Director’s Thoughts, NOVEMBER, 2019

Fall is here!  Start those home heaters!  Warm &sunny during the day, cool at night.  These kinds of days people become ill w/ the common cold.  Besides the common cold issue, it is also FLU season, from now till April.  Be prepared & carry antibacterial soap with you no matter where you go, & keep your distance from persons who feel ill.  You can’t afford to get the FLU Bug!  

By the time you receive this monthly newsletter, the 43^rd Annual Old Car show will be in a few days located in Lehighton, Pa @ Phifer’s Ice Dams, 880 Main Road.  As most of you know, there are still many areas that are in need of your HELP & ASSISTANCE. Please contact Sally, 610-377-6130, 484-464-3418, csgetz@ptd.net, ASAP if you are willing to help out in any way you can.  With this new location, classes will not be so close together, therefore we need members to help direct & to guide the participants to their proper location.  Plus, outdoor flea market directors are in need too, requiring you to be there by 6 am so when the marketer’s arrive, they can be placed to set up their items to be ready for the buyers.  Hope you can spare some time out of your busy schedule to attend to help on this day to enjoy with other members.

As we enter this month of November, what do you think of?  I think of the Thanksgiving holiday when family & friends get together to share a wonderful meal together, to share the many memories of family & friends, & to give “Thanks” for what we all have in our lives today & every day.  So, from my family to your family, “Happy Thanksgiving.”         

                                                                      Your Elected Director, Sally Getz

“Free Spirit”, September Chapter Meeting Minutes

Meeting called to order @ 7:26 pm, 15 members were in attendance.  Motion to accept September meeting minutes as printed in the October newsletter, Don Atwood, seconded by Shirley Schaffer, so carried.      

Treasurer’s Report = Report for September 2019, motion to accept, Alice Schaffer, seconded by Debbie Brady, so carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

A. Historian –  no report  

B. Lehighton Show  – 39 car, 5 outdoor flea market, 1 car corral registrations thus far.  Food vendor booked, flyers are available for members to hand out. Sign-up sheet passed for members to volunteer time to work the show.  Areas in need:

• Car show field parking
• Hand out Pre-registration packets
• Day of Show registration
• Outdoor flea market spaces assigned

Some members met at the new location in Lehighton to layout the show field.  Awards & plaques have been ordered. 

C. Membership – no report  

D. Newsletter – Price for printing the monthly newsletter has gone up.

E. Programs –November guest speaker will be Mr. Joe Irvolino from Bethlehem, Pa.  He will be giving a presentation on “Gary Powers U-2 Aircraft, the Lockheed SR 71 Blackbird Spy plane”.  This should be a very interesting presentation you won’t want to miss!   

F. Publicity – no report

G. Technical – no report

H. Ways and Means – no report

RAFFLE:  Alice Schaffer was the recipient of the rafle for this month:  Chevy Cruiser model! Congrats to Alice!!

Sally provided “Halloween” table centerpieces that were raffled off.  Recipients: Don Atwood, David Brady, Steven Chappelear.

OLD BUSINESS:  3 “Free Spirit” member, Don Atwood, Sally & Brent Getz, & Thomas Sylvester attended the Star BOP Show, Sunday, September 22, 2019.  Brent Getz received a 2^nd place award in the 2004-06 Pontiac GTO Class.  Congrats to Brent!! This year there were many more Buicks in attendance.

Who is attending the AACA Hershey Show?  A few hands rose to the occasion.     

NEW BUSINESS:     Nominations were taken:  

• Director:  Sally Getz
• Assistant Director:  Debbie Brady
• Secretary:  Lisa Senishen
• Treasurer:  Sally Getz
• Membership Chairperson:  Dolores Kennedy
• 2 Board of Director’s:  David Brady
•                                       Steven Chappelear

Members were encouraged to attend November’s meeting to vote on the nominations. 

AACA Grand National Meet to be held @ Mr. Bulgari’s place just off Union Boulevard, Allentown, Pa July 9=11, 2020    

Buick National Meet, July 15-18, 2020, Strongsville, Ohio. (6 hours from Allentown.)  Some members are planning in attending. 

Buick National, June 14-17, 2023, Gettysburg, Pa.

Debbie Brady provided information on a cleaning suppy for our BUICKS:   Blue Shop Towels from Home Depot found in the paint department area. They do not leave a film or shed fibers!  Lisa Senishen provided a window cleaning product, “Spray Way” from True Value & Home Depot stores. It goes on as a foam viscosity & does not streak!  Leaves the glass looking bright & shiny! 

Future National Buick Meets =

• 2020 Strongsville, Ohio, July 15-19
• 2021 Concord, North Carolina, June 30-July 3
• 2022 Lisle, Illinois, June 21-26  
• 2023 Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, June 14-17

Motion to adjourn, Alice Schaffer, seconded by Don Atwood, so carried @ 8:25 pm.                                    

Respectfully submitted, substitute, Sally Getz  

November Guest Speaker, on Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

The Lockheed SR-71 “Blackbird” is a long-range, Mach 3+ strategic reconnaissance aircraft that was operated by the United States Air Force.^[2] It was developed as a black project from the Lockheed A-12 reconnaissance aircraft in the 1960s by Lockheed and its Skunk Works division. American aerospace engineer Clarence “Kelly” Johnson was responsible for many of the design’s innovative concepts. During aerial reconnaissance missions, the SR-71 operated at high speeds and altitudes to allow it to outrace threats. If a surface-to-air missile launch were detected, the standard evasive action was simply to accelerate and outfly the missile.^[3] The shape of the SR-71 was based on the A-12 which was one of the first aircraft to be designed with a reduced radar cross-section.

The SR-71 served with the U.S. Air Force from 1964 to 1998. A total of 32 aircraft were built; 12 were lost in accidents with none lost to enemy action.^[4][5] The SR-71 has been given several nicknames, including “Blackbird” and “Habu“.^[6] Since 1976, it has held the world record for the fastest air-breathing manned aircraft, a record previously held by the related Lockheed YF-12

Again, be sure to attend this presentation on the SR-71 Spy plane.

AACA Fall Meet, Hershey, PA

Sally Getz & John Moore attended this annual meet as vendors.  I was very nice to see old acquaintances & to meet new friends!  Behind them as a young couple from South Carolina who were displaced from the far off red field.  They were also vendors w/ their 4 year old son, start them early so they are exposed to the car hobby, right?!  

Some “Free Spirit” members of who stopped by the space (Tuesday-Saturday):  Michael Allen, William Hallman, Gary Hiller, John Moore. The weather was absolutely gorgeous!  I can’t remember a Hershey meet like this year, weather wise! Till 2020.    

ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC VEHICLES 

DEFINITION OF ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC MOTOR VEHICLES

Antique Motor Vehicle – A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, manufactured more than 25 years prior to the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformance with manufacturer specifications.

Classic Motor Vehicle – A motor vehicle, but not a reproduction thereof, manufactured at least 15 years prior to the current year which has been maintained in or restored to a condition which is substantially in conformity with manufacturer specifications and appearance. Any classic motor vehicle registered under Section 1340 (relating to antique, classic and collectible plates) on the effective date of the amendment to this definition which fails to qualify as a classic motor vehicle pursuant to these provisions may retain such classic registration unless another type of registration is applied for and issued for the vehicle.

USE OF ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC REGISTRATION PLATES

The use of antique and classic plates is governed by Section 1340 of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code which states: “It is unlawful for any person to operate a motorcycle or vehicle with antique and classic registration plates for general daily transportation. Permitted use shall be limited to participation in club activities, exhibits, tours, parades, occasional transportation and similar uses.” Occasional transportation and similar uses is defined as one day a week. 

EXPIRATION OF ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC REGISTRATION PLATES

Antique and classic registration plates are permanent and are issued for the life of the vehicle while it is owned by the present owner. If the present owner sells the vehicle, the plate remains with the seller/owner and may be used on another qualified vehicle, provided the proper $75.00 registration and $22.50 title fees are paid. However, if ownership is transferred between spouses, or between parent and child, the original plate may be transferred in the usual manner with a $22.50 title fee and $6.00 transfer fee. If the owner sells the vehicle and wants to give the new owner the registration plate, the seller must write a letter of release for the plate and give it to the new owner. The new owner should forward the letter to PENNDOT, along with all appropriate documents and fees when applying for title and registration of the vehicle. The new owner must pay the full registration fee of $75.00 in order to use the plate. The $6.00 transfer fee is not needed in this case.

CHANGE FROM CLASSIC TO ANTIQUE

When a registered classic vehicle becomes of age to qualify as an antique vehicle, the owner may choose to apply for an antique title/registration plate. If the owner wishes to change the registration, the title must be changed from classic to antique. Form MV-11 is required to be completed and four color photographs (front, rear and both sides) are necessary to determine the condition of the vehicle to qualify as an antique motor vehicle. There is a $22.50 title fee for this change. In addition, the $75.00 antique registration fee is required.

INSPECTION

Classic vehicles are subject to an annual vehicle safety inspection. Antique vehicles operated exclusively between sunrise and sunset are exempt from the normal lighting requirements of the Pennsylvania Vehicle Code but must have their original lighting equipment. Antique vehicles are not subject to the annual vehicle safety inspection. Antique and classic vehicles are not subject to emissions inspection.

List of 2004 Buicks

List contains all the most popular Buick cars made in 2004 (15 years old now). There were a lot of great vehicles made in 2004, especially by Buick. If you’re sick of slimy salesmen at used-car dealerships then use this list to figure out which 2004 Buicks you’d want to drive before physically seeing them. Buicks have evolved their look since 2004, but it’s interesting to see what vintage Buicks looked like. The list you’re viewing is made up of cars like 2006 Buick Terraza and 2005 Buick Terraza Minivan FWD.

This list answers the questions, “What cars did Buick make in 2004?”

•       Buick Century
•       Buick LeSabre
•       Buick Park Avenue
•       Buick Rainier SUV 2WD
•       Buick Rainier SUV AWD
•       Buick Regal
•       Buick Rendezvous SUV AWD
•       Buick Rendezvous SUV FWD
  

In 2019, the above cars have turned 15 years old allowing their owners to apply for & to receive the Classic license plate.

“Holiday Gathering” Tuesday, December 3, 20189

The annual “Holiday Gathering” will once again be held @ the Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, PA, home of the monthly “Free Spirit” Buick meetings. Social hour = 5 pm w/ sit down dinner being served @ 6 pm. “Crazy Bingo” will once again be played & enjoyed by all!! Don’t forget, EACH PERSON brings a wrapped $10.00 gift, only to go back to home with an unwrapped $10.00 gift!!

Dinner = soup/salad/bread bar, entrée, side, coffee/tea/soda/water, dessert.
Broiled Haddock, Black Diamond Steak, Chicken Pamigiana
Member = ___________________ entrée choice_________________=$8.00
Spouse = ____________________ entrée choice_________________=$8.00
Member child(ren) (6-12) = ___________________, child menu choice, free
Non-Member = _________________, entrée choice = ____________$29.00
Non-Member child(ren) (6-12) = ____________________, child menu price
Submit your entrée choice(s), reservation(s), & check made payable to:
“Free Spirit” Chapter, to sally Getz, 1060 Main Road, Lehighton, Pa 18235 by November 27, 2019. Hope you can attend this ABSOLUTE FUN event!!!

                                      Calendar of Events

NOVEMBER                    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

• 3 – Auto Swap Meet, Morgantown Auto Mall, Morgantown, Pa
  
• 5 – Monthly chapter dinner meeting, starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. Presentation will be given on the “Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird”.  Please join us for an intriguing evening!
  
• 9 – Salute the Troops Car Show, Rose Tree Park, Media, Pa
  

DECEMBER                     HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

• 3 – Annual “Holiday Gathering”, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.

JANUARY 2020                “HAPPY NEW YEAR!!”

• 7 – Monthly chapter meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa.  Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. (WEATHER PERMITTING)
  
• 17-19 – Automania, Ag Hall, Allentown, Pa  
  

                                     CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”

• 1967 Buick Skylark 4 Dr Sedan 340 2-barrel, ST 300 Switch Pitch, PS, manual brakes, cassette player, no air.  70,100 original miles. Maroon color ext., cloth maroon/int. Was repainted. Interior still original!  Garage kept! $10,000. 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.  Garage kept! $8,500. 610-377-6130
• 1991 Chevy Suburban, 2500,  Big block, 454 engine, 111,530 original miles.  2×2. Turbo 400 transmission. Black w/ gray interior, 3^rd 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! $8,000. 610-377-6130 

In Search Of

• 1967 Buick Electra Conv. 610-730-4599, dwebster80@gmail.com1976 Caddy Eldo 500 ci – Pete Stoki, 609-915-9948