CONVENTION FACTS/FIGURES/TRIVIA
As noted in the article on the convention, CTCC members were able to capture a significant number of Trophies at the Dayton event! The story behind the construction of the Awards is a very interesting one. Ohio Valley Early Birds member Glenn Forsell had located a fallen Red Oak tree, the victim of a lightning strike. Having determined that the once majestic Oak was to be cut up for fire wood, Glenn decided to take over 'ownership!' His plan was to fabricate the many Trophies his Club required from this giant tree. Glenn's monumental effort required the acquisition of special equipment, including the Laser machine, vital for performing the engraving process. Obviously, the energetic project also required burning the mid-night oil!
Glenn's talent and effort paid off handsomely, as the finished product was indeed unique, and very attractive.
Liz Werth was recognized as Director, Region 2.
The Early Birds of Hoosierland Club was thanked for staffing the Hospitality Room.
Bob Wenderski was the Chief Touring Judge.
A special thank you was extended to
CTCNO, CTCC and an anonymous
CTCC donor for providing the Judges'
Luncheon.
CTCI Newsletter Contest:
Touring Class: BIRD-NEWS-Silver
Of the total 117 Judges, the following CTCC members served in this vital role:
Perry Anthony, Joel Greenberg, Bill Jurkonie, Ken Smizinski, Len Vinyard, Bob Wenderski and Jim Wilson.
Liz Werth - Served in Scoring Room
Bert Eisenhour - The only CTCI member who has attended every International Convention.
There were 328 Registrations, 592 persons, and a total of 1,304 room nights! Cars registered (not all came): Concours I - 57; Concours II - 25; Touring - 59; Display - 65; [Retro - 14] There were 57 Trailers and 3 Motor Homes on site.
Museum Caravan - 143 signed up, 98 drove (due to early morning rain).
465 persons attended the Awards Banquet
The total bill for the Hospitality Room was $8,296.77, with the cost of donuts alone representing $1,235.25 of the total!
T~Birds driven to the Convention amassed a total of some 84,000 miles!
CTCI CONVENTION HISTORY
1964 -Dearborn, MI 1986 -Bend, OR
1965 - Estes Park, CO 1988 - Dallas, TX
1966 - Berkeley, CA 1990 - Williamsburg, VA
1968-Tulsa,OK 1992-Tulsa, OK
1970-Durango, CO 1994 - Dearborn, MI
1972 - Palm Springs, CA 1996 - Bend, OR
1974 - Dearborn, MI 1998- Dallas, TX
1976 -San Jose, CA 2000 - Chicago, IL
1978 - Dallas, TX 2002 - Parsippany, NJ
1980 - Cleveland, OH 2004 - Miami, FL
1982 - Toronto, Can. 2006 - Wichita, KS
1984 - Dearborn, Ml 2008 - Portland, OR
The next International Convention will be staged in Memphis, TN - August 21-25, 2012. The Memphis Classic Thunderbird Club Concours will be held indoors, a plan that worked very well, as we avoided the heat at the Wichita, KS event in 2006, - Ed.
The Ohio Valley Early Birds, CTCI Chapter Number 68, are to be commended for their dedication to accommodating a larger turnout of 'Birds and members than had been anticipated. Also, a note of appreciation to the members of the Early Birds of Hoosierland for staffing the well-stocked Hospitality Room during the entire event.
The Club reports that 99% of the feedback on the Convention is positive. It was indeed an enjoyable and memorable event!
Editor
Saturday, July 17, 2010
2010 Convention Facts, Figures & Trivia
2010 Dayton Convention
CTCI INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION
Birds and Planes - The Wright Place Again in 2010
This year, instead of a Spring Tour, the CTCC ventured to Dayton, Ohio for the Classic Thunderbird 2010 International Convention, June 15 - 20.
We started out early Wednesday morning to meet other members of the CTCC at the Lincoln Oasis to caravan to the Hope Hotel, Fairborn, OH. We were a group of eleven T- Birds, all shiny and ready to go. As we drove through Indiana, Sandy & Joe Kraatz joined our group.
About 135 miles into our trip we stopped for gas and lunch. There were several places to get a fast meal and Steak & Shake seemed to be the people's choice. (I think most of them were having Culver withdrawal.) Continuing on, we made one more stop to stretch our legs, etc,, and we were on the road again.
Bill Werth radioed that his 'Bird's O.D. was overheating. Joel stopped to assist him and they reported things were okay and caught up with the group very quickly. Everyone was glad to hear that there was no serious problem.
We arrived at the Hope Hotel and Convention Center around 2:30-3:00 Ohio time. The hotel is located on the Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Len & Mary did an excellent job of giving explicit directions. Not a soul got lost!
There was a specified parking space for all T-Birds and what a SPECTACULAR SIGHT. Approximately 200 classic 'Birds of every color, categorized by year & classification; Concours I, Concours II, Touring and Display class.
Time to check in, freshen up and get ready for the Welcome Social that included a singer who sang all evening. A FULL DAY!
Thursday morning, breakfast in the hospitality room; juice, coffee, sweet rolls, fruit, bagels and then off on an aviation tour. Some buses went to Huffman Prairie Flying Field & Interpretive Center where the Wright Brothers learned to fly and included the Wright Memorial. We were on one of the buses that went to the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park & Museum where we saw a very interesting and informative movie about the Wright Brothers: how they made their first "aeroplane", their disappointments and successes, and how their ambition and curiosity kept them striving toward further achievements. There were many more items to see, but not enough time.
Across from the Dayton Aviation Museum was the Wright Brothers original bicycle shop "The Wright Bicycle Co," where they made and repaired bicycles. Their knowledge of bicycles is what intrigued them to build planes and engines.
We later boarded our bus and headed for Carillon Historical Park where all buses met for a B.B.Q. lunch under a huge tent area. We then had time to walk around the 65-acre outdoor museum. It was exciting to see the original 1905 Wright Flyer 111, the world's first airplane. The park had many wonderful exhibits; historic buildings, Deed's tower, Kettering Family Education Center.
Later that afternoon some of the members went to the judges training session. Others were outside in the hot sun putting the finishing touches to their T-Birds, checking every inch to be sure it was ready for inspection & critical judging the next morning.
The Kelly's, Schellin's, Pete Kramer, Eddie and I crammed into a cab and ventured into town for dinner at Giovanni's, a nice little Italian restaurant with good food and plenty of it. Took "doggy bags" back. We called our cab driver to take us back to the hotel and he was delighted to have a bunch of crazies riding with him (we made his day). Time for more fun - dancing & singing to the 50's-60's band.
Friday morning while the judging was going on we had some free time so Irene, Karen. Joan, Mary and I joined a busload of (mostly) women to The Greene shopping mail. When we arrived, we were greeted by a. representative of the Convention & Visitor's Bureau of Greene County and given a bag of goodies & coupons. It was another hot, muggy-day but we shopped anyway. The Greene was a very nice mall with lots of restaurants and little boutique shops with Von Maur as their main hub. We had lunch, continued shopping and, of course, came back with "stuff we couldn't do without.
At 5:00 that night the CTCC group gathered for our traditional Pizza Party - 35 in all... Jane & Bert introduced past members who also joined us: Susie & Dick Boehm & Marilyn & Bernie Stadick. Members Perry and Alyce Anthony & Sharon & Bill Jurkonie, now living in Tennessee, were also enjoying our party! We had a wonderful time, laughing, conversing, joking, sharing stories and just relaxing with friends. An abundance of pizza, beer, wine and soft drinks were consumed. Fun for all!
We then went to see the Allies, a barbershop quartet and David, the magician. They were performing in the convention hall. Both were very entertaining. The magician included a lot of audience participation in his act.
Saturday began as a rainy day but cleared by the time about 150 plus fabulous Thunderbirds caravanned to the National Museum of the United Slates Air Force. What an awesome sight. Our motorcade was treated like royalty as the police blocked traffic to allow all T-Birds a smooth access along the roadway.
'The museum contains a collection of rare aircraft as well as memorabilia and artifacts relating to the history and development of aviation. It is a treasure of aircraft & missiles and historical items from the Wright brothers to the Stealth age.
We spent a whole day in the museum. It is so expansive that it would take several days to see it
in its entirety.
That evening, the highlight of the Convention was the Awards Banquet with everyone anxious to hear the winners.
At the beginning of dinner, after cocktail hour, a band played a few songs for our enjoyment. The centerpiece on each table was a cardboard T-Bird with cookies in it, a cooler filled with a bottle of "Thunderbird " wine, 2 wine glasses and 2 cloths to keep your cars glistening. The person at each table with a picture of a T-Bird on their water bottle, which each person had on the table, took these items home.
After our delicious dinner, the Awards were presented. I am proud to announce that many CTCC members walked away with Trophies. Congratulations to all of our winners.
A PERFECT ENDING TO A WONDERFUL TRIP!!!!!!
Sunday morning - departure time - We said our goodbyes to each other and were homeward bound.
- Rose Kovalenko
Those in attendance: Mary & Len Keil, Liz & Bill Werth, Joan & Lloyd Schellin, Karen & Larry Kelly, Pete Kramer, Jane & Bert Eisenhour, Gordon Gluff, Judy & Tom Bruin, Kathy & Ken Smizinski, Irene & Len Vinyard, Rose Kovalenko & Ed Levin, Joel Greenberg, Jim Wilson, Sandy & Joe Kraatz, Bob Wenderski, Ron Pavlak, Mike Pavlak, Gary Smithe, Bob Lindsten, Alyce and Perry Anthony, Jill and Dick Burdette and Sharon and Bill Jurkonie.
CTCC- In The Winner's Circle!
TOURING
'56 TOURING-Sub Class A- 2nd- Lloyd Schellin
'57 TOURING-Sub Class C- 3rd - Dick Burdette
'57 TOURING-Sub Class C- 2nd - Len Vinyard
SENIOR TOURING Class B- 3rd- Bert Eisenhour
CONCOURS DIVISION ~ CONCOURS II
'55 PRIMARY NON-ORIG. GOLD- Joel Greenberg
'55 PRIMARY NON-ORIG. GOLD- Bill Werth
'56 PRIMARY NON-ORIG. SILVER- Karen Kelly
'57 PRIMARY NON-ORIG. SILVER- Judy Bruin
'57 PRIMARY NON-ORIG. SILVER- Dave Osborne
'57 PRIMARY NON-ORIG. SILVER- Bill Jurkonie
'57 PRIMARY NON-ORIG. GOLD- Len Kell
'57 PRIMARY NON-ORIG. GOLD- Peter Kramer
CONCOURS DIVISION - CONCOURS I
'57 PRIMARY NON-ORIG. SILVER Perry Anthony
'56 PRIMARY ORIGINAL SILVER Bob Undsten
'55 SENIOR ORIGINAL GOLD Ron Pavlak
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Dayton Convention Convoy Information and Route
Meet at the Lincoln Oasis at 7:30AM
Depart promptly at 8:AM
Imperative that all gas-up at this time.
Be sure to bring your FULLY CHARGED radio.
Hotel is 285 miles from this Oasis. Plus mileage from your location.
Driving time estimated to be 8 1/2 hours.
Depart Oasis on I-294 to I-80/94. This roadway is 5 lanes wide, with heavy truck traffic. Do not attempt to stay in a line.
Watch signage.
14 miles to I-65, exit to your right, South to Indianapolis. Once on I-65 we will try to regroup. Very heavy truck traffic on I-65. Be sure to leave room between cars for other motorists to exit. 43 miles from Oasis, milemarker 232 is a rest area. Emergency Stop Only!!! If you need to stop here, meet us at the next planned stop. Use cell phone to report to Len - (773) 771-8783.
78 miles from Oasis, milemarker 197, first planned rest stop. 15-20 minutes PLEASE! NEXT STOP WILL BE FOR LUNCH AND GAS.
134 Miles from Oasis, milemarker 140, Lebanon IN. As we exit on your right are Shell and McGlure gas stations along with Subway, Steak & Shake, Arby's & Flap Jack. On your left is a BP gas station along with McDonald's, Arby's & White Castle. We will regroup at the frontage rd adjacent to McGlure gas station. 50 MINUTES FOR THIS STOP.
Turn left from frontage rd. back to I-65, right turn back to I-65 South.
145 Miles from Oasis, milemarker 129, exit to I-865E to I-465E, exit right two lanes. Follow I-465E. Heavy construction on this portion of I-465. Lanes will separate, keep left, express lanes have no construction vehicles on roadway. When express lanes end work your way to the right as we will be exiting to the right. Milemarker 43, to I-70, look for sign that is for Dayton exit. Exit will be to the center right. This is a maze of interchanges, watch signs. If separated, call if possible. Shoulder construction along this portion of I-70. No shoulders.
Milemarker 105 on I-70 will be a rest stop. 15-20 minutes.
239 miles from Oasis to the Ohio line.
Milemarker 32 in Ohio, keep left on I-70 to Columbus. I-75 to Dayton is NOT our route (Fact - the Hotel is not in Dayton. but in Fairborn, Ohio.)
Exit I-70 at exit 41A to Fairborn, Ohio.
Merge onto OH-236 S/OH-4 S via Exit 41 toward Fairborn - 1.6 miles
Take the Chambersburg Rd/ OH-235 S ramp - 0.2 miles
Turn LEFT onto OH-235 - 2.7 miles
Turn RIGHT onto N. Broad St/OH-235/OH-444 . Continue to follow OH-444S
Travel 3 miles to Air Force Gate#12. Hotel entrance is at this point. Turn right into entrance. Post 12 is immediately past Dayton Yellow Springs Rd. (Traffic Light).
Questions, Comments or other information:
lenkeil@sbcglobal.net
(H) 815-759-8763
(Cell) 773-771-8783
Convention Preview
For those members who will be attending the Dayton CTCI event, a rare Museum sight will be the F-106 pictured here!
In 1970, this fighter developed a 'flat-spin' (generally considered as unrecoverable). The pilot, following textbook procedure, ejected, assuming that his aircraft was doomed to crash.
Rudy Budach included the following with his interesting find: This Bird is supposed to be on display at Wright AFB - site of the CTCI Intl. Convention in June.
Tech Session- 2010
CTCC SPRING TECH SESSION
Saturday, April 24, 2010
The CTCC Spring Tech Session was held at the home and garages of Judy and Otto Bruggenthies in Mettawa, as access to Bob Wenderski's garage was limited due to road construction. Twenty-five club members and a few Thunderbirds braved April showers to attend. Dan Tinder drove his Thunderbird Blue '55 from Winamac, Indiana. His engine compartment looked great despite the rain and it sported an interesting Optima 6 volt battery. The wide whitewalls on his car were made from Michelin cores. Gordon Gluff drove his Red '56 and Joel Greenberg his Yellow '57 'Bird. Joe Zambon's '57 was already in the garage, as it was the subject of the Tech Session along with Judy Bruggenthies' Dusk Rose '57 which was stored up on a lift. Len Keil came in his '97 Thunderbird. I drove my Blue '02 and Pete Kramer his Cashmere '05 'Bird. Arthur Hahl came in a '78 Ranchero which was large for a mid-size truck, based on the LTD II.
Others in attendance were Dan Anderson, Tom Bruin, Bert Eisenhour, Jim Elijah {showing pictures of his '79 Lincoln Mark V), Larry Johnson and Sue Hommedieu, Larry Kelly, Joe Kraatz, Ron Pavlak, Jerry Peterson, Dave Pogorski, Joe Sant (who has a Starmist Blue '57 all apart), Ken Smizinski, Bob Sroka and friend Lee Bakakos (a new CTCC member), Bill Werth, Joe Wintz, and Joe Zambon.
Judy and Otto's garages were filled with all sorts of vehicles and miniature conveyances that were displayed on a shelf around the perimeter of the building. There was an Amish children's buggy that was steered with the horse reins, as well as numerous pedal cars. Allis Chalmers and McCormick tractors from kiddie size toys to very large resided in the garages. Bruggenthies' have an interesting '79 Dodge Little Red Wagon step-side pickup with side exhaust pipes at the back of the cab. Otto, recovering from surgery, made the rounds in a motorized scooter.
The Tech Session began with Ken Smizinski stressing the importance of changing motor oil at
least annually, despite the few number of miles driven. Moisture collects under the valve covers and anywhere there is heating, then cooling. IOW-30 or IOW-40 oil can be used, but it should be SF rated, containing zinc. Zinc has been eliminated in many oils and this can shorten engine life. Wal-Mart Accel is SF rated, containing zinc, at $2.17 per quart. Ken further stressed the importance of fresh gas as the new gasoline, with ethanol, breaks down. Marine Sta-Bil will preserve gasoline. He prefers to only fill the tank half full and buy gas more often. Ken has seen cars with the heat-riser mounted backwards. It should face the fender on the outside so that as it heats up, it drops down. He is seeing new oil pumps where the pressure relief spring is too tight, making the oil pressure too high for mechanical lifters. New relief springs can actually bury the needle on an oil pressure gauge and blow the gasket on a spin-on oil filter. Ken stressed, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"
The main topic of our Tech Session was the steering gear box, which is often neglected. Ken has most often seen damage in cars without power steering. Seals dry rot and leak. Sending the steering gear box out for repair is a $600-700 job. The fix that Ken demonstrated can be done for less than $10. A 1/2" wrench was used to take the plug out of the steering box. A #3 drill and a 1/4x28 tap were used so that a grease fitting could be fitted in the plug. Now, every time the front end of the car is greased, the steering gear box can also be greased. Four ounces of grease were used and it was pumped into the steering box through the Zerk fitting until the grease came out of the breather holes. Ken suggested using lots of grease the first time, 1 -2 cartridges, as necessary.
Disc brake kits from Bob Walker were discussed along with Dot 4 or Dot 5 brake fluid to absorb the heat. Ken started Judy Bruggenthies' '57 that had not been started since last August. It started right up, since it has an electronic fuel pump. Elizabeth, from Otto and Judy's staff, took group pictures. Most of the group went to Fat Man's Bowling Alley for lunch before riding off into the rain.
- By Jim Wilson
Cows and Trains
COWS and TRAINS
From the Dairy we caravanned (at least 15 little 'Birds) to Monon, IN where several more EBOH members joined us. More than 40 of us enjoyed a special dining experience inside the Connection Museum at the Whistle Stop Restaurant. The museum houses a collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the railroads' bygone era. Exhibits include a display of dining car china and silver, hand-held lanterns, restored brass steam locomotive bells and whistles, and a full size replica of an Illinois Central depot.
- Liz & Bill Werth
President's Report- June 2010
PRESIDENT'S REPORT
As all CTCC members know, the traditional Spring Tour was cancelled due to the International time frame. Your Board decided that one event would take away from the other. Our Spring Tour is usually held in late May; the CTCI Convention is being held in mid-June. In lieu of an overnight tour. Bob Hoge has planned a (special) One Day Outing on June 27th.
The Fall Tour planning is well underway with CTCC members traveling to Door County, Wl. Pete and Marylou Kramer and Larry and Karen Kelly are organizing this year's Tour.
This brings us up to the Spring Tour for 2011. Your Club is looking for someone to step foreward and start the ball rolling for this outing. Organizing a tour is not as difficult as one might think; pick out a location and a date. CTCC will reimburse you - up to $200.00 - for any expenses you will incur. (Receipts required, of course.) CTCC members who have run these trips will certainly lend a helping hand.
Our Annual Hot Dog & Brat Day will have a new format this year; no longer will we be attempting to go to a local Drive-ln Movie - too many variables, including weather and the available movie title. Henceforth, the day will be designated as: The Annual Hot Dog & Brat and 'Driveway' Movie Gala. Keep the date (July 17th) open and look for details in the July issue. [Sneak Preview: The feature movie this year is the classic, American Graffiti] The film will be shown on a BIG screen in our driveway.
Call Len or Mary to make your reservations.
PHONE: (815) 759-8763
- Len Keil
Newsletter Award
Subj: Golden Quill Awards
Date: 5/6/10 1:22:18 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: designsbylin@earthlink.net
To: bobaree@sbcglpbal.net, Bebluebird@aol.com
CC: nefron1@cox.net
Congratulations to our CTCI chapter Editors who have won recognition with Old Cars
Weekly Golden Quill Award!
Here is the full article to read:
http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/article/Old-Cars-Weekly-Golden-Quill-Awards-2009/
Note to Bob: I let them know that your name was misspelled on their list, so they can correct it on your certificate.
Golden Quill Award- Regions and Chapters
Sub Compacts
Birds-Eye View, Bob Depaola, editor, Chapter 78, Classic Thunderbird Club International
Honorable Mention:
Bird-News, Bert Eisenhour, Editor, Classic Thunderbird Club Of Chicagoland - CTCI Chapter 9
Lin Somsak, Editor
EarlyBird magazine
Classic Thunderbird Club International
direct phone: 714.893.5331
earlybird@ctci.org
Subj: RE: Golden Quill Awards
Date: 5/6/10 5:27:34 A.M. Central Daylight Time
From: nefron1@cox.net
To: bobaree@sbcglobal.net, Bebluebird@aol.com
CC: designsbylin@earthlink.net
Bob & Bert,
Congratulations on your recognition by Old Cars Weekly Golden Quill Award. As a former Chapter newsletter editor I know the hard work that goes into producing a publication on a regular basis. The Chapter newsletter is the life blood of the organization and necessary to maintain communication among members, to recruit new members, and to preserve Chapter history. Thanks again for your efforts and I hope you have entered the CTCI newsletter contest with your publications.
Martin Bierman
2010 CTCI President
Thanks to Lin and Martin for the kind words of encouragement.- Editor
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