Director’s Thoughts, SEPTEMBER 2020

Happy September to everyone! Summer is fading away while Fall is just around the corner! This is the time of year when we reconvene our monthly chapter meetings at the Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa. I have GOOD NEWS for us all! The Restaurant IS open, and we are allowed to meet in the room to the back left of the establishment for our meetings. They will allow up to 25 bodies in the room at all times. We need to follow the guidance though, of wearing our masks going into the place and going out of the place. We do not need to wear our masks during our partakement of our meals. We will need to wear them though, however, during the business meeting. I guess by this time though, everyone is more used to wearing the masks anyway, that it really won’t be that much of a nuisance for us, right? (At least you don’t have to wear 2 of them!) During this months’ business meeting, a presentation will be given by David Brady. You won’t want to miss this!

It will be such a good feeling to see everyone again! Sure, many of us have talked to others via the phone or emailing, but there is nothing like seeing one another face to face and conversing about things, right? So come on out, bring your masks, and enjoy an evening with your friends for a short time. Hope to see you there!

How many of you attended any shows/cruises/car events this past season thus far? 98% of the usual car shows, fairs, concerts, Halloween parades in my area (Lehighton) were cancelled. This now leads me into talking about our chapters’ 44^th Annual Old Car Show that is to be held in Lehighton, PA on Sunday, October 25, 2020. As per last month’s newsletter, an Officer/BOD meeting was held to determine the outcome of this show. It was discussed to wait more towards the middle of August before a final vote would be taken. Well, that vote process took place. The result is, the majority vote ruled “NOT” to host this year’s show due to many factors with Covid-19. This was not an easy decision to be taken lightly or to be made. Many factors were taken into consideration by ALL Officers and BOD’s. We can only hope that next year will be a better year for everyone and everything. If anyone has this years flyers yet, please DO NOT THROW THEM AWAY. PLEASE SEE THAT SALLY GETS THEM.

On a happier note, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, “FREE SPIRIT” Chapter!!” If my memory serves me correctly, it was 44 years ago this month this chapter was born! The founding “FATHERS” are as follows: Charles Arnold

David Brady

Jim Gordon (deceased)

Ken Hartman (deceased)

William Keller (deceased)

Jim Rosetti (deceased)

Jan Rosetti

Jack Steitler (deceased)

Carter Taylor (deceased)

John Ball (deceased)

Bob Williams (deceased)

Today, there are 3 founding “Free Spiriters” alive and healthy today!! Happy Birthday to all of you! Many “THANKS” to you for the creation of this wonderful chapter!! It has grown with such a wealth of knowledge and camaraderie over the years, “Thank you.”

Has anyone attended the AAA Gran National Meet which was held in Gettysburg, Pa in the latter part of August? If so, would you please write up an article and send to me, Sally Getz, csgetz@ptd.net, so I can share with the membership about this show in the newsletter. I was planning on attending until the location was changed to Gettysburg, Pa. Please send me an article, thank you.

Is anyone planning on attending the 1 day Hershey Car Show in early October? I would also be more than happy to receive an article from someone who is attending to share w/ the membership via the newsletter. Thank you in advance.

Well, I guess that is enough of my rambling on about things. My last thought from me to you, is, to continue to stay healthy, safe, be aware of your surroundings wherever you venture to, but remember, BE HAPPY and ENJOY! Your Elected Director, Sally

Buick’s Boattail Boulevard Cruiser is Finally Catching On

When the 1971 Buick Riviera hit the market, the American public wasn’t quite ready for it. The Riviera had debuted in 1963 with a finely tailored look that was both upscale and sporty and it evolved into a handsome, sleek coupe for 1966. By 1970, however, it had been festooned with chrome trim and had lost some of its edge. Buyers noticed. A radical transformation was in order.

Bill Mitchell planned an ambitious redesign that was tempered a bit by the realities of production, although what finally hit dealerships was unlike anything GM had in any of its showrooms. It was long, with a pointed leading edge and a low beltline that swept down to meet prominent haunches. Its signature styling detail, which earned it its nickname, was its boattail shaped rear complete with curved glass, reminiscent of the Mid-Year Corvette. Like the original in 1963, it looked quite like a concept. It was beautiful, but it was risky gamble. It did not pay off, as its more conservative rival, the Ford Thunderbird with its handsome fastback, outpaced it on the sales floor. Even with a powerful 455 Buick big-block under the hood, the Riviera GS couldn’t excite customers. Today it is a different story. Boattail Rivieras are heating up, bringing twice the price of Ford’s personal luxury cruiser. We spoke with Hagerty Valuations specialist Andrew Newton, who noted that 1971–73 Rivieras have shot up the Hagerty Vehicle Rating list with an HVR of 92, placing it eighth, with values at an all-time high. Newton says the Riviera is the hottest amongst its personal luxury peers, and it has definitely caught the attention of the younger generation. “Compared to competitors like the Pontiac Grand Prix, Mercury Cougar, and Cadillac Eldorado, Riviera’s are 15-percent more popular among younger collectors.” Buyer interest has surged, outpacing the rest of the collector car market, causing prices to go up by 28 percent over the last year; auction prices are up by 20 percent. Some notable auction sales include:

A 1972 that sold for $49,500 at RM Fort Lauderdale, more than $17,000 above its current #1-condition value.
A 1972 GS that sold for $44,000 at Mecum L.A. last year, more than $15K above the #1 value at the time.
A 1971 model that for $28,600 at last month’s RM Auburn Fall event, $6K more than its current #2 value.

As prices remain high for perennial muscle car favorites, it’s only natural that the bigger, big-block-powered personal luxury cars would begin to catch up. We don’t expect these boulevard bruisers to bring the same kind excitement to the market as a flashier muscle car, but these full-size sedans from the late 1960s and early ’70s still look amazing and make for great cruisers, even if it took the market 50 years to realize it.

Many Many THANKS!

On behalf of Debbie and myself we want to “thank” the members of the Chapter for all the cards, well wishes and prayers concerning my health scare and hospitalization recently.

As of August 1st, I am at home recuperating and getting spoiled by Debbie. I can’t do much but I have my helper Mike and my neighbor keeping things moving along for the customers’ cars and projects.

Will be going to various doctors and hopefully getting a clean bill of health.

Once again, to all the members of the chapter, “Thank You for all”.

David and Debbie Brady

First Cars with Air Conditioning: A Brief History

A car without an air conditioning system? Simply unimaginable for people these days. It comes as a standard in almost all vehicles manufactured across the world today. But this was not the case during the earlier days of automobile manufacturing. When did cars get air conditioning? Do you want to know about the first cars with air conditioning?

Automakers started manufacturing motor vehicles for commercial purposes from the end of the 19^th century. But those vehicles were open bodied, so the makers did not think of adding anything for air circulation. Close-bodied vehicles made their debut around 1908. Since then, inventors began their quest for developing a functional cooling system for automobiles. However, consumers had to wait until 1939 when the luxury New York manufacturer Packard developed the first functioning and practical AC system for motor vehicles. Packard made the first air conditioned car although it was an optional extra. Had any customer wanted it, a third party company named Bishop and Babcock Co. installed the system into the car. Unfortunately, Packard’s ‘weather conditioner’ failed to gain commercial success due to its high price tag. Also, the machine has mechanical issues and needed frequent servicing. The company discontinued it in 1941.

AC system became highly popular after World War II. Many independent manufacturers took this job of fitting aftermarket air cons into all makes of vehicles. These units were still pricey but there was a cheaper option known as a car cooler.

Car air conditioning systems have gained even more popularity in the next decade. Several big automakers, including General Motors, stepped up to take the business away from independent manufacturers. They offered it as an extra option. However, GM made the air con as a standard feature in almost all of their models in 1953, and Nash and Pontiac followed the trend the next year. Several other manufacturers followed the suit in the next few years. Sales of car AC units highly increased in the 60s. Cadillac really changed the game by bringing an AC control system for the first time in 1964. The setting allowed changing the car temperature to a preferred temperature.

With technological advancements, people had also been becoming aware of their hostile effects on the environment. The adversarial impact of air conditioning became a big talking point in the 70s. It brought down air con’s popularity a bit, and many consumers chose not to have it in their car. People growing in the 70s may still remember the sticky feeling of vinyl seats in hot summer days. A scientific study showed that CFCs (used in air conditioning units) are harmful to the protective ozone layer. The debate around this discovery was threatening to the automobile industry. Fortunately, the automakers were more flexible, and they were willing to accept an alternative rather be adamant about using CFCs.

Carmakers developed R134a, a more environment-friendly substitute for the R12. The older refrigerant is highly detrimental to the ozone layer and the environment in general. When R12 was banned in 1996, the automobile industry was not much affected because it already had an alternative. With the alternative refrigerant and continuous technological and design improvements, the automobile industry never had to face a massive setback. The car sales rate has been steady for many years, and almost all of them have air conditioning pre-installed.

The debate over the harmful effects of air conditioning refrigerant is still alive. Many people are cautious about the use of motor vehicles because of the pollutants they release to the environment. The invention of electric cars and several other measures for reducing pollution are responses to address those concerns. However, the future of air-conditioned automobiles is still bright.

cooling system in automobiles. It seems that it took more than 40 years for the air con to be a common feature since the Packard AC system. It became standard in American vehicles through the 60s, but Europe was a bit slow to catch on. An air conditioning system was more like a feature for luxury and premium cars in Europe, even during the early millennium years. However, the European scenario has changed in the last decade. Currently, all cars, except for the ones at the low-budget spectrum, have the system pre-installed as a standard feature.

Future Buick National Dates

2021 – Concord, North Carolina, June 30 – July 3, 2021
2021 – Strongsville, Ohio, July 7 – 10, 2021
2022 – Lisle, Illinois, June 21 – 26
2023 – Spokane, Washington, July 11 – 15
2024 – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, June 12 – 15

Calendar of Events

SEPTEMBER 2020 HAPPY LABOR DAY!!

1 – Monthly chapter dinner meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa. Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm. A special presentation will be held during this meeting.

OCTOBER 2020 HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

6 – Monthly chapter dinner meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa. Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting @ 7:30 pm.

NOVEMBER 2020 HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

3 – Monthly chapter dinner meeting, Starlite Diner & Lounge, Allentown, Pa. Dinner @ 6 pm, business meeting@ 7:30 pm.

CARS/PARTS “FOR SALE”

1967 Buick Skylark 4 Dr Sedan 340 2-barrel, ST 300 Switch Pitch, PS, manual brakes, radio, cassette player, no air. 70,100 original miles. Maroon color. Exterior, cloth maroon interior. Mag wheels. Clean/Clear title. Pictures upon request $10,00.00. Sally Getz 610-377-6130.

1982 Buick Riviera Coupe V8, Automatic Transmission, 50,000 Original miles, Interior: Leather Seats, ALL Original. Exterior: Landau Roof, medium Sandstone w/ pin stripes, ALL original. Factory Air, AM/FM Radio w/ Power Antenna, Power Windows/Door Locks, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Center Console, Cruise Control. Rear Air Suspension, Mag Wheels. Clean/Clear Title. $10,000.00, Sally Getz, 610-377-6130

VARIOUS BUICK PARTS:

Various paired fenders: 1950 Super; 1966 Electra; 1968-9 LeSabre; 1965 Wildcat; 1963-4, 1969 Riviera

Single fenders: 1966, 1978 Electra; 1969 LeSabre; 1965, ’70, ’71-73 Riviera; 1965, ’67 Skylark; 1964 Wildcat

Dash: 1969-70 Electra Dash with very small cut

Patch Panels: 1966-69, ’70 Riviera

Hoods: 1965, 1969 Electra; 1968-69 LeSabre; 1963-65 Riviera; 1953, 1967 Skylark

Trunk lid: 1949 Super; 1966 Electra; 1970-72 Skylark

Radiator Support: 1965 Electra; 1966,1969 Riviera; 1965 Wildcat

Doors: 1965-66 Electra/Wildcat Passenger (manual window); 4 – 1966 Electra (2 front and 2 back, in vey very good condition); 1966 Wildcat (pair from 2 dr car, manual window)

Gas Tanks: 1971 LeSabre plus others

Seats: 1967 Skylark Front Bench seat; 1967 Skylark Back seat; NEW, 1967 Skylark Bucket seat covers with foams NEW; NEW 1967 Back Seat Covers NEW. 1971 Skylark Cpe back seat. Sally Getz, 610-377-6130, csgetz@ptd.net

Parts for Sale for Buick 1953–1956. ( V–8)

Point set; Condenser; Resistor; Rotor; Distributor cap; 8 Autolite Spark Plugs. SOLD AS A SET $60.00. ((BOB’S AUTOMOBILIA PRICE, $75 PLUS SHIPPING.)) Howard Kriebel 610 489 1253.