Valencia High School Student Shop Visit
Story by Marilyn Duncan; Pictures by Marilyn Duncan and Mark Wing
On April 17, 2025, a group of Valencia High School Auto Shop students returned to Larry Azevedo’s Shop in Corrales to continue work on their 1927 Touring car. The teacher, Anthony Chavez brought six students including Austin, Taylor, Alyssa, Manuelito, Vincent and Giovanni. Two students, Vincent and Giovanni had been to the previous shop day two weeks earlier and the other students were there for the first time. Vincent Batista is a currently a member of the Tin Lizzies. Since their last visit, Larry Azevedo and Paul Duncan had started the T. They noted that the generator was not working. That would be one project for the students to work on when they returned for this workday.
Tin Lizzie Members who attended in addition to Larry and Anthony included, Marilyn Duncan, Dave Ferro, Tim O’Brien, Angel & Lucien Peña, Jeff Richards, Scott Stuart and Mark Wing. Larry oriented the students to his shop, and this visit they were assigned to work on replacing the generator and performing the Model T Ford Club of America Safety Inspection Form. Completing the check list revealed many safety issues including loose nuts and lack of cotter pins. Several of the oilers were missing and were difficult to install. Also, the rear wheel rim on the driver’s side was missing a lug so needed to be replaced. The students started the engine and the T ran well.
Larry gave the students several questions to research and quizzed them on several questions relating to choice of wrenches and how the rear differential works. He also demonstrated his coil and ignition tester. We provided lunch and the students who had not driven before got driving lessons from Larry. The plan was for the Club to replace the rear demountable rim at the next Workday on Saturday. Then, we will trailer the Model T back to Valencia High School for the auto shop students to continue working on the body and seats.
