CHEVROLETTER January 2021

Vol 2021 Issue 01.0

Director’s Report January 2021

I hope 2021 finds all our members and their loved ones in good health and spirits and everyone had a festive, if not slightly low key, holiday season. We have just signed off on a year most people would like to forget. For those of us who are getting on in years, you hate to throw one away like this but some things are not in our control. The news shows always do their annual year in review segments so I thought I would do one too. At the January meeting we discussed locations for a possible show in 2020. The Armor Museum was not available and other locations were suggested. The next event club members planned on attending was the Brush Barn show in March. Pat Iannone was the recipient of the Grantmyer award for his excellent work on the newsletter. It was also mentioned that Betty Grantmyer had passed away at the age of 94. The meeting was closed and we all left looking forward to a full year of activities. By our February meeting Covid-19 had just started to make the news but we were told not to worry so we didn’t. At our meeting we further discussed possible show locations and attending events such as the Tobay show, Long Island Street Rod Swap meet, Rhinebeck show, Levittown car show and Westbury Gardens. We began to discuss our club summer/pool party but had not established a date or location. By our March meeting we were learning more about covid-19 but still planning for a full year of activities. We discussed all the shows that members could attend and Ken brought up the possibility the club touring the Automat facility. A possible brunch run was discussed along with our club summer party and the holiday dinner. More shows were coming on the calendar and the cruise nights were getting ready to shift into high gear. There was no mention in the club minutes of any complications with the schedule due to this virus that came from someplace in China. And then there was April…..Oyster Bay closed the meeting hall and shows were starting to be cancelled. We naively figured this would blow over by the summer and fall would be business as usual….yeah right! There were a few shows that managed to be held even though they appeared to be in violation of the state directives. During the remainder of the year, we held a few meetings outside of our meeting hall, had one meeting at Mike Lincks’ shop and we continued our Eisenhower breakfasts as weather permitted. As of now, I have seen no information on any shows scheduled for 2021. I do not know if the President’s council will be meeting to plan the 2021 show season but I doubt it. Hershey cancelled their flea market for 2020 and has not made a determination for 2021. So what does 2021 look like for the Long Island Region…..good question? If the meeting hall has not opened by the spring, we will hold outdoor meetings like we did last year. Club breakfasts can be held at Eisenhower Park as we did before. We all hope that some of 2021 can be salvaged; it will feel good to get everyone together again over coffee and donuts. Cruise nights will probably still be around so we may be able to schedule meeting at some of them….masked and socially distanced. I realize that the membership did not get much bang for their buck in 2020 and that may carry over some into 2021. We are considering discussing a reduced membership fee for 2021 to thank everyone for hanging in there during these tough times. Stay safe and healthy, Chris

Meeting Highlights December 2020

No meeting was held

Calendar Of Events January 2021 No events are scheduled

Keeping Our Name Out There

Like the fate of many small businesses during the pandemic, some car clubs will likely not survive this long term of inactivity. It is important to stay in touch with our membership and also maintain our presence for others to see. We are lucky to have an excellent newsletter that keeps the members informed and assures them that we are still here. The club has a few internet locations where both members and non-members can check us out. One such site is hosted by Hemmings Motor News at clubs.hemmings.com/livvca/. I am the moderator of this site and it includes club history, officers, club cars, members’ stories and tech tips. All information has to go thru me to be added to this site. Take a look and see if you have anything to add to our club pages. This page comes up at the top of the search page when I google Chevrolet club Long Island. The Hemmings site is offered free to all clubs and gets quite a bit of views. We have an additional website that we pay for but when I went on it while writing this article; I could not access many of the pages. A number of years ago we established a club Facebook page which sort of got forgotten about. Over the last few years our page has been getting a steady flow “likes”. I know not everyone is “Facebook friendly”, but if you go on and search …Long Island Region VCCA…, you will see our page. You may have to click on a blue circle with our club logo to get to our club page. If you are a member of Facebook, you may respond and post on our page or add your own pictures or interesting Chevrolet information. Current postings let people know we are still alive and operating so feel free to comment or add a car picture or two for all to see.

--Chris

Long Island Region VCCA – Holiday Wish

All the members of the Long Island VCCA – our club leadership – the editors – publishers – and the cleanup crew - want to wish to all the magic of the Holiday season that will fill your home. Sending lots of joy & peace to your family, and looking forward to the day we can all meet again! Take care of yourselves and stay safe. And a Happy safe 2021 !!

Long Island Region VCCA Garage – JTCantrell History on Long Island

Editor’s Note –

Last Month we published a story about the history of a very small auto business here on Long Island known as the J.T. Cantrell & Company, builders of wood-sided Suburban bodies. We published our newsletter and it was sent to Australia!! That in itself was exciting news – to see our publication is not only seen here in the states - but going internationally! Now, exciting as all that is – I received an email from Bryan Cantrell (no relations) and he included the story he wrote about the J.T. Cantrell & Company, which I have included below.

Here is the letter I received from Bryan!

Dear Pat, Allow me to introduce myself: Bryan Cantrell of Queensland, Australia who bought my first Chevrolet in 1968 (prior to that I owned a Durant). I am Secretary/Editor of the Vintage Chevrolet Association of Queensland Inc. (VCAQ), a club I helped establish in 1969. By now you will recognize the coincidence of my surname with J T Cantrell - Maker of Suburban Bodies. Also by coincidence, I compiled an article on J T Cantrell in our November magazine, after Franklin Gage sent me the same article as you found in Hemmings News. I attach a copy for your interest; I did draw on a few other sources as well. It is a great story to tell and many members seem to be unaware of it; woody wagons are so much a part of our motoring heritage and it is good to learn how that tradition began so long ago. Bruce Granger sends me many regional VCCA newsletters, which I enjoy reading, which is how I am aware of your article. Our VCAQ activities were interrupted earlier this year due to COVID-19 but the situation in Queensland is cautiously optimistic and most restrictions on group gatherings have been lifted for now. We have been able to resume monthly meetings and Chev rallies by observing social-distancing rules. With best wishes for Christmas and the New Year. Bryan

Bryan’s 1937 Master Deluxe

Please find attached the newsletter and the wonderful article done by Bryan Cantrell!!

Long Island Region VCCA Garage Car of the month - 1961 Impala

From: The Space Age Star is the official publication of the Space Age Chevrolet region of the Antique Automobile Club of America. This is a non-geographic region dedicated to the enjoyment, restoration and history of 1955 and later AACA eligible Chevrolet cars and trucks. We publish the newsletter six times a year. Region Officers: President: Russell Heim Vice President: John Mahoney, Jr.

Sixty Years of “Sixty-Onederful” Chevrolet

For the third time in four years, Chevrolet had completely new styling. The past year’s compound-curve wraparound windshield and tail fins were eliminated from the design. Inside was an all-new instrument panel with the speedometer now housed in a horizontal unit. The glove box was moved to the center of the panel. They relocated the gas tank from under the trunk floor to the area between the trunk and rear axle. This gave a deep well in the trunk, which was great for carrying tall items. The fuel filler had to be moved to the driver’s side quarter panel to compensate for the new gas tank location.

A new model year brought new sales slogans. In 1961, not only was the new Chevrolet “Jet Smooth,” it was also the “Greatest Show on Worth,” and “Sixty-Onderful.” Fortunately, the cars lived up to the hyperbole. This year’s sales brochure claimed that the new Chevrolets had a trim new size, clean new style, and fine new comfort. Chevrolet claimed the 1961 cars had more interior room (headroom increased by two inches) than in 1960, and that the new door openings were wider than last year. The “Clean New Style” consisted of “neatly tailored simplicity” and clean lines. The “trim new size” (1.8 inches shorter and 2.4 inches narrower than 1960) was practical for getting around town. The anodized grille was “classically clean.” The slanting windshield pillars blended beautifully with the distinctive new roof styling. It’s interesting that in 1961 Chevrolet was proud of producing a smaller car. Despite using the same 119-inch wheelbase, these cars grew larger as the decade went on.

1961 offered Chevrolet’s greatest model choice for “economical driving,” “three thrifty passenger car series (14 models in all) and six station wagon models (all with four doors). The three series were the same as they’d been since 1959, top-of-the line Impala, mid-priced Bel Air, and price leader Biscayne. The station wagons came in three series that had trim matching the passenger car series, Nomad (Impala), Parkwood (Bel Air), and Brookwood (Biscayne).

Long Island Region VCCA Garage Car of the month - 1961 Impala - continued

Chevrolet sales literature described Impala as elegant and “unquestionably the finest car in its field.” Standard Impala features were electric clock, parking brake warning light, back up lights, “deep-twist” carpeting, “finger-tip” door releases, and full-length arm rests. The interior was upholstered in “rich patterned fabrics, trimmed with soft leather-grained vinyl and finished with distinctive bright metal end panels.” Six interior colors were available. The interior featured deluxe window cranks and safety reflectors on the back of the full-length arm rests.

1961 Impala base prices (six-cylinder models): Convertible $2,847, Sport Sedan $2,662, Sport Coupe $2,597, Four-door sedan $2,590, Two-door sedan $2,536. Add $107 to the base price for a 283 cubic- inch V-8 engine. Chevrolet built 491,000 Impalas for 1961.

Chevrolet introduced two new optional features for 1961 Impala: Super Sport trim and the legendary 409 cubic-inch V-8. Neither option sold well in 1961, but they became big as the Sixties went on. Super Sport was a $53 trim option that could be added to any Impala with a high performance engine and chassis. The introductory brochure shows the SS trim added to a Sport Sedan. Most sources state that only Sport Coupes and convertibles received the SS option. Chevrolet sold 453 Super Sport trimmed cars in 1961. The new 360 horsepower 409 V-8 was limited to 142 sales this year. This new engine was a $484 extra cost option.

Long Island Region VCCA Garage Car of the month - 1961 Impala - continued

Bel Air was Chevrolet’s “popular priced model”. It featured a glove box light, automatic dome light, foam cushioned front and rear seats, deluxe door handles and window cranks, twin rear ash trays, and deluxe steering wheel with thumb operated horn button as standard. Bel Air interiors differed by body style. Sedans had patterned cloth upholstery available in five colors. The floors had a vinyl coated rubber floor mat keyed to the interior color. The Sport Coupe and Sport Sedan featured a slightly fancier interior. “Freshly styled striped fabric” was the main interior feature. Tri-color stripes were featured on the vinyl seat surround and on the door panels. Floor was covered by deep-twist carpeting with rubber inserts on wear areas. Bel Air sport model interiors came in red, gray, green, blue, turquoise, and fawn. Bel Air was Chevrolet’s second most popular series in 1961, with 330,000 produced. Bel Air six-cylinder base prices: Sport Sedan $2,554, Sport Coupe $2,489, four-door sedan $2,438, two-door sedan $2,384. Customers had to pay $107 extra to get a 283 V-8 in their Bel Air.

Long Island Region VCCA Garage Car of the month - 1961 Impala - continued

Biscayne was billed as the “lowest-priced full-sized Chevy.” The sales brochure said “this beauty is a bargain at the price!” If you bought a Biscayne, you’d “enjoy the solid quality and comfort of Body by Fisher.” A Biscayne owner enjoyed these standard features: foam-cushioned front seat, dual sun visors, two arm rests, safety door locks, and a locking glove box. Biscayne interiors had cloth and vinyl seats with a vinyl covered floor mat. Blue, green, and gray were the available interior colors. The floor mats were color-keyed to the rest of the interior.

Chevrolet built 201,000 regular Biscaynes and 3,000 Fleetmasters for 1961. Biscayne six-cylinder prices were: Two-door sedan $2,262, four-door sedan $2,316, Biscayne Utility Sedan $2,175, Fleetmaster two- door sedan $2,230, Fleetmaster four-door sedan $2,284. A 283 V-8 added $107 to a Biscayne’s price.

Long Island Region VCCA Garage Car of the month - 1961 Impala - continued

Chevrolet offered six full-size station wagons for 1961. All wagons had four-doors this year. There were three six-passenger wagons and three nine-passenger wagons. 1961 wagons had up to 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space. A concealed storage space under the rear floor was a new feature for 1961. The rear seats folded down to make a flat cargo floor. The tailgate was taller and wider for easier cargo loading and made for easier third seat passenger entry and exit in nine-passenger wagons. Nomad was the top of the line wagon, featuring Impala trim and interior. The Parkwood wagon corresponded with Bel Air, and Brookwood was the equivalent of Biscayne. Each wagon model was available as either a six or nine-passenger vehicle.

For 1961 Chevrolet made 137,300 six-passenger wagons and 31,649 nine-passenger wagons. List prices for 1961 Station Wagons were: Nomad six-passenger wagon, $2,889, Nomad nine passenger wagon, $2,992, Parkwood six-passenger wagon, $2,747. Parkwood nine-passenger wagon, $2,850. Brookwood six-passenger wagon, $2,643. Brookwood nine-passenger wagon, $2,756. Adding a V-8 cost $107.

Long Island Region VCCA Garage Car of the month - 1961 Impala - continued

1961 Bel Air four-door sedan

Long Island Region VCCA Garage Car of the month - 1961 Impala - continued

Long Island Region VCCA Garage Car of the month - 1961 Impala – continued

A posed Chevrolet publicity photo of a customer taking delivery of a new 1961 Impala Sport Coupe. Check out the 1959 Impala Sport Coupe on the lift in the background. It looks like the Corvair Rampside is ready for delivery too. 1961 Chevrolet production by body style: Four-door sedan – 452,251, Sport Coupe - 177,969, Sport Sedan - 174,141, two-door sedan – 168,935, six-passenger wagons - 137,300, convertibles - 64,624, nine-passenger wagons - 31,649. Approximately 513,000 1961 Chevrolets had six-cylinder engines. Chevrolet introduced the 1961 models to the public on October 8, 1960. The last day of 1961 model production was August 2, 1961. According to the Standard Catalog of Chevrolet 1912-1998, Chevrolet produced 1,193,978 passenger cars for the 1961 model year.

Long Island Region VCCA Garage - One Century, 100 Great Chevys

Editor’s Note – this article was published in 2011 to celebrate 100 years of Chevrolet – we feel it was a fun list to go over and discuss – this is the last installment from #25 to # 1 !

That means we did not restrict this list to production vehicles. Instead the list includes racecars — both those based on production Chevys and those only powered by Chevrolet racing engines — show cars, concept cars, prototypes and even movie cars. Is your favorite on the list?

25. 1967 Corvette 427 L88: A functional hood scoop, aluminum heads, a massive Holley 850 carburetor and a ridiculous 430-hp rating. Five-hundred fifty hp was more like it. 24. 1967 McLaren M6A: McLaren's first Can Am championship winner with Chevy small-block V8 power. Followed by the M8A with big-block engines and eventually McLaren's move to Indianapolis, Formula 1, the F1 road car and today's MP4-12C. 23. 1947 Series 3100 Pickup: GM's first postwar truck design remains a bull-nosed classic. The deluxe equipment package included side corner rear windows. All were powered by a 90-hp straight-6. 22. 1911 Series C Classic Six: A great Chevrolet by dint of being the very first Chevrolet. A big, substantial car that, rumor has it, could hit 65 mph thanks to its 40-hp six. Later Chevys were lighter and used fours to compete directly with the Model T. 21. Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins 1968 Camaro Pro Stock: Winner of the first two NHRA Pro Stock races ever: the 1970 Winternationals and Gatornationals. It's a converted Super Stock car that started life as a '67. 20. 2010 Camaro SS: Developed in Australia with an all-independent suspension. You can't see out of it and the trunk opening is silly, but this is a great Camaro and it's outselling the Mustang. 19. 1997 Corvette C5: With its backbone chassis and rear-mounted transmissions, the C5 is a Corvette that competes with the world's best. Power comes from a 345-hp LS1 small-block V8. 18. 1935 Suburban: A station wagon body on a pickup truck frame, it was a rudimentary, heavy-duty people mover. It has been in more or less constant production ever since. 17. 1955 Corvette: When the Corvette got V8 power in its third year, it was suddenly a viable sports car, even though the 265-cubic-inch small-block V8 only made 195 hp. 16. 1970.5 Camaro Z/28: The all-new Camaro Z/28 features the best carbureted V8 ever installed in a Camaro — the 350-cubic-inch, 360-hp LT-1. 15. 2007 NASCAR Impala SS: The Impala SS and R07 racing small-block V8 have won the championship every year the two have run. Jimmie Johnson has won every NASCAR championship yet run with this "Car of Tomorrow" Impala SS. 14. 1962 Bel Air 409 "Bubble-Top" Coupe: Beautiful car. Still the only Chevy the Beach Boys wrote a hit song about. With dual-quad carburetion, it had a full 409 hp and was a consistent winner in the NHRA stock classes. 13. 1988 C/K Pickup: The brilliantly clean C/K was the truck people would rather have than a car. It was the backbone of the sport truck world during the '90s and is already a classic. 12. 1986 Monte Carlo SS Aerodeck: A big sloping piece of glass improv aerodynamics. Dale Earnhardt drove the Aerodeck to Winston Cup championships in 1986 and '87. And in 1988, his first black, Goodwrench-sponsored car was an Aerodeck. 11. 1961 Impala SS: The first Super Sport and, in "bubble top" form, one of the best-looking big coupes ever. In January 1961, the 360-hp 409 V8 became an option.

Long Island Region VCCA Garage - One Century, 100 Great Chevys

10. 2011 Volt: Maybe the most innovative car ever built by GM, it's destined to technologically lead Chevy through its second century. 9. 1957 Bel Air Convertible: Flamboyant, iconic, and with the fuel-injected 283-hp, 283-cubic-inch small- block V8, powerful. 8. 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6: King of the muscle-bound era. The 454-cubic-inch LS6 big-block V8 was likely underrated at 450 hp. 7. 1969 Camaro ZL-1: Only 69 were built under Central Office Production Order (COPO) 9560. The all- aluminum 427 big-block V8 weighed less than a small-block and rated at 430 hp. Built to race, they're the ultimate collector Camaro. 6. 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1: With 580 horsepower from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the ZL1 is by far the fastest Camaro ever. The Nurburgring-tuned suspension also makes it the best handling Camaro ever. 5. 2009 Corvette ZR1: There's a 638-hp supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V8 under its hood. It's by far the quickest and fastest production Corvette ever built. 4. 1990 Corvette ZR1: A bold experiment with a Lotus-designed, 375-horsepower, 5.7-liter DOHC 32- valve V8, widened rear fenders and a massive price tag. Set the performance bar for all Corvettes to come. 3. 1967 Camaro Z/28: Chevy's answer to the Mustang was clean, beautiful and magical. The Trans Am- ready Z/28 was the best of the new breed. Power came from the great DZ302 302-cubic-inch small-block V8 rated at 290 hp. 2. 1963 Corvette Coupe: The first Corvette Sting Ray. Nearly a half-century later, it's still an astonishingly beautiful car. Plus all-independent suspension and the L84 fuel-injected 327-cubic-inch V8 made 360 hp. 1. 1955 Bel Air Sport Coupe: The perfect container for the new, world-class small-block V8 engine. This is the Chevy that brought greatness to Chevrolet.

Long Island Region VCCA - CLASSIFIED AD

ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale

1955 Chevrolet Belair

 TWO DOOR HARDTOP - SHORELINE BEIGE AND GYPSY RED

 RESTORED TO ORIGINAL STOCK CONDITION

 VCCA SENIOR AND SENIOR RESTORATION AWARDS

THE CAR HAS THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION  CORRECT POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES.  SEEK AND SCAN RADIO (IN WORKING ORDER)  ROCKER PANEL AND DOOR FENDERS AND GAS TANK WITH SHIELDS  ORIGINAL FACTORY REAR SPEAKER AND FADE SWITCH ON DASH BOARD  REAR BUMPER ACCESSORY GUARDS AND FRONT ACCESSORY BUMPER GUARDS INCLUDING WHEEL GUARD.  POWER PACK ENGINE DUAL ALUMINIZED EXHAUST.  CHEVROLET RARE WIRE WHEEL COVERS.  TINTED GLASS  ORIGINAL GM WINDSHIELD WASHERS IN PERFECT CONDITION  CIADELLA INTERIOR AND CARPET....ORIGINAL REPLACEMENT.

CAR COMES WITH TWO SETS OF TIRES:

 ON THE CAR NOW ORIGINAL FOUR PLY WIDE WHITE WALLS  SECOND SET OF WHEELS WITH COCA WIDE WHITE WALL RADIALS.

$42,500 - CAR IS IN PRESTINE CONDITION Contact: Robert Mcdonough ([email protected]) 516-554-7046

Long Island Region VCCA - CLASSIFIED AD

ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale

1940 Chevrolet Sedan Delux – 4 Door Sedan

THE CAR HAS THE FOLLOWING OPTIONS:

 6 CYLINDER, 37,000 ORIGINAL MILES  ALWAYS GARAGED  ORIGINAL OWNERS BILL OF SALE

Contact: Anthony Contrino 516-902-8887

Long Island Region VCCA - CLASSIFIED AD

Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted

Parts Wanted for 1967 Chevelle

Column shift lever knob in gold/fawn (see picture)

Also, any key chain or memorabilia from Dan Cotton Chevrolet in Beresford, SD.

Contact: Andy Mrakovcic, VCCA #55128 PH: 917-543-9477 [email protected].

Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted – Wanted

Part Needed - left front fender for a 1935 Chevrolet - Master

If you have one or know of one please contact :

Steve Jones [email protected] or call1-609-970-9131 Long Island Region VCCA - CLASSIFIED AD

ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale

Reproduction Fiberglas Mullins Style Trailer. This is a replica of a popular travel trailer from the 30's. This is reproduced in fiberglass with a hinged lid held open by gas struts. The interior is fully carpeted. The exterior shows flawless preparation for a gorgeous Ford Lazer Red paint job. The trailer has high end Weld Wheels with 60 series Radial GT tires. The trailer has fewer than 2000 miles since new. The license plate and taillights are recessed into the rear pan and used a standard trailer wiring plug, there is a stand on the tongue of trailer for easy storage. Trailer comes with a soft California Car Cover

$2,500.00

Contact: Chris Gieger at 631-757-5021 or [email protected]

Long Island Region VCCA - CLASSIFIED AD

ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale - ForSale

1954 Chevy Rims 2 – 15” Rims in good shape - $20

TH350 Chrome Flywheel Cover Brand new Chrome flywheel cover - $30

Contact: Pat Iannone 516-458-4547

To Our Members –

We have this space for our classified section – if there is something you need or have to make room for – maybe a member has it or could use it !!!

Each month we are looking for readers input on “How To” and “Garage Hacks” & “Quick Tips”

Long Island Region VCCA - Next Meeting – ******************** ************************************************

 Here are the directions to the Oyster Bay Community Center:

 Route 106 North to Oyster Bay. 106 Becomes Pine Hollow Road and then becomes South Street. Make a right on East Main Street at the traffic light.

 After the stop sign, make a right into Church Street. Meetings are in the community center straight ahead.

The Chevroletter is published by the Long Island Region of the VCCA,

 Send your photos, stories, or calendar items that you’ would like to contribute to the newsletter. For those that wish to have an article published but don’t have the time to polish it up, the editors of Chevroletter would be happy to help you out.

 If anyone sees a car that is interesting and wish to share with the members email your photos and a description - send to the editors to be included in the next publication

 All contributions are welcome and will help make the revived Chevroletter worth reading. Please contact the following with your story, interesting find, or your comments:

o Ken Michaels, Editor-In-Chief, please contact Ken at [email protected]

o Pat Iannone, Editor, Publisher, please contact Pat at [email protected]

One Last Thing! We all need a little merriment!