NOV/DEC 2013
Be Seen And Heard In The Spokes
Remembering the ‘41
The last car my father bought was a 1941 Pontiac five passenger coupe. It was one of the last new cars produced before Pearl Harbor took us to WW1.
Around The Hub Events
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My 2 Cents
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Pontiac Pot Luck
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Car Show Minutes
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Motor City Club News
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Advertising
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Proudly Sponsored By:
By: Jon Sauliner
Although I was not in the world yet I can just imagine the excitement of having such a new automobile during the first years of that war time economy and lifestyle. I’m sure Al and Ruth were envied by the neighbors who were still driving their cars from the late 1930’s for most of the decade. The ‘41 was black, with the standard trim package with red wheels and the poverty hub caps of the day. I have some memories of that car that stay pretty vivid in my mind from the 1940’s. I can remember riding with my father down John R on the way to a union meeting in Detroit sitting next to him on a little bench he made for me so I could see out of the windshield. On this particular occasion I remember seeing the construction steam shovels digging the Davidson Expressway. That had to be circ 1946 as the records would indicate today. Also remembered was after he had his right arm taken off in 1948 due to cancer, I remember sitting in the front seat again and seeing him reaching through the steering wheel to shift the three speed on the column. As I recall he did a pretty good job of maneuvering that car with the use of only one arm. Unfortunately he passed away in 1950 just before I was to start the first grade at The Shrine Of The Little Flower grade school on September 5th. And those are my only memories of him and his 1941 Pontiac. Continued on page 5
Events
JANUARY 2014 Sun
Schedule of Events
1/1-HAPPY NEW YEAR! 1/5-Super Sunday Indy Swap Meet Indianapolis, IN
1/16-Motor City POCI Monthly Meeting
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If you’re a fan of the GM Futurliner it will be at the Sloan Museum during the 2013-2014 Winter season.
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www.motorcitypoci.com
Schedule of Events 2/1-2-Kalamazoo Swap Meet at the Fairgrounds Kalamazoo, MI 1/20-Motor City POCI Monthly Meeting
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My
Cents… By: John Berzsenyi
Oh what a view… I see it very often, but often do not recall it. It, is the view from the driver’s seat of my Firebird. The morning was brisk and it was the beginning of Fall. I needed to drive my car into work on this day to attend a cruise in and meeting at The Comeback Inn. I was to meet everyone shortly after work and did not want to go home, only to turn around and go back. I noticed a little fog as I left but it quickly dissipated and became quite the beautiful morning. One of many I have enjoyed over the past 30 years I’ve been driving to the GMPG each morning. Sometimes, maybe most of the time, the little things that happen on a daily basis, go unnoticed... This particular morning, I’m not sure what was different but I was at full attention. The sky was beautiful. The sun had not yet crested the horizon and hues of blue, orange, yellow, and purple lit up the sky, “it” was spectacular. As I traveled, I caught myself staring at the hood of my 400 as this beautiful sight reflected off of and into my view. Something else caught my attention, the exhaust note coming from the motor. This day, I turned off the radio, and just listened. It sounded great! This day everything came together. The morning at daybreak, the roar of my engine, the reflections in my hood of the beautiful sky. It was me and my car. I smiled and thought “what a beautiful morning”. Life gets too busy and too many thoughts cloud your mind and eyes. You tend to miss or not appreciate these little gifts that are given to us on a daily basis if not paying attention. “It” was in my face and I saw it this morning. Suddenly, this morning took on new meaning and “it” changed the course of my day. I’m thankful for this day and many that I have been given over the years, “it” comes more often than you think. “It” comes in many different forms and can be deceiving if you don’t pay attention. Being aware of “it” is the start of a great day, or maybe more!
I would like to wish everyone a wonderful Thanksgiving and a very Merry Christmas! Even though our cars are nestled away for their long winters nap, let’s not forget how fortunate we all are. Keep those who are not, in your thoughts and help out where you can. John
www.motorcitypoci.com
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Pontiac Pot Luck Crockpot breakfast casserole Serves 8-10 1 dozen eggs 1 cup milk 2 lbs frozen hash browns (cubed, shredded, o'brien) 1 lb bacon (or sausage or ham) 1 medium onion, diced 3 cups shredded cheddar Salt and pepper to taste
Ask an yo the Mi ne who wa s at lford C a r Sh was a great ow. It way t start the da o y!
Beat eggs and milk, set aside Layer 1/3 of each potatoes, onions, breakfast meat, and cheese. Repeat 2 more times, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste. Pour egg mixture over layers, cover. Cook on low 6-7 hours or until eggs are set.
Motor City Chapter Executive Board & Chairpersons President : Gains McDonald - gains.m.mcdonald@gm.com
Vice President: Ken Godfrey – godfreys5@comcast.net
Secretary: Kendra Klein - k.s.klein2009@gmail.com
Treasurer: Lori Woods - snowbaby48356@yahoo.com
Director: Jeff Denison - transamgto@aol.com
Director: John Berzsenyi - wyldgoat65@aol.com
Webmaster: Mike Erickson - merickson29@wowway.com
Activity Coordinator Chair: Dan Aldrich -(248) 681-9025
Please submit stories, ideas and recipes to the Editor: John Berzsenyi - wyldgoat65@aol.com or call (248) 467-9476
This newsletter is ours, the Motor City Chapter of the POCI. Lets make this the best newsletter we can by all of us contributing to its content.
www.motorcitypoci.com
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Remembering the 41...continued I have always said, I was destined to own Pontiacs in my life as I was predestined by coming home from the hospital in Al and Ruth’s 1941 Pontiac. My next memories of that car are of my sister Patti getting her drivers license in 1950 and becoming the custodian of the 1941. She was in high school and maybe one of the only girls at Royal Oak High with a car. Most people only had one car in the family at the time and it was considered pretty special to have one of your own, even if it was nine years old at the time. She drove it around town and I’m sure she was identified with the car as most of us have been during our high school years. Somewhere along her time with the 41 a fender came up missing, I believe it was the right rear. Never did know what happened that made the fender be separated from the rest of the car, but I do know it was in the garage for a year or so before she sold the car. JON 2013 back of the 1941 Pontiac
We did take a few trips in the car as a family, my sisters Gloria and Patti, and mother to Flushing to visit my aunt Eleanor on the farm before the 41 was traded in on Patti’s 1953 Chevrolet. I was only nine years old at the time and I remember that I couldn’t understand why we couldn’t keep the 41 for me when I turned 16 in only five short years. But my mother needed the $50. that Muncey Chevrolet gave on the trade for the 1953 Bellaire hardtop that was to grace our driveway for a few years. I don’t have any more memories of that car and probably won’t have any more stories about it either. Anyway Patti’s stories will remain untold of the first Pontiac in my life, too bad she probably had some good ones……
1941 Pontiac Updated 2012 We arrived at the Pontiac Nationals Weekend in Norwalk Ohio and one of the first cars I saw was a 1941 Pontiac 5passenger coupe, black. Just like the one my father purchased in 1941. This one appeared to be barn fresh and in pretty good condition despite being 71 years old. I took many pictures of this car and one in particular of me standing behind the car in the same pose I was in in 1948, the only other one I have of my father’s car. That afternoon I met the owner, Bob Mangina from Akron Ohio. He had just found the car a few months earlier and had not taken it to many shows yet. He bought it from the original owner and was told that it was moved out of the barn during the summer as the owner said it needed some sun in the warmer months. Bob did the normal things needed on a car that set so long, and when he started it up it ran pretty good. Just new tires, fluids, plugs and a few other things, other than that it was completely stock. The paint had a lot of age and patina, but the mohair interior and headliner was almost like new, no indication of mice infestation, the floors are all solid, doors open and shut solid, this is a real time capsule. I told Bob, I knew he has heard this before, but after I told him my connection with a car just like this one, I would like to be considered first on his list if he ever decided to sell this car, actually I would have bought it on the spot if he was willing to sell it. We have kept in touch through emails since the show. Continued on next page
1941 Pontiac Updated 2013 We arrived at the Pontiac Show in Norwalk again in 2013 and as we were waiting to go through the tech inspection for classification Bob road up on his mini bike and he said he was camping and had brought the 1941. He asked if I want to drive the car that morning, I was overwhelmed at his offer, and said yes. He brought the car over and Jen and I and Bob went for a ride around the show before anyone else was there. It was a thrill I can’t even begin to describe. Here I was driving a car just like my father had for the first time in my life. Once again I mentioned to Bob if ever he was to sell this car I wanted to be first on his list, he told me that all the memories and connection I had with this car, that I would be his first contact. What a way to begin one of the nicest days of my summer so far, and the first day of a great Pontiac Show in Norwalk!
Presents
Saturday July 19th, 2014 at Bakers of Milford 2025 Milford Rd. Milford, MI 48380
Pre-Registration Ends: June 30th, 2014
Preregistration $15 After June 30th $20 To Download a Registration form or get information on the show, go to Motor City’s web site at:
www.motorcitypoci.com Goody bag, Door Prizes and Dash plaques (1st 100 entries, includes preregistered and day of event entries) 50/50 Raffle 22 Classes You've been there for the biggest Great Food from Bakers of Milford Swap Meet Cruise Night in the country, now Registration is from 8am-12pm Show from 10am-2:30pm Bakers of Milford will host Motor Fun for the Entire Family City POCI's Pontiac Summer Roundup
www.motorcitypoci.com
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Motor City Chapter Car Show Meeting Minutes Car Show Committee Meeting Comeback Inn September 17, 2013 6:30 In attendance: John Berzsenyi, Brian Dougherty, Gains McDonald, Lori Woods, Keith Wilson, Ron Applegate and Marge Sawruk Planning meeting for the July 19, 2014 show to take place at Baker’s in Milford. Keith encouraged all to compile a list of prospective trophy sponsors. John copied a letter that Keith had made up for the Milford Car Show this coming weekend and for now he used the classes that the Widetracker’s use for their Dustoff. Keith said it is important to list what the supporters/sponsors will receive for the amount they donate, ex. Advertising in a particular magazine, newspaper etc.. Some car shows purchase a trophy they can give in the name of a sponsoring business even if the business owner does not want to be present to make the selection. The sponsor is then given a plaque with year of sponsorship with places to put succeeding years of sponsorship. He indicated it would be wise to look at the geographic location of the members and then shoot for those areas regarding sponsors. It is wise to contact places now as many times their budgets are set and you want to try to be part of it. John has been in contact with Futurliner people for possible display, however this might be cost prohibitive . It is residing at Sloan for the winter months so all will depend on where it goes from there and the cost, obviously. Haggerty would probably supply tote bags to use as goody bags Suggestion to use online publicity for the show including various forums, use Autorama as a flyer distribution location. Perhaps place an ad in Cruis News, however this costs around $375 currently and we only have $500 in treasury. We should produce a “save the date flyer” that could be distributed to all Pontiacs, Oakland’s and GMCs in the Milford Car Show this weekend and if there are more cruises left this season at Bakers or other venues. Need to get a registration form on the website that can be downloaded Do we need a logo in addition to the one that John already created for the show? If so perhaps ask Jeff? Perhaps the following places should be contacted: Oakland Press Bob Hildebrand Ben Harrison for a presentation Locals such as Inline Tube, Auto Zone Suggestion to have vendors who have parts and or car care products Dash Plaques. Ron indicated that Bob Van Sickle’s son from Widetracker’s owns a business that manufactures them. They were able to keep trophy/plaque prices down because Ron made the wood, then added a larger version of the dash plaque and a selfadhesive sign with the date of the show and the place of finish for the recipient. It should be advertised that only the first 100 registrants will receive dash plaques A proposed budget should be worked up including whether or not a DJ or live entertainment could be procured. Gains will see if Kendra could send announcements to POCI members in the area Marge suggested having only first and second place winners to cut cost.
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Motor City Chapter Car Show Meeting Minutes Car Show Committee Meeting – October 3, 2013 Present: John Berzsenyi, Gains McDonald, Ron Applegate, Marge Sawruk, Brian Dougherty, Keith Wilson, Lori Woods John passed out copies of the current flyer for the Saturday, July 19, 2014 Pontiac Summer Roundup to be held at Baker’s of Milford. A suggested “Class” breakdown (of 22 separate classes) was circulated for discussion. He also provided a handout with main areas of focus for the show: Sponsorship, Goody Bags, and Door Prizes (All) Advertising (Gains McDonald)* Classes/Voting Trophies and Dash Plaques (Ron Applegate)* Music and Announcements Special Events-Talks, Kid Events, 50/50, etc. Vendor area Day of the Event Activities (All) *Names in parenthesis are volunteer captains, additional volunteers are welcome. Keith provided samples of Sponsor Levels as examples. Chieftain…….$50 Provide items for goody bag advertising and presence on our website. Super Chief…….$150 All above benefits plus recognition on T-Shirts & Sponsors posters. Star Chief……….$250 All above benefits plus Vendor space (20X10), and DJ mentions your sponsorship 6 times during event. Bonneville……..$500 All above benefits plus Sponsor award in your name and trophy (we provide). Also display space for up to four cars, trailer (s), etc. (20X40). Additionally, 10 special announcements of your sponsorship by the DJ during the show. Gains advised that he contacted Dana at Crusin’ News. A half page color ad in their April "Pre-Registration Issue" will cost us $350 (a savings from the regular price of $425). He will follow up and advise the Treasurer when the check is needed to ensure our flyer is included in this edition. It was also mentioned that we should be able to include our show flyer on the Cruisin’ News table at Autorama. Lori provided cost for “MOTOR CITY POCI STAFF” event t-shirts for our membership. The T-Shirt Land Company (888-786-1630) has 100 % pre-shrunk 5.3 oz heavy cotton t-shirts in safety green or orange as follows: 24-49 shirts are $6.50 each. Cost includes t-shirt, printing of logo or artwork in one color/one location, free delivery, no set up charge. Discussion on possibility of Swap Meet/Car Corral opportunity during the show. Would charge $5 more than car spot for this option (e.g.: $20 pre-registered and $25 day of the show). Suggested to get more than 100 dash plaques for miscellaneous use (members). John suggested that we include envelopes with stamps so the recipients of door prizes can send a thank you note to the contributor. Or at least a business card with their number so the recipient can call. Marge offered that the club could send out the thank you letters. Keith suggested we include a trivia game in the Goodie Bags as an extra Show Day activity. All entries with the correct answers would go into a drawing for a door prize item. Future meetings of the Pontiac Summer Roundup Committee are scheduled for the first Thursday of every month at the Comeback Inn on Milford Road in Highland at 6:00 PM. The next meeting is Thursday, November 7th. Everyone is welcome to participate.
www.motorcitypoci.com
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Motor City Club News
September, 2013 Monthly Meeting Highlights Septembers meeting was a recap of our first Car show meeting that was held at The Comeback Inn of Milford. Many details of our new show were discussed by the attending members of our club. Discussion was had concerning budget, sponsorship, trophies and the need to nail down the classes that we will award trophies for. Keith Wilson and Ron Applegate provided much needed show experience and will be guiding us toward sponsorship of our show. We did make a motion to secure Mark Harrington who does all of Baker’s cruise night music, Mark will do a fine job for our car show as well. We had a great evening of fun not only discussing the car show but in attending The Comeback Inn’s Tuesday Night Cruise. The parking lot was packed, the weather was perfect, a few good looking Pontiac’s besides ours were there in attendance as well. It was a very nice evening!
October, 2013 Monthly Meeting Highlights During our October meeting we entertained a guest to our meeting, Doug Miller. Doug was at the Milford Car Show and I happened to recognize him from the Proving Grounds, he asked about our club and I informed him that we meet every third Thursday of each month at LaFontaine’s. Doug worked for Oldsmobile and the Milford Proving Grounds and enjoyed a 41 year career for GM. Unannounced to the membership was a plan for the evening that included an impromptu telling of how we acquired our Pontiac love affair. It was fun exercise for all in attendance, we all learned much about the other members that we may or may not of known. We did bring everyone up to speed on the latest news for the car show. We showed our latest paperwork detailing the sponsorship levels, also the latest Cruis’ News ad. We are not going to make any decisions on the ad until we see what Jeff Denison is going to produce and what Cruis’ News will come up with. A few suggestions were made by Ron Applegate concerning details on the ad, one being the registration times. We will work to correct what is currently there and pass along for approvals. All in all a fun meeting, if you missed it, you missed out on some good stories of how we all became Pontiac Lovers and what we have owned and driven. Hopefully we will do it again!
New Members… I would like to take this opportunity to welcome two new members to Motor City POCI!!! Jason & Heather Cooper Keith Seymore Great to have you with us and look forward to personally meeting you! www.motorcitypoci.com
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Motor City POCI Gathers at the Milford Car Show September 22nd very early in the morning members from Motor City POCI met up in Milford for the 29th Annual Milford Car Show. Leaving the house at 6AM is not my idea of a fun way to start the day, but every once in a while the reason overrides the need to stay in a warm bed and sleep in. The Milford Car Show was a great reason to get up early along with the fact a group of the Motor City members were going to attend the show. I have to say the morning was beautiful, a little brisk but certainly shorts weather, speaking for me at least. We dropped off Pot Luck to Marge Sawruk’s home and onto the agreed meeting spot. It was about 6:35 when we start to head towards town to get in line, as we turned down the specified street we quickly noticed we were not the only ones in line, matter of fact we filled in the end of the street with our group. After parking and some idle chit chat we enjoyed an impromptu Breakfast provided by Lori Woods, you will find her recipe in the Pot Luck section of this newsletter. It was warm and delicious! A great way to start a full day of car show. Ron & Sue Applegate, Brian Dougherty, Lori Woods, Gains McDonald and his son Brophy and I were poised and ready to file in and claim our spot in the show. As we inched closer and closer to town we thought we would have OK parking but once downtown we found great parking spots in the main area of downtown. We cleaned up our cars and hoisted our club banner to let everyone know Motor City POCI was here. We checked in and spoke with Keith Wilson, Keith is the Chairman and has done great work improving the show. Almost 300 beautiful vehicles encompassed the field of cars entered into the show. All the entries a pleasure to look at. Judging would be a very difficult job this day. The participant vote was and is the most common way to pick winners but in no way an easy job. So off we went judging the vehicles and taking a few choice photos along the way. We came across many good friends in Milford and stopped to talk to many folks at the show, for me this is my favorite part of attending any show. I suppose it would be good to hang around my car but I see my car all the time, it’s everybody else’s cars that I really like to see. Plus some of the people that I have met over the years would not be my friends had I not moved away from my car. It was also nice to see Jeff Denison and Dave & Barb Woods at the show as well, the club had a great presence at the Milford Car Show. Lunch time was planned for by the group in the form of a Pot Luck at Marge Sawruk’s home and a very nice spread of food was had by all. It was a good thing it was a fairly long walk, it gave us a chance to wear off some of the lunch we had before going back to the show. Thanks Marge for your gracious hospitality! I don’t think any of us won a trophy this day but in my eyes we are all winners just for being there. It was a very enjoyable day, a little cool but a very great day!
www.motorcitypoci.com
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Milford Car Show Memories
MOTOR CITY POCI Dedicated to the Preservation, Restoration, and Enjoyment of Oakland, Pontiac & GMC Vehicles Today’s Date:________________________ Primary Member:__________________________________ Spouse or Associate Member:_______________________________ Birth Date:______________ Address:_______________________________________ Phone #_________________________ City & State__________________________________ Zip Code__________ E-Mail:_________________________@___________________________ POCI# (optional)____________________________ Signature:_______________________________________________
Children:____________________________________________________________ Birth Date:_______________ Birth Date: ______________Birth Date:_______________ Classic Cars Owned: Year, Make, *Style#, # of Cylinders ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________ *Located on firewall Body Tag. If unavailable give description of model. Membership dues due for The Motor City Chapter are $20.00 per year. Dues are to be paid the first day of each May. If joining for the first time, dues will be pro rated at $1.70 per month. Please pay by cash or check made out to: THE MOTOR CITY CHAPTER Return This Application and Dues to: MOTOR CITY POCI C/O Kendra Klein