news1:27 color - Blue/Gray Chapter of the Oldsmobile Club of America

BLUE / GRAY
Chapter
Rocket Report
NEWSLETTER FOR THE BLUE/GRAY CHAPTER OF THE OLDSMOBILE CLUB OF AMERICA
February - March 2011
Number 1, Volume 27
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
**********************
Page 2: Chapter Info
Page 3: Upcoming Events
Page 4: Upcoming Events
Christmas Party Photos
Page 5: Christmas Party Photos
Page 6: From the Passenger Seat
Page 7: Sunshine & Treasurer’s
Reports
Page 8: For Sale
Page 9: The Rest of the Story
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Here we are into the New Year, hopefully everyone had
a good Holiday Season. Now that we are into the cold winter
weather, we can look forward to the warmer weather when we
can drive our cars and attend some shows and cruises.
Hopefully you can work on your indoor car or house projects
during the cold weather.
The club has set up a number of events for the upcoming
year. We have our Spring Chapter Meeting in March, the GM
Nationals in Carlisle in June and the Das Awkscht Fescht at
Macungie in August. There will be more details about these
in the newsletter.
The Hanover Car Show is being set up for September.
Brian Barberie has contacted the Texas Road House. They
are working to finalize the arrangements.
Arrangements for the Chapter Picnic will be discussed
at the Spring Meeting and will probably be held in August.
We can use additional help with any of these activities in
2011. There is more information about the type of help that
we need elsewhere in the newsletter.
Bob Seaman
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FROM THE EDITOR
I couldn’t resist using a full page to post the 1936 Oldsmobile Business Coupe. It’s presented
here exactly as it was emailed to me (and at least a few more of us). It would be nice if one of our
members has the wherewithal to do this car justice. I don’t necessarily mean a complete original
restoration, because I actually like “street rods. I’d just like to see it get out here for all to see.
Of course, this sent me on a “Google” during which I learned that the entire 1936 Oldsmobile
sales catalog (as well as other years) can be viewed on-line, the movie “Birch Interval” is not only
available for sale, but it too can be viewed on-line, and the 1936 Oldsmobile six had 90 hp and the 8
had 100 hp. I have a book* that says says: “Door handles were located from the front of the
doors to the rear this year giving an easy distinguishing point from 1935 models”. There were 20346
1936 2 door business coupes produced with a base price of $665.**
Well, it started out as a simple Car For Sale ad. Oops! *Standard Catalog of Oldsmobile 1897-1997
** There may be a test on this in the future
CHAPTER INFO
President and Chapter Representative:
Bob Seaman
1004 E. 9th St.
Hazleton, PA 18201
r_seaman@verizon.net
(570) 455-8040
Vice President:
John Rogers
100 Providence Rd.
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Jarscars61@aol.com
(610) 353-4699
Chapter Secretary:
Bev Whitcomb
781 S. Humer St.
Enola, PA 17025-2623
(717) 732-0348
kwhit5012@earthlink.net
Sunshine Lady:
Alice Snyder
324 Maple Blvd.
Orwigsburg, PA 17961
a_m_snyder@yahoo.com
(570) 366-2101
Chapter Mailings:
Suzie Lushbaugh
20403 Kings Crest Blvd.
Hagerstown, MD 21742
edlush55@aol.com
(240) 420-3852
Chapter Treasurer:
Ken Whitcomb
781 S. Humer St.
Enola, PA 17025-2623
(717) 732-0348
kwhit5012@earthlink.net
Membership Secretary:
Annette/ Charlie Annabel
PO Box 555
Beaver Meadows, PA 18216-0555
nettie2@ptd.net
578-6168 or (570) 578-3739
Chapter website: Board Members:
Tony Rusnock
PO Box 385
Beaver Meadows, PA 18216
oldsnut@ptd.net
(570) 455-8864
Richard Tice
125 E. Maple St.
Cleona, PA 17042
rtolds@comcast.net
(717) 277-0789
Webmaster:
Tony Rusnock
PO Box 385
Beaver Meadows, PA 18216
oldsnut@ptd.net
(570) 455-8864
blue-graychapter.com
The Rocket Report is published 5 times per year, bi-monthly with the exceptions of the August/
September/October and the November/December/January issues.
issued
deadline for submissions
February/March
Feb. 1st
Jan. 10th
April/May Apr. 1st
Mar. 10th
June/July June 1st
May 10th
Aug./Sep./Oct.
Aug. 1st
July 10th
Nov./Dec./Jan.
Nov. 1st
Oct. 10th
Please submit stories, articles, comments, corrections, and classifieds to:
Ken Whitcomb
781 S.Humer St.
Enola, PA 17025-2623 or email to kwhit5012@earthlink.net page 2
SCHEDULED UPCOMING EVENTS
March 19, 2011 Blue/Gray Spring Meeting
2 PM.
Funck’s Family Restaurant
Same location as the Fall Meeting. It is located at the Annville &
Ft. Indiantown Gap exit off of I-81. The restaurant is located to the north
of I-81.
We need to plan a possible spring outing for late April or early May and our
summer picnic. We need YOUR input on these matters.
If you plan to attend:
Contact Suzie Lushbaugh
(240) 420-3852
edlush55@aol.com
**********************************************************************************************************
June 24-26 All GM Nationals
www.carsatcarlisle.com
Once again the Blue/Gray Chapter of OCA will be active in hosting
Oldsmobiles at this event. Make sure you register your club affiliation as “Oldsmobile Club of America”
More information will be posted in the April/May newsletter
**********************************************************************************************************
July 27-31
2011 National Meet, Hosted by Nor-Cal Chapter of OCA
Grand Sierra Resort & Casino
Reno, NV
Visit the OCA website or recent issues of “Journey With Olds” for details
**********************************************************************************************************
August 5,6,7
Das Awkscht Fescht
For more information, mail requests to:
Das Awkscht Fescht
P.O. Box 193
Macungie, PA 18062
info@awkscht.com Information hotline: 610-967-2317
Pre-registration is $13 and is handled by Das Awkscht Fescht at the
above address.
The pre-registrations need to be postmarked by July 1, 2011.
**********************************************************************************************************
September 25
BLUE/GRAY 26th annual Fall Show
(tentative)
Texas Roadhouse
179 Eisenhower Drive
Hanover, PA
entry forms will be printed in future issues of the Rocket Report
page 3
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May 14 & Sept.10 Oldsmobile Club of Central Pennsylvania
Spring and Fall Shows
9 AM - 4PM
5719 Lincoln Hgwy (U.S. Rte.30)
Manns Choice, PA
OCOCP
These events are being held at OCOCP President Ron Miller’s place.
It’s a beautiful drive, about 4 1/2 miles west of Bedford, PA on the South side of
the highway.
Ron has sold his business and has retired. Ron has been active in the
Oldsmobile community for many years, having attended many Blue/Gray events
and was also a past President of our club as well as founding the OCOCP and
the Allegheny Rockets.
*******************************************************************************************************************
DVOC
No event dates are known at this time.
*******************************************************************************************************************
December 10
BLUE/GRAY 2011 Christmas Party
(tentative)
Holiday Inn
Exit 80, I-81
Grantville PA
*******************************************************************************************************************
2010 Christmas Party
The 2010 Blue/Gray Christmas Party was held on December 11, 2010 at the Holiday Inn Grantville.
Bev and I want to thank all who attended. I think you had a good time.
page 4
Ken
MAKE PLANS TO JOIN US IN 2011
page 5
FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT
Well, I really did do it! I kept a record of all the Oldsmobiles we saw for three months.
We spotted 18 Oldsmobiles. (That’s not very many) The oldest one was a ’64 red
Starfire and the newest was a 2003 black Bravada. We saw Cutlasses, 98’s, 88’s,
Intrigues, Silhouettes, and Auroras. There still are other reasonable drivers, like us,
enjoying their Oldsmobiles. We did record these where the roads were not icy and
snow covered.
I saw a humorous segment on TV of people trying to free their cars from street side
snow mounds. They laboriously shoveled out the WRONG car. If this happens to you
and you unearth an Oldsmobile, remember to put a Blue Gray brochure under the
windshield wiper.
You will certainly have found a potential chapter member and a new friend. That
person may appear at a future Blue Gray event wanting to show you their profuse
appreciation for your hard work. There’s a silver lining to every cloud (of snow).
We spent a few weeks in the frozen north over the Christmas holiday. It was enough
to convince us that the moving down and up a number of times a year is really worth it.
We avoid that cold white stuff. Being south also means we can enjoy our Oldsmobiles
all year around.
This week we traveled a few miles further south with our local car club. We had a
caravan of various vehicles, including a ’32 Ford street rod, the usual contingent of
Corvettes and a brand new Cadillac. Again, we were the only Oldsmobile. Twentyseven of us had lunch at the Hotel Jacaranda, a historic old hotel, built in 1926. It is
newly, elegantly, renovated. It is owned by the South Florida Community College and
staffed by their culinary school students. Lunch was a lovely buffet featuring Southern
fried chicken and other regional cuisine.
There is no logical connection, but it seems there is always good food associated
with car club activities. It is one of the pleasures of being…….
In the passenger seat, Lucille
There’s a new Oldsmobile song coming out soon. Country singer
Uncle Kracker, along with Kid Rock has a video on youtube of the
song “Good to be Me”. He sings about “drivin’ around in my
Cutlass Supreme”. The video features what appear to be (2) 1976
Cutlass Supreme
T-top
coupes.
Check it out!
page 6
From our Sunshine Lady
Birthdays
FEBRUARY
Myra Hostetler
Robert Keesler
John Moser
Pat Redding
James Spahr
Al Starr
MARCH
Charles Annabel
Russ Eckell
Bruce Walter
Dennis Horton
I want to wish everyone a Happy, healthy and
prosperous New Year and keep warm during
this cold weather we are having. I want to thank
everyone that helped make our Christmas party such a sucess. Thanks especially to Ken and
Bev Whitcomb for the Christmas favors and the
beautiful centerpieces on the tables. A great
time was had by all.
Hope this cold weather goes by quickly. We
should just think Spring is just around the
corner.
In the event of illness or death pleace let me
know. I would not want anyone to feel slighted if
they did not receive a card of flowers. You can
email me at a_m_snyder@yahoo.com
Thank You,
Alice Snyder
page 7
BLUE/GRAY TREASURER'S REPORT
4th Quarter 2010
October 1 -December 31, 2010
Beginning Balance: $1832.38
Expenses 509.01
B/G Christmas Party
Income
686.00
Dues,Christmas Party
Ending Balance: $2009.37
Beginning Balance 01/01/2010 $2117.09
Net difference for year
-$ 107.72
note: there is still some expected reimbursement
for expenses for 2010 that have not yet been
received. Respectfully submitted,
Ken Whitcomb, Treasurer
Dear Sir,
FOR SALE
Attached please find an information sheet on my 1936 Oldsmobile which I have stored near
Gettysburg since 1936 and have decided to sell.
Please share the attached with anyone who may be looking for a good project car in original
condition with good history if you are able.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions.
Sincerely,
Dan Brown
1936 Oldsmobile
Business Coupe
Model F36
Serial # F342208
This two owner vehicle was purchased new in Gettysburg by Philip Bikle, an Insurance Agent who resided on
Lincoln Avenue and maintained an office on Lincoln Square. His personalized license plate, Pennsylvania
“PB-300”, the 300 representing his business telephone number, is still with the car. It was said by longtime
sales associate with H& H Pontiac in the 1950-70’s, Tom Zeigler, to have been one of the last new cars to
arrive by train, and sold for approximately $750.00.
The Oldsmobile was purchased by Dan Brown of Gettysburg from Mr. Bikle in 1968 and has remained in his
ownership since then, in storage since 1978. The original engine which had been rebuilt once was damaged
beyond repair and a used engine of the same series was purchased, rebuilt by NAPA in Gettysburg in the early
70’s utilizing the original head, and installed in the vehicle. It has less than 500 miles on it but manual efforts
to turn the crankshaft indicate that it may be frozen.
The automobile appeared in the 1976 film “Birch Interval” starring Eddie Albert and Rip Torn and shot in
upper Adams County, Pennsylvania.
This vehicle is available for sale for $4800.
Contact Dan Brown at 828-658-9398
or email at danlin49@charter.net.
Dan Brown with ’36 Oldsmobile at G. Weikert House
Gettysburg National Military Park- 1976
page 8
Had enough yet?
More from the President
We are still in need of one or more people
who can assist with or take care of the club
merchandise: shirts, bags, can covers, pins,
earrings, etc. We had asked for someone to help
out with the merchandise, but unfortunately we
have not had any volunteers.
We need a Car Show Committee to help with
the car show set-up. We can also use a few
people to relieve the officers who are at the shows
signing up cars, setting up the car classes and
handing out information. At the Macungie Show we
need a few people to direct cars to the show area.
from the syndicated cartoon “Off the Mark”
1936
To send articles, photos, ideas for our
newsletters.
Or you can be the editor and I’ll send you
stuff.
You ad could be here.
(but it’s not)
page 9