CTCC BRUNCH and PLAY EVENT

Sunday morning, January 30th, was a cold and gloomy day - until we stepped into the vast and beautifully decorated entry of the Drury Lane Theatre in Oak Brook Terrace. IL.

In spite of the weather, 31 members of the CTCC arrived for brunch and a play. Once we were all as­sembled, we entered the large banquet hall where we were seated at our assigned tables and served endless orange juice and champagne. 1, and a few others at the table, immediately made mimosas. We were now ready to choose our feast.
The brunch was fabulous with 13 stations of food to choose from - too many to list. Whether you wanted breakfast, lunch or dinner, the choices were bountiful with desserts "to die for". Absolutely scrumptious! Not a soul left that room hungry. If they did - shame on them!

Completely content, we moved on to the theatre where we saw the Tony Award winning musical. Monty Python's SPAMALOT, which is based on the classic comedy film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

The play is a hysterically funny spoof with King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table on their quest from God to find the Holy Grail. During their adventure, they encounter some rude Frenchmen, killer rabbits, flying cows and continued countless silly antics of sidesplitting laughter. The acting was great and their singing voices superb.

Everyone enjoyed the play and left the theatre with a song reminder to "ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE."

Marylu & Pete did a great job of picking this play.

The members who enjoyed the afternoon were: Pete & Marylu Kramer, Bill & Liz Werth, Karen Kelly, Len & Irene Vinyard, Bob Sroka, Lloyd & Joan Schellin, Ken & Kathy Smizinski, Len & Mary Keil, Bob & Sue Wenderski, Gary & Debbie Smithe. Joe & Jeanette Wintz, Doug & Soon Rogers. Laura Hascek & Mike Cielinski, Gail Hascek, Ron & Donna Pavlak, Ed Levin & Rose Kovalenko. Jerry & Doreen Michna,
- Rose Kovalenko

BARRETT-JACKSON AUCTION RESULTS

AUCTION ACTION - BARRETT-JACKSON

1955
$44,000, 46,200, 77,000, 36,300, 48,400, 73,700, 44,000, 42,900, 49,500

1956
$61,600, 126,500, 65,000, 46,200, 80.300

1957
$39,600, 77,000, 132,000, 88,000 (E), 71,500, 57,200, 41,800
• "E" is Dual-Quad - 270 hp

Interestingly, there were 9 - '55s versus only 5 - '56s and 7 - '57s at the Scottsdale, AZ extravaganza. While prices in­clude the Buyers Premium, the figures are reassuring, in light of the economy,

Air Conditioning for your T-Bird

ARE YOU CONSIDERING A/C FOR YOUR CLASSIC THUNDERBIRD?

THUNDERBIRD AIR ~ {From the January, 2010 issue of Trail Bird News.)

Air Conditioning is an accessory that was never originally factory installed in the early Thunderbirds. "Factory air" made its initial appearance in the Thunderbird in 1958, al­though it had been offered in the passenger cars previously. Most install­ations in the '55-'57 Thunderbirds utilizes the space above the generator for the compressor. An installation such as this, tastefully done, while not "correct" for the year, does add to the passenger's comfort. Most units used on the early Thun­derbirds have the under-dash mounted evaporator. Some of the newest Vintage Air units have a hidden evaporator with air ducts mounted tastefully in various loca­tions.

One item that you should consider if having an air conditioning unit installed in
your Thunderbird is the installation of an electric fan. This is a must to keep the unit
functioning at its maximum output. While sitting at a stoplight, an electric fan will
push air through the radiator as if you were moving 30 mph.

- Dave Tulowitzky

Editor's Note: While T-Bird owners living in the Midwest can survive the relatively few days of sweltering summer heat, owners such as Dave, living in Florida, face a much different situation. Arizona, New Mexico and California T-Birders also find welcome relief in the A/C equipped early 'Birds.
In 1972, I drove a friend's A/C equipped '57 from Palm Springs to Long Beach, CA. Having spent a number of indescribably hot days at the CTCI Convention, I became an instant believer! [The temper­atures averaged about 112 degrees per day during the Convention!]

REAR COVER PHOTOGRAPH STORY

It was in the summer of 1995 when the Greater Illinois Region of the CCCA was invited to a private Fly-In, hosted by the late, Bill Rose, who was the owner of the Milrose Restaurant in South Barrington.

The late Ted Kosten, for many years the official head photographer at the EAA Oshkosh Air Shows, was hired by Mr. Rose to cover the event. Ted had invited me to drive my T-Bird onto the field in order to obtain photos with several of the mostly vintage aircraft.

Several years earlier, we had attended the outing at the Rose Estate near Barrington, where there was a 2,500-foot long (grass) runway - and a number of hangars. (Bill would typically field several planes at the Oshkosh Air Show every year.)

The 1995 photo, with my 'Bird parked in front of a Stearman, was taken at the Rose property near Marengo, where a 3.000-foot (grass) landing strip accommodated numerous (larger) aircraft.

The events, featuring mouth-watering food and beverages to the 1,000 guests, came to
an end following the death of an Ultralight pilot at the Marengo field. I will keep the
memories of those special times as another fun-filled T-Bird adventure!

- Editor

THANKS FOR THE HELP

THANKS FOR THE HELP

Editing a monthly newsletter can some­times be a time-consuming chore, but CTCC members have greatly relieved the burden by submitting articles, stories, photos and write-ups ot Club events. So, to each of you who have contributed to BIRD-NEWS in the past year, I extend my sincere thanks and appreciation.

Again, we are most grateful to Bob Hoge, who has again underwritten the cost of the paper and color printing of our newsletter. With only a couple of exceptions - when the VCB color-printing machine broke down - we have been able to enjoy color layouts and photos during 2010. Thanks to our man Tom, at the Valley Community Bank, the VCB half-page ads have revived many of the unforgettable Burma-Shave roadside signs that once clotted our roads and highways! (We are happy to report that Tom is in full recovery mode following a nasty spill on the ice some weeks ago. The toll for his trip to the mailbox was a broken leg - in three places!

In addition to providing the most generous contribution noted in the foregoing. Bob has also contracted accordionist, Elmer Lange, to provide musical entertainment at our recent Holiday/Christmas Parties.

- Editor

President's Report

PRESIDENT'S REPORT

Happy New Year, fellow CTCC members!

I wish to extend my sympathy to Judy Bruggenthies on the death of Otto. He will be missed by all of us. I also wish to extend my congratulations to Joe and Sandra Kraatz who were presented with the Bert Eisenhour Award for 2010 at the CTCC Christmas Party.

Some of you were not expecting to receive this issue of Bird-News in your mailbox. Your Board is continuing to develop an electronic delivery system. Meanwhile, Valley Community Bank continues to print our wonderful Bird-News in full color. Several of you paid extra to receive a black and white copy along with or instead of the electronic version. The Board will address that subject in the coming months and I will keep you informed of developments.

By the time you read this, we will have started 2011 with an outing to Drury Lane Theater for brunch and Monty Python's "Spamatot". Thank you to Pete and Marylu Kramer for planning this fun activity to brighten up a freezing January weekend. Club members will enjoy the annual Pizza Party in February as we examine the 2011 Budget prepared by Doug Rogers.

Your Board is planning a full calendar of activities for the year. I hope each of you will participate in many of the events. The schedule begins on Page 2 of this issue of Bird-News. The driving season starts with the always-helpful April Tech Session that will be followed by the May Spring Tour to Bloomington led by Tom and Judy Bruin. Please plan to join us for brunch and a brief meeting on Sunday, June 12 at the lovely home of Pete and Marylu Kramer.

Please feel free to contact me or any other Board member with thoughts, ideas or concerns. I look forward to seeing you throughout the year.

Len Keil, President

THE EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK

THE EdlTOR'S NOTEbook
BERT EISENHOUR

WITH WINTER HAVING CLEARLY MADE ITSELF KNOWN, we face the prospect of a long hibernation for the classic T-Birds. Meanwhile, we can look forward to the inviting schedule designed for our Spring Tour. The detailed plans are in­cluded in this issue - refer to pages 6 and 8 and save the dates. In the meanwhile, check out the activities for this month (Pizza Party), March (Meeting and Election of three Directors), and April (the Tech-Session.)

The Calendar contains two revised dates: The Tech-Session will be held on April, 30th and the Poplar Grove Hangar Event, hosted by member, Ken Kresmery, is set for Sunday, August.21st.

The CTCC Board is considering an invitation for CTCC to join a group, including the Shelby Club, that holds an event at the Volo Museum facility ever year. Look for more info next month.

Be sure to check out the Barrett-Jackson Auction T-Bird sales report on page 9.

It may seem a bit odd to read a dissertation about T-Bird Air-Conditioning in mid­winter, however, the article on page 9 is a reminder that summer will arrive - in due time.

Next month, we will feature coverage of the CTCC Brunch and Play event that was held at Drury Lane Theatre on January 30th.

The December Treasurer's Report, which was inadvertently omitted in the January issue of BIRD-NEWS, is printed in this issue - see page 4.

Invitation to Aug. 7th Car Show

From: magbond65@hotmail.com
To: info@ctcc9.com
Subject: Would Classic Thunderbird Club Be Interested In?...........
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2011 05:52:53 -0600

Hello to Len Keil and the staff at CTCC, It is a voice from the past Steve Maglich formerly of Stallions Gate Mustang/Ford Club but no longer a member of that club.
Annually I throw and all-Ford car show entitled the Shelby/Cobra/Mustang Show at Volo Auto Museum in Volo, Illinois.
This years date for the show is Sunday August 7th, 2011 from 10:00am to 4:00pm. We have a backup rain date on Labor Day weekend of Sunday September 4th, 2011 as we have had rain in the past where I am sure most of your T-Bird club would not come out.
I would like to personally invite your club as one of our featured 'Guest Clubs' if you are interested. I remember CTCC attending the 2005 Arlington Heights Ford show with Stallions Gate and it was absolutely an outstanding highlight to the whole show!
If you agree to come this year we would even add your name to the show title and call it the Shelby/Cobra/Mustang/T-Bird Show or highlight your clubs name on our advertisements.
At this time the only other club attending would be the Windy City Cobra Club of Chicago and in 2010 they did 'not' show up in large numbers so I am sure your club would probably outnumber theirs in attendance.
I am aware there is another significant Ford show in Bourbannis that same day your club may have already committed to, but if you haven't, we would love to have you out at Volo. Unfortunately we could not confirm another day around the other Ford show due to scheduling conflicts.
Below I will list things that myself and Volo could offer you for attending. I should note here that this is not a Volo sponsored event but strictly private although Volo is participating in the show for the day by basically leasing the Volo facility to our group. All show proceeds go towards the Marines Toys for Tots program so this is a non-profit event.
The normal price of admission is $20 per car the day of the show. Spectators coming without a car would be charged $12-$13 per person at a separate entrance.
I could offer each CTCC member a $15 admission charge. This includes a goody bag, eligibility for trophy awards and most importantly up to two admission passes into the Volo
museum providing the 2nd person is riding in the car along with the driver. This is a $24 value in itself. As I mentioned, any other proceeds go towards charity.
If you haven't been out to Volo lateley they have vastly improved their facilities, especially outdoors on the show grounds. They now have outdoor bathroom facilities as opposed to the previous porta-potties. They have 3 food areas, one inside and two outside with upgraded food choices as opposed to previous years.
They also have installed a show car pavillion with a music stage. We will be having a live band on stage for the event. Also this year they are opening a 'Beer & Wine' garden on the grounds. They have available an outdoor picnic area for up to 200 people.
Please let me know as soon as possible if your club would be interested in being a guest club for this show. This past year (2010) we offered roughly 42 trophy awards with around 1/2 of them being voted on by car attendees as a peoples choice award. The other awards were fun awards because Volo is a fun place. So to clarify this is not a class-type show car event but geared more towards a fun show with fun awards even though we do recognize a 'best of show' award with 1st/2nd/3rd places behind it.
You can e-mail me back at this address with interest at magbond65@hotmail.com or call me at my home phone number of (847) 255-0475. Thank You! Regards, Steve Maglich-Show Director

January- 2011 Outing

A fabulous Brunch and Play!

"SPAMALOT" a hysterical spoof!

Sunday, January 30th -11:45AM

Drury Lane Theatre - Oak Brook Terrace

$59/pp Send checks made out to CTCC to:
Kramer's
560 W. 58th Street - Hinsdale, IL 60521
ASAP as we have a reservation deadline

GUARANTEED FUN & DELICIOUS BRUNCH

Editor's Notebook- Dec. 2010

THE EDITOR'S NOTEBOOK
BERT EISEIMHOUR

THE FIRST MENTION OF SNOW IN THE WEATHER REPORT didn't stop Tom and Judy Bruin from providing us with an inviting schedule for the Spring Tour- Pg. 7.

The (tentative) CTCC Calendar for 2011 provides a glimpse of things-to-come for our membership. Be sure to check out the January Brunch/Play event that is detailed on page 9. Make your Reservations!

The approach of WINTER signals time for a review of storage for the T-Birds, as well as other collectibles. See page 6 for two (2) Guides.

This issue includes two nostalgic items: The (ca. 1980) Ad (pg. 10) presented the ill-fated replica at $25,000, with a $1000 deposit! The Saturday Evening Post excerpt (page 3) pays tribute to the T-Bird.

Liz Werth reports the successful recovery of photos and info on her computer! The lesson: Make sure you have a working BACKUP!

The Electronic distribution of BIRD-NEWS- send us your e-mail.

This B-N will be late; Tom, at VCB, has undergone back surgery.