[Clem Clement]

I was honored to be the chief of the repair tent for 2 Williamsburg Nationals. Great fun. The first time we were next to the gas station on site. Great location. We had power, air, trash cans and drains. The next time the tent was next to the hotel's heat exchanger. Phew it was hot and with no fans. At one point a member went and got Ms. Sandy to remove me from duty for a rest as I was bright red and puffing (thanks fellows ModelAers.) [It was this kind of situation that convinced Woody Williams to set up the first National tour, where those who put on the tour could have some fun as well. For both Williamsburgs Woody and I saw only the repair tent and not much else of the meet.]

Anyway we hadd some interesting situations. In guy brought a terrible A that he had driven down. We determined it needed a new head gasket. By golly he said he had no idea how to do the job, but would like to learn. He bought a kit from the flea market and did the job with only minor instruction from us. We were so proud of him and he showed the pride he gained by learning and fixing his own car. Another fellow rolled a pile off a trailer and left it in a repair spot and said he had a meeting and would pick the car up later. We rolled it out in the woods. I'm proud to report that we fixed everything we had except a sheared axle. The late Bob Williams had just sold his last rear end the week before or we would have done that as well.

In sum it was a wonderfull experience for us fixers. During quiet times I held classes for further learning and fellowship. In one class we had who senior gents who between them had 75 years of Model A expertise. We hung on every word they said!!