NEWS FLASH

Grand Experience Concours

By: Tom Rasmussen

Pictures below tag any of the blue underlined names

Pictures by Tom Rasmussen and Authur Einstein, Jr.

On Sunday, June 1st 29 Franklins from around the country gathered at the invitation of the Classic Car Club of America's Grand Experience Concours in Hickory Corners, Michigan to help celebrate Franklins contributions to automotive history and the centennial anniversary of the 1st production Franklin.

The cars ranged from a 1903 4-cylinder cross engine to a 1933 V/12, representing the earliest and latest in groundbreaking technological innovations from the H.H. Franklin Mfg. co.. Taking history one step further was Robert Kern's custom engine V/12 powered Dietrich Speedster - a car that must be seen to believe

The venue was the beautiful, sprawling Gilmore Classic Car Museum/CCCA Museum complex just outside of Kalamazoo. The Franklins shared the field with equal numbers of Marmon and Stutz automobiles - both marques also sharing in this special event. Approximately 75 certified Classic automobiles also attended.

It was clear that Franklin 'stole the show', as the cars received special attention and high praise throughout the day and during the awards ceremony at the end of the show. Bob Joynt, CCCA event emcee said he "had no idea the Franklin Club would bring out such an incredible group of cars. I was blown away"

Automotive Historian Bevery Rae Kimes said she was "amazed at the tremendous impact these cars made in this show". One HHFC member stated it was the goal of the attending Franklin owners to show the Grand Experience participants that Franklins stand up well with the greatest of all the grand marques of automobiles. Tom St. Martin, CCCA national head judge replied "you certainly did that today".

Attending the concours were: If the name is in blue and underlined, you can tag it to see the picture.

Chuck Johnson & family 1903 runabout
Gilmore Museum 1905 Type F side entrance Tonneau
Bob Leu 1909 D Touring - (Another look at Bob's 1909)
Rand Patterson 1912 Touring. Rand upheld the Franklin Spirit by running his car all over the museum grounds throughout the weekend.
Gilmore Museum 1915 Ser. 8 touring - a brand new donation
Glenn Bartsch 1920 Ser. 9 sedan (Anoher view of Glenn's 1920)
Bob Kern 1925 11-A Sport Runabout (Another view of Bob's 1925)
Phil Taxman 1926 11-A sedan
Glen Pykiet 1926 11-A sedan
Lee Schopmeier 1927 11-B sedan. Lee showed us all what these cars were built for by driving his beautiful sedan all the way from Gloversville New York.
Dick Kughn 1927 11-B Touring
George Staley 1929 Ser. 137 Sport Touring
Marvin Tamaroff 1929 Ser. 137 Runabout
Sinclair Powell 1929 Ser. 135 Brougham
Alex Marshall 1930 Ser. 147 Pirate Phaeton
Bill Longley 1930 Ser. 147 Custom Deauville by Dietrich
Bob Kern 1930 Ser. 147 Deitrich Speedster
Tom Kidd 1930 Ser. 147 Roadster
Jim Hull 1931 Ser. 152 Sport Salon
Bob Kern 1931 Ser. 153 custom Roadster (new coachwork)
Bob Kern 1931 Ser. 153 Dietrich Speedster (custom V/12 running gear) (Look at the engine)
Tom Rasmussen 1931 Ser. 153 Sedan -driven from Minneapolis by Jeff & John Hasslen
Lee Nelson 1931 Ser. 151 Coupe'
Al Nippert 1931 Ser. 153 Dietrich Speedster
Tony Adams 1932 Ser. 16 Club Sedan - Custom Bohman & Schwartz -driven from Connecticut
Bob O'Malley 1932 Ser. 16 Sedan
Mario Cuniberti 1932 Ser. 16 Convertible Coupe -driven from Ohio to the meet
Arthur Einstein 1933 Ser. 18A Olympic Convertible Coupe
Bob Carey 1933 Ser. 17 Sedan sporting a very fresh restoration

HHFC President Tex Sorrel was present and addressed the concours participants at the Evening banquet. Many other HHFC members were also in attendance. The event was a tremendous success overall and a great kick-off to the centennial celebration activities planned throughout the summer.