M a r c h 2 0 1 8 The Brass Lamp

Services like OnStar provide an Protecting Your Vintage Car added layer of security for mod- Courtesy of Hagerty Online News Blog ern cars, but technology is a dou- ble-edged sword. On these same vehicles, weaknesses in software security have allowed criminals to take advantage of keyless entry systems. When it comes to vin- tage cars, many owners keep a close eye on their prized vehicles, but there is always the risk that unscrupulous criminals could swoop in.

When Porsche announced a com- prehensive system soon to be available for everything from a 356 to a Carrera GT, we started talking around the water cooler more about security and protec- tion in general. There have been wheel locks. Some owners also vehicle, a thief can simply isolate add-on security systems available place security cameras aimed at and remove the singular transmit- for some years, but many are de- their prized possession in hopes ter and be on his or her merry signed for newer vehicles and are of helping catch a would-be - way. being retrofitted onto models that dal making an attempt at taking are more analog. The Porsche sys- a car from the garage. The trend has since mellowed, but tem represents an option for se- finding yourself looking at an lect owners to use a tailor-made Just a few years ago, total vehi- empty spot where your pride and system. cle thefts were trending up, ac- joy once was parked is still a legit- cording to Hagerty Senior Man- imate concern for owners. With all For a non-Porsche owner, that ager of Claims Michelle Ayers. that said, any security is better leaves a wide array of options Many collectible vehicles benefit than none, even if that means the ranging from hidden ignition from additional focus and pro- basics of secure storage or build- switches to battery kill buttons, tection from owners, but crimi- ing alarming. fuel cutoffs, and pedal/steering nals nonetheless have a keen eye for classic vehicles, which are What is your method of choice for INSIDE THIS ISSUE easier to not only steal but also securing your collector car? See dispose of. Parting out or ship- feedback on page 5. • California Self-driver ping a vehicle out of country can both be lucrative options to a Earhart’s Terraplane • person in search of a quick buck. • Easter Show Judging • The First - New technologies like geofenc- • From the Archives ing and GPS have useful applica- • Activity Calendar tions, but even services like Lojack don’t work in areas with • Swap Meets and Shows no receivers. And if there aren’t • For Sale redundant contingencies in the

The President’s Joseph F Yochim (314) 602-9498 President Column… By Joseph F Yochim Mark Goldfeder (314) 878-2786 1st Vice President/Programs Greetings everyone: My message is very simple HELP Al Mercer (636) 928-8672 2nd Vice President/Membership We need volunteers to come out on Easter Sunday and help.

Jackie Allen With that said I realize completely that I am preaching to the (314) 741-4158 choir. We’re all getting younger and younger by the day. Treasurer However, the old saying holds true “safety in numbers”. So, Sandy Neal (314-368-1345) by whatever means of persuasion that works, please volun- Recording Secretary teer to help at the Easter show. Many of you that have par-

Russel Neal ticipated for years know it takes many helpers to make a (314) 368-2001 Corresponding Secretary successful event. This year all judges and volunteers are welcome to use the handicap parking area on the north side Directors Andy Dorris (2020) of the Muny parking lot. There will be a golf cart to shuttle Ron Nelson (2020) Vacant (2018) you to show central. Remember, volunteering on Easter and David Stephens (2018) the swap meet affords you a free admission to the HCCM Kevin Williams (2019) Sharon Mercer (2019) Christmas party.

Ron Nelson HCCM St. Patrick’s Day feast: the annual club St. Patrick’s 9826 Affton View Ct. St. Louis, MO 63123 Day party will be held on Friday, March 16, 2008 starting at (314) 638-7131 6:30 PM at our regular Logan College location. All members Brass Lamp Editor are strongly encouraged to bring a side dish or dessert. Kevin Williams (314) 481-9111 Hope to see all of you at the March 16 meeting—reminder, Webmaster we start at 6:30 PM.

Neal McIntyre (314) 494-0346 Special Events Coordinator

Gerald Perschbacher Special Liaison

Michael and Susan Ebert Easter Show Chairs

Elliott Cytron Car Show and Swap Meet Chair

www.hccmo.com (314) 991-HONK President Yochim reviews the tally sheets from the judging teams at the Easter show Celebrating 74 Years In St. Louis! judges training seminar to assess whether there was consistency in judging among the teams. Teams were remarkably consistent.

2 California Is First Again! For decades the state of California was always the first to require automobile manufacturers to incorporate various safety and vehicle emissions items. I can still remember my father always warned me. “Son, never buy a California car. They have all kinds of crazy emissions and smog pollution items that no other vehicle in the country is required to have.” Recently the State of California, through both legislative action and Department of Transportation regula- tion, announced that as of April 2, 2018, the State of California will no longer require a safety driver to be seated in a autonomous vehicle. Let me correctly explain this. Autonomous vehicles have been around for several years. However, a person was still required to be seated in the driver seat for safety concerns. Effective April 2, that safety driver is no longer required in the driver’s seat. Your autonomous vehicle will be legally capable of handling all your daily commuting functions. Picture this: you’re in Los Angeles on vacation. You’re driving down the 101 freeway and you look over at the vehicle next to you and there’s no one in the front seat. The vehicle is completely driving itself down the freeway. The passengers in the vehicle had just visited one of Southern California’s legal marijuana dis- pensaries. That will put a whole new meaning to the term enabling. The autonomous vehicles will also have access to the HOV traffic lanes. Does anyone remember back in the day the old Greyhound bus lines commercial? The advertising slogan read “Go Greyhound and leave the driving to us.” This puts a whole new meaning to that! Information source: NBC news Joseph F Yochim

3 California Police Recover Stolen Terraplane Once Owned by Amelia Earhart Courtesy of Hagerty Online News Blog

Amelia Earhart’s plane has been found. Before you shout that from a rooftop and com- pletely embarrass yourself, read on. We’re talking about Earhart’s car, which was a Terraplane.

Although the news isn’t quite as stunning as discovering the legendary pilot’s missing Lockheed Electra Model 10 would be, Jim Somers is cele- brating the safe return of a rare 1932 Hudson Essex Ter- raplane that once belonged to the aviation pioneer. Earhart helped promote the upcoming car show, and it The car was stolen from a Cal- new 1932 Terraplane models was parked in an industrial ifornia parking lot and re- after becoming the first fe- park when it was stolen. Or- mained missing for four days male pilot to fly solo across ange Police released surveil- before it was spotted in Los the Atlantic Ocean, and she lance video Monday showing Angeles. Orange County Po- was given one of the cars to a white truck that they believe lice recovered the vehicle on keep. was involved in the theft. February 26 and returned it to Somers the following day. Five years later, on July 2, The Terraplane was later 1937, Earhart went missing abandoned after media re- “Fortunately we found the somewhere over the Pacific ports began to circulate. A tel- car... I can’t express how hap- Ocean while attempting to fly evision viewer saw the car py I am about this,” Somers around the world in her Lock- parked in the El Sereno told Inside Edition. heed Electra. Earhart, naviga- neighborhood and called po- tor Fred Noonan, and the lice. No arrests have been The former top-fuel drag racer plane were never found. made. said he bought the Terraplane in 1986 for $9000 and spent Somers, 78, told CBS Los An- For information about protection for $15,000 on cosmetic and en- geles that he loaded the green your vehicle, contact Hagerty at 800- 922-4050 gine work. He now values the -and-black Terraplane into a car at $500,000. trailer in preparation for an

4 Feedback on Securing Your Vehicle—from Page One leighschu stitch6069 For my trailers I remove all the nuts from the wheels on Bright Yellow Boot! Yeah, like the kind they use in the big one side. It’s not too obvious and I figure if they are able cities, Can get a pretty good one on eBay for under 100 to break the hitch lock and hitch it up they won’t go far bucks. Oh, and the ‘club’ also. without two wheels on one side. stevengweng rspcharger This is an interesting topic for sure and is on everyone’s I’ve got a couple kill/fuel switches NOT IN PLAIN SIGHT, mind who has a precious vehicle that has been a part of a very secure garage with locks and motion detection their lives. I have been a victim to auto theft several times and I live in a very, very safe neighborhood on a dead so I am quite aware of the risks when you expose you car end street where we all have numerous firearms. All I to the public and become weary that the more I am ex- need is a big ass dog. posed the more likely-hood of theft. Deterrents and Booby Traps is what I rely on to making it difficult to near impossi- 220caribou ble for someone to go off into the night with my classic. I installed an unmarked dash switch when I put an elec- The “Club” (high end) is at the top of the list as it is very tric fuel pump on my '62 Healey. Since it was a roadster visible and provides the first line of defense. It is great too there was always the possibility of someone cutting the for when you just want to go to the supermarket for some hood to get in, with the switch flipped OFF, they would groceries and so on, as it is quick and easy to install and only get a couple of blocks if they were able to start the remove. For longer or higher risk events I use a layered car. On top of that, the factory starter was a pull to start proactive approach which includes removing the distributor mechanical rather than a turn to start on the ignition key. button, switching some ignition cables altering the firing order (only need to switch one pair) which provides a won- stephensantin derful back fire when starting (I found this out by accident Working on my old pickup one day I saw a vehicle driv- by incorrectly installing a new distributor cap with two ca- ing past that appeared to be casing the hamlet where I bles in the wrong positions). Of course to get to this point live. I got that gut feeling that I should up my game, so I they will need to have a spare button in their back pocket. bought a “Club” for all of the cars, lock all of the doors When parked in the garage I have all the above in place and arm the monitored alarm system. No problems. I plus a locked garage, power off to the door opener and a only take the cars to controlled areas like shows, or to watch dog and cat. I am not sure who is more fierce but my friends places so enjoying an outing is not a car security money is on the cat. As time goes on I will develop and issue for me. add more layers and the kill switches for ignition and fuel is on the top of my list. I live in a secure neighborhood on a flat6mitch double cul-de-sac with nosy neighbors, so I am not too I used to have a 1968 MGB convertible. I worked for Pan worried about a “wreaker” showing up at the house and Am and parked at the long term lot at JFK when I trav- hauling away my classic…at least not yet. elled. I had an aftermarket wood steering wheel just held in place with a large flat retaining nut. When I parked I mbknott removed the nut and wheel and put it in my suitcase. I live in a Detroit suburb, so theft is very much a reality. Customs didn’t know what to think of it when I cleared I’ve had a daily driver stolen. Technology can be over- coming back. Simple, but it worked! ridden by smart thieves - ask the 4-man team that stole my car. And it was frustrating watching my car being thepwkjr driven away on the security video. To protect my cars: In 1972 a lady told me she had a Morgan. She would (Neighborhood watch helps.) One lighted entry and one leave it in gear at college after unscrewing the stick shift garage door to my 80x30 car barn. Heavy duty lock on and placing it into her purse. Made a fair club, too, the inside of the garage door, so thieves cannot push the top of the garage door in to disconnect the rail and ZeGerman open the door. I do NOT have a garage door opener Unfortunately, ideas from others such as disconnect- installed - too easy for smart thieves. Motion activated ing the battery, coil wire, or installing a fuel cutoff are flood lights. Two sensors to alert me to movement, one not really useful methods of protection, IMO. Many OUTSIDE near the doors and one INSIDE the barn to classic cars are stolen without even attempting to start alert me of movement. Car keys are locked in a large or drive them. The thieves simply put the car in neu- gun safe. Brake Locks and Steering wheel locks are tral and roll it quietly onto a trailer and whisk it away. used, but only to delay the thieves. I have a wireless PA Many if not most classics don’t have locking steering system connected to the house. I would use that system columns or transmission gear selectors. There was a to educate the would-be-thief about a night vision scope recent video on YouTube showing car thieves steal a on my rifle. 1st gen Camaro by having one guy hop behind the wheel and steer it while another guy in a sedan pushed the car out of a parking garage. Poof, gone. Never even tried to start it. 5 Easter Concours d’Elegance Judges Training Event

About 35 members gathered at John Groll’s St. Peters facility on February 25 to undergo training to judge entries in the Easter Con- corus d’Elegance show on April 1st.

Susan Ebert, show co-chair with husband Michael, welcomes mem- bers to the training. In the back- ground is Al Mercer, one of our chief judges, who led the training session. Participants were treated to a fine lunch catered by Jimmy Johns sandwiches.

The first car inspected was just for education on what to look for when judging a vehicle. Each car is judged for authen- ticity and condition. Categories are engine, undercarriage, wheels, body work, paint, brightwork, top and fabric, inte- rior, glass and seals, dash and instrumentation. A perfect score equals “original as driven off the sales lot.” 6 Elliott Cytron, another chief judge, goes over the fine points of judging the engine compartment. Deductions can be made for frayed and worn belts, wiring errors, incorrect hoses and clamps, non- factory valve covers, spark plugs, extra firewall holes, radiator damage and dirty or poor under hood conditions.

Each team of five divided responsibility for in- specting one or more of the scoring sheet cate- gories. There are strict rules about making ver- bal comments, taking notes, pointing, etc. while judging. Judges observe quietly and then verbally report to the team head judge, who records the total score.

After all teams judged all the vehicles, each team’s score for each vehicle was charted, and compared for consistency among the teams. The goal is for each team to be within a few points of each other team for the same vehicle. If so, then it means that everyone saw the same deductions and judged fairly.

7 Before Minivans

Courtesy of Historic Vehicle Association

At the time of its release in November DKW Schnellaster introduced horsepower from its two- 1983, much was made of the Plymouth in 1949 may have been the cylinder two-stroke engine Voyager. It was seen as a revolutionary new vehicle that would change the first of such vehicles to fea- managing a top speed of American consumer market and help ture the defining characteris- not much more than save a flagging corporation. And while tics of this ever so ridiculed 40mph. While the much of this was true, it was not the class of vehicles. The little as a class has never been first “mini” van. It was, however, the first DKW van featured a trans- known for performance, the most commercially successful, arriving in the right place at the right time to verse front wheel drive en- LT600 model that preceded truly take off. In honor of those that gine, flat floor, configurable it wasn’t much better with came before it, we take a look back at seating and a boxy design. its 4-stroke 600cc air-cooled some of the precursors to the latest ad- Since Europe has long been two-cylinder engine. dition to the National Historic Vehicle the home to economical and Register. modestly sized vehicles, Minivan aficionados often point we can imagine there to Europe as the true place of have been others man- origin for the minivan concept, ufactured that we are and this concept vehicle, pro- not aware of similar to duced nearly half a century be- the DKW but to our fore anyone even heard of the knowledge this appears Plymouth Voyager, helps make a to be among the first case for this line of thinking. true “minivan” prede- With its streamlined, wildly aero- cessors. dynamic design, fenderless monoform body and six- VW Microbus passenger interior, it certainly Generally topping the list of appears to be one of, if not the those vehicles pointed to as first, minivans to roll on down the true “first minivan,” the the road. As would be the case mascot of 1960s counter- with many of its forbears, the culture is certainly worth Scarab featured a rear-mounted noting on any such list. The engine and front forward design Volkswagen Type 2, like its (an automotive first) allowing for predecessor the Type 1 greater passenger space. De- (better known as the Bee- spite its Art Deco design, its Lloyd LT500/LT600 tle), was a revolutionary de- wicker and wood paneling inte- Another small European en- sign and concept that rior and removable seats all start try, the Lloyd van, much like helped make practical the to sound more than a bit famil- the DKW was introduced in transport of a greater num- iar to those who spent any 1953/4 with all of the right ber of people and things amount of time in the faux- ingredients for efficient pas- within a confined space. wood paneled minivans of the senger duty. It utilized the That’s of course over- 1980s. handy transverse front drive simplifying the importance layout that offered up maxi- of the VW Microbus as it Maybe even more of a close rel- mum cargo/people introduced a number of ative to the modern minivan, the space. The first model, the concepts that were coopted LT500 only boasted about 13 by other like-minded de-

8 signers in the decades leading model year, it included, in ad- and its subse- up to the unveiling of the dition to its more compact quent line of minivans would Plymouth Voyager. passenger cars, a utilitarian find a place on this list. While at whose design and functionali- Ford, Lee Iacocca, along with ty was meant to compete with designer Dick Nesbitt and Di- that of Volkswagen, rector of Product Planning Hal the Corvair 95 (aka Sperlich, worked to create what Greenbrier). It, too, they viewed as a “Garagable featured a forward Family Van.” According to Nes- control design, along bitt, “The significance of the with an air-cooled hor- Carousel proposal was that it izontally opposed 6- offered a dramatically im- cylinder engine located proved alternative to the typi- in the rear of the vehi- cal interior-space-restricted cle. With its 95-inch station wagons of the 1970s.” wheelbase (hence the Unfortunately, it seems that the 1957 Fiat 600 Multipla “95” designation) and 145 cu Ford Carousel was yet another Another European entry, the in, 80hp engine, it proved a casualty of the 1973 OPEC oil Fiat 600 Multipla afforded fair match for the Microbus. embargo, its development room for up to six people on its As is often the case, further ceasing after the production of comparably small 78.7-inch innovations by competitors a drivable, fabricated metal wheelbase. Its interior provided forced to cease pro- prototype. two rows of seats, the rear of duction of this early example which could be folded flat to of the minivan in 1965. The allow for more cargo space, Greenbrier name something any family traveling would be recycled in any distance would need as, 1969 with the arrival with the seats up, the storage of the Chevelle space was minimal at best. It, Greenbrier four-door too, featured a rear-engine de- . sign along with a 4-speed manual transmission and either a 633cc or 767cc engine. 1972 Ford Carousel It should come as no surprise that the man credited with Chevrolet Greenbrier saving the Chrysler Corpora- When Chevrolet introduced its tion with his introduction of Corvair lineup for the 1960 the Plymouth Voyager and

9 From the Brass Lamp Archives A monthly feature looking back at the Horseless Carriage Club over the years

As we look forward to our 75th anniversary, we will be reviewing the Brass Lamp archives to relive some of the experiences and news from years past. The character of our official publication has changed a great deal over the years. In times past, the Brass Lamp consisted of mimeo-graphed pages in black ink, and technology did not allow inclusion of photos. The individual pages were stapled together. Later, articles were typewritten and the pages offset printed, wrapped in a heavy paper cover to create a type of booklet. Advertising was sold to offset the cost of production and distribution. The content of the publication included minutes of both board meetings and general membership meetings, along with lists of attendees. Stories of personal interaction among members were common. There were only a few articles about current trends in restoration, or articles about specific auto brands or manufacturers, or the history of the automobile. As we reprint some of these articles from so many years ago, I hope our efforts pique your curiosity, make you laugh, make you cry, and for some of our seasoned members, help you recall times and people now only remembered. —The Editor

10 The Brass Lamp

The Publication of the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri, Inc. March 2018 Activities Calendar

Information in this calendar is summarized. See flyers for 2018 Club Events Calendar events —go to www.midwestswapmeets.com March 16 6:30 St Patrick Feast, Logan 2018 SWAP MEETS CAR SHOWS, ETC. April 1 Easter Concours d’Elegance show April 20 7:30 General Meeting, Logan April 1 Easter Concours d’Elegance Forest Park May 18 7:30 General Meeting, Logan April 21 Rockwood Summit HS Biodiesel Club June 15 6:30 Strawberry Festival, Logan May 19 Pumpers and Pistons, Mus of Transport June 17 Father’s Day Car Show, MOT September 9 Wheels in Motion Westport Plaza July 20 7:30 General Meeting, Logan September 16 HCCM Show & Swap Meet, Hlywd Casino August 19 11 AM Annual Picnic September 22 Brass & Nickel Show, Mus. Of Transport September 16 HCCM Show & Swap Meet, Hollywood Casino Car Cruises and other events can be accessed at September 21 7:30 General Meeting, Logan http://clubs.hemmings.com/lakerscarclub September 22 Brass and Nickel show, MOT October 19 6:30 White Elephants, Logan Major Auctions and Events November 16 6:30 Chili Cook-off, Logan GAA Classic Cars Greensboro NC March 1-3, July 27-29 Hemmings Motor News Great Race Buffalo NY June 23

Alert! Please check the club web site monthly at HCCMO.com for notices of club event cancellations or changes in time or location due to weather or other FOR SALE circumstances. Tom Kniepman (636-795-1108) has a line on two cars. One is a 1965 Chrysler Imperial for $3000. The second is a 1974 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible, red and white. This car is going for $10,000. Contact Tom for more details.

Reminder for Volunteers

Volunteering to work at the Easter show and/or the September Swap Meet events held by the club earns credit toward free admission to the annual Christmas dinner and party. Your next opportunity is working at the Easter Concours d’Elegance

The Brass Lamp is a monthly publication of The Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri ©2018 All Rights Reserved. Material from this newsletter may be reprinted or shared by our club members with proper citation and written consent from the editor. 11 The Brass Lamp posterThe car for 2018the Easter Concours d’Elegance 41D owned HCCMby President Joseph Yochim.F. A Publication of the Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri, Inc. www.hccmo.com (314) www.hccmo.com 991 - HONK

Photo by Larry Hassel Larry by Photo — 1950 Model