GMO to Have Spring Dust-Off Show on May 1, at the Site of Berejik
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OLDSMOBILE CLUB OF AMERICA EASTERN MA. GMO CHAPTER Issue #12 OCMarch 2005 ROCKET POWER NEWSLETTER!! GMO To Have Spring Dust-Off GMO President Doug Stavros Show on May 1, at the Site of Killed as a result of a Berejik Oldsmobile in Needham Snowmobile Accident By Ted Loranz By Paul Iantosca It is OFFICIAL. We are having a Spring Dust-Off I was notified Sunday Show. Your Board of Directors met on March 19 evening of the tragic and ironed out the details. We are having: news, however, I made a decision, with Dash Plaques to 1st 100 cars other board members, Awards in 20 classes to confirm the Sweet Chariots Awards and live broadcast "rumor" before going from the show on 1160 AM public. (I think in DJ Music retrospect we were Food & Beverages hoping the rumor was 50/50 Raffle not accurate). A Judged Show Super Wheels Show Pick With a heavy heart, I Doug Stavros award called and gave our condolences to The show will be held on the site of Berejik Kristin(his wife) and Oldsmobile and George Berejik will be there to Doug's family. present the awards. Doug’s wife was so surprised and pleased The official entry form is included in this letter – that we called her. She fill it out & send it in NOW! And watch the told me it meant so much to her and the family website for further information. because she knew how much the club members meant to him. Many of you are very upset over Doug's death. Well, you are not alone. Doug was a special kind of person who made everyone feel important. He never insulted or belittled anyone. He just wanted to share what he knew and be a fun crazed Oldsmobile guy. Many of you have called me offering to do something for the family, that's what a GREAT club is all about. The support you all have shown Show Dash Plaque is very appreciated by the family and that's exactly what Doug would expect from all of us. Donations can be forwarded to Ted Loranz, 114 West Street, Eastern Massachusetts GMO Medway MA 02053. His phone # is 508-561- 7613. We designed and had a special Oldsmobile Chapter Members Make a Stand arrangement made with OCA, GMO & NEOC on at Boston’s “World of Wheels” it. Pictures of Doug at our events are incorporated into the piece. By Paul Iantosca All surplus monies collected will be given in “World of Wheels” is a National Series of Auto check form to Kristin for their 2 young children. Shows sponsored by Championship Auto Shows, We thank you! Inc. including one in Boston, Massachusetts. This year the show Operations Manager insisted that Doug's family are overwhelmed with how many two members of the Eastern Massachusetts GMO friends he had. Kristin has told me how much he Chapter of The Oldsmobile Club of America put his car club before many family events (sound exhibit their fully restored 1971 W-30 and 1972 familiar?). “He loved to be with the car guys” she 442’s at the January 7th, 8th, and 9th event at the told me. Bayside Expo Centre. This show is New England’s largest and grandest indoor “Wheels” Many of you got to know Doug well - you are show. In addition, there were two other wonderful fortunate to have done so. I have been asked how 1971 442s on exhibit, that were not members of he became GMO president. Well, let’s just say the club - we’re still working on them to join us. that after I met him at a NEOC show in 2001, I begged him to be our acting president until we The famed restorer “Arthur Bonneau”, of could find a full time president. Of course we Bungie’s Hot Rod Garage performed the often joked that he and I both knew that would meticulous restoration of both these great cars and never happen, as it was my intention to lure him in was present to answer any questions - he is also a as the president. Well, it worked and GMO got GMO member. another great leader! Meetings will be difficult without Doug shouting out everyone's name and the cars they owned. He never forgot much! I personally loved how he motivated everyone. The increasing attendance and membership numbers say it all. On many a trip we took to shows and swap meets, he would just buy parts in case he needed them someday. He would often comment on what a tough way to make a living for some of these venders. He wouldn't barter sometimes feeling sorry for them. Paul Iantosca, a member and Vice President of President Steve Minore of the NEOC called me to the GMO Oldsmobile Club, owns the Matador offer any help he could. That meant so much to us Red 1971 W-30 442 Convertible. This car has - Thanks Steve. won numerous awards and has been featured on the cover of Cruisin’ New England Magazine. It Doug was "a nice guy"...that sums up what many was an 80,000 original mile car with full of you have said to me this week concerning him. documentation including 2 build sheets. The car I agree! We will all miss Dr. 442 was originally owned by an 82-year-old Kansas City woman and had a three-year complete frame off restoration using mostly NOS parts to obtain Courtney Hansen from the popular TV auto the highest possible level of correctness. The car show “Overhaulin’,” were there in person to view has been driven about 2,000 miles since these two great Oldsmobile works of art. “Restore completion of the restoration but will now be and Show those Oldsmobiles,” we say! retired for preservation reasons, although it will still go to a few select events. This rare W-30 The GMO Oldsmobile Club proudly displayed convertible is believed to be one of, if not the last its sign, delighted many Olds lovers who came to W-30 made in 1971 as the car was built the second the show, and received 2 applications from week of July 1971 and production ceased on July wannabe members as a result. Both Paul and 10th that year. The car has a very long list of Brian were invited back next year. The GMO options totaling $ 6,209.41, and was a very Chapter’s goal is to have at least four Oldsmobiles expensive and heavily optioned W-30. In 1971, at the show with a bigger Oldsmobile Club of most W-30’s were purchased for performance, not America sign, says Paul Iantosca VP & Editor. luxury. Paul has had offers upward of $65,000 for Chapter President Doug Stavros, members Rich the car and, on Sunday at the show, one gentleman and Karen Santucci, Steve Oberto and family, even offered $10.00 just to sit in the car. Paul Linda and Art Bonneau, Steve Braidman, says, “This car will never be For Sale”. “A Everett Horton, Charles Iantosca, Burt Tankel, Matador Red 71 W-30 convertible loaded with Frank St Elmo, Oggie Pesek, Tom & Karen options and with full frame-off correct restoration Verrochi, and Paul Mennett (Cruisin’ New - never sell it. Owning this is like waking up to a England Magazine publisher and GMO member), dream come true everyday, I love this car.” were also in attendance. Doug Estabrook, Bruce Sweeter, Tom Cochran, Larry Horgan, Lou Member Brian Tetreault bought a new 20’ trailer Martin, and Tom & Karen Verrochi also visited valued at $20,000, for the event. This was the the weekend show as well as others that I cannot premier exhibition of his newly restored 1972 442. recall! Doug said, “Wait till next year, the GMO Brian purchased his 442 Coupe some years ago. It Chapter will have the Best Display, that’s a was very fast & was driven often and he also promise!” “Oldsmobile Rules”. managed to win the Worcester Summer Nationals Burnout Contest every year. When Joe Mondello, of Mondello Performance Products, met Brian, a marriage was made on the spot. Joe wanted to build a special, state of the art 1,000 HP engine and transmission that would run on pump gas for SX455.com Brian’s 442. The result: the engine was built, installed and Brian raced the car at a Drag Day The Official Source For Oldsmobile event at the Lebanon Valley Dragway in New Cutlass Supreme SX Enthusiasts York in May of 2003. Joe Mondello, his wife and Engine Designer / Builder Lynn Wilfringer were The Oldsmobile Cutlass is one of the most in attendance. The car was to become known as successful cars in history. During the muscle car the “The Mondello Twister”. After the runs, it era of the mid 1960s and early 1970s, Oldsmobile was disassembled, rebuilt, and refitted to meet the produced some of the finest production needs of this powerhouse. Bunjie’s Hot Rod performance cars ever built, most notably the Garage completed the project in just 6 months in Cutlass based 442. Due to energy conscious car order to be ready for the big show at the Expo. buyers, government regulations and sky rocketing insurance rates, the TRUE muscle cars had seen These two outstanding cars had throngs of viewers their better days by the mid 1970s. around them during the entire show. Paul’s 71 W- Many muscle car experts agree that the 442 30 won runner up for best restored car (it didn’t reached its pinnacle in 1970, the same year take 1st due to a cracked Thornton OAI hood) and Oldsmobile introduced a notchback version of the Brian’s 72 442, won best paint job.