FOSSILS SOUTH JERSEY

FOSSILS SOUTH JERSEY
www.Fossilscarclub.com
FOSSIL TRUSTEES
Fossils Newsletter
Month: April 2014
By Rich Dalfonzo
Bill Wheeler: Secretary
Joan Wheeler: Car Show Coordinator & Web Designer
Bonnie VanDusen: Treasurer
Walter Scott: 501 c3 Coordinator
Simon Huizer: Trustee at Large
Mel Boyce: Trustee at Large
Buzzy Fenn: Co-Chair- Cruise Nights
Nostalgic Gassers
By Anonymous
I was a teenager in the ‘60s and already into cars. It seemed most of my friends were car nuts too; even before
we could legally drive. Then that magical date came when we got our licenses and everything changed for the
good. One of the first trips I took with my new license was to the local drag strip where you could see real
cool cars run the ¼. It was also my first experience of seeing gassers race live. While the dragsters were the
top billing, right after them came the gassers and in many ways they were more exciting to me.
In case you were living on another planet and didn’t know or remember what a gasser was/is, gassers were
based on production cars from the 1930s to mid-1960s, which had been stripped of extraneous weight and
jacked up using a truck beam axle to provide better weight distribution on acceleration. Weight was saved by
using fiberglass body panels, stripped interiors and Plexiglas windows (sometimes color tinted). Small and big
blocks were installed and often with a Roots supercharger and mechanical fuel injection, such as Algon,
Hilborn, or Crower. Exhaust pipes exited through the front fender wells on most cars. Finally, bodies were
beautifully painted in flamboyant metalflakes, pearls, and candy finishes complemented by lettering in wild
fonts. While the NHRA official name was “Gas Coupe and Sedan” class, everyone else called them gassers.
Cars were assigned a gas class based on the weight per cubic inch of displacement with the top classes being
A/G for naturally aspirated and A/GS for supercharged.
These were probably the first “funny cars” since you could recognize the cars as Willys, Anglias, tri-five Chevy’s
and many others. They looked fearsome sitting high up on their solid front axles with huge tires in the rear
and big tubed exhaust exiting out the front. What made them even more fun to watch was that they were
driven back to the staging lanes right in front of the stands and not towed back like the dragsters. Names like
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Big John Mazmanian, Stone-Woods-Cook, George Montgomery and The Kohler Brothers were among the
many that came to race at local strips.
Today, many of us older folks can still enjoy seeing the gassers race on some strips as there are several gasser
clubs and organizations that sponsor match races. Younger car nuts can go to their local Best Buy and gaze at
the latest 1200 watt car stereo system.
Trustee Meeting Update:
On Friday, March 7th Bill read follow-up correspondence from the many “request for
donations” letters sent to the vendors and businesses for our May Car Show. The response to
donate, so far, is low. This means we will all have to work harder for donations.
He also read Thank You letters from people and organizations that received donations
from the Fossils in 2013.
A letter from the NJ State Gaming Commission is requesting that we maintain new
banking practices for our 50/50 and Tricky Tray proceeds… More work for Bonnie.
The 501-3c Committee hasn’t had a meeting in the past 5-6 months, evidently due from a
lack of a meeting space. Therefore, there was discussion and recommendation from Bill not to
add the topic to the monthly agenda until they start up their meetings again. This was accepted
and voted in favor by the attendees.
Discussion continues preparing for the second Fossils’ monthly Cruise Night at JB’s 57
Dinner on Rt. 70 and Colonial Dr. in Manchester Plaza. Currently, Bill is having difficulty
contacting Ms Kate Russo, Property Manager of the Plaza, to confirm and discuss the details.
Bill is going to reach out to Cooper; manager of JB’s to assist him.
Denise offered to run two collections during Cruise Nights: one for the Freehold Open
Door food pantry and one for Toys for Tots. The months for these collections will be June and
September.
Joan announced that the Fossil’s Website has been updated with member’s cars and
pictures. There are also pictures of the recent Luncheon and dates of area car cruises. If you
know of any car show or cruise events, please email the dates to Joan for the website.
Next Trustee Meeting: Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Show DATE: Saturday, May 17, 2014
Rain Date: Sunday, May 18, 2014
Committee Meeting: Friday, March 7, 2014: Update
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The 26th Annual Fossil’s Car Show will again be at Jackson Memorial HS. The big push
for this year and every year is for members to acquire donations and ads for the Add Booklet
from area businesses. Joan has emailed copies of the “Request to Donate” letters to everyone.
Please take some time to solicit for the club. It is the biggest money-maker for this event.
Buzzy is again in charge of T-shirts. A unique hot-rod picture for the front of the shirt,
designed by the vendor, has been approved by the committee.
Bonnie is Tricky Tray chair and is asking everyone to solicit to businesses for baskets or
gift cards. Also, gather all your gently used items from home that you no longer want and
deliver them to Joan and Bill’s house on May 10th.
This year Phil, the “McGuire “vendor will sell his wares at our car show and Kelvin will
run a Swap Meet.
The Boy Scouts will be our food vendor serving:
Breakfast – Coffee, donuts, pork roll/egg/cheese.
Lunch – Hamburgers and Hotdogs
Al VanDusen is making this year’s Specialty Trophies. Car registration chairs are Brenda
and Denise. Car judging will be done “same as last year”, Simon says. Walter is chair of
trophies.
MAY 10th at Bill & Joan’s house - Calling all members: The tricky tray basket preparation
starts around 1:00pm. The BBQ around 5ish. Bring a side or dessert and your own drinks. Bill
and Joan supply the burgers, dogs and rolls. The ‘Goodie Bag and T-Shirt’ party follows desert.
Next Committee Meeting: Friday, April 11, 2014
Member Cars “Works in Progress”:
Simon is adding the missing pieces to his Mustang coupe. It should be finished by the time he
retires from full employment.
Dee’s ‘55 Chevy (number 20 something) probably won’t see daylight this year. But ???
Al’s ’65 Mercury Caliente (hot) is sporting some new interior pieces…not to be confused
with a Merc Cyclone. Each year this ’65 just gets prettier.
Joan Wheeler’s ’56 Chevy should roll out of the garage any month now. Bill is just waiting
to complete the interior on her sleeper.
Buzzy’s ‘51 Ford Vic continues to gain weight. Most of the body is put back together but it
will take some time to smoke up the tires.
Gary Watson’s ‘53 Riley drop top is slowly being brought back to life. Yes, its British, but
this rare Vette size car will turn some heads. Will it be powered by a 427…. NO. This 1950 is
one of only 502 Riley RMD’s made from 1946 to 1952. It has a wooden frame and an
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aluminum body. So far, he has worked the engine, brakes, radiator half shafts and gas tank.
Found in a warehouse basement in Union City, Gary has owned this rarity since 1996.
Birthdays and Anniversaries
Dee Heath 4/10
Billy Wheeler 4/17
Walter Scott 4/18
Denise Dalfonzo 4/19
Joan Wheeler 4/22
Kathy Heath 4/22
Gary Roemer 4/26
Brenda & Simon Huizer 4/12
Walter & Cathi Scott 4/23
Jerry & Susan Burst 4/27
Upcoming Events:
The social committee has Historic Smithville as our next venture. This shop until you drop
journey is located in beautiful South Jersey. We have scheduled Sunday, April 27 th. I need
some feedback as to those going: do we caravan with our rides or meet down there? The place
is open from 11 to 5 p.m. We can either leave together at 11 a.m. or meet in Smithville for
lunch around 12:30. It is a pretty area with much to see and buy. The trip will take about 1 ½
hours down the GSP. I realize that some cars, or Ray’s truck, may find it stressful, so your
opinion is vital. Contact Rich D.
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Gals’ Tricky-Tray Dates:
The Annual 782nd AFJ ROTC "Tricky Tray" Gift Auction will be held on April 5, 2014
in the Clayton Cafeteria at Jackson Memorial High School. Doors open at 4 PM. Give Joan
a call if you want to attend.
Georgian Court University will host the 14th Annual Gift Auction Benefiting Providence
House Domestic Violence Services of Catholic Charities
When: Friday, June 6, 2014 Doors open at 5 PM
Winners announced starting at 7:30 PM
Where: The Wellness Center at Georgian Court University, 900 Lakewood Avenue,
Lakewood, NJ
Parking: Near the Wellness Center and A&S Building
Member: Road Trips:
Allen and Bonnie went to the Martinsville race and then headed down to Charlotte for a giant
swap meet.
Cathi and Walter are going to Iowa in June for the ‘Smart Car’ Car Show. Also, on June 14th
they will be attending the Smithville Car Show.
FOSSIL Cruise Night Dates
APRIL 25
MAY 30
JUNE 27 Food Pantry Collection
JULY 25
AUGUST 29
SEPTEMBER 26 Toys for Tots
Collection
Hello Ladies…
We are setting aside a spot in the Newsletter for the Female Side of the Fossils. I am soliciting
for ideas: various announcements – Are you having a garage sale? Is your neighborhood having
one? Do you sell something; Avon? Pampered Chef? Do you have a recipe to share? Tips on
getting great coupons. A good Joke! A great place to bring the grand kids. A great escape for
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Two. Or one. Please email me your thoughts for this section of the newsletter. Thanks, Denise 
dadalfonzo@optonline.net
Fossil’s Annual Luncheon
Sunday, March 2, 2014 3:00pm
JB’s Dinner
Fossil of the Year Awarded to:
Joan Wheeler
Bowling Tournament Awards Presented to:
Bill Noll: 1st Place
Gary Watson: 2nd Place
Bonnie VanDusen: 3rd Place
Vehicle Most Likely to break down: Ray Layton
Humanitarian Award Presented to: Rich Dalfonzo
Thank you Bonnie for a Great Luncheon!
FOOD PANTRY DATES
April 23 & 24
June 25 & 26
August 27 & 28
October 22 & 23
December
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Happy 50th Birthday
This year marks the 50 Anniversary of the iconic Mustang. Very few car models have survived 50 years of
continuous sales. This year also marks the 50th anniversary of the introduction the Chevelle and to a lesser
extent the Plymouth Barracuda.
The Mustang was initially based on the Ford Falcon platform. The car debuted early in April 1964 and was
dubbed as a "1964½" model by Mustang fans. The Mustang was the automaker's most successful launch since
the Model A. Originally offered with a 210HP 289 engine, today’s 5th generation Mustang can be had with an
asphalt ripping 662HP via a Shelby model. The Mustang was designed and built within an 18 month period by
utilizing many current parts. While early designs were for a 2-seater, a 4-door, a mid-engine and a rear engine
model, the 2-door, 4-seater model we know today prevailed.
At the time, no other model received as much press and publicity as the Mustang did in 1964. Favorable
publicity articles appeared in 2,600 newspapers the day after the car was "officially" revealed. A Mustang also
appeared in the James Bond film Goldfinger in September 1964. For around $2400 a family could have a sports
car as their second car.
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1964 also say the introduction of the Chevy Chevelle. The Chevelle was marketed to compete with the popular
Ford Fairlane, and was an attempt to return the Chevrolet lineup in size and concept to the popular 1955-57
models. Initially the Chevelle was not intended to be a performance car as the name plate was found on twodoor hardtop coupes, and convertibles, four-door sedans, and four-door station wagons. In fact, early models
featured an anemic 155HP 6-cyclinder with the 2-speed Powerglide transmission as well as the 283 and 327 V8 options. It was not until later in ’64 when the GTO was introduced did Chevrolet break GM’s 330 inch. rule
for mid-sized cars. The Chevelle went on to offer Super Sport models with the 396 CI and 427 CI (via the
COPO process) engines and finally the 454CI 450HP which was the most powerful production engine option at
that time. The Chevelle went thru 3 generations before finally exiting the car market in 1977.
Lastly, ’64 was the first year of the Plymouth Barracuda. At its introduction, Motor Trend described it as “a 4passanger sports coupe designed around Valiant components.” Just a few weeks after the Barracuda’s
introduction, it was dramatically upstaged by Ford’s Mustang. A long way from the famous ‘Hemi Cudas’ that
would come later, the original Barracuda could be ordered with a 273 CI engine and a 4-speed transmission
with a Hurst competition shifter. But not much could save the Barracuda from poor sales. While the Barracuda
would go on to sell barely 100,000 cars by 1966, the Mustang had already topped the million car mark.
Happy 50th Mustang, Chevelle and Barracuda!
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