The Cruisin Tiger GTO Club Officers and Staff

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3 The Cruisin Tiger GTO Club Officers and Staff President: Steve Lucas (630) Secretary / Membership Coordinator: Ken Smith (630) payrsinc@aol.com Director Mike Lannom (815) pontiacmuscle@tbcnet.com Vice President / Director: Jim Sternburgh (630) jimstern@nrets.com Director: Rick Last (630) rickbettylast@yahoo.com Newsletter Editor: Paul Weinstein (815) editor@cruisintigersgto.com Vice President / Director: John Skwirbllies (630) skwirbs@aol.com Director: Doug Rudisuhle (630) gus067@aol.com Tech Editor: Steve Lucas (630) sjl67gto@cs.com Treasurer: John Campbell (630) Director: Doug Mecklenburg (847) Club Historian/Photographer: Betty Last (630) rickbettylast@yahoo.com Club History and Mission: The Cruisin Tigers GTO Club was founded in April 1989 by six GTO enthusiast. Over the years the club has grown to the be the largest chapter of The GTO Association of America. The Cruisin Tigers is a non for profit club and is dedicated to the promotion and preservation of Pontiac s ultimate muscle car, The GTO. The club acts as a source of information to its members through monthly meetings, a tech advisory staff and club website. The club welcomes anyone with stock, modified or an interest in The Pontiac GTO to join. Ownership of a GTO is not a membership requirement. Club meetings are held the third Saturday of every month and start at 4:00. Members are encouraged to bring their cars to monthly meetings. Club Events: In addition to monthly meetings, the club sponsors cruises, annual picnics, and the clubs annual show, The Indian Uprising. Members and their families can enjoy organized activities with other GTO enthusiasts. Membership: Membership dues are paid annually and collected April 1st. Dues are $24.00 and are subject to a prorated amount for new members. Membership in the GTOAA is not required but strongly encouraged. Tiger News: Members in good standing receive the clubs monthly newsletter Tiger News. In addition to free classified ads, members are encouraged to submit articles, tech columns and club event pictures. Deadlines for all submissions to the newsletter are the first of the month. All correspondents for the newsletter should be directed to: Tiger News Editor 103 Glenbrook Trail McHenry, IL editor@cruisintigersgto.com Social Director: Ric Murphy (847) lansystem@megsinet.net Promotion Chairman: Jim Sternburgh (630) jimstern@nrets.com Site Webmaster Al Gierut The views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the entire membership. Reproduction of any part of TIGER NEWS is Prohibited without express written permission of The CRUISIN TIGERS GTO CLUB INC The Cruisin Tiger GTO Club Website

4 Tiger Tales By Paul Weinstein Its always nice to get feedback or recognition on anything you do. Weather it be positive or negative. That goes for the newsletter as well. I guess with every publication your bound to offend somebody. Well, I can safely say we offended someone but also drew many negative feedback responses form the July Newsletter. I'm not going to cover everything but I do need to touch on a couple of important issues. Last months cover belonged to Mark Grimmenga. The picture was of Mark and his freshly restored 69 Judge at the GTOAA Nationals. The tagline read Mark Grimmenga Gets The Gold. The issue that we need to clear up is that Mark did actually get gold honors with his car in St Louis. The problem was that many people who where there saw Mark accept a silver award. After many conversations with the judging committee and a few long hours into the night, it was discovered that his car was incorrectly judged for having aftermarket interior. The judging rulebook says that aftermarket parts are ok, they just have to be the best quality available to get full points during judging. The person who judged the car subtracted some 30 points from the total bringing the car to silver status. It was later determined after the points were recalculated, that the 69 Judge was the second highest scored car out of all the concourse cars entered. The decision to put Marks car on the cover with a tagline came from several people that were at this show (including a couple that had cars entered into the concourse judging). I was asked to put the car on the cover to show that the club supported Mark after what had happened. I felt this was a good idea and went with it. We didn't think that of the fifteen or so club members who saw Mark get the silver might feel confused because they didn't know what happened later on that night. If this caused any confusion, I apologize. Again, the idea was to show Mark support from the club. Like I said in the beginning of this column, its to get recognition. The second issue that I need to address is the feedback or recognition for this newsletter. I have a lot of fun putting together this club publication. I am proud of it and the awards that I have received that belong to the club are hanging on the wall in my office. Receiving feedback positive or negative is something that I welcome. It makes this publication stronger. The reason I say all of this is because there was a incident last month where a club member had some strong words for a member of our board of directors at a cruise night. I guess the member was unhappy about the choice of car on the cover along with the tagline and the fact that his name, also an award winning club participant at The Nationals, didn't appear in the list of club members that won awards. I do have to say that since this is a large club, we cant possibly know everyone. The reason this person didn't get credit in the July newsletter was that we simply didn't know they were in St Louis. I guess this is the point that an apology would again be in order although I don t feel one is necessary. If there is ever a point in which anyone has feelings they need to simply get off their shoulders about something you have read here, I encourage you to call me. My phone number and address are on the inside cover of this newsletter. Its really hard to make sure that we recognize all 270 members in Tiger News. Due to the size of the club is nearly impossible. And as you always see on these pages, there is always something, somewhere asking for member input. Please remember that Tiger News belongs to the club. All I do is find some creative way to put it all together in a format that I hope you will enjoy. Since I will be making the trip to Detroit for the largest (and coolest) traffic jam in the world otherwise known as The Dream Cruise, I wont be at the August meeting. See you in September..Paul Thursday August 25th Cruisin Tiger Night at Crystal Lake Cruise Night 6-8 PM Contact Paul Weinstein to RSVP Parking spots are limited in the lot reserved for the club

5 The Prez page By Steve Lucas Elections of Officers and Board of Directors are coming up in November. The office of President, Vice- President, and Treasurer and two (2) Board of Directors positions will be up for election. As per the newly written Chapter By-Laws, nominations will begin at the August Chapter meeting. You can read Section 3 of the By-Laws (Elections) later in my Prez page. If you remember, the Chapter By-Laws were re-written by the By-laws Committee, and voted on and passed by the membership. The Elections By-Laws were written in a manner as to help promote New Blood to get involved and become Officers of the Cruisin Tigers GTO Club. Officer s duties and qualifications to run for an Officer s position follows Section 3 of the Chapter By- Laws. Also, the Elections Committee will be formed at this meeting. So, as Rod Stieger once said in a movie as he played a Judge, Let the games begin. Section 3: Elections It is understood that all officers, members, or future appointments, if any, shall serve without enumeration. Every two- (2) years, any position and officers will be elected by majority vote (1/2 +1). One vote per paid membership will be allowed. The voting process shall be: ballot by mail or delivered in person at the November chapter meeting. Elections will be held in the month of November of each year for that particular election is scheduled. To run for an officer position, a member must be a paid up member of the GTOAA and must own a GTO, LeMans of GT-37. Previous elected officers may run for additional terms. Any elected officer can run for two (2) consecutive terms maximum at a time. Nominations for position(s) up for election shall begin four months prior to the November election at the August chapter meeting. Nominations will proceed for two months and end at the September chapter meeting. Nominations may be announced in person or in writing and read at the August and/or September chapter meetings. Nominations of officers will be published in the September and October newsletter. Candidate Bio's will be published in the November's newsletter along with an election ballot to be sent to the Election Committee Chairperson by the third weekend in November, or brought to the November's chapter meeting for counting by the Election Committee. Volunteers who make up the election committee will supervise the making, mailing, and counting of ballots. Volunteers may be appointed by the club President. A club member can not run for an elected office (includes incumbents) and be on the Election Committee at the same time. Section 2- Duties of Officers: President: Term, two years. Direct club policies and procedures, chair all club meetings, propose and define club activities, suggest and implement fund raising activities, delegate duties of volunteers on specific projects, set a good example for club members, maintain a high profile within the classic car hobby, recruit prospective members, be a spokesperson to the GTOAA. The president shall act as a non voting board member and chair the board meetings. As Chair, it is the President s duty to set the agenda for the board meetings based on current club needs and both Board and general member input. In the event of a tie, the President shall act as a tie breaker. The President shall have an annual budget of $ (two hundred dollars) not needing board approval. 2 nd Vice President: Term, two years. Performs the duties of President or Vice President in his or her absence. Coordinates club activities and Cruise Nights. Maintains order in club meetings or events. Treasurer: Term, two years. Be responsible for all club funds, membership dues, bank deposits, checking accounts, sign checks, petty cash, accounts payable and receivable, transport petty cash to club shows and cruises, maintain financial records for club, providing accounting and reports as necessary for regulatory and governmental agencies, maintain records and whereabouts of club assets (such as radios, microphones, banners etc.) Board of Directors: Term, three years. Seven members elected by the membership, with duties including but not limited to; fund raising, car show or cruise coordination, storage or transportation of club show property, writing newsletter articles, planning club activities and events, apparel chairperson, approve outlays of over $ (two hundred dollars) annually by a majority vote. Elections for all board members shall be at the rotation of two, two and three. All Officers shall serve no more than two consecutive terms in the same position from the time of their taking office. All Officers shall work without remuneration. All Officers shall uphold and preserve the standards, policies, and purposes of the organization. All Officers shall maintain a high level of visibility within the local/ regional automotive community in order to promote and advance the purposes of the organization as stated in the chapter constitution. Elections for Officers shall be at the same time alternating the Board Members elections. All Officers shall run for election at the same time. Continued on page 9...

6 July Meeting Minutes By Ken Smith Thirty-nine club members were at Mr. Beef & Pizza in Mount Prospect on July 16 th for our monthly club meeting. President Steve Lucas (Cruisin Tiger # 219) began it at 4:07 PM. There were 14 classic GTOs/LeMans and new generation GTOs in the parking lot due to the beautiful weather. There were many new members or first time attending members at this meeting: Dan & son Eric Bolnius (CT#688) brought their burgundy 66 GTO hardtop with a 455 engine and a 4- speed. It was purchased in May off Ebay. Bob & Sharon North (CT#664) have a gold 67 GTO hardtop with a 400/4-speed combination that will be repainted warp speed blue. They are having the mechanical work done for them and will do everything else. The trunk and rear seat floor pans needed replacing. Bob also mentioned Chicago Plating will do rechroming of bumpers for $225/each. They are located at 1400 West 31 st Place in Chicago and their phone number is John Breckenridge (CT#691) joined at the beginning of this meeting. He has a 67 blue GTO hardtop with a 400/ 4-speed that he purchased March of Mike Williams (CT#690) also joined prior to this meeting. He owns a 72 Bonneville blue GTO coupe (it was originally gold) with a 400/Dual-Gate that was owned by his grandparents. It is an airconditioned car and Mike is currently looking to purchase an open rear end for it. Club Treasurer John Campbell (CT#16) was unavailable for this meeting, but passed the financial statement to First Vice-President Jim Stern (CT#375) to present. For the June/July timeframe the plus side included membership dues, Indian Uprising pre-registrations, Indian Uprising sponsors, apparel and Indian Uprising Celebrity Commemorative Prints sold & the negative side included Tiger News printing and postage, checking account fees, printing IU flyers, Indian Uprising supplies, office supplies and club banner information upgrading. We remain deep in the black. As Membership Chairman I reported that we currently have 260 members and 78 pre-registrations for the August 14 th Indian Uprising Car Show. John Skwirblies ran through a list of upcoming events to put on your calendars. They appear elsewhere in this issue of Tiger News. Next, Rick Last (CT#271) as Chairman of this year s Indian Uprising gave the last club information update (since the show will be over by the next club meeting). This year we have one less major show sponsor than we had last year, due a weak economy. The current four Best of Show; WMC, Inc; Rally Insurance & McGrath Pontiac. He feels that there is still a chance that additional major sponsor can be found before the show date. We still need some members to volunteer some of their day-of-show time. Jim Stern mentioned that he overheard three guys at a Wheaton cruise night talking about attending our show. Brandon Goodwin of WMC, Inc. is creating the HO Racing celebrity pick trophy out of stainless steel. He also said that he would run a blind auction at the IU with some very secretive prizes. Joy Radensleben (CT#648) went through a list of cruise nights: Monday Hoffman Estates & Lockport Tuesday West Chicago Steak & Shake or Augustino s & Plainfield Wednesday Elmhurst, Lemont, Goodies & Rookies Thursday Schaumburg Frado s, Carol Stream, Addison, Crystal Lake, Geneva, Frankfort, Joliet & Barrington Friday Wheaton, Richmond, Rolling Meadows, Downers Grove, South Elgin McDonald s, Roselle, Villa Park & Tinley Park Saturday Lombard, Elgin Beef Villa & Medina Sunday Addison Uncle Harry s Ice Cream Joy also mentioned some car shows that she let attendees of this meeting look thru her flyers and write down those of interest. Steve discussed a protein bar that he located called Tiger s Milk. Let s just say that he was not impressed with the taste. Next Jim Stern ran through his list of topics In the Daily Herald was an article called Mad Max Car Favorite At Shows about Jim Martino s (CT#418) ride. A stack of issues of Chicagoland Gearhead News was available to the attendees of this meeting. They were brought in by Joy & Lee Radensleben. IU Celebrity Commemorative Prints were available for a purchase price of $10. Laminated Cruisin Tiger window cards are available for display on your goats at cruise nights and car shows. GTOAA membership forms were made available and the reasons for joining were discussed. Jim showed the four documents on display at our club s table at this year s GTOAA Nationals. They were: the 2002 World of Wheels; the 2003 Arnie The Farmer Beswick s 50 th anniversary of drag racing at Union Grove, WI; the Arnie s accident recovery fund & 2004 s Pontiacs in Pontiac (Illinois That Is). His prized possession of Arnie sitting in Jim s 66 GTO (if you got it flaunt it!).

7 July Meeting Minutes Continued Next up was a discussion of the GTOAA Nationals from St. Louis. Rick Last s 67 burgundy with white top GTO convertible won a Gold Concourse and was selected as the Best of Show for the Modified Class. The deciding factor may have been his carbon fiber drive shaft. A new member Dave Foglton s (CT#667) 69 liberty blue RAIV GTO hardtop won a Gold Concourse and Best of Show for Best Factory Original Restored. Congratulations to the both of you you make the Cruisin Tigers proud to have won 2 of the 3 Best of Show Nationals trophies come home in cars from our club. Jim also said that he would like to publicly apologize to Dave for not recognizing him in last month s issue of Tiger News. However, if Dave would have stopped by the area where the Cruisin Tigers were parked to identify himself as a CT, this would not have happened. We like honoring all members of our club, not just a select few. Brandon Goodwin s (CT#614) 66 montero red GTO hardtop won a Gold Concourse. Brandon has that unusual feature called A.I.R. (not to be confused with air conditioning). This caused a tech inspector to ask for a compressor (which is valid for A/C but not A.I.R.). After a discussion he was awarded the correct number of points. Mark Grimmenga s (CT#596) 69 carousel red Judge was awarded a Silver Concourse at the awards ceremony. But after a discussion about judging inconsistencies (minus 40 points for a reproduction interior), his car was reevaluated and he was awarded a Gold Concourse. Ken Braun s (CT#151) red 65 GTO, John Campbell s 70 blue GTO convertible and Mike Hill s (CT#102) signet gold 67 GTO convertible won Silver Concourse awards. Paul Weinstein s 66 blue charcoal LeMans 2-door, Jim Stein s 66 Burgundy with black vinyl GTO hardtop and John Campbell s red 70 GTO convertible were in the winner s circle based on their winning their classes in the 2004 GTOAA Nationals. When plaques were awarded, John s car was overlooked, but that was corrected later. In popular vote Steve Lucas 67 signet gold GTO hardtop was skunked at the awards ceremony, but was later discovered to have won his class by 60 votes. (That s okay; we all know that Steve doesn t do anything to be noticed! Yeah, right!) Bob Zeiger s (CT#357) 70 burgundy Judge convertible took a 1 st in popular voting. Ray & Carol Beno s (CT#406) 66 barrier blue GTO convertible and Al Weintraub s (CT#401) 65 GTO hardtop won 2 nd place trophies. Again congratulations to all. The next topic was Idiosyncrasies at the Nationals. As Jim stated, If you are not part of the solution, then you re part of the problem. Stock Concourse judging needs review. Modified judging is easier based on the number and quality of the modifications. Mark Grimmenga s car was considered Silver when the judges were looking for Best of Show cars, and therefore out of consideration that s a shame. Steve Lucas stated that the show officials needed to follow thru with any suggestions that are given to them. He also said that best repro parts were zinged because they There also was some confusion on color-coded fuses (which years had them). Brandon lost 12 points for wrong tags on his California carburetor tags. However, no one makes them. Steve said that new judges are concerned about consistency not accuracy. When asked what everyone remembers about the 2005 Nationals, our members said: (Steve Lucas) his burnout, when a track official said he did a better burnout than John Force. (Mark Grimmenga) great experience ; John Sawruk gave advice before concourse judging, which gave him time to correct & this is what a car club is all about. (Brandon Goodwin) pleasure to have the club there & Jim Martino waxed my car. (Jim Stern) it was worth it whether you bring your car or not & there were 20/21 04 & 05 GTOs there. (Rick Last) slide hammer and drill on trunk lock the day before concourse judging. His trunk lock would not unlock with his key, so this was the means by which he was able to get his trunk open. Yikes! Jim Stern discussed next year s GTOAA Nationals July 11 th 15 th in Louisville, KY. There will be GTOAA only registration at the hotel and show car parking for 700 vehicles. The rates are $85.00/night at the Executive West Hotel Rick Bogoff (CT#514) ran the 50/50 drawing. Last month s carry-over was $ and Rick collected another $ The selected winners of the drawings were: Three artist GTO cartoons that were brought by a new club sponsor, Purelypontiac.com and were won by: Mark Grimmenga (won a 69 carousel red Judge drawing that looks a lot like his car), Mike Hill (won a 67 gold GTO drawing that resembles his toy), and John Skwirblies (won a 67 blue GTO drawing that looks like Don Micetic s baby). $89.50 Keith Koehler (CT#564) won the 50/50 drawing, and $ Sandy & Greg Loebbaka (CT#23) were drawn for the You Need To Be Here To Win drawing. Unfortunately they weren t here, so (once again) the fund rolls over into next month s meeting. The regular club meeting adjourned at 6:02 PM. Editors note: Please see a portion of The June meeting minutes that were accidentally left out of the July newsletter on the next page.

8 June Meeting Minutes By Ken Smith Phil Meng can make 100 business cards with a picture of your car on itfor $20.00 or 150 self stick mailing labels with a picture of your car for $ He can be contacted at or mail to 4465 Michael Ave North Olmsted, OH or to third4phil@aol.com Rick Bogoff (CTGTOC#514) ran the 50/50 drawing. Last months carry over was $ and Rick collected another $ The potential winners of the drawing were: $ Rick Slomka (CTGTOC#566) won the 50/50 drawing, and $ Rich and Patty Murov (CTGTOC#509) were drawn for the You need to be here to win drawing. And like so many months before...they weren't in attendance, so the fund rolls over into next months meeting. The regular club meetinig adjourned at 5:32PM. We only have one more meeting before our annual car show and two more before the faint smell of burning tires at Best Of Show. Cruisin Tiger Advertisers Over time we try and scatter our advertisers listings in different places in the newsletter for better visibility. This is just a reminder that if you are ever in the need of any of their services please call them. When you do, please tell them you heard about them from The Cruisin Tigers!!!! Soon to be the largest collection of Pontiac Apparel & Collectables anywhere Paul Weinstein

9 The Prez page By Steve Lucas Continued. Eligibility Requirements To Run For Officer or Board Members Are As Follows: 1. Must have attended at least half of the official club functions since the last election. Official club functions shall be defined as scheduled monthly meetings and club sponsored events, such as car shows or cruises. (Example; if the club has held twelve meetings and three car shows and one cruise, the number of functions to be eligible would be eight). 2. Can not be a Board Member and an Officer at the same time. 3. GTOAA memberships optional for board members. 4. Officers must maintain a GTOAA membership. 5. Only one office can be held per paid membership. 6. Must be an owner, a perspective owner, or enthusiast of a GTO, Lemans, GT 37, T 37 or a Tempest. I will not be at the August meeting as I will be at the Woodward Classic GTO Weekend in Michigan. I ll be in the Winner s Circle as Best Altered Restored from their show of (last year Woodward Tigers hosted the GTOAA Convention and skipped the GTO Classic Weekend for that year only) Don t want to miss this one. Jim Stern will chair the meeting in my absence. If you re planning on attending the Woodward Classic GTO Weekend, contact Rick Last to let him know. He will let you know where and what time to meet up with the caravan. (630) or rickbettylast@yahoo.com. This year s event coincides with the famous Woodward Dream Cruise. Just a reminder: September s Chapter Meeting will be held at Best of Show, Inc. August 19 th -21 st Woodward GTO Classic Weekend and Dream Cruise. Host Hotel is the Sterling Inn in Sterling Heights, MI. Call to make reservations. Rooms are $99.00 a night. October 1 st -Pontiacs in Pontiac October 8 th - Classic GTOs vs. The New GTOs at Byron Dragway in Byron, IL

10 New Members Returning member CTGTO # : 103 Name : Arnie Goldstein Address : 751 East Stark Palatine, IL Phone # : None Car info : 1968 Polar White GTO Convertible 400-4BBL/3-Speed Auto - CTGTO # : 684 Name : David & Jeanette Morrison Address : 880 Shooting Star Grayslake, IL Phone # : daven@morrisonltd.com Car Sought: 1966/1967 Blue or Green GTO Convertible Automatic CTGTO # : 685 Name : Burt & Linda Greene Address : 181 Beaver Creek Drive Bolingbrook, IL Phone # : burtshog@sbcglobal.net Car Owned : 2005 Phantom Black GTO Coupe LS2/Automatic Red Leather interior, CAI, Chrome Wheels CTGTO# : 686 Name : Bob & Glorianne Allen Address : 39W230 Cliff Elgin, IL Phone # : N/A Car Owned : 1967 Teal w/black Top GTO Coupe 400 cubic inch engine CTGTO # : 687 Name : Steve & Susan Roy Address : 8603 Crystal Springs Road Woodstock, IL Phone # : N/A Car Owned : 1967 Marina Turquoise GTO Convertible 400/400 CTGTO# : 688 Name : Dan, Cindy & Eric (son) Bolnius Address : 1060 Cheswick Drive Gurnee, IL Phone # : Bolnius@comcast.net Car Owned : 1966 Burgundy GTO Hardtop 455/4-Speed (M-22) Car is owned by Father & Son CTGTO# : 689 Name : Doug & Cathy Hopkins Address : Fair Road Sturgis, MI Phone # : DHopkins@voyager.net Cars Owned: 1969, 1967 & (3) 1965 Hardtop GTOs CTGTO# : 690 Name : Michael Williams Address : 564 Deere Park Circle #409 Barlett, IL Car Owned : 1972 Dark Blue GTO Hardtop 400/Dual Gate Shifter Crane Cam, Headers, Torker Intake, Judge Spoiler, Hood Scoops Blacked Out, White Interior, Owned Since 16 (now 23) & Moved From Peoria (former HOI member) CTGTO# : 691 Name : John & Karen Breckenridge Address : 16W666 Red Oak Bensenville, IL Phone # : JKBreck2@comcast.net Car Owned : 1967 Blue GTO Hardtop 400/4-Speed (M-22) White Interior Name : Steve & Linda Truver Address : 4935 Lichfield Drive Barrington, IL Phone # : Truvers93@att.net Car Owned : 1965 Primer Black GTO Hardtop 400/4-Speed

11 What's Happening August 25th Cruisin Tiger Night at Crystal Lake Cruise Night 6-8 PM Contact Paul Weinstein to RSVP Parking spots are limited / September 17th The Cruisin Tiger 4th Annual Club Meeting at Best of Show Restorations Hosted By Jim Martino & Rick Last A map to Best Of Show In Naperville will be included with the September Newsletter October 1st October 2nd 2nd Annual Pontiacs In Pontiac, Pontiac IL Watch the September newsletter for information on the organized cruise down to Pontiac. Buick-Olds-Pontiac-Cadilac-GMC Truck Classic & Antique Auto Show / Marquardt Buick Look for coverage of The Indian Uprising All Pontiac Car Show in the September Tiger News

12 Tech Advice By Marvin Minarich Jr How To Make Your GTO Handle Like A Trans Am The GTO is known for its true muscle car performance but not it s sports car like handling. That s because stock GTOs do not handle very well, they have too much understeer. If you are like me you like to keep your GTO looking pretty stock, so here are a few tips to make your GTO handle better with out comprising it s originality and without breaking your checkbook. I will discuss anti sway bars, steering boxes, steering linkage and tires. We ll look at a second generation Trans Am for some hints to good handling. If you look closely next time you see a second generation Trans Am you will notice the massive front sway bar that it has. All Trans Ams from 1970 to 1981 came with a 1 1/4" front bar all GTOs from 1964 to about 1967 came with a 15/16" front bar. Believe it or not a T/A sway bar will directly bolt on any 64 to 72 GTO and instantly stiffen the front suspension with out any modification. This will greatly reduce the understeer by keeping the front tires from distorting under hard cornering. To help even further I suggest installing a set of black polyurethane sway bar bushings and end links. If a 1 1/4" bar seems a bit to much for you a sway bar off a 73 to 77 Grand Prix SJ or a 70 to 81 Formula will also work just fine, they run 1 1/8". If you like to buy new there are aftermarket bars available from Addco and H.O. Racing Specialties. Also a rear sway bar is a must to complement the bigger front bar. Starting in 1970 GTOs came from the factory with a rear bar. The set up consists of two boxed rear lower control arms and a 7/8" rear bar. These can be easily bought through most reproduction parts suppliers. It was available first on a 67 Olds 442 then Pontiac started using it in 1970 with a 1 1/8" front bar. There was a 1 1/4" rear bar also but it is very rare as it was only available on a 72 GTO with the optional ride and handling package. This is the bar you need if you want your GTO to handle, good luck finding one. Next there are steering boxes, a faster ratio will not make you GTO take a corner flatter it will just make the car feel tighter. If you have manual steering your options are limited but if you have power steering there are a lot of great steering boxes to choose from. The early GTOs had three steering boxes available; a standard 24:1 manual, optional 20:1 manual, and optional 17:1 power. All of these boxes were constant ratio as opposed to variable ratio. Starting in the late 60s GM started making variable ratio power boxes; going straight down the road the ratio would be 20:1 and turning a corner it would be a tighter 14:1. Another way to look at a steering box is by it s turns lock to lock; a stock constant ratio 64 to 68 power box is 4.2 turns lock to lock. A newer variable ratio box can be anywhere from 3.2 to 2.8 turns lock to lock. A steering box from most 69 to 81 A G and F bodies will work great. They look identical you just need to use your original pitman arm. The best ones are on the Trans Ams, 69 and up Grand Prixs. Starting mid year 1977 GM made the snout smaller on the steering boxes requiring the use of a different rag joint to install on older GTOs. I found GM# works perfectly. It is actually for a 79 to 85 GMC truck but it looks and fits just like the original. The best box to look for is one from a 78 to 81 T/A WS6. It is a constant 12:1 ratio, high effort (for better road feel) and 2.6 turns lock to lock. Stay away from 1982 and newer boxes they are metric and require special fittings and the turning circle is not the same. While you are changing steering boxes this is a good time to change a worn out center link, idler arm and tie rod ends. You will be surprised what a difference this will make, when you move the steering wheel the car will actually move! Tires and ride height are also very important in your GTOs handling. Of course radials are better then bias-plys, but the right size is crucial, you don t want a tire that is too tall or too short. A good size for a 14" rim is R 14; it is exactly between a F 70 and a G 70. A good 15" rim size is a R 15, or R 15. The 70 series is taller and the 60 series is shorter. A wide tire does not mean better handling because the same amount of tread is always on the ground. A wider tire can adsorb and provide better adhesion when going over bumps. Ride height is very important, when a GTO was new it sat about 9.5" in front and 9" in the rear; yes the car sat lower in the rear! In the early years the optional ride and handling package consisted of different springs and shocks, the car would sit even lower. It seems like when people restore these cars today they end up sitting 10" or 11" high this is why they don t handle very well anymore. New stiff springs are not the answer to good handling, you really do not have to change your springs. When a car sits higher it center of gravity is changed and it gets tipsy, remember the lower the ride the better the handling. I suggest a height of about 9.5" on all corners this looks great and it will handle good. Look in the factory service manual to check out ride height. Also a set of good gas shocks will help ride control and stability. Changing steering boxes and sway bars will not let you compete in the SCCA but the car will be easier and safer to drive, go around corners flatter get better traction and feel tighter.

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14 Tigers On The Prowl Tigers on the Prowl for parts is a FREE SERVICE to members of the Cruisin Tigers GTO Club. All adds will run for (2) months unless specified and run no more than (50) words. Since we exchange newsletters with many other GTO clubs, your ad will go around the country and on occasion may appear in additional publications For submission of Tigers on the Prowl, please contact: Tiger News Editor Paul Weinstein 103 Glenbrook Trail McHenry, IL editor@cruisintigersgto.com For Sale 1996 Dawson 24' enclosed trailer. Completely finished interior with checkerboard floor, 10,000lb axles, new tires, winch, 12v and 120v lights, red exterior color, weight distributing hitch, sway bars, grrrr-8 condition, $5,800. John Campbell #016, evenings August 1967 GTO Convertible Documented H.O. 4-Speed, White with red interior, Colorado car, little rust, needs complete restoration, call Ron for more info CTGTOC# 29 August Wanted Drive Shaft for a 69 GTO / Automatic 400 Trans Dom Micetic August Members Please note that we are now able to include pictures with your for sale add. Pictures sent through the mail will be returned. Technical Advisory Staff Chief Tech Advisor: Steve Lucas Mechanical: Paul Elson Transmissions: Pete Stemen Engines: Ron Rocchi Electrical: Paul Schiavon Paint & Body: Jim Martino : Rich Edwards : Rich Edwards : 1967: Marvin Minarich : Ed Dreksler : Doug Mecklenburg : John Campbell & 1972: John Skwirblies & 1974: John Skwirblies All Years Judges: Mike Lannom Parts Interchange: Steve Lucas '70 1/2 -'71 GT-37:

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16 The Cruisin Tigers GTO Club 103 Glenbrook Trail McHenry, IL August 25th Cruisin Tiger Night at Crystal Lake Cruise Night 6-8 PM Contact Paul Weinstein to RSVP Parking spots are limited (847)