The Inside Track - West Michigan Pontiac Club

August 2011
The Inside Track
Scott van Tamelen, WMFC President
Hi Gang- I’m a little late in getting this month’s
newsletter out and for that I apologize. July has
been a busy month around here and it doesn’t
look like things are slowing down for me in
August either.
conflict with many members already scheduled
summer plans. Which as it turns out was fine
because the weather wouldn’t have been in our
favor. So we’ll have to revisit this idea for some
time next season.
I hope to see some of you tonight at the Elhart
Cruise-In, this has always been one of my
favorite shows of the season because it brings
out quite a few Pontiacs (helps that it’s hosted
by the West Michigan Pontiac Club). And I hope
WMFC members can help add to that number.
Another show that some of us are getting
prepared for is the 27th Annual Trans Am
Nationals. If anybody would like to join us on a
last minute notice feel free to shoot me an
email and I’ll give you the details on who’s
leaving when, and where everybody plans to
stay once we get there.
I’m happy to report that members had a great
time at the WMFC Fourth of July party. A big
THANK YOU goes out to Cat & Scott Browne for
opening up their home, and pool to us.
Members started out the day by participating
in the Grandville 4th of July Parade. We had a
nice mix of 3rd & 4th Generation Firebird’s in
attendance, and I hear we even got some
publicity on the local television channel. Check
out the photos below to see proof of the fun
that was had.
Unfortunately we had to postpone our “Cruise
to Woodward” event on July 23rd. There wasn’t
much interest as the date chosen seemed to
Newsletter 1
Fall Color Tour
I’m excited to announce we now have plans in
place for this year’s Fall Color Tour. Cat Browne
has arranged for us to tour another Firebird
enthusiast’s collection of cars.
Steve Hamilton of Oaklandon, Indiana owns 75
Firebirds and has offered to allow us to tour his
collection. Steve hasn’t missed a single Trans
Am Nationals event since it started 27 years
ago, and participates in many other events like
the annual Bandit Run. It should be a blast to
view his collection, and hear his thoughts on
state of the hobby. So mark your calendars now
and prepare for our first ever overnight Fall
Color tour.
We’ll be traveling to Steve’s place in Oaklandon,
Indiana on Saturday October 22nd. We’ll be
talking about plans to spend the night, and
arranging the details at the next couple events
we attend. I’ll have more details to share next
month in regards to a travel route and hotel
options.
July’s event pics
Below are some pictures from last month’s
WMFC events. It starts with pictures of
members who attended the Grandville 4th of
July Parade, then a few member’s cars along
with other random Firebirds that were at the
Wheels of Grand Haven Car Show.
Newsletter 2
Wheels of Grand Haven Car Show pics
Newsletter 3
Newsletter 4
Elhart Cruise-In
Tonight!!! Friday August 5th - We’ll be attending the Elhart
Automotive Campus (formally Elhart Pontiac) Crusie-In. The plan is to meet at the
Arby’s on the corner of Waverly St. and Chicago Dr. (just west of the Elhart
dealership) at 5:30-5:45 pm from there we'll drive into the dealership as a group.
August 26th, 27th, & 28th
September 24th
A few members will be traveling
down to Dayton, Ohio for the 27th
Annual Trans Am Nationals.
This is one event that I suggest every
Firebird enthusiast attend at least
once. There’s nowhere else in the
world that you’ll see this many
Firebirds and Trans Ams gathered in
one place!!
Email Scott for details and if you’d like
to join us.
Saturday Sept 24th – Come join us at
the 5th Annual Hamilton Car Show.
This is a show that I’ve helped
organize for the past 5 years and get
great pleasure out of watching it
grow each year. All the proceeds are
donated to the Hamilton Senior
Class, and go to help pay for their
“All Night Party” activities at the
end of the year.
For details and/or a copy of the show
flier see the Hamilton Car Show
page on our WMFC website.
president@wmfirebird.com
Newsletter 5
Upcoming Events
WMFC Monthly Meetings:
August meeting will be combined with the Elhart Friday Night Cruise-in
WMFC Official Events:
August 26-28, 2011- 2011 Trans Am Nationals, Dayton Marriott Hotel, Dayton, Ohio
October 22nd, 2011 WMFC Color Tour
Other Automotive Events:
Aug 6, 2011 Red Barns Spectacular Car Show, Gilmore Classic Car Museum, Hickory Corners, Mi
Aug 7, 2011- 5th Annual Apple Peel-In Car Show, Greenville, Mi
Aug 13, 2011- 21st Annual Del Shannon Memorial Car Show, downtown Coopersville, Mi
Aug 13, 2011 11th Annual Make-a-Wish Car, Truck & Bike Show, American Legion Post 298, Battle Creek,
Mi
Aug 14, 2011 11th Annual Deanos Car Show, Allegan, Mi
Aug 20, 2011 Augusta Village Car Show, Augusta, Mi
Aug 20, 2011- Woodward Dream Cruise – Metro-Detroit area
Aug 26, 27, 2011- 7th Annual 28th Street Metro Cruise, thru Grandville, Wyoming, Grand Rapids,
Kentwood, Mi
Sept 5, 2011- 7th Labor Day Cars for Cancer Car Show, along the Lake Michigan beach, Muskegon, Mi
Sept 9, 2011 Trendway Benefit Cruise-In 13467 Quincy St. Holland, Mi 6-9pm
Sept 11, 2011 17th Annual Muscle Cars Plus Car Show, Gilmore Classic Car Museum, Hickory Corners, Mi
Sept 17, 2011 Freeport Fun Day Car Show, Freeport, Mi
Sept 17, 2011- Holland Rescue Mission Benefit Car Show, Holland, Mi
Sept 24, 2011 5th Annual Hamilton Car Show. Hamilton Mi
Newsletter 6
The Western Michigan Firebird Club is dedicated
to the preservation and enjoyment of the classic
Pontiac Firebird through a passionate interest in
keeping the Dream Alive.
Meetings:
The WMFC holds monthly meetings throughout the year. The times and locations may
vary, so please see the upcoming events page or check out our website for specific times
and locations. http://www.wmfirebird.com/Recent___Upcoming_Events.html
WMFC Officers:
President: Scott vanTamelen president@wmfirebird.com
Vice President: Kyle Denboer vicepresident@wmfirebird.com
Treasure: Mike Keen
treasurer@wmfirebird.com
Membership: Dave Kuyers membership@wmfirebird.com
Newsletter Editor: Cat Browne newsletter@wmfirebird.com
Webmaster: Derek Dyke webmaster@wmfirebird.com
Check out our latest events and activities on our website www.wmfirebird.com.
Newsletter 7
WMFC Sponsors
Please join us in thanking our generous sponsors by using their services
whenever possible. Sponsorship with the WMFC has many great
benefits.
Newsletter 8
WMFC “For Sale” Section
For Sale: 1992 Corvette Convertible, 53,800 miles, 5.7 LT1 V8, automatic trans,
pwr Sport Seats, FX3 Select Ride, Bose sound. Everything works as new, very
well maintained, all original in everyway and family owned since 1993. Asking
$13,500……Contact Scott @ 616-450-8450
SOLD
Newsletter 11
WMFC “For Sale” Section
For Sale: '89 Formula 350, 110,000 miles, 5.7 L multiport fuel inj, automatic, Ttops, cruise, A/C, aftermarket CD player, power windows, brakes, and steering.
We have all the service records for the car since we purchased it. This rare car
has been stored winters and still wears the factory original paint. Starts and
drives excellent. Call 269-941-3016 to see & drive. Asking $5700....thanks
Nathan Poppema
Newsletter 11