What do the three pictures above mean to you?
Hopefully they fill your heart with meaning and joy. Joy of a spiritual
nature that reaches deep down into your soul. Fond memories of years past as
well as present times, and appreciation of all that we are blessed with.
God blesses us with life and we can all bless one another.
Give to your fellow man. Give greatly.
Real giving is giving
not just of our surplus, but of our very selves. In the book of Mark we see:
(paraphrased) “Jesus sat down opposite the place
where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the
temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,
worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said,
"I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than
all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but
she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
This is the prime example of selfless giving!
Give of your time and possessions. Giving is the greatest gift of all.
That is what the HOLYdays are about.
The world we live in may say “Get, get, get” “More, more, more” but
where does that leave you?
Always empty and never satisfied.
This year, let’s not worry about what we have or don’t have compared to
other people; let’s worry about what others do not have. The child who
is an orphan. The elderly person who may be alone. The poor who choose between
food and medicine. The sick and dying who need prayer and help. The oppressed
and downtrodden.
This is where our concerns should lie.
This is where our best actions should take place.
This is where we should shine as Americans and as people of God.
GIVE.
Give of your time and your possessions.
We are living in the greatest country of the world and enjoy freedom
like no other nation.
Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of life.
We therefore have the greatest responsibilities of any nation and
people in the world.
“From he who has much, much is expected” is another Biblical verse that
teaches us about what we should do.
It refers to us (blessed and abundant we are!) and that because of all
we have we are expected to do far and above those who do not have as much!
Let’s live that philosophy this HOLYday season and all the year
through.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Below is a poem that was sent to me. It was written in tribute and
honor to the service men and women who put their lives on the line FOR US.
Sacrifice and giving in the greatest way.
The scribe is Michael Marks. His works are nationally published and can
be viewed at http://iwvpa.net/marksm/
The poem was forwarded by LCDR Jeff Giles of the US Navy who is
stationed in Iraq.
I am proud to have this poem here. Thanks to Michael for graciously
allowing us to run this.
Merry
Christmas to all of our troops and a safe return home.
Amen.
A SOLDIER’S CHRISTMAS
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn't loud, and it wasn't too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn't quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the
snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the
night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and he smiled,
Standing watch over me, my wife, and my child.
"What are you doing?" I asked without
fear,
"Come in this moment, it's freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your
sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas
Eve!"
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts,
To the window that danced with a warm fire's
light,
Then he sighed and he said "It’s really all
right.
I'm out here by choice. I'm here every night.
It's my duty to stand at the front of the line,
that separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I'm proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at Pearl on a day in
December,"
Then he sighed, "That's a Christmas 'Gram
always remembers.
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of 'Nam',
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I've not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he's sure got her
smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue... an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the
sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brothers,
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not
fall."
"So go back inside," he said,
"harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I'll be all
right."
"But isn't there something I can do, at the
least,
"Give you money," I asked, "Or
prepare you a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you've done,
For being away from your wife and your
son."
Then his eye welled a
tear that held no regret,
"Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we're
gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to
us."
Michael Marks
PLEASE, would you do me the kind
favor of sending this to as many people as you can? Christmas will be coming
soon and some credit is due to our U.S. servicemen and women for our being able
to celebrate these festivities. Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit
of
what we owe. Make people
stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for
us.
Sincerely,
LCDR Jeff Giles, SC, USN
30th Naval Construction Regiment
OIC, Logistics Cell One
Al Taqqadum, Iraq
(Merry Christmas Michael & Jeff, God
bless you all - you
have our sincere and never ending thanks.) Pete Giordano
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1 Editor’s Introduction
2 Cruise Night Information
3 Guest Writer’s Columns
Lou
Refano
Ted Dzus
Rich’s
Tech Tips
4 My “Car” Story
5 The Archive
6 Editor’s Closing
___________________________________________________
“EXTRA
EXTRA! READ ALL
ABOUT IT!!”
2006 Cruise Night location
updates:
SUNDAYS: *AM Cruise* Ocean Pkwy, Captree Beach Parking Lot through May, then at OBI.
Public gathering. No admission.
Seems all the others have ended for now…..
If you know of any that are still going on – or any
new ones….
Let us know and we’ll publicize them!
Till next spring then….keep ‘em covered and dry!
___________________________________________________
GUEST WRITER(S)
COLUMN(S)
Lou Refano resurrects
a marquee that has a long and storied history. A classic in the truest sense of
the word! Unique, rare, exotic, and expensive; this is one vehicle that is
never confused with anything else on the road.
This month we are honored
to have as a guest writer none other than the legendary Ted Dzus.
Mr. Quarter-Turn-Fastener
himself! Ted is well known among hod-rodders, customizers and the like as the
fellow who combined the quick release quarter turn fasteners with auto body
panels. This month he contributes an article about a long-running show here on
the Island. Welcome aboard Ted!
“Rich’s Tech Tips” offers up some not so subtle hints to our mates on
what to get us car people for the holidays. A plethora of useful gadgets and
items sure to make us smile! I’ll take any of these! (Hint)
In this month’s “My Car Story” we have a fine example of
muscle in the form of Tony Artusa’s Dodge Charger R/T. This is a
beautiful, shiny red Mopar that captures quite a lot of attention at the car
shows. Tony loves it so much he sends it out to ‘Vegas when he goes out there
for winter vacation!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
FIT FOR A KING
by Louis
Refano
I’m sure many of you have thought about
this…if you could have any car in the world, which would it be? How about if
you were a “King” and money was no object? Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin?
Hey you could have anything so dream BIG! What about a Hemi ‘Cuda
convertible…they‘re going for a king‘s ransom these days! Well if you were a
man named Elvis Presley, you found a car that was so cool, you didn’t have just
one but several of them! Must be a pretty amazing automobile, right?
Amazing is one word to
describe the unique modern-era Stutz cars built from 1968 to 1995. For those of
you unaware, Stutz was the name of a classic car builder that produced the
legendary Bearcat and SV16 among others (I’ve always liked the original Bearcat
since it was the first model kit I ever built). Harry M. Stutz entered his car in the first Indy 500 in 1911; although he
didn’t win, the car’s great performance earned it the nickname “The Car That
Made Good In A Day”. Over the next few years the Stutz automobile developed a
great reputation on the racetrack. In 1916 the company reorganized and expanded
thanks to Wall Street financiers. In 1922 the company was purchased by Charles
M. Schwab, and the cars then featured highly advanced engineering for the time,
including an overhead-cam eight cylinder and a dual cam 32-valve engine that
debuted in 1931. Unfortunately the future did not look bright for an expensive,
low-production car during the Depression, and Stutz built its last car in
1934.
Fast forward 34
years…investment banker James D. O’Donnell incorporated the new Stutz Motor Car
of America. For styling for his “ultimate coupe”, he brought on a great
American designer: Virgil Exner. Exner was famous for his work with Chrysler
Corporation in the late 50’s. In 1963, he did an article for Esquire magazine,
containing sketches showing what some classic cars, like Stutz and Duesenberg,
would look like if they were being built in the ‘60s. These “Revival Cars”
obviously caught Mr. O’Donnell’s attention, and the first Stutz in over 30
years looked very similar to those design proposals Exner did for the magazine.
O’Donnell had intended to build a convertible first, but then decided to go
with a hardtop.
In January 1970, a prototype
made its debut at the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City. Officially the
hardtop model was called Blackhawk. The actual cars were built in
Cavallermaggiore, Italy. They were based upon the Pontiac Grand Prix hardtop
which featured the classic long hood, short deck proportions.
The production Blackhawk used
Pontiac Grand Prix hardware and Pontiac's 455 cubic inch V8 engine.
Output was 425 hp and 420 ft-lbs. of torque. A GM TH400 automatic
transmission was used, allowing the 5000 lb. car to accelerate to 60 mph
in 8.4 seconds with a 130 mph top speed. Later Blackhawks used Pontiac's 403
and 350. Fuel economy was just 8 miles per gallon.
The styling had distinctive
features…Exner's design included a spare tire that protruded through the trunk
lid, and antique-style separate headlights. The original Bearcat had a
two-piece split windshield, but in ‘72 switched to a modern one-piece
windshield. Also in ‘72, a small rear quarter window was added, which was then
dropped in ‘74. The interior included gold plated trim and Birdseye maple. Each
car came with a custom gold plated dashboard plaque with the owner’s name on
it. And it could be all yours for $23,000...that’s 1971 dollars, folks, which
works out to about $150,000 today. And speaking of owners, guess who got
the very first one…
Jules Meyers, the first
Stutz dealer, showed up at Elvis' home at Hillcrest with the Blackhawk. Elvis
was interested, and Mr. Meyers told him that he can sign a contract, and that
the Stutz Company will build him his Blackhawk in a few months. Elvis wasn't
interested in signing a contract, he was interested in buying the car right
then and there, the car right in front of him. Jules tried to explain that this
car was the very first Stutz, that he needs the car to drive around as a demo.
Elvis answered with a question:
"Hoss, will you sell more cars when
you drive it, or when people see ME driving it?”
Point well made. So Jules was given a ride home...
Eventually, Elvis owned five
Blackhawks, including a ‘72 and a ‘73. They were the only cars Elvis personally
drove in the ‘70s. Two of them were given away as special gifts. Today that
original ‘71, the first one ever built, is parked at Graceland.
Elvis wasn’t the only
celebrity to drive one. Dean Martin (3 Stutzes), Sammy Davis Jr. (2), Lucille
Ball, Frank Sinatra and Isaac Hayes were among the rich and famous who had
them. So did Dick Martin from Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In. Evel Knievel had a
convertible; so did Wayne Newton. Many cars were shipped to Saudi Arabia’s
elite.
(Dick
Martin) (’87 Stutz)
In 1978, when the Grand Prix
was downsized, Stutzes switched to the Bonneville chassis. Approximately 50 or
so Stutzs were built each year through 1983. A convertible model, the Bearcat,
was added in ‘79. It was delayed due to federal safety regulations. In ‘87 this
Bearcat convertible was completely modified and used a Firebird chassis. The
company also built a few sedans and limousines, based on the Cadillac DeVille;
most were exported.
The last “new” Stutz was
built in 1995. A classic marquee saw its revival last three decades. The dream
of a truly classic car revived for modern times was realized. OK, so you’re not
a king…but with a Stutz, at least you can drive like one.
Sources: www.madle.org, The Stutz Club Inc., wikipedia.org
(Lou, cool car! What a
long history it had.) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Long Island’s Custom Car Show
By Ted Dzus
Well, Universal's Long
Island 38th Custom Car and Bike Show is over for ’06, and believe it
or not--the 39th is being planed as I write. It's hard to believe it's
been going on for 38 years! The fellow who started and ran all the shows was
George Arron.
George
unfortunately passed a few years back. His lovely wife Ellen and son
Steve picked up the ball to keep George's dream alive and are doing a damn
good job at it.
The first
time I attended with one of my vehicles was in 2003 and it was held at the
Nassau Coliseum. I have attended every year since. In '03 my Mercury got
1st in class and 1st in Special Award. In '04 she got 1st in class
again. I also had my '03 Viper there and got 1st in class with
it. In '05 she got 1st in class again and 1st in something else -
maybe Interior? I don't remember. I'm sure if I'm incorrect, someone will let
me know.
This year
the 38th show was held at a different venue: Suffolk Community College Sport
and Exhibition Complex in Brentwood.
IT WAS GREAT!!!
It drew way more people than the Nassau Coliseum did. Was it the
convenience of Suffolk County? FREE parking? Don't know, but it was great. They placed
$2.00 discount coupons in stores all over and you could also print
the coupon from their web site www.longislandcarshow.com
The coupon and ten bucks got you in and I don't think
anyone was disappointed. People even brought their little kids.
The amount
of people during the slow time at the dinner hour was comparable to the
amount of people at peak times at the Nassau Show. There was a line outside for
tickets that was one hundred feet long every time I looked! People said
they just wanted to be there and see the show. I think everything
about the show was better this year at this new location. I also spoke to
some of the dealers who were at the show. Jim and James at Phoenix
interiors said, "I can't believe the amount of replies from the
show". John and Vinny at Action Powdercoat said "our booth
was hopping with people". Mike at Miperformance who was a
spectator "all these people couldn't have come here to see you, ha
ha!"
The only
thing that was a little difficult at this venue was pushing your car inside the
building. However, everyone was ready to help. After the shock of pushing
your car, one thought-----wait a minute, there's NO EXHAUST FUMES!!
Let me tell you, although we all had
to push cars out at the end, there were no fumes, no a-holes constantly
revving their motors - just loading them
up and making more FUMES, and no burn-outs on the show floor. Nor were there
burn-outs up the long entrance and exit ramp like they did at the
Coliseum for years, which if someone lost it, we'd all be stuck inside till
they were removed and scraped off the walls. Don't tell anyone, but even I
was consumed by the evils of the Burn-out Demons last year. Yeah, I did it
with my poor Merc.-------it was fun.
I'm now
looking forward to next years show and REALLY RECOMMENDING to all that you
go. Oh, by the way, my '51 Merc took 1st in class and 1st in Special
Award "Best Custom". If you readers would like, go over to my
web-site www.qtrturn.com for some Dzus
history, pictures of this show, Hot Rod Magazine's Power Tour, and Las Vegas
S.E.M.A. show. Good stuff.
(Ted, thanks for the history of how this well remembered event started.) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
By Rich Fiore
‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE
PLEASIN’ !!!
With the holiday season upon us and the car
season over ( I'm still cruisin ), one of the only things to keep this
gearhead's motor oil flowing are the thoughts of giving ( receiving is nice too
) any sort of car related accessory, or tool to speed up our chores and
possibly get us out of a roadside jamb. It’s always a wonderful thing to let a
car buff know he or she is appreciated.
I actually got the idea for this
article as I was shopping for my brothers ( we were all bitten by the bug
a long time ago ) and significant other. I ran down to my tool box (
drawer by drawer ) and listed some of the specialty tools I have collected over
the years .... tools I wish I had a long time ago when I first began
mashing through the gears and lighting up the tires.
It might not be such a bad idea to fwd
Pete's newsletter to your honey or print out this column and leave it
in a strategic place where it might be found. (Hint...hint)
Ok, so here
is the list of some goodies I came up with that I feel can really be put to
good use :
Jump Box with built in Compressor - Remember to have a way
to keep it charged in the car... a double
headed cigarette lighter adapter works well.
Surgical Gloves - For the trunk and garage.
Flex Wrenches - All the rage nowadays.
Small Floor Jack - No one like to use a bumper jack on a
collectible. ( you will be damned to hell if your
friends find out).
Fan Belt Pulley Expander - Nice but I keep forgetting to
use mine.
Pocket Multi-Meter - Small ones are cheap and fit
nicely in the trunk or glove box.
Micrometer - Great for measuring that scored rotor
you were meaning to get to.
Stubby Wrenches - Great for tight spots ... now they
come in the ratcheting variety - Yee Haa !!
Mechanics Stethoscope - Very impressive when friends
come over.
90 Degree Angle Grinder - Don't forget all of the various
rotary files and sanding attachments.
Battery Tender - This is not a trickle charger - It cuts
off @ 12 volts and saves that expensive Battery
Wind Up Flashlight - Gives your significant other something
to do as you change that flat tire.
Crows Feet - Nice to have in certain situations.
Small Shop Vac - It beats dragging the 16 gal.
monster to vacuum up your mess in the car.
Talking Tire Pressure Gauge - For us over 50 crowd that
still hate to use reading glasses.
G.P.S. - For us over 50 crowd that hate to read the map.
Extra Long Needlenose Pliers - For us over 50 crowd that
cant keep our hands steady anymore.
Stubby Screwdrivers - For those tight spots where a normal
driver just won't cut it.
Universal Oil Filter Wrench - If they would only make them
all the same size.
Double Flaring Tool - A must for flaring brake and
transmission lines.
Extra Long Drills - A drill extension also works.
Right Angle Drill Adapter - Good for those tight spots
Long Scraper - Great for removal of the windshield
Inspection /Registration Stickers.
Hand Vacuum Pump - Great for testing all vacuum operated
items... also great to impress the friends.
Portable Hand Torch - Has built in ignitor and is great for
soldering electrical connections and frozen bleeders.
Turkey Baster - Specialty automotive types for removal of
all fluids under the hood.
Coil Spring Compressor - Some types are for struts and the
older types are for coil springs.
Subscription to favorite Car Magazine - Always a favorite
way to keep the big kid occupied.
So that’s it for some of the oddball stuff I have come across. I didn't even
get a chance to look and see what I had rattling around in my trunk. Have
a great holiday and a Happy New Year. Hope Santa is good to all you boys and
girls.
P.S. Four weeks to Barrett - Jackson !! Ready for
more insanity ?
(Richie: I’ll be leaving your list in a strategic location!) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tony
Artusa: 1968 Dodge Charger R/T
In 1970 my wife and I purchased a 1968 Red Dodge Charger SE with a 383 Two Barrel Carburetor and air conditioning.
We loved the car it was the best car that we have ever
owned. We kept the car for two years,
but we had to sell it when my wife became pregnant with our son
Over the years I started to get interested in older cars. In 2002 I purchased a 1971 Chevy Chevelle S/S and restored it.
We have a home in Las Vegas and while I was there I attended the Mopars At The Strip Car Show. When I came home from the car show I brought home pictures of some Mopars. My wife saw a picture of a 1968 Dodge Charger and said to me “I want a Charger like the one we use to have. I loved that car.” So my goal was in front of me. It took me 6 months to find one but I finally did.
I found the car that we loved so much in a picture on eBay located in Michigan. I kept bidding on the car and when it came close to the end I had my wife bid on the car and she won the bid but did not meet the Reserve. I called the owner and closed the deal.
My wife and I are now the proud owners of a Red 1968 Dodge Charger R/T with a 440 and 22,140 miles. When I received the car from Detroit the car was in stock condition but I was on a mission to restore the car to full original condition as much as I could. I put in a new rug, headliner, and front seat covers. I detailed the engine compartment and put in a new exhaust system. I had the stock am/fm radio repaired, replaced the front speakers and added an 8 track player and new antenna.
I also replaced the wheels and tires, as well as many other parts.
Our restored 1968 Dodge Charger has won 6 trophies since March of 2006. The car has won 1st and 2nd place, and Best Muscle Car in Show trophies. On December 9th our Charger won a Best in show third place trophy at a car show in Las Vegas.
We love the car and will keep working on it. Our car now
resides in our Las Vegas home for the winter, until March of 2007 when it will
be entered in the Mopars At The Strip
car show.
(Great life you got there Tony! Vegas in the
winter AND the company of your Charger too!) Pete
______________________________________________________
Here
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October 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Oct03.html
November 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Nov03.html
December 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Dec03.html
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August 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Aug04.html
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August
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September 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Sep05.html
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March
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June 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jun06.html
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September 2006 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Sep06.html
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You
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___________________________________________________
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Look for
some new features, articles, contributors, and more in 2007!
From
my family to yours,
And
all of us here at Long Island Classic Cars.Com;
Pete Giordano
Long Island Classic Cars.com