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Brown Finds Pride and Joy in Project
Shortly after he retired in 1993, William (Bill) Brown told his wife, Mary Ann, "Don't worry, I won't be around much to get in your way." He decided to focus on a project that would take considerable effort and time away from home: completely restoring a 1929 Ford Model A Coupe.
The vehicle, which had once served as a garden tractor at his father's home in New York, sat in Brown's garage for a couple years. Finally in 1995, with the urging of family members, Brown began this challenge that would consume more than eight years of his life.
"I thought my family was crazy to suggest I restore the car since there was not even a faint resemblance of one," Brown recalled. "There were no prints to follow, just some photographs and some written material that was obtained from the Ford Archives."
Pictured, left: Brown with his wife, Mary Ann, take a ride in the coupe. Credit: Courtesy of Browns
Brown discovered early on that the only items he could salvage from the original vehicle were the engine, the gas tank and a leaking, dented radiator. After tearing down the engine and finding a tools/parts shop in Westerville, Ohio, he was able to put the engine back into operation. He then became a frequent visitor to old car swap meets in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, where he located worn and water-logged parts to be used in the restoration.
"I was determined that it would be my own restoration from the ground up," Brown said. "I had to learn hot riveting, spray painting, bodywork and other mechanical trades in order to do the job myself."
He completed the project in 2004. The car has performed well since the first roundtrip test run between Huron and Cedar Point. A couple of years ago, Brown added seatbelts so his twelve grandchildren could take turns riding in the rumble seat. With his experience in the safety field at Glenn for 10 of his 31 years, Brown knew that he had to make it safe for his grandchildren.
Pictured, right: The restored Ford Model A Coupe. Credit: Courtesy of Browns
Brown brings the car out of storage in the warmer months and enjoys driving through the countryside with wife and giving rides to friends. He plans to attend some antique car meets and shows. Sometimes a request comes up to provide the car as a backdrop for a local Ford retirement party. He also brought it to one of the two PBS Retiree Reunions he chaired.
"Delivering meals in the Model A might be something to consider this spring," Brown noted. "After all, it's people their age that have fond memories of the old cars and the beauty they displayed."
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By S. Jenise Veris in collaboration with William Brown
Shortly after he retired in 1993, William (Bill) Brown told his wife, Mary Ann, "Don't worry, I won't be around much to get in your way." He decided to focus on a project that would take considerable effort and time away from home: completely restoring a 1929 Ford Model A Coupe.
The vehicle, which had once served as a garden tractor at his father's home in New York, sat in Brown's garage for a couple years. Finally in 1995, with the urging of family members, Brown began this challenge that would consume more than eight years of his life.
"I thought my family was crazy to suggest I restore the car since there was not even a faint resemblance of one," Brown recalled. "There were no prints to follow, just some photographs and some written material that was obtained from the Ford Archives."Pictured, left: Brown with his wife, Mary Ann, take a ride in the coupe. Credit: Courtesy of Browns
Brown discovered early on that the only items he could salvage from the original vehicle were the engine, the gas tank and a leaking, dented radiator. After tearing down the engine and finding a tools/parts shop in Westerville, Ohio, he was able to put the engine back into operation. He then became a frequent visitor to old car swap meets in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, where he located worn and water-logged parts to be used in the restoration.
"I was determined that it would be my own restoration from the ground up," Brown said. "I had to learn hot riveting, spray painting, bodywork and other mechanical trades in order to do the job myself."
He completed the project in 2004. The car has performed well since the first roundtrip test run between Huron and Cedar Point. A couple of years ago, Brown added seatbelts so his twelve grandchildren could take turns riding in the rumble seat. With his experience in the safety field at Glenn for 10 of his 31 years, Brown knew that he had to make it safe for his grandchildren.Pictured, right: The restored Ford Model A Coupe. Credit: Courtesy of Browns
Brown brings the car out of storage in the warmer months and enjoys driving through the countryside with wife and giving rides to friends. He plans to attend some antique car meets and shows. Sometimes a request comes up to provide the car as a backdrop for a local Ford retirement party. He also brought it to one of the two PBS Retiree Reunions he chaired.
"Delivering meals in the Model A might be something to consider this spring," Brown noted. "After all, it's people their age that have fond memories of the old cars and the beauty they displayed."
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