A GDYNETS

PUBLICATION
2015, G. DAVID
YAROS. ALL
RIGHTS RESERVED.

Car Collector
Chronicles

Volume VIII, Issue 4

Exploring:

Ca

Car Collecting Today

High RPMs

Classic Rides
Reports From the Field
Oldsmobile (1897-2004)
Cadillac (1902- )
Allant (1987-1993)

Corvair (1960-1969)

= Clickable Link

IN THIS ISSUE:
High RPMs

GDY Nets

On the Web
CLC Grand

National 2015
Rousing the

Slumbering
Readers React

The Gray Lady

Pics That Caught

My Eye
CCC Forum
EMail:

OldsD88@gmail.com

April 2015

Typical of April in SE Wisconsin, it is still too cold to

be behind the wheel of our
rides. That does not stop
one from thinking spring
though, does it?
Actually, we did have one
day with temps in the high
50s. I took advantage of the
warm spell to awaken
Saved 62. I will also tell you
to be able to hear her engine
purr got my blood flowing a
bit quicker and my heart
pounding a bit faster!
It is predicted to get to 60
degrees this week. If it does,
I shall take that opportunity
to awaken The Gray Lady.
I have been pondering of
late what to with/about The
Gray Lady.
The stars are
quickly aligning such that
some serious decisions have
had to be made regarding
her. They have been made.
You may read all about it in

this months issue, and in the

separate mailing I sent out a
few days back. I also encourage all to check out the
related web site and let others know of the link.
April Automotive Milestones
4/1/1961- Amphicar debuts,
N.Y.C.
4/1/1964 - Plymouth Barracuda introduced
4/1/1969 - Last Chevrolet
Corvair built
4/1/1970 - American Motors
debuts the Gremlin
4/2/1875 - Walter P. Chrysler
is born in Wamego, KS
4/3/1885 - Daimler patents
water-cooled internal combustion engine
4/7/1947 - Henry Ford dies
4/17/1964 - Ford debuts
Mustang
4/17/1969 - Ford debuts Maverick
4/18/1955 - Lincoln becomes
separate division of Ford

4/18/1964 - Sunbeam debuts Tiger

4/21/1967 - GM makes 100th million car
4/25/1901 - NY first state to require license plates
4/28/1953 - Kaiser-Frazer buys
Willys
4/29/2004 - Last Olds manufactured

- Spring is getting closer!

GDYNets on the Web

Find GDYNets on the web:

CCC -THE FORUM -A web

site to discuss the newsletter,
the hobby and our cars.
Car Collector Chronicles
Saved 62 -Our 1962 Olds
convertible, Ransom Eli Olds
and things Oldsmobile related
web site.
The Gray Lady -1955 Cadillac
Coup de Ville web site.

SAVED 62: A website devoted

to our 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 convertible. The site

also has a lot of information on
Oldsmobile cars and the company founder, Ransom Eli Olds.

THE GRAY LADY: This website features our 1955 Cadillac

Coup de Ville, lots of Caddy
information and an extensive
repair library.

DAVES DEN: -A site devoted to a myriad of interests.

Foremost is extensive information on the Steel City of Gary,
IN. There are also offerings on
steel making, U.S. Steel-Gary
Works, U.S. Marine Corps, M14
assault rifle, of course Oldsmobile, and the tragic story of the
murder of Gary, IN Police Lt.
George Yaros.

Car Collector Chronicles

Page 2

Cadillac-LaSalle Club Grand National 2015

It is not
possible to
come to WI
and escape
seeing both
beer and
cheese being
made, or to
take part in a
fish fry .

If you read this pub with any regularity you have to know that
my hometown of Milwaukee with be the host for the CLC 2015
Grand National. Technically, the proceedings shall be held in
Brookfield, WI; a burb in the metro area. The event begins on
Tuesday 23 Jun, and concludes on Saturday, 27 Jun.
The Mrs., myself and The Gray Lady all plan to be in attendance. Look for us, as we shall be looking for you!
There are a number of events being held for the attendees.
They include a driving tour, trips to view the 350 car private
Klairmont Kollection , the WI Auto Museum and the
Harley-Davidson Museum . It is not possible to come to WI and escape seeing both
beer and cheese being made, or to take part in a fish fry. Those tours are also on the
agenda, along with visits to the Frederick Pabst Mansion and a Frank Lloyd Wright designed Greek Orthodox church.
What sounds to be a particularly interesting side trip is the one to the EAA
(Experimental Aircraft Association) in Oshkosh. While the annual EAA Airventure
show does not take place until July, there shall be plenty to see and do at the venue.
In preparation for the Grand National, the CLC is putting on a Regional Judges Training Workshop in April. It shall be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Heritage Cadillac,
both in the Chicago area. The training encompasses six hours of instruction, including
hands-on judging of a high point car and one of driver quality.
I intend to get trained for a number of reasons. I shall be able to put the training to
good use in the conduct of my hobby. I will know for certain what at least this group
thinks is a driver quality ride. With the benefit of the training I should be able to better
prep my rides for display at car shows? Lastly, I may also serve as a judge at the upcoming Grand National and other car shows I attend.

Rousing the Slumbering

In the midst of a one-day heat wave I had occasion to rouse Saved 62 from her winter
nap. It was necessary to do so, as I had to get the car resting above her off of the lift.
Much to my pleasant surprise, all went forward without a hitch; unlike the horror of last
year. I filled the carburetor with fresh gas via the fuel bowl vent tube. I then cranked
the engine a short bit with the coil disconnected to get the oil circulating. Putting the
coil back into the circuit I turned the key and the engine fired up as though I had turned
it off only 15 minutes ago. I was truly amazed! My reaction was obvious, as I was grinning like a Cheshire cat.
Believe me when I say that I did indeed learn my lesson from last year. Before ever
moving the gear shift lever I repeatedly tested the brakes. I stepped on them multiple
times! More than once I stood on them for extended periods. I gave them ample opportunity to go south on me if that was in the cards. Fortunately, it was not.
For those who are not aware of the 2014 disaster, I wrecked the car last year on waking it from its seasonal nap and backing it out of the garage. Then, I put it in reverse
and stepped on the gas without ever touching/testing the brakes. To my chagrin, I
learned I had no brakes! Without any brakes I ran into the neighbors retaining wall
across the alley from my garage. That was not a fun time, to say the least.
This year was different. Not only did the car fire right up, she exited the car barn without incident and I was able to take her for a short spin. The drive included a trip to the
gas station for a fill-up. At the gas station folks gathered around Saved 62 and commented favorably. I departed with a lighter wallet, a full tank of Shell and an ego ready
to burst. I am ready for the warm weather to stay and to go motoring in the Oldsmobile!
I am sure you are ready to break out your rides too. Then there are our friends south
of the equator who are just now putting their rides to bed. It is our turn. We are ready!

Car Collector Chronicles

Page 3

Readers React

My article last month on the 1949 Talbot-Lago must have struck a nerve, as it did elicit
reaction:
Reader Steve S saidI often wondered when somebody bought an old rusted hulk to
restore whether or not there was enough original car left to be even considered restored.
In the case of the 49 Talbo-Lago I would think that a new car would be built. $2 million +
at auction is crazy. Even the Corvette Museum considered how much original would be
left and decided that 5 of the 8 cars would lose so much originality that they chose not to
restore them.
As for the new Cadillac? Yuk. Although better than a Hyundai, the interiors still look
cheap.
David L chalked it up to vanity I suspect there are few who understand the rationale
behind the purchase of the Talbot-Lago T26. The high price of rust. Vanity, Vanity..all
is Vanity!
I also enjoyed your trivia inclusions. Now I know why pick-up truck is called a pick-up.
Additionally there was insightful support from Steve MDave, I would just like to counterpoint your article on the 1949 Talbot-Lago. As a lifelong Olds guy the classics were not
only out of my range, but out of my mind as well. Over the last decade I have become
immersed in the classic car world having help start a concours, judge at national concours
and usually judge classics for AACA national awards. I have come to know many of these
owners well, so my feelings are either tainted or bolstered by the familiarity.
Most of us will look at what we call an outlandish purchase and decry how foolish the
buyer was to waste his money. The key thing here is HIS money. What seemingly is a
fortune to most of us hardly seems to matter to many of these people. However, most of
them are hard core automotive fans and enjoy the restoration and competition with their
cars. They are car guys through and through, although they may use Grey Poupon while
we use Frenchs.
To tell these owners that they should have saved their money or used it for another purpose is to deny them the respect we should give them for saving automotive history. I do
not care that much about how much is saved on that car as long as the car was a correct
car and it is restored correctly. I will admire deeply the talent to resurrect this car and
dream about being able to own a custom coachwork car. In the end if this is what happens to the Talbot another generation of car fans will get to see an amazing car, and one
you do not see every day.
I remember a time when Olds fans laughed at the thought of a $140,000 Cutlass. How
about a $3 Mil Olds Limited! Times have changed. Were the owners smart in restoring 44-2s for more money than they were worth back in the day? How well have Ferrari owners done? Who could imagine we would have $50K cars! Yes it seems insane, but I will
never question someone for spending money on something they love. To me it is well
spent if it makes them happy and they can afford it. Could the money be put to better
use? Surely, but that can be said of many things we all do. In the end, these men are
saving a part of automotive history that none of us are able to and I think they deserve
respect.
Just my opinion, I may be in the minority but I also remember when we spent $250K on
restoring a limited and a few people said we were nuts.not so nuts today.
Thanks for putting out your excellent Chronicle. I do enjoy them!
Steve M does make some good points. He is certainly correct that it ls HIS money and
s/he has the right to spend it however s/he damn well pleases. Nor can I deny that the
end result may be the preservation of automotive history. Perhaps the most insightful
analysis by Steve M is that the Frenchs Mustard and Grey Poupon crowds inhabit two
different worlds and the twain shall never meet?

To tell these
owners that
they should
have saved
their money
or used it for
another
purpose is to
deny them
the respect
we should
give them for
saving
automotive
history.

Car Collector Chronicles

Page 4;;

The Gray Lady

On Page 1 I referenced star alignment mandating

decisions regarding The Gray Lady . What is that all
about? While it has been in the back of my mind for
a while, it came to the fore last month due to a
message I read on the AACA Forum. A post asked
what factors would cause an owner of multiple old
rides to sell one car over another. It got me
thinking. The Gray Lady was acuired by us in 2009.
During our six years of stewardship we have not put
100 miles on the car. She spends her time silently,
parked in her car barn stall. It is next to criminal to
not be driving, showing and sharing her! Such a
beautiful car should be seen and appreciated by all
who admire old cars. Given this view, I have
reluctantly come to the decisiion that the time has
come to pass on stewardship over The Gray Lady .
Why now? Now is the time because the best opportunity to find a suitable caretaker presents itself with
the staging of the Cadillac-LaSalle Club Grand National Meet in Milwaukee this summer. The stars have
aligned to bring Cadillac owners and admirers to Brew City for five straight days. Never again will such
exposure before like minded people present itself. I owe it to myself and The Gray Lady to utilize this opportunity to the fullest to find someone who will appreciate all that she is and represents.
To that end, I have created a web site to market The Gray Lady online. It is not extravagant, but tells her
story in word and picture. I have tried to be transparent in the telling of her story. I have included 74 pictures on Flikr and detailed both what has been done to the car as well as what needs to be done. Feel
free to check it out here. Should you know of anyone with an interest in owning a truly fine automobile
that exudes both style and class, send them my way.

Factoids
In the days of the horse and buggy the dashboard referred to the screening material that stretched between the horse and the carriage being pulled. The hooves of trotting horses threw up road debris as they
stepped in puddles, snowdrifts and other muck. Without this protective barrier, driver and passengers suffered the inconvenience and indignity of having their clothes soiled by the dashing horses.
Horseless carriages incorporated a permanent splash shield into their newfangled contraptions which
was designed to serve the same purpose. And it was called what else, but a dashboard!.
This statement got my attention recentlyWhen leaning over a fender, I have found that your arms get
shorter as your belly gets bigger!

Car Collector Chronicles

Page 5;;

Pics That Caught My Eye

Is
one
able to say
vintage
Olds?
22
years
young
at
the
time,
not even an
antique!

1940 Cadillac radio with preset push buttons. Were the

station labels a dealer
installed option?

Ok, Ive had my say for the month. Now its your turn! I invite/encourage submission of
your comments, opinions and article contributions. I also ask that you please help spread
the word about our publication. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by me. Submissions should be sent to CCC at OldsD88@gmail.com.
Now that you have finished reading this months issue of the newsletter, if so inclined,
like CCC on Facebook by going here
______________________________________

-- RESTORE 'EM, AND DRIVE 'EM!

COMING NEXT ISSUE:
TBD