Denhart shows of Model A cars, talks about Prairie A’s Antique Ford Club

BY DANI TIETZ
dani@sjodaily.com

Ford Model A and Model T cars usually draw a crowd.

That’s what happened in downtown St. Joseph, Ill., Saturday between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the Prairie A’s Antique Ford Club’s Antique Ford Day.

But for St. Joseph’s Richard Denhart, owner of two Model As, a 1928 Model A Roadster and a 1930 Ford Delivery Deluxe Sedan, it’s the open road that is exciting.

The Prairie A Antique Ford Club takes 10 to 12 outings throughout the year, driving with other antique Ford owners, going 30 to 40 mph on country roads. The highlight of the year, though, is taking a 500-mile trip together.

“We don’t usually show them,” Denhart said. “Because driving is more fun than sitting on an asphalt parking lot.”

It’s more than just driving around with buddies, though.

Each member of the group carries a variety of spare parts so that repairs can be made on the road.

“We were on a trip one time when someone had trouble with his carburetor,” Denhart said. “And he said ‘Does anybody got a spare carburetor?’ Three carburetors show up.

“We can fix everything except a blown engine.”

Driving the antique Ford is a family affair, too.

“The wives become quite involved,” Denhart said. “It’s a hobby that you don’t have to leave your wife at home. And the kids grow up with the cars like this.”

Denhart’s wife manned the registration table Saturday and his son and two grandsons came to the show for driving games at noon.

Whether the owners are at a car show or on the road, crowds seem to find them.

“If you don’t like people, you don’t want a car like that because you draw people,” Denhart said.

Denhart works with the Village of St. Joseph each year to ensure that there is space for the Antique Ford Show each summer.

“Most of the fun is visiting with people,” Denhart said.