October 2019

LOWER COLUMBIA CLASSIC CAR CLUB 1 10/12/2019

OCTOBER 2019

1963 Mercury Comet Convertible st for its 1 long distant trip with no problems. If you haven’t been on a

overnight trip with other club members, you are missing a real good

time.

Quite a few club members went to the Ocean Shores Car Show and I

haven’t talked to them. I would

hope it was a good show and they had a good time. The weather should have been good because it

was perfect weather in Crescent City once we got there. Our trip From the Pez down Hwy 101 was wet but trouble Fall is here and we have had Frost free. The only problem we had on the trip was Steve’s Convertible top on the roofs and grass, but the wouldn’t go up after the show. A leaves are still on the trees. The pivot rivet came out but we man- question is are we in an Indian summer? I believe the answer is yes, aged to get it up with misc. part but then I am no expert. But, the back at the hotel. cruise season is definitely over for The next meeting will be the day af- myself and Ann. ter National Boss Day on Thursday, th We just got back from Crescent City October 17 at Steve Jordan’s and the Sea Cruise. Went with shop. See you there! three other couples and had a really Fred Mestrich good time. Two of the couples were new members and are ready to go again. Steve and Judy Jordan got a 1st Place Trophy with their ’57 Buick Convertible. Ann and I took her

PRESIDENT FRED MESTRICH 503-440-9481/ VICE PRESIDENT DARRYL NIEMI 503-861-0484/ TREASURER BURT YOUNG 503-338-8719 / SECRETARY JUDY JORDAN 503-325-1807 / BACKFIRE EDITOR ROSS GETCHELL 503-440-3291 / WEBMASTER ROBI NELSON 360-623-3896 [email protected] LOWER COLUMBIA CLASSIC CAR CLUB 2 10/12/2019

Lower Columbia classics Minutes

The regular meeting of Lower Columbia classics car club was held on Sept 19 2019 at 7pm. at Steve Jordan’s shop ,35232 Helligso Ln. Astoria Oregon. The President Fred Mestrich being in the chair, Secretary Judy Jor- dan, Vice president Darryl Niemi and Treasurer Burt Young were in attendance. Guest Mike Green was introduced. The motion was made and seconded to accept the minutes as printed in the back fire. Motion passed. The treasurer, Burt Young, distributed the reconciliation and profit and loss statements for review. There were no questions. Sunshine committee reported that a card was sent to the family of Ginger Davis. Some members told about members needing cards, so Judy will get those in the mail. Membership . Diane reported that Nicky Andrews and Dick Pedersen have joined the club. Mary and Dennis Sanderson have also joined. Welcome! Swap meet.– Fred will have a meeting sometime in the future. Dorothy is working on the flyer and any items you want to donate to the club booth can be dropped off at Fred’s store. A work party to straighten up the con- tainer is going to be put on hold until a later date 50’s cruise– Jul is working on it. Web site, no report, but Mike and Diane sent a picture of their car in. Need every one else to do the same. News letter– Ross says all is going well. Warrenton school– Darryl is going to meet with James, the shop teacher, for a tour of the facility on a sat. af- ternoon. Everyone was in favor. Historical committee– Patty says she can always use more pictures. Mike and Diane gave her a bunch from our South Dakota tour Burt presented the new budget and explained about the restricted funds. Motion was made by Chuck Meyers and seconded by Ron Murders to except the budget, motion was passed by the body. Ann talked about the picnic and to be held on Sunday. All is taken care of. Those that are helping please meet at DMV at 9 am. The security for the Beach Barons seem to have gone well. Thank you to Oliver for putting it together.! Sea cruise is coming up, We will leave Costco parking lot on October 3, at 8 am, for those that want to go. For the good of the order—Diane reported on the South Dakota trip, it was a great trip. For those that didn’t go you missed out! Chuck Meyers told about an experience he had with AAA. They would not change a tire on a trailer he was hauling his car on. Drawing was won by Jim Wood and he said let it ride. Ralph provided goodies with a little add on by Diane. Meeting adjourned.

Ramblin `Round With Steve

By Jim Wood

It seems like every month it gets harder to find it done sooner. The car we were working on was someone to interview for these stories! I suspect his pride and joy the '57 Buick Century converti- I'll have to start contacting some folks I've already ble. Many car enthusiasts from Oregon to the Da- done stories on. Some of them have new projects kota's to California and all parts in between know they are working on and I'll try to catch up with Steve Jordan and his gorgeous land yacht Buick them. So last Sunday I found myself with two supercruiser. In 1957 this was an example of days to American deadline and styling, luxury I didn't have and horse- a victim power. Yeah, yet. I also I said horse- found myself power. Your standing in stock 283 Steve Jor- Chevy was dan's about 185 shop. Fred hp. This 364 Mestrich and cu.in. nail I were help- head puts out ing Steve about 300 work out a hp. I forgot few prob- to ask Steve lems he was how much it having with, weighs, prob- you guessed ably more it, a than a '57 Buick. Try- Chevy if we ing to get ready for the Crescent City Show with are making comparisons. Steve found this car in time running out. I had been thinking about doing Hemming's Motor News about thirty years a story on Steve for awhile and this seemed like ago. Steve did a lot of work on this car to get it perfect timing. I know most of us pretty much where it is now. A lot of things have been re- know what's happening at Steve and Judy's shop placed over the years and it is always in tip-top because most of the club meetings are held shape. He's got a closet full of trophies and there. Fred asked me to meet him at Steve's shop awards this car has won. Awards from official to see if we could figure out why the new top re- Buick Motor Company in Flint Michigan to local car fused to fold all the way down. Also, one of the shows. You would have to look far and wide to rear windows would not go down. Steve and Judy find a more knowledgeable Buick expert. Oh yeah, always try to go to the Crescent City car show and he's got a few other Buicks hanging around. Steve it was only a few days away. Steve didn't ask for did a total frame-off restoration on a '56 Buick our help, but Fred really wanted Steve and Judy to convertible. This car wasn't quite this nice when it make the trip. I'm sure Steve would have eventu- was first manufactured. Everything is perfect and ally worked the problems out, but a little help got correct. This guy is a stickler for accuracy. The

By Jim Wood

'56 is finished and is for sale. You won't find a better '56 Buick convertible anywhere.

someone offered me enough money I'd let them drive it on out of here." There's a project for someone. Heck you could rent the back seat out as affordable housing. It might seem kinda silly to do a story on someone we all know so well. Steve started out with this club in it's infan- cy and has been a major reason this club is still here today. When I say what an important part of this club that Steve and Judy are, I know I'm preaching to the choir. Most of you folks have known them for a long time and already know all of this. I think Steve has held every office and run every event at some point. Judy is presently club secretary and is always helping out with just about everything. I admire and respect Steve and Judy Jordan and would like to thank them both for Sitting over on the far side of the shop sits a '54 all they have done for this club. We are all very Buick Skylark convertible. This car needs Steve's lucky to have them. expertise to bring it back to new again. Also on his to do list is a '39 Buick 4dr sedan. This is an all original unrestored gangster style cruiser. Big straight 8, dual fender mounted spare tires with hard covers and an awesome windshield vi- sor. Just a nostalgic reminder of a by-gone era of automobiles. I asked Steve if it runs. He said " well, I drove the darn thing in here, I guess if

FROM THE BACK SEAT “THE GAL’S PAGE”

Club Members who need a little Sunshine. The names below have been submit- ted by the Sunshine Committee. Those listed are our fellow members and need you. Ralph Jackson, Marv Stunkard

Someone not up to “speed” let Judy Jordan, Sunshine Committee Chair know. Judy’s Phone number is: (503) 325-1807

Take A Sunday Drive the Skinny Deli, Dari Delish and Vinnie's Chicago Sandwich Shop just to name a few. The 2 C's

Vendor Mall is a fascinating Antique shop with 3 As summer lingers on and mornings start out floors that any collector or bargain hunter would warm only to end hot, noontime turns into a lazy marvel at. Jeff and I enjoyed browsing the vast nap time. And the evening heat rises to the moon. floors of antiques while listening to the locals While the summer days take their time leaving I share the town history. get antsy, restless to get out of the house and go for a Sunday drive. What caught our attention, however, was the towns fascination in celebrating Halloween. The Jeff and I travel from Gresham to Astoria several riverfront community seems to lend itself to the times a year. Usually we are in a hurry taking macabre as evidenced by its role in such films as highway 30, zipping through the small towns Twilight and Halloweentown. A magnet for para- along the way after wishing we had time to stop. normal activity, St. Helens hosts an annual family friendly Halloween festival. It was easy to get into the spirit of the occasion with the streets all Last October, we decided to visit one of the towns decked out in ghoulish decorations and creepy we drive through, St. Helens. The 'old town' of St. creations on the sidewalks. Even the city park was Helens is located at the junction of the Columbia transformed into a morbid cemetery. River and the Multnomah Channel. Maybe some of you have visited this small community. I hadn't and we were in for a surprise. Driving into town Jeff and I both recommend that you take a Sun- we were intrigued by the turn of the century day drive along the Columbia River to the unique homes and buildings. The city hall and jail still town of St. Helens. Enjoy! look as they might have back in the 1850's both constructed of huge weathered blocks. There is a two-story museum, a retro style movie theater Gail Penuel and a riverside park. There are places to eat like

BACKSEAT ARTICLES: MARCH—MARION OLSON RALSTON, APRIL—JUL GRANDBOIS, MAY—SONIA WOOD, JUNE—JUDY ATKINSON, JULY—JUDY TONTZ, AUGUST—CHARLENE LARSEN, SEPTEMBER—TRACEY PELLETIER, OCTOBER—GAIL PENUEL, NOVEMBER— DIANE MATTHEWS, DECEMBER—CAROL WEBSTER

PRESIDENT FRED MESTRICH 503-440-9481/ VICE PRESIDENT DARRYL NIEMI 503-861-0484/ TREASURER BURT YOUNG 503-338-8719 / SECRETARY JUDY JORDAN 503-325-1807 / BACKFIRE EDITOR ROSS GETCHELL

503-440-3291 / WEBMASTER ROBI NELSON 360-623-3896 [email protected] LOWER COLUMBIA CLASSIC CAR CLUB 7 10/12/2019

FOR SALE LOT & ANNOUCEMENTS

FOR SALE!! 700R4 TRANSMISSION 650.00 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT BURT YOUNG @ 503-338-8719

PUSH ROD’S CAR SHOW @ QUINAULT RESORT AND CASINO Participating Jim and Katie S., Dale and Carol W., Burt and Cindy Y., Patty and I. Doug and Dorothy G. came up just to be Spectators for the day, and visit with all of us. Everyone had a great time, and enjoyed the assortment of classic cars and trucks. Pictured is one of the extraordinary vehicles. Ross Getchell

TREATS FOR THE MEETINGS HERE IS THE CURRENT LIST... PLEASE LET JUDY KNOW WHAT MONTH YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING IN YOUR FAVORITE DESSERT October-Gail Penuel, and Nov-Jul Grandbois

CAR TRAILER 6X14 6,000 LBS 2 AXLE WITH SIDE RACKS, & ELECT. BRAKES. CALL ROSS 503-440-3291 $2500.00

BACKSEAT ARTICLES: MARCH—MARION OLSON RALSTON. APRIL—JUL GRANDBOIS. MAY—SONIA WOOD. JUNE—JUDY ATKINSON. JULY—JUDY TONTZ. AUGUST—CHARLENE LARSEN. SEPTEMBER—TRACEY PELLETIER. OCTOBER—GAIL PENUEL. NOVEMBER—DIANE MATTHEWS. DECEMBER—CAROL WEBSTER. THANK YOU JUDY JORDAN

ROB BUCHANAN 10/22 NORA CORKILL 10/29 RUTH DALE 10/28 JON ERICKSON 10/13 RALPH JACKSON 10/29 MEL JOHNSON 10/28 STEVE JORDAN 10/1 FRED LAU 10/22 JEFF PENUEL 10/7 JUDY SANTEE 10/16 ROB BUCHANAN 10/6 CATHY PERRY 10/14

JOHNSON 10/20 JORDAN 10/28 JEFF & GAIL PENUEL 10/10 SCARBOROUGH 10/12

LOWER COLUMBIA CLASSIC’S CAR CLUB P.O. BOX 1259 ASTORIA, OREGON 97103

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