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‘65 Flying Falcon 9
Cruisin’ Michigan Newsletter 8 One-of-a-Kind 4
Street Car or Drag Car? 6
Dining & Entertainment in Genesee County 12 2/26/2009 2/ /2 /2 9:34:56 PM
s Inside r Buff News?.....................3 Kind....................................4 r or Drag Car?...................6 ichigan Newsletter...........8 alcon .................................9 Car of the Month ............ 10 erage & Entertainment .. 12
Who is
and babysitting earnings later, she had her up and
CA CARBUFF F ? W
running. Now Gale was really in love with a car. This one left a soft spot in her heart for the Chevelles of the 1970’s
NEWS S
ELCOME to Car Buff News, the publication dedicated to car enthusiasts everywhere.
Car Buff News is the product of the husband and
which he also had a passion
While she grew up loving cars; muscle cars in
for. Of course, Ron has kept
particular, Gale had never visited a race track until
up by going to a lot of cruises
the spring of 1996 when she met Ron. He took her
and car shows, and by helping
to her first race that spring at Dixie Motor Speedway
his dad with the upkeep of his
and she loved it! Their friendship grew and they mar-
wife team of Ron and Gale Burch of Flint Michigan.
cars. Currently, Ron’s dad is restoring a 1933 Chevy
ried in 2001. Since then the two of them try to make
Ron and Gale both grew up in the midst of a lot of
five window coupe. Naturally, Ron has had his hands
it to as many races as possible during the season as
car lovers that they affectionately call “gear-heads”.
in this project as well.
well as catching as many cruises as possible around
Ron is a Kearsley High School graduate, whose father owned a race car that was run in the factory
While Gale grew up instilled with a love for all things car; her story is a little different. When she
mid Michigan. This past summer Ron and Gale got a special treat. They got to cruise in the “Back to the Bricks”
stock division at Auto City Speedway in the 1970’s.
was just a little girl, her father bought his first mus-
As Ron grew up, his dad instilled in him a love for
cle car, a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass. This was the first
cruise in Ron’s dad’s 2008 Dodge Challenger. They
anything with a motor and wheels. Ron went on
time Gale fell in love with a muscle car, but would
had a blast! It was that experience that sparked the
to become a licensed mechanic, but that wasn’t
not be the last. Being “daddy’s little girl” she got
idea for this publication. They wanted to keep the
enough for him. He had that “need for speed”. So
to hang out in the garage with her dad, his friends,
camaraderie of the cruising, racing, and collecting,
over the years he’s managed to dabble in racing here
and their cars. This quality time with her dad helped
rebuilding and restoring circuit going all through
and there. He has ran a few of his own vehicles in
forge her love of muscle cars.
the year. So they consulted with a couple of experts
the “Spectator Drags” at Auto City Speedway and
to share your club or group events, photos and ail them to: gale@carbuffnews.com . You can Gale Burch at (810) 736-8507. We would love d story in Car Buff News. There is no cost For sending us your story and photo, you’ll mentary issue by mail when we print your story. complete address with your story. We do not he basis of make, model, breed, or creed. This anyone who loves cars…any cars! All you us your info. We will also print your lists of for your car club or organization. more exposure for your business, we have available at very affordable rates. Call us for and availability. Get your business ad in on the grow with us!
running. Six months and $600.00 in paper route
While a senior in high school at Flint Southwestern,
who said, “I think you’re on to something here”.
Dixie Motor Speedway, as well as driven a couple of
in the mid 80’s, Gale bought a 1974 Chevelle Malibu
With that, Ron and Gale took their idea and ran with
cars belonging to other people in the factory stock
for a penny. That’s right! The guy sold it to her for
it. With the loyal help of a few trusted friends and
division.
one cent! It belonged to Gale’s aunt’s friend, and
the support of a few family members, here it is…
had an electrical problem that was keeping it from
CAR BUFF NEWS. Enjoy!
Ron’s father switched from racing to cruising,
rch ors of Car Buff News
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3 2/26/2009 9:34:59 PM
One of a Kind
2007 Roush Mustang Convertible
R
OUGHLY two and a half years ago, Genesee Auto Salvage owner, Shawn Pardo was watching American Idol on T.V. They announced the winner and then showed the viewing audience what the winner would receive. One of the prizes was a brand new (2007) Ford Mustang convertible.
THAT A caught Shawn’s attention. He mentioned to his friend that he would like to test drive one of those cars. Within a day or two he was at the local Ford dealership to do just that. The car he test drove was a 2007 Mustang hard top, but that didn’t matter to Shawn. He was in love! Deciding to order one from the factory for himself, Shawn began to look at the different packages offered at the time. The package that caught Shawn’s eye was the Roush Stage II Mustang. He chose the Stage II over the Stage III package because there were certain options he could get with the Stage II that weren’t available with the Stage III. Shawn’s pony would, of course have to be a convertible, but there were other features that would make this car special. For instance, no racing or pin stripes on this little filly. She’s black on black. She has Roush signature, leather, bucke a stainless steel dash board with factory Ford different color effects when its dark and the d are on. It came with the Stage II 425hp moto on factory 18 inch low profile wheels and tire the only Roush Stage II Mustang built that ye with a factory convertible top. This and the other personal touches Shawn ordered make her “one of a kind”. The car is completely “factory” except for the head lights and the tail lights, which are after market parts. A few months after owning the car, the tensioner pulley needed to be replaced so
4
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Shawn took her back to the dealership. While she was there, Shawn received a call from a Roush representative asking if they could add an experimental 2008 processor to the car’s computer and give her a little update. Shawn agreed. The experimental chip they added increased the car’s horse power by 125hp, taking her from 425hp to 550hp. They also gave her a tighter suspension and Roush steering. Shawn says she handles like a dream and is really fast. The factory estimates that the car will go a quarter mile in 8.9 seconds. That’s pretty fast for a factory car! Although he says he’s never raced her or timed her, Shawn has had a couple of opportunities to open her up on the back roads near his home. Shawn told Car Buff News that the fastest he’s had her up to is 135mph, and she was still pulling like she wanted more, but there wasn’t enough traffic free open road to give his pony anymore rein. Shawn confided to Car Buff News that he has been stopped by the police for speeding with this pretty, black, one of a kind, Mustang. He said he’s gotten a ticket or two, but he also got compliments on the car from the policemen issuing the tickets. He told us that one cop even pulled him over just to get a good look at the car and talk to him about it. With a car like this it’s hard to go slow and even harder not to get noticed!
5
F
OR Reggie Shelton and his 1932 Buick Sedan, it’s both! Shelton bought his ’32 Buick from Steve DeWitt who had inherited the car. Ernie Croscoe, from EC-1 Race Cars, started to restore it as a street rod about 6 years ago, but Reggie finished it, making it street legal and capable of doing 8:50 seconds in the ¼ mile at the drag strip with the blown 509 cu. in. big block Chevy motor with roughly 1300 hp. That motor has a 1071 blower and runs on E-85 fuel. He is expecting some faster times on the strip in the coming season. Some of you may have seen this beautiful car at Milan Dragway, or Michigan Motorplex. He also frequents some of the local cruises and shows like “Back to the Bricks” in Flint, and the “Woodward Dream Cruise”. It also gets driven on the streets in Flint around their home. Reggie says he’s only been pulled over one time with it and that was because he took it out on the streets near his home and something broke while he was “ge so he had to use a chain and tow The police pulled him over for tow like that, but not for speeding. Up north in Hillman, MI, the police block off one of the roads near the school in town and allow drag racing on that street. Last year Reggie took home the “King of the Hill” trophy and got his name and picture in the local paper up there. Both of which are proudly displayed in the Shelton family home. Reggie also tells us that he
6 2009-03.indd 6-7
watching that episode! This should prove to be an interesting show, not to mention, a lot of fun for the Shelton family. When he’s not tinkering in his shop where he’s helped a lot of local guys get their cars ready for racing or cruising, he likes to take advantage of the social aspect of being involved with drag racing and cruising. During the off season he gets together with other classic and drag-car owners and goes bowling or plays cards. During the summer, he and his family camp out at some of the events with other racing and cruising families. They enjoy sitting around the campfire with good friends at night, and racing or cruising during the day. That’s what it’s all about… showing off your car and having fun with a great group of people! Photo and story provided by Reggie Shelton, owner of Shelton’s Performance.
www.carbuffnews.com
2/26/2009 2/ /2 9:35:15 PM
’65 “Flying’ Falcon”
I
Owner Vince Porcelli
’ve been racing for quite a few years and
9” rear with 4.30 gears running 33x15x15
“You guys always race hard!”
ually started racing in Italy while I was
Hoosiers.
Particulars on the car:
tioned there from 1969 to 1971. I was
I still don’t really care about the winning,
1965 Ford Falcon, Sprint full tube chassis,
running an Alfa Romeo at
d Skinny Kid. Stroked
it on courses. I raced nine
ut 820 hp by Wayne
in my class and 8 overall.
, Blue Thunder heads
hooked.
ne Kutchyn of Head-
When I returned to the U
smission and con-
to put racing on the back
9” 4.30 gear by Mike
because I had a family an
my2, Tommy Porcelli Jr.
then. In 1988 I finally dec start racing again so I we
5 at 125mph in the 1/8
a 1965 Ford Falcon, and s
ph in the 1/4 mile.
At first I went out just to have cared less about win opez)
went fast. Then it turned faster, faster, and faster. I 14 seconds at 100 mph. S really didn’t mean anythin go as fast as possible with or blower with a small blo
nce Porcelli Racing
In 1994 I met Wayne Kut builder. He and I hit it off started building my moto heads and doing everything he knew to get
p
p
y
me to go faster. He really knows what he’s
Although I have won the Race of Champions
doing because today people ask, “How big
3 years in a row and I do win some races.
is that big block?” When we tell them it’s a
We’re just two guys that enjoy racing and
small block, they ask, “Where’s the bottle?”
enjoy each other’s company. When we come
We’re constantly running in the 8.80 zone at
to the line, though, it’s all out! We race and
about 153mph. The car weighs 2700 lbs, it
there are no hard feelings if the other guy
has a powerglide with a 1.76 first gear and a
wins. It’s the ra wins. Even peo
8 2009-03.indd 8-9 20
www.EnjoyWayne.com www.DonNicholson.net www.CruisinMichigan.com www.ChurchillAlumni.com www.EnjoyWestland.com
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9 2/26/2009 9:35:31 PM
9 10
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11
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