Director’s Thoughts, JULY, 2018

Well, July is here.  Are you having fun?  Going to local car events to show your BUICK(s)?  I hope so, because now the time will grow shorter & it won’t be long till we place out BUICKs back into hibernation for the winter. When you attend a car event, please be sure to hand out to other Buicks, the Regional flyer for our Regional Meet in September.  DON’T FORGET TO GET YOUR OWN BUICK REGISTRATION IN THE MAIL BEFORE AUGUST 15TH!  You still have a little bit of time, but DON’T WAIT!  Why put off till tomorrow what you can do today!

Your elected Director, Sally Getz

“Free Spirit” Chapter Meeting Minutes, June, 2018

No meeting held during June due to the annual Chapter Picnic.  Hope you all enjoyed the Picnic!!

June 3, 2018, Annual Chapter Picnic

25 “Free Spiriters” attended this year’s annual chapter picnic held under the Weeping Willow Pavilion, Macungie Borough Park, Macungie, PA.  Despite the weather, cool and cloudy, that did not deter those from attending  to enjoy the company of others who share the same interest, BUICKS!!

As always, the food selections & desserts were DELICIOUS, SCRUMPTIOUS, DELIGHTFUL, & enjoyed by all. If anyone went away hungry, it was their own fault.

Sally welcomed everyone & then gave a few announcements:

Dianne Philbin Miles is managing with some medical issues, please send her a “Get Well” card to wish her a speedy recovery.

Martha Kriebel has retired from many many many years of ministering.  The group sang “HAPPY RETIREMENT” to her!

Leah Kieffer has recently joined the “RETIREMENT” adventure as well.

“CONGRATULATIONS” to Debbie/David Brady for obtaining the prestigious award, 1st Grand National Award, with their 1932 Series 60 5-p Convertible Phaeton during the 2018 AACA Grand National Meet, held @ Greenburg, Pa!!

If you haven’t already renewed your chapter dues, please do so by July 10th.

A very ancient chapter photo album was available for those to view.

2 volunteers will be present to help park BUICKS during this year’s DAF club day.  “THANK YOU.”

Deadline to register for the “NE PA ALL BUICK REGIONAL MEET” is August 15th.  MEMBERS, get your registration in TODAY!  17 registrations have been obtained thus far.  Of those 17, only 5 are “Free Spirit” members.

Carl Finer will be our new PA Regional Coordinator.  John Scheib is retiring from this position.

Much & many email discussions have been taking place about the National BCA financial status.  During the upcoming National Meet, a meeting will be held to discuss this status by John DeFiore, National BCA Secretary.

Kempton flyers were folded & prepared for mailing.

“BUICK BINGO” was enjoyed by all.  Many lovely BUICK items/prizes were given out to each game winner!

An open invitation was given for anyone to take over the responsibilities of hosting the annual chapter picnic.  If you would like to do this, please contact Sally.

“THANKS” to everyone who attended this year’s picnic!  It is very difficult to attend events now as a/one person instead of a 2 person couple.  But life goes on & I truly enjoy & look forward, in a way, to keep doing the many events & things as Clarence & I have done over the many years we had together.  Besides, he is with me every day in my heart & is sitting on my shoulders helping me get through each & every day.   Many “THANKS” to all of you for your love & support that I & my family feel.            Sally Getz

 

 

Fun Dumb Questions To Ponder

 

1. Why are they called stairs inside and steps outside? Aren’t they the same thing?
2. Why does your refrigerator have a light inside, but your freezer doesn’t?
3. Who were the first persons who watched a hen ‘poop’ out an egg and said, “I think we can eat that!”
4. Or looked at a cow and said, “I’ll bet the stuff that comes out of the dangly things underneath there would be great to drink.”

Thoughts Worth Thinking About

Life is like a bath ….. the longer you stay in it, the more wrinkled you get.

An unusual amount of common sense is sometimes called wisdom.

Count it a good day when you awaken and nothing new hurts.

A taxpayer is someone who doesn’t have to pass a Civil Service Exam to work for the government.

Buicks That Put Performance First

For most of you, the word “Buick” doesn’t immediately conjure up images of performance-oriented neck-snapping power as the luxury brand has become far more synonymous with SUV safety and fuddy-duddy fashion sense than anything else.

But believe it or not, performance has long been a huge part of Buick’s DNA. Even since its earliest days, the tri-shield badge ushered forth insanely quick cars that were revolutionary for their time. From stripped-down convertible race cars to iconic muscle cars, Buick engines have long pushed the pioneers of motorsports that much faster toward victory.

Hell, it was Buick’s racing prowess and engineering that helped solidify the brand’s reputation for durability and unique craftsmanship back in the day. So now, over a century later, Buick’s legacy of performance still lives on, even though refinement is the name of game and has been for a while.

But thanks to the archivists over at GM, here are 10 incredible cars that have helped “establish and advance Buick’s performance heritage.”

1. 1909 Buick Race Car

Way back in 1909 – two years before the first Indianapolis 500, and just six after the Wright brothers’ first flight – a 2.5-mile-long oval at Indy was founded with the Prest-O-Lite Trophy as the ultimate prize. The 250-mile-long race was won by Bob Burman, who happened to be driving a Buick that averaged more than 53 miles per hour, a break-neck pace for back then. Interestingly enough, of the nine cars that finished the race, three of them were Buicks.

2. 1910 Buick 60 Special “Bug”

Ah, yes, the 60 Special “Bug.” Built by the Buick racing team, this steampunk spin on racing has a style all of its own, including that revolutionary nosecone, which coincidentally was later revealed to be a feature that was designed more for aesthetics than aerodynamics. Beneath its bonnet rested a monolithic, 10.2-liter (622 cubic inch) four-cylinder engine that propelled the Bug to 110 miles per hour, making it look and perform lightyears faster than the previous vehicle on today’s cheat sheet. Buick apparently built two 60 Special race cars that year, one for the aforementioned Prest-O-Lite Trophy winner Bob Burman, and a second for another driver of that era, whose last name you might recognize: Louis Chevrolet.

3. 1938 Buick Century

Tired of pussy-footing around, Buick introduced straight-eight engines in 1931 with an American “more is more” mentality. A grand cause at the time, it was not until years later when the 1938 Century model was released that a new performance benchmark was set for what real power looked like. Dubbed the “Dynaflash 8,” this 5.2-liter (320 cubic inch) inline monster featured redesigned domed pistons that gave the Century a whopping 11 horsepower bump over the outgoing engine. This may not sound like a lot by today’s standards, but back then it made it possible to pass the “century mark” at 103 miles per hour, thus making the Century one of the fastest cars of its day and a legend among auto enthusiasts.

4. 1954 Buick Wildcat II Concept

Though the prototype does appear pretty funky, what’s a concept car without a little edginess? Nicknamed the “Nailhead” for its V8 engine’s unique valve arrangement, this menacing motor was introduced in 1953 in order to power the Wildcat II concept vehicle the following year. By utilizing a quartet of “side draft carburetors,” engineers were able to squeeze out about 10% more power from the engine, giving the Wildcat II the power it deserved.

5. 1963 Buick Special

In 1961, Buick came out with an innovative, lightweight all-aluminum V8 that was designed to power its new midsize “Special” model line. Featuring a meager 3.5-liter engine, this undersized engine punched well above its weight class and to this day is still revered as one of the most potent engines of its time. Peak performance was found in the 1963 Special, which featured 200 horsepower that represented a horsepower-to-liter ratio of 0.57:1. Versions of this aluminum engine were used in Indy race cars as well, firmly establishing its pedigree.

6. 1970 Buick GSX

Sometime in the midst of the muscle car wars, something must have really pissed Buick off because the GSX ate Dodges and Fords like boxes of Raisinettes. Back then, torque was what made you a competitor in the muscle car race, so the automaker decided that 510 pound-feet of grunt should be enough to smack the other two automakers around. It did readily, with its 455 Stage I V8 engine. In a 1970 road test, Motor Trend went from zero to sixty miles per hour in just 5.5 seconds, and spanned the quarter-mile in a mere 13.4 seconds. This combination of raw power and signature luxury that was uniquely Buick caused many people to refer to the GSX as the “velvet hammer.”

7. 1976 Buick Century Indianapolis 500 Pace Car

Buick’s 1976 pace car is by no means a winner in the aesthetics department, but when it comes to engineering ingenuity, it was a pretty badass car for its time. Back then, turbocharging a car was still a relatively rare practice, but growing bored with what was already old news, Buick’s engineers took the recently revived and far more efficient 3.8-liter V6 engine that was usurping larger V8 engines and slapped a turbo on it. What they got in return was a mean-spirited pace car that ran on 22 PSI of boost pressure and featured a 306 horsepower.

8. 1984 Buick/March IndyCar

Buick’s 1976 pace car is by no means a winner in the aesthetics department, but when it comes to engineering ingenuity, it was a pretty badass car for its time. Back then, turbocharging a car was still a relatively rare practice, but growing bored with what was already old news, Buick’s engineers took the recently revived and far more efficient 3.8-liter V6 engine that was usurping larger V8 engines and slapped a turbo on it. What they got in return was a mean-spirited pace car that ran on 22 PSI of boost pressure and featured a 306 horsepower.

8. 1984 Buick/March IndyCar

A few years after Buick first began fiddling around with turbochargers, driver Scott Brayton drove his Buick-powered turbo March race car to a 204 mile per hour one-lap speed and a 203 miles per hour four-lap average, setting new world records for a race car using a production-spec engine block. Years later, in the mid-1990s, a much more potent version of the Buick turbo V6 gave Eddie Cheever the chance to achieve the fastest race lap ever recorded at the Brickyard, with a 236.103 miles per hour speed landing him a top spot during the 1996 Indy 500. This is a record that still stands 20 years later.

9. 1987 Buick GNX

In the throws of the high-performance 1980s automotive resurgence, Buick said screw the V8 and stuck with a turbo V6 program that worked. This option was most prominently noted in the Buick Grand National, and when it was finally retired in 1987, a limited-edition GNX version was added to the fray. This was basically a Grand National on steroids and with its larger turbocharger, higher output 276 horsepower engine and all-black attire, it made for one menacing sight if you were unfortunate enough to find one in your rearview mirror. Only 547 GNX Buicks were built, and are now considered highly collectible.

10. 2012 Regal GS

The Regal GS has to be the most unassuming sleeper you will ever encounter, building upon decades of turbocharging heritage with one of the most sophisticated and power-dense engines in its segment. Featuring a 2.0-liter engine that churns out 259 horsepower and more torque than a Subaru WRX, this little sleeper is an amazing machine in almost every way. With actively adaptive dampers, an Interactive Drive Control system, and an all-wheel drive system that is absolutely fantastic, the Regal GS made collector car insurer Hagerty’s list of the 10 most collectible Buick models of all time and our list as one of the best cars we drove in 2015.

Why Did No One Remind Drivers Born Between 1936 & 1966 to Do This?

Do not pay your next car insurance bill until you read this…

Are you aware that you could receive a large discount just for being born between 1936 and 1966? In addition, if you are currently insured and live in a qualified ZIP code you may get an extremely high discount.

For a long time, there was no easy way to compare quotes from all of these huge car insurance companies. You had to check one site, then jump to another and enter all of your information all over again. Drivers were stuck doing all the work to save money. Now, all that is changing. Thanks to this new startup, EverQuote™, the information you need to help you save can be found in one place. EverQuote™ is not an insurer, but a comparison shopping marketplace. Featured in the Inc. 5000 list as one of the fastest growing companies for 2017, it is not a question that customers are finding what they are looking for – lower quotes.

What exactly do you need to do? Here is one easy rule to follow.

You have to compare quotes. Don’t even consider buying car insurance without doing this first. After all the results we came across, we just couldn’t believe how many drivers have been overpaying. And with free services like EverQuote™, comparing quotes today so that you aren’t accidentally costing yourself money is a breeze.

Drivers don’t always realize that they may be overpaying for car insurance. If you haven’t compared quotes recently, even if you have a low rate, you could still be paying too much. Fortunately, millions of smart drivers have used EverQuote’s free service to save hundreds on their insurance bills.

It’s really no wonder that with so many drivers saving money, EverQuote™ is gaining momentum. EverQuote™ is an efficient source that tries to give consumers the lowest rates with tools you can trust. Just imagine what you could do with the money you save.

CLASSIC CRUISERS ON HAMILTON COMING JULY 21

Car enthusiasts should mark Saturday, July 21 on their calendars!  That’s when classic cars will be making a return to Downtown Allentown.  Hamilton Street will be closed from 6th Street to 9th Street, and lined with classic and muscle cars of many makes, models, and time periods.

Organized by the City of Allentown Department of Parks & Recreation, Allentown Police, America On Wheels Museum, Friends of the Allentown Parks and the Allentown Chamber of Commerce, “Classics & Cruisers on Hamilton” will re-live the days when Hamilton Street in Allentown was the hub of gathering to park and show off your vehicle.

The car show will directly benefit two Allentown-based non-profits: America On Wheels Museum and Friends of the Allentown Parks.

“America On Wheels Museum is fueling up with excitement to be a part of the team that brings cruising to Allentown.

“This is an exciting event which showcases the rejuvenation of Allentown’s downtown area, bringing tourists to our many fine restaurants and, of course, to relax and enjoy Allentown’s wonderful parks,” stated Karen El-Chaar, Executive Director with Friends of the Allentown Parks.

Registration, both online https://fotap.wordpress.com/2016-great-events/classics-cruisers-on-hamilton/ and at America On Wheels Museum. The cost is $20.00 per vehicle in advance, and $25.00 per vehicle after July 15, 2018.

Northeast PA All Buick Regional, September 20-22, 2018, Lehighton, Pa

WOW!  Can you believe we are in 2108 already?  It just seems like yesterday we just got started in 2017!!  The time is going by quickly, don’t you agree?  This means it is now, only 2 months away from the 2018 NE PA ALL BUICK REGIONAL!!  Can you believe it?  I am so excited of being a part of this Buick chapter in hosting such an event.  For you, the members, is what makes this chapter the GREATEST!!

Calendar of Events

JULY 2018                     “HAPPY 4th of JULY”
1 – Anthracite Region AACA, 33rd Annual Car Show
8 – Run w/ Angels Car Show, Doylestown, Pa
11-14 – AACA Eastern Spring Meet, Gettysburg, Pa
14 – Deutsche Cruisers, Oley, Pa
21 – Allentown Classics & Cruisers Day, Hamilton St., Allentown, Pa
31-August 4 – National Oldsmobile Meet, Gettysburg, PA

AUGUST 2018                   “HAPPY SUMMER”
3-5 – DAF, Macungie, Pa
4 – Annual Pennypacker Mills British Car Show, Schwenksville, Pa
5 – 9th Annual 4UDrew show, Doylestown, Pa
11 – Vintage Road Rally for the New Hope Auto Show, New Hope, Pa

SEPTEMBER                  “HAPPY LABOR DAY!”
1 – Duryea Days Car Show, Boyertown Community Park, Boyertown, Pa
2 – Slatington Car Show, Slatington, Pa
4 – Monthly Chapter dinner meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, meeting @ 7:30 pm.
9 – Strausstown Lions Club Car Show, Strausstown, Pa
15 – Wish Upon a Star Food Truck Festival, AACA Museum, Hershey, Pa
16 – Star BOP Show, Easton, Pa
16 – 22nd Moore Township Lions Club Car Show, Bath, Pa

CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”

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

1965 Buick Electra 225 4 dr, hardtop, Black.  62,634 original miles.  425 engine.  Aluminum valve covers, chromed air cleaner.  NO AIR!  Vacuum trunk release, PS, PW, PB, power seat & antenna.  AM/FM radio.  Chrome wheels, remote mirror. UNRESTORED, ALL ORIGINAL CAR!  Trim code 642.  Garage kept!  $8,000.00.  610-377-6130.

1967 Buick Special Deluxe Sport Coupe 2 dr, 300 2-barrel.  Spruce Green exterior w/ vinyl top, black interior.  68,305 original miles.  Power steering, manual brakes.  RH mirror, AM/FM radio.   Spinner wire wheel covers.  UNRESTORED, ALL ORIGINAL car!!  Garage kept!  Runs good!  $8,500.00.  610-377-6130

1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Convertible 2 dr 350 V-8.  Bronze exterior w/ Saddle Brown leather interior.  Garage kept!  $25,000.00.  610-377-6130

1974 Buick LeSabre Deluxe Maroon/maroon Convertible, 61,000 miles, garage kept, $14,500.00, Nick Meritus @ 610-692-7777

1976 Chevrolet Impala 2 dr. Green w/ tan Landau top w/ tan leather interior.  92,092 original miles.  UNRESTORED, ALL ORIGINAL CAR!!  Runs GREAT!  Garage kept.  $4,000.00.  610-377-6130

1991 Chevy Suburban, 2500,  Big block, 454 engine, 111.530 original miles.  Turbo 400 transmission.  Black w/ gray interior, 3rd seat, AC (front/rear), AM/FM radio, tow package, cassette player, power door locks/windows, vent shades, tailgate window, in GREAT condition.  Garage kept!  Very powerful!  $10,000.00, 610-377-6130

In Search Of

1948 Buick Special 2 door back chrome.  Doug @ 570-573-0948.

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