Chuck had an early introduction to the car hobby when the neighbor across the street built a shinny 32 Ford Hi Boy. It was a winner when entered in the 1952 Oakland Roadster Show. Chuck was “King of the Hill” when he had the chance to drive it to Washington High while still a student.
After graduation from High School he got drafted into the Army for service in the Korean Conflict, but luckily the peace agreement was signed before he got shipped. When he was discharged from the Army he wasn’t sure just what he wanted to do and he eventually took a 5 year printing apprenticeship at the newspaper where his father worked. He spent his whole working career in this field, retiring in 1996. His retirement coincided with his triple by-pass heart operation.
Chuck has had a collection of cars for many years, never more than 2 at a time, but never without one in his garage. His first car was a 1940 Buick. It was going to be ground up restoration. Fortunately, he found the same car in much better condition and bought it, and that was the end of doing his own major restoration projects. He has since always had cars that needed moderate work if at all.
Next came the 1948 Packard, 4 door, which he painted and upholstered, and with new chrome and tires it was perfect. He next ran into a 1951 Buick Super 4 door sedan that only had 9,000 miles and was pristine. It was the car owned by the original little old lady. Chuck performed cosmetic work on this beauty which made it a first place winner in practically every Concourse de Elegance contest it was entered. After about 10 years he sold it to buy a 1961 Lincoln 4 door sedan, from the Reggie Jackson auction in Oakland.
He bought the 1965 Cadillac Convertible that he is currently driving about 12 years ago. In 1995 while on the National Tour they came across the 1956 Chevy Nomad. It was traded to Redwood Region member Doug Burnell for a Corvette. About 3 years ago he bought the 37 Chevy street rod offered for sale at the Pleasanton Good Guys Show.
He says that now he is looking for one car to serve all purposes and that just might be a 1946 to 1948 Ford Convertible, completely stock, but with all late model running gear. If you know of one let Chuck know.
Chuck and Ann met in 1964 when Ann came from her home in Rotterdam, Holland, to visit her brother in Fremont. She was able to get a work visa and stayed in Fremont at first because of the good weather, and then because of Chuck. They were married exactly one year to the day of first meeting.
They had two children, a daughter and son. Tragically they lost their daughter while they were away on the 1995 CHVA National Tour. They spend as much time as possible with their two grandchildren who live nearby. The grandchildren come right at the top of Ann’s interests, but that is in keeping with her big interest in family and friends. One of the things that she likes about CHVA, is the good friends made. She says gardening and reading are the next two on her list of interests.
Chuck is not sure just when they joined CHVA, but it had to be in the beginning. Ann has been our Treasurer since 1997, she has put to work for us her training and experience as an accountant and bookkeeper.
Chuck and Ann both agree that CHVA has been the very best club for overall fun and camaraderie. They have been responsible for about 6 of the fun CHVA tours. Over the years they have belonged to the Buick and Packard clubs, and Chuck is a member of the Danville Dukes, and while each has its good points, CHVA has taken them to more fun events.
Chuck and Ann Harrison
Published in AAN September, 2004
