THE NORTH TEXAS
BUGLETTE
+ + OUR 23rd YEAR + +
+ + + + +
THE OFFICIAL
NEWSLETTER OF THE NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER,
BUICK CLUB OF AMERICA
+ + + + +
** HOST CHAPTER OF THE 2004 BUICK CLUB OF AMERICA NATIONAL MEET IN PLANO, TEXAS **
THE NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER IS A MEMBER OF THE TEXAS VEHICLE CLUB COUNCIL
VOLUME 23, ISSUE 11........ DALLAS/FORT WORTH AREA....... NOVEMBER, 2006
The North Texas Chapter of the Buick Club of America is a non-profit organization that is a local chapter chartered by the Buick Club of America. THE NORTH TEXAS BUGLETTE is the official publication of the North Texas Chapter of the Buick Club of America, which is solely responsible for its content. Any portions of this publication which are identified with a particular contributor represent the orientations of said contributor and may not represent the orientations of all members of the organization. Any publication or entity wishing to reproduce an entire article, or portion thereof, should contact THE EDITOR for permission.
Next Meeting . . .
November 11, 2006
Meeting at 2:00pm
BODACIOUS BARBEQUE 1206 E. Division ARLINGTON, TX
DRIVE AND ENJOY YOUR BUICKS! VINTAGE OR NEWER!
COMMENTS FROM THE DIRECTOR
A BIG “THANK YOU!” to Scott and Wanda Aurandt for, once again, hosting our meeting in their beautiful home in Decatur, TX. It was a great meeting with lots of great desserts and members in attendance. It was also a treat to see how their home was decorated for Halloween—very neat!
This month’s meeting will, once again, be at Bodacious Barbeque in Arlington. Always a friendly place to return to for a chapter meeting.
Our December meeting will be, once again, at the Rave Reviews Restaurant in the Love Field Antique Mall in Dallas, TX. The restaurant is located in the northwest corner of the mall building. You will find the Reservation Form in this newsletter. Please send in your reservation as soon as you can. Cost per meal is $9.00, with the chapter picking up the balance of the meal’s cost. Our last time there for a December meeting was a great meal with some great people and a great time for everybody who attended.
As something of a Halloween surprise, I opened the nominations for Chapter Officers at the October meeting. For some, the “trick” was when they were unexpectedly nominated and the “treat” was when several current officers agreed to continue for another year. I should mention that all offices are “open” and “up for grabs” should any member desire to run. As Dale Sherman might say, “This could be your big chance to make it big.”
With the cooler weather, there is one thing that you certainly need to do, car-wise, to prepare for the winter season. Anti-freeze checks? Yes, that’s one. Oil change? Possibly. Wash, wax, and clean? Yes, they are important too. But the one thing I’m thinking about which varies with ambient temperature is tire pressure. For each 5 degrees Fahrenheit the ambient temperature changes, tire pressure will change 1 psi. Therefore, if you had your tires inflation adjusted for 100 degrees F., ambient (cold inflation pressure), to 30psi (a somewhat typical inflation pressure for the P225/60R-16 tires on many later model vehicles), a drop to 60 degrees F. ambient would leave things at 22psi. Many modern radials would look decently inflated while sitting still at 22psi, but if the car should be parked sideways on an incline, they will look almost flat, even on the more lightly-loaded rear wheels.
Finding a quality air gauge, in these modern times, can be a challenge. Much less finding a “Milton” brand item! Still, air gauges are available at most every sort of retail outlet these days. I guess that “something” is better than nothing in this case? I’ve even discovered that many of the “in-hose” gauges at the “pay for air” dispensers at many self-service stations are pretty accurate (when compared to a separate air gauge) these days. Still, having your vehicle’s tires inflated to the factory cold inflation specs will enhance its handling, stopping capabilities, and ultimate fuel economy.
Much ink has been spent on “tire pressure monitoring” systems on newer vehicles. Up until very recently (due to federal regulations), there were two types of monitoring systems—one was Radio Frequency transmissions from each particular wheel to an in-vehicle computer and the other used each wheel’s anti-lock brake system wheel speed sensors to detect side-to-side wheel speed differences. The later could allow an up to 12 psi pressure differential (side to side) before it would trip the “Check Tire Pressure” warning message, yet the former would have a particular range of high and low pressures before it would send a warning message to the Driver Information Center.
On most new GM vehicles (as the Corvette has had since it started using “run flat” tires and the spare tire was deleted from that vehicle’s equipment), the Radio Frequency system is used. This uses a transducer in each wheel which transmits data to the vehicle’s computer. Each wheel’s transducer has a unique code attached to it so that wheel position is known for the particular sensor. If the tires are rotated and the computer is not reprogrammed for these changes in particular sensor location, more error codes can result. It used to require a special scan tool to do this, but I have now seen a routine in the Driver Information Center’s listings for the computer to re-learn each sensor’s new location. Check your owner’s manual for further details.
I’ve also experienced a “Check Tire Pressure” message due to higher pressure on a car I was driving one weekend. When the message came on the Driver Information Center display, I noted that the car didn’t feel “funny” or anything, so I pulled over and went through the menu to check the tire pressures. Rather than one being (or going flat), one tire’s pressure had risen past a certain point (but still below the maximum recommended pressure for the particular Goodyear Eagle RS-A tires!). When I noted that higher pressure, I then went back about driving to where I was going that particular day—with new information about how the particular RF monitoring system operated.
Many newer vehicles might have many “labor saving devices” on them, but I also recall when “labor saving devices” meant things like Power Steering, Power Brakes, Power Windows, Power Door Locks, and 6000 Mile Chassis Lube intervals. You might also include Air Conditioning in that too, if you count not having to fan yourself or constantly adjust the vent wings or floor vents for adequate comfort and ventilation.
In many ways, modern vehicles are outstanding and highly sophisticated vehicles that meet or exceed the needs of “the time” we are presently living in. But it is the general feel and spaciousness of the prior vehicles that is still totally unmatched in modern vehicles—in part, due to the greater vehicle width of the prior decades’ vehicles (back when all normal vehicles would spin their rear wheels!). Some might be of the orientation that “old is better” or “newer is better”, but we each still have our own orientations on that subject. One of the many “point of reference” situations that we realize with our advancing ages.
Take care and enjoy your Buicks!
Willis Bell
MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER 7, 2006 MEETING
Chapter Director Willis Bell called the meeting of the North Texas Chapter to order at 3:40pm, at the home of Scott and Wanda Aurandt in Decatur, Texas. 23 people were in attendance, including one guest, Lee Ann Sherman’s cousin, Joanna Wyatt. We all enjoyed a pot luck dessert. A sweet time was had by all. There were many Buicks displayed on the front lawn (with pink flamingoes marking the new sprinkler heads that Scott had recently installed). Thanks, Scott and Wanda, for your hospitality.
Willis opened nominations for officers for the 2007 year. Bill Lough nominated Roy Campbell for either Activity Chairman or Membership Chairman. C. M. Cantrell seconded the nomination. Dale Sherman nominated Ed Logan for Assistant Director, seconded by Roy Campbell. Jimmie Furr nominated Willis Bell for Director, seconded by Ted Phelps.
Jimmie Furr agreed to continue to serve as Secretary. Thelma Lough agreed to continue to serve as Treasurer. Willis Bell agreed to continue to serve as Newsletter Editor. Additional nominations will take place until the election at the December meeting.
Willis mentioned an email from Pete Phillips to advise that he and David Corbin would be at the Hershey Swap Meet this month, missing the monthly meeting.
Bill Lough will advise Willis of the meeting location for the November meeting. Several possibilities were mentioned.
There was a reminder to get our reservations in to the Alamo Chapter for the October Regional Show.
Dale Sherman had current rosters for anybody that had not yet received one or needed another copy.
Meeting adjourned at 4:15pm. Many members then went to the car show on the Decatur Square.
Jimmie Furr, Secretary
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
NOV..........11........ REGULAR MEETING Bodacious Barbeque Arlington, TX 2:00pm
..................17-19... Dallas Kruse Auction Market Hall Dallas, TX
DEC............9........ REGULAR MEETING....... CHAPTER OFFICER ELECTIONS FOR 2007....... HOLIDAY PARTY
..................15-16....Kruse Auction Houston Reliant Center
Check the “Antique/Classic” section of the classified ads in the “Automotive” section of the DALLAS MORNING NEWS, FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, and other metro-area newspapers for weekend car cruise, show, and race events. Also . . .
www.hotrodhappenings.com and www.hubcapcafe.com/calendar/texas.htm.
NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER OFFICERS – 2006
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DIRECTOR Willis Bell 817/694-1313 (Voicemail) or NTX5467@webtv.net
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR Dale Sherman 972/977-0420
TREASURER Thelma Lough 972/270-3784
SECRETARY Jimmie Furr 817/558-2009
ACTIVITIES DIRECTOR Bill Lough 972/270-3784
MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR Robert Kam 214/826-7846
NEWSLETTER EDITOR Willis Bell 817/694-1313 (Voicemail) or
NTX5467@webtv.net
ALL printed or e-mailed material for the newsletter must be received by the 1st of the month prior to publication
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CHAPTER WEBMASTER....... Ms. Aurora Chancy 972/517-4004
NEXT REGULAR MEETING
NOVEMBER 11, 2006 In ARLINGTON, TX!
DETAILS INSIDE! BRING YOUR BUICK! BRING YOURSELF!
Host Chapter of the BUICK CLUB OF AMERICA 1996 & 2004 NATIONAL MEETS PLANO, TX
>> MEMBER, TEXAS VEHICLE CLUB COUNCIL <<
THE NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER OF THE BUICK CLUB OF AMERICA is the locally chartered chapter of THE BUICK CLUB OF AMERICA. Chapter meetings are usually held monthly on the afternoon of the 2nd Saturday of each month. All meeting locations and times will be listed in this publication. Buick ownership is not a pre-requisite for membership. Chapter dues are currently $15.00 per year. BCA National Membership is extra and required.
ALL CHAPTER MEMBERS MUST ALSO BE CURRENT MEMBERS OF THE NATIONAL BUICK CLUB OF AMERICA ORGANIZATION. NATIONAL MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION AND FORMS ARE IN “THE BUGLE”.
For Membership Information, contact: ROBERT KAM 214/826-7846 Dallas, TX
Send all Local Chapter Dues to: THELMA LOUGH, Treasurer 3200 Hula Mesquite, TX 75150-2568
The Buick Club of America Office Mgr is: MIKE AND NANCY BOOK P.O.Box 360775 Columbus, OH 43219
Email: BuickClubOffice@aol.com
CHECK US OUT ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB. OUR CLUB WEB PRESENCE CAN BE ACCESSED FROM THE BCA WEBSITE www.buickclub.org OR DIRECTLY. MUCH INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE AND THE BCA’S WEBSITE!
BUICK: PREMIUM AMERICAN MOTORCARS – AS ALWAYS!
BUICK, CELEBRATING OVER ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF UNIQUELY AMERICAN STYLE!
NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER BUICK CLUB OF AMERICA
MEMBER INFORMATION FORM
MEMBER’S INFORMATION
NAME ______________________________________________________________ BCA# ____________
SPOUSE/SIG. OTHER __________________________________________________________________________________
CHILDREN __________________________________________________________________________________
CONTACT INFORMATION
STREET / P.O. BOX __________________________________________________________________________________
CITY, STATE ZIP _________________________________________, ________________ ______________________
PHONE _________________________________________
CELL PHONE _________________________________________
EMAIL _________________________________________
MEMBER OCCUPATION AND INTERESTS
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BUICKS OWNED (CURRENT, PREVIOUS, OR FUTURE)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MEMBER SIGNATURE __________________________________________
DATE ___________________________
The CHAPTER MEMBERSHIP YEAR is from 01-01 through 12-31 each year. BCA Membership is required for chapter membership.
SEND THIS FORM AND CHAPTER DUES ($15.00/YEAR) TO:
THELMA LOUGH, TREASURER NTBCA
3200 HULA
MESQUITE, TX 75150-2568
RESERVATIONS FORM
NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER, BUICK CLUB OF AMERICA
DECEMBER MEETING AND COVERED DISH BUFFET MEAL
LOVE FIELD ANTIQUE MALL RAVE REVIEWS RESTAURANT
MOCKINGBIRD LANE @ CEDAR SPRINGS DALLAS, TEXAS
DECEMBER 9, 2006 11:00am --– 3:30pm
PLEASE LIST THOSE THAT WILL BE ATTENDING
________________________________ ______________________________
________________________________ ______________________________
________________________________ ______________________________
________________________________ ______________________________
________________________________ ______________________________
MEAL COST IS $9.00 PER PERSON -- THE NORTH TEXAS CHAPTER PAYS FOR THE BALANCE
PERSON MAKING RESERVATIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
NAME ____________________________ PHONE _________________________
PLEASE RETURN THIS COMPLETED FORM WITH PAYMENT TO:
THELMA LOUGH, TREASURER 3200 HULA MESQUITE, TX 75150-2568
THIS FORM SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY THELMA NO LATER THAN NOVEMBER 29, 2006
PLEASE NOTE: THOSE DESIRING TO ATTEND, WHO MIGHT NOT BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS FORM MAILED TO THELMA AND HER RECEIPT OF IT PRIOR TO THE STATED DATE, MIGHT ALSO CONTACT HER BY PHONE (972/270-3784).