October 5, 2019 – Canton, MI
Story by Bill Anderson
The October 5, 2019 Mothball tour is now history. Many great memories had by the 18 members driving 9 cars. Attendees included: Dave and Phyllis Rickabus; Robin, Tim Dennis, and Bonnie Reinke; Don and Corrine Frasure; Lloyd and Margie Henige; Andy, Rebekka, Jacob, and Hanna Mehl; Ken Beaver; Dave and Joyce French; and Trip Captain Bill Anderson.
We departed the Super 8, Canton at 8:15 AM, headed to the John and Dorothy Grace car and bicycle collection in two large buildings in nearby Plymouth. We spent about 90 minutes being entertained by our hosts who gave us detailed histories, significance of many of the vehicles, and unique features of antique bicycles in their collection. Some vehicles, while in unrestored condition, (a 1903 Curve Dash Olds, a 1960’s vintage French made Panhard, among many too numerous to remember) had character reflecting their history and past usage. Others were stored in the warehouse for friends, and other car enthusiasts. We had opportunity to see a rare (only 6 made, 4 known to exist) 1905 Ford Model B made at the Ford Piquette plant in Detroit.
Being a working collection, some vehicles were unrestored survivors, in process of restoration, and others complete.
The bicycle collection had some truly unique examples of 2 wheeled works of art dating back to the late 1890’s. The Grace daughters demonstrated a high wheeler and a special scooter with an eccentric rear wheel.
Moving down the road 10 miles, we arrived as the Fisher Antique Stationary Engine Show was ramping up. This once-a-year event features stationary engines used in the 1800’s and early to mid-1900’s for propulsion at saw mills, for power generation, water pumping, and anything requiring a power assist. Most were single cylinder units with flywheel pulleys ranging from 1 foot to10 feet in diameter. The smaller units, capable of transport by trailer, were brought from locations in Michigan, Northern Ohio, and Indiana. Watching the sequence of events during startup of the larger engines was definitely a treat enjoyed by all in our group.
The collection is housed at a once-active 20 acre greenhouse farm facility. The now retired 3 antique boilers in the power house were absolutely breathtaking, being easily 10 feet high by 20 feet long, a reminder of the effort that was expended in years past, to keep tender greenhouse plants comfortable in cold weather.
While we were in attendance at the show, other local car enthusiasts showed up with their collectors’ cars, most notably three owners driving their Willys-Knight and Stearns-Knight vehicles. Another special treat.
Leaving Fisher’s show was difficult, but our road tour was ahead of us, and while the foliage wasn’t in full Fall color, the tree lined secondary roads were smooth and relatively free of traffic, allowing us to cruise at a speed most comfortable for the four early 30’s Chevys on the tour. As luck would have it, Bill Anderson’s ’32 was attacked by the Electro-lock gremlins 3 times on the trip, necessitating a field hot wire of the ignition which was equivalent to an electronic Band-Aid.
Lunch in Chelsea at Thomson’s Pizzeria was great after our 46 mile trek. There were many very tasty items on the menu, so no one went hungry. (The pizza was exceptional!)
Departing lunch found us on our final leg to the Lost Railway Museum in Grass Lake. When we arrived, our lead scout car, piloted by Dave Rickabus, had arrived about 3 minutes ahead of the pack, and noted that the museum had closed about 1.5 hours earlier as it adopted a Fall Schedule in early September. Our previous reservation and correspondence was apparently forgotten by our museum contact. Ok, time for a group photo in front of the Museum to verify our visit, and then depart for home, the target being that everyone could be home before sundown.
Yes, end of a busy, safe, yet, exciting day.
Makes us all look forward to the Dust-off tour next Spring.