15 million of them made in the early part of the last century, and you could have a brand new one for about $500. Many old family albums show people standing proudly beside their new Model-T.

Part of the love of the automobile is expressed in the restoration and preservation of old cars. There are numerous organizations supporting this work with some of a general nature and some for specific cars. I had the pleasure recently of traveling to North Bay to attend a meeting of the Historical Automobile Society of Canada (HASC) (Northern Region) with two enthusiastic car buffs, Val Kelly and Len Giesler of Powassan. About thirty people including six women shared information and prepared for various shows where they will display their vehicles. Some members are major restorers, some have preserved a fine car, and some are simply interested onlookers. The HASC has conventions, library resources, a magazine, and the popular Normoska trip, where members take their vehicles on a week’s vacation to specific locations and show them to local fans.

The HASC Magazine, the Klaxon, comes out five times a year to members, and in a recent issue celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the society. The cover featured a painting of a 1930 Chevrolet Coupe owned by Doug Wattie of North Bay, and includes a story on the car. The car was originally bought from Hartley Trussler’s dealership in the 1930s by Rene Demers, who worked at the Quint’s home in Corbeil, and the car is seen in some Quint photos. The car was purchased by Bert Duchesne of Bonfield and restored by his brother Herb. Doug bought it in mint condition from Bert. Look for it on display this summer.

	Val Kelly in his 1913 Model-T Runabout at a St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic church picnic. Val’s home to the left.
	Val Kelly working on the body of his 1932 Roadster, currently being restored.

Val Kelly

Val Kelly, who lives in Powassan, has restored three cars and is working on a 1932 Ford Roadster at present. He has restored a classic 1913 Model-T Runabout, a 1928 Model-A, and a 1949 Mercury pick up. Val regularly visits the world’s largest historical car flea market in Hershey, Pennsylvania and a car flea market in Barrie, where he buys and sells parts. He has numerous items stored at his farm near Trout Creek for future use or sale. Val’s work has been featured in several newspaper articles, including the widely circulated historical car publication "Old Autos."

	Doug Wattie, left, examining the 1939 Ford Woody Wagon restored by Lloyd Argo, right.

Lloyd Argo

Another local antique car enthusiast is Lloyd Argo who lives on Trout Lake (his uncle is the late "Iron Man" John Argo from Mattawa, who I wrote about recently). With a long standing interest in old cars, Lloyd followed up on an ad in "Old Autos" and bought an old 1939 Ford Woody Wagon. It was one of 5,000 produced in a special Ford plant in the U.S. where 167 pieces of wood were added to the car to give it a unique country look. There are very few left, and owners have their own club and magazine.

Lloyd spent a year rebuilding the body and a year doing the wood work in his shop on Trout Lake. My wife and I had a ride in the Woody, and everything from the upholstery to the dashboard is in perfect shape. A 1934 Ford four-door Sedan, completed by Lloyd, sits in his garage as another fine example of the art of restoration.

Len Giesler

Back in the early 1970s Len Giesler had his eye on an old 1949 Dodge Coupe he saw rusting out in a back yard on his way home from work. One day he stopped and bought it for $85. He showed me a photo of the car as it was then, and it was a mess. It took him several years to finish it in his shop on his farm on Maple Road, west of Powassan. The auto shop at Almaguin Highlands Secondary School took on the engine as a project and were a big help. When I visited Len recently, the Dodge started immediately, and he drove it out of storage so I could take a photo.

Len also showed me a 1938 Ford V-8 he had restored, and had in winter storage in his barn. He showed me a photo of a 1951 Ford convertible he had restored and sold in an antique auction that sent the car deep into the United States. Len’s pride and joy is a 1952 Studebaker Starlight Coupe, which is complete except for the upholstery which is currently being completed at Apple, and will be ready in time for the show season. Look for Val, Lloyd, Len and Doug Wattie at the following shows over the next few months: the Northgate Square Car Show, May 25-June 1; the Sturgeon Falls Labatt’s Blue Summerfest, June6-9; the Canada Day Parade in Bonfield and Callander, July 1; the Voyageur Days Car Show in Mattawa, July 28; the North Bay Heritage Festival August 2-5; and the following Sturgeon Falls events—the Fiddle Contest, August 17, the Moments to Remember Car Show, September 14-15, and the Cranberry Festival at the Old Fort, October 20.