Director’s Thoughts, August 2015

SIZZLE! SIZZLE! Welcome to the 8th & hottest month of the year! I just know its going to be hot & sticky everywhere. August is the month where people are @ the height of their laziness! Why? Because it’s too darn hot! It’s too hot to cook standing over the hot stove in the hot kitchen. It’s too hot outside to grill! Now supermarkets & restaurants are always kept @ a rather cold temperature. That way, you can chill out & eat out! In August, everyone gets very lazy. I can remember, as a kid, August was vacation month for us. We always went on a beach vacation. We would all pile into my Dad’s ’58 Chevy Impala (yes, I said Chevy), & off to the beach we would head. What a time we would have! I can remember so many road trips when I was a kid. I guess I get my love for cars from my Dad. He was always trading in 1 car for another. DAF is this month, the event all of us car lovers look forward to. It is our chance to see our childhood memories come back to life. I just bet, every one of you have @ least 1 car that they had growing up that was something special to you. So, let’s all bring our cars out to DAF & enjoy the memories & the companionship of our members. And, most for all, let’s hope it isn’t too too hot!

Your Director, Don Sterner

“Free Spirit” Chapter Meeting Minutes, July 2015

No meeting held during July, see you @ the Fescht!

June 14, 2015, Annual “Free Spirit” Picnic

On the above date, the annual “Free Spirit” chapter picnic was held under the Weeping Willow Pavilion, Macungie Park, Macungie, Pa. 30 members & 3 guests were in attendance. The day was warm but very manageable. The rains came later that evening after everyone got home safely. As usual, the food selections were SUPER this year! I do not believe there were doubles of anything! Each item, too numerous to mention, had its own special mouthwatering flavor! As Don Sterner was the chef for the day, the hot dogs n burgers were grilled to perfection! Hats off to Don!! Thanks to Debbie/Dave Brady for the huge scrumptious fried chicken. That has always been a big hit during this event.

The mystery guest was Mr. David Webster, a member who was to attend during the March meeting of which had been cancelled due to inclement weather @ the time. The title of his short presentation was “Identity Theft, It can happen to YOU!” In fact, it did happen to Mr. Webster, & so this got him thinking of his friends & family, wanting to do something about keeping them safe. If you would like further information in this topic, please contact him @ 610-730-4599, or dwester80@gmail.com & he would be more than happy to help you out.

As the afternoon winded itself down, members enjoyed each other’s company, &, of course, stories. Once everyone’ tummies had been full from the tasty desserts & the Kempton flyers had been readied for the US mail, members began to depart for home. All in all, the day was a GREAT DAY for everyone who attended.

That’s Right Folks, It’s AUGUST!

It’s August. The time of year when the temperature soars, the energy fizzles, & things tend to become lazy & laid back. Some refer to this as the dog days of summer. I think August is a catch all of in-between’s. It’s too hot to finish that project you started last month, it’s too soon to begin any fall project, (it really isn’t but at least thinking so means I can put it off until later), its vacation time before the children head back to school, & the garden crops still need some maturing time before harvest. So really, why does August get such a hard rap? Did it do anything to earn that reputation? Of course not! It just happened to be the middle month of summer time when the heat is the most intense. Any amount of activity causes the sweat to run, & any excess energy is quickly drained from your system. With the sun so hot this time of year it soaks up any moisture that’s lying around, & if rainfall is insufficient, things get parched in a hurry. However, if we get enough rainfall, rumor has it you can hear the corn grow @ this time of year. (Extra care must be taken though when telling any secrets because it is “all ears”, literally).

August is probably the only month of the year that doesn’t have a holiday to its credit. At least that was the case until 1976 when August 13th became the day of somewhat noteworthy importance. I have no idea why the 13th was chosen as the day of honor, other than to scoff @ any superstition regarding this special characteristic. Interestingly, this special day hasn’t received a lot of fanfare or publicity over the years. It is much like the month in which it occurs – an almost non-event. The other factor that likely inhibits its potential for greatness, as holidays go, is the fact that only about 10% of the populace is affected. This sector are those who insist on doing things in a manner different than the other 90% of the people. Through their insistence, & perhaps feelings of inferiority, they have managed to set aside a day that honors them for doing things differently than all the rest of us who do it the right way. Southpaws they are called. Left handers!

International Left Hander’s Day was 1st celebrated on August 13, 1976, & was started by Lefthander’s International. Very few left handed people are 100% left handed. For example, many left hander’s golf & bat right handed. On the other hand, there is a high % of righties who are 100% right-handed. Lefties are also called “southpaws”. The term was coined in baseball to describe a left handed pitcher.

The word is primarily built for right handers. For example: In school, how often have you seen a left handed desk? Novelty coffee mugs are made w/ the picture or text for a right handed pick-up. Scissors were originally created for right handed users. Only a lefty would understand this. The computer mouse was designed for right handers. An added inconvenience is left handed items cost more because there are fewer manufactured.
Left hander’s have been on the receiving end of a fair share of wise cracks about how they do things backwards – but they have also offered an equally fair amount of rebuttals. For example: Right handed people operate in the left side of the brain. Left handed people use the right side. Therefore, only left handed people are in the right mind. Or, consider this self-imposed flattery: “Everyone is born right-handed. Only the greatest overcome it”. …Ouch! But, then again, we all know that, “left handers never do anything right.”

In Left Hand, West Virginia, the folks have no choice but to write Left Hand when filling out their address for zip code, 25251. Hopefully, someday they remember the Right Hand folks & assign them a special zip code, as well.
Rumor has it that an Octopus has only 1 right hand. Does that mean that all the rest of those gadgets are left hands? Scientists are diligently studying this although I’m not sure what difference any conclusion will make. 1 would hope the politicians don’t get involved! Can you imagine the outcome if asked for a vote in favor of the right or the left?

On August 13th, take a minute to appreciate your left handed friends & loved ones. Even though being left handed places them in a minority ranking, they will still appreciate your thoughtfulness. And in case you are wondering, to the best of my perspective, I hears right, I feels right, I sees right, I smells right, I walks right, & I rights from the right side too. If only my penmanship, my spelling, & my grammar hadn’t done left, I would be all right! Sally Getz (Southpaw)

P. S. Dear left, I appreciate your being in your right mind! May we left our differences aside, & determine to do all the right things! Thank You! The Right!

Crystal Cave – Saturday, July 11, 2015

Due to the lack of interested members to participate w/ this tour, this tour has been cancelled but will be rescheduled. Thank you, Don/Stacy Sterner

Removing Bugs From Your Car

Put a couple of dryer sheets in a spray bottle of water. Spray the bugs and then use an additional dryer sheet to wash them off. Works great, 3100 miles of bugs gone in 60 second (or so).

AACA Meet, Virginia Beach, Virginia

On April 29, 2015, Dave/Debbie Brady put their 1932 Buick Convertible Phaeton in the trailer & the next day went on their way to Virginia Beach, Virginia to the AACA Spring National Meet. They arrived in pouring rain & put the trailer on the lot aside of the show field.

On Saturday morning they went & got the car out & gingerly drove to the show field. It was overcast w/ a mist in the air. By the time Dave parked, the sun was coming out & the rest of the day was sunny & HOT!

The show was held on the grounds of the National Air Museum which is owned by 1 man. There, there are airplanes either restored or undergoing restoration & they are from WWI, W II, Korean, & Vietnam! The planes are also from different countries that participated in those wars. The grounds are very attractive & was an ideal spot for the show! You could take a plane ride in 1 of those awesome antique airplanes!

At the awards banquet, Debbie & Dave won a Senior Award! 2 times shown @ a National Meet- 2 Times a WINNER! Debbie/Dave intend to enjoy the car. In fact, they are looking forward to attending an AACA Grand National Show in July of 2016 in Williamsport, PA & hope for the BEST! Good Luck!

The trip coming home was uneventful. Debbie/Dave Brady Many Congrats to Debbie/Dave!! Good Luck in 2016!!

Springfield, Missouri, Buick National Meet, 2015

If you attended this past years Buick National in Missouri, please take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts & send to Sally Getz to be placed in the “Free Spirit” monthly newsletter to share w/ your fellow members. Besides the article, pictures add a fine touch & are welcomed too! Please send your information to Sally Getz, csgetz@ptd.net, or 1060 Main Road, Lehighton, Pa 18235. Please send before the 15th of the month to be printed. Thanks! Sally

Measuring Milestones

Do you remember the Marquette, Apollo, Invicta or Somerset? Over the years, many car models — & car names – have accentuated the Buick line. Here, “Measuring Milestones” takes a look @ some of Buick’s interesting models & their names.

1930 Marquette – When Buick lagged behind the competition in 1929, it decided to bring out the Marquette, named to take advantage of the success of the earlier Marquette-Buick racing cars.

The original Marquette-Buick cars had caused a sensation in 1909 when Buick racers Wild Bob Burman & Louis Chevrolet led races w/ them. These early cars were built by the Marquette Motor Company of Saginaw, Michigan, 1 of several firms purchased by General Motors around 1909. They had Marquette bodies & little Buick engines, called Buick 30s for 30 horsepower. The Marquette, which cost $1,000, appeared 2 months ahead of the regular 1930 Buick line. It reportedly had “unusual acceleration & get-away…rugged power, tremendous hill climbing ability & flashing speed”. In a promotion stunt, a Marquette sedan traveled 778 miles from Death Valley to Pike’s Peak in 40 hours, 45 minutes. Nevertheless, only 35,007 units were built as Marquette franchises went under in the stock market crash.

1951 Y-Job – The first “dream car” built by designer Harley Earl was the Buick Y-Job. The famous 2-passenger sports convertible reportedly got its name because developers were tired of labeling cars “X” for experimental. Another story is that Buick borrowed the “Y” used for experimental aircraft @ that time. The show car was built in Flint, Michigan, on a standard 1937 Buick chassis & stretched to a length of almost 20 feet. Earl, who liked lower, longer autos, preferred oblong vehicles to square ones. Buick’s “Car of the Future” had concealed headlights, flush door handles, a power-operated convertible top, electric windows & small 13-inch wheels. Built on a 1938 Buick chassis, the Y-Job was presented to the public in 1940. Earl drove it during WW II. Many of its innovations showed up in cars of the 1950’s.

1951 LeSabre – WW II warplanes inspired several General Motors car designs, including the 1951 LeSabre concept car. The Lockheed P38, known in Britain as “Lightning,” was designer Harley Earl’s source for the “symbolic form.” Earl & his team saw the plane’s twin booms–@ Selfridge Air Force Base near Detroit. The LeSabre show car reportedly was named for the F86 Sabre jet serving US forces. The sleek aluminum car, a sensation @ auto shows in the early 1950’s had the 1st wraparound or “panoramic” windshield. Although Buick discarded several traditional car names in 1959, it introduced the exotic-sounding LeSabre, French for “the sword,” on a production car in its regular lineup.

1959 Electra – Electra, Greek for “brilliant,” became 1 of several new models introduced by Buick in 1959 when it decided to revamp its car line w/ bold, new designs & exotic names to go w/ them. In a dramatic break from tradition, Buick stopped using well-known design elements such as the sweep spear, distinctive curved chrome side decoration. Instead, Buick introduced “delta wing” fins, which flared out from the rear deck. The Electra, chosen as the 1959 Indy Pace car, had a new 401-cubic-inch engine & improved handling & brake system. Buick also introduced the new Invicta, Latin for “unconquerable,” which Motor Trend heralded as the “best-looking car overall” in the industry. In the process of naming the new cars, more than 1,000 possible labels were presented to the then-Buick General Manager Edward T. Ragsdale, who personally selected the new names. While reviews of the new cars were good, a steel strike halted production & hurt introduction year sales.

1988 Reatta – Buick’s 1st luxury 2-seater since WW II was bound to be an attention grabber. So its developers wanted a name guaranteed to “lasso” interest. Reatta came from then-GM Styling Chief David R. North’s boyhood memories. North, who grew up on Western ranches, recalled “riata,” the Spanish-American term for a lariat. North also was an assistant on the 1956 Western film Giant, which took place @ Reata Ranch. Another “t” was added to the word for appearance. Used by car planners for several years, the name Reatta became official in 1986. The luxury car was introduced in 1988.

BCA 50th Anniversary Celebration, July 27-30, 2016, Allentown, PA

National Buick Club of America will be celebrating its’ 50th Anniversary on July 27-30, 2016 on the grounds of Mr. Nikola Bulgari, Fenwick & Ellsworth Streets, Allentown, PA. Close to 1000 BUICKS are anticipated to be on display. Although this is an “Anniversary Celebration” w/ NO judging, do not let that discourage you from participating. To register, please go to www.buickclub.org. Here you can navigate & get to where you need to be. If you ARE NOT a National BCA member, please consider on joining ASAP so you can register & participate, otherwise you may only attend as a SPECTATOR. Questions, Sally Getz, csgetz@ptd.net, 610-377-6130

Driving Dilemmas

Excuses – A male driver had an unusual excuse when he snarled up traffic @ an intersection. He called out to a nearby woman driver, “Sorry, but my wife taught me how to drive.”

Directions – Having lost our way while motoring through Northern New England, we hailed a farmer in a nearby field & asked, “How do we get to Centerville?” Leaning on his spade handle he drawled, “Just 2 looks from here. You look where I’m pointin’, as fur as you can look. When you get there you look right. As fur as you can look. That’s Centerville.”

Who’s To Blame – “Officer,” stormed the motorist to the policemen, “I clearly had the right of way when this man ran into me, & yet you say I’m to blame.” The local officer eyed him accusingly, “You certainly were.” “But why?” the ruffled driver wanted to know. “Because,” the officer replied, “the Mayor of this town is the father of the fellow you hit, his brother is Chief of Police. & what’s more – I am dating his sister!”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

AUGUST 2015
1-2 – DAF 2015, Macungie, Pa
7-9 – 45th Annual Swigart Museum Show, Huntingdon, Pa. 814-643-2024
8 – 2nd Annual “Shine ‘n Show” Car Expo, Wilson Area HS, Easton, PA
8 – 22nd Annual Great Pottsville Show, Pottsville, Pa. 570-628-4561
9 – Vettes For Pets Show, Meuser Park, Easton, Pa. 610-762-3165
9 –39th Annual Collectors Show, Coopersburg, Pa. 610-227-5312
15 – 7th Annual Wheels of Faith Show, Whitehall, Pa.
16 – 16th Annual Sticks Reunion Show, Wind Gap, Pa. 610-588-0521
22 – 40th Annual Show, Souderton, Pa. 215-368-4438, ext. 44110
29 – Duryea Days, Boyertown, Pa. 610-367-2090
30 – 1ST Annual “ALL MAKES” Show, Reagle Dodge, Rt. 512, 610-381-7222

SEPTEMBER 2015
1 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 100/78. Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. Guest speaker, Clarence Getz
6 – 27th Annual Show, Slatington Airport, Slatington, Pa. 484-764-8899
6 – Hanover Twp. Show, Bethlehem, Pa
19 – Carbon County Shrine Show, Jim Thorpe, Pa. 484-629-3805
19 – Richland Twsp. Community Car Show, Quakertown, Pa. 215-529-7263
19 – Mahoning Drive-In Theater Show, Lehighton, Pa.
20 – 19th Annual Moore Twp. Show. 610-837-6721
20 – Star BOP Show, Rt. 33, Easton, Pa
26 – Fire Police 6th Annual Show, Catasauqua, Pa. 585-347-0435
30- October 4 – Fall Carlisle Meet, Carlisle, Pa

OCTOBER 2015
1-4 – Fall Carlisle Meet, Carlisle, Pa
5 – Monthly chapter meeting, (NOTE: Change of date this month due to Hershey Meet!) Stalite Diner & Lounge, Rts. 78/100, Allentown, Pa. Supper @ 6:00 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. Guest speaker is Mr. Rod Kraft from Mequiars Products. Please join us tonight to learn the Do’s n Don’ts on car products. (NOTE: CHANGE OF DATE THIS MONTH ONLY!)
7-10 – Fall Hershey Meet, Hershey, Pa
24 – Fall Swap Meet & Market, Maple Grove Raceway
25 – 39th Annual Old Car Show, Kempton, PA. Member participation greatly appreciated! See you there!

CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”

1939 Buick Special (41) 4-DR Trunk back Sedan, unrestored original car, Straight 8, manual transmission. Runs Well! Rebuilt engine & components, brake system, drive train, transmission. Upgraded carb, electronic ignition, oil filter, NEW exhaust system. WW tires. Pics available. $16,500/negotiable. Ken Davis, 610-489-1649, kwmcdavis@verizon.net

1962 Buick Skylark Conv. – Overall Good condition. Various NOS chrome installed. Runs/drives nice! Transmission, rear; top, & rear window good. Dave’s Interior Restorations, 525 Chestnut St, Emmaus, Pa 18049

1969 Skylark Convertible – kimberly.pavlick@scranton.edu

1981 Buick Regal – 4 dr dark green. Garage kept. 75,000 mi. 717-576-7588

1987 Buick Grand National, T-Top – black w/ grey/black int., orig parts, EXCELLENT condition, 3254 ORIGINAL miles, stored in heat controlled garage, $28,500 (or reasonable offer). gbrentano@verizon.net

1989 Buick Riviera 122,000 miles. Good condition, Garage kept. $3,500 OBO. 2000 miles on tires. New battery. Tom Kenn at 610-633-5285

In Search Of
1951-52 Buick Roadmaster RH grille bar extension. C. Wenger @ 443-710-6624, crewzn@broadstripe.net

Late 1980’-early 1990’s Buick LeSabre/Electra – In good running condition for daily driver use in local town driving, reasonably priced. Does not have to be in perfect condition. Harold, 610-826-2639.

1967 Buick Electra Convertible, 610-730-4599, dwebster80@gmail.com