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Cadillac & LaSalle Club Potomac Region Caddie Chronicle

April 2007

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DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE BY VINCE TALIANO

It’s time to start gearing up for our 16th Annual Capitol Cadillac Spring Car Show and Automobilia Auction scheduled for Sunday May 6, 2007. This will be our 4th year holding the Automobilia Auction and will include auctioning a 1988 Fleetwood Brougham. As in previous years, we are asking for donations such as books, vintage posters, die-cast cars, usable Cadillac/LaSalle parts, etc.

1Starting with the 2007 Spring Car Show, a vehicle receiving “Best of Show” may also receive an award in its class, but will not be eligible to receive “Best Pre War” or “Best Post War” at the same show. Vehicles that are awarded a total of two “Best of Show” awards shall be considered as “Emeritus” vehicles, eligible for special recognition, but no longer eligible to be judged in its class or in any “Best” class. Emeritus status remains with the vehicle and shall not be affected by change in ownership or registration at a future car show.

Please note that our April monthly meeting date has been moved to Thursday April 12th. It will be held at Capitol Cadillac and begin at 7:30 PM.

Vince Taliano

1 Per the newly adopted Potomac Region Car Show Guidelines

2007 OFFICERS:

REGIONAL DIRECTOR NEWSLETTER EDITOR WEBSITE MANAGER VINCE TALIANO

ASSISTANT REGIONAL DIRECTOR DAN RUBY NATIONAL DIRECTOR BILL SESSLER

SECRETARY VALLEY FORGE REGION LIAISON SANDY KEMPER

CAR SHOW COORDINATORS CENTRAL PA REGION LIAISONS DIANE & HENRY RUBY

NAME TAGS TREASURER HARRY SCOTT

MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST RICHARD SISSON

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR CENTRAL VA REGION LIAISON NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST STEVEN SISSON

OTHER KEY POSITIONS:

AUTOMOBILIA AUCTIONEER HAMPTON ROADS REGION LIAISON GEORGE BOXLEY

NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST RITA BIAL-BOXLEY

NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST CHRIS CUMMINGS

CAR SHOW DISPLAYING/PARKING DERRICK FISHER

CAR SHOW DISPLAYING/PARKING NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST JIM GOVONI

CAR SHOW SPONSOR AND HOST DANIEL JOBE & CAPITOL CADILLAC

NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST DON MICHAELS HONORARY MEMBER NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST VERN PARKER

HONORARY MEMBER NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST BOB RUCKMAN

CAR SHOW MASTER OF CEREMONY NATIONAL CLC ADVISOR NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST RICHARD SILLS


April 2007


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LETTER TO THE EDITOR

March 1, 2007

Dear Vince:

I am pleased to invite the Potomac Region to participate in the Saturday, June 9, 2007 Car Club Day show that precedes the Concours d’Elegance show on Sunday, June 10th. Both of these events are held at the Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, PA.

On Saturday, June 9th the selected car clubs will participate in our Car Club Day. Participation in this show will allow you to show your car on our concours show field on Saturday.

By participating in the Saturday Car Club Day, the car owner will receive two free tickets for the Sunday Concours show. The cost for the Saturday Car Club Day is $10 per car.

An additional Saturday activity will be our Car Tour to downtown historic Bethlehem. After parking in the blocked off center square you will enjoy breakfast and shopping in the unique local shops. The Car Tour will return to the Saturday show field, and each tour car will receive two free tickets for the Sunday Concours show. Cost of the Saturday Tour package and breakfast is $50 for the car and driver, and $25 for each additional passenger.

The Car Club Day registration form should be completed and returned to the Burn Prevention Foundation, 236 N.17th Street, Floor 2, Allentown, PA 18104. The form can be downloaded from www.clcpotomacregion.org/eventslisting.htm. For more details regarding our show go to www.concourseast.org or call 610-969-3933. You can also contact me at [email protected] or 610-948-9350.

Please join us for an enjoyable weekend.

Bob Dare

Chairman Car Selection Committee


April 2007


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2007 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION CONTACT INFORMATION

Apr 12 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Potomac Region Monthly Meeting

Capitol Cadillac Greenbelt MD

Vince Taliano at 301-258-8321 or [email protected]

Apr 14-15 Valley Forge Region’s Spring Run

Strasburg Railroad Lancaster County PA

Don Miller at [email protected]

Apr 18-22 Opens at 7am Spring Carlisle Carlisle PA 717-243-7855 or www.carsatcarlisle.com Apr 28 Potomac Region

Spring Driving Tour Charles Town and Harpers Ferry WV

Steven Sisson at 301-299-9665 or [email protected]

May 5 Delaware Cadillac Car Show

Delaware Cadillac Wilmington DE

866-712-1988 or www.delawarecadillac.com

May 6 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

16th Annual Capitol Cadillac/Potomac Region Spring Car Show & Automobilia Auction

Capitol Cadillac Greenbelt MD

Car Show: Diane & Henry Ruby at 301-894-8026, Automobilia Auction:

George Boxley at 301-261-5634 May 12 8:00 am –

4:00 pm 49th Annual AACA

Apple Blossom Meet Jim Barnett Park Winchester VA

Jim Stup at 540-465-5066 or www.huskyclub.com/abmeet.htm

May 12 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Cadillac Rock Box hosts “Voices from the Homefront”

American Legion Warrenton VA

www.cadillacrockbox.com

May 19 Central PA Region’s Run to the Swigart Museum

Huntingdon PA Art Archambeault at 717-671-8768 or [email protected]

May 19 Kent Island Relay for Life Kent Island MD Kelly Trippe at 410-827-7219, 443-496-1710 or [email protected]

May 19 10:00 am – 3:30 pm

Valley Forge Region Eckenhoff Cadillac Show

Eckenhoff Cadillac Jenkintown PA

www.vfrclc.org/Eckenhoff_Show.htm

May 21 7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Potomac Region Monthly Meeting

Silver Diner Merrifield VA

Vince Taliano at 301-258-8321 [email protected]

Jun 2 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Central PA Region's 18th Annual Spring-Summer Show

Brenner Cadillac Harrisburg PA

Richard Sills at 301-467-1212 or [email protected]

Jun 9-10 18th Annual Burn Foundation Concours d'Elegance

Bethlehem PA Bob Dare at [email protected] or www.concourseast.org

Jun 10 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

33rd Annual VCCA All-GM Show (1915-1980)

Community College Catonsville MD

Bill Scott at [email protected] or www.freestateregion.com

Jun 17 10:00 am – 3:30 pm

34th Annual Sully Plantation Father’s Day Car Show

Sully Plantation Chantilly VA

Bill Benedict at 703-430-2441 or www.fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/sully/

Jun 20-24 CLC National Driving Tour Lower Hudson Valley Region

Hudson Valley NY Dave Rubin at 845-225-5990 or [email protected]

Jun 22-24 Opens at 7am All-GM Carlisle Carlisle PA 717-243-7855 or www.carsatcarlisle.com Jul 7-8 CLC Inter-Regional Meet AACA Museum

Hershey PA Art Archambeault at 717-671-8768 or

[email protected] Jul 20-22 HMN “The New England

Concours d'Elegance” Stratton Mountain Resort

Stratton VT www.hemmings.com/events/concours.html

Jul 22 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

VCCA All Makes & Customs Car Show (1915-1980)

Meadowbrook Park Baltimore MD

Bill Scott at [email protected]

Aug 1-4 CLC Grand National Meet Peach State Region

Savannah GA Michael Posey at 770-487-5512

Aug 11 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

33rd Annual Metro Chapter Buick Club All-GM Show

Montgomery College Rockville MD

Cory Correll at 240-686-0229 or [email protected]

Aug 19 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

22nd Annual Francis Scott Key Antique Car Show

Rose Hill Manor Frederick MD

Joe Bart at 301-898-1041

Aug 26 3rd Annual Picnic with Lincoln Mercury friends

J. Roger Bentley’s Home Brinklow MD

Steven Sisson at 301-299-9665 or [email protected]

Sep 23 10:00 am – 3:30 pm

Valley Forge Region's Annual Fall Meet

Peddler's Village Lahaska PA

www.vfrclc.org/upcoming_events.htm

Sep 29 Raritan River Region Car Show

Royal Cadillac-Hummer Florham Park NJ

www.rrrclc.org/Upcoming_Activities.htm

Oct 7 8:00 am – 1:00 pm

50th Annual Antique Auto Assembly

Old Soldiers Home Washington DC

Clint Brown at 301-593-0789

Oct 10-13 Opens at 7am AACA National Eastern Fall Meet

Giant Center Hershey PA

http://local.aaca.org/hershey

Nov 1-4 Sixth Annual Hilton Head Island Concours d'Elegance & Motoring

Festival

Honey Horn Plantation Hilton Head SC

Jamie Christie at 434-525-3720 or www.hhiconcours.com


April 2007


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MARCH 19, 2007 MEETING MINUTES BY SANDY KEMPER

PLACE: Silver Diner, Merrifield, Virginia TIME: 7:30 PM PRESIDING: Director Vince Taliano ATTENDANCE: Randy Denchfield, Alex Figueroa, Jim George, Jeff Gurski, Sandy Kemper, Steve Kirkwood, Dan Ruby, Henry & Diane Ruby, Harry Scott, Bill Sessler, Richard Sisson, and Steven Sisson. DIRECTOR’S REMARKS: Potomac Region Member Myron Pauley died on March 13th at the age of 92. A tribute will appear in the April newsletter. The presidential limos story from our March newsletter was picked-up by Hemmings and posted on their Internet blog. As a result of this exposure, activity on our website peaked at 6,322 hits on March 7th (usual volume approx. 1,000/day). SECRETARY’S REPORT: The Minutes from the February meeting were not read since they had been published and distributed to all members in the March, 2007 newsletter. TREASURER’S REPORT: The Treasurer’s Report covered the time period from the February meeting to date. Harry Scott reported that the Region’s income was $40.98. The total expenses for the same time period were $461.97. The checking account balance as of the meeting was $4,204.35 and the Certificate of Deposit principal was $5,280.58. Harry Scott reported that we have placed an order for twenty-five grille badges from a new manufacturer. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: Richard Sisson reported that the membership is at 184. This number is greater than last year at this time. Thanks to everyone who renewed. Membership efforts will begin in earnest at local car shows in the spring. ACTIVITIES REPORT: The following activities were discussed: • Potomac Region Spring Driving Tour, Saturday, April 28, 2007: Steven Sisson

described the key details for the Tour. It will start and end in Chantilly, VA. The Tour will comprise a visit to historic Harpers Ferry and the Vintage Motor Car Co, near Charles Town, WV. A flyer with details will be distributed soon.

• Spring Car Show & Automobilia Auction, Sunday, May 6, 2007: Henry and Vince reported that the dash plaque design has been completed. The show flyer has been mailed (email distribution later this week). Henry described the 1988 Fleetwood Brougham that will be auctioned.

• Inter-regional CLC Meet, AACA Museum, Hershey, PA, July 7-8, 2007: Out-of-town attendees can make reservations at the Spring Hill Suites, which is walking distance to the show. The phone number is 717-583-2222. Dinner has been scheduled at the Union Canal House at 6:00 PM. The AACA library tour will be on Sunday morning at 10:00 AM.


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• 2007 CLC-Grand National, Savannah, GA, August 1-4, 2007: Vince read info about the GN as provided by Jack McClow: The host hotel is sold out. The alternate hotel, The Mulberry Inn, is located less than one block from the host hotel. Rooms are available as of now, but they are going quickly. The rate is $125 per night with parking included for one car; normally the parking charge at both hotels is $12 per night. Also, there's been a new addition to the schedule. Mr. Truitt Cathy, founder and sole proprietor of the Chick-Fil-A restaurant chain has invited those attending the pre-event caravan to Savannah to stop by his ranch south of Atlanta on Tuesday morning for a private tour of his extensive automobile collection. All this information and more have been included on the CLC website under "Calendar of Events." PR member Keith Adams asked us to determine if there is interest in contracting with a car carrier to transport multiple cars to Savannah. Some of the members have thought of this idea before, especially for the 2002 Grand National in Detroit. Anyone interested should contact Keith at [email protected] or 410-523-0857 (day number).

• “Legacy of LaSalle” Fall Show: Harry distributed a LaSalle pin that will be presented to each of the owners that bring a LaSalle to the show. Additional pins will be ordered for sale.

• Other Activities/Events: Steven read a comprehensive list of forthcoming CLC, AACA, and other antique or collector auto events, including: • Valley Forge Region’s “Spring 2007 Run,” April 14-15, Strasburg, PA • Apple Blossom Car Show, May 7, Winchester, VA • AACA Spring National Southeastern Division Meet, May 10-12, New Bern, NC • Anniversary Parade, May 12, City of Hyattsville, MD - Sandy read a letter inviting the club

to participate • Central Penn Region’s Tour to the Swigart Museum, May 19, Huntingdon, PA • Sully Plantation Show, June 17, Chantilly, VA - Henry reminded anyone interested in

attending to register as a member of the CLC Potomac Region • 50th Anniversary Old Soldier’s Home Car Show, October 7, Washington, DC - Vince

mentioned that he would like the club to support the Show this Fall

OLD BUSINESS: 1. 2009 National Driving Tour: Steven reported that he has received a proposal from The

Bolger Center. He and Sandy will review the proposal, request any clarifications and submit it to the CLC Vice President for National Activities, Toni Rothman, for her evaluation.

2. Event at Walter Reed Army Medical Center: Dan Ruby reported that Karen Ruby is waiting until the management changes at WRAMC settle before she approaches them about our picnic and car show for the patients.

NEW BUSINESS: Randy Denchfield’s 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS convertible will be featured in Vern Parker’s March 23rd “Out of the Past” column. Click below to see the story: http://www.print2webcorp.com/news/washingtontimes/AutoWeekend/20070323/p1.asp

NEXT MEETING: Thursday, April 12, 2007 at Capitol Cadillac in Greenbelt, Maryland ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 8:50 PM.


April 2007


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SIXTH ANNUAL HILTON HEAD CONCOURS D’ELEGANCE BY JAMIE CHRISTIE

Golf doors and rumble seats; sedanettes and flattops; 8-12-16 cylinder engines; fins, chrome and wide whites. If you have any of the above and want to share your pride and joy with others November 1-4, in Hilton Head, SC, please read on.

Cadillacs and LaSalles will be the honored marque at the Sixth Annual Hilton Head Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival. This past fall, we spotlighted Cars of Indiana, and judged over 170 invited vehicles in 21 classes on the Honey Horn Plantation show grounds. 2006 winners included Potomac Region’s Henry H. Lewis, Owings Mills, MD, for his 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C1750 and Carolyn & Jim Popp, Gambrills, MD, for their 1959 Edsel Villager. Approximately 10,500 spectators attended this event from 39 states including Alaska and Hawaii plus the District of Columbia, as well as Canada, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy.

As I visit with car owners concerning their potential appearance at Hilton Head, many tell me that they have never shown their car at such an event. Further conversation reveals that they have never been asked! Well, here is one Potomac Region member asking another--Would you like to participate?

There are no registration fees or obligation to attend the receptions or banquet. Tours are optional. There are plenty of moderately priced accommodations on the Island, or in the nearby town of Bluffton. With enough notice, we can arrange for a block of rooms at a special price at a nearby hotel, and Potomac Region Cadillac and LaSalle owners can stay together in one facility if they wish.

For further information and a nomination packet, please contact me at P.O. Box 2158 – Forest VA 24551 – 434-525-3720. Or visit www.hhiconcours.com for more information.

Don’t forget to tell your friends about this opportunity. Multiple entries are accepted.

2006 Palmetto Award Winner Class 3B (European Classics Pre-WWII)

1929 Alfa Romeo 6C1750

Potomac Region’s Henry H. Lewis Owings Mills, MD


April 2007


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1939 LASALLE: LONG JOURNEY CAUSES PROBLEMS BY VERN PARKER

JULY 19, 2005 www.phillyburbs.com

As far as Jack Hotz knows, he is the fifth owner of his elegant 1939 LaSalle four-door sedan. In April 1992, an acquaintance in nearby Mt. Laurel, N.J. was culling his herd of antique cars and offered to sell Hotz his 1939 LaSalle. In no time at all, a deal was made, and Hotz drove the 3,740-pound LaSalle 12 miles home to Haddonfield, N.J. “I wanted a car with the headlights in buckets and it had to have running boards,” Hotz said. “This car has both, and besides, it's classic-looking.” General Motors built LaSalles for 14 years -- from 1927 through 1940 -- as a companion car to Cadillac. LaSalle always represented distinction, refinement and class and was commonly called “the poor man's Cadillac.”

Jack & Nancy Hotz with their 1939 LaSalle Photo by Jack & Nancy Hotz


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Of the seven LaSalle models offered in 1939, the $1,320 base priced four-door sedan was by far the most popular, with a total of 15,928 manufactured. The combined total of the other six models was 5,170. Every 1939 LaSalle left the factory with a 322-cubic-inch flathead V-8 under the long engine hood, developing 125 horsepower. All of the 1939 LaSalle models had an enlarged glass area, making passengers feel less claustrophobic. The glass area had been increased 27 percent from the previous year.

The tall, narrow, delicate grille always made for easy identification of LaSalles. After a few years of faithful service, Hotz decided to rebuild the engine. With the assistance of four friends, Hotz finished the final assembly of the engine just before the Cadillac LaSalle Club Grand National Meet in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. in 2003. The water pump had been rebuilt only a couple of years prior so it wasn't rebuilt again to save money and time. “Big mistake,” Hotz said. “I was dying to break it in and drive it,” Hotz said. He then suggested driving 600 miles to visit a cousin in Maine, then on to Saratoga Springs on the 1,100 mile trip home. “My wife looked at me askance, my friends just said I was crazy, but I decided to take the LaSalle to Maine,” he said.

To avoid traffic, Hotz and his wife left on their odyssey at 6 a.m. on July 4. In the initial 100 miles, with the cool of the morning, they stayed on secondary roads to break in the engine, which only had 200 miles on it since the overhaul. After that, it was interstate highways. As the sun climbed in the sky the temperature gauge climbed toward “hot.” At a lunch stop in Connecticut, Hotz discovered the coolant level was a gallon low. A gallon of water brought the temperature down and they proceeded another 100 miles when the gauge said “really hot.” “A helpful former Marine with desert experience told me to put in 100 percent antifreeze as they did in Africa. I also discovered a leaking water pump seal, which I stopped with some grease,” Hotz said.

After overnighting in New Hampshire, the couple resumed the trek to Maine and Hotz heard a squealing noise. “I couldn't see anything, so on we went,” he said. When they arrived at their destination, his cousin asked if there was supposed to be tread on the front tires. The squealing noise was caused by the tires being chewed up. The toe-in adjustment on the front end had been knocked out of kilter. A new set of radial truck tires were installed, but no one knew how to adjust the toe-in on such an old car. The shop had only a computer-controlled alignment machine. A young man on his first day of working at the shop said he formerly worked at a shop that serviced old cars, and he knew how to adjust the front end. “What are the odds of that happening?” Hotz asked.

From Maine, the LaSalle was uneventfully driven to Saratoga Springs except for filling the radiator and pumping more grease into the water pump. The side panels of the engine hood were removed to help with the heat, and the radiator overflow continued to dribble across the fender and back the left side of the car.

With the LaSalle covered in road grime and loaded with luggage, they arrived in time for the event at Saratoga Springs. As the couple drove up to the hotel, Hotz said, “The only comment from onlookers was, “What is that, The Grapes of Wrath car?” [Editorial Note: Jack is the Director of the LaSalle Appreciation Society (LAS) and Nancy is the Editor of its award-winning SALLEE SPEAKS newsletter]


April 2007


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FROZEN IN TIME BY CHRIS CUMMINGS

One of the most evocative pictures I’ve ever seen of a Cadillac V-16 is a photograph that was auctioned off on e-Bay a year or two ago. I kick myself for not having bid on it, but I did copy it electronically to my computer and print it out. The subject of this photograph is a 1930 Cadillac V-16 sedan and its owner. There is no date or ready indication of when the picture was taken. The car is either a Series 4375 seven-passenger sedan or a Series 4330 for five passengers, and whether there is a divider window or not is not readily discernible (the angle at which the car is posed makes it difficult to state with certainty which of the two series designations applies). But for our purposes, it is necessary only to state that the automobile is one of the large sedans that were the most frequently ordered of the 1930-31 V-16 models. The big sedans are huge, powerful, formal cars, but graceful in their own way and quite refined. Whether owner-driven or chauffeured, they made an impressive arrival statement. They were ordered only by people with substantial means – a new fully-optioned Chevrolet could be had for less than a tenth the price.

A 1930 Cadillac V-16 and its proud owner Source: eBay


April 2007


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The owner of this car is a young man dressed in well-worn work clothes, and wearing a billed cap not unlike one a chauffeur would wear. With his right foot on the running board, his left hand on his hip and his right hand grasping the steering wheel though the open driver’s window, his pose is one of proud ownership. The car is clearly not new – the tread of the road wheels is worn smooth, the great headlights have been replaced with smaller units from another make, and a non-standard bumper guard has been clamped to the Cadillac’s wide, single-bar bumper. The radiator ornament is from a late-thirties Packard V-12. But the owner has kept his car running and it clearly means a great deal to him. In the background, another man strikes a similar pose with a Pierce Arrow touring car from the 1920s.

In the late 1920s, when Cadillac was secretly developing its revolutionary V-16, Larry Fisher deliberately fed the competition a cover story that a V-12 program was being undertaken. Only when he was sure that the ruse had been successful did he give the go-ahead for the V-16 project. Incidentally, a V-12 was also produced, but it was just a sideshow.

Almost as soon as the 1930 V-16s came to market, economic, technological and cultural forces conspired to make them obsolete. A severe and tumultuous depression knocked the wind out of the sales prospects for fine, custom-built luxury cars. Improvements in metallurgy, engine design and fuel chemistry meant that a V-8 engine could be made to run every bit as smoothly and powerfully as a sixteen. And the classic styling of the late twenties and early thirties was shouldered roughly aside by the onrushing “streamlining” craze. By 1940, the car in the picture would have been considered every bit as old-fashioned as a Model T (harder and more expensive to maintain). But throughout the long years from the time that the “new” wore off until the great classics were “rediscovered” in the 1960s and ‘70s, there were people from all walks of life who appreciated their unique and ultimately timeless appeal. Certainly many were neglected, junked or donated to wartime scrap drives. But many were conserved from the ravages of time, weather and collision damage. Some of the cars were parked in garages and stored for years or decades. Some were driven and carefully maintained by people who refused to give them up. And others were bought and appreciated by people who could never have afforded them new, but because of the depreciation caused by changing fashions, technology and economics, were now able to buy them.

As the owner of a 1930 Cadillac V-16 imperial sedan, who could never have afforded to acquire the car at what it cost new, and who was lucky to get the car, I think I know something about what the man in the picture felt about his car. The words “proud,” “blessed” and “respectful” come to mind – proud to drive such a stately and refined machine, blessed to own it, and respectful of the eminent sophistication and craftsmanship that characterize the car. Sometimes I wonder if the car in the picture and its owner survive today. With no caption or context, it’s impossible to really know. But there’s no harm in hoping. At least at the point in time when this picture was taken, the driver was healthy and the car was intact, functioning and cared for. Who knows? The man would probably be in his 80s or even older, but he could still be around. And it’s certainly possible that he or some other car lover garages the V-16 sedan and takes it out for a drive every so often, enjoying the unmatched view down that long hood and quietly thanking those who dreamed up and created such a magnificent conveyance.


April 2007


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NEW CADILLAC V-12 IN THE WORKS BY CHRIS CUMMINGS

On March 21st, AutoWeek reported that Cadillac is developing a V-12-powered ultraluxury sedan derived from the 2003 Cadillac Sixteen concept car. The article is available on Autoweek’s website www.autoweek.com, but access requires registration (no fee). The article’s author stated that the sedan had been described to AutoWeek as “an all-American rival for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class and the Lexus LS 460” that would likely undercut the competition dramatically on price.

The article further stated that GM product director Bob Lutz had confirmed in an interview that work on the engine was well underway at GM facilities in Australia. The powerplant would likely merge two 3.6 liter direct-injection V-6 engines, with at least a 7.2 liter displacement and 600 horsepower. Read more about it at

http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/21/lutz-confirms-v12-in-development-for-cadillac-flagship/

To see more pictures, visit www.clcpotomacregion.org/2006outofthepastrevue.htm.

2003 Cadillac Sixteen concept car on loan from GM at the 18th Annual Washington Times Out of the Past Revue

September 2006 Photo by Vince Taliano


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COMMENTARY STORY & PHOTOS BY BOB RUCKMAN

In response to the enjoyable account of member Henry Ruby’s flight in a vintage biplane at the 2006 “Wings and Wheels” show, I submit my own experience with those planes. The fleet of “Yellow Perils” stationed across the Severn River from the U.S. Naval Academy in the 1950s was seaplanes, as the photo shows, i.e. were fitted with floats. They could also be carried atop four-wheeled dollies for pushing them around on land. Widely used as primary trainers, many of them were manufactured with conventional wheeled undercarriage, as for the Army Air Corps during WWII. As part of our Midshipman’s training, we were taught to fly in them. Taking off from the Severn, we flew out over the Chesapeake Bay where I shot the two pictures of the Bay Bridge under construction, circa 1951. These photos are historic, and I’ve never before had them published.

The pilot/instructor sat in the rear cockpit, and I sat in the forward cockpit. The voice communication was one-way, i.e. the pilot could talk to me (I wore earphones) but I couldn’t talk to him. When I understood his instruction, I was told to pat the top of my helmet as acknowledgement. Either of us could fly the plane with identical controls (joysticks and rudder pedals), so I was permitted to fly it myself for a while. We did a water landing and a takeoff on the Bay, then did some turns and the like, but no stunt flying. Then we flew back to the base, landing on the Severn and taxied up to the ramp. It was my first and only experience in flying a plane myself, an exciting, if brief, chapter in my life.

A front view of the “Yellow Peril” I flew

The west side of the Bay Bridge, under construction

Looking toward the Eastern Shore of Maryland


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CHURCH OF THE HOLY DONUT STORY & PHOTOS BY SANDY KEMPER

About two years ago I was talking to a friend of mine, who like many of us, is a car guy. He was describing a street rod that he had just seen at church. “Church?” I asked, somewhat incredulously, while imagining someone driving the family to Sunday services in a street rod. “You mean you haven’t been to church?” he replied, almost with disdain. “Well, no.” I told him.

I started to explain that I wasn’t a regular parishioner when he stopped me. “Church,” he made clear to me, is the name applied to a “car cruise” or “rod run” that has been occurring every Sunday morning at the Burtonsville Shopping Center for several years. All year round, starting around 8AM, the cars begin to arrive in the shopping center’s parking lot at the intersection of US Route 29 and Maryland Route 198 in Burtonsville, Maryland. The shopping center contains a CVS pharmacy and a Dunkin Donuts, hence the other moniker for the weekly event, “Church of the Holy Donut.”

A Cadillac parked next to its GM Cousin

A nice turnout on a crisp winter day


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An Amish market is the only other tenant and it is closed on Sundays. So the sizeable parking lot can accommodate the large number of cars that may show up when the weather is ideal. But even when it’s cloudy and cold in the winter months, there are brave souls who attend “Church” regularly. Many Potomac Region members have been spotted at “Church” including John Corrado, Randy Denchfield and Richard & Steven Sisson.

“Church” is unique, not just for its clever name and all year round appeal, but for the number and variety of vehicles it attracts. On the Sundays when the roads are dry and the skies are warm, over a hundred cars may attend. And the mix of cars ranges from antiques to classics, to street rods, to exotic European sport, to tricked-out Asian imports and so forth. Not to mention the motorcycles, trucks and the occasional restored or customized commercial vehicles that have been seen there. It’s not surprising to see a 1956 Chevrolet, Rolls Royce, 1950 Ford, 1966 Sunbeam Tiger and 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass 442 all parked in the same row, as was noted one Sunday. Like most cruise-ins, it is free. Friendly car-related conversations abound. There’s food nearby, too. Many “Church-goers” can be seen with Dunkin Donuts coffee or donuts in their hands. But a food vendor that cooks breakfast sausage sandwiches in a customized VW beetle has been known to do a good business when they appear. Seibel’s Restaurant, a family-run Burtonsville landmark for decades with a full menu is just steps away on Route 198. To some extent, like its namesake, “Church” is over in a couple hours. By ten o’clock the first cars begin to depart and by eleven in the morning, the parking lot is nearly empty except for CVS customers. Empty, that is, until the following Sunday.

Chevys at “Church”


April 2007


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IN MEMORIAM BY BARBARA ST. AMAND

Our dear, dear friend, Myron Pauley, died on Tuesday morning, March 13th, at Sibley Hospital in Washington, DC. He was age 92 and, until a few days before, had been thoroughly enjoying this winter in Florida with his daughter, Peggy, and other members of his loving family. I was able to visit Myron at Sibley the Saturday and Sunday before he passed away and he was thinking of the good time ahead on the 2007 Spring Driving Tour with his friends in the Cadillac & LaSalle Club. CLC was one of his fondest highlights in the last several years.

Myron loved the beautiful colors, style, and designs of the old cars, especially those V-16s, and he was always excited to see which cars CLC members would drive to events. Some of the models brought back fond memories of earlier days and adventures in his life.

He truly enjoyed the happy gatherings at the homes of Potomac Region members where we not only saw many museum quality cars and some extraordinary Cadillac memorabilia, but also shared their warm hospitality. A pro-active member, Myron convinced me that I should join the CLC and hand-delivered the first application to get the process started. Looking ahead, we had begun planning to attend the Grand National in Savannah, GA later this year. I have a strong feeling in my heart that Myron is already enjoying some smooth driving on a Heavenly country road in the Cadillac of his dreams.

Myron getting into his car during the Fall 2004 Potomac Region Driving Tour

Barbara and Myron learned about classic car restorations at Al Prueitt and Sons in Glen Rock PA

Fall 2005 Potomac Region Driving Tour


April 2007


16

CADDIE CLASSIFIEDS

Cars For Sale 1959 Fleetwood – Same owner last 30 years – Garaged and covered – New tires, radiator and battery – Modern stereo system – Two-tone green w/green interior – Solid driver – www.clcpotomacregion.org/59cadillacforsale.htm for pictures - Asking $25,000 obo – For more info, contact Michael Winston at 972-661-0040 or [email protected] – Car is located in Washington DC 1960s-80s Cadillac Parts Cars – www.clcpotomacregion.org/charlesharbaugh.htm for pictures - For more info, contact Charles Harbaugh at 540-877-9423 – Cars are located in Virginia 1972 Limousine – Seamist green with black interior - 44K miles – Exterior relatively good shape – Interior perfect – Runs well – www.clcpotomacregion.org/72cadillacforsale.htm for pictures - Asking $4,850 – For more info, contact Jay Burger, Capitol Cadillac, at 301-441-9600 – Car is located in Maryland 1987 Brougham RWD – 34K original miles – #25 Gossamer Blue w/dark blue full padded top and blue cloth interior – Always garaged and needs nothing – Included is a show chrome rear bumper (not installed) – http://www.vfrclc.org/images/87_Barruzza1.JPG for picture – Asking $5,700 – For more info, contact Mike or Vicky Barruzza at 215-630-1679 – Car is located in Bristol PA 1991 Allante Convertible / Coupe – Both tops – Pearl white with black leather and black soft top – Less than 53,000 miles on this beautiful car – Asking $16,900 – For more info, contact Russ Spears at 301-656-2539 – Car is located in Maryland 1997 Deville FWD – 85K miles – 2nd owner – Med. Green w /neutral interior – New tires and alternator – No sunroof – Needs nothing – Asking $7,500 obo – For more info, contact John McCarthy at 215-499-4745 – Car is located in Bensalem PA

Parts For Sale 1959 Engine and Transmission – Removed from low mileage car – Clean and complete – Pickup only – Asking $1,800 – For more info, contact Henry Ruby at 301-297-4459 – Located in Maryland

Other Cadillac Literature – Various items from 1954-71 – Very Good to Excellent condition – For more info, contact Rick Parker at [email protected] or 301-279-7145 – Located in Maryland

F.E.N. Enterprises

"The Cadillac Specialists"

www.FENenterprises.com 845-462-5959

Wappingers Falls, NY

10% discount to CLC Members on all parts orders over $500

Call for Details

Gener-Nator

An alternator of special design built inside the original Cadillac generator case, 6, 8, 12 volt,

negative or positive ground, 50-60 amps

Don’s Starters and Alternators www.gener-nator.com

541-902-2255 Florence, OR


April 2007


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2007 OFFICERS

NAME

POSITION PHONE

NUMBER

EMAIL ADDRESS VINCE TALIANO

Regional Director Newsletter Editor Website Manager

301-258-8321 [email protected]

DAN RUBY Assistant Regional Director


BILL SESSLER

National Director 703-368-2367 [email protected]

SANDY KEMPER

Secretary Valley Forge Region

Liaison


DIANE & HENRY RUBY

Car Show Coordinators Central PA Region

Liaisons


HARRY SCOTT

Treasurer Name Tags


RICHARD SISSON

Membership Chairman Newsletter Columnist


STEVEN SISSON

Activities Director Central VA Region

Liaison Newsletter Columnist


Cadillac & LaSalle Club Potomac Region Caddie Chronicle · May 19 Kent Island Relay for Life Kent...

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