The Porthole

July/August 2017

Newsletter of the Mason-Dixon Chapter of the BCA

UPCOMING EVENTS -- MARK YOUR CALENDAR Mason-Dixon chapter items are in red

2017

Thursday-Saturday July 13-15 – Grant Miller’s Central Penn Annual Antique & Classic Auction, Lock Haven, PA

Sunday July 23 –Mason-Dixon Chapter Picnic/Meeting Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bush will be hosting a picnic at their home. Covered dish supper. The club will cover the cost of the meat. Please contact them at 717-938- 8931 as to what you are bringing by July 19th. (So as not to have an over-abundance of bean dishes etc.) Also RSVP by the 19th so they can order the meat. Directions to the Bush home: Exit 39A off I 83 (Lewisberry Road). Turn left onto Route 114 (Lewisberry Road). Follow to Route 382 turn right onto King Street (just after Mt. Zion Church). Then left onto Paul Avenue, follow road .7 miles to the end of the road, turn right onto 575 Paul Ave. They are at the top of the hill. Again RSVP by July 19th - [email protected] or call 717- 938-8931. This picnic replaces our regular meeting at Hoss's.

Thursday through Saturday August 3-5 – Mecum Auction in Harrisburg

August 4-6 – Das Awkscht Fescht. Macungie, Pa. Visit http://www.awkscht.com for more information.

Friday and Saturday August 11-12 - 48th Annual Car Show at the Swigart Museum in Huntingdon, PA.

Wednesday August 15 – Lititz Lions Car show in downtown Lititz – all cars participating must be pre-registered - for info contact [email protected] or 717-626-2450. Sunday, August 20 – Blue/Gray Chapter of the Olds Club of America car show at the AACA Museum. See flyer at the end of this newsletter.

Monday Sept. 4 – Ludwig’s Corner show – a Labor Day tradition.

Saturday Sept. 16 - The 16th Annual Neffsville Car Show. This show attracts over 500 cars every year! It is sponsored by Lancaster Sunrise Rotary, which merged with the prior sponsor, Lancaster Northeast Rotary Club. The combined Rotary organization will carry on the tradition with great food, lots of door prizes, and live music by The Nomads.

Sunday Sept. 17 – Hagley Museum Show

Sunday, Sept 24 – B.O.O.M’s All GM Show. The annual Show at Boyle Buick-GMC, 3015 Emmorton Road, Abingdon, MD. 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Wednesday-Sunday Sept. 27-Oct. 1 – Fall Carlisle

Thursday-Saturday Sept. 28-30 – Fall Carlisle Auction

September 29-October 1st. - BCA Northeastern Regional Meet Upstate New York Chapter, Clifton Park NY. See additional information at the end of this Porthole.

Sunday October 1stMason-Dixon Chapter Membership Meeting, 3 p.m. NOTE CHANGE OF DATE AND PLACE. Infinito’s Restaurant 2122 South Queen Street York, PA. Off route 83 exit 16B. Come for dinner first. Meeting to follow.

Sunday October 1 and Monday October 2 - Morphy Auction of Automobilia, Petroliana, and Automobiles, Denver PA

Wednesday-Saturday October 4-7 – Hershey AACA Fall Meet

Wednesday October 4 – “Night at the Museum” at the AACA Museum.

Sunday October 15 –Delaware County Community College Show (HCCP)

October 29 - 41st annual old car show & flea market sponsored by the Free Spirit Chapter BCA in Kempton, PA. See the Buick Bugle “Coming Events” for more information.

Friday November 3 – Autos & Ales at the AACA Museum Thursday November 23 - The 2017 Frostbite Run, sponsored by the Historic Car Club of Pennsylvania will take place on at 8:00 am Thanksgiving Day, the Massey House (Lawrence Road off of West Chester Pike or Springfield Road). We ask that you bring a new unwrapped toy to donate for the United States Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" Drive and a non-perishable food item for the local food bank. Free donuts and coffee will be provided by HCCP.

Sunday, November 26 Mason-Dixon Chapter Membership Meeting. 3 p.m., Hoss’ Restaurant, Mechanicsburg, PA

2018

Friday-Sunday February 9-11 – Atlantic City Car Corral, Flea Market & Auction – Atlantic City Convention Center

Wednesday-Sunday April 18-22 – Spring Carlisle

Thursday-Saturday April 19-21 – Spring Carlisle Auction

Wednesday May 2 – Sunday May 6 – Delaware Valley Region CCCA Eastern Grand Classic, to be held at Gateway Gettysburg, the Wyndham Gettysburg Hotel, 95 Presidential Circle, Gettysburg, PA 17325. This is a great venue for an antique car event, minutes from the historic battlefield sites.

Support your Buick Club events! There are many car shows, but no others that focus specifically on our favorite marque.

Please Note....if you'd like to submit any information, articles, cars for sale...whatever....contact newsletter editor John Hess at (717) 757-7666 or via email at: [email protected] or via snail mail at 1285 Christensen Rd., York, Pa. 17402. Directors Message

At this writing we are preparing for our trip to Brookfield Wisconsin for the 2017 Buick Nationals. Almost 3 months after my rotator cuff surgery I was finally able to do some work on the cars only last week. Still trying to be careful about my right arm and not pushing it. So the 1937 is serviced and hopefully ready for the trek. We will be on the road for about 11 days which will include the meet and the Pre-War After Tour. I thank all who helped with our 9th Annual Freysinger Car show held on June 3rd. Mostly the Freysinger family and staff for all their support. Dave Hare for all the Pre-Registration. Dick Beckley who handled on-site registration. Richard Sills and Dick did compiling of ballots for the awards. Barry McClair, Jim Smith and Jack Ulrich for parking the entrants in the correct spaces. Chuck Hoffman for taking photos and doing the write up for the Bugle and our newsletter. Tim Spigelmyer and all the above for help setting up and teardown. Our ladies Gwen Miller, Karen Beckley and my wife Joan for 50/50 ticket sales and T shirt sales. We actually have only one left! So we must order more. Everyone I spoke with indicated that this was the best show yet. We had a great variety of cars especially to my delight there were 3 1920s . The only comment was from Rich Murray to suggest that next year we shorten the day to give awards sooner so the Freysinger staff could get the lot re-populated faster. That was the good news….. The Monday following the show I received a phone call from Gary Freysinger to say that they will no longer be able to hold the show at that site. His reason was as much as he wants to support the show it is the push from GM for sales quotas. To shut down their lot and move 75 or so cars on the one day that they get most of their walk in business was not helping them to get their quotas. We are looking into some other venues for a show and we can discuss them at future meetings. Possibly still retaining sponsorship from Freysingers.

Don’t forget the upcoming July 23rd Picnic/Meeting at the Bush residence. See details elsewhere in the Porthole.

We are still in need of an assistant director since Tim Spigelmyer has stepped down. I sure can use the help so, someone please help me!

Please see upcoming events in the newsletter.

Larry

DON'T FORGET...MARK YOU CALENDAR!!! Sunday July 23 –Mason-Dixon Chapter Picnic/Meeting Mr. and Mrs. Tom Bush will be hosting a picnic at their home. Covered dish supper. The club will cover the cost of the meat. Please contact them at 717-938-8931 as to what you are bringing by July 19th. (So as not to have an over-abundance of bean dishes etc.) Also RSVP by the 19th so they can order the meat. Directions to the Bush home: Exit 39A off I 83 (Lewisberry Road). Turn left onto Route 114 (Lewisberry Road). Follow to Route 382 turn right onto King Street (just after Mt. Zion Church). Then left onto Paul Avenue, follow road .7 miles to the end of the road, turn right onto 575 Paul Ave. They are at the top of the hill. Again RSVP by July 19th - [email protected] or call 717-938-8931. This picnic replaces our regular meeting at Hoss's. Buick Wagon Master at York US 30 Dragway in 1966. In the summer 0f 1966 I was a 16 year old car freak and my dad was the Sales Manager at Bratton Buick 150 North Beaver Street in York, Pa. York US30 Dragway was at its peak in drag racing popularity. Match races between funny cars and dragsters, and exhibition runs by specialty cars was a big draw for spectators.

Some time ago the Buick Bugle had a book review by Helen Hutchings on the Tommy Ivo dragster which was powered by 4 Buick engines. I can’t recall what issue it was, nor can I find it. I remember that article leaving me thinking was that the dragster that Bratton Buick sponsored for some exhibition races at York US 30 in the summer of 1966? After digging out some old photographs (black and white unfortunately) the answer is “Yes”. I did some internet searching and found the following web site: (http://www.speedhunters.com/2009/07/guest_blog_tony_thacker_nhra_museum_gt_gt/) Check it out. It seems that race opportunities were getting less frequent for Tommy Ivo and his dragster as the Funny Cars became more popular, and in 1963 he sold his car to one of his crew members who after a period of time thought the car needed bodywork to compete with racers of the day. The photos I have are a publicity photo showing the whole car. It was painted yellow at the time. You’ll see by the on-line article that it got wilder as time went on. I took photos of the front, rear and sides of the car plus a shot from the balcony in the showroom.

The car made some exhibition runs at US30 Dragway while it was in York. When I pulled out these old pictures there was one of the car making a pass, but taken from the grandstand, with my little Kodak Instamatic camera, it was pretty small. All 4 tires were smoking. I misplaced that picture, but there are plenty in the on line article, that show what the Riviera WAGON-MASTER could do. Jim Smith BCA #3566 Note from Porthole Editor, John Hess.....Thanks to Jim Smith for providing this story and the memories. I too, like him, went into Bratton Buick to see this car. I was in love with the '66 Rivieras when they were new and HAD to see this rig! It's appearance at the dealership was heavily advertised in the York newspapers, so my Dad & I went in to see it. I didn't have the forethought to take my camera along, like, thankfully, Jim did.

We got into Bratton's from time to time for service on our 1961 Electra 225 that my parents has at the time. That was a GREAT car and the first car we owned that had factory air conditioning! Also the first car I drove! My Dad knew Jim's Dad, Lester. I eventually DID end up owning a '66 Riviera GS that I still have. Here’s your sign!

Richard Sills sent me an email to inform that Kelly was selling an original double sided porcelain Cadillac Service sign from the 1940s or early 1950s. Ebay opening bid of $13,000!! My response to his email….

Richard:

That hurts.... The nearly perfect 42" Cadillac service sign that I removed in 1973 from the rear of the Constantine Lincoln building (formerly Bindi Brothers Cadillac/) Monongahela PA. I was given free for taking it down. Probably from the late 1940s. Gene Bindi was my father’s Godfather and my dad bought his first car there (a 1946 Pontiac 8 torpedo nearly identical to a car in Mr. Bulgari's collection). I "lugged" that sign around for over 20 years. I had it in my garage here in Chambersburg and tried to trade it for a similar Buick Service sign. No luck. Finally sold it for what we thought was a fortune in 1993 for around $400. I also had a MOBILGAS Pegasus sign, around $300 and a 1950s 4'X6' sign for about the same. I remember that the signs hung in an antique shop in St. Thomas Pa. 7 miles west of Chambersburg. They doubled the price I had sold them for and probably did not sell for at least 5 years. Oh, if only we could see the future. Larry

The sign I had is barely visible in the upper right corner. Photo is from 1991 with my son Mark (now 30) and my daughter Bethany (now 34). That is where my 1937 Buick sat for 25 years. Past Events....

JUNE 3 2017

MASON DIXON CHAPTER 9TH ANNUAL CAR SHOW The Mason Dixon Buick Club held its 9th annual car show in Mechanicsburg Pennsylvania on Saturday June 3th. The event was hosted by the shows long time supporter, Freysinger Buick GMC. Freysinger Buick GMC provided a disc jockey and announcer as well as food and refreshments throughout the day for participants and show goers. The great weather and support of our sponsor and club members resulted in a record turnout of 67 cars and trucks. The vehicles ranged from a1924 Buick Model 45 Touring to a 2011 T-Type. With fourteen classes and five special awards MDBC member Richard Sills was busy tallying votes throughout the afternoon.

Best of show was won by a 1928 Buick Model 58 Coupe owned Bob & Robin Miller.

Dealers Choice was won by a beautifully preserved 1966 225 coupe owned by Bill Scott.

Other notable winners included:

Oldest Car in Show - 1924 Buick Model 45 Touring owned by Bryan Rothermel

Long Distance Award (140 miles) - 1966 Buick Electra 225 owned by Michael Crookham

The MDBC Awards Table Mason Dixon Buick Club members Richard Sills (left) and Larry Dibarry getting ready to announce the winning cars.

Some of the cars on display in front of Freysinger Buick GMC.

Oldest Car in Show, 1924 Buick Model 45 Best of Show Winner, 1928 Buick Model 58 Coupe

Dealers Choice Winner, 1966 Buick Electra 225 1950-59 Buick Class Winner - 1953 Estate Wagon owned by Dick Beckley

1965 owned by Mike Lawson Mason-Dixon Chapter Buick Club of America Award Winners at Freysinger Buick Show – June 2017

Class 1 1903-1939 Buicks

1st - 1928 Buick Model 58 Master 6 Coupe Bob & Robin Miller

2nd - 1928 Buick Model 25 Sport Touring Dave Blaufarb

3rd - 1924 Buick Model 45 Touring Bryan Rothermel

Class 2 1940-1949 Buicks

1st - 1949 Sedan Matthew Hans

Class 3 1950-1959 Buicks

1st - 1953 Buick Super Estate Wagon Dick Beckley

Class 4 1960-1969 Buicks (full size)

1st - 1965 Buick Riviera Mike Lawson

2nd - 1961 Buick LeSabre Bob Fredericks and 1966 Buick Electra 225 coupe Bill Scott

3rd - 1961 Buick LeSabre convertible Tim Spigelmyer and 1963 Buick Riviera Brad Baublitz

Buicks, continued

Class 5 1960-1969 Buicks (all others)

1st - 1964 John Jacobs and 1969 Buick GS400 Doug Arnold

2nd - 1967 Buick GS400 convertible Tom Zickefoose and 1968 Buick GS California Mike Wagaman

Class 6 1970-1979 Buicks (full size)

No Entries

Class 7 1970-1979 Buicks (all others)

1st - 1970 Buick GS455 convertible Gwen Miller

2nd - 1972 Buick GS Cleason Stoner

Class 8 1980-1989 Buicks

1st - 1988 Wayne Brown

Class 9 1990-current Buicks

1st - 1990 Buick Electra T-Type Charles Steffy

2nd - 1995 Buick Riviera Richard Murray

3rd - 2011 Buick Regal T-Type Jim Smith

Other GM Makes

Class 10 Other GM Makes – 1969 and Older

1st - 1955 Cameo Pickup Bob Hake

2nd - 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Josh Sigman and 1963 Chevrolet Nova Lonnie Stambaugh

3rd 1956 Chevrolet Bel Air Bob Arnold and 1965 Chevrolet Impala Ron Savidge and 1965 Pontiac GTO Mel Barton and 1967 Pontiac GTO Duke Alexander

Class 11 Other GM Makes – 1970 and Newer

1st - 1972 Chevrolet Chevelle “Heavy Chevy” Patricia Hoke

2nd - 1978 Pontiac Firebird Ed Goss and 1991 Quad 4-4-2 Bill Myers

3rd 1973 Chevrolet Camaro Bart Frey and 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass 4-4-2 Peggy Sue Jacobs

Non-GM Makes and Modified Cars

Class 12 Non-GM Makes – 1969 and Older

1st - 1961 Nash Metropolitan Levi Sloop

2nd - 1963 Jeff King

3rd 1955 Ford Thunderbird Levi Sloop and 1955 Ford Fairlane Curtis & Linda Nicklow

Class 13 Non-GM Makes – 1970 and Newer 1st - 1972 Datsun 240Z Chuck Hoffman

2nd - 1980 Triumph TR-8 Bob Iwan

Class 14 Modified Cars (All Makes)

1st - 1948 Willys Louise Becker

2nd - 1956 Chevrolet truck Ed Eberts

3rd 1956 Chevrolet Delray Bob Becker and 1965 Buick Riviera Howard Hoch

SPECIAL AWARDS

BEST OF SHOW – BUICK 1928 Bob & Robin Miller Pine Grove, PA

BEST OF SHOW – OTHER MAKES 1955 Chevrolet Cameo pickup Bob Hake Red Lion, PA

OLDEST CAR IN SHOW 1924 Buick Model 47 Touring Bryan Rothermel Wiconisco, PA

DEALER’S CHOICE 1966 Buick Electra 225 coupe Bill Scott Phoenix, MD

LONG DISTANCE AWARD (for show car driven to the show) 1966 Buick Electra 225 sedan Michael Crookham Front Royal, VA (140 miles) WARNING TO FELLOW BCA MEMBERS

Mason Dixon Member Fred White had his 1960 LeSaber Convertible sent to a restoration facility in Indianapolis. His is an experience no person should have ever endured. Fred recently had to purchase a trailer and drive to Indianapolis to retrieve the remainder of what was left of his Buick. This is an edited excerpt (Fred being understandably upset) of his letter sent to Pete Philips for insertion into a future Buick Bugle. BEWARE of a restorer named Dale Hooper, Jr. of Indianapolis, Indiana. A few years ago, he had a restoration shop in ; so, he may be trying to do some shady dealing with others in the mid-west area. In Fred’s opinion should not be trusted to work on any classic car. Beside fellow BCA members and a 95 year old WW2 veteran this person has swindled thousands of dollars from others having paid for restoration work not done on their vehicles. In addition, he has stripped our cars of parts to various degrees, as well as all the NOS, new, reproduction or refurbished, rebuilt and good used parts we have bought or given him and sold them as well! (For example the WW2 Vet had a 1967 Mustang to be restored that was stripped of everything and the empty shell was left behind the garage). Other examples of theft were perpetrated on family members. Ironically, and sadly, he does excellent work when he is clean! Description: Dale is 6’to 6’-1” 250- 280 lbs. Brown eyes and white hair. He is 55 years old. Big man with large wrists, forearms, meaty hands. If you should run across anyone fitting that description he may be using a different name please contact the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Dept. @ 312- 327-6449 or 6400 you may have. Speak to Detective Jerimiah Lokan. He is building a case to indict Hooper for Grand Theft Auto and theft of Auto parts etc. For Sale

Parts For Sale Set of 1969 Electra tail lights. Used condition. $50.00 1969 Electra 4 dr. Rocker stainless. $20.00 1949 Buick radio with nice chrome grill. $100.00 1969 Le Sabre Convertible deck lid. $50 1937 series 40 fenders, hood, headlight pods and misc. pieces from Jack Frank’s estate. If someone needs it I may have it.

Larry DiBarry 717-263-3804

For Sal e

1963 Riviera : Runs & Drives, 60,000 original miles, 401 Nail Head Engine , A/T, Currently wearing American Racing Wheels, still have factory wheels. . Phone Brad at 717-266-6470 for further information. $18,000 negotiable. The owner also mentioned that he's pretty sure that the car has been in his family since new. His grandfather was the original owner. For Sal e

Considering selling 2 of my due to health issues , is there any interest?

One is 64 Skylark conv. with all aluminum block 330 c.i. engine , Buick only made 600 cars with this engine in 1964 sold new at Mount joy Buick in Hanover I am the second owner . Needs total restoration . .

The second car is a well optioned 65 Skylark conv. that needs total restoration . Didn't think about prices . Was going to restore cars when I retired . Both cars have not run in 17 years .

Call if interested 717-632-5968 will consider offers . Thanks Gene

For Sale

1938 Buick 320 cid. Engine, reported to have been rebuilt. $800.....1953 Roadmaster, Black, 4 door sedan, 19,000 miles. $7,000...... 1960 Cadillac Convertible $13,000

Clarence Baltimore 301-452-0784 Preston MD. 21655

Wanted old signs, automobilia, petroliana, old gas pumps, barber shop collectables etc. Contact Dick Beckley at [email protected] , phone 717-395-7128. PO Box 128, Lewisberry, PA 17339.

2017 BCA Northeast Regional Meet

Sep 30 - Oct 1, 2017 Clifton Park, NY

The Upstate New York Chapter is pleased to host the Buick Club of America's 2017 Northeast Regional Meet in Clifton Park, New York.

PLANNED EVENTS: • FRIDAY: A car museum and a dinner tour • SATURDAY: Buick car show and banquet • SUNDAY: Day long after tour

LOCATION:

Clifton Park is located midway between Albany and Saratoga Springs, NY. The area is rich with activities including historical sites, Lake George, and the Lebanon Valley Speedway for drag racing.

HOW TO REGISTER:

For more details, including host hotel, registration instructions, and a registration form please visit the Upstate NY Chapter Website.

Make your hotel reservations early! There is high demand in this area during this time frame!

If you have any questions please contact: Christine Timber, [email protected] 518-505-4244