IN THIS ISSUE Volume 23 Number 6 June 2005 1 Officer & Staff Info 2 First Gear Tom Szymczyk 3 Notes From The Prez GTO Mailbag 4 20 Years Ago Today Bob Alexander Golden Quill Awards Cover Car Features 5 An Icon Passes As I write this in late April, Old It is no secret that Jim Stern, Feature John Sawruk Cars Weekly has just announced the Editor for this publication, keeps a work- winners of the “Golden Quill Awards” ing cover car feature backlog. This is 6 American Dream Maker for 2004. Former Legend editor Beth the best way he can avoid last minute Bill McCoy Butcher won for the umpteenth time for scrambling when faced with a publica- her work on this publication, a well- tion deadline each month. There are also 7 Original Time Machine Stan Kaminski deserved accolade for her many years of circumstances beyond his control which service to the GTOAA in that position. sometimes conspire to push back fea- 8 At The Auction Some of our local chapters also re- tures he submits (National Convention Chuck Catalano ceived the “Golden Quill” for 2004. coverage and the Roster Issue for exam- 9 Chapter Affairs Dept. Speaking of umpteen wins, Land of ple). Publication delays may result and John Johnson Lakes GTOs won again for Tiger Times, Jim knows these can be frustrating when with Dick Kos as editor. Another peren- you are waiting for your feature to ap- 10 Chapter Directory nial favorite, Tiger News, from the pear. Hopefully, seeing your GTO on Cruisin’ Tigers GTO Club garnered an the cover of The Legend will make the 12 Cover Car Feature John Kryta award for Paul Weinstein as editor. wait worthwhile. Wide Tracking, from the GTO Associa- Jim’s current feature file contains a 14 Convention Corner tion of Pennsylvania, received an award combination of stories with few or no 15 2005 Nationals Info for editor Greg Sereico. pictures, pictures with little or no story, Gateway GTO Last but not least, Get The Original, and some which contain all that is Association published by my own local chapter, the needed. If you have sent feature infor- Delaware Valley Old Goat Club, won for mation to Jim, and you are not sure of its 19 Mr. G.T.O. the seventh time. Their editor is Chuck current status, do not hesitate to contact Terrie Oxler Catalano, one of our contributors to The him at [email protected]. Keep- 20 Goats In Cyberspace Legend, who writes our “At The Auc- ing all interested members informed is tion” column. As a side note, Chuck is important and something he tries to do Sean Mattingly also the editor of PMD Excitement, our on a regular basis. 21 Thoughts From Carlisle local POCI chapter newsletter, which A few words about feature car pho- Steve Goscinsky also won a “Golden Quill,” making tos. I put in a good amount of time and 25 Classifieds Chuck the only double-winner this year. effort each month designing our cover How about that?! layout. It’s a lot easier and the results 32 Club Store Gerald Perschbacher, who an- are a lot better if I have good photos to nounced the awards for Old Cars work with, like those you see on the Weekly, points out that winning publica- cover this month. If you plan on sending tions have certain things in common. He pictures of your GTO to Jim, please have mentions a balanced blend of features, a conversation with me before you do so. members’ info, items for sale, technical I can give you some simple guidelines to articles, and reports on club activities. follow, which will really pay off when Mr. Perschbacher also talks about pro- your car makes it onto our cover. fessional presentation in layout and de- I hope to see you at the convention sign, as well as high standards for in St. Louis. As always, your thoughts, accuracy in the publications. suggestions, complaints, comments, and Thank you Old Cars Weekly and ideas are welcome. My phone number is congratulations to all our winners within (856)-439-0314 and my e-mail address is the GTO hobby. Good job! [email protected]. The Legend 2 June 2005 A Decade of Performance, Some More I don't spend a lot of time at the drag strip or Auto-X. I do spend time driving to the mundane destinations that fill our days. If a car is fun to drive, it makes those trips a little (or a lot) less mun- dane. I buy a car to suit my needs and preferences at the time I plunk down the dollars. All the hassles about the new GTOs are, putting it mildly, nonsense. The car goes well and is well appointed. It certainly suits the needs and prefer- ences of some folks. Those who buy one own a real GTO; they belong in the Rare GTO Truck GTOAA as full-fledged members. They I ran across an old photo from Sep- needn’t be stepchildren doomed to sec- Notes From tember 1967. The car in the picture is a ond-class membership. 1965 GTO truck (which looks like an El People don't seem to realize that Camino). In 20 years of car shows I times have changed. The original Goats The Prez have never seen nor heard of one. Now, were exciting, affordable, and sexy. I wasn't born back then so I'm still learn- Yup, there is the “look factor” raising its SUMMERTIME ing a lot from the older generation that lovely head. The '65 GTO was a stunner Well, it’s finally here. Crusin’ has saw these cars new. The pictured vehi- and a runner. Pontiac excitement was a begun and the long wait is over. It is cle has the GTO letters in the grille and combination of looks and performance. time to get your ride ready for the trip to the GTO emblem on the fender behind I bought a 1965, a 1968, and a 1970 St Louis. I made the trek out from my the wheel. It is white with possibly a GTO new; the last was a 455 4-speed. hometown of Buffalo, NY in 1994. I vinyl top and tonneau cover over the The only problem with the 2004 plan on driving the same GTO out to St. bed. It has the factory hood scoop. GTO was that GM didn't create the "siz- Louis again this year. I have been to What can you tell me about this? Was it zle" needed to get the car off the ground. many GTOAA Meets, and it is never the a rare model? What was it called? Any An important part of the sizzle is the same without taking your car. If you are info would be helpful. Thanks. look of the car. It ain't all mechanics for like me, the car never sees a trailer and Tara Bush, via Internet most people. I know I couldn't feel the spends all its time on the road. Cruisin’ excitement for the ‘04 GTO that I felt for in a new city is always fun. Remember Tara, the '65 the first time I saw one. I could- Woodward Avenue last year? To the best of my knowledge, there n't wait to order that '65. It looked right, I would like to wish all the best to were no production GTO trucks made. it ran right, and made those mundane the Gateway GTO Association. I know That's not to say the factory's engineer- trips more fun. they have worked hard to put together a ing department didn’t experiment with a The best I can say for the 2004 was great GTO event. Come out a support GTO front clip on a Chevy El Camino. that it was "okay.” But that is my pref- the club and start your summer off right Most experimental vehicles did not get erence. Believe me, I wanted the new with the best national GTO event in the out to the public because they did not GTO to work for me. It would go well country. If you were in Detroit last year, have a vehicle ID number and were not with my '69 GTO driver and '68 GTO you know how much fun the GTOAA certified by the government. Most were restoration project. It would be faster, Meet can be. I hope to see you there. destroyed or ended up in museums. One corner better, and it would be able to of the clues is on the trailer behind the make those mundane trips less mundane TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES? car in the photo. It says “Bresee Chevy- – except it just didn't excite me. Have you spent the last few months town, Syracuse, NY.” Any help from the So I bought a 2005 Mustang GT. It working on your car? Have you run into members out there? gets along well with my ’69 Goat and problems that took some real thought or Bill Markowski my hybrid CRX. It makes those mun- research to solve? Why not share your dane trips more fun. There are those experiences with the rest of the member- who would throw me out of GTOAA ship. One of the benefits of the GTOAA because I didn't buy a car that didn't suit is to be able to communicate with the me. There are also those who would other 3,500 members in the club. throw me out if I had bought a new A simple letter or e-mail to our GTO.