The Tale of our High School Cars- by Ed Leonard-

Enclosed are photo copies of the cars owned by Harry Hayward, George Peterson and myself. Also Ed Richards father's 1940 Buick that Ed used most exclusively, especially when commuting to OAHS and dating Lorraine McNeil.

Harry and I painted his 1930 Chevie with many coats of hand-rubbed lacquer paint. He then bought a 1940 Ford and ssid if I helped him paint it, he would sell me the Chevie for a dollar. I had an accident in it- see photos. I sold the '30 Chevie to Ray Ladd for $25 while in my 2nd year at Northeastern. I couldn't afford to register it and had it parked in my back yard. Dad said get that "piece of junk" ot of the yard!

The photo of Wheaton's 1940 Ford, which he bought while in our jr. year, is not his but one just like it.

We all worked while in high school so had the funds to operate our cars.

One day Ed R. came to school and said we could buy a Ford Model "T" for $100 if each of us kicked in $25. We all went to Brockton to get the car with the owner driving it to HARCO Orchards. It was in great shape but like old cars the tires were weak. Overnight two tires blew up while parked under a chicken coop- waking the farms chickens. Ed's father told him in no uncertain terms to get rid of the "piece of junk"- Ed's father and mine had a lot in common ! The next day we got our $25 back. The Model "T" photo is not the car we owned but one like it.

While organizing the above I came across the Morse Car ad. -Copy attached with a description from the Easton Journal 1997. Of the 48 made in Easton at the Easton Machine Co. on Central St., at least one exists today. It was shown in the lobby of the Easton Savings Bank a few years ago. Harry Hayward's father worked in this same factory when it later became Crofoot Gear.
Hope you enjoy these pictures and stories. Ed Leonard. 4/28/2012


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