DIRECTOR’S THOUGHTS

MARCH 2025 Food for thought: Buick is in the midst of several big changes, from a transition to all-electric powertrains, to new vehicle styling, to a totally new brand identity. Part of the brand overhaul is a new logo, which was unveiled in 2022 in conjunction with the debut of the Buick Wildcat EV concept. Now, GM Authority has the inside story on how the new Buick logo came to be.

GM Authority Executive Editor, Boniface talked about the birth of the Wildcat EV concept. His team was already considering a new Tri-Shield badge design. When doing the quick sketch of the Buick Wildcat EV concept, a lot of the designers were just doing these quick three marks, indicating that the quick three marks were used as a sort of placeholder where the Buick badge would be located on the vehicle; they weren’t trying to push a new logo, just keeping them on the sketches.

Although the team wasn’t actively trying to sell higher-ups on the idea of a new logo, the opportunity eventually presented itself. There was a high-level review with the GM President and all the senior leaders. One of the sketches got through with the new Tri-Shield. Though an endorsement from the company president is indeed a positive indicator, the Buick team wasn’t quite ready to bring the new badge to the rest of the brand. The designer team was not ready to take on dealers saying, ‘Oh, now I have to buy new signage and all that goes along with that.’ The designer team started showing it on the Wildcat EV. The Tri-Shield design in use today can be traced back to 1959, and, is based on a stylized Buick family crest first used in 1937, although it bears little resemblance to the original crest. The three shields represent the Buick lineup from that time period, which included the LeSabre, Electra, and Invicta. Notably, the latest Tri-Shield badge introduced in 2022 is the first instance in which the three shields don’t include a circle around them. Now, Buick is implementing all-new styling language in conjunction with the new badge.

As one can imagine, there are positive and negative remarks about this change in the logo. What do you think?

Your elected Director, Sally Getz

“Free Spirit” Meeting Minutes – February 4, 2025

Meeting called to order @ 7:12 pm. 15 members were in attendance. Sally “Welcomed” everyone and asked if anyone wanted to share what they have done in the past month. Steve Chappelear shared that he and Lisa went to Baja Mexico for their son’s wedding. They enjoyed it very much, although not too excited to go back. The best part was watching pods of whales, including very large pods, swimming and breaching every morning.

John and Gail Malone shared being on a cruise to the Caribbean including the Bahamas. Gail reported that it was warmer there than here!

Motion to accept January meeting minutes as printed in the February newsletter, Kathleen Duckett, seconded by, Shirley Schaffer, so carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer’s report given by John Moore for January 2025, motion to accept, Todd Kriner, seconded by Bob Miles, so carried. Books were audited on Thursday, January 23, 2025 by Kathleen/Thomas Duckett, Shirley Schaffer with Sally Getz present. Books are in good standing.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Historian: no report Lehighton: Kathleen Duckett reported no progress on QR code research. What QR codes were and how they would work was reviewed. Sally gave webmaster information to Kathleen for help on intranet access with judging process. It was agreed that a “Top 10 Favorites/People’s Choice” (no specialty) would be simple and easier than multiple designations. It was agreed that a space for a required email address and phone would be added to the registration flyer. The email could be used to notify participants of any changes that may arise. Sally Getz will send the flyer to the printer so that it is available by March for the Leesport swap meet.

Membership: William Hallman is attending the AACA convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. Everyone was in compliance for “No wear badge” – nice job!

E-newsletter/newsletter: ALL advertisers have renewed their renewal ad, thank you.

Publicity: no report Technical: John had reupholstering done by a company in Hatboro very happy with the result. He would recommend them for any upholstering work.

Ways – n – Means: 2 blankets were sold to a BCA gentleman from Michigan who bought 2 in December 2024.

OLD BUSINESS: 3 members (Todd Kriner, 1982 Riviera, Shirley Schaffer, 1957 Special Conv, Dennis Snell, Buick) will be placing their BUICKS on display @ AOW, April – October. Sally invited members to attend a meeting @ AOW on Tuesday, February 11th to see how we can display BUICK items at AOW at the same time the cars are on display. If you would like to help, the meeting is set for Feb 11th at 10:30 am. Think about whether or not you have any BUICK items that you’d like to put on display. We are allowed to have a table to sell items during the weekends at AOW. You have time to decide, but if anyone is interested in sitting at a table to promote our chapter that would be great. Think about it.

NEW BUSINESS: Annual chapter picnic will be held Sunday, June 22, 2025 under the Weeping Willow Pavilion at Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie, PA. Shirley Schaffer will reserve this date and pavilion with the park.

Sally received an e-mail from Anne Gibson on encouraging members to go online to the National BCA site to verify and or correct their information for an upcoming National membership roster.

Sally received an e-mail from Rob Stadnicki and Dan Giannini on a new chapter developing, Delaware Valley Chapter, consisting of a 5 county area: Philadelphia area, Montgomery County, Bucks County, Chester County, and Delaware County. Hopefully once they are established, newsletters and future events will be exchanged. John/Gail Malone and Eric Hunsberger stated they would not be leaving Free Spirit but would be members in both. Eric reported that they are up to 33 interested members.

February: Sally gave out healthy valentines (Welch’s fruit chews) for everyone.

Meeting Location: Todd Kriner went on a covert operation to Starlight Diner & Lounge. Salad bar would cost extra, but the owners said we could have the room. The party menu that he had received tonight was passed around, and it was thought there were a few more choices, and the prices seemed reasonable. Discussion ensued. It was decided to stay at the Trivet until summer break, then in September, we will go to them to discuss the possibility of coming back to the Starlight and see what response we get and how the prices are at that time. Be sure to keep abreast for future information on this. Motion to adjourn, Steve Chappelear, seconded by Kathleen Duckett, so carried. Time:7:48 pm. Respectfully submitted, Linda Cluck

ALICE M. SCHAFFER

Alice M. Schaffer, 96, of Allentown, passed away on February 7, 2025 at home. She was the loving wife of the late William K. Schaffer, DDS. Born in Scranton, she was the daughter of the late Elmer and Sophia (Smith) Morrow. She moved to Allentown when she was 10. She met her husband Bill in high school and they were married in June 1950. She was a bookkeeper for her husband’s dental practice. In 1973, Alice became a Meals on Wheels volunteer. She continued until 2022, during which time she logged more than 15,000 miles delivering well over 25,000 meals to people in the Macungie area. In 2017, the Mayor of Allentown recognized her service by proclaiming Friday, May 19, 2017 as “Alice Schaffer Appreciation Day”.

Alice was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown. She was a member of the Buick Club of America (Free Spirit Chapter), and Buick Driving Enthusiasts. Alice was a big Eagles fan. She also enjoyed traveling, baking, counted cross-stitch and watching the birds in her back yard, but most of all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

Survivors: Sons: Wayne K. Schaffer and his wife Patricia of Pennsburg, and Paul M. Schaffer and his wife Susan of Lewes, DE; Brother: David Morrow Sr. and his wife Kathy of Auburndale, FL; 10 Grandchildren and 12 Great-Grandchildren.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, March 1, 2025 at 11:00 am in the Chapel at the First Presbyterian Church of Allentown, 3231 W. Tilghman St. Allentown. A calling hour will be held prior to the service at 10:00 am in the Church. Arrangements by the J.S. Burkholder Funeral Home, Allentown. Condolences may be offered at: www.jsburkholder.com

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in her memory to Meals on Wheels of the Greater Lehigh Valley, 1302 N. Sherman St. Allentown, PA 18109.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MARCH 2025 HAPPY ST. PATRICK’SDAY!

• 2 – Leesport Swap Meet hosted by Ontelaunee Region AACA, Leesport, Pa
• 4 – Monthly chapter dinner (6 pm)/business meeting (7:30 pm), Trivet Rest., Allentown, Pa.

APRIL 2025 HAPPY APRIL FOOL’S!

• 4 – Monthly chapter dinner (6 pm) business meeting (7:30 pm), Trivet Rest., Allentown, Pa
• 13 – Classic Auto Mall Show, Morgantown, Pa
• 23-27 – Spring Carlisle, Pa

MAY 2025 HAPPY SPRING!!

• 2 – 4 – Englishtown Swap Meet, Raceway Park, Englishtown, NJ
• 3 – Blue Mtn. Car Show, Bethlehem, Pa
• 6 – Monthly chapter dinner (6pm) business meeting (7:30pm), Trivet Restaurant, Allentown, PA
• 17 – Wheels on the Canal Show, Northampton, Pa

Cars/Parts For Sale

1948 Roadmaster 48-71 Sedan: 113K miles. Has been in the family for over 15 years and is in overall excellent condition. Cream/Burgandy 2-tone exterior with complete burgundy interior. Straight 8 (Fireball 8) Cylinder Engine, Dynaflow Automatic Transmission, 6 Volt Electrics in Place. Velour Interior, Fog Lamps, Many Extra Parts, Comes with PA Classic Plate. This is a great driving car and will clean up to be a fantastic cruiser. Ran in the fall of 2022. Bill Hoy, 610-807-3650, Bethlehem, Pa 18017. Pictures upon request.

1961 Buick LeSabre Flattop, 4 Door Sedan, Burgundy w/ White Roof, 72,000 miles, 364 CI ‘Nailhead’ V8 2bbl, Automatic 2 Speed Trans, PS & PB, Manual Windows. Was my father’s car. Being sold as part of an estate. Has nice paint and nice original interior, Solid Trunk, can hear run, Was in 100% working order prior to being in storage, will need to be inspected prior to putting back on the road, a very classy looking Buick for someone to enjoy. $6000 Allentown, PA, Rodney, 610-295-7681 (cell), 610-285-6194 (home), rk032166@aol.com

STEERING WHEELS/HORN BUTTON

• #739 1964-65 Skylark/Sportwagon horn button bar assembly, #9741094
• #1132 1962 Lesabre/Electra/Invicta/Special; 1962-63 Skylark interior steering wheel w/ horn button trim piece power steering,1 w/ very small cracks
• #1133 1963-64 Wildcat Steering Wheel w/ cracks
• #1134 1965 Special Steering Wheel, cracks
• #1135 1973 Centurion Steering wheel, NO CRACKS
• #1136 1969-70 LeSabre/WC/Skylark/GS Steering wheel
• #1137 1968-69 Lesabre/GS/Skylark/WC Steering wheel, 1 sm crack

Rapp Parts – HUGE 1920’s – 70’s BUICKS, cars/trucks

Starlight, Pa 18461 570-798-0390. (PLEASE CALL FIRST)