4 - Friday, March 5, 1993 - North Shore News Car- revor -Lautens GARDEN OF BIASES 1M NOT sure the wortd is ready for a good-times col- umn. How can innocent fun compete with wackos in Waco, a terrorist bomb explosion at the World * Trade Centre, Gordon Wilson’s repeated attempts at political ‘suicide, and the nefarious plot to undermine public respect for the Roya! Family — by Charles and Squidgy? And this brand of fun isn’t even R-rated. ‘There isn’t a bare shoulder in it. Let alone a bare breast. - Nor is there an element of the morbid fascination that sells so well in our.decaying society. Like taking a hero or anti-hero out of a wreck and riff-raff, as in the recent television junk on hockey player Spinner Spencer. No, this column won't rate as compelling reading. it’s about a gentle afternoon of relaxed fun with some nice people. Who are obsessive nuts. However, even their craziness is harmless. Though not cheap. ’ They are members of the Totem Model T & A Ford Club. foll They are mad with Just. For cars. Rene Doyharcabal, a North Vancouver resident, kindly in- troduced me to this group and their untamed passion. He is cur- rently club president. “*This is truly a real fun hobby. The people in it are super. They're so willing to help,’* Rene told me last Sunday when club members tootled forth in their cars, No, there isn’t a hot headline in those words. This is an easy-going group. The fun is as relaxed as the challenge is endless. Because a car nut's quest stret- ches into infinity. It's the cars, of course. They are wonderful. We are talking old, old cars here. And perfection is rarely at- | tained, and difficult to maintain, in the ceaseless race against the great enemy: Time. And its allies, rust and rot. For instance, take AJ Jarvis’ ear. Al is a retired vice-principal and teacher who taught in a dozen North Vancouver schools. Last October he settled down to a life’s work in itself: restoration of a 1929 Model A Ford sedan. ‘T know a little about cars — having begun as a columnist as recently as 1957, writing about sports and racing cars — but I didn’t know, as Al told me, that in those days Ford contracted out its bodywork to two companies: -' Murray, which made all-steel bodies, and Briggs, which made them of steel and wood. ‘The latter naturally didn’t stand up too well to moisture and rot. Al learned, after he bought his Model A, that his is one of these rather rare types. He works on the car happily — without setting any time limit, without pressure. _ [listen with envy. Happy is the man (or, I suppose, woman, Fire dept. issues clarification THE VANCOUVER Junior Board of Trade/Jaycees | is soliciting for donations in: West Vancouver and is telling potential donors that a portion of proceeds “will be donated. to the fire safety house program. . The West Vancouver police an fire departments have received several inquiries donation program. regarding the A spokesman for the West . Vancouver Fire’ Department said the Vancouver Junior Board of Trade/Jaycees program is not a West Vancouver: Fire Department project. : SATURDAY MARCHE STARTS AT 10:00 AM. JOIN US FOR FREE DEMONSTRATIONS BRIDAL GIFTS _ Learn how to make ring pillows, a beautiful brides album and _pretty fabric rosettes. though I've never been one of them) who lives in such free- floating bliss. {t’s a kind of para- dise. You get a glimpse of it when Al knowledgeably points out such details as whether the screws in a windowsill are original or repro. Not that all the members own one of Henry Ford's beloved T’s or A‘s’mind you, The Totem club began 30-odd years ago. Since then, it’s opened its doors to owners of other collector cars. Last Sunday’s outing brought together a couple of wonderful Dodge Brothers coupes, a 1923 Packard coupe complete with a cunning hat box and jump seats, a maroon Lincoln Cosmopolitan, a Terraplane, a 1939 black Cadillac Series 60 sedan, and the Fords as well, At the risk of causing dissension by nominating the car most cherished by its owner, I'd cite the terrific green and black Model T owned by Sandy Sanderson, of West Vancouver, This car looked flawless, And the tick-over of the engine — ex- pensively sent to Portland to be rebuilt and balanced — was sheer automotive rnusic to the ear. Karin Hoehn, The outing itself was fine fun. It began at the Squire Motor Inn, Coquitlam, where Totem members often meet infurmally for Sunday breakfast. Then the long line of automotive history, admired by other motorists, moved to the Able Walker Free Museum on Beta Avenue, off Lougheed Highway — a great curiosity in itself, and, like the rebuilding of old cars, one man’s quixotic dream. Able Walker Lid. assembles and sells (to 30 countries) the walkers used by the old and the infirm. Its chief executive officer, Norman J. Ralston, has ac- | cumulated a quirky collection of transportation artifacts, replicas, pictures and so forth. And, dress- ed in a cowboy hat and string tie (and other clothes), Mr. Ralston takes listeners through the history of transportation. The Able Walker company also has the distinction of occupying the site of the first service station in Canada — established in 1907. I must add another historical note: on these premises, for the first time in my life, I kissed a company president — Mr. NEWS ADVERTISER SAYS: Ralston’s daughter, Myrna Robin- son, who had recently been ele- vated (o that lofty position. Then the entourage moved on to Bob LeFlufy’s Autoclassic Res- torations in North Vancouver ... but that experience was so unique and the shop so full of fascinating cars that, other than to mention Mr. LeFlufy’s witty speech to Totem members, I must write about it some other time. There was only one disap- pointment in the whole outing. Rene Doyharcabal had intended to drive Al Jarvis and me in his own pride and joy, a 1937 Chrysler Royal. For the first time since he’s owned it, it let him down, It wouldn't start. Which doesn’t seriously impair the old adage: They don’t make them like that any more. Footnote: In last week’s columa I renamed the British high com- missioner kidnapped by the FLQ in the October 1970 crisis. How could ! forget? James Cross, of course. | am doing penance. ENN res eee Ly Pe a Fate re fe ap Kvarnstrom SALES MANAGER North Shore News 1139 Lonsdale c. North Vancouver Fr _ Kyarnstrom. ae . nt in Horsestioe Y tis ments in the Nott! bout rl w Bay has been running 2 for } nt Shore News recently. ffer, nning this 0 hile ago and was edeeming a very effective ad \ayont ; ders from all areas of U sut- jwwevel prised at how m: Od ive has ae apresentarive MS” 4a hich ‘has been areracting yout whi North Shore. eck oy. 304 day, 62 WE stepe ite iy § 1 rst week iP cage issue. Out averab’ ‘as! With so many ve food costs and pat ’ received aP and can ip ever or the fi After thi 90 per ped up Our coupon rede customers, tt | ne th Shore News has been very i North Sho! ‘ stising in the Shore Ate wil definitely cont or US, prof irable ~ yours Truly. Troll fee's Restaurant 718 OFFICE Mt pecouven, 8.0: N7H BH oem." west ¥ aca BATE Listen to our advertisers. They'll tell you that advertising in the North Shore News brings in new customers and increases their business. Find out how the North Shore News can help make your business grow. Give us a call! 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