The Brass Lamp the Brass Lamp
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J u l y 2 0 1 5 The Brass Lamp Continued on page 5 >>> The President’s Column… Martin L. Hassel (314) 232-5934 Aged to Perfection…An Opportunity to Own History President – A 67 Year Old Beauty Peter Bitzer (636) 256-7511 By Larry Hassel 1st Vice President/Programs Sharon Mercer (636) 928-8672 2nd Vice President/Membership Louis Allen (314) 741-4158 Treasurer Joe Yochim (636) 947-1157 Recording Secretary Dr. Gerald Perschbacher (314) 849-5249 Corresponding Secretary Directors Ted Hamburg(2015) Ted Baker(2015) Bill Albertin(2016) William M. Landau, M.D., has Landau must have felt when Al Mercer(2016) led a most interesting life…all he first picked up this car at John Clark (2017) 90+ years and he remains the dealership. World War II Ron Nelson(2017) quite active…a Professor of was just over and automotive Ron Nelson Neurology at Washington production had not fully recov- 9826 Affton View Ct. University School of Medi- ered. Yes, you could buy lux- St. Louis, MO 63123 cine, he’s still on the cutting ury cars like Cadillac, Lincoln (314) 638-7131 edge and quite persistent. and Packard, but everyday Brass Lamp Editor However, he has to end a cars were still rather scarce. Don Hoelscher particular love affair…one As a doctor, one could receive (636) 939-9667 that has lasted for 67 years. special dispensation to pur- Webmaster He and his family have de- chase a vehicle and Dr. Lan- cided that the time has come dau qualified. Chevrolet had to part with the patina rich positioned this car to meet the 1948 Chevrolet Fleetline 2 demands of a Post War econo- door Fastback Sedan which my and returning GIs. has served him since he graduated from medical This story started a while ago, school. Innumerable memo- when I had a call from Dr. ries are bundled up in this Landau’s son. He had found aging and venerable black me through the Horseless Car- automobile…yet the car has riage Club website. Unfortu- www.hccmo.com a certain character which nately, I was rather over- (314) 991-HONK grows on you – subtle styling whelmed with some other pro- cues that make it distinct, jects, including Cars with embellishments like the fan Class, the Father’s Day Show on the dash and the radio at the Museum of Transport Celebrating 71 Years that personalize it to Dr. and found it difficult to make In Landau. I think back on the appropriate time to meet with St. Louis! sense of excitement that Dr. Dr. Landau and his family. 2 Weather had been a deciding life left and the lines are the patina of 67 years. The factor as well. Seems like truly exquisite. When I look paint isn’t bad, but one when I had time to meet…it at the car…I see a signifi- fender met with fate and was pouring buckets. This cant time in history. I’ve ferrous oxide and now ex- past Sunday, I was finally seen cars of this sort trun- ists as a fiberglass repro- able to meet with Dr. Lan- dling around the streets of duction. A purist would change the fender. Other- dau and his daughter and Havana in pictures of Fidel wise, the steering is great son in-law. I immediately Castro’s Cuba, only this one and the car has a solid feel. sensed that the air was has been well loved and All things considered…it was heavy with emotion as we cared for and had an easier an adrenaline rush to drive transitioned from the front life on the streets of St. the car around the circle…a parlor of Dr. Landau’s home Louis, especially between trip back to 1948. I barely to the garage in a separate Clayton and Euclid, where remember the late 50s, but building in the rear. It was Dr. Landau’s office is. It I do remember seeing these as if I had stepped into an- may have even been built cars. This one is for sale to other time capsule, which I here in the St. Louis GM a good home…hot rodders seem to have a habit of do- plant. This model was pro- need not apply. This car ing. I suppose it goes with duced in eight GM plants needs to remain original in the territory of being Presi- around the world. the spirit of Dr. Landau…it dent of this fine club. I also needs that attention to detail. I am sorely tempted sensed a flood of memories When the good doctor to purchase her, but reality that most of us feel when we pressed the starter pedal, the car instantly roared to dictates that I need to exer- part with a trusted cise restraint and willpower. friend….even if it is purely life…the highly reliable Chevy standard 216.5 cu in Seriously, if you have an an inanimate mechanical de- interest (and you should), (3.5 L) inline six cylinder vice. We often link our please give me a call – she thoughts by association…an with three speed standard really needs a new good event, a place, a time forev- transmission. I noticed the home with care and the er embedded in our subcon- sticker on the license plate… ability to restore her fading scious. I had already 2012. The car may not youth. I have no idea on learned a bit about Dr. Lan- have been driven since that price…in one sense it holds dau and his family in the time. priceless memories and to discuss price diminishes the brief parlor conversation. I got behind the wheel and His wife had been an astro- luster of the memory. I we eased it out onto the gather that the focus is physicist and was instru- driveway. Unfortunately, purely on finding her a good mental with the founding of there was an uphill grade warm home where she’ll the St. Louis Science Cen- and we struggled a couple remain loved and cared for. ter…then, McDonnell Plane- of times to make the tarium. Dr. Landau was grade…the engine did not equally the pioneer in neuro- burn oil but it is weak and We survived Cars with Class medicine. You can “Google” needs some TLC. It is such and the onslaught of storms Dr. Landau and I guarantee that it is easily rebuilt and on Father’s Day. Thanks to that you’ll find that this gen- perhaps only needs new those who came to M.O.T. tleman is truly a living leg- rings to gather more com- and braved nature’s fickle- end. pression. We did notice ness. Here’s hoping for a leakage from the rear main nice July with a few nice You’re wondering about the events in store for HCCM. car I’m sure. It is truly a bearing, but the clutch was timeless treasure and fits in strong and we finally made Keep smiling as you drive there with the Carl Riesinger the grade. I circled the car your antiques…and most Pontiac and a couple of fami- on the residential street… important, above all…keep ly Perschbacher Packards. going through all three the rubber side down! Yes…there is the patina of gears. There is the usual age and some things are not acquired characteristics of a correct. The car is growing fine original unrestored —Larry tired, but there is still much car…some dents and dings that are easily remedied… 3 Father’s Day Show, Museum of Transportation COMMITTEE MEMBERS Peter Bitzer – Past-President and current 1st V.P. of HCCM Mark Goldfeder – Past 1st V.P. of HCCM Yolandea Wood – USAF Academy Grad., Retired Maj. – USAF, Exec. Secretary, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Larry Hassel – Current President of HCCM Rain delayed and damped initial hopes for a grand turn-out for this year’s Cars with Class concours on Fa- ther’s Day, June 21, at the Museum of Transportation. Even so, a good number of cars ranged from 1901 to the 25-year-old era. Oldest was the Curved Dash Oldsmobile, an older restoration and a well persevered relic of America’s automotive past. General parking for the public was literally filled once the clouds faded and blue sky prevailed. Heavy clouds reappeared, but did not threaten the finale of the event. The concours selection committee deliberated and made the selections. This is a fun show, and regardless of earlier weather threats, the spirit of participants and visitors was far from dampened. Cars With Class – June 21, 2015 Judging Results Museum of Transportation Most Elegant 1923 Moon – Wayne Nolan Most Memorable Design 1901 Model R “Curved Dash” Oldsmobile – Bradley Potts Most Impressive Preservation 1948 Pontiac Streamliner – Carl Riesinger Runner Up: 1913 Model T Touring – Dave O’Malley Nicest Sedan 1977 Grand Prix – Ted Baker Runner Up: 1956 Packard Executive – Bill Albertin Most Impressive Restoration 1980 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28 – Robert Bruhy, Runner Up: 1915 Dodge Touring – Wayne Nolan Sportiest Vehicle 1967 Austin Healey 3000 Mark III, Kurt and Ernie Eicholz Runner Up: 1969 Pontiac GTO – Don Wildhaber Nicest Convertible 1975 Chevrolet Caprice Classic – Ken Crowder Runner Up – 1911 Maxwell A-B – Doug Mason 4 <<< continued from page 1 5 Art Bothe Played His Own Good Tune for 84 Years By Dr. Gerald Perschbacher For countless years Art Bothe hardly entered a conversation without mentioning three things: His beloved wife Audrey, his passion for music, and his adoration of old cars. Not a man to linger in the eras of the past, art en- joyed thinking of earlier days…but realized his “time now” was vitally important.