October - November ’98 ROCKY MOUNTAIN CHAPTER Issue 11, 12
CHAIRMANS COMMENTS
By Dennis Kazmierzak
Over the past few months we have been asked by some of our members to put together activities that would be enjoyable to the spouse or better half. The RMC Board took this to serious consideration this past week and made it a priority to have activities planned accordingly. Twenty-one people were in attendance at the Board Meeting. Their input was requested for the activities for 1999. You’ll see this in our agenda for 1999. I hope we see the turn out of the families in 1999. You can’t say we are not trying to make an attempt at finding a together activity. If you have a comment, let’s hear it. Call one of the Board members. Their number is listed in this newsletter.
The past few events that we had which were family oriented did not show to well. The remaining family event this year is the Christmas party. I do hope we see a good turn out at the Ridge’s, as I know Sharon and Ralph are opening their home to the Chapter so we can have the type of gathering that you have requested.
The Red River Road Tour from Denver was a great ride. The Fall colors were beautiful. We could not have had a better time to see the Aspen changing. All the way from Conifer to Red River was spectacular. Jim, Lori, Ralph, Sharon, Shirley and I made the trip. Jim drove his ’65 and Ralph drove his ’61. I drove the suburban pulling the trailer because the ’61 had no miles on it since it’s restoration. Ralph wanted some insurance, which turned out to be a good idea. About 15 miles out of Red River, a bolt came out of the shift linkage, sticking the transmission in first gear. At the time we could not diagnosis the problem, so we put it on the trailer and made it to Red River in time for the welcoming party. Several of our New Mexico Chapter friends were there which made the weekend all the more enjoyable. During the road tour in the northern mountains of New Mexico, Dan Pyzel spotted a ’63 Corvette wreck in Eagles Nest. Wouldn’t you know he bought the thing, but he says he won’t restore it because he has to many wrecks to build already. Sure, Dan, I bet I see that at Rick’s in a few months waiting for parts.
We came back from Red River on Sunday with 4 quarts of raspberry’s and no headaches. The ’61 made it back in good shape with about 600 miles on it. What a maiden voyage. I don’t think Ralph will do that again. Gary Steffens volunteered to finish the beverages we had left over from the weekend. We appreciate your help, Gary.
Watch the web page and the newsletter for the coming activities. We want to see more people at the meetings and the spouses at the events they like to attend. Drive that Vette before the snow flies. I’ll be in the garage till the next time. See ya’.
FROM THE JUDGING CHAIRMAN
By my count, at least 10 of our members qualify for the NCRS Founders Award.
From the Judging Reference Manual:
Purpose and Description
The Founders Award, presented by one of the NCRS Founding Fathers at the National Convention, has two purposes:
NCRS Founders Award Prerequisites
For FULL details on each of these requisites, please contact me.
MEMBERSHIP REPORT
By Jon Whiteley
Our current membership stands at 85 which includes 20 new members for 1998. Because this is the final newsletter for the year, I want to gently remind everyone that 1999 dues will be payable in January. (You can certainly send it in sooner!) There is a membership renewal form with this newsletter.
Please note the change in address for returning your renewal form and dues check this year. Dues collection responsibility is now being returned to the Membership Chairperson (me). Treasurer Joe Orecchio had assumed these duties by default a while back and I would like to thank Joe for his time and efforts. Joe remains our Treasurer and still handles the money.
Dennis [Chairman), Lisa (Newsletter), and I (Membership) are currently working toward developing a common membership database to be shared between us instead of having different databases utilizing different software applications. This should help simplify things and minimize missed newsletters, etc. Hopefully, this transition will proceed fairly smoothly and remain transparent to all the members.
Once again, please be sure to "re-up" for 1999.
Happy Holidays!
TREASURERS REPORT
By Joe Orecchio
9/1 – 10/27TH
INCOME
| 98 Dues | 35.00 |
| Bank Interest | 5.59 |
| Merchandise | 134.00 |
| TOTAL INCOME | $174.59 |
9/1 – 10/27th
| Food & Bev | 116.46 |
| Newsletter | 130.56 |
| Bank Service Charge | .55 |
| TOTAL EXPENSE | $247.57 |
| ACTIVITIES |  |
| By Bill Bell | billbell@goldeninter.net |
The Echo Lake Road Trip was not as "successful" as we had hoped for. The weather was a bit "concerning", so after the Board Meeting we went up to Dennis’s house, where we worked on things such as computer stuff, firearms repair, and Corvette stuff. Dennis and Shirley DID make the drive, and discovered that we had missed out on a beautiful day up in the higher country. Oh well, maybe next time.
We have 2 more planned events to complete our 1998 activities:
The Board of Directors met October 17 to discuss next year’s activities. Here is the tentative planned events:
| January | Technical session at Bill Bell’s home in Aurora to discuss fuel injection (1957-1965 style) and report writing preparation for the Founders Award |
| February | Judging school preparation |
| March | Our annual judging meet |
| April | Technical session rear-end rebuild class |
| May | Moab, Utah Regional Event and junkyard run |
| June | Whitewater Raft excursion |
| July 4th | Parade in Monument |
| August | Sun Valley, Idaho National Convention and Road Tour |
| September | Vettes to Vail excursion |
| October | Technical session |
| November | Technical session |
| December | Christmas Party |
As always, members have stepped forward to participate and coordinate club activities. This is not a one-person job. I need your participation and suggestions to make our club activities exciting, fun, and participatory to all. If you would like to chair a club activity, please meet me and we’ll make it happen. I would appreciate your input tremendously!
| Nov. 21 | NCRS-RMC Road trip to Shelby Museum |
| Dec. 5 | NCRS-RMC Christmas Party |
| Jan. 30 | Polar Bear Swap Meet |
Our club general meetings are the third (3rd) Saturday of every month, at CORVETTE CITY, beginning at 11:00 AM, unless otherwise posted.
NOTES FROM AROUND
From the New Mexico Chapter
BAD FUEL ALERT
The following information is provided courtesy of Bob Agnew of the Old Car Garage (a knowledgeable mechanic and restorer). Bob presented this information to the NM council of Car Clubs for use of member car clubs.
Bob said that many of the new (EPA approved) blends of gasoline available in town deteriorate rapidly, much faster than previous blends of gasoline. He cited examples of brand-new, in-tank fuel pumps which sat for six months and seized up solidly. Carburetors gummed up so badly by stale gas that they were unsalvageable after a few minutes’ use; and valve trains that varnished over so badly that the valves had to be machine-pressed out of the heads during rebuild after only a few miles of driving on stale gas.
WARNING! Your prized Corvette could be affected by this. You may want to consider a fuel stabilizer for winter storage.
Also regarding fuel . . .
An Excerpt from the Classic Auto Restorer magazine.
"How to deal with the Aging Process", by Richard Prince
Gasoline Aging – Do preservatives extend the life of gasoline? As with automotive rubber products, the useful life span of gasoline is affected by numerous variables. One element that has, in my experience, noticeably diminished the longevity of gas is its continuing reformulation as part of the effort to reduce pollution. The removal of lead in particular has had a significant impact on the ability of gas to remain useful after prolonged storage.
I notice a change in the odor and color of currently available pump gasoline after about four to six months. The change in odor, that is sometimes noticeable after several months, is probably more significant than the color shift. The color in most gas is a product of dye that the refiner adds and a change in color is usually a breakdown of the dye which shouldn’t affect the product’s performance. The change in odor, on the other hand, results from a chemical deterioration and almost certainly signals that the life is ebbing out of the gas.
It has been my experience that gas will be OK for about a year or so, after which it becomes increasingly ineffective and potentially harmful. The potential harm stems from the formation of sludge which can clog fuel passages and acidic compounds which will corrode fuel system components like the inside of steel lines and rubber in the pump diaphragm and carburetor needle tips.
Though gas will likely still function after laying around for more than about a year, I don’t recommend using it. If you know your vehicle will be stored for a year or more, you should either drain the fuel system or periodically run the engine to consume the fuel in the tank and then replenish it with fresh gas.
From this same article . . .
Did you know that tires should be stored vertically and not horizontally? …. Whether mounted on your car or off the car and in storage, tires should be kept properly inflated at all times. When on the car and in use, inflate them to within a few psi of the maximum rating listed on the side wall. When on the car but not in use, inflation pressure should be increased about 25 percent to help prevent distortion. …. When mounted on rims but stored off of the car, keep tires inflated to about 10 psi. Remember that these inflation recommendations are when the tire and atmosphere are both temperate. At temperatures above 80 degrees F, add a psi or two for every five degree increase.
MERCHANDISE FOR SALE
Fred Koenig
1732 26th St. S.W.
Loveland, CO 80537
Home Phone (970) 669-8616
Fax (970) 669-4299
E-mail address fredkoenig@worldnet.att.net
Current club merchandise is:
ITEM |
PRICE |
| Golf Caps....Red, White, Gray, & Maroon | $10.00 |
| T- Shirts Silk screened Front & Back (Gray) | $10.00 |
| Sweatshirts Silk screened Front & Back (Gray) | $22.00 |
| Short Sleeved Polo...White, Red, Blue
& Gray (RMC Embroidered) |
$30.00 |
| Long Sleeved Polo...Dark Gray &
Blue (RMC Embroidered) |
$35.00 |
| Light Weight Polo Short Sleeved (Teal ) | $20.00 |
| Chambray (RMC Embroidered) | $28.00 |
| Jackets (RMC Embroidered) Satin Corduroy Wool |
$70.00 $75.00 $110.00 |
| Steamboat Regional T-Shirts (White) | $12.00 |
| Steamboat Mason Jars | $1.00 |
| Steamboat Hat Pins | $2.00 |
| RMC Hat Pins | $3.00 |
| Name Tags | $5.00 |
All shirts and jackets in XXL, please add $2.00. New members receive 1 hat (any color) and 1 name tag free.
Membership in the NCRS is open to persons interested in the restoration, preservation and history of the Corvette produced by the Chevrolet Motor Division of General Motors Corporation from 1953 through 1982. NCRS is not affiliated with Chevrolet or General Motors.
Membership in the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the NCRS is open to all members of the NCRS National organization. Dues are $30.00 for the first year, and are $20.00 per year for renewal. First year dues entitle the new member to a Chapter ball cap and membership name tag. Dues are to be sent to the treasurer.
All editorial material can be sent to the editor.
Advertising in the Rocky Mountain Chapter Newsletter is free to all active members, for all Corvette related items or Corvettes for sale. Commercial advertising rates for the Newsletter are $15.00 for a business card, $25.oo for a ¼ page, $40.00 for a ½ page and $60.00 for a full page. All rates are quoted for 6 issues or one years printing. Contact the editor for further information.