February 2025 Newsletter

DIRECTOR’S THOUGHTS, FEBRUARY 2025

Rudolf Diesel: The Man, The Machine, And The Mystery

Rudolf Diesel was an important man of his time. It was his relentless pursuit to create the most thermally efficient powerplant that gave birth to the diesel motor. That motor, upon which is his legacy manifested into physical form, left a lasting fingerprint on the industrial and automotive world.

The Man Rudolf Christian Karl Diesel was born March 18, 1858 in Paris to Bavarian immigrants Elise née Strobel and Theodor Diesel. The Diesel family lived in Paris until 1870, the year they were forced out of France at the onset of the Franco-Prussian war. The family eventually resettled in England, but Diesel was sent to Augsburg, Bavaria (now part of Germany) to live with relatives who were in a better financial position to meet the needs of a young child.

An early fascination with all things mechanical was stoked at a young age by many visits to the National Conservatory of Arts and Crafts. At 14, Diesel knew that he would only be happy educated and employed as an engineer, and after earning top marks in grade school, enrolled into the New Industrial School of Augsburg.

The Machine Diesel was, by all accounts, obsessed with the theoretical and practical limitations of fuel efficiency and thermal dynamics. He theorized creating an engine that was more efficient than the popular steam engines of the time would greatly benefit small businesses. With higher profit margins larger corporations could afford to run steam engines, but the operating costs of an inefficient steam-powered motors severely set back smaller companies with much thinner profit margins.

Inspired by work of Sadi Carnot, specifically the Carnot cycle which focused on thermal efficiency, Diesel conducted several experiments with a variety of different designs. One such experiment led him to create a steam engine that used ammonia in its power making process. Unfortunately, this engine exploded during testing, almost killing him. After an extended period in the hospital Diesel recovered, but not without having his vision permanently effected. He persevered and continued to work at improving driving efficiency with several more innovative designs, at one point even designing a solar-powered engine.

His largest breakthrough came was in the field of internal combustion, and in 1890 Diesel discovered an approach that used fuel injected at the end of the compression cycle. That fuel was then ignited by high air temperature caused by the compression stroke. The pressure ignition stroke made this motor a significant departure from standard internal combustion engines that needed a spark to ignite the air/fuel mixture.

Simple in design, very efficient, and extremely reliable, the diesel engine almost became a commercial triumph overnight after being displayed at the 1898 Munich Exhibition. Today, the diesel motor remains the most efficient internal combustion engine ever invented.

The Mystery The day of his death, September 29, 1913, Diesel boarded ‘The Dresden,’ a Post Office steamer enroute to London, where he was set to attend the ground-breaking ceremony of the Consolidated Diesel Manufacturing Company. Afterward, Diesel was to meet with the British Navy to discuss using his engine in their fleet of submarines. During the first night of the voyage Diesel had dinner aboard the ship and left instructions from the crew at 10:00 p.m. to awake him in his quarters at 6:15 a.m. the next morning. It was the last time anyone saw Diesel alive.

On the morning of September 30, when the crew arrived at his stateroom as instructed, Diesel had seemingly vanished, and was nowhere to be found on the ship. His body was recovered 10 days later floating partially decomposed in the water and was identified by his pocket knife, identification card, and eyeglass case. Judges presiding over the mysterious case deemed Diesel’s death a suicide, in a ruling that was based on current money woes, prior nervous breakdowns, and history of somewhat erratic behavior.

Many countered that Diesel’s death was murder, citing possible espionage related to his dealings with Naval fleet power, however there is truly no way of knowing what really happened that night, leaving us with a mysterious end to the life of a brilliant man whose blueprints to the highly efficient diesel engine will live on.

Hope you enjoyed a little bit of history about the creator of the Diesel engine.

Your elected Director, Sally Getz

“Free Spirit” Meeting Minutes – January 2025

Meeting called to order @ 7:17 pm. 14 members were in attendance. Sally “Welcomed” everyone and asked if anyone wanted to share what they have done in the past month. Andrea Kriner shared that it was so much fun having their 10 month old grandchild in their home during the Christmas holiday!

Motion to accept December meeting minutes as printed in the January newsletter, no meeting held in December due to the “Holiday Gathering.”

Treasurer’s Report: Treasurer’s report given by John Moore for December 2024, motion to accept, Kathleen Duckett, seconded by Alice Schaffer, so carried. Books to be audited by Kathleen/Thomas Duckett, Shirley Schaffer with Sally Getz in the next couple of weeks.

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Historian: “Holiday Gathering” picture has been posted on the web page.

Lehighton: The 2025 show has been discussed. Kathleen Duckett led the discussion centered around the use of QR codes to collect award votes for registered cars. A QR code sticker can be added to every car’s windshield card.

Kathleen reported that there is no issue in the ability to create the QR codes necessary for the show. The QR code would take the attendee to a website where they would be able to vote for a vehicle by entering its corresponding registration windshield card number.
The webmaster would need to be engaged to create the “back-end” program to tally the votes.
The item to be settled at this meeting was whether cars would be judged in classes or whether judging would be show-wide.
Ed Lenny moved that cars would be parked in order of arrival (not in specific classes) and that awards would be given to the top ten vote getters show-wide. Kathleen seconded the motion, and the motion passed.
Pre-registration will continue to be used.
The show date is Saturday, 25 October 2025, with NO RAIN DATE.
$2 of ALL registration fees will be donated to ‘Dream Come True”
N.B. Mobile phone data service should be verified at park
(BRENT’S THOUGHT) Registration form should include registrant’s email address. This will allow for any required communication, including notification of future shows.

Membership: monies were accepted by John Moore for members without wearing badges.

E-newsletter/newsletter: no report

Publicity:

Technical:

Ed Lenny described a radiator filling/bleeding kit that he had used on a recent task. The kit includes caps for multiple radiator fill sizes, a funnel with a sealing plunger. Using the kit allows for easy, spill-proof filling. Ed stated that he used the kit that was manufactured by Lisle.
Here is the amazon.com link for this kit as well as other manufacturer options. Automotive Fluid Maintenance Tools
Here is a video showing usage: Lisle 24680 Spill-Free Funnel
Lisle makes several models of this device that include radiator fittings for different auto manufacturers.

Ways – n – Means: 2 blankets were sold to a BCA gentleman from Michigan.

OLD BUSINESS: Just as a reminder, there is no “Bugle” for January 2025.

NEW BUSINESS: Received a “Thank you” note from “Dream Come True, Blue Ridge Chapter, for 2024 charitable contribution.

Jo Ann Millard passed away in early December. Her husband, David, passed away on December 28^th. They were long time, very very active members as officers in the Long Island Chapter, BCA.

Don Mayton, owner of the #10 GM Future Liner from Michigan, passed away in October. Sally had been in contact with him inquiring what was all involved in having his Future Liner on display at Macungie when BUICK was the marque in 2013.

Sally received a surprise for this chapter from longtime friend, Helen Hutchings of Kansas. In the November 2024 Bugle, Helen sent in an article on Ken/Liz Eberts. Ken, designer and creator, submitted a design proposal for the BCA’s Buick logo. This BCA logo was adopted in 1969. During his life, he was heavily involved in creating and painting fine art, mainly focused around the automobile hobby, some of which were the annual Christmas cards for the AACA.

Sally was contacted by Rich Greene, AOW volunteer – Assistant to the Exhibit Chairman, inviting members of the “Free Spirit” Chapter BCA, looking for 3 BUICKS to be displayed in their exhibit gallery for approximately 6 months. A flyer containing all information was passed out to those in attendance. See flyer in this newsletter.

John Scheib the BCA northeast coordinator for regional chapters has retired. Ann Gibson, BCA Chapter/Region/Division Coordinator has begun the search for a replacement. A flyer containing all information was passed out. See duties in this newsletter.

Motion to adjourn, Isabel Lenny, seconded by Kathleen Duckett, so carried. Time: 8:07 pm.

Respectfully submitted, Brent Senseny (substitute)

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEBRUARY 2025 HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!

4 – Monthly chapter dinner (6 pm)/ business meeting (7:30 pm), Trivet Rest, Allentown, PA. (WEATHER PERMITTING)

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
23-27 – Spring Carlisle, 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 with 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

SINGLE FENDERS (Contact Sally Getz, 484-464-3418, csgetz@ptd.net)

#2 1965 WC (WHITE) with rust out behind wheel, DRIVERS SIDE ONLY
#5 1965 Riviera drivers fender (gray)
#6 1965 Riviera drivers fender (black)
#8 1965 Riviera (BLUE) drivers’ side
#9 1964 Wildcat (WHITE) passenger side
#12 1972 Riviera (RED with dent) drivers side
#14 1962 Electra (TURQUIOSE with 4 holes) drivers side, round light
#17 1970 Riviera (GREEN) passenger side
#18 1979 – Newer?? Regal (RED w. pin stripe) drivers side
#19 1978 Estate Wagon (BLUE with Wood drivers’ side, $125.00 with passenger Inner fender part
#39 1966 Electra (BLUE) passenger
#40 1971-73 Boat Tail Riviera (GREEN w/ dent) passenger side