January 2021 Awarded Best CLC Regional Newsletter 2007, 2020 Story and Photos by Lifer 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Seville, Owner John Renfro Winner CLC Web Winner Old Cars Weekly Site Merit Award Golden Quill 2013,2014, 2015 Award 2016, 2017, 2018 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 January 2021 U.S. Marines TOYS FOR TOTS Story by Rubye Hubbard Musser, Art by Lifer The North Texas Region has been participating in the Marine Toys For Tots program at Frank Kent Cadillac for many years. The program was originally started in 1947 by Marine Corps Reserve Major Bill Hendricks and his wife Diane. Our late Randoll Reagan, a former Marine, brought this event to our club and although this year was effected by the Covid-19 pandemic, we had a decent showing. Thanks to all who participated in the drive at Frank Kent's TOYS for TOTS! Thanks to Emily for collecting the toys in a Cadillac suburban to deliver to the Marines to distribute to the children for their Christmas. Even though COVID-19 precautions were among us with masks, we faired and enjoyed seeing some individuals completing our slow year for Cadillac events. We even saw some special and pretty cars. A 1957 Eldo Seville sedan driven by seldom seen John Renfro and son Doug came with toys and some gift jars of Mrs. Renfro’s Hot Salsa. Murphy and Darla Walker driving a 1982 beautiful Fleetwood Brougham blue sedan with usual large donation of Toys. Tim Matheus was so good to see even though he was minus his beautiful red 59 convertible, for they were using it to transport guests at the National Finals Rodeo at the Globe Life Field (the new Rangers stadium) in Arlington, Texas. Then we had Bill Levy’s red 2001 Eldorado ETC, Jim and Judy Han- son’s black 1992 Allante, and Rubye Musser’s 2015 SRX. Page 2 January 2021 2021 NTXCLC Board Thank you for participating in our annual board member election this year. This is a requirement of our club’s Constitution. Here are the results. Bill “Lifer” Levy, President, News- Minnie Bedrick, letter Editor, Pate Webmaster Swap Meet Di- rector Bill Haesslein, Bill Ische, Vice Membership President, Assis- Director tant Pate Swap Meet Director No Picture Rubye Mae Hubburd Musser, Activities Jeff Podmers, Alex Beloff III, Richard Cross, Director, Sunshine Director Terry Graham, Director Historian Secretary Additional people that makes this club successful: Greg Neiberding—Newsletter printer. James “Jim” Hanson, Treasurer Page 3 January 2021 Story and Artwork by Alex Beloff III The structural strength of the 1992-1999 Cadillac DeVilles, Sevilles and Eldorados have saved lives! Careful study of these 1996 photographs show visual evidence of unsurpassed driver and passenger safety from severe collision damage. Crumpled zones were designed for maximum occupant protection. Engine and transmission were designed to be deflected under the passenger compartment not through it dur- ing severe head on collisions. The gas tank is protected from exploding and Sevilles have the battery safely located underneath the passenger rear seat. Occupant protection is built into the doors and body panels. I was on temporary assignment at Currie An- drews Cadillac Land Rover in Brentwood (Nashville) Tennessee in July of 1996. The new 1996 Cadillac Seville SLS absorbed the shock of high speed lethal impact with multiple roll overs and careening into a field. This was Waylon Jennings's housekeeper who fell asleep behind the wheel on I-40. She had a few bumps and bruises but otherwise was unharmed. A new 1996 Cadillac Sedan DeVille suffered high speed uncontrolled multiple impacts from sev- eral impaired drivers. Again, the lone driver was badly shaken up and bruised but unhurt. Crumpled zones ab- sorb impact. All Cadillac DeVilles, Sevilles and Eldo- rados had perfect fit and finish installation without the traditional use of body shims. It is important to go back in history to understand the value of the 1990 Cadillac styling and engineering era. The 1980 Detroit motor industry started losing money . $4.2 billion in one year. Small- er, vastly more reliable and economical Japanese imports in 1980 claimed 21% of the total market. An article by Don Sikora III titled “Cheap Wheels” stated, The 1986-91 Cadillac DeVilles and Se- villes lost in Hamtramck . Tragically for GM’s bottom line the loss of ‘distinctiveness’ devoid of exclusiv- ity, ersatz, questionable workmanship, uninspiring performance of the V-8 4.1 liter 130 HP . The Seville base price $26,756.00 the highest of any Cadillac. The tight rear seat Seville suffered the humiliation of falling short more than 5,000 units of the unloved Cadillac Cimarron’s 1986 volume . Eldorado fared even worse . Robots at the new Hamtramck plant in Detroit . painted ‘each other’ instead of cars. Alex’s thoughts were it is amazing that we had any Cadillac owners left! 1992 all that changed. The new Eldorado was spectacular. The 1992 Cadillac Seville was Motor Trend’s Car of the Year! 1993 the Cadillac NorthStar dual overhead cam engine became a reality with up to 300 HP! The 150 mph STS had 0-60 times closely equal to the 1964 Pontiac GTO. The Seville is within an inch of the overall length of a 1964 Lemans! One of my favorite cars from this era was Cadillac Northstar powered Eldorado Touring Coupe . A truly sensational automobile. By Richard Lentinello April 2017 Hemmings. NTXCLC President Bill Levy owns an award winning impressive 300 HP Northstar Crimson Pearl Eldorado Touring Coupe. Ask the man who owns one! What high end luxury manufacturer said that? Packard or Duesenberg? Page 4 January 2021 Northstar owners: My new Cadillac Northstar owners were en- couraged to change the oil every 3,500 miles. Factory says 15,000 miles. Today high mileage Northstar engines are pumping oil through badly worn valve guides. You cannot press in new valve guides in aluminum heads. You must replace them with new heads. They were $4,000 each not installed. I personally use Royal Purple synthetic oil to extend engine life. In 1963 on two lane Florida Highway 98 I pulled into a dirt driveway two pump service station with a tri-angular roof. I raised the hood on my 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Seville Coupe. I pointed to my “two four” barrel carter AFB carburetors and said, I’m from Fort Walton Beach trying to nurse these touchy ‘vapor locking’ carbs to Mitchell Motors Olds Cadillac in Pensacola. It’s hotter than a snake’s butt. Can you help with adjustments? This lanky Jethro looking guy said, Oh . Oh . They don’t trust me with tools! I don’t even have a screw driver. In 1990 at this fabulous California exclusive dealership, I said, I just love it here in La- Jalla. She said, Where you from? You must be new. It’s pronounced LaHoya. All the J’s here are silent. When did you get here? I said, Hune or Huly! Aunt Ester always entered the Naples Lexus Flor- ida showroom shouting at me, Oh, young man, young man. She always asked me, Do you have any scandalous dirt on anyone in town? And I said, Yes. Well known Sara and Carl are having an affair. True to her retired business woman’s view point, she responds, Who is cater- ing it? Aunt Ester enjoyed coming to visit and she was a delight! She emerged from the Wayne Stead Cadillac ser- vice department. She took one look at my restyled new 1994 Eldorado with carriage top, chrome wheels and Vogue Tyres and said, Alex how do you get these cars out of the showroom? I said, I will arrange for a test drive. She said, Oh no. I own it. I will write you a check. It is the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. My owners contributed to real life experiences that will forever live in my memory. Stand by for more of my personal interactions in the automotive arena. May God bless the trails you ride! Alex Hand drawn by Alex in 1961. What car is it? production tail lights from my concept concept my from lights tail production - non 2 with 98 Olds 1957 Page 5 January 2021 Annual Club Dues For all of the members of the North Texas Region, it is dues time again, being due December 31st, for another whole year of membership. This is your local club dues. National will bill you separately, so do not include it in your pay- ment. For new members in 2020 your dues are paid until 2022. Let’s put this $20.00 dues in perspective so you can better understand what it buys you. First, you become part of a group of people that all have a mutual in- terest—classic cars and especially fine Cadillacs and LaSalles. Second, when you need help with repairs, parts, how-tos, and information, the club is a great venue to get this and other assistance. Also, you get this great newsletter month- ly. Finally, and not last, but finally, your attendance to our annual Christmas par- ty (delayed due to conditions), with good food and special entertainment, is worth more than the cost of your annual dues. And the party is free for members and spouse. What a deal! Now, there is a cost above and beyond. We do expect our members to participate in monthly events, many which are of no cost to members, or some costs paid for. There is the adventure aspect and of course, the social aspect of these events. And in order to pay for all these extras, we expect our members to help with our work at the Pate Swap Meet, the largest swap meet west of the Mississippi river.