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Original Sign from
Ken Austin's shop



                                                       The Rod Shop

            After a long, cold, wet, and snowy winter in the Rose City and surrounding area of our membership, the sun shone brightly today.  Thus, on this 16th day of March, 2019 two ’56 and two ’57 Classic Thunderbirds (one with top-down!), plus four retro ‘Birds, along with an assortment of lesser vehicles, ventured out to transport close to 30 club members on a very pleasant drive through the countryside to Newberg, Oregon, ultimately arriving at Ken Austin’s “The Rod Shop.”

Ken Austin is an inventor and co-founder – along with his wife – of the world renowned A-dec dental equipment company.  Unfortunately, Mr. Austin was not feeling well and could not join us today.  However he had arranged for a worthy associate, Chris Nordling, to show us his collection and to answer any questions.   Thank you, Chris.
The Rod Shop name originated back in Ken Austin’s high school days when, in 1948, he and his buddies built a 1927 Ford Model T Roadster Pickup hot rod.  Today The Rod Shop sign hangs in the home to Ken’s private collection of truly fine automobiles, trucks, tractors, and even a beautiful 1951 Century wooden boat with less than 170 hours of total run time.  A recreation of that first 1927 hot rod is there, too.  

Of the more than 60 vehicles in this collection most are in near, or probably even better than original, showroom condition.  Absolutely stunning!  All but one, we were told, are driven at least a few times a year.  The one exception is an un-restored, very rare, 1907 Ford Model K Runabout – one of only five known to exist today.  One of the more unusual cars on display is a 1908 Sears Motor Buggy.  Originally these were purchased through the Sears, Roebuck & Co. catalog and shipped by train.  Upon arrival, the buyer would uncrate the car at the depot, mount the wheels on the axles, and drive it home.  This vehicle features a very simple, CVT type friction transmission followed by chain drive to the wheels.  There is also a 1913 Ford Model T Depot Hack.  Originally built to transport passengers from train depots to hotels, this specimen now sports a very old and very basic portable dental chair and equipment – built by A-dec no doubt -- making it a mobile dental treatment vehicle.  The oldest car I saw was a 1903 Ford Model A – Model “A” from the first run through the alphabet.  Lest we forget, one of the most popular cars in the collection is a 1955 Thunderbird – which has a connection to our club from back in the day (owned by Norm & Kathy Dodd in the 1980’s).  Besides the many beautiful cars, there also is a sampling of some of the custom high performance Austin cylinder heads and manifolds that Ken designed and built from scratch. 

It should be noted that this was our club’s third visit to Ken Austin’s collection.  Like Disneyland, you can’t see everything in just one tour.  Besides, he’s added a few more amazing cars since our previous visit in 2015.

Following the tour we caravanned a couple a miles to the Black Bear Diner in Newberg for a fine lunch and a short business meeting.   

We wish to thank Bob and Marcena Monroe for arranging this event and Ken Austin for opening his doors to his collection for our members’ adulation. 

Article and photos below Submitted by Jim Sweet



  • Home
  • Our Story
    • News & Announcements
    • Cliff Noxon Service Award
  • Past Events
    • 2011 >
      • Allure of the Automobile
      • Great Oregon Steam Up
      • Carousel Trip
      • Veterans Dinner
      • Christmas Luncheon
    • 2012 >
      • 2012 Kick-Off Luncheon
      • Superior Glass
      • June 2012 Picnic
      • CTCI - Memphis
      • Gorge Tour
    • 2013 >
      • 2013 Kick-Off Luncheon
      • President's Day 2013
      • Guide Dog Graduation
      • SMS Auto Fabrics
      • July BBQ
      • August Rally
      • September Business Meeting
      • Oct Covered Bridge Tour
    • 2014 >
      • 2014 Kick-Off Luncheon
      • Feb Dessert Auction
      • 2014 40th Birthday party
      • May Tech Session
      • July Rally
      • August Progressive Dinner
    • 2015 >
      • 2015 Kick-Off Luncheo
      • March Tour of Ken Austin collection
      • April Air National Guard Tour
      • May PT Boat Tour
      • July Rally
      • August Gorge Tour
      • August CTCI Convention in Albuquerque
      • Sept Carlton Crush
      • Oct Tour & Lunch
    • 2016 >
      • Feb 2016 Valentine Party
      • March - World of Speed
      • May 2016 - John Lemmon's car collection
      • June 2016 - Timberline
      • July 2016 - Rally
      • September 2016
      • Oct 2016 - Model Railroad
      • NOV 2016
    • 2017 >
      • Jan 2017
      • Feb 2017
      • March 2017
      • April 2017
      • May 2017
      • June 2017
      • July 2017
      • Sept 2017
      • Oct 2017
    • 2018 >
      • Jan Kick-Off Dinner
      • Feb 2018
      • March 2018 Freedman Collection
      • April 2018 Tech Session
      • May 2018 WAAM & LeMay
      • June 2018
      • August 2018
      • October 2018
      • November 2018
      • December 2018
    • 2019 >
      • January 2019
      • Feb 2019 Albany Carousel
      • March 2019 Ken Austin Tour
      • April 2019
      • May 2019
      • June 2019
      • July 2019
      • August 2019
      • Oct 2019
      • Nov 2019
      • December 2019
    • 2020 >
      • Jan 2020
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      • June 2021
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      • December 2021 Christmas Luncheon
    • 2022 >
      • Jan 2022
      • Feb 2022
      • March 2022
      • April 2022
      • May 2022
      • Aug 2022
      • Sept 2022
      • Oct 2022
      • Dec 2022
    • 2023 >
      • Jan 2023
  • Up Coming Events
  • Photos
    • As seen at a local Cruise-In
    • Prisoners of Time
    • 1962 Budd XT Bird
    • 1961 Buick Flamingo
    • 1916 Gas Prices
    • Ford History Video
    • Consumer Reports
    • Fords of the 1950's
    • 57-58 Thunderbird
    • Driving to Wichita 2006
    • Circus Party at 2008 International Convention
    • Working on members' cars
    • 1957 Rebuild
  • Contact Us
  • Join Us
  • Tech Tips
    • Preparing for winter storage
    • Cooling System >
      • Anti Freeze information
      • Plugged Overflow Tube
      • Radiator Caps
      • Temp Sender Bushing Removal
      • Cooling Trick
    • Electrical >
      • Battery Safety
      • Ground Strap
      • Safety Circuit Breaker
      • Turn Signal Switch
      • Fuel & Temp Gauge Safety
      • Electrical Leaks
    • Slide Shows >
      • Engine Install slide show
      • Body Removal Slide Show
      • Another Engine Install
    • Cleaning Tips
    • Valve Adjust tip
    • 1955 Shop Manual error
    • Turning Rotors
    • Welding around Brake Cleaner
    • Paint on Chrome
    • Wind Wing Glass Removal
    • Automatic Transmission Removal
    • Arm Protection
    • Changing the Fuel Pump
    • Rusty Lug Nuts
    • Local Parts availability
  • Club Store
  • Bird Watcher
    • 2014 >
      • Sept 2014
  • Cruise-Ins
  • Auto Service Recommendations