SEPTEMBER,SEPTEMBER, 2020SEPTEMBER, 2020 2020 OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF RICHMOND REGION ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILE CLUB OF AMERICA. From the President .. 3 Upcoming Events ..... 4 Lost to Progress ...... 5 Minutes ...... 6 AACA CEO...... 7 Glass Car ...... 12 Sofie turns 70 ...... 14 Where is Wyatt ...... 15 From the Editor ...... 16

— SEPTEMBER, 2020-

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF RICHMOND REGION, AACA

The first Lotus car was built by in 1948 for competition in English Trials, a type of rally that is held in fields and on forest roads. It was designated Mark I. Low volume construction of vari- ous competition cars continued until 1953, when the Lotus Mark VI was introduced into production. From 1953-1955 approximately 100 Mark VI cars were (Continued on page 8) Diane and Michael Phillips

2 - SEPTEMBER, 2020—

Debbie Nolen Summertime is winding down everyone! A few club functions have occurred and what a great turnout we had for the Thursday, August 6th club meeting at Bel- mont Recreation Center with around 20 masked members present in the socially distanced ballroom, enjoying each oth- er’s company. Everyone shared their personal thoughts on time spent during the coronavirus pandemic. There were many interesting experiences about how everyone had different and unique approaches to handing the isolation that COVID brought to us all. It was good to reconnect!! We also held a board meeting prior to the club meeting, discussing several important issues and approved the following items of interest, including: • 2020 Car Show Wrap and 2021 Status - The club is in very good financial shape. We incurred very little financial loss due to the show cancellation.  o Next year’s show and swap meet is scheduled for Saturday, June 19, 2021, same theme of Shelby vs Fer- rari in the special display.  o Bruce Woodson and Joe Guckert are planning a special holiday benefit event at St Joseph's Villa in De- cember. More to come on this… • Security Initiative – Intended to work towards curtailing phishing schemes and other potentially harmful scams many clubs have fallen victim to, we are implementing new procedures to protect our member’s personal information online:  Club wide broadcast emails sent will no longer display recipient emails.  One common information contact email address for the Richmond Regin AACA and a post office address will be used in the Gaslight and on the website. Contact information for the President, Vice President and Board will no longer be listed individually in either document.  All members will receive a hard copy of the membership roster which will also reside in a new “Members Only” section on our website along with our PayPal payment links and the digital Gaslight. Each year, after paying dues, every member will receive confidential log-on information (A unique member ID and pass- word) to this secure member’s section. We will have implemented this prior to the next club meeting. • As a special bonus, the board approved the cost of printing and mailing of the Gaslight to all member families for the remainder of 2020 as a special informational and unification benefit. We would like to have membership feed- back on digital vs printed vs both so feel free to email me or any member of the board with your comments! Current- ly everyone receives the digital copy with the ability to purchase a printed copy; many may not be aware that mem- bers have always had the option to receive the Gaslight printed edition by paying an additional $25 annually to cov- er printing and mailing costs. National AACA deserves tremendous kudos for pulling off a successful Annual Grand National in Gettysburg, PA this past weekend on August 22! In 30 days, after postponement and final relocation to one of the best and one of my favorite venues they made it happen through perseverance and hard work! Richmond Region had a number of members pre- sent, both showing cars and just enjoying the beautiful assortment of vehicles, truly the crème de la crème of automo- biles! Reggie and Cindi Nash’s 1940 Nash received a Sr. Grand National award. Tommy and I brought our 1961 Ponti- acs and we were excited to receive the awards we were seeking, a 1st Grand National for the Catalina and a Sr. Grand National for the Ventura! We saw Bob Richmon (and shadow Joe Kameros!), Andy & Mary Beth Fuhrman, Clay Fuhr- man & Cassidy Walker, and Brian & Lisa Munsey throughout the day. My judging team evaluated 22 cars in our clas- ses, taking 2 hours. While it was a pleasure to judge such beautiful automobiles. I must say it was very hot with that mask on outside in the high temps judging chassis but it was still very socially distanced and welcoming - just melting from the heat! Brian and Lisa Munsey are hosting an August 29th Fun Run this coming weekend and I am sure it will be a great deal of fun! Come out and participate! Our next club meeting is scheduled for Thursday, September 3, 7:30 pm at Belmont Recreation Center. Maybe we’ll have the most creative mask contest or something! LOL. We look forward to seeing you all then! Stay safe and enjoy the remainder of the summer sun!!! Debbie

— SEPTEMBER, 2020- 3

Do you know Your hubcaps?

SEPTEMBER  SEPTEMBER 3 - Club Meeting—Belmont Recreation Center

BELMONT RECREATION CENTER 1600 Hillard Rd., Henrico, VA 23226

 SEPTEMBER 4- 6 (Saturday & Sunday, Labor Day weekend)– Greenbrier Concours d'Elegance

 SEPTEMBER 26 (Saturday) - 1st Annual Breakthrough Car Show, Car Club Council Event.

OCTOBER

 OCTOBER 1 - Club Meeting

 OCTOBER 23, 24, & 25 - The 2020 Poor Man’s Tour, hosted by Shenandoah Region. Host hotel for visitors set up at the Holiday Inn Gateway, On Rt. 522. 333 Front Royal Pike Winchester, VA 22602. 540-667-3300. We will gather there and use it as a home Base. A group rate has been arranged at $109.00 per night, which includes 2 $10.00 breakfast vouchers. Mention SRAACA or ODMA when you reserve, best done by phone. NOVEMBER

 NOVEMBER 6 & 7– 2020 Old Dominion Meet hosted by

Roanoke Valley Region at Natural Bridge.

Impala. 1965 Dart, Hubcaps (top to bottom) 1959 Cadillac Eldorado, 1967 Chrysler, 1959 Pontiac Bonneville, 1952 Lincoln, 1966 Dodge Dodge 1966 Lincoln, 1952 Bonneville, Pontiac 1959 Chrysler, 1967 Eldorado, Cadillac 1959 bottom) to (top Hubcaps

4 - SEPTEMBER, 2020— HOROSCOPE: ARIES: You will be spending time at home.

Lost to Progress

Kathy Weiser-Alexander, LegendsOfAmerica.com

Though most people of today’s generation have never even heard of Burma-Shave, ask anyone who year, Allan and his brother Leonard set up more lived from the 1920s to the early 1960s, and you will signs, spreading across Minnesota and into Wiscon- mostly likely bring up a few memories of the tales sin, spending $25,000 that year on signs. Orders from that vintage era. poured in, and sales for the year hit $68,000. Burma-Shave was a brand of brushless shaving Burma-Shave sign series appeared from 1925 to cream that was sold from 1925 to 1966. The company 1963 in all of the lower 48 states except for New was notable for its innovative advertising campaign, Mexico, Arizona, Massachusetts, and Nevada. Four which included rhymes posted all along the nation’s or five consecutive billboards would line highways, so roadways. Typically, six signs were erected, with each they could be read sequentially by motorists driving of the first five containing a line of verse, and the sixth by. displaying the brand name. This use of the billboards was a highly successful Burma-Shave was the second brushless shaving advertising gimmick, drawing attention to passers- cream to be manufactured and the first one to become by who were curious to discover the punch line. a success. Within a decade, Burma-Shave was the second most The product was sold by Clinton Odell and his popular brand of shaving cream in the United sons Leonard and Allan, who formed the Burma-Vita States. Company, named for a liniment that was the compa- The first set of slogans were written by the ny’s first product. The Odells were not making money Odells; however, they soon started an annual contest on Burma-Vita, and wanted to sell a product that peo- for people to submit the rhymes. With winners re- ple would use daily. A wholesale drug company in ceiving a $100 prize, some contests received over Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the company was lo- 50,000 entries. cated, told Clinton Odell about Lloyd’s Euxesis, a At their height of popularity, there were British product that was the first brushless shaving 7,000 Burma-Shave signs stretching across America. cream made, but which was of poor quality. Clinton They became such an icon to these early-day travel- Odell hired a chemist named Carl Noren to produce a ers that families eagerly anticipated seeing the quality shaving cream and after 43 attempts, Burma- rhyming signs along the roadway, with someone in Shave was born. the car excitedly proclaiming, “I see Burma-Shave To market Burma-Shave, Allan Odell devised the signs!” Breaking up the monotony of long trips, concept of sequential signboards to sell the product. someone once said, “No one could read just one.” Allan Odell recalled one time when he noticed signs Burma-Shave sales rose to about 6 million by saying Gas, Oil, Restrooms, and finally a sign point- 1947, at which time sales stagnated for the next sev- ing to a roadside gas station. The signs compelled peo- en years, and then gradually began to fall. Various ple to read each one in the series and would hold the reasons caused sales to fall, the primary one being driver’s attention much longer than a conventional urban growth. Typically, Burma-Shave signs were billboard. Though Allan’s father, Clinton, wasn’t crazy posted on rural highways and higher speed limits about the idea he eventually gave Allan $200 to give caused the signs to be ignored. Subsequently, the it a try. Burma-Vita Company was sold to Gillette in 1963, In the fall of 1925, the first sets of Burma- which in turn became part of American Safety Ra- Shave signs were erected on two highways leading zor, and Phillip Morris. The huge conglomerate de- out of Minneapolis. Sales rose dramatically in the ar- cided the verses were a silly idea and one of Ameri- ea, and the signs soon appeared nationwide. The next ca’s vintage icons was lost to progress.

TAURUS: You will be spending time at home. — SEPTEMBER, 2020- 5

Alice Cameron, Secretary

into a workshop. It is the first time not Richmond Region AACA, Monthly Meeting, August 6, 2020 playing in the band. Kings Dominion is closed for the 1st Debbie Nolen our President called our meeting to order. time in 45 years. Carol is working all the time. This is our first meeting since the COVID-19 Quarantine. It is Debbie Nolen reported she has been working at home since nice to see everyone. March 16th. Just went back to the office a week ago. She Debbie asked folks for their experiences during the last four feels working from home is harder than at work. months. Brian and Lisa reported they are planning a Fun Run on Au- Mert Fowlkes said he and Sue have mostly stayed at home gust 29th to Powhatan. It will be about 58 miles. The start except a trip to the beach. is still being determined. More information to come out Alice Cameron reported that since the death of her nephew sent by e-mail. they had been cleaning out his home but the most enjoya- Clif Edwards reported at our Board Meeting tonight it was ap- ble activity was sitting on their front porch in the late after- prove to print and mail the Gaslight for the next 4months noon. (Sept, Oct, Nov, Dec). It will still be online too. Clif Edward reported he enjoyed a day trip to Norfolk to his old Mert Fowlkes gave the treasures report. home place. The March minutes were printed in the April Gaslight. The Morris Cameron reported most enjoyed working in his garden. minutes were approved. Also found it depressing not being able to go on trips as Mike Jones reported on Webpage. Scammers are picking up planned. members e-mail addresses and also sending folks text mes- Glenn Payne reported doing honey do jobs but missed going to sages. We plan to go to a Password Manager Program. car shows. This would include the Gaslight, Roster and PayPal. Tommy Nolen reported his job had ended with the State. He Bruce Woodson gave report on Car Show 2020 and 2021. has been working on a Pontiac and Volkswagen, plus buy- 2020 ing Debbie’s lunch. We were sorry to cancel but looking back it was the right deci- John Smith reported missed seeing friends. He and Rosanna sion. We gave our sponsors their money back. We are still have been having Sunday Picnic’s. He also attended fami- looking at doing some type of event at St Joseph’s in De- ly wedding in Wisconsin by Zoom. cember. Maybe we can bring toys or books and do an infor- Cindi Nash reported Reggie is home more and fixing his lunch. mal cruise in. She has been attending Zoom Yoga classes. 2021 Reggie Nash reported spending time working on cars. We are already working on our show. We will use the same George Field thanks to Brian and Lisa with help to Doctors. theme Shelby versus Ferrari. The date is June 19th at St. He and Bev also benefit from Doug’s garden. Joseph Villa. Mark your calendar. Bev Field reported she is bored. Most time spend cooking and Debbie Nolen reported we would like to do a Steak Fry. She cleaning. Highlight was seeing new great grand baby. and Alice Cameron are looking at a place and date. Lisa Munsey reported unhappy since unable to spend time Debbie Nolen gave a report on What’s Happening. with grandsons at the pool and rest of the family. Spend- Grand National Meet at Gettysburg, PA August 21, 22 ing time cleaning out closets. The Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance Sept. 4-6 Brian Munsey reported glad we had a great Fun Run on March AACA Hershey Fall Show Oct. 10 15th nothing since. Miss car events. ODMA Tour Oct 23, 24, 25 Dave Dickey reported he would like to thank everyone for the ODMA Car Show Nov 6, 7 cards and letters he has received since Judy’s passing. He Cars and Coffee at 1420 N. Parham Rd, Regency Mall has spent time cleaning out the attic and learning how to Mike Jones won the door prize. cook. Judy family has adopted him. Brian Munsey reported he felt we need a place to store club Mike Jones reported he is now working from home and can’t memorabilia. Everyone agreed. believe all the time he spent before commuting to work. Debbie we will meet together and see just what we all have. His son has moved back home but looking for another Dave Dickey asked folks keep ears open for a place to recycle place to move. trophies. Roger McGinnis reported his daughter and grandson came for Debbie asked Morris Cameron to close our meeting with a a visit. He has purchased a 1914 Model T Touring. Hates prayer. wearing a face mask. Meeting adjourned. Bruce Woodson reported working on garage at home to turn Alice Cameron Secretary

6 - SEPTEMBER, 2020— GEMINI: You will be spending time at home.

Not Closed for Business

hese times are certainly a gigantic challenge for all of us and most likely the big- T gest challenge we have ever faced as a world, country and individually. There is a lot of pain and suffering occurring, but in the midst there are all sorts of wonderful things happening by those who refuse to let this pandemic define them in a negative way. In the scheme of life and death, health or no health, the car hobby may feel insig- nificant. In that respect it is. However, some day the virus will be contained, life will get back to a new normal and we, as the most progressive and optimistic country in the world, will find a way to start enjoying life again. In the meantime, many of you have down time and are missing getting out with your cars and socializing. I feel bad for the donut shops and ice cream stores as our hobby certainly supported them well! I am certain, many of you are finding garage time with your cars and handling needed projects at home. You may not be aware that there are other active ways you can get involved in AACA and the hobby by simply heading to your computer. There is an extremely active community at www.aaca.org. Our forums are buzzing with interesting topics, one, “Period Images to Relieve some of the Stress” should reach 50,000 views by the time you read this and race car fans can see an amaz- ing thread of early photos title “Period RACE Car Images to relieve stress.” There are many other topics you can read or join in on the conversation. We also have two Facebook sites, the club official site is Antique Automobile Club of America and there is a very active group site that is approaching 20,000 members, AACA An- tique Automobile Club of America. These are also great ways to interact with fel- low members and hobbyists from all over the world. There are many great pho- tos and interesting topics presented on Facebook! Make sure we have your correct email address at national, as the monthly Speedster online mag- azine will not miss an issue. If you are not getting it or not bother- ing to open it up you are missing the latest news on the club. It is especially important now given our changing environment to stay up to date as to what is hap- pening with the club. Your national staff has not missed a bit. We are here for you. You can reach us by mail, phone or email. Staff is working from home but we are finding ways to get the job done so do not be hesitant to reach out to us. Hopeful- ly, as you read this, we are back at full strength and here to serve you. In the meantime, stay active and don’t give up as better days are ahead. That’s a promise from all of us.

CANCER: You will be spending time at home. — SEPTEMBER, 2020- 7

1960’s and 1970’s, and the Lotus (Continued from page 2) the summer of 1969 at a local au- was from an English tocross in Raleigh NC. Naturally, Ford Cortina. The NASCAR racing produced. In 1957 the Mark VI the car received a lot of attention shop of Holman and Moody had a was replaced by the 7 (or Seven), and the local doctor who owned it number of Cortinas that had expe- with no Mark designation. The Lo- was only too happy to show the rienced freight damage. A "new" tus 7 was mainly powered by 37- vehicle and answer questions. He transmission was obtained from 45 horsepower English Ford 1,172 told me that it would outrun his one of these Cortinas. After three cc side valve . A few cars 1963 fuel injected Corvette up to weeks of working nights and week- were built with 75 horsepower 70 mph. I didn’t think too much 1,098cc FWA en- ends, the car was on the road. gines. These were often re- I used the Lotus for my daily ferred to as a "Super 7." transportation for a year be- In 1960 the 7 was rede- fore I purchased a 1966 Cor- signed and identified as Lotus vair Corsa as my primary car. 7 Series 2 or S2. The earlier The Lotus was entered in cars became known as 7 Se- many local autocrosses in ries 1 or S1 cars. The Series 2 1971. In 1972 the cars added 998cc Austin en- Club of America (SCCA) start- gines and 997cc English Ford ed a divisional autocross pro- overhead valve engines. Pow- gram and renamed the auto- er ranged from about 37-46 cross as Solo II. The Lotus was horsepower for the 7 Series 2. towed (on a trailer) to Tal- This gave brisk acceleration Mike slips out of his Lotus. ladega, Alabama for the South East Division Solo II Champi- in an open with a about it after that. While attend- onship. In 1973 we went to the first curb weight of 895 pounds. 1961 ing freshman orientation at National Solo II Championship in saw the introduction of a Cos- North Carolina State University Wentzville, Missouri and in 1974 worth modified Ford 1340cc en- during the summer of 1971, I to the National Solo II Champion- gine rated at 85 horsepower. The checked out the bulletin board. ship in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. curb weight increased to 990 Imagine my excitement when I The South East Division Solo II pounds. An acceptable trade off for saw a 1965 Lotus Super 7 for Championships were held in West double the horsepower. Lotus offi- sale! My father and I went to look Palm Beach, Florida in 1973 cially designated this version as a at the car. At that time it was where I finished 2nd in Class A Pre- Super 7. 1962 brought a larger black and the rear fenders, which pared. In 1974 the Lotus was en- modified Ford 1498cc were much wider than the origi- tered in the South East Division rated at 95 horsepower. nal fenders, were red. The origi- Solo II Championships, which Curb weight increased to 1058 nal narrow fenders were off the were held in Opp, Alabama. By pounds. car. The reason the car was being this time, my priorities had Low speed acceleration sold was because it was in need changed and I was attending grad- was impressive. Seven seconds of a transmission. It needed a uate school, and the Lotus was lan- was often given as the 0-60 mph transmission because it had been guishing. A friend of my brother time. Both Series 1 and 2 models towed from Florida to North Car- purchased the vehicle in 1988 with were available as either kits or fac- olina on all four wheels with the all the spare parts that I had accu- tory built. Series 3 cars followed in driveshaft connected. This mulated. 1968 and Series 4 in 1970. In 1973 caused the output bearing to In October of 2006 I saw a dis- Lotus sold the rights and tooling to seize and the transmission to ex- mantled Super 7 for sale in Her- Caterham Cars. Caterham contin- plode, and a small fire to start. shey at the annual antique auto ues to manufacture updated ver- The fire did no damage, but the show flea market but missed out sions of the Super 7. transmission was a total loss. I saw my first Lotus Super 7 in Cortinas were imported in the (Continued on page 9)

8 - SEPTEMBER, 2020— LEO: You will be spending time at home.

(Continued from page 8) After I got the car home, I de- magazine stopped by our table. He cided to complete the restoration asked for photos and an article on buying it. Before looking any for Antique Automobile of Ameri- about the Lotus for this magazine. further I asked my brother if he ca (AACA) shows. A new top and In the March/ April 2019 issue a knew what his friend had done side curtains were ordered from photo of the Lotus appeared on with "the Lotus." After a couple of Redline Components in England. the inside front cover along with weeks we found out that he still The original narrow rear fenders additional photos and and an arti- had the car and had renovated it. were painted locally by Wagon- cle on pages 42-45. The photos and He had changed the color, paint- works using the paint left over the article caught the attention of ing it the current colors of yellow from when the car had been re- the organizers of the Keeneland and bare aluminum (a color painted. Optional Lotus Elan Concours de'Elegance who asked scheme offered by the factory) and wheels were tracked down and that I enter the Lotus. The Lotus mounted the Minilite wheels that repainted. Radial tires of the size was shown there on July 20, I had purchased years before. Alt- provided with the optional wheels 2019 in Class 6, Sports Classics. hough he had been enjoying it for were purchased along with new Although the Lotus had just won about five years, he was ready to hubcaps. The car was driven a repeat Senior Grand National at sell the Lotus and move on to his from Arlington, VA to Hershey the AGNM in Auburn it was not next project. In November of 2006 for the fall 2007 show where it as pristine as several of the Con- I flew to Illinois and the car was won a First Junior Award, not cours cars in Class 6. A 1935 Jagu- loaded into a rented 14 foot box bad for a debut! In 2008 she was ar SS—90 won the class. https:// truck for its ride home to Arling- driven to the Cumberland Mary- keenelandconcours.com ton, Virginia. land Show, where she won a Sen- The Lotus was also entered at ior award. In 2009 she was the request of the organizers in Lotus Comes Home loaned to the AACA Museum in EyesOn Design in Grosse Hershey, PA from mid-May Point, Michigan. Here it received a I contacted John Watson, the through mid-October as one of 28 ribbon for Design of Distinction in historian of the Reg- vehicles selected for their "The Class J on June 16, 2019. It was ister in England about my car. He Sports Car in America" exhibi- one of four cars featured in was able to provide the original tion. In 2010 a First Grand Na- the EyesOn Design advertising production information. My 7 left tional award was received in New poster used in AUTO- the Chestnut factory on March 5, Bern, NC. WEEK magazine, June 3, 2019, 1965. The records show that it In May, 2016 my wife, Diane, page 13. 2019 EyesOn Design was black. Also, that it had an oil and I retired to Richmond from Award Winners — EyesOn De- cooler, roll bar and KPH speedom- Arlington. Time was beginning to sign eter, all of which it still has. Fur- catch up with the Lotus. So, after Although I first purchased the ther the serial numbers of the joining the Richmond region the Lotus in 1971 it was not the first chassis, engine, and the twin We- Lotus was taken to Mercer & vehicle that I entered in an AACA ber 40 DCOE2 carburetors all Woodson to have the brake event. My 1966 Vespa motor scoot- match the production information. and fuel systems freshened. A er was my first AACA vehicle. In It has been ordered new by an en- new water pump and battery 1997 I joined the club in order to thusiast in Baton Rouge, Louisi- were also installed. Now the Lo- show it at Hershey. A friend of- ana. From what I was told when I tus was roadworthy again. fered the use of his . So we bought the car in 1971 it had par- The next major show was the took out the seats and strapped ticipated in various speed events, 2018 AGNM in Greensburg, PA. down the Vespa. The Vespa re- such as autocrosses. The seller in A Senior Grand National award ceived some attention and nice 1971 had been a friend of the orig- was received at this show. At the comments from spectators at the inal owner and had purchased it awards banquet West Peterson, show. Being unfamiliar with the from him before moving to Flori- Chief Editor/ Art Director of the details of Hershey and National da. AACA "Antique Automobile" (Continued on page 16)

VIRGO: You will be spending time at home. — SEPTEMBER, 2020- 9

67th Old Dominion Meet Friday-Saturday, November 6 & 7, 2020 Natural Bridge Hotel & State Park Natural Bridge, VA

A P P L I C A T I O N

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. MUST BE POSTMARKED BY OCTOBER 26, 2020. Please Print: Name ______ACCA Region______Address ______City______St.______Ziip______Phone (___+) ______AACA Member No.______Email Address ______All displayed vehicles must have a visible, full charged, operable, UL-approved fire extinguisher.

Vehicle #1 Make ______Model ______Year______AACA Class ______Circle Award Sought: ODMA ODMA ODMA ODMA ODMA DO NOT Junior Senior Preservation HPOF DPC JUDGE

Vehicle #2 Make ______Model ______Year______AACA Class ______Circle Award Sought: ODMA ODMA ODMA ODMA ODMA DO NOT Junior Senior Preservation HPOF DPC JUDGE

Vehicle #3 Make ______Model ______Year______AACA Class ______Circle Award Sought: ODMA ODMA ODMA ODMA ODMA DO NOT Junior Senior Preservation HPOF DPC JUDGE

Please Add any additional vehicles you wish to enter on another form an staple to this form.

I would like to help judge at the ODMA meet. Preferred Class ______Any Class (check here)______

I agree that the Roanoke Valley Region AACA, Old Dominion Meet Association, Natural Bridge Hotel, Natural Bridge State Park, named sponsors, and directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and agents of the above will not be held liable for any injury or damage incurred by the vehicle(s) entered in the show before or after the Old Dominion Meet, No- vember 5-7, 2020. I agree to abide by all guidelines of this show as outlined on this form and provided at the show. I fur- ther certify that I carry the required Liability Damage Insurance on the listed show vehicle(s), my trailer(s) and two vehi- cles for the state in which they are registered. . Signature ______Date______

Number of Vehicles Registered: ...... ______@$20.00 each = ______Trailer Parking (Trailer length) ...... ______No Charge ______Saturday Night Awards Banquet tickets ...... ______@ $35.00 each ______

TOTAL ENCLOSED $

Make check payable to: RVA AACA Mail form and check to: Maynard Keller, Meet Chairman, P.O. Box 11785, Roanoke, VA 24022-1785

For more information see the ODMA website (www.odma.aaca.com) or email or call meet chairman: Maynard Keller, [email protected] or (540) 537-4636.

PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED. MUST BE POSTMARKED BY OCTOBER 26, 2020

10 - SEPTEMBER, 2020— LIBRA: You will be spending time at home.

First Club Meeting Since March

It only took 18 people to fill the room while social distancing. Not only Covid-19 was blamed for the reduction in attendance but heavy rain and lightening was evident throughout the meeting . As the lights flickered, we carried on with a board meeting and general meeting.

Debbie Nolen ...... President Andy & Mary Beth Fuhrman ..... Youth Coordinators Joe Guckert ...... Vice President Warren Malone ...... Historian Bruce Woodson ...... Ex-Officio Clifton Edwards ...... Gaslight Alice Cameron ...... Secretary Mike Jones ...... Website Mert Fowlkes ...... Treasurer Reggie Nash ...... Legislative Representative Brian and Lisa Munsey ...... Fun Runs Kenny Baker ...... Director Cindi Nash ...... Sunshine Lady Term expires end of 2021 Contact: Dave Dickey ...... Director Richmond Region AACA Term expires end of 2020 P. O. Box 588 John Smith, ...... Director Ashland, VA 23005 Term expires end of 2020 [email protected]

SCORPIO: You will be spending time at home. — SEPTEMBER, 2020- 11

Photo by RM/Sotheby’s/Aaron Summerfield 1939 Pontiac Deluxe Six “Glass Car”

By Ronnie Schreiber, Hagerty Driver’s Club, June, 2020 tous origin If plastics had a great future in 1967, they were In the mid-1930s, Rohm & Haas was developing hot stuff three decades earlier, when synthetic poly- automotive safety glass. The glass used in car wind- mer plastics first broke onto the market. Most auto- shields is actually a laminate, with a thin layer of motive history buffs remember 1939’s New York clear plastic pressed between two sheets of silicon World’s Fair for GM’s wild “Futurama” exhibit; what glass. When a windshield shatters in a crash, that they may not remember from that very same fair is plastic keeps razor-sharp shards of glass from flying the Ghost Pontiac, a four-door trimmed in into the car’s occupants. Fortuitously, Rohm & Haas white rubber and bodied exclusively in acrylic. (We’ll realized that one of the acrylic compounds it used to refrain from the poltergeist puns. make safety glass could work by itself as a transpar- Phenol-based plastics like Bakelite had been ent material for glazing and other applications. To around for a while in the late ’30s, but their chemis- publicize the new material, the chemical company tries were relatively primitive and had limited appli- and one of its biggest customers, , cations compared to their modern equivalents. After decided to build a very special Pontiac. eight years of research, in 1935, DuPont’s Wallace With the big 1939 New York World’s Fair on the Carothers developed the first successful synthetic horizon, General Motors and every other major au- thermoplastic polymer based on polyamides. We tomaker strove to create a truly eye-popping pavil- know it as nylon. Extruded as fine filament and then ion. GM stole the show, however, with its knit into fabric, the first modern engineering plastic “Futurama” display, which predicted what cities and was not immediately pressed into industrial service. roads might look like in 1960, and its “Previews of The first products made from nylon were women’s Progress” exhibit showing the latest consumer tech- stockings. The silk replacement, however, was used nologies. However, there was a third GM product extensively during World War II—in parachute can- occupying prime real estate on the 1939 show bro- opies, for example. chure: The “Glass Car—The first full-sized transpar- Another sort of WWII canopy, the kind that en- ent car ever made in America.” closed the cockpits of fighter aircraft, was made of The “Glass Car” was a 1939 Pontiac Deluxe Six another then-new plastic material: Plexiglas, the four-door touring sedan with a completely transpar- branded name for Rohm & Haas’ polymethyl meth- ent body, thanks to engineers who replaced all its acrylate (PMMA) sheet. While DuPont had tried— exterior sheet-metal with crystal-clear acrylic sheet. and succeeded—to develop a synthetic fiber, Rohm To give it even more visual pop, the underlying and Haas’ clear acrylic sheet had a more serendipi- structural steel panels were plated with copper, and

12 - SEPTEMBER, 2020— SAGITTARIUS: You will be spending time at home. the dashboard and steel hardware were chrome- In contrast, the provenance of the original 1939– plated. To complement the transparent body, all the 40 Ghost Car is well documented. After the dealer seals, the gaskets, running board mats, and even the tour it was loaned to the Smithsonian Institution in tires were made of white rubber supplied by the U.S. Washington, D.C., where it was on display until Royal tire company (today Uniroyal). Surprisingly, 1947. From the late 1940s until 1973 it passed Rohm & Haas did not cast a clear acrylic steering through the hands of several Pennsylvania-based wheel for the car, as coachbuilder Guilloré did for its Pontiac dealers. That year it was bought by Don 1949 Delahaye 135M cabriolet. Instead, Pontiac Barlup, of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, who used a stock ivory-colored steering wheel, likely commissioned a partial restoration by S&H Pontiac made of catalin, a derivative of bakelite. of Harrisburg. Barlup then sold the Ghost Car to col- The budget for the Ghost Car was said to be lector Leo Gephart in 1979, who in turn sold it in the $25,000; that works out to over $460,000 in 2020 early 1980s. The same family owned the car until U.S. dollars—which is roughly what you’d spend for 2011, when it was sold for $308,000 at RM’s St. a hand-built, one-off concept car today John’s auction with just 86 miles on the odometer. The Ghost Pontiac is fully functional. Aside from The seller, whose father bought it from Gephart, told the white rubber and see-through panels, the car is a me he hoped that General Motors would buy it for stock ’39 Series 26 Pontiac. It has an 85-hp, 222.7-cu its Heritage Center collection; instead, the Ghost Car -in L-head inline six-cylinder, a three-speed manual went to another private buyer. transmission with a column shifter, independent As far as I’ve been able to determine, the Ghost front suspension with coil springs, a live rear axle Pontiac has not been on public display since the auc- with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hy- tion. draulic drum brakes—all conventional stuff for the When I saw the car in 2011, it was still in very late 1930s. For the second year of the New York good condition. That’s rather remarkable considering World’s Fair, the car was updated to reflect changes that, despite the Plexiglas brand name, acrylic isn’t for the 1940 model year. all that flexible and the car has been driven, un- While the show brochure says the see-through doubtedly stressing the material. Some of the panels 1939 Pontiac was made “by Fisher body,” the acrylic had cracks and the hood was badly crazed with spi- panels were actually made by Rohm & Haas from der cracking, but by then the Ghost Car was 72 engineering drawings supplied by General Motors. years old; you’d expect a bit of patina from any vehi- It’s not clear whether the panels were cast or cle of that age that’s still in original condition. Even if stamped (you can press acrylic sheet into dies if you that patina, like the car itself, is rather out of the or- heat it gently), but most likely, the team used a vari- dinary ety of fabrication methods

Photo by RM/Sotheby’s/Aaron Summerfield

CAPRICORN: You will be spending time at home. — SEPTEMBER, 2020- 13

Sofie, oldest known Volkswagen turns 70

Ron Glon, Autoblog Volkswagen began manufacturing the Beetle -based Bus — known in- ternally as the Type 2 — in March 1950, but the vast majority of early ex- amples were mercilessly driven into the ground and scrapped. The oldest- known registered Bus is a Dove Blue panel named Sofie that cele- brates its 70th birthday today. August 5. Wearing chassis number 20-1880, Sofie was de- 1950 Volkswagen Bus livered new to a buyer in Hildesheim, a city in the north of Germany that's not far from Volkswagen's collection since, and it's a common sight at events headquarters in Wolfsburg. It spent 23 years deliv- across Europe. When it's not traveling, it's often dis- ering various goods on the picturesque and often played in one of the two fascinating museums the narrow roads that snake through the region. After company operates in Wolfsburg. retiring from delivery duty, it changed hands several Thankfully, Sofie was restored with an eye to times between 1973 and 1992, but Sofie's signifi- originality, so it's still powered by an air-cooled, 1.2- cance as one of the first built was either undis- liter flat-four that generates 25 horsepower at 3,300 covered, ignored, or both; at the time, it was merely rpm. Bolted to a four-speed , an outdated cargo hauler with little appeal to the the engine allows the Bus to reach 60 mph if it's giv- average buyer. en a long enough stretch of tarmac. And, like every Meanwhile, VW Bus variants were becom- pre-1955 model, it stands out with an engine lid that ing sought-after collector's items. Although it was stretches from the bottom of the back end to the belt still in Germany, Sofie ended up catching the atten- line, meaning it has no rear hatch. tion of a Danish collector who bought it sight-unseen after uncovering its chassis number and, conse- quently, its build date. It had been off the road for 19 years, and time had taken its toll, so its proud new owner started making it roadworthy again. Sofie was treated to a full, three-year restoration in 2000 and later spent years traveling to various enthusiast meets across Europe, where it won numerous prizes. Volkswagen says Sofie's owner felt he was get- ting too old to continue traveling around Europe, and he hated the idea of keeping his pride and joy in his garage and only driving it a couple of times a year. After unsuccessfully searching for the van's next caretaker, he ended up selling it to Volkswagen in 2014. It has been part of the carmaker's heritage Freshened up engine compartment.

14 - SEPTEMBER, 2020— AQUARIUS: You will be spending time at home.

Although Volkswagen hasn't revealed what's oldest-known Type 2 by the time its spiritual succes- next for the world's oldest Bus, it's reasonable to as- sor enters production depends on what collectors un- sume we'll see more of it in the coming years as the earth in the coming years. Remember, every exam- company prepares to launch the production version ple built during the first five months of production is of the ID.Buzz concept. It will borrow numerous missing as of writing. styling cues from the 1950 original, but it will be electric and considerably quicker. While the Bus was mass-produced and mass- Production of the modern-day Bus — destroyed, it's not too far-fetched to speculate (or, at which doesn't have a proper name yet — is sched- least, hope) an older one is sinking into a damp for- uled to start in 2022. Whether Sofie will still be the est, or gathering dust in a forgotten barn. Where is Waldo Wyatt?

To those that didn't see my vague FB post, I cur- ny as a tire tech. rently work for BimmerWorld in Dublin, Virginia. I'm learning so much on BimmerWorld is a company that primarily sells up- this mountain of a learning graded BMW parts for racing applications. Our area curve. I'm basically getting paid of expertise is mainly aero and suspension upgrades. to take a college course in race- The company also races in the IMSA and SRO se- car technology. By Wyatt Williams ries. What makes our retail business special is the Speaking of mountains; we fact that most parts we sell we've personally tested have some big ones down here! I'm really enjoying in our race program at some point. living in the mountains and taking in the small I've never worked for a better company but the amount of hiking I've been able to so far. moral of the story is to be careful for what you wish For those that are interested in following the com- for because you might get overwhelmed with the re- pany program: -IMSA: #82, #80, -SRO: #82, #36, #94 sponse. I wanted to work in the automotive industry -(James Clay is our primary driver and CEO/ if I could strictly work with interesting cars and boy Founder) did I get what I asked for and more. Monday Most of the races are broadcast on YouTube live through Friday I work 9am-6pm selling parts and or posted the following day. Follow BimmerWorld on consulting on builds. The majority of these builds are Facebook for the private track and race car builds with a small schedules and amount of factory and OE equipment sales and con- links. sulting. We even interact with and sell to many race We're currently teams that are track rivals. After work most days giving the factory (and some weekends) the office team goes to work on BMW team a run a new racecar we're building (the manager rolled the for their money! last car: https://youtu.be/B2e19RoGCJg) that gives I hope all is well seat time based on how much work you put into the with everyone in the car. We have a 24 hour endurance race in October at club. It makes me VIR we're trying to prep the car for that I'll hopefully sad to think that I bimmerworld van get some seat time in (assuming I complete my driv- won't be going to er education). When I finally get home at night I'm club meetings in the foreseeable future. usually studying BMW, watching team races with After finishing the restoration on the Datsun in the roommate, working on one of the roomate's 3 the spring (god willing) the plan is to get the Dodge BMWs, or (rarely) working on my car. My best running again and fix some things on the car that I friend Tommy, whom some of you might remember was never satisfied with. At that point I hope to come (1983 Malibu Wagon, G8), also works for the compa- back some weekends to go on some club fun runs!

PIECES: You will be spending time at home. — SEPTEMBER, 2020- 15

(Continued from page 9) a 1956 Nash Am- bassador for this meets in general we had not made purpose. Current- reservations for the awards din- ly I am looking for ner. Fortunately a fellow motor an enclosed trailer scooter entrant asked if we were suitable for the going to the dinner. When we told Nash or the BMW him no he suggested that we go to and hopefully a the awards presentation which motor scooter or would start after the dinner was two. complete. He went on to add that Mechanical he judged cars not motor scooters. things, especially But he thought the Vespa had a cars (both new chance to win something. So we and old) have al- took his advice and went to the ways fascinated awards presentation. At that time me. So I studied 1966 Vespa, winner of multiple awards. the Vespa was in Class 5E, which Mechanical En- was called fairly quickly. My gineering at NCSU. Following name was not called for a Third graduation I had several different Junior, nor for a Second Junior. I engineering jobs in North Caroli- had pretty much given up hope na. In 1990 I moved to Arlington when my name was called for a Virginia and started a career with First Junior. Following that the the United States Patent and Vespa got a Senior in 1998 at Trademark Office. Upon retiring Your ideas and suggestions are Salisbury, Maryland, a First in 2016 we moved from Arlington always welcome at the Gaslight. Grand National in 1999 at Tuc- to Richmond and joined the Rich- Several people have suggested son, Arizona. Then a Senior mond Region. that the type for previous editions Grand National in 2000, followed By Michael Phillips was a bit small and hard to read. by a National Award. At last In this edition we have increased count the Vespa had 56 Preserva- CLASSIFIED the size and hopefully have select- tion Awards and 7 Repeat Senior ed a font that is easier to read. Grand Nationals. We always welcome your pic- We also have several HPOF or tures and ideas. If you are work- Original HPOF vehicles. A 1980 ing on a restoration project we Motobecane Mobylette 50 moped would like to know about it. Got a has HPOF. A 1974 Vespa 90 mo- new (old) car? Pictures? Stories? tor scooter, a 1963 Lambretta Li Hopefully, now that we are 150 motor scooter and a 1991 mailing the Gaslight to everyone, BMW 850i coupe have Original it will bring the membership clos- HPOF. My wife, Diane and I have er together during this year of un- participated in local events such certainty and with very little car as tours and fun runs with the 1956 Ford 2-Door Fairlane club happen- 1991 BMW 850i. In 2017 we Club Sedan. Frame off ings. drove the BMW in the AACA restoration. Thunderbird En- Founders Tour. We enjoyed the gine, Three speed on the floor Founders Tour so much that we $19,500 OBO Contact Bob Powell decided to look for an older car for [email protected] Clif Edwards tours such as the Sentimental 804-389-2555 Editor Tour. Just recently we purchased

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