OLDSMOBILE CLUB OF AMERICA EASTERN MA. GMO CHAPTER ...

OLDSMOBILE CLUB OF AMERICA EASTERN MA. GMO CHAPTER ROCKET POWER NEWSLETTER!! GMO Meeting on Sunday March 16 The next GMO meeting will be held at Berejik Motors, 2nd Avenue, Needham, MA at 1:30 PM – See you there. GMO 20TH Anniversary Spring Dust-Off on May 4, 2008 The GMO has set May 4, 2007 for the Spring Dust Off show which will again be held at Haskins Auto Sales in Wellesley under the Oldsmobile sign (one of the few left standing). The theme this year will be the twentieth anniversary of the founding of the GMO.

The people at Haskins Auto Sales called us to make sure we scheduled the show under the Oldsmobile sign. They have gone to great lengths to assure that we continue to hold the show at their facility and have offered to move cars in order to give us the entire side and back of the dealership which is an increase of about 50% over what we had in 2007. This will also allow us to lay out the show so that the DJ (We have Cruisin’ Bruce Palmer this year) and the awards table will be in a position which is visible to the entire show. This will make sure there are NO bad parking spots and also allow us to park cars by class and position the vending truck so that smoke shouldn’t be an issue.

Issue #32 Ma

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March 2008

W-30 Should Not Mean Worry about Losing 30 Grand By David Consoli By now many of you know that GMO member Ray Therrien sold his Beautiful Rallye Red 1970 W-30 to me in December. I will discuss how that came to be and how generous and gracious Ray was in his offer to sell in an upcoming Ransom Notes feature. The purchase of Ray’s car created a dilemma for me. I was losing storage space and 5 cars were just too much to manage for me. So as usual my wonderful wife Karen put it in perspective for me. She has a subtle way of pointing out the obvious to me. 5 Cars is a bit much. We both agreed that 3 cars is more manageable and Karen finally gave me the blessing to build a garage at our home for those 3 cars. She is a smart woman. I think she knew if she gave me the O.K. with 5 cars then I would build a garage to house 6 cars. That is just the way I think. I proceeded to list my Gold Cutlass W-31 on Ebay. Five days later I sold the car. With that success in mind I then listed my Silver 442 W-30 a few weeks later. Five days later same result. I could not be more pleased at the interest the country has with W-30’s. A few days after my W-30 sold on e-bay I received an e-mail from my E-bay account. It read member has a question about my listing. Enclosed was a gentlemen’s question regarding W-30’s in general. He mentions he has a deposit on a 1970 442, W-30 in Arizona and he knows nothing about verifying the car’s authenticity. I then furnished the man with my phone numbers and typed in “Dale call me immediately”. A few minutes later Dale called from Arizona. I asked him for some more background on his

purchase. Within seconds I knew this man was in trouble. He did not know what an “F” Head was. He did not know that the “W” cars were produced in Lansing and had an M in the VIN#. He was unaware of such key numbers to look for including head & block castings, Carburetor, distributor numbers. Do you have any pictures you can e-mail me? I asked. When the pictures arrived my fears were confirmed.

I then asked, “What are you paying for this car”. My heart sank when I heard his response. I then advised him to do whatever he could to get his deposit back. I attempted to arm him with as much W-30 information as I could because the car was presented as a W-30 and it is not. He really liked the car. I tried to convince him that there is nothing wrong with buying a clone if the car is represented as one and the sales price reflects that it is in fact a clone. I tried to use the example of GMO member Doug Estabrook. I told him that Doug has one of the nicest W-30’s around. He bought the car knowing that it was a clone but he got a great buy or “value” because he did not pay W-30 market price.

The car was in fact a 442 built in Lansing, W-30 stripes down the side with the fender badges, but that is where the positive aspects ended. The heads were “C” heads. The intake manifold was an edelbrock. The distributor was a Mallory, OAI parts were non-existent. The inner fender wells were black. The ralley gauges, also non-existent. The floorboards were hacked up for a manual conversion. The car had power brakes with the manual transmission. The factory air conditioning was ripped out in the same manner my landscape crews rip out tree stumps. This was a train wreck that I couldn’t look away from! I am just glad our GMO 442 W-30 authenticity expert John Anderson was not in the room. John can spot garbage a mile away. If he saw this car up close he would pass out! I don’t keep smelling salts on hand. As my pulse increased I began to look for signs of hope for this man. My attention turned to the cowl tag. 934 = gold interior, 58 = Burnished gold paint, H = gold vinyl top. What happened to this car? Someone had changed the interior to brown buckets with no console. The exterior paint was changed to black, and the vinyl top removed. If I may quote Donald Trump “This is a disaster”.

Dale gave me the obligatory thank you and we hung up. At that point I wondered if he in fact proceeded with the sale or was able to get back the deposit. Dale called yesterday and informed me that once he showed the seller that the car was misrepresented that the seller returned his deposit. I dropped Dale a note of congratulations and told him to be vigilant with any future purchases. In true David Consoli fashion I wrote, “Pay it forward, enclosed is a GMO membership application” Ransom Notes Ransom notes is a GMO member profile in honor of Ransom Eli Olds who founded the Olds Motor Vehicle Company on August 21, 1897. Ransom Notes is authored By GMO member David Consoli. In the 1970’s popular television shows such as All in the Family, Family Affair, & Eight is Enough all centered on family unity, & family trials & tribulations. Had the major networks had a crew in Ashland MA. They may as well filmed a show titled The Pelletier Project. The show would take place in 1963 when David & Janice Pelletier got married and bought their first Oldsmobile. A 1961 Oldsmobile sedan was the vehicle of choice at the time. Dave and Janice bought the car because it was very reliable family transportation that was a step above a Chevrolet. Since then it has been one

Pelletier Project after another ALL OLDSMOBILES - thirteen total. some models include, A 1963 Olds holiday coupe, 1973 vista cruiser wagon, 1971 cutlass supreme convertible, 1979 Hurst Olds, 1955 Olds that was named “the blue lady” & his latest project a 1971 cutlass S coupe.

Dave’s father was not an Oldsmobile guy so the patriarch of this TV show is Dave’s uncle Henry. Henry Scuh to be exact. Henry was the first person in the family to buy an Oldsmobile that is all it took Dave was hooked. “I’ve got a lot of memories of uncle Henry’s Olds” Dave Said. When asked what year was Uncle Henry’s Olds? Dave couldn’t recall. “It not as old as Jed Clampett’s Oldsmobile in the Beverly Hillbillies show is it”? I Joked. “No not that old”, Dave replied. The Pelletier’s shared their infatuation with Oldsmobile’s with their two sons Richard and Mark. His son Richard has had up to thirteen Oldsmobile’s at one time or another. Even today when I visited their home in Ashland there were two cars under tarps in the back yard. A 1970 cutlass convertible & a 1970 442 w-30 hardtop both begging for a restoration. Dave Pelletier when speaking about his cars past and present spoke with pride. The pride comes from the fact that all his cars “were worked on right here, in this garage, the three of us, me and my two boys” Dave said. His 3-year-old grandson Owen accompanied Dave & me. Like most 3 year olds Owen had lots of

questions about the cars. Dave patiently answered every question. I mentioned to Dave that I have two sons close in age to Owen and it is my hope that I may pass on my love of the old Oldsmobile’s to them. Dave replied “I hope to do the same and I think Rich will do the same to my grandson long after I am gone, Rich was always big time into Oldsmobile’s”. I hope you are right Dave. I for one would love to see Rich Pelletier’s Twilight Blue 442 restored in all its glory at a GMO sponsored event. If not I have a feeling that we will see Owen some day with his Oldsmobile at a future GMO Dust Off.

The Pelletier’s keep their family jewel in the detached workshop – garage in Ashland. It is Dave’s latest episode I call “Sleeper cell”. (I know what you are thinking. Wrong TV show this is not terrorist related and we do not have a main character named Jack Bauer). The car itself is a real Sleeper. It is a 1971 cutlass S. The car is color code #49 Antique Jade with a green vinyl top. Dave’s younger son Mark Pelletier did all the body and paint work himself. The interior has palm green bucket seats with a green dash pad and green steering column. The car is equipped with green SSII rims and black wall tires that give the car a clean look. Upon first glance it looks to be a stock Cutlass with a 350, 2 bbl carb and a Turbo 350 transmission. As soon as Dave turned the key I new this is no stock power plant. This Cutlass is powered by a rebuilt 455 cu. in. V-8. with a Rochester 4bbl. A turbo 400 transmission and 2-¼ in. dual exhaust complete the package. If you mistake this car for a stock Cutlass and you will get your doors blown off for sure.

I have no doubt that when the Ransom E. Olds Museum has a bicentennial celebration in 2097 there will be a new Pelletier family member in attendance. The Pelletier Oldsmobile family tree is as strong as oak and to this day still shows signs of branching out. I have a feeling that the Pelletier Project TV series will run for generations to come with no commercial interruptions. 2010 OCA Nationals in Sturbridge As you all may know, the NEOC will be hosting the OCA Nationals in our backyard in 2010. When I say “our backyard”, I mean that we share this common ground for both NEOC and GMO. I am also hoping that we can share the many voluntary commitments for this huge event. Bill Black and I are co-chairing this event. We have a good baseline of volunteers and a working plan to make this successful. This plan includes the contract that we have already signed with the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center for the time period 7/21/2010 through 7/25/2010. But, we still need several committee chair people as well as numerous volunteers to help during the event. Currently, we have a need for the following chair people: • Awards Banquet – coordinating the awards banquet and seating • Women’s activities – Luncheon and any other women’s events • Public relations – Press releases, chamber of commerce • Sponsor/Advertising – Sponsorship and advertising needs The other areas that will need help primarily during the actual event are in the areas of registration (chaired by Ted Loranz), judging (chaired by Glenn Johnson), show field support (chaired by Bill LaPierre and Don Jack), and several other areas. If you are at all interested in helping in any of these or other areas, please contact me at [email protected] or Bill Black at [email protected] and we would be happy to sign you up or answer any questions that you may have. The OCA has provided us with a

booklet of recommended guidelines for each committee. We can provide any of this information if requested. We look forward to a successful event with the support of GMO. Keep in mind that this will be a first time event for the New England area and we all want it to be successful. The members and volunteers from our two Oldsmobile clubs can and will make this possible. THANK YOU ALL, Glen Morris, Bill Black Dr Sullivan’s Irish Goulash By Frank Sullivan This is just another story about my dad, Dr. Frank Sullivan, who drove an Oldsmobile to the Cambridge Boat Club for lunch each weekday. The Oldsmobile would have been a 1949, 1953, 1957, 1960, 1963, 1973 during those years. The Cambridge Boat Club was located on the Charles River, next to the Elliot Bridge and across from Buckingham Browne & Nichols School. Mount Auburn Hospital and Dr. Sullivan’s office were nearby on Mt. Auburn Street. The Cambridge Boat Club is a rowing establishment using single sculls, rolling seats and long oars. Dr. Sullivan owned his oars, but used a club single scull. Many lunchtime gastronomical delights were prepared at the kitchen of the boat club from ingredients collected at the Arlington house and pan fried at the boat club kitchen. The ingredients included: Dr. Sullivan’s Goulash • • • • • •

1/2 lb. of ground beef, or steak tips 1 egg 1 small onion 1 green pepper 1 slice of American cheese A quantity of mashed or baked potato

The entire mess did not hit the pan until it was thoroughly preheated. The beef was completely seared to the point that the kitchen was a smoky

fog (Momma Marion would not allow Dr. Frank to do ANY cooking at home) and the egg, potato, onion, cheese, and pepper were thrown in last. Dr. Frank Sullivan was sensitive enough not to prepare Irish Goulash while anyone was around, since the smell of that combination of ingredients was disgusting to most. GMO Glimpse of the Month By David Consoli

His & Her 442's I found on my trip to upstate NY GMO Member Speaks Out Against the Phantom Mopar Mailer By Nelson Desjardins I meant no offense showing up at the Consoli’s with a Plymouth. Recall that I parked it as far back as possible. I am sorry that certain people in the Oldsmobile club couldn’t be more charitable. I do exempt the Santuccis. They were kind in offering to watch for us along the roadside if we did not make it all the way home, but I don’t remember if they said that they would actually pick us up if we broke down. There was no sympathy for this poor S.O.B. who actually experienced a drive from West Roxbury to Methuen in a Mopar. I neither have, nor would ever hold my ’68 up to any of the remarkable vehicles in the club. It’s not like I have one of those goofy Mopars: a Super-bee (the silliest

name); Road Runner (after the cartoon character); GTX (somebody got there first and took the “O”); or a ‘Cuda (cause we can’t spell). I have heard that Satellites are for space-shots but name isn’t the issue: it’s the numbers. A factory 383 with 10.25:1 pistons, hydraulic lifers, and stock Carter carb produced over 320 horse. Even the little wedge head 273 has a decent 0 to 60. There’s one ratio where Mopar excels: Labor to Driving hours. Labor has a factor of .25 for a Mopar. Using the ratio, the Methuen trip took 90 minutes which requires 22.5 minutes of maintenance: a great incentive to holding the odometer to the lowest number possible. This makes sense if you remember the original symbol of the maker was a wind-powered vessel. I make no excuses for my vehicle. Sure it’s a Plymouth, but would you want me to load 14 sheets of 3/8” sheetrock on the roof of a W-30? Certainly that’s something we’d rather not see so let’s be open minded and look at some of the hidden advantages of owning Mopar. Mopar makes experienced parts replacers. This may be why owners associate more closely with their Motor Parts Division, rather than the actual make of their vehicle. Each time you replace the neutral switch, regulator, diodes, accelerator pump and ballast resistor, mark your calendar. You’ll improve your technique as you replace these very same parts over and over and over again. The body panel replacement business is competitive. You can get this year’s right front door skin cheaper than the one you got last year. If you like Rubik’s cube you’ll love tracing shorted connections in the bulkhead-to-dash wiring terminal box. If you are one who likes to think twice about your actions, hesitation at acceleration will give you that extra moment of reflection. These cars are reliable. You can depend on them. They just don’t run well and you can count on it. This is why most owners have most enjoyed that last ride; driving to the junkie. Some people are quitters just because they can’t find a decent replacement part after 30 years of effort. Others feel it’s necessary to get a life. If you are a problem solver, a Mopar will be right for you. There are many low mileage vehicles out there from which to choose, but beware.

There is a very dark side. There’s this Cult. I’ve been targeted. They approach me at gas stations. They have a special greeting, “318?” I reply, “273”. Sometimes they go away with this. Sometimes they say, “Commando?” I’ve learned to say “no” to avoid further questions. They have these cells all over the country. They’ve infiltrated Hemmings. They speak in seven digit codes. You can have the year, model, displacement and pulley type but you will not get the alternator unless you say “2098850.” For these people it is not the vehicle, it’s the parts. You’ve seen them, sitting in the dark of night at the stop lights, signaling to one another with their slowly dimming headlights. Despicable! I’m not one of these guys. I proudly purchased my Standard VR101 regulator without saying 2098300. My lights don’t dim anymore but they know where I live. They know my name. Flyers for Mopar shows are anonymously mailed to my home. It’s horrible. Editors Note: This letter was in response to GMO members razzing Nelson Desjardins at the holiday party. Since then Nelson has been receiving anonymous Mopar literature via mail. Nelsons submission is purely satire. Letter from the President by Paul Iantosca It was warm (in the 60’s) last week on Feb 18th. Oh, did I want to pull out my Oldsmobile, drop the top and cruise somewhere. Well, it was a teaser; however, the real deal is not too far away. Now is the time to assess your car’s needs and take care of arranging for the parts and service work so that you will be ready for our 2008 “Dust Off” to be held on May 4th. Its coming and we are expecting 110 cars this year. Haskins Motor Cars said “whatever we needed, we could have”. They really are honored that our show

is at their dealership in Wellesley, MA. As a result they will be removing all of their cars from the entire rear and left lots for us this year, allowing for 110 cars. We will have the entire facility to use and all the entertainment and food is being relocated to the center rear of the property. In addition, I am hoping that our OCA National President, Mr. Pat Yancy, will attend after my invitation to him arrives. We average one show each month during the summer, that we sponsor, and encourage our members to attend. I was informed that NEOC is having their September 28th show in Sturbridge, MA at the site of the 2010 Nationals. This will be great and they will definitely see a lot more GMO club members as it is only a 50 minute ride from Wellesley. What a wonderful idea. Recently, we have received applications from 3 new members as our club continues to grow. The GMO officers will be meeting at the Santucci’s to discuss and decide who will be the recipient of the Doug Stavros award at our “2008 Dust Off” as well as iron out the final details of the show. Be aware that your club officers are not resting during the winter months, in fact we are as busy as usual with promotions, meetings, trophies, collecting dues, answering questions from other Olds lovers around the Country, and planning shows. So, we hope to see you at our March meeting, date to be announced. Get those Oldsmobile’s ready, ya hear?

Thanks from the Santuccis As you all have heard, Richard lost his mom last month. She was 88 and was a wonderful person. How could she not be? She gave us Richard!!!!! Anyways, we just wanted to say Thank You to all the members for their support, prayers and kind wishes during this time. God bless you all. Richard & Karen

Eastern Massachusetts GMO Chapter 114 West Street Medway, MA 02053-2226

First Class Mail

GMO Officers President Paul Iantosca – 617-543-0777 [email protected]

Events Coordinator David Consoli – 978-807-7350 [email protected]

Vice President Rich Santucci – 617-899-9109 [email protected]

New Member Recruiter Karen Santucci – 617-899-9109 [email protected]

Secretary / Treasurer Ted Loranz – 508-561-7613 [email protected]

Club Representative Everett Horton – 508-336-0440 [email protected]

GMO Chapter Website – http://clubs.hemmings.com/olds-gmo