Member Model Ts
Each newsletter will try to feature one Member T. Please send Dave Fretwell, our newsletter editor, a write up on your T with text and photos in Microsoft word to scarcliffedf@gmail.com and it will be featured in one of our future newsletters.
Our Model T roadster is a 1926 and was raised and built in Canada and sold in Alberta. We do not know the original owner, but it was obtained in about 1950 by Elemer Calkins, in Bentley, Alberta, Canada. Elmer rebuilt it in 1950 and entered it in many local events. He also owned and rebuilt several other vintage automobiles which he gave one to each daughter, wife Janet being the recipient of the one in the photo above. The car is equipped with standard features, such as a Ruckstell Rear Axle, which is particularly beneficial when traveling through both hilly and flat terrain. The only difference that is notable between the US and Canadian T’s is that the Canadian model has two doors, which may have been an outcome of the long cold winters in Canada where you must wear a lot of clothes and getting to crawl over the gearshift in a one door car would be difficult.
Elmer rebuilt multiple antique cars and give each of his three daughters one, and his daughter Janet (my wife) was the recipient of the 1926 T. We put on a trailer and hauled down from
Alberta to our home in Paso Robles in 1988. It was drivable but we sanded it down and had it repainted, pulled out the motor/transmission and took it to Ed Katzorke in Carson City Nevada for a motor and transmission overhaul, then we reinstalled it. We are pleased with the overhaul; the current price he charges is $2500 plus parts. The only other changes/modifications we have made include four new tires, installing a distributor and alternator, battery, new wiring harness, and a new Brassworks radiator. It runs great and we use it regularly for local events and drives. The T came with several boxes of extra parts and tools, plus we have a spare generator, coils etc. from the original ignition. If you need some parts, we may be able to help.
2026 CCMTC Schedule of Events
After good discussions at our last T meeting at the Touch of Paso Café, we ended up with the following schedule of 2026 events/meetings. Note that we need leader for several events, please volunteer to help CCMTC grow and prosper.
Visit to Antique Aero At Paso Robles Airport
APRIL 26 – CCMTC MEETING, BRUNCH, AND WILDFLOWER TOUR
We will start with lunch at 11 AM at Creston loading chute and tour of wildflowers 12:30 – 1:30. Richard Harvey is organizing this event, a central location for many of our members and a fun day to meet and drive our Ts.
OTHER ODDS AND ENDS
Dave and Jan enjoying Model Ts and others in a Norway Museum in 2025
Some regional happenings and articles which may be of Interest.
(see Jan/Feb issue of Model T Ford Club of America for details – great magazine)
51st Annual Vintage Car Swap Meet Auburn CA, May 31
55TH Annual Endurance Run, Palo Alto June 6-7
Check out Model T Ford Club on Facebook for information and questions.
Continuing Challenge to Model T Organization Membership
A continuing concern about membership, particularly as some Chapter members get older, is that membership is in some Chapters and at the National level is dropping. Our Chapter is no exception, and without initiating activities that are of interest to youth as well as younger and older adults in becoming part of the Model T family this trend will continue. One of the focuses of 2026 is to organize our meetings along with activities/events to make CCMTC more interesting to existing and potential new members. As the old saying goes, if one wants to address discouraging trends one must try different approaches. If you have specific suggestions, please suggest them and, if possible, be prepared to take a leadership role in helping implement new activities. I think we have got a good start as reflected in the 2026 draft schedule enclosed.