Zornow hitches a ride in historic car

Newark was included this week in a re-enactment of an historic Cleveland to New York City run. The trip marked the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of Cleveland's first and most famous auto manufacturer. The famous Ohio to NY tour, undertaken by Alexander Winton, set distance and speed records and the publicity generated helped to make the Winton Motor Carriage Company the largest automobile manufacturer in the world by 1903.

The flagship of the Cleveland-NYC "re-run", passed through Newark at noon on Wednesday, June 18, and was accompanied by 13 other vintage Winton automobiles, all being driven or occupied by descendants of Alexander Winton. The flagship car (pictured) was an 1899 Winton Phaeton, driven by Charlie Wake, great-grandson of Winton.

John Zornow of Newark was invited to ride from Newark to Weedsport to photograph part of the run. He is pictured here sitting in a 1907 Winton touring car, owned by the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum of Cleveland and driven by Dave and Holly Holcombe, also of Cleveland. The vehicle, capable of almost 50 m.p.h., was accompanying the flagship car which was only able to attain speeds of up to 18 m.p.h.

Rain developed as the cars were leaving the village, and by the time they arrived in Lyons, Zornow was soaked, but still able to take several photos. Determined to move on, drivers continued through Lyons. According to Zornow, the cars impressed many onlookers, but prompted odd expressions from the younger set "who probably think that a 1979 Ford in an antique."

"As luck would have it," said Zornow, "between Lyons and Clyde, the flagship 1899 Winton developed a problem with a pump and had to stop. Charlie Wake reluctantly agreed to trailer the car in an attempt to continue on." (The men are pictured here pushing the car into the trailer.) Zornow added that Wake hoped to have a replacement part, owned by a friend in California, shipped to him overnight.

"I, not being Alexander Winton's grandson, but being cold and wet, decided to catch a ride back to Newark. The ride back in a 1997 Nissan Altima was smooth and warm but for some reason I did not notice the beautiful Wayne County scenery or the well-kept older homes that this area is famous for. No one waved at us either."

The Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum is operated by the Western Reserve Historical Society and is located at 10825 East Boulevard in Cleveland, Ohio. Displayed are nearly 200 antique, vintage, and classic automobiles and aircraft.

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