August 2009 - CLC) Potomac Region · Directions to Universal Auto Sales and Classic Cars from the Washington DC area (Baltimore area directions start on the second line below): Take

Cadillac & LaSalle Club Potomac Region Caddie Chronicle

August 2009

DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE BY VINCE TALIANO

Well folks, August is here! The 2009 National Driving Tour will begin in only a few days. We are thrilled to announce that we have 48 registrations representing over 95 people from 13 states. The state with the most registrations is Pennsylvania with 10 followed by New York with nine. The oldest vehicle registered for the tour is a 1922 Cadillac 7 Passenger Touring. All in all, there are four pre-WW II cars registered, in addition to three from the late 1940s and two from the 1950s. The years most represented on the tour will be 1960 and 1969, four cars each. It’s shaping up to be a great event.

But before we get to the National Driving Tour, a local favorite event, the All-GM show at Montgomery College in Rockville, MD, will take place. This year’s show, scheduled for Saturday August 8th, will celebrate the Class of 1959. Cory Correll, the show coordinator, is an outstanding artist who each year creates a special image depicting one vehicle per GM marque for the featured year. These great renderings are reproduced on t-shirts that have become local collector items. Personally, I try to get one from each year’s show and enjoy wearing them to other events.

After the National Driving Tour, we will change gears and focus on preparations for our Fall Car Show at Capitol Cadillac where we will be celebrating their 75th Anniversary. Invitations have been mailed to known owners of pre-1980 Cadillacs/LaSalles sold new by Capitol Cadillac and so far, our acceptances include one from a 1946 Cadillac owner in Florida and one from a 1942 Cadillac owner in Delaware! Read more about the show on page 6.

Vince Taliano

2009 OFFICERS:

REGIONAL DIRECTOR NEWSLETTER EDITOR WEBSITE MANAGER VINCE TALIANO

ASSISTANT REGIONAL DIRECTOR DAN RUBY

NATIONAL DIRECTOR NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST JACK MCCLOW

SECRETARY ASSOCIATE NEWSLETTER EDITOR VALLEY FORGE REGION LIAISON C0-CHAIRMAN 2009 DRIVING TOUR SANDY KEMPER

CAR SHOW COORDINATORS CENTRAL PA REGION LIAISONS DIANE & HENRY RUBY

TREASURER HARRY SCOTT

MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST R. SCOT MINESINGER

ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR VACANT

OTHER KEY POSITIONS:

AUTOMOBILIA AUCTIONEER HAMPTON ROADS REGION LIAISON GEORGE BOXLEY

NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST RITA BIAL-BOXLEY

SHOW WEEKEND COORDINATOR SHELLEY CHADICK

NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST CHRIS CUMMINGS

NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST JIM GOVONI

CAR SHOW SPONSOR AND HOST DANIEL JOBE & CAPITOL CADILLAC

NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST TOM MCQUEEN

HONORARY MEMBER NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST VERN PARKER

CAR SHOW MASTER OF CEREMONIES NATIONAL CLC ADVISOR NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST RICHARD SILLS

CENTRAL VA REGION LIAISON NEWSLETTER COLUMNIST C0-CHAIRMAN 2009 DRIVING TOUR STEVEN SISSON


August 2009

Visit us on the web! www.clcpotomacregion.org

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Thanks to the interest of our members, the Potomac Region will hold its Monday August 17th meeting in the Baltimore area. Prior to the meeting, members are invited to visit Universal Auto Sales and Classic Cars Indoor Showroom from 6:00 – 6:50 PM. Universal Auto, the Baltimore area’s first muscle and classic car dealership, has sold over 200 muscle / classic cars nationwide since 2002. For a sneak preview of their current inventory, visit their website (address listed above).

Universal Auto is located only minutes from Snyder’s Willow Grove Restaurant in Linthicum, MD, where dinner will begin at 7:00 followed by the meeting at 7:30ish. To learn more about Snyder’s, visit www.snyderswillowgrove.com.

Directions to Universal Auto Sales and Classic Cars from the Washington DC area (Baltimore area directions start on the second line below):

Take I-95 N toward BALTIMORE Merge onto I-695 EAST via EXIT 49A toward GLEN BURNIE/KEY BRIDGE. 1.9 miles Take the HAMMONDS FERRY RD exit, EXIT 8, toward MD-168/NURSERY RD. 0.2 miles Turn LEFT onto N HAMMONDS FERRY RD. 0.2 miles Turn LEFT onto NURSERY RD. 0.4 miles Turn RIGHT onto WEDEMAN AVE. 0.2 miles End at 706 WEDEMAN Ave Linthicum, MD 21090-1416

706 Wedeman Ave (Exit 8 I-695) Linthicum, MD 21090

877-876-1147 (Toll-Free) www.universalautosalesandclassiccars.com


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LETTER TO THE EDITOR July 1, 2009

Vince,

I got these copies of photos from Joe Bortz in the early ‘90's of the Motorama cars he rescued from the Warhoops junkyard. There were four cars in the group, a LaSalle 4-door hardtop, a LaSalle roadster, a Biscayne, and the Cadillac Brougham town car. The LaSalle 4-door looked like the most restorable car of the group. These pictures must have been taken in 1989 (twenty years ago!) as more of that group were printed in Old Cars Weekly. The Cadillac Brougham town car was sold and restored into a running car. The Biscayne and LaSalle roadster have been partially restored and shown at Pebble Beach. What has happened to the LaSalle 4-door? Do you or any of the CLC members know the status of this car?

Bob Eng Sioux Falls, South Dakota

PS: Thanks for the great newsletter every month.

Bob,

Thanks for the great pictures and for all your support over the years. Personally, I do not know what happened to the LaSalle 4-door. Hopefully someone reading this newsletter will have information on the car. If I hear anything, I will let you know.

Talk with you later,

Vince


August 2009


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2009 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

DATE TIME EVENT LOCATION CONTACT INFORMATION

Aug 8 Sat

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

35th Annual Metro Chapter Buick Club All-GM Show

Montgomery College Rockville MD

Cory Correll at 240-686-0229 or [email protected]

Aug 8 Sat

10:00 am – 4:00 pm

4th Annual CLC Western Reserve Region Legacy of

Cadillac Show

Legacy Village at Cedar Lyndhurst OH

216-374-8787, 440-785-0453 or www.westernreserveregion-clc.smugmug.com

Aug 14-15 Fri-Sat

5th Annual Cruize-In and Big Car Show

Millsboro Middle School Millsboro DE

302-934-8718

Aug 11 – Aug 16 Tue-Sun

CLC National Driving Tour “Capitol Cruising”

Hosted by the Potomac Region

Dulles Airport Marriott Dulles VA

Sandy Kemper, Co-Chairman, 301-585-0897 [email protected] or Steven Sisson, Co-Chairman, 703-724-7652

[email protected] Aug 16

Sun 8:00 am – 3:00 pm

24th Annual Francis Scott Key Antique Car Show

Rose Hill Manor Frederick MD

Joe Bart at 301-898-1041 Ken Wilson at 301-695-6581

Aug 17 Mon

7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Potomac Region Monthly Meeting

Snyder’s Willow Grove Restaurant

Linthicum MD

Vince Taliano at 301-258-8321 or [email protected]

Sep 6 Sun

10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Vern Parker’s Street Dreams Car Show

Spring Hill Recreation Center

McLean VA

www.vernparker.com

Sep 12 Sat

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

13th Annual CLC Hampton Roads Region Car Show

Suttle Motors Newport News VA

Tom Bottoni at 757- 538-1518 or [email protected]

Sep 13 Sun

8:00 am – 3:00 pm

AACA Sugarloaf Mountain Region's

40th Annual Car Show

Mt Airy Fireman's Park

Mt Airy MD

Rob Burchill at 301-371-0654

Sep 19 Sat

8:00 am – 3:00 pm

34th Annual Edgar Rohr Memorial Antique Car Meet

Manassas Museum Manassas VA

Richard Porter at 703-590-4512 or http://local.aaca.org/bullrun/

Sep 24 Thu

7:30 pm – 9:30 pm

Potomac Region Monthly Meeting

Capitol Cadillac Greenbelt MD

Vince Taliano at 301-258-8321 or [email protected]

Sep 26-27 Sat-Sun

Norwalk Festival Car Shows and Concerts

Berkeley County Youth Fair Grounds

Martinsburg WV

Chris Breeze at 304-267-3140 or [email protected]

Sep 27 Sun

Valley Forge Region's Annual Fall Meet

Peddler's Village Lahaska PA

www.vfrclc.org/upcoming_events.htm

Sep 30 - Oct 4

Wed-Sun

Gates open daily

at 7:00 am

Fall Carlisle Carlisle PA 717-243-7855 or www.carsatcarlisle.com

Oct 7-10 Wed-Sat

Opens at 7am

AACA National Eastern Fall Meet

Giant Center Hershey PA

http://local.aaca.org/hershey

Oct 7 Wed

6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

AACA Night at the Museum AACA Museum Hershey PA

www.nightatthemuseum.org

Oct 17 Sat

8:00 am – 4:00 pm

City of Rockville Antique and Classic Car Show

Rockville Civic Center Rockville MD

240-314-5022 or www.rockvillemd.gov/events/carshow.htm

Oct 17 Sat

10:00 am – 5:00 pm

9th Annual UPS Classic Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show

UPS Facility Laurel MD

Jim Lanham at [email protected], 301-390-9085 (home), 301-741-3721 (cell) or

301-604-4579 (office) Oct 24

Sat 10:00 am –

2:00 pm 3rd Annual Potomac Day

Classic Car Show Falls Rd & River Rd

Potomac MD 202-438-3553 or

[email protected] Oct 25 Sun

9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Capitol Cadillac/Potomac Region Fall Car Show "Celebrating Capitol

Cadillac's 75th Anniversary"

Capitol Cadillac Greenbelt MD

Diane & Henry Ruby at 301-894-8026 or [email protected]

SEPTEMBER 19TH: 34th Annual Edgar Rohr Memorial Car Meet - Manassas Museum 9101 Prince William St Manassas, VA - Antique vehicles through 1984, street rods, "HPOF" vehicles through 1974 (free registration for all pre-certified HPOF's this year) - Swap meet and car corral - 160 show cars in 2008 - Rain or Shine - Sponsored by Bull Run Region, AACA - Free spectator admission and parking (across street) - In historic Old Town Manassas, with nearby shops, farmers market, 6th Annual Old World Festival, and Sidewalk Sale - Registration: $10 before 9-14-09, $15 thereafter - Info: Richard Porter, (703) 590-4512, [email protected] - Website: http://local.aaca.org/bullrun/


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Join the Antique Automobile Club of America family for an unforgettable Night at The Museum Presented by RM Auctions!

Enjoy a memorable evening of fundraising and all things automotive as the past is revisited with the Antique Auto Museum’s stunning collections and exclusive charity auction. With a diverse range of exciting lifestyle gifts, pedal cars and experiences set to cross the block, there’s something guaranteed to appeal to all automotive tastes!

This year’s special exhibits will feature “The Sports Car in America” featuring both domestic and foreign two-seaters and “Fast From the Past: Competition Motorcycles from Yesteryear” with 40 remarkable bikes. The Museum is also privileged to have the legendary 1953 Cadillac LeMans that was at the Potomac Region Cadillac Dream Cars event on loan from a private collector during this year’s event.

All proceeds will benefit the Antique Automobile Club of America family. Tickets are $150.00 each and will include access to the entire Museum, a guest speaker and renowned automotive author, David E. Davis, Jr., a live auction of exclusive automotive and lifestyle experiences, a variety of silent auction items, along with a diverse range of food and beverage options. Be sure to check the website often for an updated listing of auction items.

The portion of your contribution in excess of $70.00 per person is tax deductible. Capacity is limited, and all seating is reserved with tables of ten guests, so please RSVP no later than September 5, 2009.

Order tickets online: www.nightatthemuseum.org/ordertickets.aspx Order tickets by phone: contact Amanda Eshenour at 717-566-7100 ext. 101 Inquire by email: [email protected]

Save the Date! Gala & Auction presented by RM Auctions

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009 6:00 - 10:00PM

Hershey, Pennsylvania www.nightatthemuseum.org


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Celebrating Capitol Cadillac’s 75th Anniversary at the 2009 Annual Fall Car Show!

Sunday October 25, 2009 Car Registration: 9:00 am – 12:00 pm Spectator Hours: 9:00 am – 3:00 pm 6500 Capitol Drive Greenbelt, MD 20770 Phone: 301-441-9600 www.ecapitol.com

The CLC Potomac Region’s car show sponsor, Capitol Cadillac in Greenbelt, Maryland, is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year. The dealership was established in Washington, DC in 1934 by Floyd Akers, the grandfather of Daniel Jobe, its current President and 2009 CLC Cadillac Herald Award recipient. About 1979, the dealership moved to its present facility in Greenbelt, Maryland and has been hosting CLC Potomac Region car shows since 1992. To commemorate the anniversary, the theme selected for this year’s fall Capitol Cadillac / CLC Potomac Region car show is “Celebrating Capitol Cadillac’s 75th Anniversary”. As part of the celebration, we are attempting to fill the showroom on Sunday October 25th with Cadillacs / LaSalles from 1934 – 1979 that were originally sold by Capitol Cadillac. All Cadillacs and LaSalles will be welcome at the show, but the ones sold new by Capitol Cadillac in 1979 or before will be the specially featured cars.

The Region is inviting known owners of Cadillacs / LaSalles that were sold new by Capitol Cadillac in 1979 or before. To celebrate the event, a commemorative program will highlight the history of Capitol Cadillac, and will include a description of each one of the featured cars pre-registered for the show. Each car registered for the show will receive one of these programs, and the owners of the featured cars will receive a framed certificate of appreciation for participating.

Special arrangements have been made for our out-of-town guests at the Holiday Inn Greenbelt (800-465-4329), where rooms will be reserved for the night before the show at the special rate of $94 (mention Cadillac & LaSalle Club when making reservations). The Holiday Inn Greenbelt will also be the site for a dinner the night before the show hosted by past CLC President Richard Sills & Shelley Chadick (if you are interested in attending the dinner, please contact Shelley at 717-368-4422 or [email protected]).

For further information on the car show, contact Diane & Henry Ruby, Car Show Coordinators, at 301-297-4459, 301-894-8026 or [email protected].


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2009 Annual Fall Car Show Directions

From Capital Beltway (I-495/95) Use Exit 23 - Kenilworth Avenue Rte

201, proceed South on Kenilworth Avenue to first exit - Greenbelt Road, Route 193

At light, proceed East on Greenbelt Road - Rte 193 (left)

At traffic light make left onto Walker Drive (TGl Friday’s Restaurant on corner)

Make an immediate right onto Capitol Drive (Dealership is on your left)

From Baltimore-Washington Parkway (Rte 295) Use Exit for Rte 193 (Greenbelt

Road) Proceed West on Rte 193 - Greenbelt

Road Make first right after underpass onto

Capitol Drive (Dealership is on your right)

Car Show Rules

Rain or Shine: The car show will

take place rain or shine. No refunds. Judging Rules: Vehicles will be

judged by people’s choice ballot only by those individuals who registered cars. Registrants will be able to judge cars in all classes, including their own. 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards will be given to winning vehicles in each class.


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2009 Annual Fall Car Show Registration Form

Make checks payable to CLC Potomac Region and mail registration form to: Harry Scott, Treasurer

14421 Aden Road Nokesville VA 20181-3122

Name: Address: _________________________ City: State: ______ Zip: _______

Vehicle Registration Fee: (Up to Oct 18: $15/per car - After Oct 18: $20/per car) Circle Make: CAD LAS Year: _______ Model: Class: ______ Circle Make: CAD LAS Year: _______ Model: Class: ______

By registering a vehicle for the show, the registrant accepts the following terms:

1. The Region reserves the right to determine each vehicle’s judging class.

2. The Region reserves the right to determine each vehicle’s placement on the show field.

Check the box if you do not want your vehicle(s) judged

Judging Classes Class A: 1902 – 1942 Cadillac Class B: 1927 – 1940 LaSalle Class C: 1946 – 1958 Cadillac Class D: 1959 – 1964 Cadillac Class E: 1965 – 1970 Cadillac Class F: 1971 – 1976 Cadillac Class G: 1977 – 1986 Cadillac Class H: 1987 – 1996 Cadillac Class I: 1997 – Current Cadillac Class J: Commercial Vehicles Class K: Modified Vehicles

Other Awards Dealer’s Choice Best Pre-War Best Post-War Best of Show Ladies Choice Long Distance (Driven Cars Only) A vehicle receiving “Best of Show” may also receive an award in its class, but will not be eligible to receive “Best Pre War” or “Best Post War” at the same show.


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JULY 20, 2009 MEETING MINUTES BY SANDY KEMPER

PLACE: Washington Dulles Airport Marriott, Dulles, VA TIME: 7:47 PM PRESIDING: Vince Taliano ATTENDANCE: Richard Sills & Shelley Chadick; Randy Denchfield; Brenda & Jim George; Jeff Gurski; Sandy Kemper; Tom McQueen; Scot Minesinger; Harry Scott; Margo & Steven Sisson and Richard Sisson DIRECTOR’S REMARKS: Vince thanked everyone for attending. He reminded everyone about the meeting plans for our August meeting. Prior to the meeting, members are invited to visit Universal Auto Sales and Classic Cars Indoor Showroom from 6:00 – 6:50 PM. From there we will go to Snyder’s Willow Grove Restaurant in Linthicum, MD. Dinner will begin at 7:00 followed by the meeting. SECRETARY’S REPORT: The Minutes from the June meeting were not read since they had been published and distributed to all members in the July, 2009 newsletter. TREASURER’S REPORT: The Treasurer’s Report covered the time period from the June meeting to date. Harry Scott reported that the Region’s income was $40.45. The total expenses for the same time period were $286.41. The checking account balance as of the meeting date is $21,448.78, largely because of the NDT. The CD principal balance is $5,759.15. MEMBERSHIP REPORT: R. Scot Minesinger stated that our membership has increased to 213 members. The newest member is Robert Merchant from Chantilly, VA. Robert owns a 1936 LaSalle 50 Coupe Roadster, among other classic cars. ACTIVITIES REPORT: 1. Recently held events:

36th Annual Sully Antique Car Show, Chantilly, VA, Jun 21: In spite of the partly cloudy skies & soggy grounds, there were 10 Cadillacs present. Cadillac Class winners were: 1st Place: Thomas H. Murphy Jr., 1958 Eldorado Brougham, 2nd Place: Richard & Steven Sisson, 1960 Coupe Deville and 3rd Place: Tom McQueen, 1974 Sedan Deville. Thanks to Derrick Fisher & Henry Ruby for serving as judges since 2006 when the Cadillac class was created. Starting next year, R. Scot will serve as Chair of our club’s Sully Plantation Show Committee.

5th Annual Picnic w/ Lincoln Mercury Friends, J. Roger Bentley’s home, Brinklow, MD, Jul 5: Over forty (40) people attended. Roger, our generous host, thought that it was one of the best picnics ever. An article describing this splendid event will be published in the August newsletter.


August 2009


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Central Penn Region & Upper Susquehanna Region’s joint 3rd Annual AACA Museum Show, AACA Museum, Hershey, PA, Sat, July 11: Richard Sills, along with Shelley Chadick, Tom McQueen, and Scot Minesinger related details and their impressions of this fabulous show. There were fifty-one (51) cars from seven (7) states in the show. Besides the show, participants were invited to a cocktail party and dinner after the show. And for those who spent the night in the area, there was a private collection tour on the following day. Thanks to Chuck Piel and Scot for submitting pictures for our website (see photo above of some of the Region members who attended). [Editor’s Note: see article at pages 16-18].

2009 Grand National Meet, Las Vegas, Jun 17-20: Congratulations to Region member Benjamin Berman, who drove from Sarasota, FL to Las Vegas, NV and won First Place in Class P28: 1985-1999 Cadillac (without 1985 Eldorado and Seville) for his 1985 Cadillac CB69 Fleetwood Sedan. Thanks to Martina Butler who provided pictures from Las Vegas. Visit www.clcpotomacregion.org/2009pictures.htm to see over 60 pictures.

2. Upcoming PR Events: Potomac Region Fall Show, Capitol Cadillac, Greenbelt, MD, Sun Oct 25: The

theme for this show is the “Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Capitol Cadillac.” Vince is working with Dan Reed to create the dash plaque design. To date, 11 possible Cadillacs/LaSalles that were originally sold by Capitol Cadillac pre-1980 have been identified. Invitations to those owners will be mailed by the end of July.

3. Other upcoming events: The following events were mentioned: 35th Annual Metro Chapter Buick Club All-GM Show, Rockville, MD, Aug 8 24th Annual Francis Scott Key Antique Car Show, Frederick, MD, Aug 16 Vern Parker’s Street Dreams Car Show, McLean, VA, Sep 6 34th Annual Edgar Rohr Memorial Car Meet, Manassas, VA, Sep 19

OLD BUSINESS: 2009 National Driving Tour: We have three weeks to finish our final preparations. We still need the help of several extra people. We need some people to staff the Hospitality Suite. Also, we need assistance on the three driving tours. The tasks may include: Morning break set-up/clean-up, parking assistance; Tour Stop parking assistance; Tour Stop ticket takers/greeters; Lunch parking assistance; Lunch ticket takers/greeters; Afternoon break set-up/clean-up, parking assistance.

NEW BUSINESS: None NEXT MEETING: Monday, August 17, 7:30 PM at Snyder’s Willow Grove Restaurant in Linthicum, MD. Dinner will begin at 7:00 followed by the meeting. ADJOURNMENT: Meeting adjourned at 9:50 PM


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CADILLAC'S SUCCESS IS KEY TO GENERAL MOTORS' REVIVAL BY CHRISTINE TIERNEY

THE DETROIT NEWS © JULY 9, 2009

REPRINTED WITH PERMISSION

When General Motors Corp.'s top executives were choosing this year which brands to keep and which to ditch, Cadillac was unquestionably deemed to be a valuable asset that should be part of a new GM. The most iconic of GM's brands, Cadillac is known worldwide. In its heyday, it rolled out some of the most beautiful cars ever built, the fin-tailed sedans of the '50s and '60s that symbolized American optimism across the globe. "We all use the expression 'the Cadillac of toasters' or 'the Cadillac of something else.' It still means 'the best of' to a lot of people," said Csaba Csere, a contributing editor to Car and Driver magazine.

But although people still use the phrase, they're not buying the cars in large numbers. Cadillac holds barely 1 percent of the U.S. market, trailing BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, and even Honda Motor Co.'s Acura. GM had set out in recent years to restore the brand, designing attractive models such as the acclaimed CTS mid-size car, improving the quality and refining the interiors. But Cadillac's transformation had been only partly achieved when global auto markets -- and GM's finances -- collapsed. With GM now in bankruptcy and likely to count every penny for years to come, it will be hard-pressed to mount a challenge to the leading luxury carmakers.

But GM still intends to compete against the top names in the industry. It needs a luxury brand to showcase its best technology and designs, and to retain customers as they progress from mainstream to premium cars. "You can't have a successful GM without a successful premium brand," said Cadillac General Manager Steve Hill. Restoring Cadillac will require GM to weigh the brand's long-term needs against short-term financial pressures on the company. In addition to GM's constrained finances and the weak state of global car markets, Cadillac is battling the perception, according to brand expert Alexander Edwards, "that all the domestics are on the losing side." That impression may be compounded by GM's bankruptcy. But bankruptcy also provides GM a chance to put the Cadillac business on a solid footing.

Cadillac is the most iconic of GM's brands


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As part of its court-supervised restructuring, GM is eliminating all but four brands: Cadillac, Buick, GMC and Chevrolet. "We'll be able to focus more effort on individual solutions and technologies for the four remaining brands," said Cadillac product director John Howell. "They're already getting more attention from engineering and design than they were six months ago." Under bankruptcy, Cadillac will be able to cut its dealers from 1,500 to 500, enabling the survivors to reduce discounts and become more profitable.

Cadillac is revamping its lineup, too. It is developing a large sedan, the XTS, to replace the STS and aging DTS cars. It will build a small car to compete in the segment dominated by BMW's 3 Series. It is now launching the SRX crossover with taillights that evoke glamorous fins of the past. Next month, Cadillac will roll out a CTS wagon and a coupe next year. "You'll see us playing in all those segments," Hill said.

By many measures, Cadillac holds its own against the top-tier luxury brands. "They're there in quality," Csere said. "Some models are absolutely there in styling." The CTS-V, the performance version, "is perfectly capable of running with a BMW M5 or a Mercedes E63 AMG." Alexander Edwards, a partner at the San Diego consulting firm Strategic Vision, said Cadillac scores well in surveys measuring "things gone right" -- features that appeal to customers, as opposed to the absence of flaws. In the latest survey, it beat out Lexus and BMW, he said. In this year's J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality Study surveying new car owners, Cadillac came in third place, behind only Porsche and Lexus.

With its new vehicles, Cadillac is picking off import buyers like Oscar Cabrera, a salesman at Credit Suisse's fixed-income trading desk in Boston. He and his wife went for Japanese models until three months ago, when they bought an SRX for $36,000. "It came down to the features and price. I like the car," Cabrera said. "The interior is very nice. It feels very high end." Still, while Cadillac has improved its vehicles, analysts say the brand is not clearly defined.

Compared with the German carmakers, it has a lineup of models that bear little relation to one another, from the cushy DTS sedan favored by an older crowd, to the Escalade SUV that attracts superstar athletes and the crisp-handling, rear-wheel-drive CTS. "You know what BMW stands for, and what Mercedes stands for. Cadillac is all over the lot," said Art Spinella, president of CNW Research in Bandon, Ore. "They have to decide how to make that lineup cohesive." It's easier to market vehicles when the brand is well defined, he said, and it costs less.

Cadillac also lags in showcasing advanced technology. It rolled out a plug-in hybrid concept at this year's Detroit auto show, the Converj, with a drivetrain similar to that of the Chevrolet Volt. But, says Howell, "that's not a project you'll see in the next couple of years." Similar considerations led GM to drop the $80,000-plus XLR sportscar. "Part of that's driven by the economic situation GM's in," Howell said.


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GM CEO Fritz Henderson has set clear rules: Every model must make money. That means GM will focus on making cars that can generate substantial sales. GM also has curtailed its ambitions to sell Cadillacs worldwide. While Toyota Motor Corp. is committed to establishing Lexus in Europe, Cadillac is targeting emerging markets such as Russia and China, after its western European distributor went belly up. Some analysts say a premium brand must be able to hold its own in Europe, the world's toughest premium car market, but others say GM is being pragmatic. "It depends on how you define success," said Rebecca Lindland of IHS Global Insight. "If it's making money, you can do that without western Europe."

Cadillac's No. 1 priority -- and GM's -- is its home market, where it can't afford to be a niche player. "We have to win North America if we're going to win," Hill said. "That's what we worry about when we get out of bed." Cadillac's focus on American buyers may be one reason why it resisted calls to design a big rear-wheel-drive sedan like the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series. The XTS, like the SRX, will come in front- and all-wheel-drive versions, say people familiar with the model. It won't be a "floaty ride," Howell says, but it won't put off Cadillac's loyal big sedan buyers either.

Cadillac may not need a large, rear-wheel-drive sedan, CNW's Spinella said, because the Escalade is effectively the flagship. But Cadillac hopes the XTS will build on the gains achieved by the CTS. People familiar with its development say Cadillac is taking its interior to a new level, with cutting-edge display screens and fine grains and materials.

At the new GM, it's not enough to launch models that are OK, Henderson said last month. With its survival at stake, every new model has to hit the mark.


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5TH ANNUAL SUMMER PICNIC WITH LINCOLN MERCURY FRIENDS STORY BY J. ROGER BENTLEY

PHOTOS BY CHUCK PIEL

The day after the 4th of July started with some light rain showers, but by 9:00 AM the sun was shining. Even though clouds rolled in by 11:00 AM, it turned out to be a cool, low-humidity day with no additional rain. It was a perfect day to sit around and enjoy each other’s company and talk cars.

By 1:30 PM, approximately 20 cars had arrived. Most of the cars driven to the picnic were from the 1960s and ‘70s, but a 1940 LaSalle was also in attendance; driven from Halethorpe, MD by Frank Lindberg. The array of cars on the front lawn had people who were driving by on New Hampshire Avenue slow down and take a second look. Diane & Henry Ruby arrived early to help set up the tables in the Garage Mahal. Soon after, people were arriving and table space was filling up with fried chicken, sandwiches, potato salad, cole slaw, fresh fruit, crab dip and lots of desserts.

The 45 or so people who attended included Region members Byron & Alida Alsop, Randy & Susan Denchfield, Jim & Brenda George, Jeff & Nola Gurski, Charlie & Mary Lightbown, Jack McClow & Bob Norrid, Tom & Sarah McQueen, R. Scot Minesinger, Bart & Beth Mitchell, Vern & Karen Parker, Chuck & Debbie Piel, Dan Ruby, Harry & Julia Scott and Steven & Margo Sisson. This is such a nice mix of people who in many cases own both Lincoln and Mercurys and Cadillacs/LaSalles that the picnic will continue to be an annual event! [Editorial note: Thanks to Roger for his continued hospitality. We look forward to next year’s event!]

Debbie Piel with J. Roger Bentley’s 1954 Lincoln Capri Convertible

Randy & Susan Denchfield’s 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible


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YOU KNOW YOU’RE LUCKY WHEN… STORY AND PHOTOS BY JIM GOVONI

On my way home from work on Thursday July 16th, I decided I needed to get more of the cheap wine I drink, Beringer’s White Zinfandel. So instead of taking my usual exit from Route 50 in Maryland, I took the exit for Route 301 south to go to the liquor store. Once on Route 301, the first intersection that I approached was a four lane north/south interchange. Cars cross from east to west. Motorists going south have two left turn lanes and the two right lanes that go straight. I was sitting at the traffic light in the right side of the two left turn lanes with two cars in front of me and three behind.

All of the sudden, I heard a loud crash behind me. When I opened my door to see what happened, I saw a car upside down just a few feet from my car. The car, an Acura, hit the car two cars behind me, became airborne and landed on a Subaru, which was also stopped at the light to my left. In less than three seconds, four lives, not including mine, were changed. The OnStar service, standard equipment in my Cadillac, put the calls in for the first responders. The little red button does work!

All the injured: the two in the Acura, the driver of the Subaru that the Acura landed on, and the driver of the first car that was struck, were taken to the hospital. There was no explanation as to what the driver of the Acura was doing when he plowed into the back of the first car struck. He was in his late 50s and was driving his 91-year-old father back to our local veterans’ home. I hope everyone was OK after being treated for their injuries.

It turns out that I know the driver of the car directly behind me that was pushed into my car. She is a nurse in the burn unit at the Washington Hospital Center, and, like me, was not injured. The car behind her was the first car struck and caused the Acura to go airborne.

There, but for the grace of God, go I. Or, as Saint Paul writes,“In the moment, in the twinkling of an eye.......”.

The view looking back at the accident scene from in front of my Cadillac

The Acura came to a stop just a few feet from my quarter panel!


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THIRD ANNUAL CLC SHOW AT AACA MUSEUM STORY BY RICHARD SILLS

PHOTOS BY R. SCOT MINESINGER AND CHUCK PIEL

The Central Pennsylvania and Upper Susquehanna Regions co-sponsored the third annual CLC show at the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA on July 11, 2009. Fifty-one cars attended, representing a total of seven states – Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and Michigan.

While the show is held on Saturday, the host Regions have turned this into a gala weekend event. Central Penn Region Activities Director Art Archambeault and his wife Jan invited the out-of-town attendees to their home for a pre-show social event on Friday evening, and again on Saturday after the show for cold drinks and snacks around the pool. Then, the club members adjourned to a nearby restaurant, Sasha's Hideaway, to enjoy an excellent dinner in a private room. Over 50 people attended this dinner, including CLC Regional Vice Presidents Lee Herbermann and his wife Judy, and Andy Zizolfo and his wife Allene, and CLC Vice President for National Activities Toni Rothman and her husband David.

On Sunday morning, the CLC group was treated to a tour of the private collection of Keith Miller in Hershey. Mr. Miller's diverse collection features low-mileage original cars from different U.S. manufacturers, including some rare finned Mopars of the late '50s, several outstanding Chevrolets of 1958-1962 vintage, a Buick Sun Coupe, a Studebaker Avanti and a Hudson Commodore of the "step-down" design introduced after World War II. But to many of the CLC visitors, the main attractions were a magnificent dark blue 1941 Fleetwood Sixty Special, and a 1933 Cadillac sedan formerly owned by Milton Hershey, the candy-maker for whom the town is named. The collection also includes rare dealership promotional items collected over several decades, including showroom banners, data books, scale models and other items, all beautifully displayed on the walls and in vintage glass-front showcases. On the same property where his collection is stored, Mr. Miller operates an antique car storage facility, where hobbyists can obtain their needed "extra garage spaces" in an old-car-friendly environment at a reasonable cost.

The front lawn was transformed into a show field!


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The AACA Museum offers one of the finest locations to hold an antique car show. All show registrants received an admission ticket to the Museum as part of their registration package. The Museum displays about 130 cars in artistic displays that tell the story of the auto industry and its effect on society over the years. In the "decades galleries", cars are displayed in a setting that represents their era. The early cars are displayed in blacksmith shops where they were typically serviced and repaired; cars of the '30s are parked in front of an art-deco hotel; cars of the '40s are displayed in front of a vintage service station stocked with items from that era; and cars of the ‘50s are parked in a drive-in movie theater, complete with car speakers and advertisements for refreshments sold in the lobby.

The Museum also features displays of antique buses and motorcycles, as well a Valentine diner from the '40s that was transported by truck to its intended site.

The Museum's display includes a variety of Cadillacs, including a 1905, a 1912 touring that represents the first year of the self-starter, a 1931 V-8 sedan, a 1955 Eldorado convertible and a 1956 Series 62 convertible. The '55 and '56 are on loan to the Museum from Scott Milestone, owner of the 1953 Cadillac LeMans that was at our Cadillac Dream Cars event.

Larry & Debbie Robinson drove their 1970 deVille convertible 909 miles from Marshall, Michigan to attend

the show

Greg Tocket’s 1912 Touring won Best of Show: Cadillac or LaSalle


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The award winners at the AACA Museum show were:

Class First prize Second prize Third prize Class A: 1902-1929

1912 Touring, Greg Tocket

Class B: 1930-1939

No entries

Class C: 1940-1949

1942 Series 62 convertible, Rob Robison

1949 Series 62 sedan, Art Archambeault

Class D: 1950-1959

1959 Fleetwood 60 Special, Dave Forry 1957 Coupe deVille, Walter Youshock

1959 Series 62 convertible, Peter Poneros

1959 Series 62 coupe, Al Peinhardt 1955 Series 62 convertible, Joe Alcorn 1953 Series 62 convertible, Jerry Parnes

Class E: 1960-1969

1962 Sedan deVille, Brian Staffone

1962 Fleetwood 60 Special, Jan Archambeault 1961 Hearse, Stanley Sipko

1967 Coupe deVille, Dan & Linda Arnold 1967 deVille convertible, Mike & Vicky Barruzza

Class F: 1970-1979

1976 Eldorado convertible, Richard Parsons

1970 deVille convertible, Dick Ridgeway

1976 Sedan deVille, Richard Sills

Class G: 1980-1989

1984 Seville, Joe Oestreich

1984 Eldorado Biarritz, Mike & Marjie Markowski

1984 Seville, Bob & Carolyn Archer 1987 Allante, Stanley Sipko, Jr.

Class H 1990-1999

1997 Seville, Chuck & Debbie Piel

1994 Fleetwood Limousine, Herb Seltzer

1993 Sedan deVille, William Warke

Class J: Modified Cadillacs

1976 Coupe deVille, Corey Raub (Note: this car features 1959 Cadillac tail-fins)

Class K: Other Makes

1937 Packard Super Eight, Bill Kreig

1974 Chevrolet Corvette, Troy Dennis

1949 Dodge Pilot House Pick-Up Truck, Mike Archambeault

Director's Award: Chosen by Region Directors

1942 Series 62 convertible, Rob Robison

Best of Show: Other Makes

1937 Packard Super Eight, Bill Kreig

Best of Show: Cadillac or LaSalle

1912 Touring, Greg Tocket

Long Distance Award

1970 deVille convertible, Larry & Debbie Robinson (The Robinsons drove 909 miles from Marshall, Michigan)


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INTRODUCING "PROJECT OMAHA" ('56 BIARRITZ) – PART III STORY AND PHOTOS BY LOU COMMISSO

[Editor’s Note: In Part II, Lou illustrated how he repaired the Eldo’s floor and quarter panels.]

After finishing the repairs of the floors and the quarter panels, the next step was to take the body off the frame and mount it to the rotisserie. It was definitely a nerve wracking job, but fortunately everything went smoothly. This is my first time using a rotisserie and so far, it doesn't look like I will ever go back working from the floor. It will be nice to work like a gentleman. Finish off some brackets, clean up the welds, and prime and paint while standing up. My back is thanking me already!

First step is to prep the firewall and door jams in preparation for primer and paint. All in all, it will be a four step process: 1) Metal conditioner on bare metal; 2) Self Etch Zinc primer; 3) 2K Corrosion primer and 4) Single Stage 2k top coat (gloss flat and color matched to red oxide primer). For the under-body, a single stage urethane finish was used which by nature is very high-gloss. It took a ratio of 1 part paint to 1½ parts flattening agent to kill the gloss for that primer look. What I didn't account for was the paint catalyst raising the gloss level to semi-gloss. Not that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. By the time I'm done painting the body there will be enough white over-spray under there that I will have to apply a one final coat of a flat clear over the entire under-body to get a uniform low-gloss finish. Regardless, I think it came out great. Have a look (see bottom picture).

Ready to get started!

Under-body is finished!


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Now that the under-body is completed I can get to work on stripping all of the old paint from the body. I'm not a fan of sandblasting car bodies. So I used chemical paint stripper to remove the existing three paint jobs. The two non-factory paint jobs are no match for the paint stripper, but the factory paint took three applications to soften it up Even after three attempts to strip all of the paint, the factory primer would not budge! The balance of the job was buzzed down by the sander. Here is the passenger side quarter panel so far (see above).

[Editor’s Note: You can follow along with Lou’s restoration project at www.cadillaclasalleclub.org/forum/index.php/topic,103519.0.html]

Notice how that stubborn factory primer is still hanging around in some spots (not for long!)


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IN MEMORIAM: WILLIAM JACKSON CONTRIBUTORS: THE WASHINGTON POST AND VINCE TALIANO

CLC Potomac Region member William Jackson, 74, died July 7th at the Washington Hospital Center after suffering a heart attack. William was a hairdresser and salon owner in Washington, D.C. who also collected and restored classic automobiles that were featured in films.

Mr. Jackson was the owner of Jak & Co. beauty salon since 1980 and also owned The House That Jack Built for 35 years. He was also president of the Washington hairdressers’ association and chairman of a legislative committee of beauty shop owners. He was also a member of the D.C. State Board of Cosmetology. In 1985, the D.C. Council passed a resolution recognizing Mr. Jackson’s career as a cosmetologist.

William restored classic cars, including a blue 1936 Cadillac that he brought to our events at Capitol Cadillac in Greenbelt, MD from time to time. He also owned a 1965 Mercury Comet convertible that appears in the 2007 movie on the life of Washington, D.C. radio personality Ralph "Petey" Greene called Talk to Me, as well as a 1937 Plymouth. He was president of Old Cars Unlimited in Washington.

Mr. Jackson was born in Alexandria, VA and attended Cardozo High School in D.C. He served as an Army paratrooper from 1954 to 1956.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Helen Jackson of Washington, three children, LaTosha Jackson, Charmeise Jackson and NaTessa Jackson, all of Washington, two brothers; a sister; seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. William’s final resting place is Arlington National Cemetery, where he was interred with Full Military Honors. He will be missed by his fellow members and enthusiasts in the hobby.

William Jackson’s 1936 Cadillac Series 60 4 Door Sedan 2007 Legacy of LaSalle Car Show

Photo by Ezekiel Armstrong


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CADDIE CLASSIFIEDS

Cars For Sale 1966 Sedan Deville Hard Top –Documented 45K miles as of June ’09 – Second owner from Nov 2007 – GM Heritage Center build sheet: # 8,993 of 11,860 made – All numbers match on build sheet, Protect-O-Plate (included) and cowl tag – Strathmore White (bright white) with black vinyl top – All chrome is impeccable and straight (no pitting, inside or out) – Rides like a new car – Clean, straight, like new – Highly original, no rust issues at all – Interior is like new with no tears in the headliner, no cracks in the dash and no rips in the seats – Glass is clear, not pitted or scratched – Black vinyl top is near perfect – Climate Control blows COLD – 6-Way power seat, power windows, Soft-Ray glass, door edge guards – Clock, AM-FM radio & antenna all work – Original 429 cid engine and drive train, body, and interior – T-3 headlamps are original – Firestone spare & tools are still in trunk and are original, like new – Gilt key fob from original dealer is included, with original owner’s manual, P-O-P warranty booklet, & options brochure – Original black rubber Cadillac mats and trash receptacle with Cadillac logo – Receipts for: (1) new Diamondback custom-built triple whitewalls on modern Firestone 380 radials, (2) new Frigidaire AC compressor, (3) new gas shocks from Kanter, (4) new Pertronix electronic ignition and 40,000 watt coil, (5) new aluminized Classic Exhaust system (complete), (6) new California Car Cover Company cover customized with “1966 Sedan de Ville” on the nose, (7) new red ’66 Georgia tag: “66 SDV”, (8) new backup set of Cadillac imprinted keys, (9) new fuel pump, (10) new complete front-end rebuild using Performance Suspension Technology (PST) kit, and (11) Carter carburetor rebuild – Car was driven to Cherry Hill for the 2008 CLC Grand National – Selected for display at the Hilton Head Concours de Elegance in November 2008 – Averages 13+ mpg on highway using high test – Selling ONLY because I want a ’66 convertible and have no more space – See pictures at www.cadillaclasalleclub.org/forum/index.php/topic,106300.0.html – Asking $13,000 – For more info, contact Doug Bailey at 770-992-8394 or [email protected] – Car is located in Roswell, GA 1970 Sedan Deville – Two-owner car (purchased from the original owner, former CLC member, in 2005) – Since then, improvements and repairs consist of new padding and upholstery of front bench; new A/C compressor unit installed; voltage regulator, alternator, muffler and horns replaced; and new stereo/CD player, front and rear speakers and satellite radio – Current mileage is 138K – Budge car cover included – See pictures at http://www.clcpotomacregion.org/70cadillacforsale.htm – Asking $8,500 – For more info, contact Dan Spack at 443-895-1228 or [email protected] – Car is located in Carney, MD (near Towson) 1973 Coupe Deville – 16,500 original miles – Runs and looks like new – White on white See picture at http://www.clcpotomacregion.org/73cadillacforsale.htm- $16,500 Firm – For more info, contact Rusty Saville at 410-721-1415 – Car is located in Edgewater, MD 1974 Coupe Deville – Owned this car for 3½ yrs and am only selling it because I’ve inherited my late grandfather’s 1971 Cadillac – Don’t have the space, time, or money for both – Only has 84K original miles, and has new plugs, plug wires, water pump, and a BRAND NEW Battery – A/C has been converted and blows cold – Tires, brakes, exhaust, and glass are all in good shape, and the car runs and drives GREAT! – Interior is in EXCELLENT condition, and has no cracks on the door panels or dash (common problem on these cars) – Exterior has had the vinyl top removed and new steel welded in (professionally) – Hood has been replaced with a rust-free one from California – Rear bumper fillers have been replaced as well (common problem on these cars) – Car was repainted at some point during its life, and rust is bubbling under the paint (no holes) along the rocker panels, lower front fender (driver’s side only), and lower rear quarter panels – Has all of its emblems and trim, as well as the original owner’s manual and fender skirts – Car runs and drives fine, and all that it needs is someone to finish the bodywork and a paintjob! – Car looks pretty cool as is, and will definitely turn more heads than a Lincoln, Chrysler, Toyota, or Honda! – Asking $2,500 – For more info, contact David O’Steen at 240-418-8860 or [email protected] – Car is located in Gaithersburg, MD 1992 Eldorado – Wonderful, mint condition, one family-owned and cared for car until purchased last summer – Unusual Sapphire Blue finish with blue leather interior – All original, no damage ever – 49,000 miles – New Goodyear thin stripe tires on chrome Vogue wheels – 4.9 engine – Runs good, drives good – Most options – Even comes with original window sticker – 2008 CLC Grand National winner in Cherry Hill, NJ – Asking $6,950 – For more info, contact Steven Sisson at 703-724-7652 or [email protected] – Car is located in Ashburn, VA 1993 Sedan Deville – Beautiful Carmine Red w/ double gold stripes – 64,600 original miles – Like new red leather upholstery– Ice cold A/C – One inch wide whitewalls – Strong #2 condition – Current Maryland State Inspection – Always garage kept – Asking $6,500 – For more info, contact Francis or Margaret Werneth at 410-668-3749 – Car is located in Parkville, MD


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2009 OFFICERS

NAME

POSITION(S)

PHONE

NUMBER

EMAIL ADDRESS

Vince Taliano

Regional Director Newsletter Editor Website Manager

301-258-8321 [email protected]

Dan Ruby Assistant Regional Director


Jack McClow

National Director Newsletter Columnist


Sandy Kemper

Secretary Associate Newsletter

Editor Valley Forge Region Liaison Co-Chairman 2009 Driving

Tour


Diane & Henry Ruby

Car Show Coordinators Central PA Region Liaisons


Harry Scott

Treasurer


R. Scot Minesinger

Membership Chairman Newsletter Columnist


Vacant

Activities Director

Documents

August 2009 - CLC) Potomac Region · Directions to Universal Auto Sales and Classic Cars from the Washington DC area (Baltimore area directions start on the second line below): Take