A Short History of F.A.S.T. (Ford A Speed Technology)

F.A.S.T. originally started in late 1989 as the Secrets of Speed Society, and its first journal was published in July 1990. In May 1995 after the editor of the Secrets Journal decided to make it a commercial magazine, we regrouped as F.A.S.T. We started publishing our own newsletter in Aug. 1996. That newsletter grew into a nice magazine, Hot for Hot Fours (H4H4’s). It was published 4 times per year on a somewhat regular schedule and had won awards from both MARC and MAFCA, thanks to our editor at that time Pat Tobin, ably assisted by his wife Ardy. H4H4’s had technical articles, event reports, letters from members, and a section for members’ free ads. It also had ads by makers of equipment, and services, for our vehicles.

The primary interest of F.A.S.T. is in improving the safety and performance of Model T, A & B Fords, but we also welcome other vintage 4 cylinder cars. The majority of our members’ interest is in the Model A Ford. We also stage hill climbs, and other events that add to the enjoyment of our cars and to see what innovative things that some of our members have done to improve theirs.

F.A.S.T. was a Region of MARC and a Special Interest Group of MAFCA. Our membership as of Jan. 1, 2000 was approximately 700 people, but had grown to over 1200, as of Jan., 2006, world wide.

The first F.A.S.T. hill climb was in Tacoma WA, at the MAFCA National Meet in 1994. Since then we held climbs at National Meets in Reno NV., Kansas City MO, Cincinnati OH (a flat hill at the 2001 MARC National Meet), Riverside CA and Portland OR. There have also been many held at local and Regional Meets such as Temecula CA., Springfield MO, Leadville CO and several in Auburn and Grass Valley CA. put on by the Gold Country Group and an annual climb in Picacho Peak AZ (a State Park). There have been hill climbs at many of the MAFCA Northwest Regional Meets since 1995, staged and staffed by F.A.S.T. members. Another flat hill climb was staged in Helen, GA in 2003 by the Alabama Rambling A’s with F.A.S.T. suggested layout and rules.

The Southeast F.A.S.T. Group has bought timing equipment and their first hill climb was in Highlands, NC in September, 2004, they have staged annual climbs since that time. Most of our members’ cars are normal street-driven cars, you will see them at all major Model A events being driven on the tours and entered in judging competition. However, some of our F.A.S.T. members actively participate in competitive events such as Bonneville and dry-lakes racing, dirt-track racing and ¼ and 1/8 th mile drag racing. Although most engines used in these events are based on Model B blocks, one member built a Model T engine for Bonneville. He put it in a streamliner, and it went over 200 MPH! The fastest vintage 4 cylinder Ford ever to run is owned and built by F.A.S.T. member, Roy Creel. Roy drove his Bonneville streamliner to a two-way average speed of 216.077 mph! This is the exception of course, as is his engine. It is a Model B block with an overhead cam conversion on it and it burns a mixture of alcohol and nitromethane.

All of the above has been done by an all volunteer, unpaid, group of enthusiasts. The F.A.S.T. magazine is now done electronically by e-mail.