Back in fifth grade
 

Was invited to bring my A and to talk about Henry Ford with a fifth grade class at a local independent Christian school and today was the day.

Got the car out of the garage early the day before to make sure everything was good and fixed a few things, too. Took a pic or two under interesting lighting conditions.

Installed my recently registered year-of-manufacture plate, after some hammer and dolly work to straighten the tag bracket.

Ten or twelve really sharp 11-year olds asked some interesting questions. I took each of them (three at a time) for a ride around the good-sized parking lot.

The teacher, Googling while I was speaking of old Henry's ill-treatment of Edsel, and Ford shutting down Model T production with no notice in 1927, was reminded of the plot of Roald Dahl's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. She said that while I was prattling away she'd found a reference where Dahl admitted that Henry Ford was the inspiration for Willy Wonka.

If true, I learned something new in fifth grade today, at age 61...

Re: Back in fifth grade
 

hehe, never too old to learn something new!

Re: Back in fifth grade
 

Great story.

Thanks for taking your time to take your car to the school, give a talk and take the students for a ride.

Students need these experiences. This will give them a better understanding of how life was 85 years ago.

It is so important that the younger generation understand the past. I think it makes them better prepared to meet the future.

Thanks,

Chris W.

Re: Back in fifth grade
 

Hope the kids had a thrill. What's that about an old dog and a new trick?

Glenn

Re: Back in fifth grade
 

Chris,

I agree 100% with your comments.

Most of the major car clubs are reaching out to today's youth to help preserve our hobby for years to come. Hope it works...

Re: Back in fifth grade
 

Gregory, you are one in a million for taking the time to give those kids a living history lesson. Sounds like you covered some interesting Ford topics, even including some of the less flattering stuff, but I think your well rounded approach was the best way to illustrate Ford as the regular human being he was. Great job, and who knows, one of those kids might sign on to Ford Barn some day.

Re: Back in fifth grade
 

Thank you, Fordors. Much appreciated.

Re: Back in fifth grade
 

And honestly, I don't think I am "one in a million." I'm betting there are a lot of Model A owners who do things like this when they have the opportunity.

Re: Back in fifth grade
 

Greg good for you. Those kids will never forget that day that guy brought that 'old Ford to school'!!

Re: Back in fifth grade
 

Already informed the teacher I'm up for doing it again as long as I continue to reside in the Atlanta area... which hopefully won't be too many more years. I've lived here since Aug '72 and it's getting a little too crowded to suit me.