Stepping inside Ball’s workshop is like a trip in an automotive time machine

Contributed by
Sallee Gaines Lang

Sheldon Ball has lived in his Lushmeadows home, parked on two-and-half nature-enveloped acres, for 34 years. He and his wife Tricia built their 1,800 square foot house themselves.

“Dave Gerken worked with me on the framing. I took it from there and put on the siding, framed it, and put on the roof,” Sheldon proudly explained. He built the dream kitchen that his wife designed with sunshine illuminating the room through four huge windows.

“From 1995 to 2015, Tricia and I volunteered with Mariposa County Sheriff Department’s SCOPE operation, doing normal patrol, vacation home checks and many special duties. I eventually drove on almost every road in Mariposa County and met and served many wonderful Mariposa residents,” he remembered.

The house is packed with memorable antiques from his ancestors, many carried cross country in a covered wagon from Elkhart, IN to Plymouth, CA. “My family had a soldier in every war: The Revolutionary War, Civil War, 1st World War, 2nd World War, Korean War, and Vietnam War. My great grandfather, Henry Winkler, was in the Union Army during the Civil War,” he said.

“Sheldy,” as Tricia called him, grew up in Los Angeles. He graduated from Santa Barbara High School in 1958. He achieved his higher education goals at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, and Fresno State, then received his Master of Education degree at Cal State, Los Angeles. He taught Industrial Arts at Fillmore High School for 30 years, then had to retire due to major hearing loss.

“The scariest time in my life was when Naval training required me to jump from a platform 85 feet high (10 stories) into a pool. This was training for abandoning ship if you were on an aircraft carrier. I then went to Officers Candidate School in Rhode Island, and ended up with a medical discharge, having served three years in the Reserves. From there I came back to Fresno and worked for Ford Motor Company as a service rep and instructor,” Sheldon recalled.

His daughter, Allison, is an engineer for Dolby Sound, and son Chris, retired Air Force, works at the Edwards Air Force Base. He’s been blessed with three grandchildren. Tricia, his wife of 34 years, passed away in 2017. Her spirit is still on their land, reflecting through her gorgeous rose garden that decorates the front of the property. Sheldon now lives with his two Doberman Pinschers, Lyla and Liebe, and Inky the black cat.

On the property there is an 1,800 square foot metal workshop where Sheldon’s beautifully restored antique cars are stored. It’s an impressive collection, including a 1927 Marmon (one of two still in existence), 1916 Studebaker, 1930 Franklin convertible coop (with a rumble seat), 1919 Franklin formal sedan (which took 10 years to restore,) 1989 Avanti sports convertible, and 1913 and 1914 Model T’s.

In the garage there is a 1932 Pierce Arrow “closed” car bought for $200. “It took me 20 years to restore it and I have at least $15,000 into it. It was a labor of love. It was the getaway car on our marriage day, and Tricia and I drove it to church for 30 years” he remembered. There is also a workshop on the property which stores additional antique cars he’s currently working on.

Sheldon did much of the engineering and metal work. He possesses the skills to design and make many of his own parts for the cars he is restoring, as most of the parts needed were obsolete.

“A good example is the work involved in restoring my 1909 Franklin. This car was just an engine and frame when I found it. I traveled to upstate New York, as there was only one other car like it in existence, and took many photos, measurements, and made paper patterns of the hood, fenders, and body. Then I came home and hand made all the missing parts,” he explained.

The car is now ready for final paint, upholstery and a top. “I finally found the correct windshield, headlights, side and taillights (which are fired with kerosene and lit with a match!), the described. Turning signals are done with the arm of the driver, of course.”

Franklin cars were engineering marvels of the day and Franklin Automotive Company was one of the first automobile manufacturers competing with Cadillac and Packard. From 1902 to 1934, Franklin Automotive Company produced 150,000 luxury automobiles in Syracuse, New York.

“One of the most influential people in my life was my grandfather who was there for me all the time. He was an orange farmer/rancher in Fillmore. Another great influence was my grandfather’s friend, Mr. Hatch, who owned a service garage; and I was there a lot…learning. When I was four or five years old, I took apart carburetors, fuel pumps, and any small parts and loved getting my hands dirty. Yep, Mr. Hatch taught me how to make the wheels go ’round. He had been a mechanic since 1908. From 1950 to 1958, every summer was spent under his tutelage. After my dad passed, Mr. Hatch practically adopted me,” Sheldon shared.

At 84, Sheldon is still active every day. You can find him in the workshop restoring several cars not yet completely refurbished, or even out cutting wood. “Yes, I cut all my own wood” (which is evident by the huge wood pile on his property). He is also a past Master Mason and currently chaplain of Hornitos Lodge 98, F & AM.

Sheldon shared a bit of advice: “Follow your passions. Life is short.”