FALL TOUR-Oct. 2-4, 2009
Planning for the Fall Tour is well underway. We have reserved rooms at the Comfort Inn & Suites in East Moline, Illinois. The rate for the Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland is $65.00 a night - single or double. Call (309) 792-4660 and mention the club name to get our discount rate. They have both a pool and an exercise room, and Continental Breakfast is included .
Photo- Quarters One
Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 3rd is REALLY special - It will be catered solely for CTCC at Quarters One on the Rock Island Arsenal. Sitting on the banks of the Mississippi, Quarters One was built around 1871 and is being completely returned to its original glory. It is the second largest single-family home owned by the U.S. Government - second only to the White House! It was the home of the Senior Officer assigned to the Arsenal. We will have a tour of and access to the house and grounds. Dinner will consist of Prime Rib and Sauteed Chicken Buffet, choice of: two potatoes, two vegetables, tossed salad, plantation salad, fruit salad, rolls and butter, dessert, tea and regular or decaf coffee. There will also be a cash bar. The cost for the dinner is $41.03 per person (including tax and gratuity) which is payable in advance. Make checks out to Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland and mail to: CTCC c/o Joel Greenberg, 3732 N. Hermitage Ave., Chicago, Illinois, 60613-3509.
A Rough Itinerary for the Tour is:
Friday, Oct. 2nd - John Deere Historic Site in Grand Detour.
Lunch at Culver's in Dixon, IL.
Tour of Butterworth Center and Deere-Wiman Homes in Moline.
Dinner- Pizza! Pizza!
Saturday, Oct. 3rd - Bishop Hill (Swedish Historic Village)
Other activities/options for those interested:
Carl Sandburg Home in Galesburg (about 30 miles south of
Bishop Hill)
John Deere World Headquarters (5 minutes from the hotel)
John Deere Pavilion and Store (Downtown Moline)
South Park Mall (for those who need their shopping fix -
about 12-15 minutes from the hotel)
NOTE: We will be leaving for dinner at 4:30
Sunday, Oct.4th - Home - Nothing special planned at this point.
For those who MUST have 'breakfast,' the Deerfield Family Restaurant is walking distance from the hotel. For those who need anything else, there is a Farm and Fleet about 5 minutes from the hotel.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Fall Tour- 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Day at the Hangar- 2009
Ken & Polly's*
14th Annual
Day at the Hangar
Poplar Grove Airport
Sunday, August 23, 2009
BAR OPENS AT HIGH NOON
LUNCH - 2:00 PM
Italian Sausage and Sweet Corn
We have all the drinks
Things to Do:
Ride in an XKE JAG (it is red)
Ride in a '57 T'Bird (top down)
Ride in a 1979 Roils Royce (Built for a Prince)
Ride in a 1930 Mode! A Ford (it has a rumble seat)
Bet on the Model T Race (two at the airport)
Ride in a VW Bug convertible (may have Bug races)
Ride in a 1911 Woods Mobellette (if we can get it to run)
Ride a Motorcycle (with a side car)
Ride in one of four Airplanes (one without a top, one goes in water)
Sign up for the Parachute Jump
Things to bring :
Children
Friends
Sunshine (Party in the Hangar in case of rain)
Something to go with the sausage and sweet corn
Directions to Poplar Grove Airport (Ken Kresmery Hangar)
Take 1-90 west toward Rockford. Take the Genoa Road exit toward Belvidere. Turn right onto Genoa Road. Continue to US-20 Business Route. Follow US-20 BR for 3.8 miles to IL-76. Turn right. Go 3.3 miles to the Poplar Grove Airport. The next road on the right is Orth Road. Turn Right. Go to the Airport Museum entrance. Turn into the entrance and take the first left to the second row of hangars and turn right. Go all the way to the end of the hangars to MD4 & MD5.
* HOSTS: Ken & Polly Kresmery - CTCC members - 847-742-0000
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Annual Picnic- 2009
Classic Thunderbird Club of Chicagoland
ANNUAL
ALL MEMBER PICNIC
(For CTCC member, spouse/significant other and minor children)
Date: AUGUST 15, 2009 Time: 11:00 am
Pratt's Wayne Woods
Forest Preserve
The preserve is located in Wayne, IL in Northwest DuPage County west of Route 59, one mile north of Army Trail Road on Powis Road.
Follow the signs to the CTCC Thunderbird parking area.
For maps and information visit the website http://www.dupageforest.com/PRESERVES/prattswayne.html
What to Bring:
A dish to share (see below*) & serving utensil
Lawn Chairs for sitting outside the pavillion
Fishing poles (see requirements in Bird News)
Sun Screen
Lawn game (volleyball, badminton, frisbee, etc.)
What NOT to Bring:
Alcohol of any kind
Firearms
Swimming gear (there is no swimming)
Pets
Bad weather
R. S. V. P. by Monday, August 10th
Call Jane Eisenhour (630-584-8383)
*Tell her which dish you will bring to share - a side dish, a salad or a dessert
BIRD-NEWS - PAGE 9 - JULY 2009
BIRD-NEWS Gold Award
Copy of the Gold Award presented to the Bird-News
Note- click on photo to enlarge to read explanation.
TULSA Convention- 2009
photo caption- In between Bill and Joel was an Ice Sculpture of a 1955 T'bird.
of my head! The "T'Birds 'n Tulsa" Region 5
Convention ended long ago, but the memories
linger on. Bill and I took two days to drive our
little 'Bird out there, as did Joel Greenberg who
was accompanied by Ken Smizinski. We
joined a total of 98 cars in Concours, Touring
and Display and about 300 people from 27
states. Familiar faces included Bill and Sharon
Jurkonie, John and Deb Wrigley and Perry and
Alyce Anthony. The Tulsa Classic Thunderbird
Club did an excellent job of keeping us fed and
entertained. They arranged for rides to (and
free money at) the Creek Nation Casino, a nice
Western-themed welcome party, a shopping
tour fashion show, a trip to the Discovery Land
Dinner and Amphitheater production of
"Oklahoma" and a visit to the Will Rogers
Museum. Meanwhile, the beautiful array of
Thunderbirds could be seen from our hotel
window. We watched as they baked in the hot
sun and as they were drenched by the
torrential rains which marred Concours
morning. During the Final night's Awards
Banquet, the Greenberg and Werth cars
received Gold Awards and Ken and Joel
received recognition for judging. We stretched
our trip home to include a visit with friends who
live near Wichita. Had it not been for a cranky
overdrive, the trip would have been uneventful
... hot, but uneventful.
- Liz Werth
Ed. Note: Thanks to Bill and Liz for delivering
the CTCI Gold Award Certificate for BIRD-NEWS
(see cover).
3RD ANNUAL HOT DOGS, BRATS AND DRIVE-IN
CLASSIC THUNDERBIRD CLUB of CHICAGOLAND ~
3rd ANNUAL HOT DOG, BRAT, and DRIVE-IN MOVIE GALA
Saturday, July 11. 2009, 36 members and guests of CTCC gathered at the home of Len and Mary Keil in Johnsburg. Ill. for hot dogs, brats, and a table full of delicious "eats". Len had two coolers full of cold soda as we gathered in his garage and overflowed onto the driveway. Present at the gala were Joel Greenberg and Annie Luginbiil, Tom and Alice Wolfe, Ed Levin and Rose Kovelenko, Bill and Liz Werth, Mary Ann Graziano and Paul Ureche, your scribe. Jim Elijah, Joe and Sandy Kraatz. Bill and Elaine Axelson, Jerry and Pat Peterson, Bert and Jane Eisenhour, Pete and Marylu Kramer, Joe and Madeline Zambon, Pete and Lisa Ekstrom, Lloyd and Joan Schellin, Bob and Sue Wenderski, Len and Mary Keil, Bob Sroka and guest Beverly, and Bob and Helen Hoge.
- Jim Wilson
HOT-DOG GALA - BELIEVE-IT-OR-NOT!
It turned out that one ot our lead-footed T-Birders raced by the turnoft to the Keil's subdivision, finding himself "lost" somewhere north of his intended target!
- Ed.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Can You Name This Car?
ONE-OF-A-KIND, CONCEPT CAR UP FOR AUCTION AT THE
18th ANNUAL AUBURN SPRING MOTORFAL
For the past year, a one-of-a-kind 1960's concept car has been making its way around the car show scene and finally its time for the owner and builder of "Thunderflite" to let it become piece of someone else's collection.
The idea of the Thunderflite came from famous car builder Dean "Dino" Arnold and his late wife Suzie after doodling on a napkin one night after dinner. As the concept developed, Dino called in Don Johnson, who he had worked with on past projects, to do the final concept designs and he would build it.
The work began and the result is a rare, museum quality piece. Who ever the next owner may be he/she will be able to call a piece of history his/hers. The body is extreme custom fabrication with a removed roof, custom fins and double bubbletop.The paint is chrome effects made by the prestigious House of Kolor and put on by Dino. The engine is a chromed 302V8 engine with red metalflake accents and Koolflex hoses. Some more details of the car include: an independent 1994 SHO Thunderbird rear end, custom fiberglass circa 1960 with Autometer St. Rod gauges, dashboard, factory 1960 T-Bird taillights, custom red vinyl seats and much more.
* If you studied the Mystery Photo that appeared on page 3 of the June issue of BIRD-NEWS, [CAN YOU NAME THIS CAR?] a clue - the familiar design of the emblem or the tail lamp treatment - may have suggested Thunderbird---- As you can see, the sleek, futuristic exercise is indeed tagged: Thunderflite.
Spring Tour- 2009
CTCC SPRING DRIVING TRIP WEEKEND
by Marylu Kramer
After a little rainy and cloudy start, the day turned into a beautiful springtime journey that found 13 classic 'Birds - along with 5 retros plus a few assorted others containing 43 participants - winging their way to Galena, Illinois for a fun filled weekend for our Spring Tour, planned by Liz and Bill Werth.
Our lunch spot was the traditional Culver's and everyone ordered one of their Culver's favorites, be it a burger, a salad or the special chunky custard of the day!
Our next stop was at the Apple River Fort in Elizabeth, Illinois. This Fort was the site of an important battle during the Black Hawk War in 1832. The Fort was recently closed because of lack of funds from the State of Illinois and reopened the week we were visiting! Abraham Lincoln and his militia company stayed at the fort just days before the battle. It was a self-guided tour and we needed to stretch our legs after a two-hour drive!
After another hour we approached Galena with beautiful hills and valleys before us - we made quite a statement driving our T-Birds in a caravan through this picturesque landscape. Staying at the northwoods style Stoney Creek Inn put us in the mood for friendship and fun. We had our own room for hospitality, and snacks were provided by our members. Pizzas (11 total) were sponsored by the club, and we spent the evening socializing and being entertained by Mary Ziemba and her magic tricks!
Up early for a quick breakfast provided at the Inn and off to the center of town for a Trolley Tour of Galena. Liz and Bill even made sure we had a special place to park in town as they received special parking passes for us to put in our cars. The 'Birds certainly looked great perched all together! On the trolley, we passed by mansions and general homes and listened intently to the historically and architecturally oriented talk that came with the ride. At one stop, we exited the trolley to visit the oldest house in Galena - that was the Dowling House — it was a primitive dwelling and an old miner's trading post. It had been authentically restored and it is open to view as a monument to one of Galena's early pioneers. We stopped at Galena's largest mansion, the Belvedere House and Gardens, and it too has been restored to its original condition. Many photo ops along the way such as the high school steps, Grant's home and many other civil war personnel. Many lunch spots were available and many of the group stopped off at Dirty Gurt's, a local burger venue with great burgers. We spent the rest of the afternoon touring the many Main Street shops and also did some wine tasting at the local Galena Cellars.
Later on Saturday evening, we caravanned to Dubuque for a sunset cruise on the Mississippi and enjoyed friendship and dinner aboard the American Lady, which is a million dollar yacht. We enjoyed the majestic limestone bluffs that lined the shore.
The Inn offered a quick coffee pickup on Sunday morning before the official brunch at the DeSoto Hotel. The DeSoto is Illinois' oldest operating hotel. It served as campaign headquarters for Ulysses S. Grant. A four-story atrium was the setting for the brunch and we enjoyed traditional breakfast fare. The brunch offered more opportunity for an exchange of friendship and of course, more Thunderbird talk! Afterwards, we all said good bye and drove home tired, but blissful, after a fun packed weekend and still so very proud to be a T-Bird owner!
Thank you to Liz and Bill Werth for putting this trip together.
Attending were: Chad and Kami Woody, Dick Brack, Tom and Judy Bruin, Rudy and Janet Budach, Bob and Marcy Burhop, Pete and Lisa Ekstrom, Gordon Gluff and Mary Ziemba, Joel Greenberg and Annie Luginbill, Len and Mary Keil, Lorry and Karen Kelly, Pete and Marylu Kramer, Ed Levin and Rose Kovalenko, Dan and Dan Mrozek, Dave and Mary Jane Osborne, Jerry and Pat Peterson, Lloyd and Joan Schellin, Ken and Kathy Smizinski, Bill and Bonnie Thelen, Dan Tinder and Susan DeSantis, Len and Irene Vinyard, Bill and Liz Werth and Joe and Madeline Zambon.
Brunch at the Kramers
Thunderbird Brunch/Meeting at the Kramers
After a cold and wet spring, approximately fifty Thunderbird club members gathered at the Kramer's home on June 14th to enjoy the warm, sunny weather that they apparently special ordered for us! This was the largest gathering of Thunderbirds that 1 had seen since the show in Arlington. I think everyone was excited to finally have a nice enough day to get the cars out of the garage and enjoy them. The baby 'Birds quickly filled up the driveway around the Kramer's home and started to spill out into the streets. Apparently, they have a very good relationship with the neighbors, as more 'Birds filled up the driveway across the street. While it was a beautiful sight for all of us to enjoy, quite a few people passing by had to slow down or stop to take it all in!
Once inside, we were greeted by a vast spread of food in the dining room. Marylu worked very hard to provide a wonderful selection and even had it accented on the table by a couple of little pink 'Birds! Some Club members provided additional tasty treats, as they showcased their favorite dishes. For anyone who has been on a T-Bird outing, you know that our club enjoys good food, and this sure did not disappoint. And yes, I'll admit I went back for seconds! Of course, to go along with the food, drinks were served at the bar by our host, Pete.
Pete and Marylu have a beautiful home, great for entertaining our large group. And it was especially welcoming, as I think there was a picture or drawing of one of their cars in every room. (It's nice for my husband to see it's not just me who does that!) People spread out in the kitchen, sunroom, and outside on the porch and terrace. Outside, we realized we were playing "musical chairs", as the group at the table was constantly rotating, as everyone wanted to get a chance to talk with everyone else, some that haven't seen each other for a while. One very nice thing with this group is that no matter how long it has been since you have seen someone, it is like family where you can just pick right up where you left off!
Another typical sight for a T-Bird outing, there was always a large group of people gathered at the garage. I don't know about others, but I'm always on the lookout for ideas on how to fit more cars in our garage. I'm hoping my husband was taking notes!
As promised, Pete offered up pontoon rides on the lake. It was so pretty and peaceful on the lake that it seemed like we were in a remote resort community, not right off of Route 83. Pete has a lot of history on the lake, so he provided a very interesting guided tour. It was very surprising to find out that some of the big. beautiful houses were enclosing the original 800 square foot lake cottages within them!
We thank Marylu and Pete for treating us to such a special day!
Until we all gather again at the next food gala -
Hot Dog Gala & Drive In Movie
July 11, 2009
Coordinated by: Len & Mary Keil
- Kami Woody
MEMBERS ON-THE-SCENE: Dan & Karen Anderson,
Rudy Budach, Bob & Marcy Burhop, Steve Davajon. Bert
& Jane Eisenhour, Pete & Lisa Ekstrom. Gordon Gluft'&
Mary Ziemba, Maryann Graziano & Paul Ureche, Joel
Greenberg & Annie Luginbill, Art & Gail Hascek, Laura
Hascek & Mike Cielinski, Len & Mary Keil, Larry & Karen
Kelly, Joe & Sandy Kraatz, Pete & Marylu Kramer
(HOSTS), Ed Levin & Rose Kovalenko, Mike & Christina
Pavlak. Ron Pavlak, Dave & Marian Pogorski, Lloyd &
Joan Scheliin, Gary & Debbie Smithe. Ken & Kathy
Smizinski, Bill & Bonnie Thelen, Len & Irene Vinyard, Bill
& Liz Werth, Jim Wilson. Tom & Alice Wolfe, Chad &
Kami Woody and Joe & Madeline Zambon.
FOR INQUIRING MINDS: Pete reports that there were
20-two passenger T-Birds, plus 4-Retro 'Birds assembled
"in the neighborhood!" - Ed.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Tech Session- 2009
SPRING CTCC TECH-SESSION AT BOB WENDERSKTS GARAGE
Saturday, April 25, twenty-eight CTCC friends and members gathered at Bob Wenderski's Garage-Mahal for our seventh annual Spring dust-off event. Present were Dan Anderson, Bob Burhop, Bert Eisenhour, Gordon Gluff, Joel Greenberg, Bob Hendrickson Jr., Larry Johnson and Sue, Len Keil, Larry Kelly, John Kiverts, John Kolb, Pete Kramer, Paul Mounts, Dan Mrozek, Jerry Peterson, Dave Pogorski, Dan Raerfahl, Gary Smithe, Ken Smizinski, Bob Sroka, Len Vinyard, Bob Wenderski, Bill Werth, your scribe, Joe Wintz, Tom Wolfe, and Joe Zarnbon. John Kiverts is a new member of CTCC, though he has owned a Red '55 'Bird for twenty-five years. Bob Hendricksen, Jr. has a Silver '57 of his own, and he reports that his mother, Darlene, still has the Black '57 "E" 'Bird owned by his late father, though it is now stored in his garage We sipped coffee and munched on rolls as nine Thunderbirds filled the close-in part of Bob's driveway.
I parked my blue 2002 new 'Bird behind Gary Smithe's Red 2004. Len Keil followed with a Willow Green'57 followed by Pete Kramer with a Sage Green '56 and Bill Werth's Blue '55. JoeWintz drove his Gray '57,which was followed by Joel Greenberg's Yellow '57 and Larry Kelly's Fiesta Red '56. Gordon Gluff, with a Red '56 topped off the Thunderbird contingent.
Bob had the club libray out for our perusal. Ken began the Tech session with a discussion of motor oils which have the zinc additive necessary to lubricate the cam and lifters in the Early 'Birds. Shell Rotella T and ACCEL 1OW40 SF (Available at WalMart for $2.27 a quart) were recommended. STP Oil Treatment also has the necessary zinc.
Ken then proceeded to the main topic of the day, changing automatic transmission fluid. When draining the fluid it is important to drain the torque converter as half of the fluid is there. Ken began by loosening the transmission fluid filler tube on Bob Wenderski's '57 Thunderbird to drain the fluid. He explained that one could also lower the pan to drain the old fluid, but that may cause a leak when the pan is reattached if it was originally on too tight. Ken then pulled off the inspection cover-plate facing the oil drain plug, in order to drain more fluid. It has four bolts. The next step was to open one of the plugs in the torque converter with a 1/2" wrench to drain the transmission fluid. The two plugs are 180 degrees apart, so by bringing one into the lower position, the other remains (inaccessible) at the top. So, either one of the 2-drain holes can accomplish the job.
While the fluid was thoroughly draining, Ken discussed inteteresting facts about our transmissions. Type F transmission fluid, in use in the 70's and 80's, is not compatible with Mercon Dextron 3, which Ken recommends for refilling the transmission in our 'Birds. "Lube Guard," an additive, in a platinum bottle, will keep the transmission from burning out. Ken's advice: If you buy a car, DO NOT change the transmission fluid, as there is no way of determining when or IF it has ever been changed in the past.
Changing the fluid after a prolonged period of time may cause transmission failure as sediment in the pan is released. Note: I followed this caveat to the extreme, as I never changed the transmission fluid in my 'Bird from when I bought it in 1974, until Ken overhauled the transmission in 2005. Ken told me that the transmission fluid had never, in fact, been changed since it left the factory in 1957! I remember being advised - back in the 70's - that if the transmission shifted properly, to leave it alone. A manual transmission also needs the gear lube changed and an overdrive transmission has two drain plugs, as the fluid in the overdrive needs changing. Transmission fluid should be used in the power steering reservoir, as the power steering fluid sold today is too thin for our cars and will cause leaks. Ken explained that it is no longer possible to "sniff' transmission fluid to tell if it is dirty. He handed out an "Updated Routine Maintenance Schedule" which advises changing the transmission fluid every five years.
The drain plugs were then tightened in preparation for refilling with fresh transmission fluid. A 1 1/16" wrench was used to tighten the filler tube and a 1/2" or 7/16" on the torque converter. A standard transmission takes a 1 1/2" wrench on the plug and an overdrive trans., 2". The car was then lowered and 4 quarts of transmission fluid were emptied into the reservoir and the car started. The engine must be running in order to fill the torque converter with fluid. The car holds 10 1/2 quarts of transmission fluid. Ken said to put in 9 1/2 quarts and check with the car engine running before adding more.
Unrelated to the transmission, difficult starting was discussed. Ken suggested using a Master electric fuel pump part # E8012S, which is available at Auto Zone Retailers.
After the transmission fluid was filled, the oil was changed on Bob's car, using oil he had on hand, SF rated, with the necessary zinc additive. Paul Mounts greased the front end, U-Joints, and Steering. Bob's car was now ready for Spring driving, but not on the day of our Tech Session, as it had begun to rain heavily. We enjoyed a luncheon of sub sandwiches, chips, soft drinks, and garnishes provided by the Club. We said our goodbyes - until the Spring Tour the following week.
- Jim Wilson
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