JUNE MEETING & SOCIAL EVENT

JUNE MEETING & SOCIAL EVENT

BRUNCH-
Please bring a dish!
Sunday -June 12th at 11:30AM
At the home of: Pete and Marylu Kramer, 560 W. 58th Street - Hinsdale

Please join us for Bloody Marys (Wisconsin style) , Food-A-Plenty, car talk, a short meeting - and boat rides!

From the north: 294 south to Ogden west exit -Ogden Avenue west to Route 83 South - 83 South to 55th Street east exit and east on 55th to Madison (Hinsdale Central High School on the east corner) south on Madison to 58th Street and west on 58th Street three blocks to house on left corner which will have Tbirds galore on the driveway!

RSVP - Call/Contact us for dish co-ordination!

Email- MKramer562@aol.com
Phone- 630 986-1277

Editor's Notebook- 4-2011

Bert Eisenhour

WITH THE SIGHTING OF THE FIRST ROBIN BEHlND US, we consider this to be a most reliable harbinger of Spring!

The first driving event of the year is the Tech-Session on April 30th. See page 10 for the details, and RSVP before the deadline April 25": Registration is limited so contact Bob Wenderski ASAP

The CTCC Calendar is updated to show two new events: Joel and Annie have arraigned for a change-of-pace outing for July. While the date hasn't been firmed up, it will probably be the 23rd or 30th. Tour details are presented on page 3. Having attended the 'show' some years ago, I can attest to its being a most interesting and exciting adventure! Joel plans to have the date secured in time to publish in the May issue.

• The Volo Shelby Ford Show is set for August 7th. This annual event showcases Ford vehicles (including Shelby replicas), so the opportunity to see so many cars on display makes it well worth the price of admission.

The risque(?) Pin-Up photo (page 7), was submitted by my #1 son, his ever-watchful eye spotting things related to the classic Thunderbirds! Strangely enough, my son saw an ad for a '57 T-Bird in a 1970 issue of Hot-Rod, resulting in a trip to California to purchase the T-Bird! The cost of the airline ticket (Standby) was something on the order of $65.00!

The Cover Photo is one of several submitted to CTCC by Mitch Frumkin in 2005.

MINUTES- FEBRUARY MEETING

CTCC PIZZA PARTY and MEMBERSHIP MEETING February 10, 2011

Pizza was served at 7:30 and the meeting started at 8:22
Len Keil welcomed the 39 members in attendance. He thanked Bob and Marcy Burhop for coordinating the event.

Minutes of the November 11, 2010 General Meeting were approved as written and copies of those minutes were made available to anyone who wanted to read them.

Doug Rogers gave the Treasurer's Report. the club has 98 members as of 2/10/2011

Doug Rogers presented the 2011 proposed Budget. He explained each line item and opened the floor for questions. The membership will vote on the budget at the March 10, 2011 membership meeting and election of directors at Russell's Bar-B-Q

Len Keil talked about the Club's websile and reminded members that it contains lots of Tech Tips as welll as pictures of past tours and events.

Len discussed the various activities planned for the year including:
April 30- Tech session at Bob & Sue Wenderski's home. Ken Smizinski asked for suggestions for topics to he covered at the meeting
May 20-22 - Spring Tour to Bloomington led by Tom & Judy Bruin
June 12 - Brunch & brief Membership Mtg. at the home of Pete and Marylu Kramer Aug 7 - Volo Car show
Aug. 13- Annual Picnic at Pratt's Wayne Woods
Aug. 21- "Day at the Hangar" hosted by Ken Kresmery
Sept. 8- Annual Meeting and election of officers Russell's BBQ
Sept. 23-25 - Fall Tour to Auburn, Indiana led by Larry & Karen Kelly
Oct. 16- One Day Outing to Cedarburg WI led by Len & Mary Keil
Nov. 10 - Regular meeting and "Year in Review" - Russell's BBQ
Dec. 3 - All-Member Christmas Party - Chandler's Chop House.

There was discussion about attending the Omaha Regional CTC! event

It was suggested that the three cars on the Bird-News front page be changed to cars owned by CTCC members.

Birthday wishes were sung to those present who hav birthdays during the month

The meeting officially adjourned at 8:45
Respectfully submitted,
Liz Werth, Secretary.

TECH SESSION- APRIL 30, 2011

Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland

TECH SESSION- SAT., APRIL 30,2011

AGENDA: TESTING AND REPLACING THE VACUUM ADVANCE ON THE DISTRIBUTOR - CHECKING AND REPLACING THE PRIMARY IGNITION WIRE ON THE DISTRIBUTOR - INVESTIGATING WHY THERE'S A TRANSMISSION FLUID PUDDLE UNDER YOUR T-BIRD!

REGISTRATION LIMITED, SO CALL IN A.S.A.P. RSVP Before April 25, 2011

9:00 AM TILL 10:00 AM COFFEE AND ROLLS
AFTERWARDS LUNCH IS PLANNED AT ALEK'S RESTAURANT IN LAKE BLUFF
THE EXTENSIVE CTCC LIBRARY WILL BE A VAILABLE FOR BROWSING & TAKE OUT

TAKE (1-294) NORTH TO ROUTE 60 (TOWNL1NE ROAD) - EAST ON ROUTE 60 To WAUKEGAN ROAD - TURN NORTH (LEFT) ON WAUKEGAN ROAD - APPROXIMATELY HALF A MILE TO 265 N. WAUKEGAN ROAD (WHITE MAIL BOX / BLACK ROOF) ON THE EAST SIDE OF ROAD.
IF YOU REACH THE TRAFFIC LIGHT AT DEERPATH ROAD, YOU PASSED US UP!

T-BIRDS TO THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY, REGULAR DRIVERS STAY IN THE FRONT

Spring Tour- 2011

"Planes, Trains and Automobiles"

We are planning to combine our love of automobiles and nostalgia on a weekend trip down old route 66 to Bloomington, Illinois. We have a few interesting and entertaining things planned along the way. Please see the itinerary below.

The pre-paid cost for this trip is $79.00 per person ($158.00 per couple). Please make your checks payable to CTCC and mail them to your tour hosts, Tom and Judy Bruin:
The Bruins
7420 S. Rawson Bridge Road
Cary, IL 60013
847-516-5823
224-730-7910 (Tom's mobile)
tg.bruin@yahoo.com

The pre-paid cost includes the following: Museum and tour admission fees and gratuities for the entire weekend; Friday lunch, Friday Pizza party; Saturday breakfast, Sunday brunch and show (including gratuity).

Hotel Accommodations:
Hampton Inn and Suites
320 S. Towanda Ave.
Normal, IL.
309-452-8900
The room block is reserved under: Chicagoland Thunderbird Club
You have until April 15, 2011 to make your reservation at our group rate. The hotel has a 24 hour cancellation policy on any confirmed reservation.
Rooms and Rates:
Dbl/Dbl or Single King $99.00/nite
King Studio Suite $109.00/nite

Itinery:

Friday 5/20/2011
• Depart (8:45 AM sharp. Be gassed up, and ready to go!) from the Hinsdale Oasis on 1-294. (alternative meet-up location, anywhere on 1-55, south of I-8o)
• 1st stop - Pontiac, Illinois
o A visit to the Route 66 Museum, Livingston County War Museum, WallDog Sign and Mural Museum
o Trolley tour viewing of Pontiac's building murals
o Photo-op for each of our cars in front of (nearly) world-famous Route 66 mural
o Lunch at How Sweet It Is on historic Pontiac town square, (sorry Culver's fans)
• Bloomington, Illinois -Visit the Prairie Aviation Museum
• Friday night Pizza party and socializing

Saturday 5/21/2011
• Hot breakfast buffet at hotel
• Depart hotel promptly at 9 AM for a scenic 45 minute drive to Monticello, Illinois
• Round trip ride on private train car from historic downtown Monticello depot/station to the Monticello Rail Road Museum. Tour of museum exhibits.
• Lunch and shopping on your own in the quaint downtown Monticello square
• Free-time - time permitting, there are a couple of other interesting things to see, including:
o Allerton Park and gardens, http://www.allertonpark.illinois.edu/
o The David Davis Mansion in Bloomington, http://www.daviddavismansion.org/
o Twin Groves Wind Farm, http://www.horizomwind.con/projects/whatwevedone/twingroves/
• Group dinner, in downtown Bloomington at Station 220 at the old central fire house

Sunday 5/22/2011
We will be attending the Sunday Brunch Performance at Conklin's Barn Theater in Goodfield (about a 25 minute drive from Bloomington). We will be seeing The Cemetery Club, a heartwarming story about life, love and the pursuit of happiness!
• Doors open at 11:50 AM
• Brunch at Noon
• Show at 1:30 PM
Note: The hotel will have a free continental breakfast on Sunday morning to tide you over until we get to the show.
3:30 PM Departure and caravan back to Chicago area.

TED ZEMPER REPORT: BARRETT-JACKSON

Thanks for your inquiry. Yes, 1 did sell the car -for $38K + IO% buyers fee to B-J (Total of $41,800 to the buyer). This was less than we had hoped for as we were told to expect $50-70K. Our expected time slot was for Sunday afternoon of the last day, around 1:15 PM. Our actual time on the block was an hour later and there were 3 other 2-seater 'Birds sold before ours that day; (a '57, a '55, and a Minter-restored '55. Ironically, all three cars were Flame Red - the same color combo as ours -with white porthole hardtop.) That one-hour delay and number of T-Birds being offered, we believe, resulted in diminished buyer interest, and a smaller crowd as people were mentally finished with the auction on late Sunday PM.

In the seven days of the event, there were a total of 21 2-seater T-Birds sold:
9 - '55's Ranging from $70,000 to $33,000 (Average of $46,890) "Hammer Price" + 10% Buyer's commission to B-J
5 - '56's Ranging from $115,000 to $42,000 (Average of $62,200) "Hammer Price" + 10% Buyer's commission to B-J
7 - '57's Ranging from $120,000 to $36,000 (Average of $65,860) "Hammer Price" + 10% Buyer's commission to B-J

Each of these can be accessed at the following link: hftp://www.barrett-jackson.com/application/onlinesubmission/archivecarlist.aspx

Also, each seller must pay B-J an 8.0% "seller's commission" and a consignment fee of $500 - $1,500 to B-J. So, B-J does pretty well!

I was disappointed in this year's offerings- mostly '60's - '90's muscle cars! Lots of Chevys, especially big-engined Vettes and '60/70's sedans/cpes/converts. I think this is a sign of the fact that this auction attracts high-end buyers seeking their "dream car" of when they came of age. The majority of buyers there seemed to be "baby-boomer" age, and therefore, the '60's to '90's interest. There seemed to be far less "real classic" cars this year compared to the last 2 prior years (from my memory of both events).

Although I'm disappointed in my outcome, Anne and I are ok with it all. We had tried to sell our car here locally - advertising for a year in the CTCI Newletter, and having consigned the vehicle to the Volo Auto Museum for 2 summers, and having displayed it in several Volo-sponsored car shows - with no serious interest shown from any of this effort.

So it is DONE. We've freed up a heated garage space- and had 11 year's worth of enjoying our gorgeous Red '57!

Since we continue to have our home also on the market - wishing to spend our winter's in AZ where our daughter and her family live -we are continuing to try and simplify our life.

I have enjoyed my membership in CTCC for II years, despite [the fact] that I have never been very active, and I have very fond memories of the Baby Bird Birthday Bash at the beautiful Sanfillipo Palace in 2005!

Of course, my heart still pounds when I see a two-seater T-Bird!
Best of continued good luck to all the members of CTCC!

Cordially, Ted Zemper

ANNUAL PIZZA PARTY REPORT

Thirty-nine people braved the freezing temperatures on February lOth to socialize and enjoy the Annual Pizza Party at Jake's Pizza. Len Keil conducted the short meeting during which, Doug Rogers explained the 2011 Budget which will be voted upon at the March lOth Membership Meeting at Russell's BBQ.

Len asked those present to visit the Club's website and see the Tech-Tips and also, the many photos and articles that Joel Greenberg has been uploading. Len also highlighted events on the CTCC calendar.

Birthday wishes were extended to several members. There was more socializing after the meeting officially adjourned.
- Liz Werth

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!]