Last month, about 35 members of the local Model A Ford Club gathered for a vehicle safety check and chili cook-off at the Orcutt home of Brian and Roberta Weber.  “When planning to drive a 95-year-old Ford Model A across the country or just around town, all the parts need to be in working order,” says Roberta, who is serving her first year as president of the local club. “We have members who travel in their Model As all over the west. Bill and Laura Hansen (in their 1930 two-door sedan) and Gary and Marry Denny (in their 1931 black coupe) recently made a trip to Minnesota and Canada. Our club members participate in monthly tours up and down the Central Coast. These classic cars need constant care.  We want to make sure they are safe.”   
           The Webers, who owns Santa Maria Tool, Brian’s family business started by his grandfather decades ago, has a workshop in the backyard of their Orcutt home. The Webers owns a 1931 Victoria, a prelude to the current Crown Victoria. 
            At the safety check, several of the Model A Fords, all built between 1928 and 1931, were examined.  The classic cars were lubricated, tires and radiators reviewed.  One Model A had a new water pump and fan installed.  Several of the vintage cars had bolts tightened; anything amiss was remedied to make the cars roadworthy.  
         The Model A Club was organized in 2003 with its first meeting at the Oasis Center and currently has 63 member families.   Club members drive their classic motor cars in the Santa Maria Elks Parade, the Christmas parades in Orcutt and Santa Maria and at Fourth of July festivities in Solvang. 
           Last month for their February monthly tour, several of the members lined up and drove their spit-polished vehicles to Cuyama and had lunch at the Buckhorn Cafe. Trips to Grover Beach and Visalia are coming up.    
            Jay McCord, who owns a restored 1930 Model A coupe, says although the club has 63 members not all have Model A Fords, “some are members simply because they are fascinated with vintage cars and enjoy the camaraderie.” 
         Because of the almost century old age of the Model As, mechanical surprises on the road are to be expected. McCord says the club is blessed with mechanics who know how to handle emergencies.   On last July’s trip to Solvang, a fuse went out on a vintage roadster near the San Ramon Chapel on Foxen Canyon Road.  Everyone stopped to assist. Brian Weber using his best MacGyver skills, found a piece of bailing wire on the road, stuffed it inside the fuse to make the electrical connection. The classic car started up, and together the tour made it to the 4th of July celebration.     
Nationwide there are 230 Model A Ford club chapters; other local chapters include clubs in Santa Barbara, Ventura, Santa Ynez and San Luis Obispo.  
           “Five million Model A Fords were made,” McCord explains.  An executive from Ford estimates there are 500,000 still around.   A base model originally sold for about $300; today they go for 10s of thousands.  Parts are readily available, including tires.   
          On September 13, the 23rd Annual All-Ford Car Show and Swap Meet will be held in Old Orcutt.  People from all over California will descend on Broadway to see scores of classic Fords on display.  Over the years, the local club has donated over $100,000 in scholarships to Hancock College.  This year a scholarship will be presented to a recipient attending Orcutt Academy High School. 
           For Roberta Weber, it’s the member’s different backgrounds that she enjoys.  “They have fascinating stories to share.  We learn so much from each other. Those relationships are priceless.”            
              For more information about the Model A Ford Club, visit the website at santamariamodelaclub.com
Steve Southwick reporting