Wednesday, April 4, 2007 · Page 19 Neil Quick's Pelee Island Roadster At age 18, Neil Quick smiled with pride behind the wheel of his new 1927 Model T Ford roadster. He helped work the family farm on Pelee Island in Lake Erie south of Leamington, Ont., and by selling muskrat pelts to a Toronto furrier, Neil was able to save enough money for his first car. Could this be the same car he used for rum-running to the United States during the days of Prohibition? Neil's daughter, Margaret (Quick) Ardiel wrote: "In his later years, my dad confessed to me that he `ran rum' across the Windsor-Detroit border during Prohibition. But he would take only 11 bottles hidden inside the car seat because if they caught you with a whole case (12 bottles), they could impound your car. He also admitted to once attempting to cross from Pelee Island to Sandusky, Ohio, but turned around when he heard shots fired." So much illegal alcohol crossed from Windsor to Detroit in those days, the Detroit River was known as Rum Alley. The sale and manufacture of alcohol was prohibited in the U.S. under the Volstead Act (the 18th amendment) from 1919 to 1933. In Canada, prohibition was a provincial responsibility, and Canada experimented with it from 1919 to 1927. Although the sale and consumption of alcohol was forbidden in Ontario during those years, it was still legal to manufacture it. This meant Canadians could supply their thirsty American cousins with an almost limitless supply of illegal alcohol. One of Canada's best customers was Chicago gangster Al Capone. Getting back now to that new 1927 Model T roadster bought new by Neil Quick... That was the last year the Model T Ford was built. Production ended in May of that year after a history-making run of 19 Neil Quick behind the wheel of his 1927 Model T Ford Roadster. years with over 15 million Model T Fords produced. An automotive historian has estimated that two per cent of those cars have survived. And two per cent of 15 million is 300,000. If you want to buy a Model T Ford today, you still have lots to choose from and they can still be found all over the world. Now back to Pelee Island. A relation of Neil Quick on the mainland is Bob Quick, who operates a towing and scrap metal business near Kingsville, Ont. A few years ago, Bob had the opportunity of clearing out the rusty hulks of old cars on Pelee Island. He made several trips on the car ferry with his truck, hauling the pitiful remains of abandoned vehicles from the island to the mainland. Many of these old wrecks had become the home for snakes, and some of them got loose on the ferry and terrorized the passengers. Do you have any photos of old cars to share with readers? Email our bill@car story.com or write to Bill Sherk, P.O. Box 10012, Leamington, ON, N8H 2C3. CARSTORY I S SPONSORED BY Your Security. Our Responsibility. Bronze medals for South County Bandits 13U The members of the South County Bandit 13U Volleyball team finished their 2006-07 season at the OVA Championship Tier 1 in Newmarket on the weekend. The girls' hard work and determination earned them the Bronze Medal. The team placed third out of 38 teams this season. After playing over 110 games and diligently practising twice a week the girls can now rest and look forward to the 2007-08 season. Congratulations to a super group of girls who proudly represented Essex County and thanks to the outstanding and dedicated coaching staff. The South County Bandits 13U Volleyball team proudly display their Bronze Medals. Team members include: Coach Tom McNorton, Alessandra Carlesimo, Natalie Ethier, Alex Forshaw, Christine Belcher, Nicole Hunter, Asst Coach Nikki Jover, Alyssa Garrett, Maddy Lucas, Olivia Merritt, Jordy Tytgat, and Asst Coach Diana Ljubicic. E-mail: with your comments at: essexfreepress@on.aibn.com