There is sad news to share with the membership of the Early Ford V-8 Club.  On November 28th, 2024, North Central Director and 1985-86 National President, Lou Mraz passed away after being involved in an automobile accident in Aurora Colorado.

 Whether you had met Lou, were his friend, or only heard about what he has done for our great organization, you will know that he will be missed.  He has worked tirelessly for the Club, helping to establish such programs as the National Driving Tours as well as working on the current Strategic Planning Committee.

 While you could go on about all that Lou has done, his memory can be told in the following poem copyrighted by Linda Ellis 1998 entitled The Dash.

 I read of a man who stood to speak at the funeral of a friend

He referred to the dates on his tombstone from the beginning to the end.

He noted that first came the date of his birth and spoke of the following date with tears,

But he said what mattered most of all was the dash between those years.

For that dash represents all the time that he spent alive on earth...

And now only those who loved him know what that little line is worth.

For it matters not, how much we own; the cars .... the house... the cash.

What matters is how we live and love and how we spend our dash.

So think about this long and hard ... are there things you'd like to change?

For you never know how much time is left. (You could be at "dash mid-range")

If we could just slow down enough to consider what's true and real,

And always try to understand the way other people feel.

And be less quick to anger, and show appreciation more,

And love the people in our lives like we've never loved before.

If we treat each other with respect and more often wear a smile...

Remembering that this special dash might only last a little while.

So, when your eulogy's being read with your life's actions to rehash...

Would you be proud of the things they say about how you spend your dash??

Lou's Obituary can be viewed : https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/louis-mraz-obituary?id=57035492

If you would like to view the Celebration of Life event on December 30, 2024 at 10:00 am MST you can view the stream here:

Celebration of life - YouTube

(photo courtesy of Trevor Poulsen)

Congratulations to our Gold Medal Awardees in the Early Ford V-8 Club’s 2024 Newsletter Recognition Program.  Newsletters are important communication tools for our Regional Groups; and it takes a great deal of dedication and effort to produce one on a monthly basis.

Les Kotouch, RG Newsletter Competition Chair

*Best of the Best Award*

Hoosier Views, Indiana RG #56    John & Robin Emmering, Editors

 Road Chatter, Northern Illinois RG#8    Ken & Carolyn Bounds, Editors

 Uncle Henry’s Bullsheet, Central San Joaquin RG #29    Debbie Sanders, Editor

 The Deuce News, Mission Trails RG #32    Vern Solberg, Editor

 The Rumble Sheet, Twin Cities RG #46    Bill Gillies, Editor

 Flathead Times, Oklahoma City RG #64    Marguerite & Earl Claybaugh, Editors

 V-8 Views, South Australia RG #94    Shirley Tonkin, Editor

 Rumbles, Vancouver Island RG #109    Chris Chown, Editor

 The Script, Dallas RG #115    Mike Gerhold, Editor

 The Southern, Southern Kiwi RG #117    Dave Warman, John Dudson & Karen Ashworth, Editors

 The Lions Gate Vee-Eight, Vancouver Fraser Valley RG #120    Neva Ledlin, Editor

 The Crankshaft, Peach State RG #160    Bill Wilson, Editor

Once again, I have had the honor of reviewing dozens of Regional Groups’ websites.  It has been a pleasure to see the individual presentations and matters of importance to each Regional Group.  All share the same love of the Early Ford V-8 Club and the continuing support of our great hobby.  Thanks for allowing me to be of service.

Jerry Littner, RG Website Competition Chair

I am pleased to announce the winners of the 2024 Best Club Websites

First Place: San Diego, RG #19

Chosen for its friendly, informative and humorous content and layout.  Great photo gallery and appealing calendar and tech tip information. A real stand-out!

 Second Place: Western New York, RG #3

Chosen for a nice layout, informative ‘print outs’ of interesting subjects such as ‘Pre-Tour Checklist,’ really nice photos and welcoming of new members.

 Third Place: Vancouver Island, Canada, RG #109

Chosen for great photos. Fun to read, with very current events and upcoming event updates.  A pleasing presentation and a good read.

 Honorable Mention: United Kingdom, RG #127

Chosen for a good layout, with nice photo presentations – including ‘The Team’ of officers and board members.  Interesting pages of cars and parts wanted and for sale.

In 2024, our long time National Treasurer David Rehor announced his retirement from the position.  The National Board wanted to do something to recognize David’s commitment and tenure as Treasurer.  It was suggested that David’s name be attached to an award for individual Early Ford V-8 members as a way to recognize certain extraordinary contributors.  This award will be known as the David G. Rehor Award.

The following is criteria for receiving the award.

The purpose of the award is to recognize long-term efforts by individual members to research, preserve and share the specifics of Ford Motor Company’s vehicles during the 1932 to 1953 period.

Such efforts are by their very nature long term and perhaps not normally recognized as such as it is if by magic that a printed history of a group of Ford vehicles appears on the shelves of the Club’s Online Store.  Not well understood are the hundreds, no, thousands of hours expended to bring forth an accurate history to be shared with the Club’s members and other like-minded enthusiasts.

It does not end there as there are updates that are continuously shared both on the  Club website and on other venues.

This award is in recognition of the efforts of those few individuals who have committed themselves to this worthy task.

The Club would like to announce the winners of the David G. Rehor Award for 2024.

Don Rogers, Michael Kubarth and Dave Gunnarson.

Don is the author of the multi printed 1935-1936 Ford Book, besides being the Club’s book layout coordinator.  This means that he has been part of every book that the Club has published.  And he is also the 1935 Ford Tech Advisor.

Michael is the author of the Club’s 1940 Ford Book and the 1939-1940 Tech Advisor.

Dave is the author of the Club’s 1935-1936 Ford Model 51 Truck Book and the Truck and Commercial Tech Advisor.

Congratulations!

Summary of November & December 2024

National Board Meetings

With much business pending the Fourth Quarter 2024 Meeting of the Early Ford V-8 Club of America was conducted in three sessions.  The first on Saturday November 9, the second held on Saturday November 16, and the third on Wednesday December 11.  National President Connie Hall called both Saturday meetings to order at 10:00 am CST and the Wednesday meeting at 7:00 pm CST.  The meetings were conducted over Zoom.  A quorum of Directors was present at all the meetings.  Minutes of the Third Quarter 2024 Board of Directors Meeting were approved.

Treasurer’s Report: David Rehor presented four written reports that he had previously distributed to the Directors which covered the third quarter and year-to-date surplus/deficit, year-to-date budget performance and a balance sheet. The Treasurer’s reports were approved.

Membership Update: Additionally, David Rehor reported that membership had increased 1.5% with thirty-eight new members added during the third quarter 2024, however our total membership loss for the year was 7.09% and membership currently stands at 5,881.

Audit Committee Report: Audit Committee Chairman Joe Valentino presented his report. He explained that the Club had been granted an extension for filing Federal Income Tax until November 15, 2024, and that our CPA Firm, James, and Associates will be directed to submit the Club’s completed income tax return to meet that deadline.

2025 Scheduled National Meet

Central National Meet, Springfield, Illinois June 22-26, 2024 “A V-8 Family Reunion ” sponsored by the Northern Illinois Regional Group #8. For Early Registration forms check the EFV8CA Website www.earlyfordv8.org or go to https://2025cnm.con

V-8 Times/Roster Report: Editor Shannon Olson gave a report concerning the Membership Roster planned for 2025. Due to increased printing and postage costs the Board has decided that future Membership Rosters will be sold through the online store for an additional charge. The exact cost was not determined but it is planned that the rosters will be offered at a very reasonable price. The last annual roster included with membership cost the club $23,000 to produce and mail which has proven to be prohibitive. Ms. Olson explained that most other car clubs offer a roster at an additional charge to those desiring a copy. Full details on the new 2025 Membership Roster, including the price and details on how to place an order will be announced.

Accessory Sales Report: Michael Driskell, who heads Accessory Sales, reported on issues related to the Club’s Online Store. He reported that 250 copies of the new 2025 Ford V-8 Calendar have been printed. The Board agreed that calendars would be offered in the online store for $10.00 each plus postage. There also was an agreement to order 200 more V-8 Times Flash Drives to replenish the stock. Work is being done to produce a 55-Year Membership pin to be offered in the online store. The Board also agreed to further develop Michael Driskell’s proposal for a new Business Membership plan for businesses related to the Early Ford V-8 hobby.

Website Reports: The Board approved an expenditure of up to $1,500 to Big Giant Media to update the club’s website. Some of the changes desired will allow easier access to the membership forms and provide an opportunity to sell advertising on the website. Web Administrator Bruce Nelson presented his report. He announced he was planning to change product shipping on the webstore to a weight basis and that he would test the new system.

Directors Election Report: Dave Collette reported that the election results have been tabulated and the new Directors, beginning their three-year terms in January 2025, are Steve Boscovich, California SW 3, Joe Reger, Northwest, and Jim White, South Central Region. Steve Kroeger was elected by the board to fill the position of North Central Director due to the sudden passing of Lou Mraz. The Board of Directors elected Dave Gunnarson for a one-year term as our new National President, Dan Castellini Vice-President and John Emmering was reelected Secretary.

Membership Drive: Dave Gunnarson reported that William “Mickey” Holten of Tennessee was the outstanding achiever in the membership drive, recruiting twelve new members.

Tour Reports: The “Hidden Treasures National Driving Tour” organized by Bruce Nelson to take place in Minnesota and northern Iowa August 5-9, 2025, was approved, as was the “Mile High Tour” planned for Colorado by Lou Mraz. Details of the tours will be announced.

By-laws and Policy Manuel: Revisions to the by-laws were presented and approved. The by-laws committee will continue to work on updating and revising the club by-laws. Dave Gunnarson explained that he is working on a revision of the Policy Manual for future approval.

President’s Updates:  President Connie Hall drew attention to the draft of a Business Continuity Plan that is presently still under development. For use in coping with unusual events and emergencies, the plan covers objectives, operations at risk, recovery strategy, business interruption events, governance, recovery teams, communications, and a includes a contact list. President Hall, whose term is ending, thanked the Directors for all their efforts in the past year and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to have served as National President during 2024.  

Respectfully Submitted by: 

John Emmering, National Secretary