DIRECTOR’S THOUGHTS, APRIL, 2025

I’m going to ask you to sit back in your comfy chair and get ready to read the following, mind blowing article:

GM Update This Is A Must Read For All. By now, you’ve no doubt heard the news: General Motors’ Chinese partner, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) will take a controlling stake in GM by purchasing the equity sold to the U.S. and Canadian governments during the bailout. But what does it mean for the future of GM?

The announcement was brief, cryptic and buried in the excitement over the multitude of concepts and new vehicles GM has just announced it will debut at the Shanghai auto show in a few weeks. The press release reads simply:

“Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) and General Motors (NYSE: GM) are announcing today that an agreement has been reached with the governments of the United States and Canada that will allow SAIC to purchase the shares of GM owned by the respective governments. The sale is expected to be completed by this time next year pending approval from U.S., Canadian and Chinese government regulators.”

SAIC is owned and controlled by the Chinese Government. If this deal goes through, GM will essentially be sold to the government of China. How could our government let this happen? As is so often the case, it’s all about the money. SAIC would have to pay a minimum of $17.3 billion to buy all of the U.S. and Canadian Governments’ shares of GM, though the actual sale price will likely be higher so the governments can turn a profit on the sale. But unless SAIC offers the estimated $56 per share necessary for the U.S. and Canadian Governments to break even on their investment in GM, the taxpayers are going to take a bath on this deal. Details regarding changes to GM post-sale are scarce right now, but the deal will likely see current GM Chairman and CEO Dan Akerson leave the company and replaced with SAIC chairman Hu Maoyuan and president Shen Jianhua. GM’s headquarters should remain in Detroit but will answer to Shanghai. Shanghai GM, SAIC’s joint venture with GM in China, will likely be folded into SAIC down the road as it will no longer be necessary under Chinese law. Though the announcement comes as a shock, the warning signs seem so clear now. Why GM kept Buick and killed Pontiac. Why the quintessential American midsize car, the Chevrolet Malibu, is debuting in Shanghai. Why the Chevrolet Cruze and Buick Regal were on-sale in China long before the U.S. Why the Buick LaCrosse was designed in China and why China is getting a Buick version of the Chevrolet Volt, along with a new plug-in hybrid Buick SUV. A deal like this doesn’t happen overnight, and it’s clear now that GM has been buttering-up SAIC for the past few years.

The only question is: Is a GM run by the Chinese Government a better deal than GM run by the U.S. Government? APRIL FOOL’S! Gotcha!! Your elected Director, Sally Getz

“Free Spirit” Meeting Minutes – March 4, 2025

Meeting called to order @ 7:00 pm. 15 members were in attendance. Sally “Welcomed” everyone and asked if anyone wanted to share what they have done in the past month. Bill Hallman reported on the AACA event in Concord, SC stating that it was terrific with a fabulous hotel near the transportation museum. Plus there were many other nice things to do in the immediate area.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day, Steve and Lisa Chappelear hosted 4 of their kids who apparently think “romantic evening” means dinner at Mom & Dad’s house!

Motion to accept February meeting minutes as printed in the March newsletter, Isabel Lenny, seconded by, Shirley Schaffer, so carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer’s report given by John Moore for February 2025, motion to accept, Dini Vigliano, seconded by Steve Chappelear, so carried.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Historian: no report Lehighton: Lisa Chappelear reported that she and Kathleen Duckett were planning on meeting to discuss but have not had a chance yet. Nothing else new at this time.

Sally Getz reported that a new flyer was sent to the printer which was handed out during the Leesport swap meet. The flyer is updated and includes space for an email address and another for a phone number. Updated flyers were available to take along for sharing anywhere a member might find appropriate!

Membership: There are no new members. $2 “No wear badge” monies was collected. A new, up-to-date membership roster was handed out.

E-newsletter/newsletter: ALL advertisers have renewed their renewal ad, thank you. Sally Getz reported sending an email requesting up-to-date membership information. She got a good, fast, response – thanks to everyone for that.

Publicity: no report Technical: no report Ways – n – Means: no report

OLD BUSINESS: A meeting was held with Mr. Greener at AOW on Feb 18th with Dennis Snell, Shirley Schaffer, Todd Kriner, and Sally Getz. Due to Shirley not being able to display her 57 Buick, a message was sent to all members asking for volunteers to display a car. With no response, Dennis will put two cars on display. Shirley reported that the reason she could not participate was that her 57 Buick hadn’t been run in 5-6 years. Steve Chappelear offered to come up and look at it for her and will ask Tom Duckett to go along. Think about whether or not you have any BUICK items that you’d like to put on display to promote the history of Buick, or the history of our chapter. Think about it.

As read in the March newsletter, we lost long time member, Alice Schaffer. Sally Getz asked if the Club would like to send a check, $35.00, to Meals on Wheels in her honor. All agreed.

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 reserved the date and pavilion with the park.

Delaware Valley Chapter: As per Jack Welch, President of BCA, the BCA Board of Directors voted to enthusiastically accept approval to form the Delaware Valley Chapter of the Buick Club of America!

Invite to us from Del-Val chapter: ”Just to remind you, the inaugural meeting will be on Sunday, March 30th, at the Fuge, entertainment venue, starting at 12 PM, and the tour will begin at 1 PM. Located at 760 Falcon Circle, Warminster, PA 18974. Rain or shine, as this is an indoor event. The Fuge is an 11,000-square-foot concrete building that is home to the Johnsville Centrifuge, built by the U.S. Navy starting in 1947. Designed to simulate gravitational forces experienced by pilots and astronauts during flight, the 180-ton centrifuge is the largest and most powerful ever built.

The centrifuge consists of a 10-foot-diameter spheroid gondola mounted to a 50-foot arm that rotated around the circular centrifuge chamber powered by a 4,000-horsepower motor. Capable of accelerating to 173 mph in under 7 seconds, the centrifuge tested the effects of gravitational forces on pilots and helped astronauts prepare for the lift-off and reentry phases of their space missions. Operational for nearly 50 years, the centrifuge was an invaluable training tool for many of America’s early spacefarers, including Project Mercury Astronauts Alan Shepard, John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, and Donald K. (“Deke”) Slayton, and Apollo 11 crew members who first walked on the moon, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin!

Today, the centrifuge is “the star attraction” in The Fuge’s largest venue and creates an otherworldly ambience for prom goers, newlyweds, bar and bat mitzvants and their guests. To arrange a tour of the Johnsville Centrifuge or to learn more about The Fuge’s fascinating history, call 215-589-0611.

I want you to know that we appreciate your responses. As of today, we have 24 confirmed members and spouses. I have also invited members of the Free Spirit Chapter to attend the tour portion of our event. I think we can learn a lot from them about organizing and running our chapter. Best Regards, Dan Giannini”

Bill Hallman, along with the Reinigers, think that they will attend.

As per a National BCA board meeting from 01/21/2025, note the following: 6. National Meet Committee: Sid Meyer has had meetings with John De Fiore on the 2026 National Meet, Albany, NY. Mr. Meyer also commented that he was looking into the possibility of the Chapters around Flint, Michigan hosting the 2028 National Meeting as it is an Anniversary year. He further commented that there was still a possibility of Columbus, Ohio hosting the 2027 National.

Motion to adjourn, Steve Chappelear, seconded by Isabel Lenny, so carried. Time:7:26 pm.

Respectfully submitted, Linda Cluck, Secretary

ANNUAL CHAPTER PICNIC, JUNE 22, 2025

When: Sunday, June 22, 2025, will eat around 12:30 pm.

Where: Weeping Willow Pavilion, Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie, Pa

The chapter will provide meats, utensils, paper products. Members ae to bring the following according to the first letter of their last name: A – G = COLD selection H – O = DESSERT selection P – Z = HOT selection

Bring you empty bellies, good stories and humor! You won’t go away hungry, nor, be disappointed!!

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

APRIL 2025 HAPPY APRIL FOOL’S!

• 1 – 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

JUNE 2025 HAPPY SUMMER!

• 1 – GM On Display Show, Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie, Pa
• 8 – Cars & Cookies Show, Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie, Pa
• 22 – Annual Chapter Picnic, Macungie Memorial Park, Macungie, Pa
• 28 – Scouting for Cars, New Tripoli, 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 w/ 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

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