Hershey 2021

EARLY FORD V-8 CLUB AT HERSHEY 2021

Bruce with the club banner displayed at Hershey.

th year (should have been our 26th) and once again, it was a sad one with the passing of Dennis Carpenter in November of 2020. Dennis was the reason that we have been represented for 25 years during Hershey week. We will miss seeing him. Just as we had done for Charlie Gunn, we created a special tribute to Dennis at our booth (please see next page).

By Bruce Nelson

After a canceled year, you never know what to expect, but there is something about the people of the old car hobby. They still enjoy the hobby and also want to see their old friends. This year marked the 65th year of the AACA Fall National Meet in Hershey, PA and once again, the Early Ford V-8 Club had a presence at the event.

After a previous week weather forecast of dampness, it was proven once again that no one really knows that much about the weather. Although it was cloudy most of the week, it was perfect for searching and visiting with friends. This was our 25

I want to thank our members that volunteer their time to work at the booth. They are a great group of V-8 people who love to talk Fords and share information.

The author of the pending 1949-1951 Mercury Book, Gene Napoliello, stopped by to show the final draft of the book. About that time, a new member (that we had just signed up) was inquiring about what type of battery cable he needed for his 1950 Mercury. For the next hour, Gene shared information with him from the book. The new member cannot wait to purchase the book.

We hope to be back next year. Look for us again. Special thanks again this time to Daniel Carpenter!

EARLY FORD V-8 CLUB AT HERSHEY 2021: TRIBUTE TO DENNIS CARPENTER

By Bruce Nelson

Dennis and his beloved 1940 Ford Convertible.

Twenty-five years ago, two men who enjoyed Early Ford V-8s talked about promoting the Early Ford V-8 Club of America at the biggest car event in the US, the AACA Fall National Meet, better known as Hershey. Those two men, Charlie Gunn and Dennis Carpenter, made arrangements and the rest, as they say, is history!

The Early Ford V-8 Club of America has been ever so grateful for the hospitality shown to us by Dennis Carpenter and his staff. Sadly, in 2019 we lost Charlie and in 2020 we lost Dennis. With 2020 the year in which we did nothing and went nowhere, now we want to take this time to show our gratitude to Dennis in his passing.

He was a wonderful man. A friend to all Ford restorers and a very prominent supporter of the Early Ford V-8 Club of America.

He and Charlie will be missed, but we have had a wonderful relationship during our 25 years together at Hershey.

Dennis and Bruce Nelson during Hershey 2017.