Digital Newsletter Spring 2013

Our 20th Year Volume 20 Issue 3 Spring 2013

Romping on Woodward Mar 2013 By Eric Schiffer

Inside this issue: Romping on Woodward

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Gear head Destination: Gilmore Car Museum

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Meet the member

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Pontiac at Daytona 1958

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According to the ground hog spring is just around the corner. That has to be a very large corner! Look at all of the snow! It had been too many years since I took advantage of a significant snow fall. My daughter flew in Cider Mill Cruise Fall from NYC on Wednesday. Thursday morning with the truck packed up and the skis secured in the ski rack 2012 my wife, daughter and I headed north to Boyne Highlands. It was a long over due ski vacation. The snow conditions on the slopes were great. You could not have asked for a more perfect time Up North. Now that I have this out of my system it is time to look ahead for this year’s club events. Mike Kidd has been putting in many hours updating the clubs website. WWW.ROYALPONTIAC.ORG. He has been testing different formats for our electronic newsletter and member only notices. He is making both the website and newsletter user friendly. Mike has added new website and newsletter sections including one for our members to let other members know something about you. Mike used himself as an example and talked about himself in the first issue along with pictures and video. This March 2013, Issue 20 Number 3, is the last paper newsletter. Future newsletters will be delivered electronically on a quarterly basis after this issue. You need to make sure Mike has your email address other wise you will be left out. Don’t forget to RSVP with Todd Ansbacher for our annual “Date Night” dinner on March 23 at the Rusty Bucket in Bloomfield Hills. It will be a casual evening of light conversation and a chance for members and their spouses to mingle. We have a private room this year which will make it easier to move around and hear one another. The restaurant is located on the east side of Woodward and just south of Square Lake Rd. This is close to I-75 and Telegraph Rd. Think Ted’s drive-in. This month I received calls and letters from some Pontiac notables. First I received a nice call from Ben Harrison, retired head of Pontiac Product Planning. Ben is featured in the May 2013 issue of “High Performance Pontiac” magazine. Ben showed how he designed the Trans Am steering wheel for the 1969 Trans Am. Ben has been looking into the history of PMD with some surprising information about the first usage of the Pontiac name. It was not in 1926. Ben is willing to do a presentation for us anytime we want on many PMD topics. To reach a wider audience possibly Ben would be willing to contribute to our electronic newsletter a few times per year. I received a phone message from Doc Watson with information about his son Jason. Jason is now on the board of the Alfred P. Sloan Museum in Flint. Jason is putting together a display of cars with significant historic significance in three segments. I received a surprise package accompanied by a personal note from Arnie Beswick. I brought the package to our last club meeting for everyone view. The package included a laminated poster of the front page of “Drag World” December 27, 1968 with a headline “BESWICK STUNS FIELD AT 194.36”. He also sent pictures and information of the reproduction “Boss Bird” and a fiery accident it had this last fall. Thank you, Arnie. Lastly, I received a note from Marjorie Sawruk letting us know that she and her son’s will be at the 2013 POCI/GTOAA Co-vention in Daytona. They are bringing her late husband, John’s, GT37 for display and many die cast and toy car models to sell. Remember that March is the last paper newsletter Well, time to burn rubber

Eric

Gear Head Event: Track Day Gear Head Event: Feb 13 Meeting Minutes

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Random Pontiac Pics

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Upcoming Events

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Winter Gathering: Date: March 23, 2013 Time: 7:00 PM Place: Rusty Bucket 42874 Woodward Ave East side of Woodward south of Square Lake Rd Bloomfield Hills, MI Phone: (248) 239-3663 www.myrustybucket.com Separate checks RSVP by March 16th to Todd Ansbacher (734) 730-5903

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Royal Pontiac Club of America

Gear head Destination: Gilmore Car Museum Hickory Corners, MI http://gilmorecarmuseum.org/

by Mike Kidd

My wife Aleta and I went to the Gilmore car museum last summer. While we had been before, the recent updates to the main building were impressive. The new main building housed their featured exhibit, as well as an impressive collection of muscle cars and some incredible classics. The cars are displayed in multiple barns around the grounds. The grounds themselves are beautiful and offer a great environment to view these classic cars in (especially in the summer). The Gilmore has rotating exhibits. Stockcars were the featured exhibit last summer. It’s a great destination that is easily done in a day trip, being only about a 2 hour drive from metro Detroit. We usually make a nice Sunday trip out of it, having lunch/dinner in or near Kalamazoo (home of Bells Brewery). Set the GPS to avoid highways and have a nice country drive on the way. They also have a fantastic collection of brass era cars, and even have a separate pierce arrow barn. You can see everything from Duesenberg’s and Delahaye’s to muscle cars. They even have a V16 Cadillac motor on display in the Cadillac barn, what an engineering masterpiece. My favorite barn had a great collection of hood ornaments and some absolutely striking Auburn’s inside. Some of the cars even have a placard with their story; a gorgeous 1932 Lincoln that was rescued from a junkyard and restored was one. During the restoration the owner found out the car actually belonged to his grandfather! There are also many early models, a Chrysler turbine car, and a vintage motorcycle barn— literally too much to list. Hailed as one of the Nation's top five car museums and named Michigan's #1 Historic Auto Site by Pure Michigan. It’s the best car museum I have ever been in. Check out their website for the latest exhibit.

The Gilmore is definitely a must see for any gear head!

Volume 20 Issue 3

The First Yenko

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Meet the Member: Mike Kidd By Mike Kidd In case we haven’t met, my name is Mike Kidd. I have been a member of the Royal Pontiac club since 1994. I graduated from West Bloomfield HS, and earned my BSME from LTU. I am employed in the auto industry as an engineering manager with a supplier in Auburn Hills. My wife Aleta and I currently live in Oxford MI. I have recently taken over the webmaster duties for the club from Glenn Waineo, and will be helping with our transition to a digital newsletter. If you haven’t seen the updates on the website, check it out and let me know what you think. www.royalpontiac.org My first car was a 1974 Catalina, on which I did the best bodywork I was capable of (at 15) and got it painted at the local Maaco. I also added a 4 bbl, valve springs, 1.65 rockers and dual exhaust to its tired old 400 motor. This motor eventually ended up in my 1970 Firebird (when I blew up the original 350). Through the years I have also owned several other Pontiac’s: 1973 Grand Am (400 4sp); 1977 Firebird Formula; and 3 Grand Prix GTP’s. I bought my 1970 Firebird after I graduated high school in1988. Sadly, the motor from my Catalina lost a piston (along with 1 bolt on each connecting rod—may have been over revved). Club members helped me build a 455 for my bird with ported 6X heads which ran a best of 11.38 @ 118. Sadly, this motor also expired (piston/rod/crank/ and block). So I had an MR1 short block put together with a billet crank and added ported E-heads. My best ET to date with this combo is 11.03 @123. I also installed a 200 4R trans for a nice highway ride a couple years ago. In 2009 I attended a “Fantasy Trans Am” event with the SAAC-MCR club, and loved it. I have been attending track days (road race course) since. The Pontiac V8 roaring down the back straight at Waterford Hills during last years “vintage” track day was awesome. As the one of the only vintage cars that actually participated, the 70 Bird got lots of attention in the pits. In 1997 I purchased my firebird WS6 (which I ordered, crank windows and all). I have drag raced and attended track days at Waterford hills and Gingerman with it. I have added shorty headers, valve springs, roller rockers as well as koni shocks with Strano springs/sway bars. My best ET to date is13.25 @ 107. In 2011 we picked up a new 5.0 Mustang GT for my wife Aleta. Unfortunately for me, she is much quicker at the drag strip than my (now old) WS6. Her best ET to date is 12.53 @ 112 (Stock) . At least my WS6 is still ~ 5 sec per faster around Waterford Hills :) My current daily driver is a 2010 Charger R/T with a best ET of 13.48 @ 103. Aleta and I attend many car events throughout the year, hope to see you out there!

70 Firebird at Lapeer Please submit your own meet the member story to: [email protected]

Video Link Below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=no0WLGoc82c

Volume 20 Issue 3

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Meet the Member: Mike Kidd (cont’d)

1970 Firebird at Waterford Hills

Aleta Kidd 2012 Mustang GT

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYqmi4f2Osk 1997 Firebird at Waterford Hills

Mustang GT (Aleta) & Charger R/T (me)

1997 Firebird at Milan

Mike & Aleta Kidd

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Volume 20 Issue 3

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Volume 20 Issue 3

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Fall Cruise: Franklin Cider Mill Text Mike Kidd Photos Eric Schiffer The club held our annual Fall cruise to the Franklin Cider mill last October. Everyone met up for parking in front of the old Franklin church. We then walked the short distance to the cider mill. It was a clear, cool fall morning, perfect for a cider mill visit. The club supplied the cider and doughnuts. It was a nice way to spend a Sunday morning, visiting with club members and talking cars. It was a perfect day for a ride as well.

Volume 20 Issue 3

Fall Cruise: Franklin Cider Mill (cont’d) http://www.royalpontiac.org/images/cidermill2012/cidermill-2012.html

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Gear Head Event: SAAC-MCR Track Day http://www.saac-mcr.com/te/ Text Mike Kidd Photos Aleta Kidd

Have you ever wanted to try your hand at a track day or road race type event, but weren’t sure how to get involved? Well it’s easier than you might think. There are several organizations that make participating easy and safe. The best I have attended is the Shelby American Automobile Club’s driver’s school. They have been running track events for 30 years and have a nice casual atmosphere at their events. I got involved with their club when I unknowingly sold a part on ebay to a member, who happened to live down the road from me. When he picked up the part, he saw my 70 firebird and we started talking cars. While I had been interested in running my car on a road course for a long time, I didn’t know how to get involved. Mike Nyberg convinced me to come out for their next event. I was motivated by their “Fantasy Trans Am” event which they were running in the fall. Club members helped me get my 70 ready to run. When I arrived at Waterford Hills (Clarkston, MI), I was glad to see there were instructors and corner workers. An instructor rode with me, teaching me the race line, and making sure I knew how to pass and be passed. Passing is controlled and safe and is only allowed on the back straight for beginners. Run groups are based on driver experience, which allows you to compete with other rookies. After my first event I was hooked, and have attended every one since. As a beginner, you don’t need to have a race car, your daily driver can work pretty well. Most modern cars have no problem handling a track day. It’s a great way to drive fast in a safe environment. They also allow free “touring laps” at lunch, which makes for a great way to get friends/family out to the track. In fact, after taking my mom for some touring laps at lunchtime a couple years ago, she enjoyed it so much she decided to enter the next event in her 93 V6 Camaro. While she wasn’t the fastest car out there, she had a great time and has been to many track days since. It’s a pretty laid back event, and everyone is willing to lend you hand, or offer advice. It makes hanging out at the track feel like going to a family picnic with a racetrack. If you’d like some more detail of what the day is like or what to expect, click on the links below. http://www.saac-mcr.com/te/before.htm

http://www.saac-mcr.com/te/faq.htm

While I’m not exactly the next Mark Donohue, I have learned a lot in the last couple years and can hustle my WS6 pretty quickly around Waterford Hills. One of my favorite track days involved chasing a Nissan GTR around the track for an entire 20 min session. My British co-worker was very excited to see a GTR at the track and couldn’t stop talking about how fast and awesome the GTR was (although I think it’s just plain ugly). I knew that the GTR was very fast and was curious to see just how quick it could get around Waterford Hills. While I wasn’t able to pass the GTR, he wasn’t able to lose my “lowly” F-body either. He left me for dead on the straights, but I caught him in the middle of the course. Here’s a short video link from another co-workers 944, which shows the GTR passing the 944, with my WS6 following a few seconds later (~ 25 sec in). Watch how quickly the GTR and my WS6 get out of the frame. http://youtu.be/TU1vpjaLez4 SAAC’s next track event is June 3rd, feel free to email me with questions, or if you’d like to participate. It would great to get some more Pontiac’s out on the Grey Ghosts’ home track. Hope to see you out there!

Volume 20 Issue 3

Gear Head Event: SAAC-MCR Track Day (cont’d) More Pics at:

http://www.royalpontiac.org/images/MEMBERS/mk-70/mk-70.html http://www.royalpontiac.org/images/MEMBERS/mk-97/mk-97.html

Top Left: My 70 Firebird giving Lotus Elise a hard time Top Right: My Mom, Shelby (niece), Me with my 97 WS6 Below: My Mom in her 2011 Camaro SS Right: Fantasy Trans Am event Bottom Left: Former Webmaster Glenn Waineo Bottom Right: Chasing down a Mitsubishi EVO

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Club Meeting Minutes Feb 2013 Royal Meeting Minutes February 14, 2013 Called to order at 7:12 pm Members in attendance 7 Old business Dues: Remember membership dues are now due in January of every year. Todd will contact members regarding their dues for the year 2013- 2014. Website/Newsletter: Mike Kidd has been busy testing the new electronic format. The electronic newsletter is best be viewed on a wide screen monitor. The newsletter can be printed on 8x14 inch printer paper. You can post pictures with you classified ad on line. You can view the club’s calendar of events, old magazine articles and club minutes. The electronic news letter will be sent out on a quarterly basis to all members who have current email address. Mike wants members to participate by writing about themselves and sending to Mike for posting in future electronic newsletter. Email: Member email addresses are need for you to be notified of last minute program changes or events like garage tours. If you did not receive anything from Mike we do not have your email address. Date Night: March 23 at Rusty Bucket on Woodward Ave, south of Square Lake Rd, Bloomfield Hills. Please RSVP with Todd by March 16. Autorama: March 8, 9, 10. Drag Racing: We are waiting for Milan to post their schedule at Auto Rama for GM Performance, Detroit Dragway Reunion and Historic Drags. Web Site – Mike Kidd is constantly testing and honing the club site. He needs a picture of you car and description for posting. Club videos wanted from past events. Bill Klausing will transfer Eric’s VHS to DVD. Treasures Report- Todd gave the report and we are fine. SEMA- no news New Business 1) Detroit Public Library, Skillman building, in downtown Detroit, they have extensive automotive publications. The library has enjoyed receiving our newsletter for years. They have invited our club for a tour. 2) Eric received a nice note from Marj Sawruk inviting members to come visit her and her sons at Norwalk where they will have her late husband, John’s GT37 on display. She is selling some of John’s memorabilia. 3) Arnie Beswick sent Eric a very nice package which included a poster of “Drag World” December 1968 headline “Beswick Stuns Field at 194.36”. A note with an article about the reproduction “Boss Bird”’s amazing crash last year. Eric brought in the items and Arnie’s note to view. 4) Eric received a call from Doc Watson stating that his son Jason was on the board of the Alfred P. Sloan museum in Flint. Jason was setting up a three segment display of cars of historic significance at the museum. Eric will get in touch with Jason to get more information. Adjourned at 7:45pm

Volume 20 Issue 3

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Our 20th Year

Upcoming Events: March 2013 3 SAAC-MCR Swap Meet Gorno Ford, 22025 Allen Rd, Woodhaven 8-10 Detroit Autorama, COBO Center, Detroit 50th Ridler Award

Royal Pontiac Club of America P.O. Box West Bloomfield, MI 48322

14 ROYAL PONTIAC MEETING Denny’s in Novi 7pm 16 NOVI Spring Car auction, Suburban Collection Show Place, 46100 Grand River Ave, Novi 17 43rd Annual Russ Milne Ford, 24777 Hall Rd and Gratiot 18 Lapeer Drag way opens www.lapeerdragway.com

[email protected]

23 ROYAL PONTIAC DATE NIGHT Rusty Bucket (see page 1 for details) 24 Indy Auto Swap Meet Indiana State Fairgrounds 29-30 USMA/ Shriners Classic Car show, Gibraltar Trade Center I-75 and Eureka

April 2013 6 Milan Drag way opens

www.milandragway.com

7 Motor City Madness Model Contest, Macomb Comm. College 11 ROYAL PONTIAC MEETING Denny’s in Novi 7pm

www.royalpontiac.org

19-21 USMA/Shriners Classic Car show Gibraltar Trade Center I-94 and North River Rd 20 54th Speedway Spring Car Show and Swap Auto City Speedway Clio, MI 21 Boomer’s Swap Meet, Spring Oaks Activity Ctr, Davisburg, MI 21 Waterford Hills open track day www.waterfordhills.com 21 38th Ann. Monroe County Fairgrounds Car Show and Swap meet, 3775 Custer Rd 21 Cauley Performance NCRS swap meet 7020 Orchard Lake Rd. 27-28 Novi Classic Car Auction Suburban Collection Showplace, 46100 Grand River, Novi

May 2013 5 39th annual Bearing Burners Car Show and Swap meet at GM Tech Center www.mhraonline.org 9 ROYAL PONTIAC MEETING Denny’s in Novi 7pm 11 Detroit Dragway reunion Milan Drag Way www.milandragway.com

June 2013 1 MI Antique Festival & Auto Swap Meet Midland, www.miAntiqueFestival.com 3 SAAC-MCR GO 38 Open Track Event & Drivers School Waterford Hills Road Racing Course, http://www.saac-mcr.com/te/schedule.htm 8

Widetrackers Spring Dustoff car show http://widetrackers.com/2013%20WT%20Dustoff.pdf

13 ROYAL PONTIAC MEETING Denny’s in Novi 7pm 15 Cruisin’ Gratiot www.cruisin-gratiot.com 27 38th Annual St Ignace Car Show and Swap St Ignace, MI www.nostalgia-prod.com 29 14th Annual Downriver Cruise www.cruisindownriver.com Auto Zone Book store, Woodward Ave north of 14 Mile Rd

Looking for Articles!!!

Every Saturday morning from 8AM – 10AM Happening year round

Have you done any cool car events lately? Maybe a great tech tip? Why not share them with other club members? Would you like to share your pride and joy with other club members? Write a short “meet the member” article introducing you and your car. Be sure to include some pictures. We can also add pics of your ride to our “members” tab on the website. Please email Mike Kidd with ideas or anything you’d like to share in the newsletter. [email protected]