From the Editor’s Desk
By John C. Lutsch
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Welcome to ‘News From The Crawford’, our new quarterly online publication dedicated to informing, entertaining, and engaging the members, visitors, and supporters of the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum.
After a year of uncertainty and restrictions, transportation enthusiasts around the region are dusting off their classic cars and vintage motorcycles, ready to open the throttle and hit the asphalt once again.
Here at the Crawford, we’re gearing up as well, with a calendar of events and exhibits designed to celebrate our emergence from seclusion, with a return to the open road. We’ll post a list of upcoming activities in every newsletter, providing a convenient means for you to keep tabs on our participation in shows, concours, lectures, and programs.
We hope this inaugural issue of ‘News From The Crawford’ provides a taste of what’s to come throughout the year, and that it provides something of a ‘two-way street’ from us to you, our most valued resource.
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We always appreciate hearing from our members, fans, and visitors. Whether you’d like to have your car club’s event listed in our next newsletter, or to express your opinion on anything Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum-related, please feel free to write. We’ll also make room for a photo of your special vehicle and a short history, providing they prove of interest to our readership. We’d love to hear from you!
Please submit all materials to: jlutsch@wrhs.org and be sure to indicate the contents are for ‘Letters to the Editor’. Thanks! |
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Something Wicked | Dodge Tomahawk |
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It has four wheels, but it’s not a car. It can theoretically hit 300 mph, but it’s not a Bugatti. It has a ten cylinder Viper engine, but it’s not a racer. It is a motorcycle, but not a Harley, Honda, or Husqvarna. It’s a Dodge! A Tomahawk, to be specific. Although the design is eighteen years old, it still looks like it came straight out of the pages of Marvel Comics.
This fire-breathing five hundred horsepower street rocket will be displayed at the Crawford very soon (mid-April) and will be a part of the exciting exhibit in the Reinberger Gallery announcing the Museum’s ‘Year Of The Motorcycle’ program for 2021-2022.
The Tomahawk is representative of just how far a design concept can evolve if enough corporate support is provided. This is a machine that has to be seen to be believed. It looks scary, and would be even scarier to ride. It’s like having a freight train nestled between your knees!
Conventional design principals were discarded with the Tomahawk, whose suspension actually pivots vertically to allow safe turning. Front forks are replaced by dual horizontal steering arms and braking is accomplished by massive drilled rotors that are nearly the size of the wheel’s outer diameter.
The Tomahawk was never intended to be the basis for a production bike, and some motorcycle purists give it the side-eye, but love it or not, this is one unforgettable machine! Be sure to spend some time getting acquainted with this legendary beast at the Crawford soon…if you dare!
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Light Years Beyond Laramie:
How Ned Jordan changed automobile advertising and self-image forever
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Ned Jordan, founder of Cleveland’s Jordan Motor Car Company, is the subject of a new half hour video presentation entitled “Light Years Beyond Laramie: How Ned Jordan changed automobile advertising and self-image forever."
Cleveland History Center and Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum staff members Whitney Stalnaker and John Lutsch team up to discuss Jordan’s tremendous impact on automobile advertising in the early Twentieth Century, and his influence on personal identity related to automobile ownership.
Take the opportunity to discover more about this remarkable man and the profound effect he still exerts in our daily lives.
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High school classes like wood shop, metal shop, and mechanical drawing were common curricula back in the 1970’s and beyond. With an increasing national push toward higher education, and with greater costs associated with equipping shops, these interesting and valuable classes fell out of favor, nearly to the point of extinction.
Today, thankfully, a few enlightened individuals and organizations have brought new awareness to the value of ‘hands-on’ education within a traditional academic environment. Cleveland’s own Skidmark Garage, a ‘self-service’ motorcycle repair facility and its owners Brian Schaffran and Molly Vaughan have founded the incredibly popular Motogo program, which re-introduces high school age students to the exciting possibilities of a modern shop class within the scope of their traditional studies. No one will argue the importance of math, English or science, but tearing down and rebuilding a motorcycle engine not only provides a familiarity with hand tools, but also instills a sense of confidence in tackling projects with which one has no prior experience.
Motogo strives to create a culture of equity, purposefully including women, communities of color, and the LGBTQ community in their outreach. Unlike earlier vocational education programs and shop classes, Motogo doesn’t necessarily prepare one for a career in the motor industry, but rather engages an ‘expanded intelligence’ in problem solving. Oftentimes, a solution needs to travel from the head to the hands.
Here at the Crawford, we’ve seen Motogo in action, with their program at Magnificat High School in Rocky River, a girls-only educational center concentrating on college preparation and professional careers. It was fun to see the girl’s Catholic school uniforms replaced by coveralls as they wrestled recalcitrant Honda motorcycles back to life. Educators at Magnificat understand the value of this alternate form of learning, and have devoted a purpose-built facility to the program. It’s one thing to walk across the stage on graduation day with a diploma, and another thing altogether to bring a pile of parts to life as a road-worthy motorcycle.
The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum as well as the WRHS encourages everyone to become familiar with the innovative educational strategies of Motogo, and support them in every way possible, to ensure the future of alternative learning through ‘Bringing Back the Shop Class’.
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Click the link below to check out the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum's 2021 Calendar of Events. Open houses, motorcycle meet-ups, and exhibit openings are sure to make it an exciting year! |
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**Save The Date**
Macedonia Restoration and Storage Facility Open House
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What: Crawford Coffee and Cars
When: May 22
Where:
Restoration & Storage Facility
7950 Empire Parkway, Macedonia, Ohio
Time: 8am to 12pm
Cost: Donations are encouraged
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Volunteer of the Quarter | Frank Sesek |
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An efficient machine is only as good as the sum of its quality parts. The Restoration and Storage Facility of the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum reflects this axiom perfectly with its team of volunteers representing the most important components. Their ability to contribute a wide variety of experiences and skill sets ensures the smooth daily operation of the Facility.
One of the key ‘components’ is volunteer Frank Sesek, a two-year veteran of Macedonia with an enviable professional record as well as a remarkable personal collection of mechanical devices. Trained as an electrical engineer, Frank was employed by TRW Corporation before moving to a seventeen-year career with Eaton Corporation, heading up their testing laboratory where his electromechanical education was utilized. Upon retirement from Eaton, he, like so many other creative individuals, wanted to remain involved with aspects of his former career, which he found so rewarding and interesting.
His collaboration with the Macedonia Restoration and Storage Facility began like so many other volunteers has, in a conversation with one of the Crawford staff at a local car show, where Frank learned that hands-on projects were ongoing at the Preservation Facility, and that the atmosphere was welcoming and friendly. The rest, as they say, is history.
Obviously, someone with an electrical engineering background is incredibly valuable to an organization tasked with maintaining a fleet of nearly 180 vehicles, from classic cars to motorcycles, to vintage aircraft. Electrical gremlins often appear in the restoration and preservation of vintage machines, and Frank is just the man to chase them down.
When asked what in his opinion was the most significant project he’s been involved with thus far, he sited the restoration of the Crawford’s 1955 Ford Thunderbird. As the owner of a 1956 ‘Bird, he is well qualified to guide the restoration of this legendary car, and the chassis and engine of the ’55 will be displayed next to his completed ’56 model at the upcoming Father’s Day Car Show at Stan Hywet Hall, June 20, 2021. This will be a unique opportunity for guests to ‘look under the skin’ of a vintage Thunderbird to get an almost ‘transparent’ view of the car’s underpinnings. Don’t miss this extraordinary display!
Frank has assembled quite a personal collection of vehicles throughout the years, featuring classic cars, Italian motorcycles, and amazingly, two running radial aircraft engines that he totally restored, plus a working jet turbine engine! These are occasionally taken to local shows where they are ignited, drawing a crowd every time. One wonders where he finds the time to keep so many irons in the fire.
Frank is also keenly aware of the depth and significance of the Crawford collection, and hopes to see its holdings enlarged to include more vehicles from the ‘50’s through the ‘70’s, partially to kindle the interest in a younger generation of enthusiasts. He also believes in educating youth about the mechanical functions of aircraft, from their framework to their engines, etc.
The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum’s Macedonia Restoration and Storage Facility is fortunate indeed to have Frank Sesek as a valued member of its team of volunteers, yet he is quick to point out how Collections Manager Larry Davis has created a vibrant, organized and successful environment for the crucial work of accurate restoration and preservation to be accomplished. Cudos to Frank and the entire team at Macedonia for helping the Crawford move purposefully into the future!
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Lincolns Across the Pond
By John C. Lutsch
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On September 16, 2021, Lincoln Motor Company celebrates its 101st year as an automobile manufacturer. After nearly falling into bankruptcy in 1922, Ford Motor Company purchased the struggling automaker (which it owns to this day) eventually propelling it to the top tier of the luxury car market.
Significantly, the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum owns the oldest surviving Lincoln, a 1921 ‘L Touring’, which has received national recognition for its historical importance. The Crawford is planning to exhibit this remarkably preserved vehicle at the Cincinnati Concours d’Elegance on June 13th of this year.
It is because of the importance of our 1921 Lincoln that Kai Laine of Helsinki, Finland reached out to us, seeking more detailed information about the car. Kai is a Lincoln historian and collector from a country which imported only around thirty Lincolns ever! Unfortunately, none of the thirty (between 1924-1935) are known to exist today.
Kai’s Lincolns are an L Touring from 1925 which is currently in parts condition, and a Limousine from 1926 which is fully operational. Photographs of Kai’s cars appear juxtaposed with vintage images he provided illustrating sister cars in their original Finnish environments. How cool is that?
We will continue to correspond with Kai to establish a more detailed provenance for his very special cars, and to assist in his Lincoln research on this side of the Pond. Our mutual interest in the preservation of vintage automobiles and their histories is emblematic of the type of relationships the Crawford has developed with a myriad of collectors and enthusiasts throughout the years. The Western Reserve Historical Society’s Marque Files are a superb resource for research involving vehicles from all nations and eras. Our relationship with Kai Laine and other fans of vintage automobiles is but a small part of the Crawford’s continuing efforts to involve, educate, and nurture interest in this fascinating field.
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Tech Tips for Spring
By Larry Davis, Crawford Auto-Aviation Manager
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So, as we all start to venture outside, we can finally see and feel the weather changing for the better here in Northeast Ohio. Our blood pulses and the excitement builds as we all know what is on the horizon for us - driving and show season! I know most of you have been randomly starting your car (or cars) in anticipation of finally being able to get out on the road, but remember to take a few minutes to check some basics. Check all the lights and signals for proper operation. I am a big fan of LED brake lights, so seriously consider installing some as it is a real simple project. A lot of younger drivers are not aware of how dim (compared to LED brake lights on a modern vehicle) incandescent bulbs actually appear in direct sunlight. This update could buy you the time to avoid a rear end collision by a distracted or younger driver.
Tire aging is another maintenance item that seems to get overlooked often with vintage automobiles. It is pretty common to see tires age out long before they wear out. If your tires are older than ten years and you like to do spirited or freeway driving, the safe bet is to consider replacing them (including the spare). Even though the tires appear in excellent condition, the material degrades and breaks down over time which could result in a catastrophic failure. Not only are you risking damaging your car or having an accident, but a failure could result in a serious injury to you or a bystander. I look forward to seeing everyone starting this Spring and hope everyone is as excited as I am to finally get out this year after a long hiatus from all the shows and events!
Safe Travels,
Larry Davis
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Mentor Moto-Resto Corp, LLC is one of a number of local companies that have generously assisted the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in our ongoing restoration and preservation projects.
MMRC employs the recently-developed method of ‘Vapor Honing’, a one-step process that replaces traditional media blasting with a glass-embedded slurry that does not damage or degrade parts during cleaning. As it is water-based, Vapor Honing needs no chemical disposal after application, and it eliminates the pervasive dust found in traditional media blasting.
The Crawford will employ Vapor Honing in its continuing preservation efforts, particularly regarding delicate aluminum castings. The process not only thoroughly cleans the surface, but actually microscopically peens irregularities and pores, presenting a beautiful finish ready for coating or paint. It is yet another technique available in our quest to provide the most careful and responsible guardianship of our nearly 180 vintage automobiles, motorcycles, and aircraft.
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Youth Entrepreneurship Education (YEE) |
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Youth Entrepreneurship Education (YEE) is a central component of the Cleveland History Center’s education programming. Developed with a lead grant from the Burton D. Morgan Foundation for middle-school students in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD), YEE uses the history of Cleveland’s automobile industry on display in the Crawford to teach students the skills and knowledge that entrepreneurs need to successfully plan and run a business that will contribute to their community.
In the 5th and 6th grade programs, which utilize the Crawford extensively, students examine how the array of available productive resources in Northeast Ohio led to Cleveland’s regional specialization in making cars and related products, like tires, in the early 20th century.
YEE also asks students to consider the future – they closely examine museum artifacts and determine how they can innovate past products, including the cars and motorcycles on display, to meet the demands of today’s markets. By focusing on serving CMSD students, CHC and the Crawford aim to instill the entrepreneurial mindset in Cleveland’s students in order to help them become our city’s leaders of tomorrow.
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Make Your Next Group Event
Go Down In History!
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Consider the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum for your next club meeting or event! With 50,000 sq. ft. of open gallery space, there is plenty of room to safely host your next club outing.
From versatile conference spaces, to opulent reception halls, there is a space for every meeting, get-together, and event at our convenient University Circle location!
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WRHS prioritizes people, place and purpose. For our people, the WRHS community and the communities we serve, WRHS strives for a culture of excellence, diversity, equity, access and inclusion. We apply best practices to the stewardship of our places, collections and digital resources. It is our purpose to empower the entrepreneurial spirit to create, promote and sustain a relevant, experience driven organization. We approach our work through an equity lens to ensure that collections, experiences, staff and board reflect the rich diversity of Northeast Ohio.
Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum experiences - collections, stories, exhibits and programs - lift up the stories of all people in Cleveland and Northeast Ohio.
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