North Texas Region

 

A Little Club History.....

Webmaster's Note:  The following is reprinted from the Spring 1989 NTR Roadmap.  I was the magazine's Editor at the time, and commented that I came across the photo while looking through archival information about the Region.  Despite the poor picture quality, I chose to make it the cover photo because "...it is important to see where we've been in order that we may more clearly see where we are going. "  I stand by that statement.   

Photo taken in Dallas just before the NTR's first "official" Board Meeting as a Full Region of the CCCA.   Left to right, Woody Norvell, Steve Chapman, Mary Johnson, Rayford Reese, Hubert Cook, Fred Tycher, Jane Davie, and Bill Hutcheson.

The Way We Were
By Steve Chapman

I have been asked to write a brief commentary on the organization of the North Texas Region, and on the picture taken in front of the Hilton Hotel which was first published on the cover of the December 1973 Issue of Classic Reflections.

The Classic Car Club itself was organized in 1953; its Oil Belt Region was created in 1960. The Oil Belt Region was at that time geographically centered in Oklahoma, including parts of Kansas, Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana, including the present North Texas Region. The Oil Belt Region served us very well, but was too large geographically for the area-wide attendance at one-day activities.

The idea of a North Texas Region was conceived in 1972.. Fred Tycher and Hubert Cook were, as I recall, the two people who conceived and promoted the idea of a Region centered around Dallas-Fort Worth, which could have Saturday or Sunday afternoon activities which could be driven to comfortably. An afternoon activity in Tulsa or Kansas City was not likely to draw many North Texas area cars or people. Weekend-long activities at that distance had drawn good attendance, but many enthusiasts claimed they were getting older (or was it lazier?) and the idea of an all-day drive to get to the starting point of a tour was becoming less attractive. Gasoline shortages were also a factor.

Fred, Hubert, and several other members who worked just as hard, put together an initial meeting on August 13, 1972, at Flag Pole Hill at White Rock Lake. The organization was named the North Texas Classic Car Association, with the intention of applying immediately, upon having a sound organization, for status as a provisional region of CCCA. This was a ticklish situation, as we did not wish to offend our many friends in the Oil Belt Region, some of whom felt that the Oil Belt Region would be weakened.

The North Texas group was admitted as a CCCA provisional region as hoped. The picture in front of the Hilton Inn was taken just after admission as a full Region, before the very first Board meeting as a full CCCA region. A day to celebrate!

The Board members are, left to right, Woody Norvell, Steve Chapman, Mary Johnson, Rayford Reese, Hubert Cook, Fred Tycher, Jane Davie, and Bill Hutcheson. Jack Hildreth was a member, but not present. Seven of these later served as regional Director.  A group willing to work, obviously. The first Director was Hubert Cook; then, Fred Tycher.

The North Texas Region was off to a great start. It was a success from day one, due partly to the large number of established classic car enthusiasts and CCCA members who were ready-made members, but mainly due to the hard work of a number of "early" members. The North Texas Region has given us much enjoyment. It will continue to do so, so long as we continue to work to make it do so. It is wonderful to have so many "early" members still so active in the club, but our ability to attract new members will be the life of a continuing organization.  To all of those who worked to organize the North Texas Region, and to those who are now making it work, a sincere "Thank You."

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Classic Car Heaven
By Hubert Cook

The other night I had a dream that I died and went to Heaven. St Peter met me at the gates and explained that there was a special Heaven for Classic Car Club members only. It would be full of Rolls Reyces, Bugattis, Pierce Arrows, Packards and many others...all restored to mint condition. Of course there would be no gasoline. (you could say that was the hell of it.)

Nevertheless, I wanted to do everything to get into Classic Car Heaven. It was explained that all I had to do was climb a ladder to get there and, with a piece of chalk, write on each step each lie that I had told about classic cars during my lifetime.

I started up the ladder, writing each lie on each step when, all of a sudden, I felt excruciating pain in my fingers. Someone was coming down the ladder and had stepped on my fingers. I looked up and there was Fred Tycher. I asked him why he was coming down the ladder and he said, "To get more chalk."

Editors Note:
This story first appeared in the Nov. - Dec. 1975 issue of Classic Reflections. Maybe I should have re-titled it "The way we still are."  Unfortunately, Fred and Hubert are no longer with us, but I'd like to think they would approve...