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October 2017 | Volume 47 Issue 10

NHHAC News

HistoryThe North Hills Historic AutoClub was founded at Leon’sTavern on Babcock Blvd. inAugust of 1971, by 4 men asfollows: Bill Glesner, EddieKuslick, Ken Kelley & DaveMoore.

PurposeThe general purpose of theNHHAC shall be to encourage themembers to acquire, preserve,restore, exhibit and make use ofantique, classic and specialinterest automobiles, and suchother motor vehicles consideredby the club fitting this purpose.Also, the club will promote theintroduction of ideas andfellowship among its members.

The Newsletter of theNorth Hills Historic Auto Club

Since 1971

A Message from the PresidentOn behalf of the club, I want to thank Bonnie and Jan

Smith for organizing our annual picnic. Most of us don’t realizewhat it takes to make it a success…and, what would our picnic bewithout Mary Jo doing bingo and the ladies making me play cardswith them – and I don’t cheat! (anymore). It was a good time hadby all!

We have just one more lunch trip to take for this season. (Iwas just thinking… we didn’t get rained on once this year!) And, Iwant to thank all who attended.

Speaking of trips, Mike and Cathy Paine are planning aCovered Bridge and Fall Foliage tour for October 15th. I had thepleasure of going with Mike to plan the route and we have somenice roads on the trip and a great restaurant to top off the day! I’llgive all the details at the October meeting or if you can’t make themeeting, just call Mike or me. We hope many of you will be ableto participate!

Also, thanks to the people who volunteered to help run theclub next year! Sometimes I think we just keep recycling the samenames year after year…so, thanks to those people!

Hope to see you at the September meeting!

Your PresidentSteve Illsley

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On September 10, 2017, following the Pledge of Allegiance, President Steve Illsley called the meeting toorder at 2:00 p.m. at our annual picnic.

SECRETARY MINUTES:Motion to approve by Mike Coco, seconded by George Sabina.

TREASURERS REPORT:Current cash balance $2,043.46. Motion to approve by Mike Quinn, seconded by Jennie Barker.

WELLNESS REPORT:Phil Deacon will be home soon from Rehab following foot surgery.

OLD BUSINESS:A big thank-you to Bonnie and Jan Smith for their work and efforts in coordinating everything for ourannual 2017 picnic. 51 members attended - Thanks again!

NEW BUSINESS:September 21, 2017 is the last lunch tour for this season. Tour event coordinated by Bill and Jackie Sheerer.

On October 15, 201, there is a fall foliage tour to West Virginia. The tour is being coordinated by SteveIllsley and Mike Paine. Phone Steve or Mike for details if planning to go on the tour.

Two new directors were appointed at the meeting:Jennie Barker to replace Betty Boff, following her resignation.Mary Jo Phillips to replace Lou Gamber, whose term expires at the end of this year.

There being no further business, Mike Quinn motioned to adjourn.

Respectfully submitted,Bill Watt

Minutes - September 10, 2017

Officers and Directors

PresidentSteve Illsley - (724) 625-1372

Vice PresidentsBill Sheerer - redbug17@verizon.net (412) 367-3138

Daryl Elliott - elliott.mktg@verizon.net (412) 600-9580

TreasurerJack Swaney - carnut123@hotmail.com (724) 272-9405

SecretaryBill Watt - pwatt45@hotmail.com (412) 364-3176

DirectorsMichael Quinn, Past President

Lou Gamber, Term 2017Bob Goetz, Term 2018

Jennie Barker Term 2019Ken Barker Term 2020

Appointive Positions

HistorianPosition Open

Flea Market ChairDaryl Elliott - elliott.mktg@verizon.net (412) 600-9580

Car Show ChairJoe Somerville - joeandkath@verizon.net (412) 443-0359

Car Show ProgramSean O’Neill - oneill.sean@live.com

Newsletter EditorSean O’Neill - nhhacnews@yahoo.com

Merchandise DirectorDiane Otto - dotto1208@aol.com (412) 821-2473

Steve Illsley - (724) 553-8386

WebmasterPat O’Neill - p.oneill5020@gmail.com (724) 768-7484

Submit Photos, Stories and Events: nhhacnews@yahoo.com

Email Information ListIf you want to be included on the email list thatinforms members of cancellations, memberillnesses, and similar events between newsletters,send a note to Sean O'Neill atnhhacnews@yahoo.com

Wellness and CondolencesFor get-well cards, contact Jackie Sheerer atredbug17@verizon.net or (412) 367-3138.For funeral flowers/fruit baskets, contact JackSwaney at carnut123@hotmail.com or (724)272-9405.

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NHHAC at the Final Starlite Car Cruise

Women's Lunch - Wednesday, October 11The next Women's Lunch will be at BJ's Brewhouse (McCandless)

8970 Covenant Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15237 at 11:30am.

For reservaations, please call Mary Goetz at (724) 452-8600.

For the menu, go to https://www.maxandermas.com/menu/

The Starlite Car Cruise at Northway Christian Community Church has been a Friday Night staple for years.Due to new construction and safety concerns, the cruise has come to an end these season. Two of ourNHHAC members, Joe Acker and Ken Barker were there to take it in.

Alleys, Axles, and AlesAllegheny West Civic Council

c/o Cecil CanalesSaturday, September 23, 2017

9:00am - 5:00pm

Allegheny West located in Pittsburgh's North Shore ishosting its 2nd Alleys, Axles and Ales Tour Saturday,September 23 from 12-5 and Cars 'n Coffee from 9-12. Weare also pleased to announce that the PIttsburgh NationalJaguar Concours is scheduled in the morning during theAllegheny West Cars 'n Coffee. Bring your car to display itwhile gazing at other Cool Classic Cars. Sample local beerson a self guided tour on the back streets and garages. Justimagine the fresh scent of freshly brewed coffee and thearoma of exhaust fumes. Purchase advance tickets on saleAugust 20 at wwwalleghenywest.org

Don Grossi CollectionSunday, October 8, 2017 at 3:00pm

Activity Director: Bill Sheerer

Arrangments have been made to see the extensivecollection of Don Grossi, which includes Buddy Land other toys, pedal cars, and four niceautomobiles. Dinner will be at North Park Loungeprior to our Month Meeting at St. AlphonsusSchool.

Address: 8171 Edgewood Road, Pittsburgh, PA15237 (off Perrymount Road)

Please RSVP by October 1 to Bill Sheerer at(412) 367- 3138

WANTEDGarage space for rent for storage of antique car

Please call Phil Deakin (724)502.4239 (h) or(412)527.4268 (c)

Is your information in the club directory correct?Send changes (address, phone, email, vehicles) to:

Pat O’Neill675 Bairdford Road

Gibsonia, PA 15044-7880724-768-7484

p.oneill5020@gmail.com

Advertising Policy

Free member classifieds:• Must be received by the 20th of the month.• Must be from members current on their dues.• Are limited to 50 words or less, and may include one photo if space permits.• Must state an asking price, except for miscellaneous parts.• Must have a club member as the contact.• Expire after three consecutive months unless the editor is notified otherwise.

Preference is given to ads for antique and classic vehicles and parts.Please include the phone number and/or email address you want displayed.Other ads may be included on a space-available basis. The NHHAC News does not accept businessadvertising.

NHHAC News is published monthly. All items for publication must be received no later than the 20thof each month. Send submissions to Sean O'Neill, 675 Bairdford Road, Gibsonia, PA 15044 or email tonhhacnews@yahoo.com. Any car or club-related news from the membership is greatly appreciated.

Application for membership and annual dues should be sent to Jack Swaney, P.O. Box 152 Mars, PA16046-0152. An application for membership is located on the club web- site athttp://nhhaclub.com/membership-info/.

Classifieds andNotices

Submit Photos, Stories and Events: nhhacnews@yahoo.com

FOR SALEKitco Fiberglass Running Boards - Off a 2008

Extended Cab Pickup $200

Please contact George Sabina (412)366.4959 (h)or (412)779.9357 (c)

NHHAC Annual PicnicSunday, September 10, 2017

His Kids Christian School

650 Saxonburg Road, Butler, PA 16002

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Photos courtesy of Jennie Barker -- Thank you!

Submit Photos, Stories and Events: nhhacnews@yahoo.com

September 21 - Summer Lunch Tour

September 23 - Alleys, Axles & Ales, 9:00am-5:00pm (see Page 4)

September 27 - Men's Breakfast, 8:00am

October 4-7 - AACA Fall Eastern Meet, Hershey, PA

October 8 - Don Grossi Collection (see Page 4)

October 8 - Monthly Meeting, St. Alphonsus Cafeteria, 7:00pm

October 11 - Women's Luncheon, 11:30am

October 15 - The Dick Lowe Tour

October 25 - Men's Breakfast, 8:00am

November 8 - Women's Luncheon, 11:30am

November 12 - Monthly Meeting, St. Alphonsus Cafeteria, 7:00pm

November 29, Men's Breakfast, 8:00am

December 10 - Monthly Meeting, St. Alphonsus Cafeteria, 7:00pm

NHHAC Calendar of Events

Automobile TriviaLast Month's QuestionWhat was the first Japanese vehicle to beproduced in the United States?

Bonus: Where was it manufactured?

AnswerThough the brands of both motorocycles and

cars were already established in the U.S.market, th 1982 Honda Accord was thefirst Japanese vehicle to be produced inAmerica. The car was built in Honda'sMarysville, Ohio plant, originally set upfor motorcycle production.

A Life-size (and then some) Murray General Pedal CarBy Kurt Ersnt

Submitted by Rick Kelley

In retirement, some take up golf, or woodworking, or even the restoration of classic cars. Pennsylvania’s DanHryhorcoff wanted a different kind of project to occupy his leisure time, so the semi-retired engineer andmachine shop owner opted to replicate a vintage Murray General pedal car, in larger-than-life fiberglass form,with the help of friend and “car guy” Jim Gibbs.

Dan had previous experience working with fiberglass (he built a working submarine, with a fiberglass noseand tail, circa 2000), so he opted to return to this medium for his latest project, his first attempt at buildingan automobile. He quickly realized that he lacked the creative skill necessary to design a unique car body onhis own, saying, “Instead of taking a chance at creating a visual monster, I decided to copy something.”Copying an existing full-size automobile would hardly be breaking new ground, so Dan instead opted toreplicate a popular child’s pedal car, in a more adult size.

Underneath the “Sad Face” car body is a rear-drive 1997 Ford Ranger pickup that served as a donor vehiclefor the project. The Ranger’s rear track helped to set the scale (4.5:1) for the project, but extensive fabricationwas necessary to shorten the wheelbase and create the desired ride height, which is aided by the 24-inchwheels (re-engineered to fit the Ranger’s hubs, then fitted with red fiberglass covers) sourced from CokerTire. Coker also supplied the 24 x 5.00 tires, which were the narrowest Dan could use according to thePennsylvania vehicle code (and yes, it is registered and plated in the state of Pennsylvania). Powering the plus-size Sad Face is a stock 3.0-liter Ford V-6, producing 147-hosepower and shifting through a four-speedautomatic.

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To create the body mold, Dan first created a full size replica of the car in Styrofoam, using a home builtpantograph to scale up the real pedal car 4.5 times. As Dan traced the toy, a die grinder with a router bitcarved the Styrofoam blocks into approximately the right shape. To complete the “positive” used to create thebody molds, he then coated the Styrofoam with spackling compound, which was sanded and carved to createan even higher level of detail. Once these “positives” were finished, a negative mold was created (also fromfiberglass) to form the body panels. Steel body supports were welded to the Ranger’s frame, and the fiberglassbody panels were attached to this skeleton.

To maintain authenticity, the car needed an oversize, center-mounted steering wheel and center-mountedcontrols. The Pennsylvania Department of Motor Vehicles doesn’t allow such outside-the-box thinking, soDan was forced to install a more conventional (read, smaller) steering wheel on the left side, along with asecond set of pedals. When not in use, either of the steering wheels can be removed and mountedunderneath the hood section, which tilts forward for easy access to the engine compartment. As required bylaw, the car has full instrumentation and lighting, too.

While the 1:1 Murray Sad Face provides seating for one, Dan’s version seats four adults in relative comfort,though he admits his longest road trip to date has only been about 20 miles. Getting in and out isn’t asproblematic as it seems, since Dan also built disappearing, electric-powered steps for driver and passengerusing a pair of Ford Taurus window actuators. On the road, Dan says his creation drives much like a compactpickup, albeit one with a significantly increased ride height, and never fails to produce smiles from onlookers.Don’t ask him to build another, though: Once the body sections were molded and finished, Dan opted todestroy the molds.

North Hills Historic Auto Clubc/o Patrick O'Neill675 Bairdford RoadGibsonia, PA 15044

NHHAC NewsThe Newsletter of the

North Hills Historic Auto Club