T o m a t a l k. January GM Motorama Memories

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1 T o m a t a l k January 2018 GM Motorama Memories

Tomatalk January 2018 Volume 43 ~ Number 1 The Tomatalk is published monthly by the Minnesota Chapter 13 of the Pontiac Oakland Club International.

Club events are organized for the enjoyment of our members. All letters to the editor should be signed.

org Officers President - Tony Miller 8044 Wood Duck Tr. Circle Pines, MN 55014 toplessindian70@gmail.com 651-786-1214 Vice-President Todd Lewis 5895 St. Albans No.

2 Tomatalk January 2018 Volume 43 ~ Number 1 The Tomatalk is published monthly by the Minnesota Chapter 13 of the Pontiac Oakland Club International. The Tomahawk Chapter was founded in The chapter is dedicated to the preservation and enjoyment of Pontiac, Oakland and GMC vehicles of all years and models, stock and modified. Club events are organized for the enjoyment of our members. All letters to the editor should be signed. Articles, letters and editorial content represent the opinions and viewpoints of the authors and not necessarily that of the Tomahawk Chapter or POCI. web site: tomatalk.org Officers President - Tony Miller 8044 Wood Duck Tr. Circle Pines, MN toplessindian70@gmail.com Vice-President Todd Lewis 5895 St. Albans No. Shorewood, MN tc.lewis@yahoo.com Secretary - Steve Messer 59 Lilac St. Lino Lakes, MN (651) Treasurer - Jim Notch 107 Charity Circle Montrose, MN bigapple14@comcast.net Newsletter Editor & Web Site Administrator Paul Bergstrom PO Box 68 Maple Plain, MN pontiacpaulb@gmail.com Page 1

President s Message The December meeting was again a good one with 17 members and Christmas cookies for the break!

over the years, then preliminary discussions for the 2018 shows.

publicity. As we have learned some expenses will be going up, it would be great to increase attendance!

schedules to attend our meeting, and to send warm holiday wishes to all Members of the Club.

3 President s Message The December meeting was again a good one with 17 members and Christmas cookies for the break! The discussion started with a reminder of the upcoming holiday banquet and a shout out to those who might wish to donate items for the annual auction. Talk then turned to Paul s need to find a new home for some of the Pontiac books and articles that he has collected over the years, then preliminary discussions for the 2018 shows. Steve Weese suggested we join the Council of Car Clubs and he will bring our 2018 fliers to distribute for greater publicity. As we have learned some expenses will be going up, it would be great to increase attendance! Per my usual moment of reflection, I want to kindly thank all those who took time out of their busy holiday schedules to attend our meeting, and to send warm holiday wishes to all Members of the Club. Without your support, in any capacity, our Club and the friendships made would not be possible so cheers to you and your families! We wish you all a warm, safe, and happy season and look forward to hearing your stories of 2017 at our banquet next month! Tony Miller, Tomahawk Chief Page 2

December Meeting Minutes 12/19/17 We met at the

The meeting was called to order ar 7:00 p.m. 19 members were present.

treasurer s report was presented. Both were approved.

especially setting the admission price for the show.

storing Pontiac related articles, literature and shop

There will be no monthly membership meeting in January

All of the club officers will remain the same for

be taken over by Gary Johnson (thanks Gary!).

January 27th October 5 7, 2018 Wisconsin Dells Join us

4 December Meeting Minutes 12/19/17 We met at the Rosetown Legion. The meeting was called to order ar 7:00 p.m. 19 members were present. Last month s meeting minutes were read and the treasurer s report was presented. Both were approved. Details for the spring car show were discussed, especially setting the admission price for the show. Paul Bergstrom is looking for help in sorting and storing Pontiac related articles, literature and shop manuals. Contact him if you can assist. There will be no monthly membership meeting in January due to our annual banquet being held. All of the club officers will remain the same for 2018, with the exception of club secretary, which will be taken over by Gary Johnson (thanks Gary!). The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Submitted by Steve Messer, Tomahawk Chapter Secretary HAPPY NEW YEAR! No Membership Meeting in January Annual Banquet January 27th October 5 7, 2018 Wisconsin Dells Join us for 2018 Judging & Tours Home of the th Annual Pontiac - Oakland International Convention New Dates for 2018 October 5 7 Our 5 th Anniversary Touring Events with Show & Shine Judging and Burn Outs! Visit PontiacAdventures.com for more information Page 3

Meanwhile... Back at the Pontiac Ranch It s a new year, full of new opportunities.

I hope many of our members are able to attend the banquet (the reservation form is on page 8 and it is due by

All proceeds will go into the club treasury. If you have any questions, please call Jim Notch.

announcements are being published in the Smoke Signals. Register on line at www.poci.org.

5 Meanwhile... Back at the Pontiac Ranch It s a new year, full of new opportunities. The below 0 temps are climbing back up a bit, so things are looking up! I hope many of our members are able to attend the banquet (the reservation form is on page 8 and it is due by January 15th). Remember to bring some items for the auction that will be held after dinner. All proceeds will go into the club treasury. If you have any questions, please call Jim Notch POCI Convention Wisconsin Dells, WI June 24-28, 2018 (Sunday-Thursday) POCI s 2018 Convention announcements are being published in the Smoke Signals. Register on line at Best Wishes for 2018, and keep those Ponchos smokin! Paul Bergstrom, Tomatalk Editor FEATURE CARS WANTED! Want to see YOUR car featured in the Tomatalk? Contact Paul Bergstrom , or pontiacpaulb@gmail.com and we ll make it happen! Page 4

A boy s dream: Experiencing GM s Motorama in person Courtesy of Hemmings on line blog - visit www.hemmings.com/blog/2018/01/07/ a-boys-dream-experiencing-gms-motorama-in-person/?

6 GM Motorama Memories Jim Van Orden of Richardson, Texas, got to do something as a child that we can only dream about these days. He took in the 1956 Motorama show at New York City s Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Here he shares his recollections of the once-in-a-lifetime experience. A boy s dream: Experiencing GM s Motorama in person Courtesy of Hemmings on line blog - visit a-boys-dream-experiencing-gms-motorama-in-person/?refer=news to read the whole story. Also, view a video: All images courtesy GM Media. Glib pitchmen wearing tuxedos held microphones to mouths and extolled each car s virtues and style statements. Imagine driving the Pontiac Club de Mer, a guy with slick-backed hair and white tuxedo jacket bellowed, his audience salivating and reaching out unsuccessfully to touch the car s sexy flanks. Will it be sold to the public when I m 17 and start driving, I wondered? Pontiac s 1956 Club de Mer concept car greeted us when we entered the Waldorf Astoria s ballroom. The two-seat sports car had a rear-mounted fin that looked like a shark s. What I and so many others didn t know was that the Pontiac was nothing more than a non-running, non-functional design mockup. But it sure looked good, especially its metallic finish, double chrome strips on the hood and custom bucket seats. Page 5

The Pontiac Firebird-II was a highlight of the 1956 GM Motorama at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City.

The Firebird-II s gas turbine engine was truly revolutionary.

All that mattered to me were the car s bubble-topped canopy and bullet fuselage.

suspension, features that wouldn t show up on production cars for years.

7 The Pontiac Firebird-II was a highlight of the 1956 GM Motorama at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City. The car had a turbine engine, four-wheel disc brakes and fully independent suspension. The Firebird-II s gas turbine engine was truly revolutionary. Who cared that it was impractical because its 1,250-degree exhaust heat could turn humans into toast. All that mattered to me were the car s bubble-topped canopy and bullet fuselage. The titanium-bodied Firebird was way ahead of its time with four-wheel disc brakes and fully-independent suspension, features that wouldn t show up on production cars for years. It had an electronic guidance system, too, designed for the highway of the future. Electric wires, GM told us, would be buried in roadways and send signals to steer the car clear of accidents. Imagine a self-driving car in Visit to sign up for updates. Page 6

8 Like Us On Facebook! POCI Membership Recogniton Congratulations to the following POCI members from Minnesota who earned a POCI Membership Recognition Pin in 2018: Brendel, Danny Brooklyn Park MN 20-year Bronson,Doug Glenville MN 40-year Headrick, George Bloomington MN 20-year Kelley, Greg Minneapolis MN 40-year Letourneau, James Hugo MN 25-year Loomis, Mark Blaine MN 40-year Menger, Fred Maple Plain MN 45-year Ploof, Jim Sauk Centre MN 35-year Richards,Mike Brooklyn Park MN 35-year Rogers, Hal St Anthony MN 35-year Wagner, Dennis St. Paul MN 30-year White, Kevin Coon Rapids MN 30-year Zellmann, Brian Brownton MN 20-year Got something for the Tomatalk newsletter? Articles/updates/photos... old or new, or in between, them to pontiacpaulb@gmail.com Page 7

Guldens Restaurant & Bar 2999 Maplewood Drive, Maplewood, MN 55109 ~ Phone 651-482-0384 The pre-paid banquet reservation is NON-REFUNDABLE. At the banquet, the Tomahawk Chapter will reimburse $10.

9 Banquet-Sign Up Form 2018 Tomahawk Chapter Annual Banquet Saturday, January 27 th, :00 pm Cash Bar ~ 7:00 pm Dinner Buffet Dinner Buffet: Sliced Beef Brisket, Fried Chicken, Lasagna; mixed green salad, pasta salad; fresh vegetable tray, mashed potatoes and gravy, hot vegetable, au gratin potatoes, sage dressing, dinner rolls and coffee. Guldens Restaurant & Bar 2999 Maplewood Drive, Maplewood, MN ~ Phone The pre-paid banquet reservation is NON-REFUNDABLE. At the banquet, the Tomahawk Chapter will reimburse $10.00 for each paid membership. NOTE: We will do the gift exchange (optional) and also have an auction after the dinner. Please bring car-hobby related items you have to donate for the auction (proceeds will go to the club) TOMAHAWK CHAPTER BANQUET RESERVATION FORM Dinner Buffet price is $24.00 per person (includes tax and gratuity) NAME # ATTENDING ADDRESS CITY/STATE/ZIP PHONE NUMBER PLEASE MAIL THE BOTTOM HALF OF THIS FORM ALONG WITH $24.00 FOR EACH MEAL. RESERVATIONS ARE DUE BY JANUARY 15 th. MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: TOMAHAWK CHAPTER AND MAIL TO: TOMAHAWK CHAPTER, C/O JIM NOTCH, 107 CHARITY CIRCLE, MONTROSE, MN Questions? Call Jim or bigapple14@comcast.net Page 8

PROTECT YOUR DREAMS FOR LESS THAN YOU THINK.

of discounts. Call today for a competitive quote.

com Sarah Vankempen Licensed Representative (651) 236-8062 (651)

com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, American Family Insurance

10 PROTECT YOUR DREAMS FOR LESS THAN YOU THINK. Better service, better coverage and better value with our great lineup of discounts. Call today for a competitive quote. Your dream is out there. Go get it. We ll protect it. Kim Bennett Agency, Inc Rice St Little Canada, MN (651) kbennet1@amfam.com Sarah Vankempen Licensed Representative (651) (651) svankemp@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, American Family Insurance Company, American Standard Insurance Company of Ohio, American Standard Insurance Company of Wisconsin American Parkway, Madison, WI /13 Want your 15 minutes of Tomatalk fame? Send in a member profile & photos today! Page 9

~ Parts For Sale ~ Classifieds ~ Parts For Sale ~ Used original Continental Kit from a 1957 Pontiac. It was removed from the car in the late 1960 s. Stored inside. Good condition with Nice stainless.

Mark 612-231-9784 Pontiac parts for sale: 1960s-70s hub caps, 14 PMD factory snowflake wheels, PMD 14 tru-spoke wire wheels, Paul Bergstrom (763) 242-6734, pontiacpaulb@gmail.

11 ~ Parts For Sale ~ Classifieds ~ Parts For Sale ~ Used original Continental Kit from a 1957 Pontiac. It was removed from the car in the late 1960 s. Stored inside. Good condition with Nice stainless. Use for a Driver, or Restore for Show. $600.00/offer. Mark Pontiac parts for sale: 1960s-70s hub caps, 14 PMD factory snowflake wheels, PMD 14 tru-spoke wire wheels, Paul Bergstrom (763) , pontiacpaulb@gmail.com Firebird engine 400 auto YT code on block, Cleaned, magnafluxed, standard bore, Casting # , Pontiac 350/400 V8 crankshaft, # modular cleaned, Pontiac OHC 6 crankshaft # N, Cleaned. Contact Robert Knudtson (701) & 64 Pontiac: Full size parts. Regular and rare parts. Some 59 parts, 64 GP body 64 conv. Call or with needs. Ed Kodet Evenings (612) or edpont@kodet.com Mad Dog Headers - Pontiac $200; #96 Heads - good condition $250; 1963 reproduction drivers side quarter panel 2dr HT $ kick panels, drive shaft, rocker panel covers. Doug (651) Pair 67 GTO trunk extension moldings, polished original parts in excellent condition, reduced price to $50. Bob Tueffel (763) Tomahawk Chapter web site: tomatalk.org Send want ads to: pontiacpaulb@gmail.com Page10

~ Parts For Sale ~ 1958 Pontiac Bonneville parts: stainless trim, moldings, chrome, interior parts, body parts, wiring connectors, and other parts for sale, most in very nice condition.

12 ~ Parts For Sale ~ 1958 Pontiac Bonneville parts: stainless trim, moldings, chrome, interior parts, body parts, wiring connectors, and other parts for sale, most in very nice condition. For a complete listing, Pontiac.Bonneville@ gmail.com, Robert Grossenbacher (608) WI 1961 Pontiac Ventura stainless door trim and ventura script, professionally polished Very rare one year, one model only pieces.$ or $ without vent trim pieces. Have many other 1962 Pontiac P/8 parts for sale Pontiac lighted hood ornament, beautifully rechromed by J.R chrome plating, just picked up from plater. Lucite Indian head is origonal and also polished, me for pictures. $1,000. Contact Nick at (651) or nmann7701@comcast.net 2002 Pontiac Sunfire trunk applique / light panel. May fit New in box, OEM, still wrapped. GM part # BL MR A. $150. Mona , rewuertz@hotmail.com. ~ Parts Wanted ~ Wanted: set of (4) restored 14 x 6 Rally II wheels in 4 3/4 bolt circle. Don t need any trim. Thanks. John Zeglin Wanted: 68 Catalina: driver s side door sill plate w/fisher Body logo. Martin Johnson (612) Classifieds Wanted: 14 Rally II trim Rings. Randy Stallman (319) Wanted: 1960 VENTURA fender emblems, good to excellent condition. Both left & right sides. mr.g.man5544@ gmail.com Wanted: 69 Grand Prix: left front corner light bezel and a right front wheel opening molding. No cracks or dents! rnesheim@owensco.com Wanted: Exhaust manifold for a Pontiac Straight flathead in nice condition. Please contact Dan at if you have anything available. Wanted: Plastic speedometer driven gear for 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix w/ Borg-Warner T-10 4-speed manual transmission- 19 tooth, Light green, and large O.D. gear (.870) The G.M. part number was from the 1962 Pontiac parts manual. It is for a car with a 3:23 rear axle ratio. It is the same gear as a standard 3- speed with 3:23 rear axle ratio. Contact Nick Mann at (651) or nmann7701@comcast.net Wanted: #13 heads for a 1970 GTO 400 engine, Fred K. (507) Page 11

Wanted: 1957 Pontiac 3-bar spinner hubcaps.

cars/parts/memorabilia/toys/etc. Call Jim 952-594- 5000 bigapple14@comcast.net Photos and stories of member cars wanted.

com Visit our website: www.tomatalk.org GET CONNECTED! Tomahawk Chapter on Facebook: facebook.

13 Wanted: 1957 Pontiac 3-bar spinner hubcaps. Jack Shemmory (651) Tomahawk Chapter Technical Advisors Oakland and Pontiac Gary VanKempen Wanted: 1958 Pontiac cars/parts/memorabilia/toys/etc. Call Jim Photos and stories of member cars wanted. Send them by mail, or carrier pigeon to: Paul Bergstrom, Tomatalk PO Box 68 Maple Plain, MN Visit our website: GET CONNECTED! Tomahawk Chapter on Facebook: facebook.com/tomahawkpoci TOMATALK Classified Ad Rates 12 issues: $250 full page $150 half page $75 quarter page $25 business card size Al Longley Position Open Rollie Pederson Position Open High Perf. - Tom VanKempen Firebird & Trans Am Tom Hegland TATA455@aol.com Club Historian Mark Boyum Page 12

Together/BBQ - New and Used cars - Parts and

(952) 432-9500 Hastings, MN (651) 437-9815 Rich

Sales 2011/2017 North 2nd Street Minneapolis, MN

14 Support our advertisers! Sponsors of the Annual Fall Tomahawk Get Together/BBQ - New and Used cars - Parts and Service Valley Automotive Group Apple Valley, MN (952) Hastings, MN (651) Rich Rabanus Classic Auto Storage Downtown Motorcar Sales 2011/2017 North 2nd Street Minneapolis, MN (612) rich@downtownmotorcarsales.com Kent Kienitz th Ave. No. Plymouth, MN (763) (phone) (763) (fax) Page 13

Minnesota Tomahawk Chapter Membership Application Form POCI Membership Number: Membership in the Pontiac Oakland Club International is encouraged (see poci.

15 Minnesota Tomahawk Chapter Membership Application Form POCI Membership Number: Membership in the Pontiac Oakland Club International is encouraged (see poci.org) Name: Address: City, State, Zip/Postal Code: Country: Phone: Fax: address: Pontiac(s) owned: Referred by: Annual dues are $20.00 (check payable to MN Tomahawk Chapter) $15.00 for an electronic membership, newsletter received via SEND APPLICATION FORM AND DUES TO: Jim Notch, 107 Charity Circle, Montrose, MN Page 14

, Editor PO Box 68 Maple Plain, MN 55359

16 Minnesota Tomahawk Chapter of POCI c/o Pontiac Paul B., Editor PO Box 68 Maple Plain, MN Minnesota Tomahawk Chapter NO MEMBERSHIP MEETING IN JANUARY Banquet is January 27th POCI

T o m a t a l k. October Pontiac Adventures

T o m a t a l k. October Pontiac Adventures T o m a t a l k October 2017 2017 Pontiac Adventures Tomatalk October 2017 Volume 42 ~ Number 10 The Tomatalk is published monthly by the Minnesota Chapter 13 of the Pontiac Oakland Club International.