Thomas Hubbard never married, never had kids or a family. What Tom had was
Franklins, cars made from 1904-1934 in Syracuse, New York. A unique car
featuring an air cooled engine in a luxury car, and his lifelong passion was the
Franklin car. Franklin may have quit making cars in the Depression, but also
had a part in the Tucker, as one of their helicopter engines was initially
planned for the still born car. Tom had an extensive library, did restorations
and repairs, and was the consummate Franklin authority when he died. Leaving
his legacy via his museum in Tucson, donating the cars, the library, and also
his home and grounds, with money to keep the museum open for all to see his love
of Franklins. And last weekend we got to visit it, not what we expected, but
much, much more.
Down a non-descript road in an old neighborhood, it turns to dirt, and you
wonder are you lost, and then the sign points you into the property. Five
buildings, including his 1930’s adobe home, some with cars sealed inside, some
with cars that are still driven regularly. Maybe the best museum of any sort I
have ever visited...and our docent Bill made it come alive. I have been
escorted through museums before, but this time it was different, as Bill was a
friend of Tom’s, they grew up together, and he was responsible for taking care
of the cars. He was more than facts and figures, he knew the cars intimately,
and still serviced them for their weekly ride to the cruise in. He knew the
histories from being there, and when we were done, he gave us a tour of the
house, not a part of the show. You could see Tom and his cars at home, the
Arizona room where they slept on hot summer nights, his bedroom with built ins,
and the second bedroom, now an automotive library I could have spent days in.
Part of his five acre estate he donated, along with his cars. But Bill was more
than a caretaker, more than a docent, this was his heritage also,where he grew
up, and returned to later after retiring, continuing Tom’s legacy. A passion
continued. His stories were as real and contemporary as Tom’s, and I wondered,
Bill was old, legally blind, and slowing down, who will care for the Franklins
after Bill is gone? Future docents will replace those of today, but who will
tend to the cars, who will know Tom’s kids as Bill does? Will the cars ever be
as personable ever again? Who will know and share the stories of the home, the
buildings, the restorations? Who indeed?
I often wondered if and how the apostles considered Jesus while he was
alive? Did they know the greatness they were encountering, or was it only after
his death that mundane days became quotable testimonies in the Bible? What was
it about the gospels that each wrote that they wanted us to know about Jesus?
Critics may look for loopholes, but Jesus knew each one individual, and their
writings reflect that. Peter different from John, Paul different from James,
but all telling of the same person, Jesus Christ. He was the same, but impacted
each life differently, personally. As Bill and I sat on the front porch talking
afterwards, it became obvious a passion keeps him going, and the stories he
chose to tell us that day made Franklins, and Tom come alive. It was more than
fact and figures, it was names, places, events, and times, memories that made
the cars come alive, and the house a home. I wondered how many just got the
facts, while we got insight to the man and his family, the cars? It made me
think of those who only memorize scripture, who read the Bible yearly as an
accomplishment, who study and study, but never get to see Jesus. Who miss the
special times that appear as everyday life until we look back, and see him and
the affect he has on us. For some Jesus is little more than an intellectual
exercise, facts, figures, quotes, and prophecy to be studied. I’m glad the
authors of the Bible didn’t see him that way, for it took the spirit to bring
Jesus to life in them, inspiring the scriptures as we know them. The spirit
makes Jesus personal, so each one of us can be ministered to individually, as
needed, a we each work out our salvation daily, and we each see a different side
of Jesus. Tom left his cars and an endowment, Jesus left us his spirit, to
endow us with life, and to bring us to salvation. Without which, the Bible is
merely a book of stories, poems, prophecies, and history. Jesus makes the Bible
personal, it takes the spirit. I wonder if the apostles ever wondered “now
what?” that Jesus was gone, who will lead them? Peter reveals us the answer on
the day of Pentecost. When the spirit entered, and the church was born. Making
it personal. And Bill gave me the answer to who will care for the
Franklins.
At his home a block away, he has a shop where the Franklins are
maintained. Where he also is teaching any kids who want to know how to fix,
repair, and maintain Corvairs. Another air cooled car, long forgotten. No
special classes, no tuition, if interested come and get your hands dirty,
learning and being a part of the family. Learning by doing, can we say the same
thing about Jesus and our relationship? By doing? We often wonder who will
take the gospel to future generations, schools are built and classes attended,
but how many just learn by doing? Who are called without an education,
depending on the spirit solely? Who may never make history, but whose lives
effect others, whose mundane daily routines are a blip on the radar of prideful
men, but who do more for the kingdom than many churches? Bill is teaching a new
generation how to, when to, and why to, hands on, and as any teacher knows, each
student is different, and the only reason you study is to pass the test, then
forget and go on to the next assignment. Bill is making it personal, how
personal is Jesus in your life? Are your daily devotions voluntary, or a rite
exercise, lest you miss one and shame yourself? What does your life tell about
Jesus no book or words can? Are you just studying to be approved and by who, or
do you read because you want to, because the spirit draws you? Tom’s cars were
his kids, passed on to Bill. What are you passing on? Or passing up?
An afternoon to a non-descript museum, buried in an old neighborhood, laid
back and informal. Not what we expected, but just what we needed and wanted.
Are you getting all you need and want from Jesus, or is it all religion? Do you
hear great teachings or learn great lessons? The spirit gives life, insight,
wisdom, and guidance. Anything else is just a religious exercise, without Jesus
it can never be personal. Who is caring for you?
By the way, Bill once owned a Triumph dealership in Mankato, Minnesota in
the sixties. Something about Bill and air cooled motors.....relayed to us while
sitting and bench racing on the front porch. Amazing the things learned just by
listening....and never filling a pew. You never know where Jesus will show up,
or how. And how!
If your walk with Jesus was a museum, would you visit it?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com