Story and photos by Mark Wing

Visiting Larry’s Garage for the first time were John and Coerte Voorhees. John and his son Coerte are residents of Corrales but also spend a lot of time in California. We met Coerte at the last club meeting when he introduced himself as a producer/director associated with Netflix. In fact, Coerte wrote, directed, and produced an award winning film “The First Line”, a legal drama that focuses on two Greek lawyers as they fight the British Museum for the return of the Parthenon Marbles to Greece. Coerte is of half Greek decent and his father John, inspired the story by providing legal advice to the Greek government in 2006 to build a case for the Parthenon Marbles return. The British government/British museum have had the marbles since 1816 and they are thought to have been acquired through deception and falsified documents.

Coerte’s newest project is a film about Ann Axtell Morris, an important archaeologist, artist, and author who was a pioneer with her husband Earl, in multi-year excavations in the southwest. Coerte is developing a film that documents Ann Axtell Morris’ work in Canyon de Chelly, located in northeastern Arizona within the boundaries of the Navajo Nation. He intends to use period correct Model T’s to lend authenticity to the project. The Morris’ personal car at the time of the Canyon de Chelly expeditions was a circa 1917 Model T touring car – Old Joe, a picture of which appears in Ann Axtell Morris’ autobiography “Digging in the Southwest”. Interestingly, Coerte located the original touring car and it is buried (barely visible) in a gravelly wash on a ranch. So far, Coerte has recruited Paul and Marilyn Duncan’s 1920 touring car, and Paul Beck’s 1918 TT truck for the filming. Good luck on your project Coerte!

Other projects this day included Steve Kranz helping Larry disassemble a 1926/27 transmission for cleaning and parts inspection. Although it was a greasy job, Steve was a good sport and appreciated the lesson on how a Model T transmission is built and operates.

Scott Stewart solicited Bob Ross’ help in welding some fenders for his 1925 project. Bob is an expert welder and demonstrated his skills in the MTFCA restoration series (Restoration Welding 101, DVD-9-1 and DVD-9-2). After some initial problems with argon gas delivery with Larry’s MIG welder, they eventually got it to work and Bob was able to perform is magic on the old fenders.

Don Neidigk, was working on a generator that needed cleaning and repair for this 1926 coupe project.

The Duncan’s brought their 1927 pickup truck where they’ve been focusing on headlights and turn signals.

Mark Wing brought a 1913 pan that he recently purchased at the Chickasha Pre-War swap meet. The narrow-nosed “teacup” pan was getting an initial wire brushing to remove loose rust before being media blasted. The pan is in very good solid condition, but a previous owner had drilled a few holes in it for some unknown reason that will have to be welded or brazed.

Thanks Larry for a great work day!