I’m still reeling from the EDGE & TA 2002 Southwest
Regional Show, held this past July 7-9 at the Nevada County
Fairgrounds in Grass Valley, Calif. I had contacted Bob Currie, one
of the board of directors for Branch 13, the show’s host club,
about attending, and Bob had cautiously allowed his opinion that it
would be an interesting show with some good equipment.
The word ‘interesting’ doesn’t come within a mile of
describing the show, as this was an absolutely fantastic event,
featuring rare engines from across the West Coast in a beautiful
setting amongst towering Sugar pines – I can still smell the mixing
odors of engine exhaust, oil and pine tree sap. We’ll be
focusing on some of the engines seen at Grass Valley in future
issues, but for now turn to page 18 for a look at the show and some
of the engines that were on hand.
Lauson engine fans will want to turn to page 25 for Mac and
Betty Sine’s informative look at some Lauson engines most of us
have never seen, let alone knew existed. Lauson engine fans to the
core, Mac and Betty worked with Tecumseh Products Co. (who bought
the Lauson line from Hart-Carter in 1956) to gain permission to
reprint old Lauson catalog cuts, many of which are presented
here.
The inventiveness and resourcefulness of the old iron community
never ceases to amaze me, and anyone sceptical of that statement
need only turn to page 22 and read Chester Leighton’s write-up
on the Mini McCormick tractor he recently built. It takes a unique
combination of inspiration, dedication and skill to create
something from whole cloth, and Chester’s tractor is clear
testimony to this.
As ever, I look forward to your comments and questions about Gas
Engine Magazine. Contact me anytime at (785) 274-4383, 1503 SW 42nd
St., Topeka, KS 66609-1265, or via email at:
rbackus@ogdenpubs.com