He just had to have it…
For Leon Humble, growing up in Wolford, North Dakota brings back many fond memories. But one object in particular, his grandfather’s Ford Model T, has become a symbol of his connection to his roots. The man, who later moved to the hot desert community Phoenix, hunted down the classic car and restored it.
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The Model T has been in the family since Humble’s grandfather purchased it new in 1918. According to family folklore, the car was hauled to North Dakota in crates on a train. It was unloaded and assembled “on site.” Since it was one of the first cars in Wolford it was a big deal back then.
Since Humble’s grandfather ran a farm, the man later converted the Model T into a pickup truck. Humble lost contact with the Ford after he left Wolford back in 1956 and joined the Army. Eventually, he made his way to Arizona, earned a bachelor’s and master’s, then worked in the electrical engineering and semiconductor industries. However, memories his grandfather’s old car stuck with him.
As for the Model T, it stuck around in Wolford until the late 1950s or so. Humble’s uncle donated it to the Dal Hawk Museum in town, where it stayed for a long time. Later, it was sold and left the area. In the meantime, Humble had picked up the hobby of restoring classic cars, so he decided to see if he could track his grandfather’s ride down.
After asking around, he found the Ford was being stored in a Quonset hut and was covered in grain. Rodents had eaten away the horsehair seats and it was in poor shape, but Humble bought it and brought it back to Arizona on a trailer. The restoration process lasted 3 years as the man completely disassembled the part and restored every nut and bolt.
Since then, Humble has shared the classic car with the community, taking it to shows and even driving it in an Independence Day parade in Munds Park.
Source: Huron Daily Tribune
Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
