What's New There are a lot of ongoing changes which are always happening on this site and our club wants to make sure that everyone is kept well informed. Please check back here for all the latest updates to our site. Australian Fords – The Deluxe Coupe Sedan or “Sloper” By Craig Gorris Before the Second World War, the Australians produced Fords in Sidney. Although they looked the same as their American “cousins”, the Australian’s created a number of unique models. As an example, in 1939, Ford (USA) offered a Standard and Deluxe model. The Model Number was designated as Model 91A. The Standard car was available in a 2 Door, 4 Door and Coupe. The Deluxe was available in a 2 Door, 4 Door Coupe and Convertible. The Convertible did not have a back seat but did have a rumble seat. In Australia, for whatever the reason, the following models were produced. A Standard Roadster, Coupe, 2 Door Sedan 4 Door Sedan and Coupe Utility. The Coupe Utility otherwise known as the “Ute” began life as a Coupe and was transformed into a Pick-up truck. The Deluxe series included a Roadster, Coupe, 2 Door Sedan, 4 Door Sedan, Coupe Sedan, Convertible and Coupe Utility. The Coupe Sedan was a unique vehicle. It featured a “fold down” rear seat that would move forward as the seat back was folded down. This provided 6’ of space from the trunk to the back of the rear seat. The body style itself had a more pronounced slope than a conventional sedan, hence the nickname “Sloper”. During a visit to New Zealand, I happened to meet a fellow member and his wife who owned one of these rare models. Their names were Trevor & Yvonne Latham. I had the opportunity to examine this unique vehicle “first hand”. Indeed the rear seat did fold down enabling one to transport a great amount of material. Moreover, the standard leather interior, attested to the fact that this vehicle could also be used for serious hauling. Trevor rescued a “basket case” and painstakingly restored this Jefferson Blue beauty to its original understated elegance.

What First Ford sold outside North America ? The first Ford to arrive in South Africa was a 1903 Ford Model A, which was imported by Mr. Arthur Youldon of Johannesburg. In September 1903 Mr. Youldon, an importer, was in New York where he saw Henry Ford demonstrate his new car. He immediately placed his order with Henry Ford, who informed him that it would be the first Ford to be sold outside North America. The Ford Motor Company was founded earlier that year, on June 16, 1903. The car only arrived in February 1904 in Port Elizabeth from where it had to be transported by train to Johannesburg. This car survives to this day and can be viewed at the Heidelberg Transport Museum near Johannesburg. Going to Dearborn? Check out the new Ford Rouge Factory Tour. It is a celebration of the innovation of manufacturing in America – where history and technology merge. Composed of five unique elements, hit the road for the all new Ford Rouge Factory Tour. Buses leave every 30 minutes, 9:30am to 2:30pm, from The Henry Ford.Timed tickets required and reservations are highly recommended. Call 313-982-6001 URL:www.thehenryford.org Like to Contribute? We are implementing a National Club Newsletter Online. With the help of our membership and others, we would welcome any articles, news, photos or information that you would like to pass on to our viewing hobbyists about our 1932 - 1953 Ford, Lincoln & Mercury Ford products. Due to space, we are limiting all articles, news or inform- ation to 150 words or less. If you send in a photo, make sure it is clear and has good contrast (B&W) or color and that you also include your name and a description of the photo. Send all items to Terry Davis – sivadt@pacbell.net or you can mail the items to me. You'll find my name in the 2005 Roster, in the California section. Suggestions We are constantly trying to make this site better and easier to use for all our visitors. If you have any suggestions you would like to make please email us and we will try to respond as quickly as we can.

Atlantis Found By: Clive Cussler Sometimes we like to read about heroes and adventure and have something thrown-in we all are familiar with. This book is full of the first two, and some of the last. It will keep you on the edge of your seat and when you have finished the chapter you are reading, you want more. Several late nights later, you finish the adventure, but not without running across something very familiar. .He was pleasantly surprised to find a dazzling 1936 Ford cabriolet hot rod with the top down, waiting at the curb. The car looked like something out of California in the 1950s. The body and fenders were painted in metallic plum maroon that sparkled under the lights of the terminal. The bumpers were the ribbed type from a 1936 De Soto. Ripple moon disks covered the wheel in front, while those in the rear were hidden by teardrop skirts. The seats in front and in the rumble seat were biscuit tan leather. The elegant little car was powered by a V8 flathead engine that had been rebuilt from top to bottom to produce 225 horsepower. The rear end was fitted with a fifty year old Columbia overdrive gear system. If the car wasn't enough to turn heads, the woman sitting behind the wheel was equally beautiful. The long cinnamon hair was protected from the light breeze outside the airport by a colorful scarf. She had the prominent cheekbones of a fashion model, enhanced by full lips and a short, straight nose and charismatic violet eyes. She was wearing an alpaca chunky autumn leaf brown turtleneck with taupe wool tweed pants under a taupe shearling coat that came down to her knees. My advice… read all of Cussler’s adventures, but do not plan to get to sleep early. Terry Davis National Director Have a great year of V8 touring from the Web Team The Web Team recommends that you join a Regional Group and get that V8 on the road! Have a great summer of touring.(not pictured is Terry Davis our Master Ford V8 Photographer).