Arriving in Fallbrook, Louise Patterson said "I don't think I'm going to like it here"

After 28 years of marriage, and many Navy uniformed and civilian electronics technician postings and family moves, Glenn Patterson took one last posting, in 1987, to the Naval Weapons Station, Fallbrook.

Prior to packing up the house and leaving Brunswick, Maine, he said to his wife, Louise, “You better like it over there in Fallbrook, because I’m not moving again.”

Upon arriving in Fallbrook for the first time, and having just turned onto East Mission Road by the Fallbrook Women’s Club, Louise said, “I don’t think I’m going to like it here.” Louise admitted she did this to “prankishly yank Glenn’s chain.”

“Really, I liked it because it was country, and small town,” said Louise. “I grew up on a dairy farm in Brunswick, Maine, and it just sat right with me.

In 1958, Glenn was assigned to Naval Air Station, Brunswick. He attended a Navy friend’s marriage to a Brunswick gal. Louise, two years out of Brunswick high school, was a friend of the bride. Glenn and Louise met. Good thing, as they have now been married for 50 years.

It was sometime after their friends’ wedding when fate intervened, bringing them together. Another Navy friend was dropping Glenn off in town to pick up his car after returning from the NCO club at Thompson AFB. Louise drove by and honked her horn to say “hi.” She didn’t know it, but Glenn followed her to her friends house. Thus began the courtship.

Louise loved Glenn’s car, a two-tone cream top, coral body 1957 Ford Fairlane 500. Ever since, she has wanted a restored ’57 Fairlane. That dream was never realized, but many other dreams were. Their fifty years of marriage produced three children, five grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

Glenn and Louise have had a number of vintage American cars. The first was an original stock, teal green, ’67 Plymouth Barracuda convertible, powered by the 273-cubic inch, small block Ford V-8, with an automatic transmission. The engine and transmission were rebuilt, the top was replaced, the car was meticulously repainted, and the external chrome and trim were restored. This earned them the Temecula Valley Car Club Show, Best 60s trophy.

Others were two Ford T-Birds, a two-tone red and white ‘63, and a white ’63 in much better condition which replaced the first T-Bird. Both had the powerful 390-cubic inch V8 engines and automatic transmissions.

Another was a red and white two tone ‘59 two-door hardtop Ford Fairlane 500.

In 2004, the white T-Bird won second place in the Temecula Good Old Days Car Show.

They are both very involved with their friends in the Fallbrook Vintage Car Club (FVCC). Glenn and Louise have served in many capacities for the club.

Glenn’s “best man,” Chuck Oster and his wife, Joan are also members of the club.

The Fallbrook Vintage Car Club is always open to guests and new members. For more information, email President@Fallbrook

vintagecarclub.com.

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