Belltown Antique Car Club - P.O. Box 211, East Hampton, CT 06424 September, 2017

NEXT MEETING

Wednesday, September 6, 2017 at the East Hampton Library, beginning with

our semi-annual Pot Luck Supper at 6:30 p.m.

On the Agenda: - Recapping our 51st Annual Vintage Motorcar Meet

- Activities to schedule: fall tour(s) and BACC’s annual holiday party

- Preparations for the upcoming election of Club officers for 2018

FUEL FOR THOUGHT

“Look, two Studebakers! No, three of ’em, one after the other! How often do you see THAT?”

- An unidentified onlooker remarking to his companion as they watched a pair of

colorful Studebaker Larks, followed by a black 1962 GT Hawk, exit the show field

at the conclusion of our 51st Belltown Vintage Motorcar Meet on August 6th.

CLUB NOTES

Our 51st Annual Vintage Motorcar Meet took place on Sunday, August 6th in weather conditions that, if a bit

breezy for hanging onto papers and keeping hat on head, could hardly have been better for a car show. On the

other hand, our special monthly meeting on August 2nd was held in the open pavilion at the fairgrounds under

wet and stormy conditions. Even so, we had a decent member turnout to discuss the upcoming show and take

a refresher on show car judging (thanks to Polly Beckwith for handling that). In the absence of Jon Grant and

Karl Helming, Peter Christianson ran the meeting and compiled a list of volunteers to serve as judging team

leaders for most of the classes.

Poor weather continued on “set-up Saturday” during the morning, however, it ended early enough that the field

conditions were quite acceptable for the show on Sunday. Nevertheless, it was decided not to push our luck

and open the gate by the fire house to use for traffic to exit the fairgrounds, necessitating two-way traffic on the

fairgrounds access road as has been the case in prior years. Not ideal, but workable.

A strong turnout of show cars, at least 320, made for a nearly full field. That is just short of what we registered

at our milestone 50th event, which was considered a great success. This year we returned to charging $5 per

show car (all occupants included) and there were no objections. In fact, many entrants said they considered it a

bargain. A discussion of the show and lessons learned will take place at our next meeting.

This year, our post-show BACC picnic was held on Saturday, August 12, at the home of Richard and Polly

Beckwith in Haddam. Some 28 or so members and spouses attended, many arriving in one of their old cars.

Much appreciation to the Beckwiths for hosting! [Regrettably, your editor was unable to attend this year due

to a family commitment. I was told later that no official Club business was discussed.]

September’s Club meeting (Wednesday, September 6th) will include a pot luck supper starting at 6:30 p.m.,

followed by the monthly business meeting. Call Polly Beckwith (860-345-4256) to let her know what you are

bringing. Paper plates and eating utensils will be provided by the Club, as usual. If your dish requires serving

utensils, please bring them and be sure to return home with them afterwards.

P. 2 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin September, 2017

MEMBER MILESTONES

Happy Birthday to: Steven Rossi Sept. 5th Eleanor Sutton Sept. 19th

Frank Shaw Sept. 5th Peter McNulty Sept. 26th

Vincenza McNulty Sept. 6th Sally Willis Sept. 26th

Matt Elgart Sept. 8th (75) Steve Fallis Sept. 28th

Rod Auclair Sept. 18th Jacqueline Grant Sept. 30th

Happy Anniversary to: Donald & Audrey Brookes Sept. 8th

Martin & Mary Cooke Sept. 10th

Phil & June Guertin Sept. 21st (15)

Robert & Patricia Hagan Sept. 21st

Late Braking: Please welcome several new members to the Club: John Hoban and his wife Barbara of Colchester

own two Ford Sunliners and a 1955 Ford Thunderbird. Garrett Grant and his wife Jacqueline and son Sean reside in Wallingford. They have several antique cars spanning the decades from a 1925 Nash Advanced Six on up to a pair of 80s era luxury models (Garrett noted that he bought their 1927 Ford Model T in 1980 from BACC founding member Stanley Knotek). F. Wally Bassett of North Haven and Peter McNulty and his wife Vincenza of Sandy Hook became members just before press time. We are very glad to have all of you as Belltowners!

UPCOMING EVENTS (Club participation events in bold)

Friday - Monday, Sept. 1 - 4 - Historic Festival 35 at Lime Rock Park incl. a Concours & Gathering of the Marques on Sunday, Sept. 3. (followed by a Dragone-sponsored auction); Lakeville, Conn. Go to www.limerockhistorics.com.

Wednesday, Sept. 6 - BACC monthly meeting at the East Hampton Library, beginning with a pot-luck supper at 6:30 p.m. Consult Polly Beckwith (860-345-4256) with questions regarding what to bring.

Sunday, Sept. 10 - 58th Annual Yankee Yesteryear Car Club’s Antique Car Show & Swap Meet, Brooklyn Fairgrounds, Rte. 169. Contact: Randy Long, 860-230-7888. Show flyer: http://yycc.org/YYCC%20Flyer%202017.pdf.

Sunday, Sept. 10 - 4th Annual Antique Automobile Extravaganza sponsored by the DRFD., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Devitt Field, Rte. 154 (south of town center), Deep River, Conn. Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/404083359944545.

Sunday, Sept. 10 - AACA Central Conn. Region’s 43rd Annual Antique Auto & Truck Meet at Glastonbury Elks Club, 98 Woodland St., South Glastonbury, Conn., 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Details at: http://www.cenconnaaca.org/.

Saturday - Sunday, Sept. 16 - 17 - Tobacco Valley Flywheelers’ Antique Engine & Tractor Show at Haddam Meadows State Park, Rte. 154, Haddam, Conn. Free admiss. Info: Russ Bengtson, 860-347-5774 or Randy Root, 860-301-6933.

Sunday, Sept. 17 - 32nd Annual Fly-in & Car Show, Simsbury Airport, Simsbury, Conn. Complete info at http://

www.simsburyflyin.com/.

Sunday, Sept. 24 - 20th Annual “By Land & By Sea” Antique Vehicle Show at Mystic Seaport, 75 Greenmanville Ave.,

Mystic, Conn. Show features a dazzling display of 100 authentic pre-1932 cars, trucks & motorcycles. Info at

www.mysticseaport.org.

Sunday, Sept. 24 - 34th Annual Pontiac & Oakland Fall Car Show at Masonicare, 67 Masonic Ave., Wallingford, Conn.

Rain date Oct. 1st. Info at http://www.nutmegchapterpoci.com/.

Saturday, Sept. 30 - 3rd Annual Cruise, Blues & Brews festival, Chester Fairgrounds, Rte. 154, Chester, Conn., 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Show cars should arrive 8:00 a.m. to 9:30. Live music featured. For information go to the sponsoring organi-zation’s web site, http://www.atriskboysfund.org/.

Wednesday, Oct. 4 - BACC monthly meeting at the East Hampton Library, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday - Saturday, Oct. 4 - 7 - AACA Eastern Fall Meet at Hershey, Penn. Info: http://www.hersheyaaca.org/.

P. 3 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin September, 2017

AWARD WINNERS - 51st ANNUAL VINTAGE MOTORCAR MEET

Class A - Up to 1918, all

1. 1914 Buick Touring** - Scott Mathein

Class B - Model T Fords, all

1. 1923 T Trng. - Ray Gravelin & Laura Curley

2. 1925 T Coupe - Mark Romano

3. 1915 T Roadster - Dennis Michaud

Class C - 1919 to 1929, all

1. 1928 Packard 526 Sedan - Bill Borriello

Class D - Classic Cars, 1925 to 1934, all

1. 1934 Bentley Drophd. Cpe. - Daniel McCurdy

2. 1936 Auburn 852 - Herb Caso

3. 1929 LaSalle 328 Town Sedan - Brian Foley

Class E - Classic Cars, 1935 to 1948, all

1. 1935 Packard 1207 Victoria - Ken Woronoff

2. 1940 Cadillac Ser. 62 Coupe - Victor Boomer

3. 1935 Rolls-Royce Tourer - Thomas Murray

Class F - Model A Fords, open bodies

1. 1931 A Deluxe Phaeton - John Beveridge

2. 1931 A Cabriolet - Tom Sheehan

3. 1930 A Dlx. Roadster - Sandy & Jim Bielunis

Class G - Model A Fords, closed bodies

1. 1930 A Town Sedan - Paul McCollam

2. 1931 A Tudor - Willy De & Gail

3. 1930 A Town Sedan - John Edwards

Class H - 1930 to 1935, closed

1. 1934 Oldsmobile F34 Sedan* - Sally White

2. 1932 Ford Model B Tudor - Matt Volatile

3. 1932 Chevrolet Confederate Sdn. - Perry Funk

Class I - 1936 to 1942, closed

1. 1940 Buick Spl. Bus. Coupe - Harvey Moran

2. 1939 Buick Spl. Opera Cpe. - Stephen Varhol

3. “1939” Citroen 15/6 Sdn. - Didier Rocherolle

Class J - 1930 to 1942, open

1. 1934 Ford Cabriolet - Ron & Joan Liska

2. 1940 LaSalle D50 Conv. - Ernie Betulia & Rosemary Rathbun

3. 1940 Buick Super Conv. - Frank Malfa

Class K - 1946 to 1954, closed

1. 1951 Ford Crestliner 2 Dr. - Robert Barbieri

2. 1948 Ford “Woodie” S.W. - Robert Sundman

3. 1954 Ford Customline 2 Dr. - Ernie Ellison

*) Winner, Club President’s Trophy

**) Winner, Award in Bob Helming’s Memory

Master of Ceremonies Award (In honor of Bill Reardon): 1941 Hupmobile Skylark - Larry & Vicky Connor

Class L - 1955 to 1960, closed

1. 1958 Ford Thunderbird Hardtop - Bill Lambert

2. 1955 Pontiac Chieftain 2-dr. - Jim Peterson

3. 1956 Mercury Monarch - Tony Della Camera

Class M - 1946 to 1960, open

1. 1948 Chrysler New Yorker Cv. - Bruce LeFebvre

2. 1956 Ford Sunliner Conv. - John Hoban

3. 1951 Studebaker Champion Cv. - Robin Maihshilo

Class N - 1961 to 1965, closed

1. 1962 Plymouth Savoy 2-dr. - George Roraback

2. 1964 Cadillac Sedan DeVille - Ron Perry

3. 1963.5 Ford Falcon Futura - John & Doreen Ward

Class O - 1961 to 1965, open

1. 1962 Pontiac Tempest Cv. - Jack & Lee Oulundsen

2. 1965 Buick Skylark GS Conv. - John Bunce

3. 1965 Ford Mustang Conv. - Diane Bials Law

Class P - 1966 to 1971, closed

1. 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A - Tom Tully

2. 1967 Oldsmobile Toronado - Doug Feest

3. 1970 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS454 - Jim Boczar

Class Q - 1966 to 1971, open

1. 1966 Ford Thunderbird Conv. - Mike Behrens

2. 1969 Oldsmobile 442 Conv. - Dominic Lucibello

3. 1966 Pontiac GTO Conv. - Robert Waynar

Class R - Sports Cars up to 1960 (incl. 2-seat T-birds)

1. 1955 Ford Thunderbird - Barbara Hoban

2. 1957 Ford Thunderbird - Dick Nodwell

3. 1960 Austin-Healey 3000 - George Greider & Gayle Kranz

Class S - Sports Cars, 1961 to 1971

1. 1967 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe - Allen Brown

2. 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe - Hal Hallgren

3. 1966 Chevrolet Corvette Conv. - Forrest Anderson

Class T - Light Commercial, up to 1945

1. 1933 Ford Model C Pickup - Charlie Rayner

2. 1936 Chevrolet Pickup - Walt Horn

3. 1930 Ford Model A Pickup - Tom Mazarella

Class U - Light Commercial, 1946 to 1971

1. 1959 GMC NAPCO 4x4 Pickup - Bob Reil

2. 1939 Ford Pickup - Paul & Cathy Moreau

3. 1967 Ford F-250 Good Humor Trk. - Maya Cigal

Class V - Heavy Commercial

1. 1944 Ford 1 1/2 Ton Rack - Lance & Lois Dimock

Class W - Fire Trucks

1. 1976 Dodge M-40 Fire Trk. - Barney Schnurbush

Class X - Military Vehicles (none judged)

P. 4 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin September, 2017

THREE STORY GARAGE

The Bulletin interviewed Sally White of Thompson, Conn., the proud owner of a lovingly restored 1934 Oldsmobile F34 Touring Sedan, winner of the President’s Trophy at our 51st Vintage Motorcar Meet.

Story 1 - Sally, we hear that your 1934 Oldsmobile has a strong family connection. Sally White: I remember playing by this old sedan when I was a little girl. It was in a small enclosed garage attached to the barn on the family homestead and had belonged to my grandfather. My father had backed grandpa’s Oldsmobile into that garage after he passed away in 1948. There it sat undisturbed for 57 years, with the key still in the ignition. Story 2 - How did you become interested in getting it back on the road? SW: I grew up looking at this car, dreaming of one day restoring it. Twelve years ago I decided it was time to have it fully restored, so we pulled it out of its resting place. The tires were flat, but the inner tubes would still hold air, enabling the car to be rolled onto a flat bed truck. It was a thrill to see it for the first time outside! I found my grandfather’s wool overcoat still draped over the back of the front seat. We also discovered plenty of evidence that mice and chickens had been living in and around the car over the years. While I always loved the looks of this car, the big bucket headlights and all, I found out that 1934 was actually a very special year for Oldsmobile. It was the first year they had hydraulic brakes and independent front suspension. The ’34s didn’t share many parts with the prior or subsequent models. Today you seldom see an Oldsmobile like this one. Story 3 - What can you tell us about the restoration? SW: It was just finished in July. It’s only been driven 60 or 70 miles since. Our goal was to make it as authentic as possible and I am very pleased with the results. The beaver brown color is as close a match to the original finish as we could get. The six-cylinder engine was rebuilt. The interior has been entirely redone, including the woodgraining, to duplicate the original materials and colors as best we could. In memory of my grandfather and my father (who did not live to see it restored), I had their initials “E.L.W.” and “E.M.W.” painted on the front doors, just below the windows.

Color photos below and at right by Dan David. Award presentation

photo above by Ralph Phil. L to R: BACC president Jon Grant,

Sally White (owner) and Ray Belsito (restorer) [not shown but pre-

sent, Mark Pelley (woodgraining and upholstery)]

Above: Leaving the garage

in 2005 [Sally White photo]

P. 5 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin September, 2017

CONNECTICUT AUTOMOBILIA

Submitted by Steven Rossi

Two advertisements from Connecticut aftermarket and industry suppliers (Casco ad circa 1964):

BELLTOWN CLASSIFIEDS

Send your sell/wanted ads for cars, parts and hobby-related services to dan12david@yahoo.com

Help Wanted – Social media-savvy car enthusiast to take charge of BACC’s presence on Facebook. Great opportunity for a young person to get involved in the old car hobby and help our club in an impactful way. Call Jon Grant to discuss, 860-267-7507.

For Sale – Boat trailer big enough for 17’ Boston whaler, needs some TLC but can tow home. $75 obo.

Wooden shelving, 6’ x 3’ x 10”, six shelves. $5.

Kitchen cabinets, taken out for remodeling, good for garage or workshop, call for details (cheap!)

Scott Macgregor, 869-399-7641 after 7 p.m. or email jscotmac@sbcglobal.net.

Free For The Taking – Hemmings Motor News back to the late 60's and Old Cars Weekly dating to its introduction at Hershey in 1971. Don't ask me why I saved them, but now it is your turn! Call Jay Beveridge 860-767-3072 to come and get 'em.

Correction - Last month’s “Connecticut Automobilia” article on the Columbia electric car’s role in the first presidential motorcade misidentified Alfred Pope as the Columbia bicycle magnate who created the car. This error appeared in the source document on www.ConnecticutHistory.org. However, embedded in that on-line article the name “Alfred Pope” is a clickable link to a biographical story on the correctly identified mobility pioneer, Albert Augustus Pope. Thanks much to BACC member Bill Pope, who spotted the error.

P. 6 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin September, 2017

THE SCOUTING REPORT

Unmuffled Exhaust from the Editor

“Be prepared!” is the well known motto of the Boy Scouts of America. Was it just me, or did some other members share my vague feeling of trepidation at the last Club meeting, the one we held just prior to our 51st Annual Vintage Motorcar Meet? Was it the bad weather that we hoped would clear by the morning of the show? Was it that nobody at the meeting knew the status of the show field layout? Was it the apparent short-age of volunteers who committed to judge all of the classes, let alone to do everything else on show day?

Did we ever revisit and act on all the lessons learned from last year’s car show? Whether we did so or not, we now have an opportunity to note the lessons from this year and strive to do better next time. I won’t even try to enumerate them all here because that needs to be done as a group - and a.s.a.p. before they are forgotten.

To get the ball rolling I will put one learning on the record now: Never try to erect a broken pop-up canopy, and if you do, do not expect it to stay up on a windy day for more than three minutes. We need at least two sturdy canopies for the show, one for registration and one for the trophy table (which lacked any cover). Let’s earmark some funds in the treasury to buy new ones before show season next year.

Although I was focused on the things I was doing and may not have had the best big-picture view, my general observation was that the volunteers on hand were spread a little too thin. It seems to me the Club has to do a better job of up-front organizing and getting more members involved in putting on the show. A core group of folks shouldered multiple responsibilities during the course of the day, beyond what ought to be expected for a fun event (even if they did so willingly). A point for further discussion.

Even so, it was a great show overall and a worthy follow up to BACC’s milestone 50th. It’s fair to say that we heard many more compliments than complaints from entrants and spectators alike. Preparation issues aside, much of that success can be attributed to a more diligent adherence to the Cub Scout motto: “Do your best!”

HOBBY HEADLINES & HISTORY

If you spend even a modest amount of time per month thumbing through the classified ads in Hemmings or Old Cars Weekly, or surfing the web looking for a modestly priced, driver-quality collector car to have fun with, you have surely come across individual ads for cars from “Country Classic Cars” on Rte. 66 in Staunton, Ill. Unfortunately, on August 8th the large pole building that served as their main indoor showroom suffered a five alarm fire. Initial reports indicated that up to 150 vehicles were seriously damaged or destroyed. [Ed. note - In June, 2004, I stopped there during a cross-country road trip. It was fun to check out their inventory in person. I distinctly remember doing a walk-around and looking at the cars in that building. I hope the business is able to recover and continue after this loss.]

Roy Lunn, an Englishman with a long and influential engineering career in the American automobile industry, has died at the age of 92. After serving in the RAF, Mr. Lunn began working in the British car industry as an engineer at AC Cars and later Aston Martin and Jowett. He moved to Ford of Britain and then Dearborn where he led the development of the Ford GT40 Le Mans racing cars, among other notable advanced programs. After a stint at independent Detroit

engineering firm Kar-Kraft (where he developed the Boss 429 Mustang for Ford), Lunn joined AMC in 1971 as the technical director for Jeep. There he lead the development of the first generation Jeep Cherokee, which estab-lished the SUV market segment that has become so popular today. Lunn was also involved in the creation of the all-wheel drive Eagle wagons that extended the life cycle of the original AMC Hornet platform, helping keep AMC in business and inspiring a host of modern day Outbacks, All-Tracks and the like. His last assignment, for AM General, was to manage the Dept. of Defense compliance program for the Humvee. Roy Lunn was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 2016. [Photo credit: Ford Motor Co.]

AD-DENDUM

Challenge your brand recognition IQ

A feature-specific print ad once proclaimed,

“New upstairs windows for station wagons give you all the view, yet keep you cool.”

This ad was placed to promote - a) American Sunroof Corp.

b) The 1966 Oldsmobile Vista Cruiser

c) Libbey-Owens-Ford Co.

The correct answer to last month’s Ad-Dendum, “Which car’s unusual front end styling was once described as

looking like ‘an Oldsmobile sucking a lemon’?” :

d) 1958 Edsel

NEXT ISSUE

The copy and classified ad deadline for the October, 2017 issue of The Belltown Bulletin is Friday, September 22nd. Monday, September 25th is the planned printing date. E-delivery is scheduled to take place September 28th. Send your newsletter suggestions, comments, classified ads and other contributions to the editor at dan12david@yahoo.com (or call 860-526-3189). Your input is always welcome - it’s your Club and your newsletter! Programming note: October’s “Three Story Garage” will be about Ken Woronoff’s 1935 Packard 1207 Victoria, which took first place in Class E at our August show.

BELLTOWN ANTIQUE CAR CLUB

President - Jon Grant Elected Directors* - Lee Harris & Mark Aldieri

Vice President - Karl Helming Sunshine Chairperson - Polly Beckwith (860-345-4256)

Secretary - Peter Christianson Newsletter Editor - Dan David (dan12david@yahoo.com, 860-526-3189)

Treasurer - Scott Macgregor Editor Emeritus - Bob Hellstrom

*) Plus previous president, Bob Sutton, as an ex-officio board member

Club web site - www.belltownantiquecarclub.org

Club e-mail address - belltowncarclub@gmail.com

Club mailing address - BACC, P.O. Box 211, East Hampton, CT 06424

Facebook - www.facebook.com/BACC-Belltown-Antique-Car-Club-116729245345421/

P. 7 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin September, 2017

Disclaimers and Words to the Wise: The opinions expressed by the authors of the content of this newsletter are theirs and are not intended

to represent a position taken by the Belltown Antique Car Club or its officers. Reproduction of this newsletter in whole or in part is subject

to prior approval by the editor. Information presented herein is for the edification and entertainment of antique automobile enthusiasts who

should use their experience, prudence and good judgment in applying it.

Notes of appreciation from the editor - Thanks go to Sally White for loaning me her original copy of the Oct. 2006 issue of

Runabouts to Rockets, the monthly newsletter of the National Antique Oldsmobile Club. Thanks also to Jon Grant for pass-

ing along the “Gypsy Coeds” road tripping story attached as the E-Delivery Bonus in this issue (his boss sent it to him!).

News in Passing...

• Local Servicer Update - In the October, 2015 issue of this newsletter Steve Rossi shared his list of “go-to” places for addressing some common old car problems. Late model collector car owners will be dismayed to learn that recommended vehicle AC system expert Paul of Auto Air in Madison recently retired and closed his business. Best wishes to him, but now we have to figure out what to do about our dying R12 AC systems!

• Club Roster Update - With the addition of four new members in the wake of our August car show, BACC now has 85 full members, including 14 who have been awarded lifetime memberships over the years. In the last 12 months, a total of ten new members have joined the Club. Again this year, the car show itself was a catalyst for attracting new members (with some welcome help over the PA system from our master of ceremonies).

• From the State Capital - At press time the Conn. General Assembly has not yet passed a state budget and the governor is still running the show by executive order on an interim basis. As for the antique car qualification and tax proposals floated earlier this year, well, one would think they have bigger fish to fry now.

• Picnic Pix - Frank Shaw and Chris Beckwith photographed members’ cars in the “designated picnic parking” area next to Casa Beckwith, but nobody sent in any pictures of the people enjoying this year’s Club picnic. So, here is an oldie but goodie from back in the day at the Emmons’ gazebo...Larry with the late Sarah Hall.

E-Delivery Bonus*

With summer over, or nearly so, here is an olde tyme summer road trip story to remember the season by:

http://wvxu.org/post/20-women-8-summers-and-one-and-only-silver-streak#stream/0

Actually the story plays out over eight summers and involves twenty young women known as the “gypsy

coeds.” And their Model T touring car. What’s not to like about all that? Be sure to check out the video.

Enjoy!

*) The E-Delivery Bonus is a feature not found in printed copies of the newsletter that are distributed via the USPS. A reminder: all links in the electronic version of the newsletter are “clickable” as long as your browser is open.

Above photo: Emmons archives