The Prez Box
by Ron Bone
We’re getting close to wrapping up this year, and many of our Corvettes are probably already hibernating in their garages. We have a couple of important things yet to decide, though, and we’ll tackle those at our November monthly meeting.
At the top of the list is the issue of our insurance policy. Dennis Peterson, who is very well qualified to do these things, looked over our policy and confirmed that it does not provide protection for competitive events. Since the National Council of Corvette Clubs (NCCC) has a policy that does, and is one of the membership benefits, we asked them to speak to us at our October monthly meeting. We’ll recap what they told us, for the benefit of those who were not there, as part of the November meeting. Now here’s the bottom line. If we make any changes in our policy, it will mean an increase in annual dues. So be sure to attend and participate in making the decision.
Another thing we need to decide at our next meeting is how much to spend on our Christmas for Families this year. Since we will not have a show next year, we won’t have any income for that program next year. In light of that, we may want to split the purse between this year and next. Whatever we decide, we’ll need to get organized; December will be here in a heartbeat.
Finally, for the next meeting, we need to decide what to do about our scholarship fund. A few years ago we voted to set aside some money for scholarships. We haven’t added to the fund since then, so the decision is whether to continue building the fund or to return it to the general treasury fund.
In January we’ll be electing new club officers, so it’s time to begin thinking about whether any of you would like to run for office. If time allows, we’ll try to set up a nominating committee at the November meeting.
As you can see, the next meeting will be a busy one. Come, participate, and enjoy the new diner. Refer to the Calendar of Coming Events for the time and place. See you there.
Minutes of the October Meeting
by Peggy Bone
The meeting was held at
Denny’s Restaurant in Idaho Falls on October 12, 2005. There were 14 members and 8 visitors
present. President Ron Bone called the
meeting to order at 7:45 P.M. He introduced the visitors and thanked everyone
for coming. He also thanked those who
participated in the delivery of the “Thank You” letters to our sponsors on
October 8.
Ron turned the floor over to
Don McAndrews of the Hyalite Club, who gave a brief summary of what the
National Council of Corvette Clubs, NCCC, is about. He then turned the floor over to Larry and Eloise Morrison, who
are the regional competition director and the regional membership director,
respectively. They explained that to
get the NCCC insurance, 51% of our club would have to become members. The NCCC membership fee for the first year
would be $45 per couple, and would drop to $35 per couple in subsequent
years. There would also be a yearly
charge of $5 per person for region expenses.
We would also need to elect a governor to go the region meetings four or
five times a year. More information is
available at www.rmrnccc.org or www.corvettesnccc.org.
Ron thanked the Morrisons and
Don McAndrews for their time. The
meeting ended at 8:45 P.M.
Members Rides
by Ben Sanchez
In a continuing effort to familiarize Corvettes of Southeast Idaho members with each other, this month’s issue will feature Dick and Trish Bargman, and Ron and Peggy Bone.
Dick and Trish Bargman joined the club in the spring of 1990. It seems that Sam Miller used considerable influence to track them down. He actually persuaded someone in law enforcement to run their license plate after seeing them drive their Orange ’76 coupe. At the time, Sam was Vice-President of the club. After tracking them down he gave them a call and invited them to join us on a “run” to Pierre’s Playhouse in Victor. As Dick so aptly puts it, “We must have had a good time because we’re still doing fun stuff with the club after 15 years.” I remember that particular run because it was Louie Bumb’s birthday (well, one of many he had that year)[1] and I inadvertently thought Trish’s name was Tracy. Yep, you got it – Dick and Tracy. Ring a bell to anybody?
Dick recalls seeing his first Corvette when he was around 14. He was really impressed by the car’s styling with wire mesh over the headlights and the “cool” taillights with little wings on the side. I think, like most of us, he couldn’t wait to get one and by the time he was 19 he had his first, a ’58. This was 1961 and the car was only 3 years’ old. From there he stepped up to the all-new Stingray with their first model year, 1963. Once again, like most of us, there are some “Vette-less” years – 19 to be exact. I recall the Orange ’76 coupe they had and I also remember when Dick made the trip to California and picked up a very nice white ’73 coupe. I loved that car and Dick made it not only look better, but run and handle so well. It was a pleasure to drive. Since both the ’76 and ’73 have gone by the wayside, he and Trish have owned a white ’89 convertible and a Polo Green ’94 convertible before their current cars – a ’99 Blue convertible and their latest acquisition, a cool red ’64 convertible. Dick still wishes he had the ’63, but the ’64 is a great substitution.
Dick is pretty modest and failed to mention his mechanical talents. He performed a myriad of mechanical marvels on my ’68 as well as my ’62. I know he worked on many members’ cars, as well. All I can say is, “Thanks, Dick.”
As an interesting sidelight, Trish got to drive their ’64 home from California. But, this was 10 years ago! It seems that Fred Carlson had bought the car but didn’t have a way to get it back to Idaho. Trish was going to be in the area and “volunteered” to drive it back. Somewhere along the way she fell in love with it and somewhat reluctantly turned it over to Fred when she got to Idaho Falls. Since then, she has kept a picture of it on the refrigerator door. Her dream of owning the car came to fruition last fall when Fred decided to part with it. The rest is, as we say – history. The car now resides in the “Corvette House” at Dick and Trish’s home and, needless to say, will receive more of Dick’s brand of attention in the near future.
Of all the events, Dick says the trips to the Black Hills in 1995 and to Glacier in 1997 are his favorites, so far.
I’m sure most of you know Dick and Trish because they have been very active in the club for the past 15 years. But, did you know that Trish is a past Vice-President and President? In addition, she has been a chairperson for the Wild West Vette Fest. For more years than I can remember, she has been heavily involved in the registration for the show too.
Corvettes aren’t their only interests. In addition to liking “Old Cars” in general (remember the El Camino?) and riding snowmobiles, they have been involved in the Idaho International Folk Dance Festival for many years and have made four or five trips to Europe visiting friends made through the festival. I can vouch for a couple of their trips because they also visited us.
It’s members like Dick and Trish that make the club a successful entity, so the next time you see them, say “hi”. Although Dick is quiet and unassuming, believe me, he has a wealth of information readily available and is willing to part with it. Thanks for all your help and particularly your friendship all these years.
Ron and Peggy Bone became members in September 2000. Their interest was stirred after seeing the “Adopt-a-Highway” sign on I-15, but once again, Sam Miller strikes. Yep, being the observant guy, he noticed their 8B plates at Vette Fest 2000 in Boise and managed to track them down to tell them about the club and its activities.
Ron’s interest in ‘Vettes goes back to the days when he was touring the world on one of Uncle Sam’s submarines. His homeport was Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. While in port, the crew would spend a lot of time on an isolated beach near the north end of Oahu. As happenstance would have it, one of the crew had a ’62 Vette, relatively new at the time, only 2 or 3 years old. He, of course, would always bring it to the beach. As Ron puts it, the car seemed so natural a part of that paradise and the casual abandon with which they lived their youth. Now, how many of us can say that? Further, to this day, the 1962 fuel injected Corvette is one of his favorites. This guy really knows his ‘Vettes. He also adds that it’s just as far out of his grasp now as it was then. Boy, is this familiar or what? Now, warp speed to October 1999. Ron and Peggy’s daughter lived in Boise for sometime and it was their bad habit to pay a visit to Fairly Reliable Bob’s lot whenever they visited her. (This is bad?) Regardless, they sprung for a ’89 6-speed they just happened to find there. They got it at a good price, but soon found out that maybe, just maybe it had not received the best of care as they were fixing a few problems. They figured everything was in good order and took the car to Boise Vette Fest 2000 (herein enters Sam). While at the show, the brake warning light came on, but there were no fluid leaks and the light turned off. A gingerly test found them with a full hard brake pedal and Ron talked Peggy into the drive home Sunday morning. No problem until after gearing down at the first rest stop. Ron didn’t apply the brakes until the final turn into a parking space. Big mistake Ron – because the brake pedal went straight to the floor. After jumping the curb and bouncing off a signpost, a short, rather intense discussion ensued between driver and passenger. (Hmmm, imagine that!) The summary of that discussion decidedly rendered Ron would be the only person in that car if he insisted on making it home with only an emergency brake. Ron readily admits it was the most memorable driving stunt he has ever executed – bravo, I say. Anyway, after having the car trailered back to Boise along with a newly installed master cylinder and body repair, they found their bank account around a $1000 lighter. They ain’t cheap, are they?
I suppose if that encounter would have been the last the ’89 would still be in their garage, but not so. As they were making their way along the California coast in 2003 the smog pump started making a noise best described as howling. Oh, no, another $500 dollars. This is when Claudia and I met them. They were driving a rental car in Monterey while waiting for repairs to be made. Like a lot of us, they have little patience for an unreliable vehicle. With this in mind, they took a good hard look at the ’89 and decided that in lieu of what the car still needed and what it was worth they would stop the money flow and began looking in earnest for a replacement. The replacement is the beautiful 2004 Le Mans Blue Commemorative Edition Coupe they currently own. Now, that’s a step in the right direction. Although Ron had his heart set on a 2004 Commemorative Edition Z06, Peggy wisely convinced him the coupe would a better match for their needs. Good choice – I like Peggy! Later, she was trying to explain the practicality to a co-worker who’s eyebrows shot up as she was trying to come to an understanding of the terms “practical” and “Corvette” . In her mind, these are contradictory terms. What’s so contradictory? You’re right Ron, some people just don’t get it!
Now
Ron hasn’t always been
so practical. Let’s go back to 1967
while he was still living his young life with what I would describe as
wreckless abandon – maybe that is a bit harsh.
He and a couple of friends were looking at cars when they ran across a
new ’67 Rally Red big-block roadster.
This was a 390 hp version and had both the hard and soft tops. It was in
the basement of Intermountain Chevytown in Pocatello. Ron describes it as looking dejected because everyone was
anxiously waiting for the new-bodied 1968.
It was love at first sight and Ron had to have it. In retrospect Ron readily admits he should have
kept his beautiful 1964 Super Sport Impala, but he traded it in for the rally
red roadster with an exorbitant price tag of $5300. However, after living on a diet heavy with popcorn and water the
dream machine was traded-in for something a bit more practical. I’m not sure what could be more practical,
but then that’s me talking about retrospect.
A couple weeks after trading in the ’67, Ron had the good fortune to
meet Peggy. She had heard of the ‘Vette
and was somewhat disappointed she never got to see it. Now, I know I really like Peggy.
All three ‘Vettes owned by Ron and Peggy have been
equipped with manual transmissions. Ron would still like to have the ’67, but
only if he could have the 2004 too. You
see, he still remembers how stiff and tired his young body would be after a
full day’s drive in it. He also knows
that the radio knobs would still be loose, after all, they were loose when he
took delivery of it. He knows this because
under hard acceleration (G-forces here?) the knobs would end up into the trunk. I would like to hear his definition of hard
acceleration. He does describe it as a
spectacular little demonstration of raw torque (no kidding).
Ron and Peggy particularly enjoyed the 2004 September
in Seattle show mainly because of the well thought-out poker run that guided
them through different areas of the city.
This, along with their first run down the Oregon coast and its
spectacular scenery put this high on their must return list.
They do have other interests and they include hiking,
backpacking, and skiing.
Ron, of course, is the club’s current President. This is his second term. He was its Secretary from 2003 to 2004 and
Road Boss from 2003 to 2005. Peggy is
currently the club’s Secretary and is described by Ron as his indispensable First
Lady. I agree. Both he and she have been very active with
the Wild West Vette Fest and hopefully will continue in this same
vein. When you see them you might ask
about their driving prowess in this years’ autocross at Wild West Vette Fest.
I say it’s people like Ron and Peggy that really add
flare and flavor to a great club.
Hill Announces Retirement
David
C. Hill, chief engineer for Corvette, has announced his retirement
effective January 1, 2006.
David C. Hill is also Vehicle Line Executive for GM Performance Cars, including
the Chevrolet Corvette and Cadillac XLR luxury roadster, a position he has held
since 1995. Vehicle Line Executives have full responsibility for the success of
their vehicles in the marketplace, integrating and managing functions such as
design, engineering, manufacturing, finance and marketing. We have learned Tom
Wallace will move to the position of VLE for Corvette, Solstice, and Sky
on November 1. He and Mr. Wallace will
work together during the transition. Mr. Wallace will also serve as chief
engineer of C6 Corvette. Tom Wallace's background is with the very
successful Grand National Buick’s of the mid-80's. Both he and his son are avid
racers.
Born
January 15, 1943, Hill earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
from Michigan Technological University in 1965 and a Master of Science in
Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan in 1970.
Hill began his career with Cadillac Motor Car Division in 1965. From 1965 to
1973 he served as senior project engineer in the Cadillac engine lab. In 1973,
Mr.. Hill became a staff project engineer for Cadillac engine design and
release, holding that position until becoming general supervisor of the body
and chassis lab in 1976.
From 1978 to 1981, Mr.. Hill served as staff engineer for Cadillac car
development. In 1982 he became a Cadillac staff engineer for emissions and
transmissions. Later that year he was promoted to vehicle chief engineer for
the Cadillac Allante.
In
1988 Mr. Hill’s responsibilities were expanded when he was named chief engineer
for the Cadillac DeVille and Concours. He became engineering program manager
for Cadillac in 1992, before moving to the chief engineer role for Corvette
later that same year.
2005/2006 Calendar of Coming Events
by Ron Bone
November 16: Monthly Meeting at the new 5 & Diner, 2150 Channing Way, Idaho Falls, at 7:00 P.M.
December 10: Christmas Party at The Relay Station, St. Anthony, 7:00 P.M. Bring one gift per person, under $10, to exchange.
May 26-29, 2006: The Big Sky Event, Helena, MT. More information to follow.
November
Tim Walsh 11
Susan Whitfield 16
Yvonne Krah 17
Brian Allen 23
[1] Louie Bumb, a past member and president, probably had 15 birthdays that particular year. Didn’t’ he Sam?