ARIZONA Classic Roadrunner

Transcription

The
ARIZONA Classic
Roadrunner
Region’s Next Event is Auction Breakfast,
January 20 at DC Ranch Country Club
Santa & Mrs. Claus Deliver Holiday Party
Classic Car Club of America, Arizona Region—November/December, 2007
Arizona Classic Roadrunner, November/December, 2007
Page
Arizona Region Classic Car Club of America
2007 Board of Managers
Director
Bill Ingler
Asst. Dir.
Neil DeAtley
Treasurer
Richard Hull
Secretary
Marcia Herrold
Gary Capra
Leo Gephart
Les Jackson
Al Pelletier
John VanderHeide
Committees of the Region
Activities
Board of Managers
Publications Les Jackson
Membership Leo Gephart
Web Master Julie Sackett
480-488-5853, email: inglerfly@cox.net, FAX 480-488-5791
480-614-8046, email: pmdchaco@aol.com
480-802-5308, email: rhull10@wbhsi.net
480-585-4863, email: mherrold@juno.com
480-860-1616, email: gary_capra@yahoo.com
480-998-8263, email: gephartclassic@earthlink.net
480-538-1316, email: LBJAustin@aol.com
928-474-5249, email: falconcrestinn@yahoo.com
480-575-3240, email: pjjsvh@aol.com
Mailing address: AZ Region CCCA, Bill Ingler,
7415 E. Pasaro Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85266
Contributors this issue: Bill Ingler, Dot Messinger, Julie
Sackett
Visit our web site: www.arizonaccca.com
In This Issue:
Message from the Director.................................................................................Page 3
AZ Region Events Calendar ..............................................................................Page 3
National CCCA Events Calendar.......................................................................Page 4
Season Opener at El Chorro..........................................................................Pages 4-5
Annual Regional Meeting ............................................................................Pages 6-7
Classics A to Z: Stutz.................................................................................Pages 8-11
Holiday Party in Payson............................................................................Pages 12-13
Technical Notes ........................................................................................Pages 14-15
Editor’s Notes ..................................................................................................Page 15
Five Roadrunner issues planned for 2008: January-February , March-April, MayJune, Summer, and November-December.
On the front cover:
Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus (aka Al and Linda Pelletier) in front of the 12 foot Christmas Tree
in their Payson home, which was beautifully and lavishly decorated for the holidays.
What is a Full Classic® Car? A Full Classic® as defined by the Classic Car Club of America is a “fine” or
“distinctive” automobile, American or foreign built, produced between 1925 and 1948. Generally a CCCA Classic was
high priced when new and was built in limited quantities. Other factors including engine displacement, custom coachwork and luxury accessories such as power brakes, power clutch, and “oneshot” or automatic lubrication systems, help
determine whether a car is considered to be a “Full Classic®”. The complete list of the Club’s recognized classics may
be obtained by writing the Classic Car Club of America, 1645 Des Plaines River Rd., Suite 7, Des Plaines, IL 60018.
Purpose of the Classic Car Club of America, (CCCA): for the development, publication and interchange of technical,
historical and other information for and among members and other persons who own or are interested in fine or unusual
foreign or domestic motor cars built between and including the years 1925 and 1948, and distinguished for their respective fine design, high engineering standards and superior workmanship, and to promote social intercourse and fellowship among the members; and to maintain references upon and encourage the maintenance, restoration and preservation
of all such Classic cars.
Page 2
A Message from Region Director Bill Ingler
By Bill Ingler
2007 was a good year for your club. We have 81
members which is a slight increase over last year.
Attendance at club events remains about the same
and our club finances are strong, thanks to our running a very successful CARavan this year. The
club’s Roadrunner publication is, in my opinion, the
best in the small club category. Our club has the financial resources to host a future CCCA annual
meeting, host a Grand Classic in 2009 and continue
to publish a first class newsletter without worrying
about finances.
Still, I am concerned that this club might not be in
existence at this time next year. Why? Because I
don’t see new leadership stepping forward to help
run the region. My three year term as Director is up
next November and CCCA National bylaws allow
only three consecutive years for a Region Director.
The new Director must come from the Region’s
elected board. In addition, others on our current
board have served for many years, and may want a
respite.
Our region may have 81 members, but nearly 20%
of our members are rarely, if ever, in our state. They
maintain a regional membership in order to receive
our newsletter or keep in touch with what other regions are doing. They obviously can’t help when it
comes to regional leadership and activities. Many
other members spend only a very short winter season here, making it more difficult for them to take
on a leadership role. Finally, our membership is aging. An increasing number of our members are in
poor health, making it impossible for them to help
the region.
What does all of this mean? It clearly means that
those of us who spend all or much of the year in Arizona, and who are able to help, bear the responsibil-
ity for keeping our region a vital and viable organization that continues to attract new members.
What do we need now? We need members to step
forward and say, “yes I want to help with the activities.” We need someone to be activities chairperson
to take the responsibility for setting up events for
the next year. If you can’t or don’t want to be the
activities chairperson, just say that you will be responsible for planning and running ONE of the
monthly events for 2008.
We also need someone to say they will be chairperson for the Grand Classic in 2009. I have always
believed that you should put back into an organization more than you have taken. I’m hoping that others of you share that belief and will act on it. Please
call me at home anytime and we can talk about what
monthly event or other role you might be
interested in handling for 2008. Please
Spring, 2008—Arizona Region Event Schedule
Date
Event
January 20
February 12-14
Auction Breakfast
Weekend Bus Trip to Las Vegas
March 23
April 17-19
Steak Fry or “surprise” event
Trip to Wickenberg & Flagstaff
Details
DC Ranch
Still tentative due to low
participation level
Tentative Date
Tentative Date
Page 3
27 Members, 4 Guests and 4 Full Classics® open
the Season October 21 at the El Chorro Lodge
Article and photos by Bill Ingler
What could be better than one basket of El Chorro
sticky buns? You’re right--the answer is two baskets
of sticky buns--and many of us enjoyed the luxury of
that second basket. Our weather was a bit windy but
the south patio of El Chorro Lodge, facing Camelback Mountain, offered plenty of wind protection and
a very pleasant place to talk with friends that we hadn’t seen in six months or so.
Attendance at our season opener was down this year
with only 27 members, 4 guests and 5 collector cars
but considering that many of our regulars were still
enjoying the late fall weather at their summer homes,
and several members who were ill, I was pleased
with the turnout.
Thanks to the Ossenforts for coming down from
Flagstaff, the Ambs from Tucson and Al Pelletier and
the Claytons from Payson. It was nice to see Tutsie
Jacques again, sorry that Raoul was out of town. The
events for the remaining months of 2007 through
April of 2008 were discussed with special attention
for our Region’s annual meeting in November in Sun
Lakes.
Thanks to all who made El Chorro a great start for
the opening event of the season for the Arizona
Region.
Members who attended:
Keith & Marie Ambs
Gary & Lisa Capra
Bill & Joan Clayton
Larry & Diane Cowen
Neil & Patricia DeAtley
Walt & Sarah Fuelberth
Leo Gephart
Bob & Joanne Hannay
Rich & Sharon Hull
Bill & Nancy Ingler
Tutsie Jacques
Steve Kreisman
Bob McAtee
John & Cheryl Ossenfort
Al Pelletier
Marvin & Rosemary Price
1937 Lincoln Brunn
1947 Cadillac Series 62
1931 Lincoln
1947 Cadillac Series 62
1948 Packard (NC)
National CCCA 2008 Events
CARavans:
May 3-26, 2008
Classic Europe
June 19-27, 2008
Colorado Big Sky
October 12-18, 2008 Delaware Valley
Annual Meeting:
Above: Keith and Marie Ambs made the drive
from Tucson. Below: Sharon and Rich Hull
January 10-13, 2008 Bellevue, WA
Grand Classics:
April 19, 2008
May 31, 2008
June 1, 2008
July 12, 2008
Indiana, San Diego/Palm
Springs
Nat’l at CCCA Museum
The Grand Experience
New England, Michigan,
Northern California
Other Events:
February 25, 2008
Page 4
Panama Canal Cruise
Clockwise from upper right: Bill and Joan Clayton, Patricia
and Neil DeAtley, Bob and Joanne Hannay, Steve Kreisman and guest Jane Billings, Walt and Sarah Fuelberth,
Larry and Diane Cowen. The lineup of cars (l. to r.) Bill
and Nancy Ingler’s 1947 Cadillac, Marvin and Rosemary
Price’s 1948 Packard (nc), Neil and Patricia DeAtley’s
1947 Cadillac, Bob and Joanne Hannay’s 1931 Lincoln
and Gary and Lisa Capra’s 1937 Lincoln by Brunn.
Page 5
2007 Annual Meeting at Oakwood Country Club
Snowbirds’ delayed returns cause
low attendance, no board quorum
By Bill Ingler
Photos by Dot Messinger
All ABOARD! This train goes to the Oakwood
Country Club in Sun Lakes with an intermediate
stop at Richard and Sharon Hull’s home. As you
know, this year’s annual meeting was moved from
Grayhawk Country Club to the Oakwood Country
Club in Sun Lakes, just down the street from Rich
and Sharon’s new home.
Rich and Sharon invited those going to the
AZCCCA Annual Meeting to stop by their home
for some late morning libations as well as to see
Rich’s circus memorabilia and garden railroad.
Talk about boys with their toys and you have to
include Rich Hull.
Pulling up to their home you are greeted by a
miniature Ferris wheel in their front yard. How
many people do you know that give directions to
their home by saying “Just come down the street
until you see the Ferris wheel.” Inside their home
you will find Rich’s circus room. His fascination
Richard Hull tending his garden railroad.
with the circus is evident when you see the circus
pictures, old posters, and miniature circus wagons,
even a real circus wagon wheel as well as several
miniature circus trains. Rich and his son build
beautiful miniature circus wagons, several of
which are on display at the Ringling Brothers Circus Museum.
Leaving the Circus Room you find a miniature
garden railroad winding through much of the back
yard. Several trains were running around a fantastic array of curves, tunnels, and trestles as well as
Page 6
everything you have seen in a miniature railroad layout.
I have always known that it takes many hours and
much patience to maintain an old car. That is nothing
compared to the amount of time that I am sure Rich
Richard Hull describes the miniature Ferris
wheel to Arnita Bergeson (left) Sarah Fuelberth
(r.) and Reg Collings (behind the wheel, center).
needs to keep all those trains on schedule.
The visit to their home was great and for those who
missed the annual meeting, hopefully you will have the
opportunity to see Rich’s toys in the future. Thank you
Rich and Sharon for your hospitality.
The lunch served at the Oakwood Country Club was
great to say nothing of the beautiful club house. We
dined in a room that was open to the outside and we
were blessed with a beautiful Arizona fall day. Our attendance was a little disappointing with only 24 members and 4 guests. Four guests from Palm Springs were
staying with the Hulls and are no strangers to our region. John Howe and Will Williford, two of those
guests, put on that fabulous party for our region at their
home in Palm Springs during our last Palm Springs
mini tour.
Thanks to Marie Ambs for acting as recording secretary for the meeting. Our newest elected board member
is John Vander Heide and departing the board is Bill
Clayton. Bill has been a past region treasurer, a past
region director as well as taking an active part in the
two Arizona CARavans and arranging other regional
activities. Thanks, Bill for all the help you have given
this region, and also to Joan Clayton for her work in
helping Bill as well as helping with our participation
awards.
Attending this years annual
meeting were AZCCCA Members:
Keith & Marie Ambs
John & Arnita Bergeson
Reg Collings
Larry & Diane Cowen
Neil & Patricia DeAtley---driving 1947 Cadillac
Ibby Flynn
Walt & Sarah Fuelberth – driving a 1940 Cadillac
Leo Gephart
Rich & Sharon Hull
Bill & Nancy Ingler
Ray Levy
Bob & Dot Messinger
Lyle & Eve Reiswig
Lloyd & Bernice VerHage
Annual Meeting Minutes
November 11, 2007
The meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Bill
Ingler, Director. Marie Ambs was appointed Secretary,
pro tem. Due to health issues of several board members
or their family, only four board members were in attendance: Bill Ingler, Neil DeAtley, Leo Gephart and Rich
Hull. Since a quorum was not present, the Board will
verify elections at their next meeting..
Minutes of the 2006 Annual Meeting and Election
were distributed and approved. Rich
Hull presented the Financial Report
and commented that the Club was in
excellent financial shape due to our
ongoing investments and the net proceeds from the 2007 CARavan. Leo
Gephart reported that we currently
have 81 members.
Reporting on publications for Les
Right: John Bergeson
Jackson, Bill Ingler mentioned that
and Keith Ambs before
future Roadrunner issues will be
the annual meeting in
printed in color even though the cost
Sun Lakes, AZ.
is somewhat higher. We have received many compliments from National about the quality of the Roadrunner and its eye appeal in color. Julie
Sackett continues to maintain the Arizona Region web
site, including a section on the CARavan which has
many photographs from the event that were not printed
in the Roadrunner.
Bill Ingler also reported on the Club’s activities.
December 9, 2007 – Holiday party in Payson. Bring a
children’s book for the Stepping Stone Foundation and
a white elephant gift.
January 20, 2008 – Auction Breakfast at DC Ranch
Country Club to be arranged by the Capras.
February 18-29, 2008 – Bus trip to Las Vegas. Leo
Above: Walt Fuelberth examining the collection
Gephart is arranging for us to see three car collections.
in Rich’s Circus Room. Below: Bernice and
March – open – Snowbirds to arrange
Lloyd VerHage, Ray Levy and Leo Gephart on
April – mini-CARavan overnight to Prescott
the Hull’s patio.
The Region is scheduled to host a Grand
Classic in March or April, 2009.
The following members were elected or reelected to the Region’s Board of Managers:
John Vander Heide, Gary Capra, Rich Hull,
Bill Ingler, Alan Pelletier. Officers for the
coming year are: Bill Ingler, Director, Neil
DeAtley, Assistant Director, Rich Hull, Treasurer, Marcia Herrold, Secretary, Les Jackson,
Publications, and Leo Gephart, Membership.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:45 p.m.
Page 7
Stutz started as an Indianapolis race car; but by
1925 it stressed ‘Safety, Comfort, and Beauty’
Next in the Classics A to Z Series
Periodically the Roadrunner runs stories about
Full Classics® made in America. In this issue
we continue the series with Stutz. Prior stories
can be found on our web site,
www.arizonaccca.com. Click on “Classics A to
Z” at the top of the home page. Watch for a
story on the Wills Sainte Claire and WillysKnight in a 2008 issue.
The founder had left the company
Harry Stutz quit the company in 1919 and it was
long before the Classic Era began
mostly
idle until the beginning of the Classic Era in
By Les Jackson
®
The story of the Stutz Full Classic from 1925 to its 1925.
The Safety, Comfort and Beauty Period
end as a car company in 1935 was a very different one
In 1922 Charles M. Schwab, who had been head of
than its early days when Harry Stutz was associated
Bethlehem Steel took over the company and three
with the company.
years later hired Frederic E. Moscovics as president.
The earliest years were an emphasis on speed. In
Moscovics, who previously worked at Marmon and
1897 Harry Stutz built his first car, a gas buggy. He
was only 20 years old. He was innovative in
many of his endeavors.
He built the American Underslung, a car with
a lower center of gravity as the chassis was hung
below the springs and axles. This arrangement in
the first of the company’s cars was said to reduce the chances of a roll over, this making it a
safer car. These were produced in 1906 and
1907.
The safety theme would be revived by the
Stutz car company many years after Harry Stutz
was no longer associated with the company.
The racing era at Stutz
This is the 1927 “Vertical Eight Safety Chassis” 2 pasAfter leaving American Underslung, Stutz
built a car to enter the Indianapolis 500 in 1911. senger Speedster by Stutz. Advertising comments inIt placed 11th in the race and the slogan “The Car cluded “Body five inches nearer the ground”, “lower
center of gravity”, “worm-drive rear axle...improves
That Made Good in a Day” was adopted.
rd
In 1913 Stutz’s car placed 3 at Indy, and the with use”, and “non-leaking hydrostatic brakes”.
following year it was named the Bearcat. At this
Franklin, said the company would concentrate on
time Mercer with its Raceabout was a great rival.
safety, comfort and beauty (no mention of speed).
Speed continued to be emphasized as Cannonball
In 1926 Stutz brought out what was called the
Baker drove a Bearcat coast to coast to break the old
Safety
Stutz. It featured a “vertical eight” engine with
record by 7½ hours.
a “safety chassis.” (Packard of that era had a straight
Even though many sources provide informaeight engine.) The Stutz engine was a 289 cubic inch
tion about the Stutz car, there are many differoverhead cam eight cylinder producing 92 horseences in the data involving production, price,
power at 3200 rpm. Dual spark ignition was featured
horsepower and displacement of the engines.
and the engine had a nine bearing main crankshaft.
Page 8
Clearly there were significant styling improvements from the 1927 Stutz as this is the 1928 Custom 2 passenger Speedster by Stutz. It was called a 2 passenger despite having a rumble seat
that would seat two additional people for a total of four.
Sales which were 2,160 in 1925 increased (one source
says to 5,069 units, another states to 3,692. Many
early car manufacturing records are in disagreement).
The Safety Stutz was built low to the ground and
featured hydraulic brakes operated with a mixture of
alcohol and water. Safety glass, such as it was in
1926, was also used. Brewster designed the bodies.
One interesting feature was the Weymann body
Monte Carlo which was covered with a light weight
fabric of synthetic leather over a light weight wood
that did not rattle, thus reducing sound problems. The
public was underwhelmed, however.
Even though speed was no longer stressed the car
could go from 10 to 50 mph in 15 seconds (good
speed for the era). It used a Timken worm drive differential. The early 1926 Stutz had a 131 inch wheelbase.
Late in the year a larger 145 inch wheelbase was introduced.
Ettore Bugatti helped Stutz
Even though speed was not a big part of Stutz advertising, the 1927 model was improved with help
from Ettore Bugatti, the famous Italian auto designer,
who modified the ports and manifolds in the head.
The redesigned engine enabled Stutz to win the stock
car championship; it won every race it entered that
year.
By the end of the year LeBaron was designing the
bodies.
A unique model BB convertible victoria with body
by Locke & Co., was a 2 door with room for five inside PLUS a rumble seat. [Editor Note: We wish we
had a photo of this car to include with this article].
In 1928 Stutz introduced the Blackhawk as a series
in the Stutz line. It had the smaller 131 inch wheelbase, but sported a 110 or 125 horsepower engine,
depending on the source of the information. A Stutz
(Continued on page 11)
Page 9
Left: LeBaron built this 7
passenger transformable
town car on the 145 inch
chassis for Stutz for 1929.
The transmission featured
four forward speeds. Also
included was the “Noback”
device designed to prevent
the car from rolling backward on hills while in neutral without applying the
brakes, one of Stutz’s
safety features. It was
many years before this
was common in American
cars. Other 1929 models
included the 4 passenger
speedster, 2 passenger
rumble seat speedster, 2
passenger torpedo and a
convertible sedan.
Right: Rollson was the coach builder for
this 1931 Stutz DV32 (dual valve) convertible victoria. How would you like to
drive this car with its blind rear quarters
and no outside rear view mirrors? Stutz
emphasized “safety” in its 1931 black
and white brochures and advertising.
Buyers could select their own body
builders; this Rollston was not advertised by Stutz. Only about 300 cars
were built by Stutz in 1931. Photo by
Bud Juneau.
Left: Brunn designed this body on
the dual valve 1932 Stutz Patrician
coupe. The company president, Edgar Stanley Gorrell, was interviewed by Time magazine and
commented that nine separate motor companies had approached
Stutz with offers to buy, sell, merge
or be merged. Gorrell answered
“No. Stutz will stand alone. Stutz by
itself has too satisfactory a position
to warrant or demand a merger.”
From 1932 to 1933 production decreased more than 60 percent and
in 1937 the company was gone.
Page 10
entered the Indianapolis 500 coming
in second to a 4½
liter Bentley. A
Blackhawk Stutz
was also second in
the LeMans race
after leading most
of the way.
Sales in 1928
were down and in
1929 or early 1930
Moskovics resigned
or was ousted as
“Ra” the god of the sun, was president of the
used as the Stutz hood or- company.
nament and appeared in its
In 1929 The
advertising (right).
Blackhawk became
a separate make and was no longer a series under the
Stutz name. Blackhawk offered a choice of a 6 or an
8 cylinder motor with horsepower of 85 and 90 respectively.
As the depression took hold in 1930 production at
Stutz plunged with only an estimated 1,318 cars produced with either the Stutz or Bearcat nameplate.
Prices varied from a low of $2,395 to a high of
$3,855.
Racing attracted the Stutz again as it was ninth in
the 1930 Indy, and won the 140 mile Mexican race
from Nuevo Laredo to Monterrey at a speed of 70
mph beating a Studebaker Commander Eight by 2
minutes.
From then on it was downhill each year with estimated production in 1931 of 310, in 1932 of 206, in
1933 of 80, in 1934 of 6 and finally 1935 with 2.
The last year for the Blackhawk was 1930.
In 1931 Stutz was the first to introduce bodies
where the doors dropped to the running boards and
covered the frame rails.
Engines were increased in power and prices were
only modestly reduced in these declining years.
Starting in 1932 Stutz offered an option of a 156
horsepower engine called the DV32 (16 intake
valves and 16 exhaust valves) as well as a SV16
with 113 horsepower which could be bought with a
supercharger to increase horsepower to 143.
The company was liquidated in April, 1937. During its closing months it produced a small truck
called the PakAge (nc).
All Stutz cars from 1925 until the end are considered Full Classics® by CCCA.
In 1970 the name Stutz Blackhawk (nc) was revived as a $75,000 luxury car.
Below: The 1933 Stutz models were virtually
unchanged from the prior year. This is one of
the “Salon Sports Models”, the Super Bearcat
on a 116 inch wheelbase. The company also
produced the Pak-Age-Car (nc) in 1933 for light
deliveries to compete with the horse and wagon
in house to house delivery. The engine could be
replaced with a spare one in 15 minutes.
Page 11
Holiday Party held at Falcon Crest in Payson
By Bill Ingler
Photos by Dot Messinger and Julie Sackett
I believe in Santa Claus! I am still a kid at heart who
was invited to Santa’s party Sunday, December 9, at
the North Pole. We all know that the North Pole is
home to Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus and Rudolf the Red
Nose Reindeer. But did you know that the North Pole
is right here in Arizona, high on a mountain top overlooking Payson? I saw Santa arrive at the North Pole in
his sleigh and I saw Mrs. Claus dressed in a beautiful
red velvet dress cooking a magnificent meal. Did you
know that Rudolf can dance and really shake his
booty? But the best part of the party was when Santa
gave me a present, a matched pair of pink flamingo
plastic wine glasses, just what I have always wanted!
Santa arrives down the long curving driveway of
Falcon Crest Inn. His sleigh (pulled by a modern
tractor) was equipped with a sound system for
Christmas music, and the presents on the front
were covered with holiday lights.
Santa Claus, Rudolf and Mrs. Claus are, of course,
Al and Linda Pelletier who hosted the region’s annual
holiday party in their beautiful mountain top home.
The weather was damp and cold and more rain and
snow were in the forecast, so everyone drove modern.
The Ossenforts drove from Flagstaff through some
snow, and as it turns out, that evening and the following day many inches of snow fell on the Rim Country.
From the moment Al met us in his motorized sleigh
(actually a 100 year old sleigh he restored) and we
Page 12
drove down his
long driveway,
it was indeed
Santa’s home.
Walking
through the
front door we
were greeted by
a 12 foot
Christmas tree
where we all
placed our
white elephant
gifts. Many
hours had been
spent decorating each room
in their home. Before Santa arrived, Rudolph
There was even treated us to a reindeer dance,
a miniature rail- his nose glowing a bright red.
road which traveled through a miniature town which
in turn was decorated for Christmas. At the end of
that town was a working miniature ski lift.
Almost everyone went downstairs where Al built
a fantastic bar, wine cellar and a plush movie theater, all decorated in antiques. Later we all went
back upstairs for a pot luck buffet featuring Mrs.
Claus’ beef and all the great food brought by our
region’s cooks. Santa really knows how to entertain,
as everyone was treated to wine and champagne
with their meal. One of the great desserts offered
were miniature cream puffs which you could dip in
chocolate. How is that for a low calorie dessert?
After lunch Mrs. Claus sang a few Christmas
songs and then she and Julie Sackett sang a duet. .
About that time Rudolf made his appearance and
danced to what else but “Rudolf the Red Nosed
Reindeer.”
Everyone was told to go outside and welcome
Santa. Sure enough, Santa and sleigh came down
the curving driveway to the cheers of all us big kids.
Then it was time to pass out the presents. One at a
time each person opened their white elephant gift
and as expected, there were some real winners!
Those old ice skates showed up as Lloyd VerHage`s
present, must be 7 or 8 years since the ice skates
made their first appearance. Several times through
the opening of the gifts Cheryl Ossenfort whispered
Attendees at Holiday Party
Bill & Joan Clayton
Neil & Patricia DeAtley
Tm & Martha Ferran
Ibby Flynn
Sara & Walt Fuelberth
Leo Gephart
Bill & Nancy Ingler
Les Jackson & Julie Sackett
Bob & Dot Messinger
John & Cheryl Ossenfort
Al & Linda Pelletier
Gene M. & Ann Peltier
Joel Prescott
Marvin & Rosemary Price
Agnes & Dan Taylor
Lloyd & Bernice VerHage
Ed & Karen Winkler
Enjoying holiday cheer (l. to r.): Dot Messinger,
Cheryl Ossenfort, Nancy Ingler, Al Pelletier, Bill
Ingler, John Ossenfort and Bob Messinger.
to my wife Nancy “I thought there would be more
tacky white elephant gifts than what I have seen so
far.” Nancy, knowing what was in Cheryl’s package,
told her just to be patient. When Cheryl opened her
gift she was really rewarded, as her gift was a two
piece Victoria’s Secret sheer teddy which would,
when worn, leave nothing to the imagination. My,
can Cheryl blush.
It was now time to leave Santa, Mrs. Claus and the
North Pole. Thank you, Al and Linda for sharing
your home and your warm hospitality. Most of all we
thank you for allowing us to be part of your very special time of the year--Christmas. We will think of
you as you share your Christmas spirit, be it
in a local parade or just being Santa and Mrs. Above right: Rosemary Price with
Claus to so many children around Payson.
Santa in the antique
sleight that Al restored.
Right: Santa
brought a juggling
kit for Ed Winkler,
and Ed immediately
began practicing
some very rusty
skills. Left: Santa is
trying to learn what
Nancy Ingler wants
for Christmas.
Page 13
Technical Notes
How the lubrication requirements have
changed as car engines have evolved
Down the Slippery path
By Paul Rydning
Much has been written lately concerning modern oils
and our not so modern cars. While I doubt that there is
much I could add to the subject, perhaps some background might be helpful to understanding the current
problem.
When I first attended technical school for training in
the “Automotive Arts” (in the early 1950's no less!) We
were dealing with largely pre-war engine engineering
and manufacturing.
In those days we would expect to do a “minor” overhaul at about 30,000 miles consisting of a valve job and
at least adjusting the rod bearings for clearance. At
60,000 miles we often considered that the engine
needed major work including timing chain or gear replacement, bearing replacement and possible re-bore
and piston replacement. Often this resulted in quick
trade in for a new car and the second or third owner was
faced with these expensive repairs.
No thought of oil filtering
Most of these unhappy experiences can be traced directly to the engineering standards employed in the development of these engines where little consideration
was given to the type of oil supply system employed,
no thought of oil filtering was made (Packard was a notable exception as it developed and used a filtering system which is much like the modern full flow system.)
Almost nothing was done
to attempt to keep the oil
clean. Even the mighty
Packard Twelve uses only
an air silencer and not an air
filter on their engine! At this
time big was good and bigger was better, so internal
engine components were
heavy (cast iron pistons,
long heavy connecting rods, etc.) We now know this
increased the load on the bearing system and put an extreme demand on the oil system.
In 1949 Cadillac introduced the so called “Kettering”
engine, which became only the first of the new era high
speed engine designs. These engines were much higher
Page 14
horsepower, higher rpm designs with overhead
valve systems, and for the most part they used
lighter internal parts. However, they still did not
use full flow oil filtering systems. Cam shaft, valve
lifter and bearing failures were still common.
Here comes the famous small block
In 1955 Chevrolet introduced the 263 cubic inch
small block V8 and things began to rapidly change.
When I first saw the internal parts of one of these
engines in 1956 my first thought was that this engine was doomed.
The pistons and rods were small. The crankshaft looked tiny. The rocker arms were pressed
steel. How could this thing last?
As we now know, the answer was in the understanding of the demands placed upon a high speed,
high horsepower engine system. Heavy internal
rotating parts increase the load on the lubricating
system. Further, as the weight and rpm increases,
the loads increase much more rapidly and at some
point the oil barrier will fail.
As the customer wanted more horsepower, and
more flexibility in his driving experience, the engineer had to provide a faster more flexible engine
system. However, this alone was not enough!
The customer also demanded a more reliable car
which would require less service than past designs.
The light weight engines which began to appear on
the market in the mid 1950's met most of these requirements and with the introduction and general
adoption of the full flow oil filter system, most of
the customer’s demands were met. The modern
light weight four, six and eight cylinder engines
will give many times the service life of the older
pre 1950's products.
Smog control is next
The final development of the modern engine has
occurred with the development of smog control
systems which have served to greatly reduce oil
contamination.
In addition we now have a better understanding
of the causes of engine wear and the part that lack
of lubrication at start up plays in causing engine
failure. As a result of this knowledge, multi-weight
oils have been developed which
can help get oil to the bearing surfaces more quickly during starting.
Further, oil additives have been
developed to assist in keeping an
engine clean, improving heat transfer, and improving film strength.
All of this has the potential to
improve our Classic driving experience.
The exact causes of the well established Cadillac
gear failure are not known to me. I do suspect that the
metallurgy of the replacement gears may play a part
in this problem. Camshaft failure has been a problem
since the early 1950's.
The first engine I rebuilt in 1954 was a 1951 Studebaker V8 (non-classic) which had a camshaft failure. I
think now that much of the camshaft failure was due
to the heavy loads placed on the system due to the increased valve spring pressures and the heavy valve
train components.
Eliminating lead in gasoline
Both the system engineering and the oil products
had to be improved to meet the new conditions. I also
suspect that the elimination of lead in the gasoline
may have had something to do with the increased failure of flat tappet engines in the 1970s.
Modern engines use lightweight internal components with full flow oil filters, crankcase ventilation
systems (PVC valves), fuel injection fuel control, and
proper air filtering designs. The closer we can bring
our Classics to these standards the more likely we can
also enjoy trouble free touring.
* Change oil and oil filter, if you have one, every
500 miles.
* Change oil any time you have an overheating
event.
* Use multi-weight high quality oil.
* Install a proper air filtering system .
* Use a break-in oil if you want
* Try not to over speed your engine at any time
* Do not “lug” (too low rpm with a heavy load)
the engine, this increases bearing loads.
Finally, keep reading the news about oils for our
cars, particularly with regard to the elimination of
zinc in the newer oils, which may cause harm to
our old engines.
Editor’s Notes
A slightly late ‘Roadrunner’
By Les Jackson
A number of the club members know why this issue
of The Roadrunner is a bit later than usual, but for
those who don’t, I was diagnosed with a serious medical problem while we were in Oregon this summer. It
was best to have the treatment there rather than returning to Arizona. Because of the scarcity of the machine
needed for the treatment and the long waiting list to
use it, our return to Arizona was delayed by several
weeks.
In about 60 to 120 days we will know if the treatment was successful. In the meantime, I feel OK and
have had only minor discomfort during the whole
process. Many thanks to those of you who called and
sent cards with wishes for my recovery.
I was not alone with health problems this summer.
We know that Dot Messinger, Bill Clayton, Leo
Gephart and Marcia Herrold were among those with
medical challenges this summer. We were pleased to
see Dot, Bill and Leo at the Holiday Party, looking
healthy, and we look forward to seeing Marcia back in
Arizona very soon.
Our late return to Arizona meant that we did not
have time to do the research to feature a car owned by
a Region member in this issue. We wrote the story
about Stutz cars before leaving Arizona last Spring, so
we used it as the featured car even though none of the
present Arizona Region members are known to have a
Stutz. It was a great car, however. Three former
members of the region did own Stutz cars. They were:
William Abbott, Dan Obele and Richard Weiss.
Back Cover: In 1928 Stutz Black Hawk was not
a separate make. These are the Custom 4 and 2
passenger speedsters. Note the step plate instead of a running board. In 1928 Black Hawk
was two words. When it became a separate
make in 1929 it was one word, Blackhawk.
Roadrunner Advertising
Ads by Arizona Region members for classic cars
or classic car parts or accessories are free.
Other ads per issue of the Roadrunner:
Business card (3.5 x 2”) $6.00; quarter page $12;
half page $20; full page $40. Ad fees payable in
advance. Contact Les Jackson, 602-617-5218 or
email LBJAustin@aol.com. The Roadrunner is
published 5 times per year.
Page 15
Arizona Region
Classic Car Club of America
7415 E. Pasaro Drive
Scottsdale, AZ 85266
Page 16

ARIZONA Classic Roadrunner

Transcription

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