President’s Message 2025

March 2025

“Shutting off the gas is the first step to stopping.”
Well, that statement seems simple enough but, in practice, it was quickly lost in decades of old habits (slipping the clutch) and the myriad distractions that come from driving a Model T!

Last Sunday I completed the purchase of a 1922 Model T Touring Car. I purchased it from a club member and he, along with some other club members, helped get the car running, hauled it to my house, and gave me some quick driving lessons. It was a long process with many memorable moments and finally, there it was-in my driveway.

The last thing Randy said before he left was, “Well, I sort of feel like I’m abandoning you.” I sort of felt the same but, after he drove off, I started reading more about driving the car (the forums started making more sense) and soon enough I was outside messing with the car and before I knew it, I was out on the road all by my lonesome. Well not exactly. There were all those folks waving…like everyone! But more importantly, I knew I was part of the Cen Tex Tin Lizzies, and the members had set me up perfectly to take this drive and, if I made a mistake or needed help, they would be there to help me get back on the road. Thank you all for your encouragement and support in this adventure.

Needless to say, I had my mind on things other than club business over the past month and you’ll have to forgive me for not meeting the goals I had set for myself but, at the same time, getting that car on the road again is the ultimate goal of the club!
Next week, I hope to follow up on the discussions we had last month. Some of them have to do with club business but the bulk of it I hope will be about the upcoming events. Please consider your interest and needs in attending any of the SA Model T Club events they have planned and consider if you want to sponsor a short tour somewhere special or a tech session for our club before things turn hot.

Glen Gilman,

President

February 2025

To all the Members,

I believe it was the first of February and I was driving back to South Austin from a work function in Pflugerville when I noticed a lot of interesting cars on the toll road. Quite a few old cars, a few convertibles, and all of them being driven by someone that was clearly having a good time! That’s when I realized that folks were getting their cars ready for the spring drives and car shows.

Incidentally, around the same time the first information about the Texas T Party was released and I realized we had an opportunity to start planning for that event. I’d like to challenge the club to consider what we can do to get as many of our members there as possible. We all have our own unique challenges but perhaps we can work through some of those and get folks to the tour that couldn’t get there on their own. Some folks will certainly have a car at the tour and perhaps we can see about filling any empty seats. Others may not feel comfortable trailering a car but I bet we can find a partner to help with that. Others may not be able to make the whole tour and maybe we can find a way to get them there for a short drive. I am one of those in need and will be looking to help (or get help) so I can properly enjoy my first Texas T Party, however that looks. I’d like to visit about that this month.

Of course that event will not be until the Fall and I saw something else this Spring that teased my interest. Potato Race, Backseat Driver, Teeter Totter, and Bean Bag Toss probably mean something to many of you that have been in the club for some time but the names are new to me and the descriptions were enough to further pique my interest and cement my desire to attend the Kingsbury Fly-in on March 29, 2025. I’ll go alone but I’d rather go see some of you old pros on the course so I can cheer you on. Let’s visit about this as well.

There’s also a tailgate swap meet planned which I think would be great chance for all of us to clear out some of those old parts, and Gary, I’ll offer to help your load a trailer!

Glen Gilman,

President

January 2025

To all the Members,

I had the great pleasure of spending the first of the year with my son, Alex, and family in Europe. Alex clearly enjoys driving in Europe and those of us in the back seat could hardly have been considered passengers…it took significant effort to remain upright and in your seat! Similarly, Alex enjoys unique vehicles, and his mildly customized Mercedes E Class generated attention everywhere we went to include a stop by the German Border Police.

As we move through the new year, I’m excited to be a part of the Cen-Tex Tin Lizzies Club and having the opportunity to continue sharing inspiring vehicles with friends and family.

Since the Christmas Party there have been some changes in the leadership of the Cen-Tex Tin Lizzies Club. Britanie has had to resign as the elected President but has assured me and the outgoing President that her energy and enthusiasm has not waned and that we can still expect her to contribute to the mission of the club. I have accepted the position of President and Richard Walker will remain as the newly elected Secretary. We will work with the Nominating Committee to identify individuals that may be interested in filling the vacant Vice President position.

I am excited to work with the club membership in the new year. I encourage you to review the club Mission Statement and come to the January Meeting prepared to discuss goals and objectives for the next year that will help us realize that mission. This is a social club and, as such, it functions best if we all share our experiences, skills, and interests and will we be looking for individuals to assist with programs, tours, outreach (newsletter and website) and all the other things that make this club successful. Please consider what specifically you are interested in doing and be ready to sign up.

Glen Gillman,
President