The History of the Western New York Regional Group
Early Ford V-8 Club
The Early Ford V-8 Club of America was formed in 1963 in San Leandro, California. Originally the club recognized only the 1932-1940 Fords. In 1966, the national club was incorporated and way across the nation, our regional group in Rochester, NY was established in February of that year. We were RG #3, behind the Golden Gate group in California, and RG #2 in Ohio. That Ohio group has since folded, making us the second oldest active regional group in the world.
Recognition of the 1941-1948 Fords came about in 1973. In 1982, there was full recognition of all Ford Motor Company vehicles 1932 through 1953. This included Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, commercial vehicles, tractors, as well as other Ford powered vehicles built around the world. Early Ford powered vehicles, 1932 through 1953, included the 4, 6, 8 and 12 cylinder engines built by the Ford Motor Company.
At present, there are approximately 9,000 Early Ford V-8 members world-wide, and our RG has about 85 members. In 1978, our group began hosting an annual “Spring Fling”, which is an indoor automotive flea market. We hold it in March or April each year. Several years ago, we began sharing the profits with local charities. These charities are usually associated with the needs of children.
Three National Meets are held each year nation-wide (Western, Central & Eastern), except every fifth year a Grand National Meet is held in Dearborn, Michigan. In 1981, our group hosted the Eastern National Meet. We will be hosting the 2006 Eastern Meet in Batavia, NY.
We are a very active group, with monthly events which involve touring with our cars to places of interest in the area, plus picnics (some call us the Early Food V-8 club!) during our driving season, and indoor meetings in the winter. The board of directors meets four times a year to discuss club business. We publish a monthly 12 page newsletter, the Greyhound Express, to keep everyone up to date.
