The Oldsletter Sept/Oct 2018 Reminder to attend the Micke Grove Park Pot- luck Picnic/Car Show Saturday Oct 6th Inside This Issue; l The Simon Toro Story l The Gene Adams Story l Micke Grove Information l Portal Park and other Events l Technical Library Newsletter of the Northern California Chapter Oldsmobile Club of America Officers and Representatives 2018 Nor Cal Olds Club Website: www.norcalolds.com President and Club Historian Bob Griffith 209-329-1506 2434 Grenoble Ct [email protected] Lodi, CA 95242 Vice-President Jeff Stanish hm: 408-370-9142 2030 Anthony Dr. cell: 408-529-6209 Campbell, CA 95008 [email protected] Treasurer/Membership Dan Haggerty 408-268-7904 1157 Valley Quail Circle dnehaggerty4957@ San Jose, CA 95120 comcast.net Secretary Beau Brown 916-333-1736 3806 Dell Road [email protected] Carmichael, CA, 95608 Car Show Chair Vacant Needed This could be you! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx xxxxxx CA xxxxxx Newsletter Editor Larry Ewing Technical Librarian 3330 Henriette Ct Board Advisor San Jose, CA 95135 408-528-9770 [email protected] Don Sutherland-Linda Sutherland Webmaster - Health and Welfare Pacific S.W. Zone Directors Dan Haggerty 1157 Valley Quail Circle San Jose, CA 95120 408-268-7904 [email protected] 209-833-3413 Jon Manji, 2257 Moorbrook Way [email protected] Sacramento, CA 95826 1460 Velasquez Lane 916-386-1642 Tracy, CA 95377 [email protected] 2 President’s Message Greetings Nor-Cal Olds Club members, Another typical hot summer in the CA central valley. I’ve been busy in the mornings and eve- nings working on my 1954 Chevrolet, cosmetic restoration, and should have it complete by the end of September (pictures attached). Yes, I know it’s not an Oldsmobile, but I’ve owned it since high school. Once I complete the ’54 Chevrolet, my 1955 Oldsmobile will be going through this same process. “Let’s Try Something New” (or revisit). Is an idea that past president, Ken Van Gundy, Jr. launched in 1994, and I’d like to re-launch this year. With club members spread out all over Northern California, I’d like to hold a “Get Together” in five or six areas like San Jose, Sacramento, Modesto/ Fresno, San Rafael, the East Bay & the Peninsula. These “Get Togethers” will not be meetings, but rather a chance to bring members together at their home/garage or a pizza parlor and just talk cars. The club will provide food and soft drinks. I’d like to hear from as many of you as possible about this idea. Looking forward to seeing you at our Micke Grove event! President Bob Griffith Membership Report Membership as of July 31, 2018 is 128 members with 52 associate members. NCOC member- ship dues are due by January 1, of each year; $25 for member only or $25 + $5 for member and spouse; send to Dan Haggerty membership chairman. Applications for NCOC and OCA are on our club website at ( www.norcalolds.com ). Treasurer Report Our club bank account is solvent. Nor Cal Olds Club Treasurer, Dan Haggerty Editor Message This issue has coverage of the recent Portal Park Show by the Nor Cal Cadillac LaSalle Club. It’s open to other local car clubs and it’s a wonderful venue. A must do if you haven’t gone before. As you see on the cover, member Larry Simon’s one owner beautiful 1971 Toronado has a story and pictures of interest starting on page 6. An interest of mine are people that influenced my desire to own an Oldsmobile and in this issue the focus is on Gene Adams. A guy I looked up to as a teenager. See my story starting on page 9. On September 7, 8 and 9 there is the Crusin the Pines Show in Grass Valley. Many of our mem- bers have been going and now parking together. Nor Cal member Denise La Centra is point of Cover: 1971 Toronado owned by Larry Simon since new. Engine picture is a 303 in a Gene Adams dragster. 3 Editor Message Continued; contact for this show. Give her a call at 510-299-1403 if you plan to go and we can have a larger row of Oldmobiles. See flyer on page 17 or download an application from the Roamin Angels Car Club. Don’t miss the Friday night BBQ! Rocket West at the Claytons in Hollister will be held on Sept 22 this year. See info on page 12. And once again we have the Technical Library list on pages 15 & 16. Larry Shuyler has recently donated 2 items. Check it out if you need some technical info. Last but not least is a reminder to come to our Annual All Oldsmobile Show & Potluck Pic- nic in Micke Grove Park, Lodi October 6th. This year it’s on a Saturday so sign up and mark you calendar. Flyer was sent last issue but is also down loadable on our website. If all fails tear out the small version in this Oldsletter on page 13-14, that will work in a pinch! Your Editor, Larry Ewing I saw this picture on the internet and was amazed the ‘49 Olds made it at least half way into a house with what appears minor damage. I wanted to create a appropriate caption but I couldn’t come up with one. Any ideas? Let me know and I’ll publish it in the next Oldsletter. Your Editor, Larry Ewing 4 Olds Club Events 2018 Sept 7, 8, 9 - Roamin Angels Cruisin the Pines Show, Grass Valley. Info on page 17, POC Denise La Centra 510-299-1403. Sept 22 - Rocket West at the Clayton’s in Hollister. See flyer on page 8 Oct 6 - Micke Grove Annual All Oldsmobile Show, Lodi. Dec 2 - Annual Christmas Party, Cattlmens’, Livermore. Details to follow. Other Events Aug 7-12 – Reno: Hot August Nights 2018 is Tuesday, Aug. 7th to Sunday, Aug. 12th in Downtown Reno and Sparks. Aug 21-22 – Seaside: The 16th Annual Automobilia Monterey International Expo is Tuesday, August 21st and Wednesday, August 22nd from 10am to 6pm in the Ballroom of the Emabassy Suites, 1441 Canyon del Rey Blvd. Aug 24-26, 2018 Goodguys West Coast Nationals, Alameda County Fairgrounds Aug 26 – Pebble Beach: The 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is Sunday, August 26th at the Pebble Beach Golf Links, 1700 17-Mile Drive. Sept 15 – Antioch: Billetproof Nor Cal 2018 is Saturday, September 15th from 8am to 4pm at the Contra Costa Fairgrounds, 1201 W. 10th Street. Sept 16 – Los Altos: The Corvette Spectacular Car Show presented by the Santa Clara Cor- veettes is Sunday, September 16th from 8am to 5pm on Main Street. Sept 23 – San Jose: The 18th annual Antique Autos in History Park presented by the Santa Clara Valley Model T Ford Club and History San José is Sunday, Sept. 23rd in History Park, 635 Phelan Ave. Sept 30 – Turlock: The Fall Turlock Swap Meet is Sunday, September 30th from 6am to 2pm at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, 900 N. Broadway. Sept 30 – West Sacramento: The Muscle Cars in the Park X is Sunday, Sept. 30th from 10am to 2:30pm at the West Sacramento River Walk Park. Sept 30 – San Jose: The San Jose Country Club 8th Annual Motorsports Show is Sunday, Sept 30th from 7am to 3pm at the San Jose Country Club, 15571 Alum Rock Ave Oct 14 – Stockton: The Stockton Car Show & Swap Meet is Sunday, Oct. 14th from 6am to 3pm at the San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 S. Airport Way in Stockton. Oct 30 - Nov 2 SEMA, Las Vegas Convention Center 3150 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, NV CAM Events: -Current Exhibit; http://www.calautomuseum.org/ Mar 30-Sept 3 Crafting a Rebellion: Sacramento’s Customs & Hot Rods Show your valid Nor-Cal Oldsmobile Club Membership Card and get free admission. Admission$10 Adults, $9 Vintage (65+), $9 Military & Students (with ID), $5 Youth (5-17) Kids 4 and under FREE Members are always free! Hours 10:00 am – 5:00 pm; last admission at 4:00 pm Closed on Tuesdays. Every Third Thursday is open until 9:00 pm; last admission at 8:00pm 5 Second Generation Toronado by Larry Simon My story starts in Fresno, California early in 1971. I was making sales calls with one of the sales staff I directed when a 1971 Toronado went flying past us. I told my associate to catch up to that car, which I had never seen before, so I could see what it was. When we did I knew I had to have one, the Toronado’s of the 60s had not caught my attention, but this car was something special. So when I got home I went to Phelps Oldsmobile in San Jose, California to check out what they had. I came home with my car and still have it today. I followed the manual to the letter. One of the requirements was to change the transmission oil and filter at 25,000 miles so I had it done. It started to leak and it is still leaking after 177,000 miles later. The joke was when I ever pulled into the Oldsmobile service bay for service the guys would tell me you can’t park that car there because it leaks. My response would be “then fix it”! I have no doubt I will get it to stop leaking some day but it’s a small price to pay for the enjoyment the car brings to me. Larry Simon, San Jose, CA. 6 Five years after the original introduction of the all new Oldsmobile Toronado (1966) they intro- duce the second series starting in 1971.