Fair parade offers unusual autos

[Longmont Times-Call]

By Ken White

Kiwanis Club of Longmont

Autos and the chauffeurs that carry the Boulder County Fair Parade’s parade marshals are often unique vehicles.

For the 2014 parade, it’s a 1926 Model T Ford Touring car, purchased in Detroit, then shipped to Denver by rail to be assembled at the Ford Plant that was on South Broadway, which was across from the Gates Rubber Company in those days.

This car is original with less than 200 miles on it. It has every option that was available at the time. They include a Fontenec Engine, built in 1923 and originally designed for the Ford Speedster. It is a special, overhead valve engine.

Other options included the straw-color paint job, nickel plated radiator, headlights, bumpers, and wire wheels, safety glass, and a special, two-speed rear end. The two-speed rear end was designed by Grover Ruckstell, and was needed to make it possible for the Ford Model T to drive up into the mountains without using reverse gear. (Most Model T’s couldn’t ascend mountainous roads without resorting to reverse).

The top of this Model T folds down. The huge list of options makes this car one of fewer than ten in the U.S.. This unique car was in a storage cocoon made of plastic for many, many years before it was discovered and purchased by its present owner, Mr. Ron McCory. Thanks Ron, for helping to make the Boulder County Fair Parade unique again.

This year’s parade displays yet another unique vehicle in which past Fair Royalty will enjoy a ride. This unusual car is a 1948 Chrysler Windsor convertible.

After appearing in the movie “Dear Eleanor” which was filmed in Hygiene, Niwot, Longmont, and other parts of the surrounding area, as well as elsewhere in the United States, it has become a genuine movie star. Thank you, Craig, for displaying your car in the 145th Boulder County Fair Parade. Boulder County Fair Royalty will ride in this unusual vehicle.

The Boulder Fair Parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug 2, and will travel down Main Street in Longmont.

<byline><p><byline-name>By Ken White</byline-name></p><p><byline-organization>Kiwanis Club of Longmont</byline-organization></p></byline><p>Autos and the chauffeurs that carry the Boulder County Fair Parade’s parade marshals are often unique vehicles. </p><p>For the 2014 parade, it’s a 1926 Model T Ford Touring car, purchased in Detroit, then shipped to  Denver by rail to be assembled at the Ford Plant that was on South Broadway, which was across from the Gates Rubber Company in those days. </p><p>This car is original with less than 200 miles on it. It has every option that was available at the time. They include a Fontenec Engine, built in 1923 and originally designed for the Ford Speedster. It is a special, overhead valve engine. </p><p>Other options included the straw-color paint job, nickel plated radiator, headlights, bumpers, and wire wheels, safety glass, and a special, two-speed rear end. The two-speed rear end was designed by Grover Ruckstell, and was needed to make it possible for the Ford Model T to drive up into the mountains without using reverse gear. (Most Model T’s couldn’t ascend mountainous roads without resorting to reverse). </p><p>The top of this Model T folds down. The huge list of options makes this car one of fewer than ten in the U.S.. This unique car was in a storage cocoon made of plastic for many, many years before it was discovered and purchased by its present owner, Mr. Ron McCory. Thanks Ron, for helping to make the Boulder County  Fair Parade unique again.</p><p>This year’s parade displays yet another unique vehicle in which past Fair Royalty will enjoy a ride. This unusual car is a 1948 Chrysler Windsor convertible. </p><p>After appearing in the movie “Dear Eleanor” which was filmed in Hygiene, Niwot, Longmont, and other parts of the surrounding area, as well as elsewhere in the United States, it has become a genuine movie star. Thank you, Craig, for displaying  your car in the 145th Boulder County Fair Parade. Boulder County Fair Royalty will ride in this unusual vehicle.</p><p>The Boulder Fair Parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug 2, and will travel down Main Street in Longmont. </p>