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Recent Events Archives
Photo taken by John Rae, May 6, 2009 at Nizhny Novgorod, Russia
At the Kremlin (town fort) during Russian preparations for the “Victory in Europe” parade.
Nizhny Novgorod is Russia's third largest city after Moscow and St. Petersburg. Location: ~400 km (280 miles) South East of Moscow on the Volga River.
(Information extracted from the internet)
In May 1929 the Soviet Union signed an agreement with the Ford Motor Company. Under its terms, the Soviets agreed to purchase $13 million worth of automobiles and parts, while Ford agreed to give technical assistance until 1938 to construct an integrated automobile-manufacturing plant at Nizhny Novgorod. Production started on January 1, 1932, and the factory and marque was titled Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod, or GAZ, but also displayed the "Ford" sign. GAZ's first vehicle was the medium-priced Ford Model A, sold as the GAZ- A, and a light truck, the Ford Model AA (GAZ-AA). GAZ-A production commenced in 1932 and lasted until 1936, during which time over 40,000 examples were built. All Ford Model A cars were four door open models.
Ford Model AA trucks were manufactured until 1942, and production numbers probably exceeded 1 million.
Many American engineers and skilled auto workers moved to the Soviet Union to work at GAZ. Hundreds of American workers stayed on after the plant's completion in 1932, often with their families. They had to deliver their American passports, and within a few years became victims of Stalin's Great Terror, either shot or exiled to Soviet gulags. Attempts of these Americans to their embassy to help them were rebuffed or ignored. The factory's name changed when the city was renamed after Maxim Gorky.
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The week before Christmas and down at the mall,
Old Olive was creating quite a stir amongst all,
There were little kids and their dads to cheer and to wave,
And lo and behold...even with the 'santa's' she's a FAVE!!!!!
Here we were bringing Olive home after her repair to her butt and our friend's Santa and Mrs. Claus were wanting to get in on the action....our old Olive has met up with some pretty interesting people but to get someone down from the North Pole ... now that has to be pretty darned special!!! Lois & Bryan Williams
Mainland and Island Lions Gate members enjoying a
fabulous brunch of great food & good friends!
the buffet area was overflowing with salad's, sea food, turkey, fresh fruit, etc....
The dessert area was brimming with an array of tasty creations!
A view from the Laura Point Inn of the inner harbour.
Lions Gate Model A Club - Mainland & Island Members - Laura Point Inn Christmas Brunch (20 members & 2 guest)
John played the piano for a bit at the beginning and at the end...with Dianne accompanying him with vocal...
then there was the FOOD...very good
and then the auction of gifts...
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Another great day out with our club! Today the Lion’s Gate Model A’s met up at the hotel to be used for the MAFCA 2010 International Convention. This was a trial run out to Steveston; a tour of the old cannery and lunch beside the river.
Twelve of the club cars came for the drive and a few friends in ‘wannabe’ Model A’s.
Mike led us on the tour from the hotel, and through Richmond to many admiring looks from the pedestrians.
Once we parked at the cannery lot we headed in for a film on the early days at the cannery then a tour by our guide Lynne of all the workings of the place. It was very informative, with well illustrated machinery and exhibits. They took all of us on one tour so it was great fun to joke about the machinery and how hard it would have been to work in the cannery.
After the tour we headed into the village to find an eatery that suited each of the group. Some walked through the village shops and along the newly constructed river walkways for photo opportunities.
The weather was sunny but very windy, so most of us ate inside the restaurants although there were plenty of places with outside tables for a less windy day.
This is a delightful village, full of history but also made modern for the shopping pleasure of the tourists.
There wasn’t enough time this day to tour the Britannia shipyards but could be made into another day’s outing for future consideration.
All who took the cannery tour came away very relieved that this was not an occupation they chose for their life jobs, it was a brutal type of work but aren’t we all so thankful to open a tin of salmon and enjoy it on a sandwich?
This was a wonderful place to visit, reasonably priced, interesting with lots of historical value, the village is very cute with great accessibility.
Highly recommended! Thanks to Mike Chapman for organizing the tour and to those who showed up, thanks to all!
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Al Glen picking up his Canadian built 1931 Cabriolet from Courtney-Comox area on Vancouver Island. Cars like this are becoming very rare, but occasionally they do come up for sale. Congratulations Al!
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With twelve vendors and an increased number of buyers out looking for parts, this year's annual swap meet was another success! Unlike other years, when this event was held in August, a move was made to September as an experiment to see if the timing would yield more buyers. It would seem that this was indeed what happened. The morniing started out very overcast but the weather steadily improved. Lots of early birds were in evidence before the official 9:30am opening. By noon the vendors had pretty much seen the end of sales. Time for socializing! Hot dogs on the barbeque were very much missed: our master chef John Haddon being on vacation. Juices, pop, water, various pastries and cookies were offered, enjoying limited success. Money was noticeably tight this year. A piece of sage advice was gleaned from one of the top sellers, Gord Hill, that quality refurbished products still bring the money even in tighter times. Think about that for enhancing your next year's sales. Speaking of next year, remember that our swap meet will be rolled into the 2010 MAFCA International Convention events. See you all at the convention.
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Eleven “A’s” off to the races! What a great day to go to the Race Track and again Ralph Bower was instrumental in getting us onto the grounds, meal tickets and programs. We had a few new comers this year and some “A’s” came with four travellers. So we had a good showing and Mary and Brian Carlson did the club proud wearing era fashion clothes to hand out the flowers to the winners of Race 5, the Lion’s Gate Model A’s Race. Julie Lansiquot also came in era fashion making the day that much more interesting for the folks looking at the cars and us!
There was much betting hi jinx going on, lots of ‘tips’ from the experts among the group, no big bucks won that I heard of, more in the lines of $30 or so max.
The weather was grand, the fun and fellowship was even more grand, so all in all it was a winning day at the races!
Photo by Ralph Bower
Brian and Mary Carlson dressed in Model A era fashions with winning jockey "Mario Gutierrez". Winning horse was "Breeze's Storm" Photo by Ralph Bower
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Lion’s Gate A’s met up on Labour Day Monday at the Ft Langley Farm Museum. There were 17 cars all together, some from the Lion’s Gate, some from the Pacific ‘A’s’. The weather was definitely ‘iffy’ as we all gathered on the road in front of the museum but as the morning progressed, so did the weather…for the good!
Along with the tour of the Museum, there was the Small Engine Club display, hot buttered corn on the cob for sale, coffee / donuts and for the kids there was a petting zoo in a trailer with lots of little furry critters to pet and visit , thanks to the Aldor Acres farm family.
The museum guides were great, explaining how the old machinery worked, encouraging questions and hands on demonstrations of some of the old implements.
The ‘A’s’ created a display of their own with folks getting photos and looking under the hoods, getting into the rumble seats, with owner’s permission, of course!
I think we as a club were very well received by the public as well as the Museum coordinators.
One of the ‘A’s’ (Barry and Thora Burge’s) came towing Barry’s newly finished teardrop trailer (my favourite from the LeMay Museum tour!) so that created much examination from ‘A’ owners as well as the public.
This might just start a ‘fad’ for Model A’s in the future to go RVing with the oldster cars pulling the teardrop trailers! Whooeee!
We had lots of talk time, lots of car showing and many laughs over times past and present.
Thanks to all that took the time to drive over and hopefully we’ll meet up at another outing again soon!
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September 26th, 2009 - International Model A Day
Mike Chapman tour guide,
Article by Lois Williams
Mike Chapman tour guide,
Article by Lois Williams
Great historical displays! Looks like a little weigh in for our guys?
Lynne is explaining the ways and means of the fishermen and how they handled their catch.
More fish processing. What else would one expect, but a 1934 Ford truck for haulin canned fish!
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September 12th, 2009 - "Day at the Race Track" - Article by Lois Williams
Bob Taylor, Joan & Ralph Bower enjoying the day....
Rob Taylor, Tom Spouse and Dave Kettler watching
the races! Good friends, great fun!
Lions Gate Model A's proudly displayed!
Bryan Williams with his Model A.
Brian & Mary Carlson smartly dressed
in Model A era
attire, ready to hand out flowers to the winners of race
5,
"The Lions Gate Model A Race".
Bob and Debbie Taylor enjoying the day
with their 1928 Phaeton.
Girls out for the day, celebrating a 25th birthday!
Little ones at the park were treated to a little
more than horse racing! Where's the keys?
Lions Gate members enjoying the sun and the races!
Picture perfect weather!
Lions Gate members reviewing the race program.
Watching the race with much intent...
A special "thank you" to Ralph Bower for inviting our club and making this day possible!
Our members and their cars were treated to a very memorable day!
Our members and their cars were treated to a very memorable day!
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Al Glen and Leon Lamothe inspect the tractors, "Old & New"
Petting Zoo for Kids of one kind or another!
Barry and Thora Burge’s home built "Tear Drop" trailer
Excellent Job Barry & Thora! Do you take orders?
Nice Looking Model A!
Yesterdays Farm Equipment!
Ok, now that were in the seat will we get to go for a ride?
Model A'rs admiring Jim DeWolf's Cabriolet!
Miniature Exhibit area enjoyed by all!
Lions Gate and Pacific A'rs sharing stores
Petting Zoo was a real winner!
A very rare item, this original hood ornament was great for instant hot water or letting off a little steam!
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