TTTTTThhhhhheeeeee ‘‘‘‘‘‘GGGGGGllllllaaaaaassssssssssss GGGGGGaaaaaazzzzzzeeeeeetttttttttttteeeeee JANUARY 2008 Dealer Sponsor: Koons Chevrolet Tysons Corner, VA I NSIDE T HIS I S S U E 2 NVCC contacts 2 Membership Info Teen Driving School 3 President’s corner 3 Events Calendar 4 American History 5 Memorial, Ken Bulls 6 Teen Driving School 9 Ambassador’s corner As always the Teen Driving School was a big hit with the students (and numerous big hits on our cones). For more details, see Sheikh’s article within. The ‘Glass Gazette JANUARY 2008 Page 111 The folks working hard for you …. NVCC Council Members President – Richard Mars Vice President – Stuart Fox (703) 425-6118 (703) 759-4853 [email protected] [email protected] Treasurer – Marsha Batchellor Secretary – Cecelia Holzer (703) 481-0601 (703) 502-0450 [email protected] [email protected] Officer At Large – Chuck Pellerin (703) 242-2619 [email protected] Committee ChairpersoChairpersonsnsnsns Membership Autocross – George Kerns Newsletter – Rich Anderson (703) 753-3277 (703) 433-2611 [email protected] [email protected] Corner Concours – Carol Fox Publicity – Jerry Lelansky (703) 759-4853 (703) 455-7157 [email protected] [email protected] We currently have Drivers Education – George Kerns Rallye – Nicole and Cassidy Nolen (703) 753-3277 (703) 768-0319 125 active members and [email protected] [email protected] Historian – Paul Benish Social – Laurie Kistner 12 prospective members. (703) 631-7117 [email protected] [email protected] Membership – Pat Somersall Spooktacular – Andrej Balanc (703) 669-3481 (703) 220-8228 [email protected] [email protected] NCCC Gov – Andrej Balanc Webmaster – Laurie Kistner (703) 220-8228 (703) 631-7117 [email protected] [email protected] NCM Ambassador – Don Patrick CCChiefChief Instructor ––– Miriam Schottland (202) 234-2820 [email protected] [email protected] Prospective Members ::: William Miller – 2000 Red Coupe Stephen Smith – 1995 Conv Green Brandon Campbell – 2002 Z06 Black Gary DesCombes – 1993 Conv Green Dan Carrier – 2006 Conv Silver Talal Muhtadi – 2001 Coupe Yellow Karen Spence – 2003/2008 LeMans Blue/Red Joseph Penca – 1972 Coupe White Mary Wilds – 1972 Coupe White Iris Ferguson – 2003 Conv Torch Red Rod Cannon - 1992/1996/2006 Grand Sport/Conv Blue/Orange Karl Wilhelm – 1969/1976 Coupes Silver/Brown You remain a “prospective” member until you pay your membership dues and return your NCCC form. The ‘Glass Gazette JANUARY 2008 Page 222 THE PRESIDENT’S CORNER By Richard Mars Hang in there, Spring is really on the way. 2007 was a great year for the club. I think back to all the fun activities we participated in last year, which included two teenage driving schools, Spooktacular, the Club banquet, HPDE's Cone Killers, Concours, Ice Cream cruise, drag racing, Autocross, Go-Karting, two parades, the East Region Spectacular, the club picnic and my favorite, the Ocean City Corvette weekend event. I would like to keep all these events going this year. In addition, Cassidy and Nicole Nolen with Chuck Pellerin are planning to add four rallyes. Any other ideas for corvette activities are welcome. Recently, the Council met and amended the current by-laws. Also, our NVCC website was updated and should be up and running soon. Thanks to Koon's Chevrolet, especially Carl Leckner, for sponsoring our club and letting us hold monthly meetings at the dealership. I am honored to be your new club president, Rich Mars NVCC Event Calendar Maintained by Laurie Kistner February 2, 2008 As you know, the holidays are not good to your body...we all eat ourselves into a stupor for a month and then make resolutions we have NO intention of keeping. Let's fix that - Announcing Drivers Workout 101 Where: Golds Gym Alexandria, 7770 Richmond Hwy, Alexandria, VA 22306 When: Saturday, February 2, 2008 General Workout 10:00 AM - Noon Lunch following at Chevys Mexican Restaurant for those interested. The ‘Glass Gazette JANUARY 2008 Page 333 If you drive (or would like to this year) in any events, this might help. I have developed a good workout routine focused on the muscle groups that you use while driving. In doing this, I have talked to Golds Gym Alexandria and gotten 12 passes to get a group of people in for a workshop/meeting free. I am offering this to the first twelve people interested. I am calling it "Drivers Workout 101". Basically, it's a set of exercises you can do at your own level that will create positive changes for your driving. This is NOT about getting super-muscles or how to bench press your car. I would like to show you ways to strengthen shoulders, core muscles, chest, back and prevent injury from fatigue. This is a one-time deal but I am sure I could host a second one if there was interest. If you are interested, email me at [email protected] and I will put you on the list. Saturday, March 8th, 2008 -- Annual Awards Banquet 7:00pm at Maggiano’s in Tysons Galleria Mall. Cost is $30 per person (Children 5-12 are $15). Checks must be made Payable to NVCC and mailed to: NVCC c/o Erica Kerns 13544 Wyecrosse Court Bristow, VA 20136 Checks & reservations must be received no later than February 29th. Send your checks in early to guarantee your seat!! Dress is Business Casual. The Banquet is open to all NVCC members, their spouses, children, guests, and all those who have applied for NVCC Membership. Appetizers : Bruschetta & Mushroom Ravioli Al forno Salads : Caesar & Spinach Second course : Rigatoni, Fettuccini Alfredo with Broccoli Entrees : Roast beef tenderloin and Stuffed Chicken Fontina Desserts : Cheese cake and Chocolate Zuccotto cake All served with regular and decaffeinated Coffee, Hot or Iced Tea. CASH BAR WILL BE AVAILABLE!! (Please keep in mind gratuity is already included in the price of the drink) Saturday, March 29th, 2008 – Cone Killers at Summit Point For details contact George Kerns [email protected] or check out the NVCC Web Site American History Lesson: The 1955 Corvette By Cassidy Nolen Now in its third production year, the Corvette began to mature. The car not only came with a few more color choices this year but also came with the first V8 powered model. Now in its second year, the anticipated goal of the factory shift to St. Louis was to handle a production line of close to 10,000 units annually. This fell short in 1953 at only 3,640 roadsters being produced. The number fell even further in 1955, seeing just 700 cars produced. The differences for this model year are very difficult to follow. Little documentation exists to cover the unique options, colors, engines, electrical changes, wheels and sales on this year. The 1954 models entered the 1955 season with over 1000 unsold cars and this affected the entire Corvette nameplate. The engineers pressed on, and for the first time the car came with an optional V8; the 265 cubic inch, 195 horsepower motor that would soon give Corvette its roots in American muscle. The early 55’s are thought to be all The ‘Glass Gazette JANUARY 2008 Page 444 equipped with the Powerglide automatic transmission until mid-model year when the manual transmissions appear. Documentation exists supporting about 75-80 of the cars being equipped as manuals, all V8 powered. The engine option also included a 12-Volt electrical system while the Blue Flame 6 cylinder retained the older 6 Volt system. The V8 equipped models were given a gold V that covered the scripted V on the fenders. Original V8 powered cars today are easy to identify by looking at the frame indentation to clear the fuel pump mounted on the side of the engine. This does not exist on the six cylinder cars as there is no clearance issue. A very crude heater cutoff was also spliced into the heater hose on the V8’s, presumably due to the extra heating ability of the new “powerplant” and the systems inability to draw in cool, fresh air. 1955 saw the first production of Ford’s answer to the Corvette, the Thunderbird. As the battle for American automotive dollars heats up, two dedicated men kept the ‘glass dream alive; Ed Cole and Zora Arkus-Duntov. Next month, we will look at some of the refinements the 1956 cars saw over their older brothers. …..And for the latest in technology The 2009 ZR1 is coming late this summer. It will be well over six figures, but as Jay Leno said concerning the world’s other super cars (following driving a prototype ZR1 on stage at Barrett- Jackson’s auction on the 19 th), “it will kick their ass”. Considering the pending fleet fuel mileage requirements, Mr. Leno may be right when he says this could be the high-water-mark for super cars for a long time to come. Memorial for Walter "Ken" Bulls - NVCC Friend Forever By Cecelia Holzer My very dear friend Ken, that has been so gracious with donations of his personal contributions/ collectibles (amongst many other items) during our last 2 Teen Driving Schools, passed away on the Tuesday following the December 1st Teen Driving Event. Unfortunately, NO one at EM Mobil was aware of his illness, his cancer surgery or that he fell at home, slipped into a coma and never woke up. Monday December 3rd following our event, I sent him an email explaining how the event when and how excited the gifts were received/ distributed in the goodies bags along with the generous items presented to both volunteers and instructors. He was always curious on how well the events went and wanted to be informed on how he could help. I thought it unusual not to receive a reply from him on Monday, then later Tuesday afternoon, management called us in and relayed the sad news that Ken had passed away.