Serving the Northeast Ohio AMC enthusiast since 1991

AMX-Clamation!!!VolumeVolume 15 Number 1 Jan.-Feb. 2006 American Motors Ramblings... Scott Campbell

Here’s hoping everyone had a safe and happy holiday season. As you read this, we are well into 2006 so please send in those NCAMC renewals ASAP or this just might be your last issue of the newsletter! Looking over our current roster, I see that not very many of us are members of our parent club, the American Motors Owners Association. That’s OK as it isn’t a requirement for NCAMC membership. However this indicates an alarming trend affecting the entire old car hobby. More and more the computer is replacing many other traditional forms of communication. Back in the mid-1990s Bob Browske wrote in this newsletter about the value of the internet for locating parts and making AMC contacts. I admit that I was one of the last holdouts who wasn’t online until just a few years ago. But as I found out, Bob was absolutely right! I now use the computer to buy and sell cars, locate parts and information, send messages, even for entertainment purposes. And while the web, including eBay and all of the various forums have experienced tremendous growth and success, the AMO Classifi ed American has all but dried up. Nobody wants to wait weeks or even months for their ad to appear. It’s so much quicker to click on eBay, that larger than life sorting program and online auction. Additional proof is the AMC Pacer Club, its demise attributed to the wealth of Pacer information now available on the net. So now everything is done online, so what? Well, as more and more AMC owners have decided to abandon AMO there is already a noticable decline in participation at the regional and national AMC shows. As I recall the very fi rst Rich- ard Teague regional in 1982 had over fi fty 1968-70 AMXs present! Now even the national meet typically draws less than 200 entries total, this with more and more AMCs being restored, driven and (fi nally) acknowledged by the automotive media. AMO is the glue that holds all of the local chapters together. The club works to prevent scheduling confl icts, provides insurance, sets judging standards and generally sanctions many aspects of the AMC hobby. Another valuable benefi t of AMO membership is American Motoring, the national newsletter. Printed articles, car features and historical data in these issues form a permanent archive not subject to loss with a single keystroke. The old AMC Forum is a good example here with countless pages of information lost forever. Sure the current trend is to compile information on a web site, but web sites are not forever, books are. Maybe I’m just old fashioned but that’s how I see it. Having said this, I would encourage all NCAMC members who have not already joined to become a member of AMO this year. Your support will enable the national club to continue to provide valuable assistance to us on a local level, as well as guarantee the future of regional and national AMC shows. Hey, use your computer for all it’s worth, but don’t allow it to replace a club so important to our great hobby. To join up visit amonational.com. Let’s do our part to prevent the AMC hobby from going the way of the Model T hobby. Welcome goes out to new member, Tom Pauer of Berea. Tom owns an aqua and white 1965 Marlin powered by an AMC 327 V8. It currently has 68,000 miles and with just a few upgrades, it became an October 2005 winner in the Summit Racing online car show. Nice job, Tom, send us some pictures! NCAMC Meeting at Dale’s - See page 2 for details! Contact Information... President/Treasurer Advertising Director Newsletter Editor Scott Campbell Dale Veverka Javlynn Sue Leair 5340 Columbia Rd. 6934 Brookside Rd. 4904 Edsal Dr. Medina, OH 44256 Independence, OH 44131 Lyndhurst, OH 44124 Phone: 330-725-3824 Phone: 216-524-5977 Phone: 216-381-7859 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]

West Side Coordinator East Side Coordinator Shaune Zavertnik Don Moyer 1254 Catherine Dr. 9027 Lakeshore Blvd. Brunswick, OH 44212 Mentor, OH 44060 Phone: 330-220-7264 Phone: 440-257-5615 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: MoyerGraffi[email protected] Deadlines... March/April newsletter – March 1 May/June newsletter – May 1 Winter NCAMC Meeting!!! February 12 @ 1:30 pm Dale Veverka’s house Call Dale (216-524-5977) for directions NCAMC TREASURY REPORT

2004 Ending Balance: $ 143.37

Collected during 2005 (dues, advertising, etc): $ 302.00 Paid during 2005 (newsletter, postage, etc) $ 250.77

2005 Ending Balance: $ 184.59 ( A gain of $51.23 for year)

Submitted by Scott Campbell on January 7, 2005 2006 Car Show Schedule For an up to the minute show schedule, visit the NorthCoast web site http://clubs.hemmings.com/northcoastamc

Feb. 25 - March 5: The Cleveland Auto Show, I-X Center, 6200 Riverside Dr., Cleveland, OH. One of the oldest automotive shows in the United States. Web site: www.clevelandautoshow.com Sponsor: The Greater Cleveland Automobile Dealers’ Association

March 17 - 19: Cleveland Auto-Rama, I-X Center, 6200 Riverside Dr., Cleveland, OH. Web site: www.clevelandautorama.com/Cleveland.html Sponsor: Car Quest Auto Parts.

May 13: St. Augustine, FL. - 2006 AMC Southeast Regional Presented by First Coast AMC, Contact Cliff Danley at 904-783-9257 or e-mail [email protected].

May 26 - 28: Springfield, Ohio Cars & Parts Swap meet and car show - Clark County Fairgrounds. Web site: ohioswapmeet.com

June 3 - 10: Magazine Power Tour - Web site: www.hotrod.com:

June 4: 10th Annual 2006 Ypsilanti ORPHAN CAR SHOW, Riverside Park, Ypsilanti, MI. Featuring Foreign Built Orphan Cars. For Registration Information call: (734) 482-5200 Or write: 100 E. Cross St. Ypsilanti, MI 48198 Web site: www.ypsiautoheritage.org/

June 9: GAD V - Great American Day V - Norwalk Raceway - Norwalk, Ohio. More info to come!!!

June 10: 17th Annual CEMA Car Show - Walter P. Museum - Auburn Hills, MI. Celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Dodge Charger! Web site: www.cemaclub.org/

June 11: 8th Annual “Graduation Car Show” - Jefferson, WI. Contact: Mike Spangler (920) 674-4482 or e-mail [email protected].

June 24: Mid-Atlantic Classic AMX Club’s 15th annual “All-AMC Day”. Cecil County Dragway - Rising Sun, MD. Web site: http://macacamc.tripod.com

July 7 - 8: 24th Annual Arthritis Foundation Classic Auto Show & Cruise-In. Dublin Metro Center - Dublin, Ohio; Friday Cruise-In and Saturday Car Show Car show features “show within a show” for AMC and others.

July 27 - 29 American Motors Owners International Convention. “The Wright place to be with your AMC” Carillon Historical Park - Dayton, OH. Contact: Mike Turner (937) 865-0940 or e-mail [email protected]. For more information: http://clubs.hemmings.com/ohioamc Host hotel: Dayton Marriott. Member Profile Dan Koch

I’ve been a member of North Coast AMC for about 4 years, and have run into Don Moyer several times over that span. I always thought he was just the owner of a really fine Rebel Machine. Well, he’s all that and a bag of chips. Turns out, you couldn’t swing a dead cat at his place without hitting yet another different AMC. And his extraordinary interests don’t stop there – he dabbles in street rods, rat rods, and race cars of all different pedigrees.

Member Profile

Name Don Moyer

Current AMCs 1969 S/C 401 4spd, 1970 Amx 390 4spd, 1970 Rebel Machine, 390 Automatic, 1973 Gremlin X 401 Automatic, 1975 Gremlin 401 Automatic

Modifications I have made to these cars I have too many modifica- tions to write here.

Other AMC’s I have owned in the past I have owned too many AMC vehicles to list.

Future projects I have to say that as for AMC vehicles, what more could I want? I am blessed with the collection that I have. I would like to dabble in racing the 73 Gremlin X. What this club lacks is a performance image. I would like to see more interest in NAMDRA functions in the future. I do plan to build an AMC powered nostalgia Hot Rod (jalopy). I am currently building a 1941 Willys gasser that is powered by the famous Grant Rebel Funny Car engine.

Other AMC’s I have lusted after SS AMX or an AMC funny car with history

How I got interested in AMCs My dad purchased a purple gremlin in 1971. He purchased a blue poly gremlin in 1975 for my mother. They gave me that blue car when I turned 16 years old in 1983. That was my first car and I still have it today. I have been maintaining that car since I was 10! Growing up in Cleveland Ohio, one has become used to our pathetic sports teams and our cities image in general. We never win big. We are always the underdog, yet I always support Cleveland. Cleveland is this country’s underdog. I look at AMC as an underdog, also. My attraction to AMC is to prove to the collector car world that AMC is an equal!

Party on, Don! You’re what I want to be when I grow up! Great AMC Day V Ken Walker

If you like to race, watch, or just spend the day checking out AMCs on display, be sure to mark your calendar for Friday, June 9th 2006. This is the date of the fifth annual Great AMC Day. For the second year in a row Great AMC Day, or GAD as it is also known, will be held at Norwalk Raceway Park located in Norwalk, Ohio.

The brainchild of Mike Luke, GAD gives the AMC enthusiasts a taste of both worlds. With racing and a display only venue all rolled into one event, everyone is sure to find what they are looking for.

There will be four racing classes this year: Pro, Street, Super Stock, and Fast 12. The first three, Pro, Street, and Super Stock, will be a bracket class and the Fast 12 will be a heads up, run what you brought, anything goes class.

An added attraction this year will be a “Peoples Choice” award. All cars in the Show/Display class will be eligible to win this award. Ballots for vot- ing for this award will be distributed with each paid admission. The “Peoples Choice” award is provided courtesy of the North Coast AMC Club.

Last year brought together over 100 cars and to GAD IV in both the race and show/display areas, not to mention the cars available for sale. This year’s GAD should prove to be bigger than ever.

A number of SS/AMX cars made an appearance at the track last year. It was a bit of AMC racing nostalgia to behold. Among the SS/AMX cars were the Kim Nagle car, Pete’s Patriot, and the Nasty Nash.

Along with the SS/AMX cars several AMC powered dragsters were on hand.

Good food, good people and great cars are a hallmark of this event, and this year should prove to be no different. This is the one AMC event you should not miss this year.

Entry fees for this year are $55.00 Race car/Driver, $15.00 Show/Display, $15.00 Vendor, and $10.00 Spectator.

For additional information on this event contact Mike Luke at 740-929-1300 or you can e-mail Mike at [email protected]. Classified Corner Dale Veverka

It’s great to bat 100%. What is meant here is that all three club sponsors have renewed for 2006. Hopefully when you are considering farming out some work for your AMC, you will look first at the fine folks listed within this newsletter. Tom (Radiator- werks) has done wonderful cooling system, radiator re-coring and bead blasting work for my family. Rick (Transmission Kings) has completed clutch work and rebuilt a number of transmissions for my family. As for Gary (Royalton Automotive), Javlynn Sue and Ken give the folks at his shop the highest marks for the work done on Sue’s car. If you have a shop that does great upholstery, body, paint, plating, or glass work let them know our introductory rate for a full year is only $15 for a ¼ page ad. Regular rate is $20 per year for a ¼ pager. It’s a good way to help fellow members know of shops whose quality and workmanship we have become familiar with.

The January 2006 Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine continued its efforts at keeping American Mo- tors information under the close scrutiny of muscle car fans that may not have been born when AMC was build- ing muscle. “A Most Spectacular Failure” is the rather negative title of a six page article providing in depth coverage of Dick Teague’s 1971 AMX prototype. Teague was never shy about mixing his private passion with AMC corporate. He took his own 390 AMX and had the boys modify it. The car was originally a 1968 that was modified a number of times in between. The now restored rendition features a 1971 “wide body” front clip, 1970 tail light treatment as well as a custom made red interior to match the pre-production red T-stripes. Mike Spangler, AMO member, hunted down the car years ago and was encouraged by Darryl Salisbury to complete the restoration in time for the 1999 Eyes on Design show honoring Teague. During the intervening years Richard Teague, Dick’s son, owned the car and unfortunately damaged the fiberglass hood and scoop. A new scoop modeled after pictures taken in 1969 was created but never installed on the car. All in all, the article provides an interesting perspective of the car that never came to be.

Hemmings Motor News for January 2006 presented fourteen AMCs including a pair of ’74 Gremlins (six and eight grand). Other cars represented include a plaid-seated Pacer, ’69 California 500 390 AMX about to be auctioned, ’67 Rogue 290, 1967 American 440 hardtop with a 290 and a 26,000 mile loaded Hornet for $3,900 (sorry, it’s a sedan). Need a Marlin for $17,900 or a 1978 Concord wagon with 19,000 miles for a whopping $8,950? I wonder if I can get close to that for my 1982 wagon. “Restoration Profile; 1972 AMC Javelin SST” is a six page article in February 2006’s Hemmings Muscle Machines. The current owner picked up the car in 1973 with 4,300 miles on it. His wife upon being told that he found the car he desired asked “Did you put down a deposit?” And when told no, she replied, “Well, why didn’t you?” The original owner’s wife had complained about the visibility out of the back window, which was the reason for the car being offered in a classified ad in the first place. The article offers a rather comprehensive accounting of the restoration. This 304 was rebuilt, the interior of the former “mini van transport” was redone along with body and paint work described in detail. The article is well worth the read.

Ads are still free to members so send some fresh ones to me.

For Sale: 1970 AMX 390 Hurst posi Big Bad Blue 753 miles AC AM/FM $1 Must sell to settle divorce, proceeds to go to my ex- wife (Will you send me your real ads so I don’t need to make them up?) (216) 524-5977 [email protected]

1973 Hornet rear quarters-$50 each Hatch-$50 Roof-$50 Gary (216) 570-6510 or [email protected] Wanted: Paying top dollar for used rusty 4 door 4 cylinder AMCs Much money is burning holes in my pockets (Wow, I’m starting to enjoy this creative ad stuff) Dale Veverka (216) 524-5977 or [email protected]

HELP! For a 1968-69 AMX, I need a pair of the rubber pads which hook to the grille support (boomerang) panel that the grille rests on (Javelin also?). Also need the rubber hood-to-cowl seal and the stamped steel band which holds it in place. I’d like to find this locally instead of having someone try to ship it! Still looking for a nice ‘68-69 wood steering wheel and origi- nal 390 chrome oil cap too. Cash waiting, all leads appreciated! Scott Campbell, (330) 725-3824 or [email protected]

8-track player for 1968 Rebel, Do they exist? Want ads; Cost free Dale Veverka (216) 524-5977 or [email protected]

5340 Columbia Rd. Medina, OH 44256