The Ford Barn

bcronk · 07-23-2022, 08:53 AM

I sent my '28 speedometer out to Mark's Model A Service in Polson, MT for service early this spring its been almost 4 months since I talked with him and now I can't seem to get a hold of him either via phone or email. Does any one know what's going on? Is he still in business? I'd like to get my speedometer back one way or another. Thanks

Ordsgt · 07-23-2022, 09:39 AM

I have the same problem with a speedometer he rebuilt but calibration was off. Sent it back 1st week of May I have called numerous times and on 3 occasions he has stated he will ship it tomorrow but no speedometer. He has NEVER returned a phone call and most of the time does not answer the phone

Gary WA · 07-23-2022, 02:33 PM

I have had very good luck with Mark! Very quick turn around! Strange!

w.michael · 07-23-2022, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcronk

I sent my '28 speedometer out to Mark's Model A Service in Polson, MT for service early this spring its been almost 4 months since I talked with him and now I can't seem to get a hold of him either via phone or email. Does any one know what's going on? Is he still in business? I'd like to get my speedometer back one way or another. Thanks

Me, too. Anyone in the area who can help?

W. Michael

Gary WA · 07-23-2022, 08:00 PM

Just called his message machine is working 1-406-249-3104

Eccentric Old Guy · 07-23-2022, 09:36 PM

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary WA

Just called his message machine is working 1-406-249-3104

Did you try to leave a message?

I just called, and the message box is full.

Will not allow you to leave a message.

eog

Ordsgt · 07-23-2022, 09:36 PM

The machine was working every time that he didn't answer, which was most of the time, but he doesn't call back. Last time I spoke with him was about 2 weeks ago when he said he would mail it the next day

Gary WA · 07-23-2022, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eccentric Old Guy

Did you try to leave a message?

I just called, and the message box is full.

Will not allow you to leave a message.

eog

No message left. But did work.

Eccentric Old Guy · 07-23-2022, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gary WA

No message left. But did work.

If you wait for the tone, a voice will come on and announce that the message box is full.....then will automatically disconnect.

Eccentric Old Guy · 07-24-2022, 12:02 AM

I'm in the same boat as everyone else here, but I can tell you that Mark is held in very high regard by the members of the Big Sky Model A Ford club......of which both he and I are members. I have some pending work for Mark, as well.

Mark is a walking encyclopedia of Model A Ford knowledge. I have had some long conversations with him about Model A Fords, and have spent a couple of days with him at his shop. I have the highest respect for him, and regard for his long term knowledge of Model A Fords. His father was a Model A collector, and Mark grew up working on them.

As far as I know, Mark is the only person anywhere near Montana that does babbet bearing work on Model A's.....and his speedometer service keeps him busy.....I understand he can be very busy at times, because he rebuilds speedometers for some of the major suppliers of Model A Ford parts.....many of them at a time!

I haven't been able to reach Mark lately either, but from what I know of and about him, the work he has on his plate will get done, and in a very professional manner.

Only thing I can add is to just hang in there, as Mark may be having some difficulties that are preventing him from keeping up with the work load he currently has...

eog

aermotor · 07-24-2022, 04:30 AM

Ditto to above. Is there any one that can check on him or call a relative?

Ordsgt · 09-01-2022, 07:29 AM

I called Mark again about 2 weeks ago and he actually answered the phone. He apologized and stated that due to health and family issues he got behind. He stated he was "back in the saddle again" and catching up on the work and I should get my speedometer back in about 2 weeks. It arrived yesterday!

alexiskai · 09-01-2022, 07:37 AM

Dennis Ellerman is also still repairing speedos, but only oval S-W units. No round units. Harry Warburton passed away a few months ago.

chrs1961815 · 09-01-2022, 09:08 AM

I didn't know Harry died. Nice guy who did great work. It seems every month somebody important is dying these days.

katy · 09-01-2022, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrs1961815

It seems every month somebody important is dying these days.

Being that I'm unimportant I'm hoping that I'll live along time. I've always said that I'm going for 100 and when I get there I'm going for 200.

alexiskai · 09-01-2022, 09:46 AM

I just picked up Vic Zannis's book on engine rebuilding. Went to look him up and found out he died in 2018. I've been in this hobby for four years and I've personally known more people who have died than in the whole rest of my life.

BRENT in 10-uh-C · 09-01-2022, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexiskai

Dennis Ellerman is also still repairing speedos, but only oval S-W units. No round units. Harry Warburton passed away a few months ago.

Ohh how sad about Harry. Yesterday was actually Harry's birthday.

Here is his obituary; https://www.cumbyfuneral.com/tributes/Harry-Warburton

alexiskai · 09-01-2022, 11:18 AM

He sounds like a great guy, Dennis also spoke highly of him. I was sad it took me this long to get my speedos in for repair and I never got to talk to him. Having said that, Dennis did a wonderful job, two thumbs up.

ETAModel · 09-01-2022, 03:06 PM

I met Eddy of Eddy's Speedo Repair at Kerrville and gave him my speedo from my 30
Fordor to repair. I got it back in under 6 weeks, and couldn't be happier.

Synchro909 · 09-02-2022, 08:07 PM

I envy you guys who have a number of people who can restore a speedo properly for you. While there are instrument makers here, none (that I know of) are competent with instruments like these. I'd like to send mine over there to be repaired one at a time but mail services are too lousy. I'd never see it again.

07-23-2022, 08:53 AM	#1
bcronk Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 1	Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? I sent my '28 speedometer out to Mark's Model A Service in Polson, MT for service early this spring its been almost 4 months since I talked with him and now I can't seem to get a hold of him either via phone or email. Does any one know what's going on? Is he still in business? I'd like to get my speedometer back one way or another. Thanks

07-23-2022, 09:39 AM	#2
Ordsgt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Yorktown Virginia Posts: 182	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? I have the same problem with a speedometer he rebuilt but calibration was off. Sent it back 1st week of May I have called numerous times and on 3 occasions he has stated he will ship it tomorrow but no speedometer. He has NEVER returned a phone call and most of the time does not answer the phone

07-23-2022, 02:33 PM	#3
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,105	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? I have had very good luck with Mark! Very quick turn around! Strange! __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com

07-23-2022, 08:00 PM	#5
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,105	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? Just called his message machine is working 1-406-249-3104 __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com

07-23-2022, 09:36 PM	#7
Ordsgt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Yorktown Virginia Posts: 182	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? The machine was working every time that he didn't answer, which was most of the time, but he doesn't call back. Last time I spoke with him was about 2 weeks ago when he said he would mail it the next day

07-24-2022, 12:02 AM	#10
Eccentric Old Guy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Montana Posts: 186	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? I'm in the same boat as everyone else here, but I can tell you that Mark is held in very high regard by the members of the Big Sky Model A Ford club......of which both he and I are members. I have some pending work for Mark, as well. Mark is a walking encyclopedia of Model A Ford knowledge. I have had some long conversations with him about Model A Fords, and have spent a couple of days with him at his shop. I have the highest respect for him, and regard for his long term knowledge of Model A Fords. His father was a Model A collector, and Mark grew up working on them. As far as I know, Mark is the only person anywhere near Montana that does babbet bearing work on Model A's.....and his speedometer service keeps him busy.....I understand he can be very busy at times, because he rebuilds speedometers for some of the major suppliers of Model A Ford parts.....many of them at a time! I haven't been able to reach Mark lately either, but from what I know of and about him, the work he has on his plate will get done, and in a very professional manner. Only thing I can add is to just hang in there, as Mark may be having some difficulties that are preventing him from keeping up with the work load he currently has... eog __________________ 1928 closed cab pickup. All black, no bling or add-on shiny stuff. Just a simple working man's truck. Last edited by Eccentric Old Guy; 07-24-2022 at 12:12 AM.

07-24-2022, 04:30 AM	#11
aermotor Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 1,099	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? Ditto to above. Is there any one that can check on him or call a relative?

09-01-2022, 07:29 AM	#12
Ordsgt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Yorktown Virginia Posts: 182	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? I called Mark again about 2 weeks ago and he actually answered the phone. He apologized and stated that due to health and family issues he got behind. He stated he was "back in the saddle again" and catching up on the work and I should get my speedometer back in about 2 weeks. It arrived yesterday!

09-01-2022, 07:37 AM	#13
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,355	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? Dennis Ellerman is also still repairing speedos, but only oval S-W units. No round units. Harry Warburton passed away a few months ago.

09-01-2022, 09:08 AM	#14
chrs1961815 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Spring Grove, Illinois Posts: 1,371	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? I didn't know Harry died. Nice guy who did great work. It seems every month somebody important is dying these days. __________________ "The more things change, the more they stay the same."

09-01-2022, 09:46 AM	#16
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,355	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? I just picked up Vic Zannis's book on engine rebuilding. Went to look him up and found out he died in 2018. I've been in this hobby for four years and I've personally known more people who have died than in the whole rest of my life.

09-01-2022, 11:18 AM	#18
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,355	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? He sounds like a great guy, Dennis also spoke highly of him. I was sad it took me this long to get my speedos in for repair and I never got to talk to him. Having said that, Dennis did a wonderful job, two thumbs up.

09-01-2022, 03:06 PM	#19
ETAModel Senior Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Along the Red River, Texas Posts: 360	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? I met Eddy of Eddy's Speedo Repair at Kerrville and gave him my speedo from my 30 Fordor to repair. I got it back in under 6 weeks, and couldn't be happier.

09-02-2022, 08:07 PM	#20
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Mark's Model A Service...Still in business????? I envy you guys who have a number of people who can restore a speedo properly for you. While there are instrument makers here, none (that I know of) are competent with instruments like these. I'd like to send mine over there to be repaired one at a time but mail services are too lousy. I'd never see it again. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.