Michiana Monthly

2009/2010 Events Calendar

Wh ere A r e We?

Two English tourists were driving through Wales. At the town of Llanfairpwillgwyngyllgogerychwyrndobwilliantysillog- ogoch, they stopped for lunch and one tourist asked the

waitress: "Before we order, could you settle an argument for us?" "Sure", replied the waitress. "Would you please pronounce where we are...very

slowly?" The waitress leaned over and very slowly said: "Burrrrr- gurrrr-Kinngg."

Mustang of the Month

‘Mustang Carries Memories’

(Originally published in The Findlay Courier: Friday, June 19, 2009)

By J. STEVEN DILLON

STAFF WRITER OTTAWA -- Phil Higley doesn't have to look far for memories of his father, the late Serge "Adam" Higley.

Phil Higley has a mint condition 1965 Ford Mustang parked in his mother's garage east of Ottawa to help him recall his dad, who died in 2004.

"We restored and sold a lot of cars over the years, but the Mustang was one of his favorites," Higley says of the "Rangoon" red convertible which appropriately has an "Our Dad" front license plate.

"He was always a big Ford guy."

Weather permitting, Higley plans to drive the 289-cubic-inch, V-8 car about 20 miles east to the Classic Memories Car Show at Findlay's Owens Community College on Saturday.

Classic Memories, now in its fourth year, is open to all makes and models of cars, trucks and motorcycles.

This year's show, which runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., is dedicated to longtime Flag City Classics car club member Bill Woolley, who died in October. Woolley's truck is expected to be among several hundred on display at the show.

Higley said he likes to show off his dad's Mustang, which he inherited in 2005, whenever he can.

The Higleys have long been partial to Fords in general, and Mustangs in particular.

His grandfather was one of the top Ford salesmen in the country in the 1920s, selling hundreds of Model As and Model Ts from a dealership in Townwood, a small village east of Leipsic.

Serge Higley, in turn, grew up around cars and always favored Fords, Serge's wife Mabel recalled.

While raising a family of five children and working for 40 years at Weather Seal in Ottawa, Serge found time to run "Mustang Corral," first in Townwood, then behind the family home when the Higleys moved to rural property east of Ottawa in the 1970s.

Through Mustang Corral, Serge sold parts, mostly for early Fords and, of course, Mustangs.

"It was just a hobby, but it was something he really loved doing," Mabel Higley said.

While Serge Higley helped restore lots of vehicles over the years, he was most proud of three cars -- a 1931 Model A five-window coupe, a 1935 Ford five-window coupe, and the 1965 Mustang.

The Mustang was first acquired by the Higleys in Findlay in the 1970s and has remained in the family ever since, with the exception of a short period of time in 1999.

Serge had started the restoration but sold the car to his oldest son, Raymond, who lived in Georgia. Raymond ended up selling it to a man who planned to finish the restoration and show it, but wound up putting it on the market due to an illness.

On a trip to visit his son in Georgia, Serge Higley spotted a Mustang for sale and decided to buy it.

It wasn't until he got it back to his shop that he discovered it was the same car he had earlier sold his son.

"Rangoon red was a pretty common color for Mustangs that year so he didn't think anything about it at first," Phil Higley said. "At some point, he was doing some body work on it and recognized some of his own work."

Phil Higley, who also owns a 1966 Mustang coupe, said he never expected to end up with his dad's Mustang.

His father had asked him once about owning the convertible, but Higley said he never counted on it, especially after differences arose between him and his dad.

After Serge died in December 2004, the will was read. In it, the 1931 and 1935 vehicles were left to Phil's siblings. The Mustang was bequeathed to Phil.

"It surprised me," Higley said. "Even though we had our differences, my dad knew the only person who loved that car more than he did was me."

Since inheriting the car, Higley has taken it to several major car shows.

It won a first place in the "occasional street driven" category of the Mustang Club of America's Grand National in Youngstown in 2005.

And last year, Higley took a second in the same class in the Mustang Club of Ohio's annual statewide show in Dublin.

The car was also featured in the January issue of "Mustang Times."

Higley said he has been offered more than $21,000 for the car, but said he can't yet imagine parting with the family gem.

His mom, who lives nearby, has offered her son a spot for the Mustang in her garage for "as long as he needs it."

"There's still just too many memories attached to it," Phil Higley said. "Besides, my wife (Bonnie) says if I ever sell the car, I go with it."

Originally in The New Yorker Magazine (June 29, 2009)

Trip to the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo

On Saturday September 26 about 20 of us met at the Cracker Barrel in Elkhart for a ride up to Kalamazoo.

After a good breakfast and some shopping we headed north. The weather was pretty decent with just a few sprinkles. We stopped in Schoolcraft for a break at the McDonalds and then took the back way up to Kalamazoo, Becky and Art led the ponies. This time there weren't any stops at the Ford dealer for Becky!

Arriving at the Air Zoo an hour later, we were treated to free admission and also a very good guide named Paul who gave us a free tour of the place. I would have just walked around looking at the planes displayed and that would have been about it. However, it was really neat having someone there explaining everything about each aircraft and about the people who flew them. What he didn't know George did! We all know what a pitot tube is now. Some of us checked out the 4D theatre and other simulator type rides.

After 3:00 we headed for a place to have lunch. Before we left the Air Zoo, it was reported that Michiana Mustangers were tearing out coupons from the phone books for buy one get one half off at the restaurant we were heading to! I told Art that I liked the railroad car restaurant we ate at a few years ago and we were on our way to the Club Car. Having another good meal with some good friends is about number one in my book! After an early supper, some headed down US 131 to get on I-94 and others followed the Campbells on the scenic route home. A big thank you to Ken and Becky for suggesting the Air Zoo while the admission price was free and for the Campbells for getting us there. I really enjoyed it.

Brad Milliken

Mustangs on the road

Our Group

SR-71B ‘Blackbird’

Things For Sale!

Engine for Sale

This is a 5.0 and has been rebuilt and is ready to be bolted in. I also have the fuel injection to go with it for $1,000 or best offer.

If you have any questions, you can e-mail Harold at hjedrzejewski@yahoo.com

***

I still have 5 like new P185/75R14 tires for sale, white wall. One has NEVER been on the ground; still have the wear tips on yet. The other 4 have 4/32" wear left on them. They are already off the rims.

For anyone who is a club member of M.C.A. or the Ohio Classic Mustang Club I will sell ALL 5 for $175.00 (That's $35 ea.) Four of them are SEARS tires & one is a Cooper Tire, but all of them match.

If anyone wants these tires, they can e-mail me at

phigley@srscnet.com

***

1985 mustang 5.0 ho, automatic, lx hatchback. All original except exhaust and paint. Motor has new oil pump and timing chain, but transmission needs work. Very drivable after trans repair but lieu of, very good for parts. Like to sell for $950.00. Well worth it just in motor and rear axle. If interested please call Harry Scholz at 574-291-9085 home, or 574-386-7512 cell.

***

• 9“ Ford center section - 4.56 gear with spool set up for a 31 spline axle $450.00

• 428 4-barrel intake (C68E) $150.00

• Set of cast iron factory headers for a ‘71 429 $250.00

• 428 FE block (C6ME) $200.00 For more information call Ken Reed (269) 641-2120

***

I have the following items below for sale. Please call 574-360-860 for more info. Thanks, Ted Sauerbeck.

• 1968 Ford Ranger. Clean

• 1988 Mustang GT Convertible. Show car.

• "Kar” Car Dolly. Good Condition w/winch.

***

"Original A.M. Ford Mustang Radio"

Has #5 in the upper left hand side of the face, p/n 5TPZ -029105, casting # 2814675-8. The bezel is PERFECT! No pits in the chrome, plastic behind bezel is perfect! Wires have NOT been cut! Housing is clean! Need Knobs. It’s been gone through & it play's beautifully!

Perfect for your early ‘65 Mustang. Can fit what we call a 1964 1/2 Mustang, but the number's don't match that run. First $300 takes it! Photo of the radio can be sent by e-mail. But you must ask for them..

Shipped anywhere in the U.S. by ground U.P.S.. Any club member that buy's this radio, I WILL TAKE CARE OF THE SHIPPING!! (Must show membership card #.) Shipping runs $5.00 on way..

phigley@srcsnet.com

***

7.5" rear end from a 1982 Mustang GT. 4 bolt 3.73 gears. $100.00 O.B.O.

Call Thad 849-3592 or Howard 849-0217

***

Vic announced in the last meeting that I want to sell the Fridge, Bob's 1972 Mach 1. We felt (Vic and I) that $25,000 is a fair price. I would like to sell it before winter, and preferably to a member of the club. I have an interested party here that I'm waiting to hear from, but I thought the club ought to know.

Vic has it, and will answer any questions anyone will

have. Many thanks, and , much love to the club, Becky Christena

Looking For...

WANTED: 1965/1966 parts car for use as an assembly guide to finish my convertible. Tim Janowiak at 574-271 -7568.

*** Lost and Found

There was a green folding chair left behind at the Tire Rack. If it’s yours, I’ve got it. You can contact me to claim it. –AC-

If your item has sold or is no longer available for sale, please contact the newsletter editor.

From the Back Seat…

Decision Time…

As you’ve been hearing for quite a while now, it’s time to nominate club officers for next year. As Bob noted in his remarks, there is at least one vacancy to fill on this year’s ballot, and all offices are up for nomination.

If you have not allowed yourself to be nominated for a position on the board, I definitely ask you to reconsider. The best thing that can happen to this club is to have more members taking an active role in its activities.

A ‘core’ group of members seem to be involved in most activities and decisions at this time; these members have served the club well and faithfully during the past few years. There was no decision to have this group come together; they did not plan to have things go this way. When things needed (and need) to get done, someone (or some part) of this group makes sure it gets done one way or another.

It’s time for this group to expand. Life changes, and some members are not in a position to give as much as they have in the past, and some need a break to recharge their energies.

This is where you can come in. Take an opportunity to help with club activities. A few fresh opinions and/ or ideas could send this club in a new and exciting direction. This club belongs to everybody; we should each make it a responsibility of our membership to help the club grow and improve. We have something wonderful here; I can only imagine what it could be with everyone participating.

This may all sound like complaining; it’s not. Club history tells me that we will have good candidates on the ballot next month, members who care about the club and what happens to it. Things could be worse; the West Michigan Mustang Club depends on volunteers for officer elections in November. In February, Steve Morgan announced that he would not be able to accept the Presidency for 2010. As of the October newsletter, no one has volunteered for any club office for next year. I know things will work out for them, but that must be a bit scary for the current officers.

If you think that you can’t handle a club office, I’ll let you in on a couple of secrets; first, you don’t do it alone. No matter what office you have, there are other members who can help you through. Many of them have held offices in the past and can pass that experience to you.

The second secret is…it’s not as difficult as you think it is. Most of the decisions made by the board are simply based on common sense after looking at the alternatives. Remember; this is a car club - we are not curing cancer or doing brain surgery. Keep your perspective.

One of the best things about being a club officer happens when you see members having a ball doing something you helped create. It’s a feeling that I can’t describe, but you’ll know it when it happens.

Give it a shot…you won’t regret it.

Have a good month...

A (Modest) Humor Bouquet for the Ladies

House-Cleaning Challenged

One day my housework-challenged husband decided to wash his sweatshirt.

Seconds after he stepped into the laundry room, he shouted to me, "What setting do I use on the washing machine?"

"It depends," I replied. "What does

it say on your shirt?" He yelled back, "University of Oklahoma."

And they say blondes are dumb...

What The Neighbors Think

"It's just too hot to wear clothes today," Jack says as he stepped out of the shower. "Honey, what do you think the neighbors would think if I mowed the lawn like this?"

"Probably that I married you for your money," she replied.

Success!

"Since I first laid eyes on you," he said, "I have wanted to make love to you really badly."

"Well, you succeeded," she said.

Michiana Mustangs Sponsors

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1203 W. Plymouth St. Bremen, IN 46506 574-546-2727 www.bremenfordmercury.com Laura Martin ltmartin@fourway.net	2534 State Road 331 Bremen, IN 46506 574-546-5100 www.yoderwoodworking.com David Yoder
2525 Bypass Rd.
Elkhart, IN 46515
574-294-1563
www.zford.com