To the Editor:
I really loved Loujane Johns’ article, “Built from the ground up,” about the restoration of the old Model T. Comparing the work to an archeological dig was an interesting analogy. It was amazing what was accomplished, including finding automobile parts on Ebay, and gleaning more ideas from the Curtiss Museum. I appreciated the humor of the builder, Art Pike, discussing his “speeding” at 32 mph in a 30 mph zone by Little League Park. (I got a speeding ticket at that very place six years ago! )
What really moved me, in this day and age of so much crime in the news, was to read about this man’s values: his appreciation for the past — he did not want to junk the car, his hard work and persistence in building it, his ability to find help from others and from the computer, and his desire to pass the vehicle on to his grandsons, ages 4 and 10. I plan to show the article to my grandson, 9, in Chicago, who recently saved his money to buy a remote-controlled green Mustang at a place where he could build it himself. I already have sent a copy of the article to my brother in New Jersey who has a restored Austin Healey.
This hard work, sense of the past, persistence, etc. are values worth passing on to our grandchildren—and what a fun way to do it! Thank you so much for a most uplifting article.
Carolyne Garman
Rochester
