North Penn Model A Ford Club
Minutes of the Meeting – December 1, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Carol Allen.
Secretary’s Minutes – The November minutes were accepted as issued. A vote was taken to continue sending minutes out a second time with the reminder notice for upcoming meetings, instead of reading them at the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report – Dues renewals have started to come in. Paid rental fee and security deposit for Green Lane picnic in June. Treasury balance as of December 1 is $11,410.82.
Election of Officers
With no additional names put forward, the current officers were reelected for another year. They are President Carol Allen, Vice President Fred Coyne, Treasurer Mark Howard and Secretary Diane Hall.
Awards
Ballots for the annual awards were included with the dues renewal sent to all members. The awards – Most Spirited and Most Helpful – will be presented at the Holiday Luncheon. The Rusty Wrench Award will be presented by the current holder Perry Rogers.
Update on Members
Past Activities
Upcoming Activities
Meeting Discussion
Tom Hudecki presented information on winterizing your Model A. The information was prepared by Howard Kriebel and is attached to these minutes. There are mandatory procedures and optional suggestions.
There is no meeting in January. The next meeting will be held at 7:00pm on Monday, February 2, at Trinity UCC Church in Skippack. Refreshments will be provided by Howard, Christ, Berlinger, Saylor.
Celebrating December Birthdays: Kathy DeHaven, Joan Elliott, Cheryl Emerson, Joe Silverman, Bonita Silverman, Jack Wright, Bob Henderson
Celebrating January Birthdays: John Posen, Karen Roth, Mark Howard, Jim Ford
Minutes prepared by Diane Hall
Attachment
PREPARING YOUR MODEL A FORD FOR ITS WINTER REST
Henry Ford designed the Model A Ford to be a really tough, reliable and safe automobile. A small amount of care and regular maintenance will add years of safe and enjoyable driving for many years. As we consider preparing our Model A for its winter nap, the following recommendations may help your “A” rest safely during its rest from the highway and help make readying it for Spring much easier.
MANDATORY SERVICES
OPTIONAL SERVICES
Howard Kriebel
Minutes of the Meeting – December 1, 2025
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by President Carol Allen.
Secretary’s Minutes – The November minutes were accepted as issued. A vote was taken to continue sending minutes out a second time with the reminder notice for upcoming meetings, instead of reading them at the meeting.
Treasurer’s Report – Dues renewals have started to come in. Paid rental fee and security deposit for Green Lane picnic in June. Treasury balance as of December 1 is $11,410.82.
Election of Officers
With no additional names put forward, the current officers were reelected for another year. They are President Carol Allen, Vice President Fred Coyne, Treasurer Mark Howard and Secretary Diane Hall.
Awards
Ballots for the annual awards were included with the dues renewal sent to all members. The awards – Most Spirited and Most Helpful – will be presented at the Holiday Luncheon. The Rusty Wrench Award will be presented by the current holder Perry Rogers.
Update on Members
- Cheryl Emerson fell Nov. 30 and is recuperating at home.
- Doris Schwab fell and is recuperating at home.
- Several long-standing members are “retiring” from the club – Frank and Barbara Gormley, Howard and Martha Kriebel, Dave and Joan Whitmire and Gary Volpe. They will all be sadly missed.
Past Activities
- Nov. 22 – Lansdale Mardi Gras parade. Our club (with 15 cars) won 1st place in the group division.
Upcoming Activities
- Dec. 6 – Souderton Holiday Parade – The theme is “Hometown Christmas”. Parade starts at 11:00am. Line up at 10:15am in Grace Bible Church parking lot (423 N. Main St.). The church gives out cookies and hot chocolate. You are encouraged to decorate your car (and yourself!) – but no Santas. Note: candy cannot be thrown. Please contact Mark Howard to sign up.
- Jan. 1 – Possible car tour – depending on the weather. Details to follow
- Jan. 4 – Holiday Luncheon at the Bay Pony Inn, Lederach. Price is $40/person. Social hour begins at 12:00n, followed by the buffet at 1:00pm. Ellen and Carl Berlinger are in charge of the gift exchange (max. $15, no food or used car parts). Get creative with your wrapping!
- February 22 – Visit to Louis Mascaro Auto Museum in Birdsboro. 10:00am Group price is $12/person. Lunch will follow at Italian Delite (walking distance from the museum). Details on a car tour to the museum to follow. Contact Diane Hall to sign up.
- March 7 – Three Dog Museum, Boyertown. Details to follow
- Update – June 13 – Annual Picnic at Green Lane Park. The Deep Creek Stone Lodge has been reserved for the annual picnic. Details to follow
Meeting Discussion
Tom Hudecki presented information on winterizing your Model A. The information was prepared by Howard Kriebel and is attached to these minutes. There are mandatory procedures and optional suggestions.
There is no meeting in January. The next meeting will be held at 7:00pm on Monday, February 2, at Trinity UCC Church in Skippack. Refreshments will be provided by Howard, Christ, Berlinger, Saylor.
Celebrating December Birthdays: Kathy DeHaven, Joan Elliott, Cheryl Emerson, Joe Silverman, Bonita Silverman, Jack Wright, Bob Henderson
Celebrating January Birthdays: John Posen, Karen Roth, Mark Howard, Jim Ford
Minutes prepared by Diane Hall
Attachment
PREPARING YOUR MODEL A FORD FOR ITS WINTER REST
Henry Ford designed the Model A Ford to be a really tough, reliable and safe automobile. A small amount of care and regular maintenance will add years of safe and enjoyable driving for many years. As we consider preparing our Model A for its winter nap, the following recommendations may help your “A” rest safely during its rest from the highway and help make readying it for Spring much easier.
MANDATORY SERVICES
- ANTIFREEZE: Protect to a minimum of -20°F. If the antifreeze is old, you may want to drain, flush and replace with the correct “Green” type especially made for cars before 1980 (ethylene glycol).
- OIL: After running your engine to operating temperature, drain the old oil and replace with your preferred product. Then run your engine to allow the fresh oil to circulate through the engine. Remember to take out the dipstick when you pour in new oil – then don’t forget to put the dipstick back in.
- INTERIOR: Vacuum the interior to remove dirt and anything that would attract rodents. After the interior has been cleaned, DRYER SHEETS may be placed under seats and sun visors or other remote places.
- GAS TANK: The gas tank should be either nearly full (with added stabilizer) or completely empty. Do not top off the tank with a Gerry Can – gas spills can be devastating.
- BATTERY: Battery should be fully charged and ground terminal removed if you do not have a disconnect switch. Top of battery should be free of dust and dirt. Current will travel between posts if battery top is dirty, often discharging the battery.
- TIRES: Tires should be inflated to 35psi. Don’t forget the spare tire.
Some folks prefer to put the car on jack stands to keep the tires off the concrete. This will eliminate flat spots and cracking side walls.
OPTIONAL SERVICES
- BODY: Clean the body with detail spray. Never hose wash before storage. It causes rust to develop over the winter.
- PARKING BRAKE: Parking brake should be released and at least one wheel blocked front and back.
- CHASSIS: Chassis should be lubricated. Transmission and rear axle checked and perhaps drained and refilled with proper gear lubricant. Please refer to your owner’s manual for the location of grease fittings, using the lubricants recommended for the Ford.
- FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS: Plan to repack front wheel bearings in the Spring.
- ENGINE: Run engine with fresh oil until engine is up to operating temperature (a drive of 15 minutes is adequate). This is very important. Unless the oil is changed, last summer’s oil often contains sulfuric acid, a natural by-product of combustion. This attacks engine parts, especially bearing babbitt.
- MUFFLER: Often mice try to occupy the muffler. If concerned or suspect mice, cover the tailpipe but do not forget to remove the covering before use. The engine will not start.
Howard Kriebel