Vineyard News
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Greetings from Martha's Vineyard Classic Car. This is a new web page that will keep visitors updated on the most recent activities related to the automotive hobby on Martha's Vineyard. I am hoping to be a little more diverse within the hobby and how it relates to ClassicCarCollectors.com. The first news project will cover the Aquinnah Soap Box Derby ( Gravity Car Race) held on March 27. I hesitate to call it a soap box derby as some of the racers were pretty sophisticated and it was strictly an adult event. This was the first ever event of this sort on the Vineyard for adults. I think at one time a similiar event was held on New York Ave in Oak Bluffs, though it was for the younger crowd. Well March 27th was forecast to be one of the better days we have seen in a long time. The idea behind the event was to get islanders out and about after a real tough winter on the Vineyard and as I considered the thought of a sunny day and possible 50 degree weather I got my motivation in gear. I had not a clue as to the turnout for this event but it was a great day so I took my old classic out of mothballs, checked it out, making sure it was road worthy, and headed for Aquinnah. I stopped to pick up a friend, grab a quick sandwich and then off to the races. As I reached the cliff area of Aquinnah I was surprised to see so much activity. I guess I was thinking we might see maybe, 50 to 60 fans. We found our way to the pit area (parking Lot) and I snapped several photos of the racers as they were being prepared for the big event. Again not knowing what to expect from this event, I couldn't believe my eyes. Design, style, engineering, it was all there. As I poked around it became clear that old friends were getting together, that several islanders had been planning for this event over the winter. I meandered over to Moshup Trail where the event was to be held. Taking in my surroundings from the overlook, a panorama view of the south shore and the hugh expanse of ocean, the sun shinning brightly with a very cool ocean breeze, it was a perfect early spring day on the Vineyard. I reached the blacktop at the top of MoshupTrail, where the race was to start, and in the middle of the road sat a large tractor trailer with tilt bed and covered with plywood to make the racers take off as smooth as possible. The crowd was building fast so I shot a few more photos and headed down the hill to find the perfect place for a photo shoot. Well I thought I had come well prepared to cover the event in a professional manner. The race was set for two racers at a time. As the race was about to begin it appeared most of us had no idea what to expect. Several onlookers took a spot well off the road, or behind the hay bales, while the rest of us picked a spot along the side of the black top. I situated myself in front of some very uninviting pucker brush and hoped that a uncontrolled racer would'nt find its way into my lap. Considering myself prepared I picked off a pretty good photo of the first racer as he careened past my spot, second run was a little different as the racer on my side of the road appeared to be decending a bit out of control. Camera ready, prepared to document the first crash of the race I pressed the button, NOTHING!!!! My digital had dead batteries. Oh well I had my 35mm SLR and telephoto so I dug through my bag for more film, Can you figure the end results. No Film. If I had only spent as much time with my camera equipment as I did getting my old classic prepared I would have been in much better shape. Needless to say I have covered the start of the event and alot more of the actual race is missing. Hoping some old friends will help me out with the needed photos so I can complete this essay. I didn't stay through the 3 or 4 heats as I was a bit discouraged with my camera situation and the ocean breeze was getting cooler by the minute. Several in the crowd left after the completion of the first heat and the photo ops would have been perfect if I had a working camera. In the end it was a great afternoon and I enjoyed the whole activity. The turnout was spectacular, the weather was great, and hats off to all those islanders who paticipated in this perfect Vineyard event. Thanks Spa Tharpe for a very intuitive idea. Next time I will have several sets of batteries and film and will cover this event as it should . Thanks to all and will see you next time.
If you reached this site on a search be sure to check out http://www.classiccarcollectors.com You will find links to other Vineyard sites and photo essays of the old car hobby on Martha's Vineyard.
I missed the 2006 race for the second year in a row. The MV TImes did a great job covering this year so pick up a copy and I will try to make sure my time is open next year.
I have been a car nut or fanatic, or whatever, since my parents purchased a car for me on my 16th birthday. Sitting in my yard was a beat up old 1949 Ford business coupe that they purchased for 100.00. I drove it for a couple of years until I dropped the transmission trying to, as the term was used, lay rubber. I had always wanted a convertible so I found one in town, top ripped beyond repair, no motor, rusty, it was all wrong. Well I plopped down my 25.00 and was the new owner of a junk 1950 Ford convertible. Towed home I proceeded to pull the engine from my 49 and install it in my new gem. I remember well the first test drive. In my anxiety to move on I had my friends car push me onto the main road for a jump start. Hit the ignition, popped the clutch, and off we rode. I failed to mention that in my anxious moments to start the car I decided to leave the transmission mounts unbolted. ( would do it later) So one foot on the transmission to keep it from banging against the frame and the other, a foot dance between the gas pedal, brake, and clutch to keep it running. Well we made it home safely and I made the necessary adjustments and behold had my long wanted convertible. Its been all down hill from there. One last thought for all you car nuts and their wives or partners out there it doesn't get any better. I have hit social security age and own 8 old vehicles in various stages of disrepair and! no I am not in my second childhood, just never got out of my first. Good Luck to all you fanatics out there I hope you enjoy it as much as I have.
I am sorry if some of my spelling is not correct. I just purchased this site and cannot find a spell checker. I put my ideas ahead of proper spelling but try my best to get it correct. Its just that my dictionary is wearing out and I hate thumbing pages as my thoughts get muddled and lost in moments. This happens to us old folks. So bear with me and please don't e mail me about my spelling if you find a word spelled wrong. If I don't make sense you can let me know
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