Belltown Antique Car Club - P.O. Box 211, East Hampton, CT 06424 February, 2020

NEXT MEETING

Wednesday, February 5, 2020 at the East Hampton Library at 6:30 p.m.

On the Agenda: - Pot luck supper at 6:30 p.m.; business meeting begins at 7:30 p.m.

- Update on status of IRS 501(c)(3) application

- Planning for April Antique Engine & Tractor Meet

- Suggestions for club tours and activities for 2020

- Membership renewal status

FUEL FOR THOUGHT

Bunkie Knudsen left his mark at GM by bestowing a youthful performance

image at both Pontiac and Chevrolet, later overseeing the development of a

few legendary Fords as well (not to mention launching a forward-thinking

motor home in a career comeback after being dismissed from Ford).

Devotees of numerous Wide Tracks, Super Sports and Torino GTs of the

Muscle Car era can be thankful for the man who astutely observed,

“You can sell a young man’s car to an old man, but you can’t sell

an old man’s car to a young man.”

CLUB NOTES

BACC’s first business meeting of 2020 was held on January 8, with our slate of 2020 officers presiding. Treasurer Cliff Baker asked for patience from the membership, revealing that he is recovering from a mild stroke suffered just prior to Christmas. Cliff said he is generally feeling fine now, but sometimes finds himself at a loss for words.

In his treasurer’s report Cliff noted that BACC has paid its dues to the 4-C’s (the Conn. Council of Car Clubs) and made an extra donation per our normal practice. He reported that our IRS application for tax-exempt status is still in process. As part of that application the Board of Directors proposed two amendments to our by-laws, one of which stipulates how Club assets will be distributed in the event that the club ceases to exist (they will go to a hobby-supportive non-profit yet to be determined), the other being a boiler plate policy on conflict of interest. At the meeting secretary Bruce Johnston read the language of the amendments in full and members voted to approve both, thus appending them to the by-laws effective immediately.

Jon Grant reported that the agreement with the state to host our upcoming Antique Engine & Tractor Meet at the former Fireman’s Grounds at the entrance to Salmon River State Forest off Rte. 16 at the end of April is a done deal. The only food vendor listed on the approved application for this year is the Lions Club. No other vendors will be permitted. If we want other vendors next year they need to be identified in advance. There can be no admissions charge for the show. It must be run strictly on a donation basis and as such, we will not be subject to the admissions tax. The flea market must be limited to hobby-related merchandise. Anyone caught selling other types of merchandise will be told that they cannot come back with such items in subsequent years. Ralph Phil has put a revised show flyer on the BACC web site.

[Photo: Semon E. “Bunkie” Knudsen (L) accepting the International Fashion Council award for

outstanding design for the 1960 Pontiac, presented by IFC representative Mr. Jana Ages (R)]

CLUB NOTES, continued from p. 1

Polly Beckwith reminded everyone that our next meeting (February) begins with a pot luck supper. She will not be at the next meeting so we are on our own as to what to bring. Soft drinks should not be overlooked. Mark Aldieri volunteered to make sure the Club-supplied eating utensils, cups and paper plates are on hand. Remember to take your containers, serving utensils and leftovers home with you afterward.

Tony Adams was the evening’s guest speaker. Tony is a committed air-cooled engine enthusiast from way, way, back. He began his talk by telling us that his first car, in 1927, was an air-cooled 1923 Franklin that he drove across New York state on Christmas Day. He experienced no problems (unless you consider having no heater a problem), although it was difficult in those days to find a gas station that was open on the holiday. Later he had a ’28 Franklin that blew an engine when he accelerated out of the toll booth where the N.Y. Hutchinson River Parkway met Conn.’s Merritt Parkway. With his decades of involvement with Franklins he now knows what the root cause of that problem had been, but the car had long ago gone to the junk yard unrepaired. Tony suspended his ownership of Franklins in the ’50’s, turning instead to VWs. He tried a ’57 Porsche once, but the experience was not good and he thought the expense was unjustifiable. After his family had grown Tony got back into his favorite Franklins after spotting an ad for one in The New York Times. He hasn’t looked back. He currently owns - and often drives - a 1931 Convertible Coupe, which he makes a point of noting was the lightest variant they made that year. He mentioned that Jon Grant once reported seeing him speeding in it on the Maine Turnpike and knew it had to be him. Tony thinks this Franklin is likely to be his last [Tony just celebrated his 93rd birthday - Ed.]. Once the driveshaft gets balanced just right, he expects they’ll be going places again this spring.

MEMBER MILESTONES

Happy Birthday to: Nancy Liepelt February 5th Mary Magliano February 21st

Carol Petras February 6th (83) Audrey Brookes February 23rd David Towle February 8th

Happy Anniversary to: Jon & Elaine Grant February 14th

Dick & Mary Everett February 23rd

BELLTOWN CLASSIFIEDS

Send your sell/wanted ads for cars, parts and hobby-related services to dan12david@yahoo.com

Wanted – I am interested in buying any of the 8 types of Model A Ford jacks used 1928-1931.

+ For Sale – Original 1930 Model A Ford radiator shell. $225.

Call Bill Nitschke, 914-323-8958 (cell), or email him at williamjnitschke@gmail.com. [BACC member]

For Sale – 1983 Buick LeSabre Limited, original, one owner, 125K miles, factory wire wheel covers, Grand Touring

suspension; comes with owner’s manual and window sticker. $5,000.

Call Mike Schumann, 860-490-7101 [submitted via Joe Frey]

For Sale – 1930 Model A Fordor, owned 12 years, runs good. $8,500.

Call Jim Way, 860-319-6088 - leave a message [BACC member]

For Sale – 1931 Ford Model A Slant Window Fordor, older restoration rebuilt

Schwam engine, high speed rear end. A mechanically restored, reliable touring car. $12,500.

Call John Bieback, 860-916-3582 [submitted via Jim Way]

P. 2 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin February, 2020

P. 3 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin February, 2020

THE STRAIGHT SIX

The Bulletin interviewed member Scott Macgregor about his pilgrimage last summer to the Early Ford V8 Museum in Auburn, Ind.

Q1 - Scott, what prompted your road trip to Auburn last summer? Scott Macgregor: The Central Meet of the Early

Ford V-8 Club was being held there at the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum during the last week of August. I went

with Bill Muska from Westport, who owns a 1934 Ford V-8. We are both members of that club. Although I had been to

the museum a couple of times before, I wanted to go again.

Q2 - Haven’t there been some significant changes to the museum recently? SM: Yes. Noted Ford V-8 collector Joe

Floyd donated his collection of eighteen 1936 Fords to the museum, one of

each model, all fully restored. A couple of body styles I had never seen

before. Floyd also generously contributed to the expansion of the museum

building that included construction of a Ford Motor Co.-inspired Rotunda

(see photo and floorplan, courtesy of the Early Ford V-8 Foundation). The

museum space has nearly doubled since I last visited.

Q3 - What is in the Rotunda area? SM: A 1936 Ford Tudor Deluxe with a

stainless steel body [one of six built for the Allegheny Ludlum steel company

for use as promotional vehicles] is displayed on a turntable in the Rotunda.

That car is one of the cars from the Joe Floyd collection.

Q4 - What else does the museum offer enthusiasts? SM: They have lots of

early Ford V-8 memorabilia, displays highlighting the racing history of the

flathead V-8, cutaway engines and model cars, too. The Foundation also has a

library there. Darlene Gunn donated her late husband Charlie’s V-8 literature

and books, which I delivered to the museum on her behalf. [Charlie was a past

president of the National Early Ford V-8 Club as well as a BACC member.]

Q5 - Did you visit any of the other Auburn attractions? SM: It isn’t necessary

to be a flathead nut to enjoy going to Auburn as there are other well-known

museums in the same area. We went to NATMUS (the National Auto &

Truck Museum) as well as the always impressive Auburn Cord Duesenberg

Museum. In fact, the Early Ford V-8 Meet’s banquet was held in their dining

room. We also spent some time at the Worldwide Auctions facility in Auburn.

On Saturday we travelled to Portland, Ind. to

attend the world’s largest gas engine, tractor

show, and swap meet.

Q6 - Sounds like you had a full agenda! How

long have you been involved in the Early Ford

V-8 Club? SM: I have been an active member

of the Connecticut Region since it began and a

national member since the 1970’s.

Note: To learn more about the EFVF museum,

visit http://www.fordv8foundation.org/.

[Photo of the stainless steel ’36 Ford in the EFVF

Museum Rotunda, posted by Lou D on Facebook]

P. 4 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin February, 2020

Many thanks to Michael Donnelly, president of The Paddock Classic Car Restorations, LLC, for hosting a multi-club tour of their showroom, service area and body shop in New Britain, Conn. A strong turnout from BACC (26 members & associate members), the Central Conn. Region - AACA and the Valley Collector Car Club made for an enjoyable morning for all concerned. To view Betty Lichota’s photos from the tour, check out BACC’s Facebook page.

For additional information about The Paddock, please visit www.thepaddockcars.com.

Club Tour of The Paddock on Saturday, January 18, 2020

Above, center: Joan Frey confided

that this white Jaguar XK-150 coupe

was her favorite.

Left: Jason Hoyt, Operations Mgr.

at The Paddock, demonstrated the

use of an English wheel and other

fabrication tools by forming a patch

panel for an MG-TD front fender

from sheet stock.

Below: Joe Frey, Rollin Karoll and

Shari Karoll were happy the old car

inventory was in a heated showroom

on this frigid January morning.

[Photos by Dan David]

P. 5 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin February, 2020

UPCOMING EVENTS (Club participation events in bold)

Sunday, Feb. 2 - Indoor Antique Auto Flea Market at Powder Mill Barn, 32 S. Maple St., Enfield, Conn., 7 a.m. - 11

a.m., third one of the season. Questions, call CVWA’s Jack Moccio, 413-237-4141 or Don Passardi, 860-684-2675.

Wednesday, Feb. 5 - BACC monthly meeting at the East Hampton Library, beginning with a pot luck supper at 6:30

p.m. Business meeting starts at 7:30.

Saturday, Feb. 15 - 17th Annual “Northeast Gas Bash” petroliana meet (no reproductions), American Legion Post 127,

630 Grassy Hill Rd, (Rte. 121), Orange, Conn., 7 .am. to 1 p.m., snow or shine. Adm. $5, vendor spaces $60 each (space

limited, apply early). Call Bob Harrington, 203-494-0566 or email rharrington32@yahoo.com. Listed on the events

page of the petroliana-related web site, www.oldgas.com.

Sunday, Mar. 1 - Indoor Antique Auto Flea Market at Powder Mill Barn, 32 S. Maple St., Enfield, Conn., 7 a.m. - 11 a.m., fourth and last one of the season. Questions, call CVWA’s Jack Moccio, 413-237-4141 or Don Passardi, 860-684-2675.

Wednesday, Mar. 5 - BACC monthly meeting at the East Hampton Library at 7:30 p.m.

Friday-Sunday, Mar. 13-15 - 2nd Annual “Mark’s Northeast Motorsports Expo,” Eastern States Exposition Better Living Center, West Springfield, Mass.; classic cars, street rods, muscle cars, trucks, motorcycles and more. See web site for hours and ticket prices: https://marksnemotorsportsexpo.com/.

Saturday, Mar. 21 - 10th Annual “Essex Go Braugh” Irish parade, Essex, Conn.; parade steps off at town hall at 10:30 a.m. Info: https://www.facebook.com/events/536428553493509/.

HOBBY HEADLINES & HISTORY

Bullitt Mustang Sets Mustang Auction Record - The survivor-grade, Steve McQueen-driven chase scene car from the movie Bullitt hammered for a record $3.4 million plus fees at January’s Mecum auction in Kissimmee, Florida. In private hands for decades, the owner’s son finally got it roadworthy and took it on tour to hype it for its eventual sale at Mecum. It even put in an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it pleased the crowd with several runs “up the hill,” chasing a black ’68 Dodge Charger. The publicity and the King of Cool connection did the job. At the same auction, one of the eleven 1967 Mustang fastback “Eleanor” cars built for the movie Gone in 60 Seconds, in top condition, “only” fetched $852,000 [Does anyone remember who drove that one? - Ed.].

Pierce-Arrow Society Prevails in a Landmark Trademark Case - The Pierce-Arrow Society won a favorable ruling in an unlawful appropriation of trademark case against an entrepreneur trying to use the defunct brand’s name on a stretched Bentley limousine he intended to produce. The ruling in effect gives a marque club standing to object to an unsuitable appropriation of the marque name when there is no official owner of the marque following the cessation of the original enterprise. BACC’s Steve Rossi, a Pierce-Arrow owner and P-A Society member, gave a deposition for the plaintiff in the case.

Syd Mead, Former Car Stylist and Well-Known Transportation Futurist Died at 86 - After leaving Ford Design, Syd Mead became famous for his independent work doing renderings of future vehicles for clients such as U.S. Steel and the Hollywood movie industry. He received the 2016 Lifetime Design Achievement Award at the annual “Eyes On Design” car show held on the grounds of the Edsel and Eleanor Ford estate in Grosse Point Shores, Michigan. Mead also did the posters for that prestigious event in 1991, 2011 and 2017.

New Book Compiles Popular Magazine Columnist’s Musings - A decade of Steve Rossi’s essays in the AACA’s bimonthly Antique Automobile will be published in a new book entitled Gearhead at Large, A Backroad Tour of Automotive History and the Old Car Hobby. The AACA’s West Peterson is credited as the editor and photo source.

Promotional material for the book concludes “...think of this collection as a crash course in automotive history. For those already immersed in the old car universe, it offers fresh in-sights and an authoritative perspective on topics of lasting interest.” Gearhead at Large is scheduled to be available in soft cover by June, 2020 from McFarland & Company. Pre-order from them by phone at 800-253-2187, or on-line ($29.95 ea.) at www.amazon.com.

P. 6 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin February, 2020

THE CASE FOR DOING A RESTO-MOD

Unmuffled Exhaust from the Editor

The “resto-mod” has its detractors amongst those who are strictly interested in cars restored to original specifications. Nonetheless, it has become popular because there are hobbyists who appreciate the design of cars of a certain age, but, they want the technology and all-around capability of newer models. While I will admit to owning a few cars that have had some personalization done to them, either by a prior owner (the aftermarket wheels on my former El Camino, for example) or me (I once “nosed and decked” my mother’s second-hand ’62 Chevrolet that I drove in high school), I have never done a “restoration” that incorporated installing a later drivetrain, upgrading to modern brakes and suspension, retrofitting sportier seats and installing a killer stereo. For me, the worth of an old car is in the originality. To make it drive like current cars do misses the point. Furthermore, the value of a resto-mod depends on whether there is a buyer who appreciates the particular modifications that were done to it. In that sense, a resto-mod is no different than a hot rod or a customized car, even if those kinds of cars arguably have an even more narrowly-defined buyer market.

And yet, here I am, deeply and enthusiastically involved in a resto-mod project of epic proportions (at least for me). I am trying to respect the aesthetics of the original design inside and out, while modifying the interior in subtle ways to improve storage space and convenience. On the mechanical side, a high tech heating and air conditioning system has been integrated and the electrical system has been thoroughly brought up to date. The latest and greatest info-tainment system is also going to be part of the build. The exterior has been totally refreshed using modern materials. New floors have been installed to resolve what time and the environment have wrought. There’s new glass all around, too, and much better insulation against heat loss and noise intrusion. And yes, it has been “decked” as well.

If you are wondering when this baby is going to be ready for its big reveal, my goal is this spring. It will remain a work in progress for some time to come, although I’ll be able to use it in the meantime. So what is it, exactly? Well, as with mom’s fondly-remembered Impala, it was built in 1962 and it’s as American as apple pie. Moreover, no irreplaceable classic cars were harmed in the making of this resto-mod.

You see, I am not being hypocritical. My “resto-mod” project is actually a house.

CONNECTICUT AUTOMOBILIA

Submitted by Steven Rossi

Standing in front of A & N Motor Service in East Hampton are Stanley Knotek (known as the “spark plug” in establishing the Belltown Antique Car Club in 1968), Archie Cook and Roy Hallberg, Sr. The Gulf station they worked at was located close by the Lutheran Church.

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WHO, WHAT, WHERE OR WHEN

Challenge your automotive history IQ

Which of these automotive innovations are credited to French inventors?

A. The catalytic converter

B. The “modern” drum brake system

C. The V-8 engine

D. Hydro-pneumatic suspension

E. The Panhard rod

The correct answer to last month’s Who, What, Where, or When,

“Studebaker Corporation built automobiles and trucks at a sprawling industrial complex in South Bend, Ind. from 1920 to 1964. Name three car brands other than Studebaker that were also produced there within that time frame.”

Answer: Erskine (1927-30), Rockne (1932-33) and Packard (the so-called “Packardbakers,” 1957-58)

NEXT ISSUE

The next Belltown Bulletin is the March, 2020 issue. The copy and classified ad deadline is Thursday, Feb. 20. Monday, the 24th is the planned printing date. E-delivery is scheduled to take place on or before Feb. 27.

Your content suggestions, comments, classified ads and other contributions are most welcome. Send them to the editor at dan12david@yahoo.com (or call 860-526-3189). Start the year off right!

BELLTOWN ANTIQUE CAR CLUB - 2020 OFFICERS

President - Alan Carlson Elected Directors* - Bob Sutton & Dan David

Vice President - Mark Hoydilla Sunshine Chairperson - Polly Beckwith (860-345-4256)

Secretary - Bruce Johnston Newsletter Editor - Dan David (dan12david@yahoo.com, 860-526-3189)

Treasurer - Cliff Baker Editor Emeritus - Bob Hellstrom

*) The BACC Board of Directors is comprised of the four current officers plus the previous president (Jon Grant) and two elected from the membership-at-large

Club web site - www.belltownantiquecarclub.org [webmaster: Ralph Phil, mail@rjphil.com]

Club e-mail address - belltowncarclub@gmail.com

Club mailing address - BACC, P.O. Box 211, East Hampton, CT 06424

Facebook - www.facebook.com/BACC-Belltown-Antique-Car-Club-116729245345421/

P. 7 of 8 The Belltown Bulletin February, 2020

Disclaimers and Words to the Wise: The opinions expressed by the authors of the content of this newsletter are theirs and are not intended

to represent a position taken by the Belltown Antique Car Club or its officers. Reproduction of this newsletter in whole or in part is subject

to prior approval by the editor. Information presented herein is for the edification and entertainment of antique automobile enthusiasts who

should use their experience, prudence and good judgment in applying it. Product mentions should not be interpreted as endorsements.

By the Way...

REMINDER: It’s Membership Renewal Time! Mail your form and dues check to BACC by the

end of January, if possible, or see the Club treasurer at the February monthly meeting. A renewal form

was sent out with the November newsletter. The form can also be downloaded from the club web site or

picked up from the front desk at our monthly meetings. Beat the price increase effective from March 1,

2020 (applies only to members who want their newsletters delivered by the Postal Service). Unless your

membership is renewed, your newsletter subscription will expire after the February issue is mailed.

As of our publication deadline for this issue of the newsletter, 61 members have paid dues for 2020, which

represents a 79.2% renewal rate to date (excludes lifetime members who are not required to pay dues).

WANTED: Anyone having information pertaining to the A & N Motor Service image (see Connecticut

Automobilia on p. 6 of this issue) is requested to contact the editor. When was the photo taken? Who is

who, and why might they have been posing for the photograph? Was the workshop located in the back of the

store front? Where were the gas pumps? What did “A & N” stand for? What business occupies this location

today? Please share your knowledge of East Hampton history with your fellow Belltowners!

E-Delivery Bonus*

Here is a rundown of what was expected to be the most expensive cars on offer at the Scottsdale auctions in January, 2020. By the time you read this the auctions will be over, so check with each auction house to find out whether they sold and for how much.

https://newatlas.com/collectibles/2020-scottsdale-collectible-car-auction-preview-million-dollar-cars/?utm_source=New+Atlas+Subscribers&utm_campaign=c56d41cea8-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_01_10_02_42&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_65b67362bd-c56d41cea8-92358317

*) The E-Delivery Bonus is a feature not found in the printed version of this newsletter

that is distributed via the USPS.

Note: All links in the electronic version are “clickable” as long as your browser is open.

[Illustrations: Early Ford V-8 Club]