CSRA NUTMEG MOTOR NEWSDIRECTOR: Armand Couture 203- 634-0008 DIRECTOR: Bob Kesilewski 203-410-7744...

CSRA NUTMEG MOTOR NEWS

FEBRUARY 2017 NUT MEG MOTOR NEWS

CONNECTICUT STREET ROD ASSOCIATION

P.O. BOX 1517 WALLINGFORD CT, 06942

203-697-9113

ESTABLISHED 1967 CSRA.ORG If you would like to know what CSRA is about our regular meetings are held on the first Wednesday of the month which are held at CSRA Clubhouse on 316 Woodhouse Avenue Wallingford CT. 7pm

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2017 PRESIDENT: Steve VanBlarcom 203-641-3451 VICE PRESIDENT: Anthony Perrone 203-213-1641 TREASURER: Dennis Dagliere 203-239-3791 SECRETARY: Paul Benoit 860-568-7404 DIRECTOR: Armand Couture 203-634-0008 DIRECTOR: Bob Kesilewski 203-410-7744

NSRA NSRA STATE REPRESENTATIVE: Sally Benoit 860-568-7404 NSRA SAFETY INSPECTOR: Armand Couture 203-634-0008 NSRA STATE ADVISER: Danielle Couture 203-634-0008

SWAP MEET CHAIRMAN

Bob Kesilewski 203-410-7744 Ron Ronzello 860-828-8110

NEWSLETTER STAFF NUTMEG NEWS EDITOR: Junie Barretta NUTMEG NEWS STAFF: Donna Barretta – Dennis - Moe Dagliere - Laura Falconieri PROOF READER: Gloria Veronesi BIRTHDAY REMINDER: Junie Barretta SEND YOUR E-MAIL, PICTURES OR ARTICLES to [email protected] If you are not receiving your newsletter or have changed your address please call or e-mail Dennis Dagliere 203-239-3791 or [email protected]

ALL MEETINGS ARE SMOKE FREE

IN CASE OF BAD WEATHER CALL 203-697-9113

Happy Birthday

Paula Sweezy 2 Jack Dempsey 8 Scot Cave 12 Pat Wilcox 14 Tom Keiser 21 Donna Snell 24 Dave Wells 29

FEBRUARY

2017 NUTMEG MOTOR NEWS CSRA.ORG

A GROUP DEDICATED TO THE PRESERVATION OF OUR AUTOMOBILE HERITAGE

PREZ SEZ

Steve VanBlarcom

Hi all, I am writing this from sunny, warm Naples, Florida. Not to say you aren’t having a good winter, so far, back in Connecticut. I wonder if anyone noticed that the only cold snap and snow we had was when I was still there. Then when I left, the temps went up into the 50’s and you are getting only rain. Maybe you should all thank me for leaving, LOL. A lot has been going on with our club while I am away, we had the Audit meeting, the By‐Laws meeting and the Budget meeting all in one day. From all reports that I got, everything went very well. I thank all the Committee heads and volunteer members that put their efforts into making these important meetings happen. The next big happening was the annual Awards banquet. From what I could see on Face Book, a great time was had by all. It looked like one of the best ones we have had. Thanks Greg and others for once again putting it all together. Also, congratulations to all who were recognized with an award for all the hard work you do for the club. A special congratulation goes to Greg Piesyna for becoming our newest Street Rodder of the Year. A few of the members are once again going to California to the Grand National Roadster Show. I am flying out from here to meet them there. I brought my CSRA clothing to wear so we make our usual statement out there. I think it is really cool how many people approach us because of our club insignia. I received an email this week from Bob Devaney asking me to attend a Wallingford Centennial meeting on the 24th, which is the day we all go to California. They are planning on the car show on Center Street. One side of the street is going to be car dealer cars and the other side is going to be for us and other special interest cars. When he asked me for a logo and any other advertising we would like for them to print, I told him about our own 50th anniversary and about our banner. He wants to put our banner across the whole street. I thought that would be awesome. Bobby Pollok has agreed to represent us at the meeting. This should work out very well in conjunction with our own thing later in the afternoon. As for the clubhouse, Junie is still doing game night every Friday night. We have the Super Bowl party scheduled on the 5th of February. The next meeting is scheduled for February 1st. I will not be there so VP Anthony will be presiding. That is all for now, Steve

CLUB EVENTS

DATE TIME EVENT & PLACE Feb 5 Hour before game Super Bowl Clubhouse Feb 26 Hour before race Daytona 500 Clubhouse Mar 5 Doors Open Noon CNN SLIDE SHOW Zandri’s April 23 8am Dust‐Off Clubhouse

GET WELL Get well to Marie Libassi. Our prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. OUR CONDOLENCES Our condolences go out to Butch Kenny a longtime member of CSRA who lost his wife Joyce in December after a long fight with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers goes out to you and your family. CLUBHOUSE Any member who wants to use the clubhouse from now on must get in touch with Anthony Perrone first. This is to ensure there are no two events running together. Also, anyone wanting to make changes at the clubhouse must tell Pat Dagostino first. WALKIE TALKIES Someone borrowed our walkie talkies and returned six that are not ours, the radios they gave back are used for emergency personnel only. Please return ours and we would be happy to give you back your six very expensive radios. CSRA DONATION SENT IN BY BETTE DYBICK Connecticut Street Rod Association (CSRA) member Don Dybick presented a check for a $500 donation to the Haddam Veterans’ Museum. Museum members present in the photo are: Rick Annino, Ron Annino, Bob Kadrle and Harold Edman.

SUPER BOWL Feb 5 – DAYTONA 500 Feb 26 For the Super Bowl, we need a head count on how many are coming so we have an idea how much food and how many ribs we should buy. For the Daytona 500 we will need the same. Please text or e-mail Anthony Perrone. Thank you!



PETE TREATS ANTS cannot chew their food. They move their jaws sideways like scissors, to extract the juices from the food. HUMMING BIRDS are the only animal to fly backwards. A CAT has 32 muscles in each ear.



THANK YOU NOTES

Dear President and Board of Directors, thank you so much for your generous donation of $500 this year. This will go a long way in making children happy. Once again, the club went above and beyond for me. I can’t thank you enough for your generosity. God bless you and I wish you all good health in 2017. Thanks again! Danny Perrotto

Dear CSRA Family, Thank you all for the beautiful flower arrangement. I see it, it lifts my spirits. Hope you all have a very Merry Christmas. Love Marie Libassi

On behalf of the Wallingford Wishing Well and the Children of Wallingford we would like to thank you for your generous donation. It is people like you and organizations such as yours that help us assist children or local schools in need. We have recently begun assisting the Wallingford Public Schools with equipment for their special needs children with Autism. The equipment has been very beneficial for the children and teachers. Again, thank you for your continued generosity. The Wallingford Wishing Well. Sue B.

Dear Connecticut Street Rod Members, Thank you for your contribution of $500 to the Haddam Veterans Museum which has been recognized as exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and eligible to receive tax deductible donations. Federal law requires us to inform you that no goods or services were provided to you in return for your gift. Therefore, the full amount of your gift is deductible for Federal income tax purposes, subject to any limitation that night otherwise apply. Your continued support of the Haddam Veterans Museum and All Military Veterans is greatly appreciated. It is with contributions such as yours that we are able to support the Museum and purchase goods and services that are not provided for by our Town budget. Once again, thank all of you very, very much! Ricard J. Annino Treasurer

To CSRA, thanks for everything. We appreciated and

enjoyed. Jeanne and Richard Lathrop Thank you for your generous donation to our Electrathon Group!

With upmost gratitude, Patrick Dooley, Julie Duffield, Zaib Khalid, Nate Parker, and Caitlyn VanFeldt HKHS Electrathon Group

STUFF YOU DIDN'T KNOW! SENT IN BY RAY LONG Q. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you would find the letter 'A'? A. One thousand Many years ago, in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. 'Wet your whistle' is the phrase inspired by this practice.



STUFF FOR SALE If you have stuff to sell you can e‐mail me at [email protected] and please write in the subject box “Stuff for Sale”

2/1/17 Wanted: 1948 Ford Fender Skirts. Please call 860 347‐2600

2/1/17 FOR SALE 2 with 195/70 R14 tires, 2 with 238/80 R15 tires Chevy bolt pattern, with lug nuts and locks. All four for $500 or $300 for pairs. No Singles. Call Ralph 860‐763‐0011 2/1/17 FOR SALE Bellhousing GM621 aluminum big clutch bellhousing, throw out bearing and fork, with a 168tooth flywheel. Never used. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$1,220 Call Jim 860‐347‐9770 1/17/17 FOR SALE 1984 Chevy Caprice Classic ‐ 1940 Plymouth 4dr Sedan – 1949 International KB 2 – 1955 Ford F‐100, 429, 4 speed. All of them are reasonable priced. Call 203‐889‐7518 12/1/16 FOR SALE 33‐34 Aluminum Radiator installed on car but never used double fan, no trans cooler. . . . . . . . . . . $350 Call 203‐376‐9596 12/1/16 FOR SALE ’84 Chevy Caprice Classic 90,000 miles, one owner car has the original title, needs nothing, very good condition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$2,800 or OBO

Call 203‐889‐7518 12/1/16 FOR RENT Heated garage to rent for the winter, for storage only. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .around $120 per month Bill Foster 860‐841‐541 11/1/16 FOR SALE 1935 Chevy sedan 350 Motor, 350 Turbo Trany, New 4 Wheel Disc Brakes, Rebuilt/8”” Ford Rear 3.73 Gears, Maroon Velour Interior, New Shocks, New op graded Master Cylinder, Drive Shaft Rebuilt and Balanced, Recently Tuned Up. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $29,000 OBO

1976 Chevy pick-up Modified 327, Orange, Tan interior, 500 miles on motor, new tires and wheels. New Optima 1000 Amp Battery, Hooker Headers, Holley Aluminum Avenger Carb, Custom made bed Cover, Custom Dash, Custom made Front Roll Pan, Custom Grill, Custom Rolled tail gate.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$26,000 Call Frank 203-410-4559 11/1/16 FOR RENT We have four bays to put your cars away for the winter months. Call Danny Driscoll 860‐595‐8423 11/1/16 FOR SALE Wonder Boy Leaf Blower 9hp only used 3 times (Cost new $1,300). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$950 firm Log splitter 27 tons v/h (Cost new $1,350). . . . . . . . $950 firm Appraised Bld Lake lot at Ashford Lake CT. 300 road frontage approximately 250’ from lake (1‐1/2 acers) reduced $20,000 sales price . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$75,000 Articat Snowmobile trailer 6’x8’ box with a 4’x6’ sleigh used for parades and fun . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$11,500 Call Pete 860‐845‐2881 10/1/16 FOR SALE 1940 Ford Coupe Standard Model, 350 Chevy Engine, Automatic Turbo Trans, Power Brakes and Steering, Red with Black interior. . . . . . . . . . . .Asking $28,500

Call Bob Lafleur 203‐237‐3754 10/1/16 FOR SALE 1949 blue Chevy Pickup runs and drives

Call Scott 203‐988‐6723

In God, we trust! SENT IN BY ANTHONY PERRONE

A father was approached by his small son who told him proudly, "I know what the Bible means!"

His father smiled and replied, "What do you mean, you 'know' what the Bible means?

The son replied, "I do know!"

"Okay," said his father. "What does the Bible mean?"

"That's easy, Daddy..." the young boy replied excitedly," It stands for 'Basic Information Before Leaving Earth.



HOT RODDING ICON PETE CHAPOURIS LEAVES BEHIND A LEGACY THAT COVERED DECADES

In a shocking, unexpected turn of events, hot rodder and industry icon Pete Chapouris, co‐founder of Pete & Jake’s Hot Rod Parts and most recently President of So‐Cal Speed Shop, passed away this afternoon due to complications from a stroke. He died peacefully in the hospital surrounded by his wife Carol, daughter Nicole and son Pete IV. He was 76. His talent, passion, vision and good‐natured smile made him one of the most popular figures in our scene. It’s hard to come to grips with the fact that one of hot rodding’s most influential figures is gone seemingly overnight. This one hits very hard. Where do we begin? A native of El Monte, California, Chapouris cruised the streets of Los Angeles as far back as 1955 in his first car — a Model A coupe channeled over Deuce rails. Though quite active and popular in So‐Cal hot rod circles in the ’60s, he caught lightning in a bottle when his freshly flamed black ’34 Ford coupe joined friend Jim Jacobs’ yellow ’34 Ford coupe on the cover of the November 1973 issue of Rod & Custom magazine. Many remember it as the “Chicken Coupe” cover. The iconic image and preceding build articles were courtesy of the late Gray Baskerville, who introduced Pete and Jake during their simultaneous chopped coupe builds. After the Chicken Coupe issue hit magazine racks, the resulting fame was a catalyst for the launch of Pete & Jakes Hot Rod Repair, which opened in Temple City, California, in 1974. Hot rod historian Steve Coonan, publisher of The Rodder’s Journal recalled, “In the early‐’70s guys started doing wazoo, super trick for‐the‐time IFS, and jag rear ends, and the like. But Chapouris and Jacobs had a back‐to‐basics approach for reliable, safe and traditional early Ford suspensions. Their goal wasn’t to win trophies but to drive long distances in comfort. They were also renowned for refining four bar suspensions in hot rods.” As it turned out, Pete & Jake’s was one of a few core businesses that launched hot rodding to its current trajectory. Due to the experience and vision of Chapouris and Jacobs, hot rodders around the world were finally able to get safe, usable chassis and suspension components for their early Ford rods.

Chapouris was always proud to have been a part of the rise of hot rodding to the mainstream. In a recent interview with the Goodguys Gazette, he was quoted as saying “We took chassis components and kicked them up a couple of notches, and that took the industry in a direction that it had never been before,” he said. “I’m proud that we brought safety to chassis components for hot rodders.” Chapouris was a quick study when it came to marketing and PR. In that realm, he was just as quick off the line as his killer coupe. After he and Jacobs sold Pete & Jake’s in 1987, he went to work at SEMA in nearby Diamond Bar, California. While at SEMA, Chapouris was instrumental in the formation of the Street Rod Equipment Association (SREA). He then became a driving force in the transformation of the SREA into the Street Rod Market Alliance, a council of SEMA. Years later, Pete was also elected into the SRMA Hall of Fame. SRMA is known today as the Hot Rod Industry Alliance (HRIA) and has blossomed into the billion‐dollar behemoth it is today. After a stint building hot rods with Bob Bauder and old friend Pete Eastwood in the high country of Southern California during the early‐’90s, he opened a hot rod shop named PC3g in 1995, churning out a series of cover cars including Billy F Gibbons’ “Kopperhead” and others. It was at PCG3 where he led his most ambitious effort yet – the restoration and resurrection of the Doane Spencer ’32 Ford roadster. It was his crowning achievement and captured the first‐ever Hot Rod Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. But professionally, the best was yet to come for Pete. At the 1997 NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, he scheduled a press conference at the host hotel to announce he had formed an alliance with longtime friend Alex Xydias to bring the famed So‐Cal Speed Shop back to life. Soon after the announcement, a 30,000‐square foot facility in Pomona was filled with 30‐plus employees churning out hot rods and merchandise. Success was so instant, the So‐Cal brand blossomed into eight retail stores coast to coast. Teamed with his friend Alex, rising star Jimmy Shine and other team members, the following decades provided the ride of his life. They even got a chance to return to So‐Cal’s Bonneville roots building four land‐speed cars for GM Performance, setting half a dozen records and putting four drivers in the 200 MPH Club. It was also at So‐Cal were Pete mentored young up‐and‐coming rod builders, showing them the old way to build bitchin’ cars. Gen X and Gen Y players like the aforementioned Jimmy Shine, Ryan Reed, Aaron Broughton, the Veazie Brothers, and others are now thriving thanks to Chapouris’ teachings. His career had come full circle. From his office in South San Francisco, Steve Coonan reflected further. “Pete was a guy that seemed to get cooler the older he got. He was unique in that way.” He built cars for rock stars; he wore the coolest shoes and had the backstage passes. “He was a perfectionist, too,” Coonan added. “I can remember talking to him 40 years ago, when he sold the Cal Kid then bought it back.



The engine was messed up. After Pete pulled the engine, he insisted on painting the firewall and getting different textures involved. He was brilliant at blending colors and textures together in his hot rods. And he always pulled it off. He never missed” Rod builder and longtime Chapouris friend Roy Brizio swallowed hard when the news broke of Chapouris’ sudden death. “Pete was like a mentor to me,” Brizio said. “Along with my father Andy, Pete helped teach me the ropes of hot rodding when I just broke in. Too many of our friends are leaving. He and his wife Carol took their green ’26 Ford roadster to Canada for Deuce Days with us last summer. I just spoke to him a few weeks ago and he said it was the most fun he’d had in years.” Pete Chapouris leaves behind a rich legacy of red‐blooded American hot rods that have spanned decades, never aging. His industry contributions were revolutionary, their impact wide reaching. His fingerprints run through so many avenues of our industry. But above all that, his friendships, warmth and willingness to help others to succeed and grow outweigh all. They say a picture is worth a thousand words. In Pete’s case, the cover of the November 1973 issue of Rod & Custom magazine was worth so much more.

PICTURE SENT IN BY DENNIS DAGLIERE

If you can’t read the small print this Aston Martin DB4 is worth a half a million at Jan 18 auction

130 North Main StreetP.O. Box 806Wallingford, CT 06492(203) 265-3543

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WOMEN PAY BACK......AND BLONDES TOO JOKE SENT IN BY JERRY AUGUSTINE

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CSRA AWARD BANQUET This year’s Awards Banquet started off with John Jarush asking for a moment of silence for deceased members. Then Dennis Dagliere was asked to lead the pledge of allegiance, ending with (PASTOR) Pete Bozzo saying grace.

Dave Harutunian gave an award for those who worked in the kitchen to Bill Driscoll, Butch Kenny, Bob Kesilewski, Gary Spinnato, Ray Long, and Moe Dagliere. Dennis Dagliere gave an award to Ron Roadster for a record breaking record at the Salt Flats. Bob Kesilewski and Rich Ronzello gave awards to Paul Benoit, Dave Grant, Charlie VanTassell, Jay Petrosky, Rick Sweezy, Bette Dybick, Debbie Caliendo, Laura Falconieri, Moe Dagliere, Barbara McDonald, Sharlene Moore, Donna Barretta, Maria Perrone, Renee Block, Maria Adams, Monica Ronzello, Shirley Dagostino, Lise Couture, Chris Sabatucci, Lisa Morelli, Bonnie Kesilewski, Rich Ronzello, and John Sabatucci. Greg Piesyna and Rich Lathrop gave Garage Night awards to Armand Couture, Steve Borelli, John Sabatucci, Jerry Augustine and Pat Dagostino. Rich Ronzello gave awards to Maria Perrone, Maria Adams, Rich Libassi, Gary Spinnato, Bob Kesilewski, Ray Long, Dick Esposito, Butch Kenny, Pat and Shirley Dagostino, Billy Driscoll, Donna Barretta, Moe and Den Dagliere. Club Awards First were appreciation awards which went to Maria Perrone, Bette Dybick, Barbara McDonald, Donna Barretta, Maria Adams, Monica Ronzello, Debbie Caliendo, Renee Block, Pat Jarush, Laura Falconieri, Norma Spinnato, Sharlene Moore, and Moe Dagliere. Second were the Merit Awards which went to Armand Couture, Sandpit John, Don Dybick, Gerry Caliendo, Rich Ronzello, Tom Kaiser, Pete Bozzo, Dick Esposito, Pat Dagostino and Jim Kakalow. Third were the Board of Director Awards which went to Rich Ronzello, Rich Moore, Gary Spinnato, Steve Borelli, Jerry Veronesi, and Tom Armitage.

Fourth was Special Awards they went to Den Dagliere, Greg Piesyna, John Sabatucci. Fifth was the President Awards they went to Dave Grant, Charlie VanTassell and Rich Ronzello. The last award was Street Rodder of the Year and that went to Greg Piesyna. Congratulations to all!

CSRA MEMBERS

CSRA MEMBER’S WIFE’S, SIGNIFICANT OTHERS, AND GIRLFRIENDS

CSRA NUTMEG MOTOR NEWSDIRECTOR: Armand Couture 203- 634-0008 DIRECTOR: Bob Kesilewski 203-410-7744...

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