The Official Newsletter of the Richmond Region AACA July 2015

Gas Light
The Official Newsletter of the Richmond Region AACA
July 2015 - Volume 64, No. 4
www.RichmondAACA.com
Richmond Region AACA
Inside the Cover
Ford vs. Chevy !!!
By Wyatt W. Williams
This month’s cover story is focused upon the theme of our
recent annual Car Show, held June 20th. “Ford vs. Chevy”
depicts the pivotal rivalry between these two ultra-iconic
brands in the American automotive industry. We decided to
turn the clock back, and compare two cars of the same year
with equivalent trim levels and features, Tommy Nolen's pristine 1961 Ford Galaxie Starliner and 1961 Chevrolet Impala
Super Sport were the perfect competitive match-up. The cars
were reviewed in the following categories: Exterior styling,
engine, interior, storage, handling, and fuel economy.
In the appearance category both cars are show stoppers.
Both feature very aggressive two door body styles; their uncluttered lines are in great contrast to the design excesses of
the 50’s. Each has an aerodynamic bubble-top roofline that
worked aesthetically and on race tracks. The Galaxie features
classic Ford pie-plate taillights with small style fins, and a
very unique roof design incorporating star medallions on the
rear pillars (remember, the space race was intense in ’61).
The rear window greenhouse arcs over the rear passengers’
heads on both cars, so that nobody can escape the heat! The
Impala carries a similar body silhouette with many styling
cues that differentiate it from the Ford. Most noteworthy are
the large front fender embellishments above the headlights
that imitated the classic Bel Air hood rockets, a white spear
with SS emblems on each side, the horizontal slotted grille
with dominant insignia, plus special wheel covers.
As for the engines, if you want to see some examples of
these cars you better like the view of them from behind as
they speed away from you! The Ford is propelled by a newfor-1961 390 cubic inch “Hi-Po” V8 power plant teamed with
an optional manual 4 speed transmission. With 3 two barrel
carburetors, it produces 401 proud horses that will move its
3800 lb tank-like body to 60 mph in approximately 6.5 seconds.
The Chevrolet, with its new-for-1961 “Turbo-Fire” 409
cubic inch V-8 under the hood, handled by a mandatory 4
speed transmission, produces an impressive 360hp with a single 4 barrel carburetor. The next year (1962), this engine with
2 four barrel carburetors, was immortalized by the Beach
2
Boys’ “She’s Real Fine (My 409)”. Rocketing it’s 3700 lb
mass to 60 mph takes the Chevy approximately 6.5 seconds,
proving that these two Heavyweights have very similar performance (Tommy says the Ford feels slightly quicker).
When a
driver steps
into the Ford
or the Chevrolet he can
instantly tell
they’re both
built for
speed with
comfort.
Narrow roof
pillars and
vast windowed areas
deliver a bright/airy feeling with great visibility. While they
both have beautiful pleated interiors graced by spacious
bench seats, dashes and instrument clusters, the Chevrolet
features a passenger side grab bar, and factory column tach
that lets you know it's going to be a scary ride.
These early muscle cars are nice but everybody has to run
errands to the grocery store eventually. Luckily they both
have extremely spacious trunks, big enough to be a possible
hiding spot to sneak many friends into a drive-in movie, or
hide Jimmy Hoffa's body. The Impala trunk is easier to load,
and is deeper.
From a handling perspective, both cars have Heavy Duty
springs and shocks, plus drum brakes all-around. Like most
cars from this era the ride is floating, with plenty of body roll
on corners. According to Tommy, the Ford has a stiffer suspension than the Chevy. The Impala has optional power steering, a feature not available on this model of Galaxie (which
employs a 17’ steering wheel to give the driver leverage).
Muscle Cars were built under the racing promotion philosophy of “Win-on-Sunday, Sell-on-Monday.” Good fuel mileage was not a factor and environmental concerns were not yet
an issue. Both cars get an average of about 11 mpg. You can
smell the unburned fuel exiting from the exhaust!
In their day, this Ford cost approximately $3200 and the
Chevy $3400. Today, value is a function of the collector market, but both are extremely rare. Only 142 1961 Impala
SS409’s were ever made; the Starliner is nearly as rare, but a
precise number on this particular style/engine/transmission
combination is difficult to calculate.
This article was written based upon my personal observations, internet research, and most importantly, the generosity,
time, and information given by Tommy Nolen. Please see
pictures on the following page.
In conclusion, I feel compelled to make a choice: Chevy.
Inside the Cover (Continued)
3
President’s Message
Hello everyone,
It’s been a busy month! Our car show
has come and gone (thank goodness).
Thanks to everyone who helped in
any way to make this show a success.
The Show Committee, headed up by
Joe Guckert and Bruce Woodson
and assisted by many worked long
and hard planning for this show and it
paid off. As you know this is our
club’s only fund raiser for our activities and the original goal was even
exceeded by a few dollars!! Joe gave a detailed report at our July
meeting.
Heading
We also had our 4th of July picnic this past Saturday at Robious
Landing Park. The weather was threatening and the turnout was
somewhat light but those who came enjoyed the fellowship and the
good food. Thanks to Morris and Alice Cameron for preparing the
meats and drinks. And….it didn’t rain until after the picnic was
over.
OFFICERS
Tommy Nolen, President
5805 Centralia Road
Richmond, VA 23237
804-586-2892
Bruce Woodson, Jr. Vice President
7106 Club Road
Richmond, VA 23228
804-264-8551
Alice Cameron, Secretary
PO Box 588
Ashland, VA 23005
804-798-8125
Mert Fowlkes, Treasurer
106 Gaymont Road
Richmond, VA 23229
804-288-4439
Place you r m essag e h ere. Fo r m axim um i mpact , use two or t hre e se ntenc es.
Unfortunately Budd’s Fun Run wasn’t so lucky, it did get postponed
due to the weather but he has another one planned and the details
will be available soon.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John Smith
Tony Smith
Debbie Nolen
Budd Lacy
804-897-6803
804-353-4224
804-586-2892
804-252-2196
Car Show Committee
Bruce Woodson, Jr.
Joe Guckert
804-264-8551
804-530-0461
Legislative Representative
Next on our events list is the club’s annual Ice Cream Social hosted
as usual by Reggie & Cindy Nash. We look forward as always to
visiting the Nash estate.
Reggie Nash
804-320-2636
10670 Cherokee Road
Richmond, VA 23235
Public Relations
Debbie and I will be busy for the next couple of weeks; we plan to
travel to Salisbury, Md. to attend the Eastern Shore Region’s annual
car show. One of their members attended our show and helped judge
so we plan to return the favor. The following week we will be attending the AACA 80th Anniversary Meet in Louisville, Ky.
We look forward to seeing everyone in August at the Ice Cream Social. Don’t worry Cindy, I canceled the rain!
See ya
Tommy
Darlene Hatcher
804-598-1962
Youth Coordinators
Andy & Mary Beth Fuhrman
804-467-1458
Gas Light Editor
Brian & Lisa Munsey
2809 Murano Way
Glen Allen, VA 23059
864-680-2079
From the Editors
In the last edition of the Gas Light, Brian talked about what sparked his
interest in restoring old cars (it was watching the 1952 Disney animated
film “Susie the Little Blue Coupe”). When we were married over 42
years ago, I knew of his interest in cars (as he is fond to say, “one
woman, many cars”). I can’t say I shared his passion (for cars, that is),
but I understood and supported it. During the years of raising 3 boys,
having two dogs, and eventually returning to Teaching, I didn’t get involved in the Old Car Hobby - except to enjoy rides in various cars
Brian had during that era because it provided a short break for us to be
alone together!
In August of 2014, one year after moving into our Richmond home and now retired, we attended my first AACA
meeting. We both felt so warmly greeted, and quickly observed the camaraderie and inter-support of the members. We have sincerely enjoyed getting to know this group of fun loving, interesting and dynamic people. Bud
Lacy’s Fun Runs, and other club activities have given us the opportunity to learn so much about our newly
adopted city and the commonwealth.
I would love to learn more about the members and the history of their cars. Everyone has a story, whether about
their vehicles, how they became interested in this hobby, club history, or even related hobbies involving antiques. I’d like to write a series of brief articles in future issues of Gas Light to share stories from our members. If
you would like to contribute, please send me an email (lisa@munsey.us) with pictures if possible. I’d also be
happy to do an “interview “ and publish after it has been approved. So that’s MY story of how I got interested
and involved in antique cars. The cars are “cool” and fascinating in many ways, but I find the people who own/
drive them to be what intrigues me the most.
Lisa & Brian
Richmond Region AACA Past Presidents
1952-1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
1958-1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971-1972
1973
1974-1975
1976
David Garriques
Frantz Hershey
Jerome Powell
Kenneth Adelstein
David Garriques
Warner Hall
Harold Via/John Adams
John Adams
Charlie Kidd
Ellis Walton/Jerome Powell
Jerome Powell
George Taylor
Donroy Ober
James Brannon/Fred Singleton
John Glisson
Gary Greene
Reggie Nash
Hugh Hawthorne
Bill Bowman
Jimmy Jones
Jim Whittne
1977
1978-1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988-1989
1990-1991
1992
1993
1994-1995
1996
1997-1998
1999
2000
2001-2002
2003-2004
Hugh Hawthorne
John Puryear
Hugh Hawthorne
Lee Crenshaw
Morris Cameron
Robert Smith
Morris Cameron
Fred Phipps
John Adams
Fred Phipps
Morris Cameron
Dayton Leadbetter
Morris Cameron
Wendel Bowles
Dayton Leadbetter
Richard (Dick) Ivey
Mert Fowlkes
Alice Cameron
Kenny Baker
Dayton Leadbetter
Tommy Nolen
6
2005-2006
2007-2008
2009-2010
2011-2012
2013-2014
George Duke
Peter Francisco
Morris Cameron
Andy Fuhrman
Budd Lacy
7
Meeting Minutes - June 4, 2015
Tommy Nolen our president called our meeting to order.
It was reported Jackie Puryear was in the hospital with pneumonia.
Tommy shared with the club the trophy for the Best in Show at the ODMA. The trophy is 60 years old. Tommy and Debbie won this year with their
1961 Pontiac.
Morris Cameron offered a prayer to open our meeting.
The minutes and treasurers reports were suspended for this meeting.
Jansen Rogers gave report on our Fun Run to Meadow Farms the birthplace of Secretariat.
Nick Reins came down from Fredericksburg to join us. We also had a great lunch at Jake’s Place in Ashland. Tommy thanked Budd Lacy for a great
event.
Bruce Woodson reported on the Sunday Afternoon with the Classics featuring the British Sports Cars in America. These are the cars through the
‘70’s. Great turn out of cars. Debbie Nolen announced another great program.
Debbie reported on coming Sunday Classics.
October 18th will be Trucks. Plus we will have the Richmond Region Steak Fry. This will be at Dorey Park. November 15 th will be the Orphan Cars
at Deep Run Park. There have been over 2,000 cars that no longer exist. Don’t forget on August 23 rd at Twin Hickory Park will be the BUGSTOCK
A ‘60’s Happening.
Reggie Nash gave report on ODMA Meet. Friday night they visited the collection of Bruce Elders in Staunton. He has some neat Hot Rods. Wide
variety of cars. Three stories with elevator to take cars up and down. The Richmond Region won the Edgar Rohr Award for Best Participation.
Reggie won the Bruce Woodson Award for best HPOF and Tommy and Debbie won Best in Show with their 61 Pontiac.
Big thanks to Brian and Lisa for a great new Gaslight.
Budd reported on Fun Run on Saturday, June 27th. Meet at 9 a.m. Chesterfield Meadows West Shopping Center. We will tour Epplington Plantation,
cost $8.00 per person. We will have lunch at Brocks BBQ. RSVP to Budd.
Fredericksburg Show will be on June 6th, also Ford Show at Richmond Ford. Ron Cody a big sponsor of our show.
Clay Fuhrman announced he had raffle tickets for Car Show in NY.
Joe Guckert gave report on Richmond Region Car Show and Swap Meet: Still looking for a few more cars for the Ford versus Chevrolet exhibit. We
will have Car rides, Valve Cover Races. RAM Group, Vendors under 30x30 tent show casing their business, outside Food Trucks including Ice Cream.
We have 56 Cars pre-registered and 19 Swap Meet spaces. The Club will have a table at the Swap Meet Tent. Please put price on your items. Items
sold ½ to Club and ½ to Children’s Hospital. If not sold please pick up your items.
Cars and Coffee will be at Regency Square on Saturday, June 6 th.
Bob Richmon asked members to keep sharing info on our show on Facebook.
Joe asked for workers for Friday beginning at 8 a.m. and 7 a.m. on Saturday.
Debbie gave explanation on judging for the show.
Tommy thanked Joe for all his work in preparation for our Show. Tommy also said the tour at the Children’s’ Hospital was a moving experience.
Tommy asked for cars on July 3rd at Chestnut Grove Assistant Living Center located at 9110 Woodman Road.
Budd asked the club to recognize Wyatt who will be graduating from Glen Allen High School next week.
August 2nd Ice Cream Social at Cindi and Reggie Nash home.
Tommy thanked Big George and Little George and Bev for our refreshments.
Alice Cameron
Secretary
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Casual.
Small Town.
Chic.
Friendly.
Atmosphere
For your business.
If your retail business could benefit
from being located on a major
thoroughfare near a major upscale
tourist destination then you should
consider The Hub or Lakeside Town
Center.
The Hub is one of Richmond’s oldest
shopping centers and Lakeside Towne
Center is a new complex anchored by
a restored vintage Esso Service Station.
Recently expanded, The Lakeside
Farmer’s Market operates at the Center
on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Both locations are highly visible on
Lakeside Avenue and within view of
Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden.
Small and large retail spaces are
available starting at $695 per month.
Peter L. Francisco Co.
9
10
Scrapbook: Recent Richmond Region Events
May 20
Visit to Richmond
Children’s Hospital
May 30
Fun Run - Story by Budd Lacy
June 6
AACA Fredericksburg
58th Annual Meet
On May 30th the Richmond Region had their monthly fun run. The tour started in Hanover county with our destination being Meadow
Farm, birthplace of Secretariat. When we arrived at the farm we were greeted by our tour guide Leanne Laddin. She began with a history
of the farm and a power point presentation. After that we toured the grounds, and Leanne told stories of how Secretariat was kind of a
mischievous horse. Also Secretariat’s records from 1973 have never been broken. Leanne told another story about Riva Ridge, the 1972
Kentucky Derby and Belmont winner. In two years Meadow Farm won 5 out of 6 major horse races, a feat no other stable has accomplished. Earlier in the week the farm received its national historic landmark status. After visiting the farm it was time for lunch (you know
we have to eat!). The club toured into Ashland to Jake's Place for lunch. A great time was had by all, and everybody is ready for the next
fun run!
June 20
Richmond Region 46th Annual Car Show
Our 46th Annual Show was a great success in all respects! As noted throughout this issue, the theme of Ford vs. Chevy created additional
fun (and donations to the Children’s Hospital), rides in Model T’s or a 1922 Nash were extremely popular, youth activities were greatly
enjoyed, and the Vendor Area had strong traffic all day. To “top” it off, we had a huge tent with a full compliment of chairs and tables for
everyone to relax out of the sun.
11
Calendar of Regional Events
July 12
Richmond Region Fun Run
Meet 9:00 AM at Roses Department Store, 101 Junction Drive,
Ashland, Va. We will travel back roads to the Stonewall Jackson
Shrine, located at 12019 Stonewall Jackson Road, Woodford, Va.
After the tour, we will have lunch at the Timbers Restaurant,
8026 Prosperity Way, Ruther Glen, Va. 22646
August 2
Annual Ice Cream Social - At the Nash’s Home, 2:00 p.m.
Bring ice cream in coolers and/or baked goods (desserts), serving utensils, and
chairs. Beverages provided. Swimming and boat rides. Children near water
must have life jackets and parental /adult supervision as the water is very deep.
Fishing can be done on dock next door. If event is cancelled due to weather, an
email will be sent out early August 2, before the activity is scheduled to begin.
August 23
BUGSTOCK - A ‘60’S VW Happening!
Twin Hickory Park (See page 7 of Gas Light for Details)
September 26
Tidewater AACA Wings & Wheels Show
Military Aviation Museum, Virginia Beach, Va.
October 18
Sunday Afternoon with the Classics:
Trucks - The Workhorses of the Auto World
Dorey Rec. Ctr. (See page 10 of Gas Light for Details)
October 18
Richmond Region (members only) Steak Fry
To be held prior to the Truck Event - Dorey Rec. Ctr.
Time TBA
November 15
Sunday Afternoon with the Classics:
The World of Orphan Cars
Deep Run Rec. Ctr. (See page 10 of Gas Light for Details)
12
Calendar of National Events
July 15-18, 2015
June 2-4, 2016
Southeastern Fall Meet, AACA80th Anniversary - Kyana
Region
Louisville, Kentucky 502-292-7008
Annual Grand National Meet - Susquehannock Region
Williamsport, Pennsylvania 570-368-2570
July 27-31, 2015
Vintage Tour - Buzzards Breath Touring Region
Lancaster, Pennsylvania area 717-336-3203
August 25-27, 2015
Western Tour - Redwood Empire Region
Northern California 707-539-6073
August 30-September 4, 2015
AAA Revival Glidden Tour - AACA Okie Region
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 405-224-9090
September 14-18, 2015
Founders Tour (Post ‘31 Vehicles)
Canton & Meander Chapters of the Ohio Region
Northeast Ohio 330-484-5099
October 7-10, 2015
Eastern Fall Meet - Hershey Region
Hershey, Pennsylvania 717-566-7720
November 5-7, 2015
Central Fall Meet - Lagniappe Chapter, Louisiana Region
Houma, Louisiana 985-803-0672
February 11-13, 2016
AACA Annual Meeting
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 717-534-1910
June 10-12, 2016
The Elegance at Hershey & Grand Ascent Hill Climb
Hershey, Pennsylvania 717-534-1910
June 12-17, 2016
Sentimental Tour (1928-1958) - Hornets Nest Region
Salisbury, North Carolina 704-847-4215
August 11-13, 2016
Southeastern Fall Meet - First Capital Chapter, NC Region
New Bern, North Carolina 252-637-2319
September 11-16, 2016
AAA Revival Glidden Tour (Pre-1943) - VMCCA hosted
North Conway, New Hampshire
October 5-8, 2016
Eastern Fall Meet - Hershey Region
Hershey, Pennsylvania 717-566-7720
October 21-22, 2016
Central Fall Meet - Gulf Coast Region
Houston, Texas 713-299-2349
February 9-11, 2017
AACA Annual Meeting
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 717-534-1910
March 17-19, 2016
Winter Meet - Naples/Marco Island Region
Naples, Florida
April 7-10, 2016
Southeastern Spring Meet - Hornets Nest Region
Charlotte, North Carolina 704-847-4215
May 5-7, 2016
Special Spring Meet
Auburn, Indiana 717-534-1910
May 19-21, 2016
Eastern Spring Meet - South Jersey Region
Vineland, New Jersey 856-694-2464
13
Heard Through The Grapevine
The flyer above announces a special honor being given to Andy and Marybeth Fuhrman by the Chemung Valley
Region AACA in upstate NY. Their long-term membership and service to the club in Arkport, NY (and our
Richmond Region) are worthy of great appreciation and respect. Andy is a past President of both clubs, plus he
and Marybeth have been involved in AACA Youth Programs for many years.
Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition !!!
Richmond Region AACA Youth Program
Even in temperatures
well above 90 degrees,
a group of our young
Car Show visitors enjoyed running colorful
valve cover racers
down a custom built
track, learning how to
judge a show car
(including individual
evaluation charts designed for kids), and
listening to Modelers
Club members describe how scale
model cars are created.
Frozen Yogurt was the
perfect ending to the
event!
12
Marketplace
For Sale
1951 Willys two-door station wagon. Runs. New sheet metal and wiring go with the
wagon. $5,000 OBO.
1953 Willys Jeep. Call or email for more information.
1969 Ford Truck. One owner. 62,000 miles. No rust. $10,500 OBO.
1941 Lincoln Coupe with Oldsmobile Rocket 88 Engine. $5,000 OBO.
Contact Bob Powell: 804-389-2555, rlplkp@comcast.net
15
Marketplace
For Sale:
Old Pay Phones
They are expertly
restored and are in
working order. They
look great on the wall
of your garage.
Great gifts for the car guy!
I also have some Model A Ford
parts available for sale.
For Sale
1964 Thunderbird – 394 Engine, 2 door
hardtop, red/white ribbed interior, Automatic Transmission, power steering, power
brakes, power windows, breakaway steering
wheel, automatic transmission, New replacement AC, console, AM/FM Radio. $21,000
or best offer.
Call Bill Yuhase:
804-752-2557
804-477-4379
16
One More Thing
This photocopy of an original 1969 mailing from the famous Bridgehampton Race Circuit shows how the competition
between Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro was going strong 46 years ago. Some of the greatest drivers of that era
competed for their Factory’s honor. Mustang won the Bridgehampton Race in ‘69, Camaro won the championship.
Henry Austin Clark, Jr. of the Long Island Automotive Museum was a major contributor to the creation of the circuit
which existed from 1953-1998. Key portions of the track, which is now on a private golf course, have been preserved.
17
Brian & Lisa Munsey, Editors
2809 Murano Way
Glen Allen, VA 23059