My Pride and Joy Matt, Katie and Margaret Foley's Mark II

Volume 19 Issue 2 February 1, 2019

My Pride and Joy

Matt, Katie and Margaret Foley’s Mark II

As told by Matt Foley, who dearly loves his Mark II. Like many of you, I will never forget the first time I saw a Continental Mark II. I was filling my gas tank when a distinguished looking gentleman pulled up to the pump ahead of me in a pristine black model. Although I had seen pictures of the Mark II, this was the first time I had ever seen one in the flesh, and it literally left me speechless. Perhaps what makes this anecdote unique is that it occurred in the twenty-first century at a Costco because I was born almost a quarter century after the Mark II was first introduced to the public. Welcome to the At that point in my life, I was the proud owner of a 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Spe- Northstar News, the cial. For years, it was the car I dreamed of owning and to this day it remains my first monthly publication of pride and joy. I have loved the “big boat” luxury cars of yesteryear since I was very the Northstar Region young, and when my friends and I talk about what we have come to call the “short list” of cars we hope to someday own, my list has always been filled with vehicles that fit that of the Lincoln and description. Up until that fateful day at Costco, though, I had always said that if I ever Continental Owners owned a Lincoln it would be an early “slab side” or a postwar Mark I. Then a few Club. We value your months later at Back-to-the-Fifties, I spotted another Mark II. Impressed by the sleek opinions and appreciate lines as I watched it make a graceful turn at a distance, I said to myself, then and there, your input concerning that I had to own one someday. A couple of years later, when searching Craigslist for cars on my “short list,” I came this newsletter and the across a listing for what I later came to learn was the auction of North Star LCOC mem- operation of the club. ber Frank Warner’s car collection. The photos in the ad made the whole thing seem like This is your club.

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This Issue Contains

Feature Story 1 Directors Message 3 Club Information Page 4 Northstar Monthly Board Meeting Minutes 5 Editors Message 2 North Star Events 15 Trivia 2 NORTHSTAR NEWS

Trivia from the Editors Message February 2019 Internet Gentle readers… We have turned the the LCOC. There is no good reason why corner; it is now February, the days are we should not have 5-6000 members or longer, the sun is a little higher in the more. In a country of over 300,000,000 sky, another 45-60 days left of this winter people, 6000 members is not a large nonsense. It is my sincere hope that we number. It is just that we are all to busy have a nice long spring and not one like with other things to take a little time to what we had in 2018. sign up a new member Spring and fall can be or two each year. Any- two of the nicest times thing is possible; we of the year for those of just have to invest the us who live in the Mid- time and try a little bit west. Let us all keep our harder. fingers crossed for the The annual North best. American International Carol Channing As I write this, I am Auto Show, held in “Hello Dolly” struggling to get the January each year in 1921 - 2019 newsletter finished and Detroit is over. Of in the mail. My normal course, Lincoln exhib- Carol Channing, cycle was interrupted by ited their new special whose incandescent a six day visit to Tuc- edition Continental with performances as the son, Arizona to attend Every now and then, Olga needs to the center opening gold-digging Lorelei the annual Lincoln and go outside to do things that dogs doors. It was very well Lee in “Gentlemen Pre- Continental Owners need to do (hopefully outside). She received, the people fer Blondes” and the Club board meeting. As is looking at her dad ...Asking... were 10 deep, and you matchmaker Dolly a national director and can I come in now? It is 3 degrees could hardly get close Gallagher Levi in the publications/ and I am cold and I have no one to to it. This one car alone “Hello, Dolly!” made communications point play with. has created literally her a Broadway leg- person, I am obliged to millions of dollars worth of buzz for our favorite brand. In end, died this past attend. We spent two and a half days in addition to the 80 Continentals scheduled January at her home meetings, desperately trying to get a good handle on the problems facing the club for production this year, it looks as in Rancho Mirage, and come up with good, simple ways to though there will be more produced in Calif. She was 97. deal with them. Things often have a way 2020, perhaps at a somewhat lower price Ms. Channing was of making them seem more complicated than the $110,000 plus each for one of bringing audiences to than what they need to be. Quite often, the first 80 made available this year. Also their feet night after we will rely on the most difficult, bizarre making quite a stir was the new Lincoln night in a revival of solution to resolve them. Frequently, Aviator. Somewhere between the Nauti- “Hello, Dolly!” when fresh eyes and an outside opinion will lus (formerly the MKX) and the uber ex- she was 74, singing, come up with a much more simple and pensive Navigator, the Aviator will find a “Wow, wow, wow, fel- elegant way of doing things. We are hurt- real sweet spot in the Lincoln lineup. las, / Look at the old ing for more new members for the Priced around $55,000, add-on’s should girl now, fellas,” re- LCOC. For this problem, the solution is be able to drive the price up to the $70s. splendent in her scar- simple, but one that is hard to implement. But it will be such a sweet vehicle, three let gown and jewels, Personal contact is the best way to get rows of seats, a lot of creature comfort her platinum hair new members. We all need to reach out, inside; this model will not spend a lot of crowned with red buttonhole that person, tell him/her just time on showroom floors. plumage. how nice the Lincoln club is, convince Till next month, David and Sweet Ten years later she them to join and make the sale by having Olga, the Samoyed…. was still getting ap- them contact Bob Johnson or by calling (Continued on page 3) Cornerstone Registration as soon as possible. We have about 2400 members in

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(Continued from page 2) plause, this time for a Directors Message by Bob Johnson February 2019 cabaret act. Nine years Last year at this time, I announced that I was re- after that, just a few tiring from the LCOC National Board, today as I days before her 93rd write this column, the 2019 LCOC Board meeting is birthday, she appeared going on in Tucson, Arizona, and I’m here in Shafer at Town Hall in Man- with the temperature at -4 degrees. The furnace is hattan as part of a cele- working, so all is well. Yes, I will miss being on the bration of the 50th anni- LCOC National Board, but the real action is here with versary of the night the North Star Region. We have the best group of “Dolly” opened. members in the LCOC from Maine to California. “Performing is the Dave Gustafson has reported back to me about only excuse for my exis- some of the 2019 LCOC Board actions, and I will comment on one of them, dwin- tence,” she said during dling LCOC membership. My thoughts are that we the members are the ones re- her last Broadway ap- sponsible for the growth of LCOC. While multi-media sources are many, it is us pearance, in the 1995 re- the members of LCOC that really can do something about it. We need a theme for vival of “Hello, Dolly!” 2019 to grow the Lincoln CluSb membership; My theme is: "Only You Can Do It"; “What can be better Fellowship Plus Friends Equal Fun in the LCOC! WE NEED YOU TO RECRUIT than this?” ONE NEW MEMBER IN 2019! How simple can it be, again, it is up to you? Can Ms. Channing was you recruit just one member for LCOC in 2019? one of the most recogniz- Our February activity: the Upper Midwest Region of the Classic Car Club of able presences in the America has once again invited the North Star members to attend their annual pot- theater world. Her tou- luck and auction Saturday, February 16, at 5 p.m. It will be held at the Firefighter's sled hairdo, headlight- Museum, 664 22nd Avenue NE, Minneapolis. RSVP to Tom Brace size eyes and exagger- (651)644-1716, email: [email protected] now. Please call Tom to let him know ated mouth were the sub- what kind of potluck food you will bring or that he needs you to bring. Also, ject of countless carica- please bring a quality item to Auction as our region splits the auction proceeds tures. For many years 50/50 with the CCCA — a very good deal for us. Again, please bring a quality item to auction and plenty of cash to buy that item you just had to get. We will her real hair, damaged have a nice room to enjoy great food and good friends. Consider bringing along a by bleaching, was cov- friend that may be interested in our car clubs — it is about the fellowship and ered by a wig. interest in fine automobiles and interesting people. Plus your friends will be able to Her false eyelashes, view the history of Minneapolis firefighter’s equipment at this unique site. worn at a fantastic This January, Dave sent out our North Star membership renewals for 2019. length since she was a Dues will remain at $20 again for this coming year. Dave would appreciate you teenager, posed a more updating the information on the renewal form and please it send back to Matt serious problem. The glue Foley with your renewal check so we can update our membership directory. that was used to attach We always need “Our Pride and Joy” articles about your Lincoln. This winter them gradually pulled is a great time to write that article about your car that you keep putting off during out her natural lashes, the summer because you were to busy. Please share your story about your car with and Ms. Channing began all of our members; we would like to know how you got it, what you enjoy about painting on the long it, what you have done to it or have left to do. Please send your article to Dave spikes. Gustafson; he can only do the newsletter with material that you send him, so get By then her vision busy. had become impaired, As always, keeps the journey continuing in our marvelous Lincolns. but she was philosophical about her somewhat hazy view of her fellow Bob and Mary Johnson... actors. “I know what they look like,” she said. (Continued on page 5)

3 NORTHSTAR NEWS Board Of Directors - 2019

Title Name Phone Numbers email Term Ends Regional Director Bob Johnson H(651)257-1715 [email protected] 2041 H(952)473-3038 Secretary Roger Wothe [email protected] 2020 O(952)583-5339 Treasurer Matt Foley C(612)280-4930 [email protected] 2021 Activities Director Jay White H(612)559-3219 [email protected] 2021 Director Bob Roth H(763)475-1429 2021 Publications/ Dave Gustafson H(952)435-1919 [email protected] 2021 Membership

Director Tom Brace H(651)644-1716 [email protected] 2021

Director Bill Holaday H(763)402-1171 [email protected] 2020 Director Larry Sasse H(952)440-5024 [email protected] 2020

Members and guests are welcome to attend the Board Meetings. Our meeting location, unless otherwise specified, will be held at Bloomington Lincoln in their conference room. Meeting time will be 6:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month, except December.

Articles and other information for the newsletter should be sent to David Gustafson, Editor, at 308 Brandywine Drive, Burnsville, MN 55337. email: [email protected] The Foley’s Pride and Joy one of those lost-collection-found-in-a- barn stories car collectors hear from time to time and dream happens to them. That alone made me feel it was worth a trip to Centuria, Wisconsin to check it out, although, to be perfectly honest, I really had my eye on a 1950 Packard. So, the following Saturday, my friend, Joe and I made the trek to Centuria. My initial impression of the collection was confirmed, and we were both impressed by the sheer number of vehicles Mr. Warner had stored all throughout the old Centuria The Foley’s 1955 Cadillac Fleetwood 60 Special, next to their Mark II. school building. While the 1950 Packard What a fine pair of luxury cars from the 1950s. remained foremost in my mind, I left that day also smitten by a 1960 Continental Mark V convertible and a 1956 Continental Mark II. Since this was an online auction, I watched the vehicles closely in the days that followed and eventually came to the conclusion that this might be the perfect opportunity to purchase several cars at a very good price. Having gotten my financing in order, I eagerly anticipated June 30, 2014; which was the day the bidding would come to a close. The first lot ending that day was the 1950 Packard. I was as surprised as I was disappointed when the price quickly reached a figure that I felt was beyond the value of that particular car. Next was the 1960 convertible; which not surprisingly sold for the highest amount of any of the vehicles in the auction as bidders drove up the price in the (Continued on page 6)

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(Continued from page 3) The generous Northstar Monthly Board Meeting Minutes mouth was put to amazing use in “Hello, Dolly!” In one scene, January 3, 2019 she shoveled into it, with assembly-line BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING speed, one potato puff after another. The Regional Director Bob Johnson called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at Bloomington stage puffs, made from Lincoln in Bloomington, Minnesota. Board members present were Bob Johnson, David Kleenex and tinted Gustafson, Tom Brace, Matt Foley, Bob Roth, Larry Sasse, and Bill Holaday. Regional with powdered Sanka, member Mary Johnson along with Sweet Olga, official mascot, were also present at the were spit out into a board meeting. The minutes of the previous meeting and the agenda of this meeting napkin when the audi- were approved. ence’s attention was directed elsewhere. As DIRECTORS’ REPORTS Ms. Channing told the story, her mouth held Regional Director Bob Johnson opened the discussion by notifying the Board that Roger 22 puffs with ease, and Wothe just had shoulder repair surgery and that Jay White was in warm Florida. Bob 27 with no great diffi- reviewed suggested activities for 2019. The North Star Region activities times and loca- culty; her standby tions may be found in the monthly North Star News. Our January event will be at Dehn’s County Manor in Maple Grove, Sunday, January 27 and will feature a great could manage only breakfast menu. three. Ms. Channing’s Bob reported that our region Facebook had 196 “likes” for December, we are still grow- voice, gravel-toned ing, but at a slower pace. and capable of sinking to subterranean levels, Treasurer Matt Foley announced that the treasury balance was $3,335.44, and all bills was as distinctive as are paid. her appearance. When she sang a song in her Membership and Publications Director David Gustafson said that he is currently out of exaggerated growl, it “My Pride and Joy” articles; which is our primary feature of our club newsletter and is belonged to her for- deeply revered by all of our membership. Do not let him wallow in sadness, send him an ever; only Louis Arm- article today. Our current membership is at 140 members. The 2019 membership fee strong’s own growling will remain at $20, and 2019 North Star renewal notices will be sent out within the next rendition of “Hello, week. Dolly!” was a match The meeting was adjourned at 7:40 p.m. The next Board Meeting will be at 6:30 PM for hers. Thursday, February 7, at Lincoln of Bloomington. All members are invited to attend our Her speech in pub- board meetings. Your suggestions are always welcome, and we sincerely encourage lic, described as every- your input. Working together we can make our Northstar Lincoln club better. thing from a “raspy yawp” to a foghorn, Respectfully submitted by Secretary Roger Wothe from notes from Bob Johnson. was deceptive, friends said: When alone with them, she was perfectly capable of less stylized enunciation and enjoyed serious conversation. The critic Walter (Continued on page 6)

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(Continued from page 5) Kerr called her More Pride and Joy “maybe the only creature extant who can (Continued from page 4) by Todd Warner. Mr. Warner eventually live up to a Hirsch- final moments. That left the 1956 Conti- traded the car to his father, Frank Warner. nental Mark II which I had expected to go Although I was later told that Frank feld,” explaining that quickly and for a price beyond my means. Warner used the Mark II as one of the the theatrical carica- Having lined up the financing for two “drivers” in his large collection, the car turist Al Hirschfeld cars, though, I figured I would go for it. had been sitting for some time when I ac- “always lives up to the Then, much to my astonishment, I won. quired it and needed attention to be road- people he draws, but By the way, did I mentioned that I fol- worthy once again. This led me to send a the people he draws lowed all of this last-minute action and fateful email to David Gustafson after don’t always live up to placed my bids on my phone while in the finding the North Star Region LCOC web- him.” Mr. Kerr added, middle of a Monday night softball game? site. Looking for a recommendation of a “Here’s the exception: When I got home that evening, I Twin Cities based mechanic who could mascara to swim in, quickly immersed myself in all things work on my Mark II, he told me about the nobly tragic mouth, Mark II. In retrospect, I am somewhat club and encouraged me to join. His the face of a great embarrassed to admit that I was so certain thoughtful welcome was echoed by Bob mystic about to make I would win the 1950 Packard that I had Johnson when he called me the next day a terrible mistake.” heavily researched it and given much less and brought me into the fold. Within six thought to the two Continentals I also had months I found myself on the region’s The tall, flamboy- my eye on. The more I read that night, the Board of Directors! ant Ms. Channing be- more I came to understand and appreciate Through my new membership in the came a Broadway star the landmark automobile I had acquired. I North Start Region, I came into contact at the Ziegfeld Theater felt great pride to be the owner of a such a with fellow member Jeff Eisenberg, and on Dec. 8, 1949. That revered, rare and sought-after car, but also soon after my Mark II headed to his shop, was the opening night at the same time humbled to be in a some- Libson Twin City Auto and Truck. My of “Gentlemen Prefer what exclusive group. initial desire was to get the car running Blondes,” a musical In the days before I placed my win- and stopping safely with cosmetic pro- based on Anita Loos’s ning bid, and in the months and years af- jects to follow sometime thereafter. As is best seller of the 1920s, ter, the online Continental Mark II Forum so often the case, that simple desire turned with music by Jule provided me with a wealth of fascinating into a four-month labor of love that in- Styne, lyrics by Leo technical and historical information. cluded major work to the fuel and cooling Robin and choreogra- Through it, I came to learn that my Mark systems, brakes, and a rebuild of the en- phy by Agnes de Mille. II had been originally ordered and owned gine and transmission. Finally, on January by Ross Siragusa, a Chicago businessman 21, 2015, I was able to drive my Mark II Ms. Channing starred perhaps best known as the founder and for the first time. Thankfully, the streets as the flapper Lorelei longtime head of the Admiral Corpora- were free of snow and ice that day! Lee, and her stardom tion. It was the first Mark II off the pro- When the warmer weather of spring was assured when she duction line on Tuesday, August 7, 1956, came, I began to work on the projects on sang Lorelei’s anthem, and was then delivered to Elgin Lincoln- my long list, beginning with the electrical “Diamonds Are a Mercury sixteen days later. While I do not system. Although still a work in progress, Girl’s Best Friend”: know how long Mr. Siragusa owned the the Mark II progressed far enough to make Time magazine car, I do know that it was residing in its debut that May when I married my summed up her per- River Forrest, Illinois in 1964. From there wife, Katie. Over the summer months of formance: “Perhaps the ownership history goes dark until the 2015, it made its first trip to Back-to-the- once in a decade a 1970s when Joliet, Illinois LCOC Fifties and its first long drive to Bob and nova explodes above member Terry Kern found it in a field and Mary Johnson’s 50th wedding anniversary the Great White Way purchased it. Despite his best intentions, celebration in Shafer. The heat that day with enough brilliance he did not get to restore the Mark II gave me a special incentive to get the air before he sold it in 1979. At that point, I conditioning working again! Finally, the to reillumine the whole believe it left Illinois and came to Mark II made a well-received, albeit para- (Continued on page 7) Minnesota where it was restored before it (Continued on page 7) was bought 6 NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 6) gaudy legend of show More P and J... MK II vs MK VIII business.” Brooks Atkin- (Continued from page 6) From LCOC Comments 1995 and son, the drama critic of doxical, appearance at MoPaRs in the authored by Joe Sherlock. The New York Times, Park. hailed her Lorelei Lee as In the ensuring four years, much “the most fabulous comic work has been gradually accomplished as creation of this dreary I have tried to bring my Mark II back to period in history.” its original glory. A new engine wiring The show ran almost harness was installed along with new two years on Broadway, wheels and tires, and work to complete and Ms. Channing the rear end included new leaf springs. played Lorelei on tour At this point most of what remains to be for another year. done is cosmetic. New carpet needs to be In the next decade, laid in the cabin and the seats reuphol- she appeared on Broad- stered, and many pieces and parts still need to be rechromed. There have been way in “Wonderful setbacks, such as the literal fender bender Town,” “The Vamp” and that left the Mark II with a wrinkle or Joe Sherlock with his BMW stopwatch. “Show Girl.” She also cre- two on the front clip. But there have also ated a nightclub act that been unexpected highlights, such as When the Lincoln and Continental toured the country. when I ordered a set of seatbelts so that Owners Club asked me to road test a 1995 The producer David our baby daughter can ride along with us. Lincoln Mark VIII and compare it to my Merrick; who had ac- 1956 Continental Mark II, I panicked. I quired the Broadway had never done a published road test be- rights to Thornton fore. I looked at some of the recent tests in Wilder’s play “The the car buff magazines, and they were Matchmaker” and was frightening. They were done with lots of in the process of turning instrumentation, reporting things like lat- it into the musical eral acceleration in G-force units, slalom “Hello, Dolly!,” caught speed, rates of deceleration, etc. Plus there were always letters to the editor disputing Ms. Channing’s act in the results - "In your test of the Clamshell Minneapolis and dis- 3.2-litre Deluxe, you claim a top speed of cussed the role of Dolly One constant through it all has been 113.4 miles per hour. My buddy is an Gallagher Levi with her. the members of the North Star Region Indiana State Trooper, and we borrowed She later met with LCOC. The warm welcome I received his radar gun over the weekend and Gower Champion; who when I joined led to an instant feeling of clocked my Clamshell coupe at 119.8 had been enlisted as di- belonging, and that similarly extended to mph. Furthermore, your front track meas- rector and choreogra- my wife, Katie, after we were married. urements are incorrect ..." pher — and who, with We have both enjoyed countless You get the picture - lots of nitpick- his wife, Marge, had brunches, local meets, and even two ing....and I'd be exposing myself to the played an important role national meets. More important to us, all greatest group of nit-pickers of all - in Ms. Channing’s early the while we have enjoyed the company LCOC members; who will spend hours career — and the role of our fellow club members and formed over a few beers discussing how many was hers. some meaningful, long lasting friend- Mark IIs were really made and what's the ships. That, honestly, has given me more correct color of the windshield fluid reser- “Hello, Dolly!,” with pride and joy than the 1956 Continental voir cap on the '77 Town Car. a score by Jerry Her- Mark II that first brought me to the Then I discovered a role model - Tom man, opened at the St. LCOC. McCahill. McCahill tested cars for James Theater on Jan. Our thanks to Matt Foley for this Mechanix Illustrated from the late Forties 16, 1964, and received fine article about his Mark II. (Continued on page 8) (Continued on page 8) 7 NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 7) ecstatic reviews. It went Mark VIII vs Mark II continued on to win 10 Tony (Continued from page 7) ury car. I felt surrounded by instruments; Awards, including one to the early Seventies. Everybody called the dash and console seemed to wrap for Ms. Channing as best him Uncle Tom probably because he was around me, and everything was in easy actress in a musical. the kind of uncle everybody wished for. reach. That same year she He was a no-nonsense guy who loved As I moved off into traffic, the car sang a rewritten, politi- cars, dogs, driving fast and a couple of felt, well, agile. You point it; you punch cally partisan version of scotches at the end of the day. He palled the gas pedal; it goes. This was not a car the title song, called around with notables, including band- that would take some getting used to. I “Hello, Lyndon!;” which leader Paul Whiteman. felt at home immediately. President Lyndon B. I hadn't been to Detroit in ten years, Johnson, running for a and I had forgotten how much the streets full four-year term, get beat-up from those cold winters. As- played at campaign phalt doesn't like big temperature stops. She went on to per- changes. It gets brittle when it's cold, and it doesn't like to be hammered by cars form the song, accompa- and trucks with chains and studded tires. nied by Mr. Herman on Choppy, potholed roads didn't bother the the piano, in a show Lincoln Mark VIII. That air suspension staged during the De- just smoothed out everything. The com- mocratic National Con- puter controlled suspension just soaks up vention in Atlantic City. the bumps and potholes, but when you Ms. Channing and the Tom McCahill wrote automotive test throw the car into a corner, the computer Johnson family became articles for Mechanix Illustrated maga- instantly responds and stiffens everything close friends, and there zine in the 40s through the early 1970s. up so that the Mark doesn't wallow and was some speculation thrash around. Tom McCahill would have years later that that re- Uncle Tom tested cars using nothing said that the VIII was as "smooth as a but a stopwatch, a heavy right foot and lationship had landed vanilla ice cream soda that's been stand- the seat of his pants. His prose was leg- her on President Rich- ing in the sun." endary; he compared the handling of a ard M. Nixon’s infamous '57 Buick to "a fat matron trying to get enemies list, a source of out of a slippery bathtub." pride for her. The swivel seats on the '59 Imperial Among those Ms. were "as easy to get into as a floating Channing beat out for crap game." My friend, Marty Hayes, the Tony was Barbra and I once brought a copy of Mechanix Streisand; who was Illustrated to high school when asked by Mark VIII spending some time on the nominated for “Funny our English teacher to cite examples of test track. A bit more agile that the Girl.” To her disappoint- modern, enduring prose. The teacher was Mark II. 40 years makes a difference. ment, however, it was not amused by Uncle Tom's writing. Ms. Streisand who was McCahill spoke bluntly, too - his By comparison, step into a Continen- chosen to star in the 1969 opinions were firm and if you didn't tal Mark II and the controls are generally agree - too bad. film version of “Hello, within easy reach although the heater and So ... armed with nothing but a heavy Dolly!;” which meant air conditioner controls are set low foot, an attitude and a digital stopwatch enough that you've got to take your eyes that both of Ms. Chan- which I got in 1988 from a BMW dealer off the road to make adjustments. The ning’s signature roles as a premium for test driving a new 7- Mark II rides well but wallows in the cor- ended up being played series (I liked the stopwatch better than ners - big time. You shouldn't try any on screen by other ac- the car), I headed to Detroit to wring out tricky cornering in a Mark II anyway; tresses: Marilyn Monroe the 1995 Lincoln Mark VIII. When I you'll just lose those expensive, heavy had played Lorelei Lee in picked the car up my first impression (Continued on page 9) (Continued on page 9) was that this was indeed a personal lux-

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(Continued from page 8) the 1953 movie of Mark II vs Mark VIII continued “Gentlemen Prefer (Continued from page 8) VIII on any long trips but, if we did, I bet Blondes.” turbine-styled wheel covers when they go they'd still feel great 10 hours after we flying off the wheel. Replacements are started. Mr. McCahill would have lik- over $200 a pop - if you can find them. ened the VIII's seating comfort to "a Uncle Tom would probably tell you that wheelchair upholstered in cream puffs." they're "as rare as ladies of the evening in What about performance? Well, the the church choir." Lincoln Mark VIII is a real Hot Rod Lin-

Ms. Channing’s own motion picture career never really took off, although she received an Academy Award nomi- A tale of two interiors. To the left, the Mark VIII, Right, the Mark II. They are nation and won a Golden both Lincolns, but they are two different cars. Each had their own unique sense of Globe for her perform- ele-gance. Both featured quiet elegance and both were extremely capable of ance in “Thoroughly covering long distances with the maximum comfort. Modern Millie” (1967). She did enjoy some suc- The Lincoln Mark VIII is an excep- coln. The engine spools up quickly, and cess on television, and in tionally quiet car, too. When you punch you can easily burn rubber from a stand- her later years she did a the gas, you'll hear a nice but muffled V-8 ing start if you don't engage the traction rumble as the car takes off. When you're control switch. I clocked 0 to 60 in 7 sec- lot of cartoon voice-over at cruising speed, there's a real absence of onds flat; Motor Trend says 7.2 seconds. work. But the theater noise. Tom would say that this Lincoln is On a quiet evening on the Southfield was her natural home. "as quiet as a pocketful of Jello." If you Freeway, I boosted our Mark VIII tester “Hello, Dolly!” ran need some sound, crank up the JBL audio up over 100 mph; it got there quickly and for almost seven years system. It's great and creates the same felt great. MT says this puppy will do the on Broadway. Ginger theater of sound effect as the Bose system quarter mile in 15.4 seconds with a trap Rogers assumed the title found in competitive contemporary cars. speed of 95 miles per hour. I have no role when Ms. Channing The Mark II is a pretty quiet car for a reason to disbelieve them. left to take the show on '50s hardtop, but the vent windows and What about the Mark II? Well, Mo- the road in the summer lack of door pillars make it hard to pre- tor Life magazine tested one in 1956 and of 1965, and Pearl Bailey, vent wind noise at freeway speeds. Turn said it would get to 60 in 11.5 seconds. Ethel Merman and other on the Mark II's Town and Country radio Sounds about right to me. My Mark II marquee names later and all you'll get is AM - after the does about 12 seconds if you start it in played it as well. (Bette vacuum tubes warm up. The 6-way power low and manually shift although the 40 adjustable seats in the Mark II are very year-old powertrain never sounds happy Midler and Bernadette comfortable for me; we've taken lots of when it's pushed. In contrast, the Lincoln Peters starred in a hit long trips in ours, and the seats feel as Mark VIII sounds very happy when you Broadway revival that good after eight hours as they did when I push it. It's a little unfair to compare the began in 2017.) But ulti- first got in. The Mark VIII has about-37- Mark VIII and Mark II directly. The mately the part belonged way power adjusting seats. I certainly Mark II is a much heavier car. And it has to Ms. Channing, who liked them, and I think that they can be less horsepower. toured with revivals in adjusted to fit just about any driver. We (Continued on page 10) (Continued on page 10) didn't take the Mark 9 NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 9) 1977, 1982 and 1994. More Mark II vs Mark VIII By the time she re- (Continued from page 9) in just under 6 seconds. At 7 seconds, the turned to the role on When the Mark II was new, Ford Mark VIII is still nearer to the Corvette Broadway in October Motor Company declined to list its horse- than the VW. Uncle Tom McCahill 1995, Ms. Channing had power, but everybody knew that the would have probably said that the '95 played Dolly more than Mark II had the '56 Lincoln engine which Mark is "as hot as the mustache of a 4,500 times, missing only was rated at 285 hp. SAE changed the cross-eyed fire eater." one performance — in way they rated engines beginning with Do I have any complaints about the June of that year, when the 1971 models. So, by today's measure- Mark VIII? Well, when I first drove one she left the show for a ments, the Continental Mark II probably in late 1992, the interior looked too stark. day to fly to New York has 200 or so horses. That's no match for They've since added some rosewood trim from San Diego to accept the 280 ponies under the hood of the to warm things up a little, but it still a Tony Award for life- lighter Lincoln Mark VIII. seems a little too clinical to me. By contrast, the Mark II's interior time achievement. She speaks volumes about luxury. The exte- had appeared onstage in rior of the Mark II was considered con- a cast, a neck brace and servatively styled and relatively chrome- a wheelchair, and with less when it was first introduced, but it's viruses that would have got a lot more chrome than the Mark VIII felled anyone with lesser does. I do like the optional chrome determination. (By her wheels on the VIII; they add a distinctive own count, she went on touch to the exterior. A couple of extra to surpass the 5,000 pounds of chrome in the bumper areas mark.) Coming or going, both Marks make real and a set of whitewalls would make the She toured 30 cities fashion statements. Simple, elegant Lincoln Mark VIII just about perfect in with that production be- time-less styling. Nothing more needs to my book. fore opening on Broad- be said. The VIII's price is very competitive way, where “Dolly” with other contemporary luxury coupes Performance is, of course, a relative and, in 1995 dollars, it's about 33 percent played to packed houses thing. A 1956 Volkswagen would get to less pricy than the Mark II. for 15 weeks before mov- 60 in about 30 seconds. A '56 Corvette Oh ... my other complaint about the ing on to Britain, Aus- would get there in about 7 seconds. The Lincoln Mark VIII was that I had to give tralia, Japan and China. Mark II was in-between but nearer to the the car back to Ford. Until I realized that Carol Elaine Chan- Corvette than the VW. Today, the per- I had to return it, I was, as Tom McCahill ning was born in Seattle formance gap has narrowed a lot. A 1995 surely would have said, "as happy as a on Jan. 31, 1921, and Volkswagen Golf will get to 60 mph in pack of fleas at a dog convention!" grew up in San Fran- under 10 seconds; a new Corvette LT-1 cisco, the only child of Year Production Production George and Adelaide Rarest color Mark by model year All Lincolns Mark VIII (Glaser) Channing. She 1993 173,644 32,370 Aubergine and China Blue later recalled that she was both frightened and 1994 179,166 28,164 Amethyst, Santa Fe and Rose Mist embarrassed by her 1995 150,814 20,782 Chameleon Blue mother, a woman of 1996 141,476 13,625 Cypress Gold and Desert Violet wildly varying moods who kept her from hav- 1997 166,371 16,805 Pewter Grey ing friends and lied to 1998 187,121 14,357 Medium Gold Metallic her teachers about her. Totals 998,592 126,103 But Carol adored her father, a newspaperman Mark VIIIs make a good entry level collector car. Prices are reasonable and there still many (Continued on page 11) good examples available.

10 NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 10) Michael Oakley, one of the first... turned Christian Science lecturer. $110,000 Lincoln Continentals sell out in pen pal” waiting for this vehicle to one In her 2002 autobiog- 48 hours; 2020 model planned courtesy day happen, Parker said. “I even got a raphy, “Just Lucky I Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press Christmas card from him this year. Over Michael Oakley is one of only 80 Thanksgiving, he was texting me because Guess,” Ms. Channing people in America who scored a the rumors were heating up. I’ve never revealed that when she $110,000 Lincoln Continental within 48 even met this person. I don’t know how was 16 her mother told hours of its debut. he got in contact with me." Resonance her that her father was “You see a particular car driving with the under-40 crowd has been particu- part black; she kept her down the street or at the Detroit auto larly surprising, he said. "December racial heritage a secret, show and you say, ‘I’ve got to have one 2018 was the brand’s best month in 28 she wrote, for fear that of those,’ explained Oakley, 61, of years." it would be bad for her Clinton Township, Michigan. And the future? “We will do a limited career. He waited years for an opportunity to 2020 version,” Parker said. “We’re hear- She remained active buy the iconic vehicle that made history ing not only from here in the U.S., but well into her 80s. Re- for its vintage elegance and rare, center- other markets that are interested, too, be it viewing her perform- opening "suicide doors." Dubai or Shanghai.” ance at Feinstein’s at the “My wife is never as excited as I am Customers will be notified in Febru- ary and start receiving their sedans Regency in 2005, about cars, but she’s certainly a good sport. She has a Jeep Grand Cherokee,” this summer. Stephen Holden of The said Oakley, a second-generation auto The hot seller is on display this past Times wrote: “Although supplier; who noted he has been married January at the North American Interna- substantially diminished 37 years. So, the limited-edition Lincoln tional Auto Show at Cobo Center in De- in power, Ms. Channing’s will join his 2015 Chevrolet Corvette and troit. Crowds gather, so it was hard to see blend of unbridled opti- 1958 Chevy Bel Air. “Melding the past the car, said Carrie Way, owner of Crest mism and ferocious vi- with the present or future, to me, is a Lincoln in Sterling Heights, Michigan, tality is still a primal cool idea,” Oakley said. who sold Oakley his vehicle. show business force field. He was among hundreds — mostly “We’re holding true to who we are,” At 84, she personifies the from New York, Los Angeles and Miami she said, “and who we plan to be.” adult child as natural — who swamped Lincoln dealerships Lincoln sought to honor Edsel Ford show-off and clown, with requests as soon as news broke on with a custom luxury vehicle in 1939. brimming with curiosity December 17 of a handcrafted 80th An- Years later, the 1961 Lincoln Conti- and humor, accentuat- niversary 2019 Continental Coach Door nental introduced America to a new de- Edition. (Even Bloomington Lincoln ac- sign that transformed a failing luxury ing the positive.” cepted an order from someone in the brand into a hot sedan carrying world Her first two mar- Twin Cities who wanted to be among the leaders, industrial barons and the Holly- riages, to Theodore early adopters of this iconic car) wood elite. Naidish, a writer, and “Our first two calls came from New Initially, Lincoln said the latest incar- Alex Carson, a profes- York and the West Coast, each wanted to nation would top $100,000 and more re- sional football player in be first,” said Robert Parker, director of cently confirmed it would be "priced Canada, ended in di- marketing at Lincoln. “One customer slightly north of $110,000." vorce. She had a son, was one of these people who could have The 2019 limited-edition model is the Channing, by her second whatever they wanted, and he wanted to most expensive Lincoln sold to date. A husband; he was later match the Lincoln with his aircraft.” Lincoln Navigator Black Label SUV adopted by her third The Continental is numbered with starts at $96,395 and can top $103,635 husband, the television special plates, and some buyers want to with perks, said Lincoln spokeswoman producer Charles Lowe, match a lucky number or a birthday. Car Anika Salceda-Wycoco. That vehicle has and as Chan Lowe her collectors have called, along with high- had a waiting list since its release, and profile individuals who want to make a owners tout the massage seats, leather- son was for many years glamorous entrance. wrapped heated steering wheel and genu- the editorial cartoonist “One guy from Tulsa has become a ine wood trim. for The Sun-Sentinel in (Continued on page 12) 11 NORTHSTAR NEWS

(Continued from page 11) Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Hail and Farewell Ms. Channing and Long time North fine examples of the Lincoln brand. He Mr. Lowe were married Star member Donald and his wife, Jannette, were very nice in 1956 and were for A. “Don” Schlichting members and Don was an interesting many years a partner- passed away this past person to visit with. ship, with Mr. Lowe ne- January 15, 2019 at the Survivors include his wife, Jannette gotiating Ms. Channing’s ate of 84. Don was a Schlichting of Sauk Centre; children, contracts and dealing resident of Sauk Cen- Deborah (Charlie Blomme) Schlichting with every detail of her tre, Minnesota. of Edina, David Schlichting of Richfield, career. A Mass of Christian Burial was held Tom (Mary) Schlichting of Andover, That partnership un- Saturday, January 19 at St. Paul’s Catho- Mike (Teresa) Schlichting of Blooming- raveled in 1998, when lic Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Tim ton, and Randy (Louise) Schlichting of they separated after she Wenzel officiating. Interment and full Eagan; nine grandchildren, Luke, had accused him of mis- military honors was at the Minnesota Mackenzie, Kyle, Emily, Noah, Annie, management. They were State Veterans Cemetery in Little Falls. Regina, Claire, and Erin; one great- Donald Schlichting was born April grandson, Owen; and sister, Evelyn Long estranged at the time of 17, 1934 in Royalton, Minnesota to of Arizona. Mr. Lowe’s death in 1999. Justin and Martha (Wunderlich) Don was preceded in death by his In 2003, Ms. Channing Schlichting. He served in the U.S. Army parents, Justin and Martha Schlichting; married Harry Kulli- from 1953 to 1955. On January 5, 1957, brothers, Clarence and Albin Schlicht- jian, who had been her he was united in marriage to Jannette ing; and sisters, Virginia Chirhart, Elaine junior high school sweet- Fiereck at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Smith, Joanne Rudnicki, and Delphine heart. He died in Decem- in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Don met his Sobiech. ber 2011. She is survived wife 64 years ago at a dance and they Memorials in memory of Don may by her son. have been going to dances ever since. He be made to Habitat for Humanity. Ms. Channing once worked for a total of 38 years with said that she hoped to Northwestern Bell Telephone Company die like David Burns, as a telephone technician; starting out in her original co-star in Little Falls, then in Glenwood, and fi- “Hello, Dolly!,” who got a nally in Sauk Centre. During those years, he was Local Union President for 12 big laugh in 1971 in a years of CWA (Communication Workers tryout of the musical “70 of America) for central and north central Girls 70” in Philadelphia Minnesota. and then keeled over on- Don was a member of St. Paul’s stage while the laugh Catholic Church. He was also a former continued. commander of the American Legion Post “The audience didn’t 67 and served on the Sauk Centre honor know there was any- guard for many years. He enjoyed danc- thing wrong, you see,” ing, traveling, car collecting, hunting, she said. “He died hear- and snowmobiling. Don and Jannette ing the laugh build. I enjoyed the peace and tranquility of can’t think of a better spending time at their cabin in northern way to go.” Minnesota where they hiked, watched the wildlife, enjoyed cross country skiing By Enid Nemy, NY with their grandchildren, and where Don Times… hunted frequently. From the internet... Don loved Lincolns and a few years ago, he had a 1979 Mark V Collector Series, a 1982 Mark VI Coupe and a Mercury newspaper ad from the 1970s. 2003 Town Car Signature Series, all very Like the prices, a Marquis for $5455..

12 NORTHSTAR NEWS My first two cars…..

By Dave Heeren, Lakeville, Minnesota Hearing that you were looking for stories about our first cars, I was disappointed when I realized I didn’t remember getting mine. I suspect it was because it was handed down to me from my brother rather than a new purchase from a stranger. However, I definitely remember when my parents bought it new about five years T-Bird and Cougar earlier. The second car that became mine is even more vivid To the Left, the 71 LeMans, Dave’s first car. in my memory. It was a 1978 black & silver Cougar XR7. My parents were farmers; who typically bought their cars at year-end after they completed their harvest. This al- lowed them to know how nice of car they could afford. With that in mind, 1977 was either a more profitable year than 1971 or my parents had more money after moving out 3 of their 5 children. Anyway, my Dad and I found the Cougar in the showroom of Worthington Motors thus all shiny and clean rather than covered in snow like the other It was a gold, 2-door 1971 LeMan’s T-37. From cars for sale during winter months. I loved it the minute I what I’ve been told a T-37 was often purchased by a spotted it and was thrilled when he was interested in it person who wanted a potentially lighter and faster car enough to bring my mother to get her opinion. I worked than the Leman’s and GTO’s that shared the same body hard to convince them to buy it in part because I had a style -- or they were purchased by someone who just good idea that someday it was likely to become mine. It wanted a car for a low price. My parents were looking had a 4 speaker FM radio that I remember sitting in the for the low cost, buying a 71 model long after the 72 cold garage in January just to listen to the different tracks models were out. It was a completely base model that of sounds coming out of the various speakers. As ex- lacked AC, power steering, power brakes, carpeted pected, my parents drove it for their typical three years floors, and even a V-8. It came with rubber floor cover- and sold it to me when I was about to go off to Vo-Tech ings and a basic AM radio powered by a single barrel for the winter in 1980. I drove that car for almost 10 more inline 250 ci straight six. The only other option this car years, through the farm crisis of the 80s not once letting had was rally wheels. I must admit though that even me down. Finally, by the decade, I felt I should make an though it was super cheap, it looked very sharp. The upgrade and bought a 1988 Thunderbird. Since the Cougar outright cost of this car was just over $2600 when my was still in excellent shape, I kept it as a spare rather than father drove it off the dealer’s lot. Since I’m a person trading it in and risking it would suffer the same fate as who spends a lot of time looking at a car’s features, it my first car. I received many compliments on that car over baffles me to think my father didn’t even realize it had the next decade or two with the only change being the ad- a 6-cylinder engine until after he bought it and took it dition of keystone rims and a little wider, white lettered for his first drive. Anyway, that became my first car tires. By 1999 though I left the farm when I moved to Des five years later. I cared for it well, but was always a bit Moines. I told my dad he could drive the car after his re- embarrassed that it was “all show and no go.” Another tirement rather than buying an old pickup he was consider- thing I’ll say is that quality wasn’t a strong suit of ing. He ended up driving it for many years, on countless Pontiac’s of that era. I constantly had little things going miles of gravel roads and occasional even dirt paths into wrong with it for the four years I drove it. It rode very the fields. It never left him down either, but gradually rough, with a lot of wind noise too. It was eventually started to show its age to a little greater extent. It’s deterio- passed to my younger sister; who drove it through her rated a bit more after now being stored, and rarely driven college years. It was showing its age by the time she for the past 10 or 15 years. I still own it though and vow to sold it to a person in the neighboring town. I saw it someday restore it back to how I remember it looking in dented up a few weeks later, and learned it was com- that showroom 40 years earlier. pletely wrecked within a month or two. I was bothered Our sincere thanks to Dave Heeren for taking the time by that and vowed to never abuse any of my cars. to write to us about his first cars. Let's hear from you.

13 NORTHSTAR NEWS

North Star Welcome Wagon by Francis J. Kalvoda, Willmar, Minnesota trains and shows, and my daughters show reining horses. 320-235-5777 [email protected] Reining horse is a western style that is the new Olympic sport. The horse’s gait is always in the lope\canter. We do circles, flying lead changes, spins and the signature sliding stop. We have six horses of our own and train and board several others. I have always liked cars, going to shows and looking at all the different makes and The Welcome Wagon models. Ten years ago, I bought my first vin- Greetings from Wintery Willmar where some still tage car, a 1953 De- truthfully proclaim, “baby its cold outside”. So far this Soto Powermaster. I winter, Micki and I have only traveled to balmy Bis- still own it today. I marck, ND for a few days. For my birthday this month, also own a 1986 Alfa Micki got me boots that look like cats. They allow me to Romeo Spider; which walk on water this month on any lake in Minnesota. my mother bought They are called slippurrs. I’m not lion -- when I say I am David and Judi have another brand new. The rea- VERY pleased to present our first new North Star Club sweet car, a 1953 DeSoto son I was interested in members of 2019. joining the Lincoln and Continental Owners Club is because I own a 1966 Lincoln Continental convertible that I bought from my sister about three years ago. Our daughters both go to car shows. Angelee is a profes- sional photographer and likes to take pictures of cars at the shows and she has awesome photos on David and Judi Hale’s 1966 Continental her website ahfar- photography.com. David’s Alfa Spider David and Judi Hale and their daughters Angelee and Ashlee loves car Ashlee, 8825 Cain Road, Corcoran, MN 55340, 763-807- shows just as much as I do and finds time to drive the 3442, email: [email protected]. I soon ’66 Continental to them when I can't. She helps with learned that the Hale family likes horsepower, but not maintenance of the cars along with being a full time col- necessarily just the horsepower found under the hood of lege student majoring in glass blowing. an automobile. Many Lincolns are known for their ex- While you are staying warm inside, go to Angelee’s quisite design and they have become the standard by website and enjoy her awesome photos from all over the which other fine automobiles are judged. That same in- world. Her site motto is: Experience. Capture. Relive. spiration seems to be at the heart of the beliefs of the en- Repeat. Like the rest of us, David, Judi, Angelee and tire Hale family. I will let David tell you about the Hale Ashlee are looking forward to warmer weather to enjoy family and what they enjoy: our horsepower. Some at car shows, others at horse Hello, my name is David Hale. I am 55 years old. I shows. Perhaps one of the North Star Club outings could have been married for 31 years to my lovely wife, Judi. include a stop at the Hale family farm to see Reining We have two wonderful daughters, Angelee Hale- horses in action. We warmly WELCOME the Hale fam- Danielson and Ashlee Kate Hale. We live on a horse farm ily to the North Star LCOC! in Corcoran Minnesota. I manage the farm, my wife

14 Preview of Coming Events

February CCCA Potluck/Auction, Firefighters Museum, 664 22 Avenue NE, in Minneapolis. 5 PM, Saturday, February 17, 2019. RSVP Tom Brace, see back page for more info.

March Sunday Brunch at Jax’s Café, Minneapolis, Sunday March 24, at 10:30 AM 1928 University Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN. Note the earlier time…….

For Sale 1990 Mark VII Bill Blass Good condition, runs and drives great. 47K miles $5,000 — Call Clarence Stender, 952.467.2883 or Cell 612.247.4828

For Sale 1983 Lincoln Mark VI coupe. Nice red car with white top and white leather interior. New exhaust, EGR valve, plugs, dist cap and wires. New valve cover gaskets. New tires. New fuel injector regulator. Runs and drives great. Nice paint and interior. 47,000 miles. $5,500.00. Jim Christenson 320-262-3288

BACK ISSUES OF THE NORTHSTAR NEWS ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE ON THE NORTHSTAR LCOC WEB SITE. www.northstarlcoc.org Click on publications. Issues are in PDF format and may be printed on your color printer.

15 North Star Activities Upper Midwest Region of the Classic Car Club of America POT LUCK DINNER AND AUCTION To be held at the Firefighter’s Museum 664 22nd Avenue NE, Minneapolis Saturday, February 16, 2019 Be there at 5:00 PM RSVP Tom Brace 651.644.1716 email: [email protected] Talk with Tom about what kind of potluck item you are planning to bring or for possible suggestions. Please bring an auto related item for the auction. Proceeds will be divided between the CCCA and the Lincoln club. North Star LCOC members are invited.

Join us for brunch on March 24, 2019, 10:30 AM at Jax Café, 1928 University Avenue NE, Minneapolis, MN Today, the rich history of Jax Cafe has served the families of North- east Minneapolis faithfully for 75 years. Bill Kozlak, Jr. follows in his father and grandfather’s footsteps by preserving the rich tradition of Jax Cafe while continuing the promise of uncompromised service. Known for a warm welcome and traditional atmosphere, Jax Cafe serves only the finest menu of premium cuts and fresh seafood flown in from all over the world. See you there on March 24, 10:30 AM for the best brunch in town! Please RSVP to Jay White by Thursday, March 20, 2019, at 612-599-6219 or email [email protected] if you plan on attending.

Check back here next month to see what we have in store for April. We will be going to a great place for brunch… Good food and good friends. It just doesn’t get any better.

Now that the holidays are over and you are stuck inside with nothing to do, please take some time to write about your favorite Lincoln or how telling us about that first car of yours. It doesn’t have to be about a Lincoln, as most of us did not have a Lincoln as our first or even our second or third car. Like the classic Lincoln in your garage, that very first car was a magical experience that most of us will never forget. Send us your story, Enquiring Minds want to hear about it. We need to fill up the Northstar News with interesting stories, help us out. Maybe Roger Wothe will even write about his 1929 Oakland.