T o m a t a l k January 2017 1988 Zimmer QuickSilver Forties Flashback
Tomatalk January 2017 Volume 42 ~ Number 1 The Tomatalk is published monthly by the Minnesota Chapter 13 of the Pontiac Oakland Club International. The Tomahawk Chapter was founded in 1977. 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 Tomahawk Chapter 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. Shorewood, MN 55126 651-895-9325 tc.lewis@yahoo.com Secretary - Steve Messer 59 Lilac St. Lino Lakes, MN 55014 (651)786-4198 Treasurer - Jim Notch 107 Charity Circle Montrose, MN 55363 952-594-5000 bigapple14@comcast.net Newsletter Editor & Web Site Administrator Paul Bergstrom 1165 County Road 83 Maple Plain, MN 55359 763-242-6734 pontiacpaulb@gmail.com Page 1
President s Message Rusty the carguy Was a jolly happy man With his craftsman tools and his overalls And two beers cold in their cans Rusty the carguy Has knowledge that s one of a kind, So he said to me let s look and see Just what s there that I might find Rusty the carguy Is a fairy tale, they say He was made to know How to avoid a tow By fixing your car today There must have been some magic in That old oil rag they found For when they placed it in his hand He forgot to set that ground! Rusty the carguy Came alive from that quickly And his wife will say He was lucky that day But he just chuckles merrily In the engine compartment With an oilstick in his hand Checking here and there With experienced care He is the ultimate man! He wiggled this And he tightened that And added fluid to the top And he only paused a moment when When he heard the engine pop Rusty the carguy Fixed my car just fine his way Then he waved goodbye With a twinkle in his eye, sayin You'll be back again some day! Tony Miller, Tomahawk Chief ATTENTION! WE NEED 30 MEMBERS TO MEET OUR MINIMUM FOR THE ANNUAL BANQUET. PLEASE SIGN UP BY JANUARY 15TH Page 2
December Meeting Minutes 12/20/16 We met at the Rosetown American Legion. The meeting was called to order at 7:12 p.m. 14 members were present. Todd L. read the meeting minutes and they were accepted. The treasurer s report was read by Jim N. and accepted. SIGN UP BY 1/15/17 Annual banquet January 28, 2017 New Business: The All GM Show check was received. Tony M. will contact Valley Buick/GMC about payment and next year s show date. A card was passed around for Ed Hustad. Annual Banquet: They are 12 members signed up (we need 30). We will have the gift exchange and auction at the banquet (auction proceeds will go to the chapter). Chapter officers were voted in (our current officers agreed to serve again). The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Submitted by Marilyn Messer Nick Mann is offering to to a new series on Hair Care for the newsletter! January No Membership Meeting We hope to see you at the banquet! Page 3
Meanwhile... Back at the Pontiac Ranch WELCOME TO 2017 and a reminder that this is our 40th anniversary as a chapter of POCI. We need to do some research and find out how many charter members (from 1977) are still in the chapter today. We are looking for ideas to help us celebrate. Jim N. is checking out prices for jackets... other ideas? Happy New Year to all! Keep those Ponchos smokin! Paul Bergstrom, Tomatalk Editor 2017 POCI Convention Fort Worth, Texas July 11-15 Online registration ($65) is available on the POCI website (www.poci.org). The host hotel is the Dallas/Ft. Worth Marriott Hotel & Golf Club (866) 348-3984. Mention the Pontiac National Convention for the best room rate. Event updates are being published in the Smoke Signals. Call the POCI Club Office at (877) 368-3454 if you have any questions. FEATURE CARS WANTED! Want to see YOUR car featured in the Tomatalk? Contact Paul Bergstrom 763-479-2248, or email pontiacpaulb@gmail.com and we ll make it happen! Page 4
Back in the Day I came across this 4 page order form (dated from 1946 I believe) while going through some PMD Service Craftsman News Bulletins. Check out the price for the Chief Service set: $401.95. I wonder how much those Snap On Tools would cost in 2017 dollars? Add another 0 or maybe two! Page 5
Out and About Last summer, on a trip to Northern MN we stopped at Gordy s Hi Hat restaurant in Cloquet. I was cheking out the car shiow photos on the wall, and guessw what I spotted: a framed photo of former Tomahawk member Glenn Koyer with his 57 Safari. Cloquet is also home to a very cool gas station designed by Frank Llyod Wright. Page 6
2017 Car Show Schedule Save the Dates! April 29th: Spring Tomahawk Car Show, Unique Specialty & Classic Cars, Ham Lake, MN June 2017 (date TBD): Pontiac Happening, AutoMotorPlex, Chanhassen, MN June 4th: All GM Car Show, MN State Fairgrounds June 17th: Back to the 80s: National Sports Center, Blaine, MN June 23th-25th: Back to the 50s: MN State Fairgounds June 27th-July 2nd: GTOAA Nationals, Springfield, IL July 11-15th: POCI Convention, Fort Worth, TX July 14th-16th: Street Machine Nationals, MN State Fairgounds July 30th: 10,000 Lakes Concours d Elegance, Excelsior, MN August 4th-6th: Ames Performace/Pontiac Nationals, Norwark, OH August (date TBD): Land of Lakes GTO Muscle Car Classic Show August 12th-13th: Indian Uprising/Cruisin Tigers, St. Charles, IL Sept. 15th-17th: Pontiac Adventures, Chula Vista Resort, Wisc. Dells, WI Sept. (TBD): Tomahawk Chapter/Valley Buick GMC Car Show/BBQ On-line Treasure Trove of Pontiac Brochures, check it out! www.lov2xlr8.no/pontiac.html Page 7
Zimmer QuickSilver (Fiero) First Drive: 1988 Zimmer QuickSilver We waited 28 years to do a first drive of this Fiero-based oddity. Why? Because we needed that long to appreciate it. By Jack Baruth Dec 6, 2016 The nail that sticks up will be hammered down. It s a proverb attributed to the Japanese, the Chinese, the Koreans, whichever supposedly conformist culture is being discussed at the moment. The truth is that you don t have to leave the comfort of the forty-eight contiguous States to see any number of outstanding nails being hammered into conformity, and nowhere is this more plainly the case than in the automotive industry. The CUVs that top the sales charts today are nearly indistinguishable from each other but were the jellybean sedans of the Nineties really any more diverse? The boxes of the decade before? The fins-and-strake cars of the American Graffiti era? This Zimmer QuickSilver, on the other hand this is different. You can tell from a single photo, from a glimpse of it on the road. It s unique from every angle; you might think it reminds you of something else but you d never actually confuse it with another car. And it has a true visual trick up its sleeve: in photographs it comes across as a massive personal-luxury coupe somewhere between a Lincoln Mark V and a BMW 850i, but in the metal (er, fiberglass) it s tiny, able to hide behind any recent econocar, no taller than an 84 Corvette. The story of Zimmer and the Quicksilver would probably fill a long book, but here s the short version: Paul Zimmer and his sons built neo-classic cars that recalled the Mercedes-Benzes of the pre-war era using various Fords as a base. He had an itch to build something that wasn t a replica or a tribute to anything else, using an established production car as a starting point. At the same time, a designer at General Motors named Don D.A. Johnson was looking for someone to build a dream car he d sketched in his spare time. To finish reading the story, please log in to: http://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/a31825/first-drive-1988-zimmer-quicksilver/ Page 8
Ruckheim s 58 Pontiac Charles writes: Here is my 58 at a vintage gas station turned coffee shop in Henning, MN. The young girl said she would love to pose with the old car. Enjoy! Page 9
GM Design Sketches Recently for sale on ebay: WE HAVE A FANTASTIC COLLECTION OF ORIGINAL AUTOMOTIVE CONCEPT ARTWORK FROM THE GEORGE PTASZEK ESTATE. GEORGE WORKED IN THE GENERAL MOTORS TECHNICAL DESIGN CENTER FROM 1967 TO 1972. HE WAS ALSO THE GENERAL MOTORS SCHOL- ARSHIP RECIPIENT WHICH GOT HIM HIS PLACE IN GENERAL MOTORS AUTOMOTIVE HISTORY, GEORGE WENT ON TO BECOME THE HEAD OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FOR THE HASBRO TOY COMPA- NY AND HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN MANY OF THE TOY AND CAR DESIGNS FOR GENERAL MOTORS AND HASBRO. SADLY GEORGE PASSED AWAY LAST YEAR AND HIS PAINTINGS AND DRAWINGS THAT HE DID FOR GENERAL MOTORS WERE FOUND IN AN OLD ART CARRY CASE AND WERE STORED IN A BARN FOR DECADES. THE ARTWORK IS SIMPLY STUNNING! http://stores.ebay.com/fxtoys?_trksid=p2047675.l2563 Page 10
Back in the Day... Check it out: www.hioctanejewelry.com Nick, they even have a ring with a 62 Pontiac grille! Page 11
Annual Banquet Sign Up 2017 Tomahawk Chapter Annual Banquet DUE Jan. 15th! Saturday, January 28 th, 2017 6:00 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 55109 Phone 651-482-0384 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). - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2017 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 55363 Questions? Call Jim 952-594-5000 or email: bigapple14@comcast.net Page 12
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. 2970 Rice St Little Canada, MN 55113 (651) 482-1598 kbennet1@amfam.com Sarah Vankempen - Licensed Representative (651) 236-8062 (651) 482-1598 svankemp@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, American Family Insurance Company, American Standard Insurance Company of Ohio, American Standard Insurance Company of Wisconsin. 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 2013 007366 6/13 Want your 15 minutes of Tomatalk fame? Send in a member profile & photos today! Page 13
~ Pontiacs For Sale ~ 1979 Trans Am: made in Van Nuys, CA. Purchased on West Coast 2005. 60k miles, shaker hood, hardtop, all original. Many extra parts, shown and raced, many trophies. Driveable, 403 Olds, needs work, restorable. Edelbrock carb, downsizing, $5,000/obo. Steve Thomsen, (507) 367-2268 ~ Parts For Sale ~ 20 pieces of interior and exterior metal trim for 1959 Pontiac Bonneville 2dr hardtop. Items located in Lake Elmo, MN. $75 OBO for all. Chuck 651-770- 6152 TOMATALK Classified Ad Rates 12 issues: $250 full page $150 half page $75 quarter page $25 business card size Todd Lewis has Tomahawk Chapter t-shirts for sale. They are $18 each, (2) for $32 or (3) for $42. Call Todd at (651) 895-9325 to get yours. Page 14
TOMATALK CLASSIFIED ADS ~ Parts For Sale ~ 1962 Pontiac parts: rechromed windshield wiper bezels for single speed wipers only (will not fit 2-speed overlap wiper cars), fits P/8 (big car) 1961 & 1962. Never installed after rechrome $175. Power brake vacuum reservoir, bead blasted, powder coated black & tested to hold vacuum, fits 61 & 62 Pontiac big cars (may fit other years) $75; rear electric antenna mount, replated with clear zinc (silver coat) w/ rubber grommet, for 62 Pontiac, may fit other years $25. Contact Nick at (651) 451-7701 or (651) 263-5918, email nmann7701@comcast.net 1963 & 64 Pontiac: Full size parts. Regular and rare parts. Some 59 parts, 64 GP body 64 conv. Call or email with needs. Ed Kodet Evenings (612) 377-8256 or edpont@kodet.com For sale: Mad Dog Headers - Pontiac 1961-1964 $200; #96 Heads - good condition $250; 1963 reproduction drivers side quarter panel 2dr HT $50. 1963 - kick panels, drive shaft, rocker panel covers. Doug (651) 786-2145 1968 GTO: black bucket seats, exc. condition $600. Jack Converse (320) 815-3488 Pair 67 GTO trunk extension moldings, polished original parts in excellent condition, reduced price to $50. Bob Tueffel (763) 434-1208 Send want ads to: pontiacpaulb@gmail.com For Sale: 4-57 rims $100, 58 fender skirts 3pr. $100 per set, 57 bullets 3ea $40 ea, 62 Bonneville tailight ends $100 ea and center piece $250.Contact Lisa at (612) 978-3779 or email lmg196887@gmail.com ~ 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 763-972-2907 1954 Pontiac: passenger side fron door handle lock mechanism. Tye Schwalbe (608) 519-0451 (WI) 68 Catalina: driver s side door sill plate w/fisher Body logo. Martin Johnson (612) 788-6692 Wanted: 1958 Pontiac cars/parts/ memorabilia/toys/etc. Call Jim 952-594-5000 bigapple14@comcast.net Wanted: #13 heads for a 1970 GTO 400 engine, Fred Klokonos (507) 332-7060 Wanted: 14 Rally II trim Rings. Randy Stallman (319) 453-2171 Wanted: side shield chrome for 1958 Pontiac Star Chief, both sides needed. David Rogalla (701) 746-9553 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 Page 15
Tomahawk Chapter Technical Advisors Oakland and 1926-41 Pontiac Gary VanKempen 763-561-3911 1942-54 Al Longley 763-421-6953 1955-62 - Position Open 1963-72 Rollie Pederson 763-434-7400 1973-2010 - Position Open High Perf. - Tom VanKempen 763-434-7156 Firebird & Trans Am Tom Hegland 651-592-9305 TATA455@aol.com Club Historian Mark Boyum 651-462-8493 Tomahawk Chapter web site: tomatalk.org Page 16
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) 432-9500 Hastings, MN (651) 437-9815 Waconia, MN (952) 442-5000 Rich Rabanus Classic Auto Storage Downtown Motorcar Sales 2011/2017 North 2nd Street Minneapolis, MN 55411 (612) 529-6857 rich@downtownmotorcarsales.com Kent Kienitz 14920 28th Ave. No. Plymouth, MN 55447 (763) 559-4779 (phone) (763) 559-1103 (fax) www.powdercoatingtech.com Page 17
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: E-mail 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 email SEND APPLICATION FORM AND DUES TO: Jim Notch, 107 Charity Circle, Montrose, MN 55363 Page 18
Minnesota Tomahawk Chapter of POCI c/o Pontiac Paul B., Editor 1165 County Road 83 Maple Plain, MN 55359 Minnesota Tomahawk Chapter NEXT MEETING ANNUAL BANQUET January 28th, 2017 Guldens-Maplewood POCI