Hail from the Chief

By Brian Novak

Fall is here, cold weather coming, Daylight Savings Time, the Y2K -- it's all around the corner. It's been a great year for us with many events and activities. Now, however, is the time to look forward to the next Corvette season. That of course includes new officers. If you are interested, or you know somebody who is, please contact me so we can put together a ballot. Also contact me if you have think of somebody who would make a good officer; I'll contact him/her about their interests. It is much better to want to be an officer rather than being cajoled into being one (but I'm not above that either). So, if I don't hear from you soon, I'll be making calls to ask for volunteers. It really is fun, doesn't take too much time, and is very rewarding in the end.

We also need some volunteers for next year's car show committees. We are looking at ways of making it worthwhile for those who put in the extra time and therefore cannot participate in all the activities. Again, it is a great way to meet people, not only from the club but also from clubs all over the west.

The Christmas party this year will be a little different. We will be going to the Mountain River Ranch for a sleigh/wagon ride, dinner, and dinner show. Since the event is a bit more expensive than other options, we will forego the gift giving this year. The party will be on December 19^th, which is a Sunday evening. We had to book the show early because all our options were being closed because of early reservations.

This month, we'll meet at Frontier Pies in Idaho Falls. It will be on Friday, November 12 at 6:30 p.m. We had to go off a banquet menu so there will be a choice of prime rib with a baked potato or chicken cordon bleu with rice. Fruit punch and pie are also included; other drinks and kids menus are available. We'll be talking about this year's adopt-a-family/senior activity and getting volunteers to work on that endeavor.

That's all for now -- hope to see you at the November meeting.

SAVE THE WAVE!!!

For C5 Corvette Coupe (Targa) Owners

By Frank Smith

Are you tired of the water running into your speakers when you open your hatch lid? The BIG news is that Corvette has finally come up with an improved weather-strip for the hatch lid. This new molded weather-strip (GM Part Number 10236980 - W/STR R/C - Y Body application 1997-2000 - which lists at your GM counter for $87.50) has a "channel" built with an extension that allows the water to run off outside the C5 and not into your Bose rear speakers. This new weather-strip was installed on production C5s beginning in March 1999.

For the "do it yourself" C5'er: With the hatch open, you should be able to literally pull out the original weather-strip from the channel in the hatch lid. Then, just place the new weather-strip in the channel and lightly tap in with a rubber mallet. No glue should be needed.

UPDATE

Last month I was notified of an improved Weather strip for the 1997, and early 1999 C5 Targa Coupe. There's been an update:

I was notified October 28, 1999 that the part number for the weather strip has been changed to 10418925. Please read the paragraph below before ordering:

"The installation of the new GM Part Number 10418925 - W/STR R/C - Y Body application 1997-2000 (which lists at your GM counter for $25.50) is a bit more complex than first reported. The hatch lid must be removed from the

coupe in order to properly access the channel for installation. I've been

contacted by GM engineers who are telling me they do not recommend that you attempt to convert your 1997 through early 1999 model year C5 weather strip to the new weather strip for a number of reasons. It appears from the conversations we have had that this is an item that you should not attempt to retrofit."

"Best of the Best Winner"

Caravan participants who made the journey to be part of our 5th Anniversary Caravan and Celebration were asked to pick the best of the best caravan stop. A contest sponsored by Del & Ileen Bunce, who were just one of many caravan coordinators, was only part of the fun! Boise, Jerome, American Falls, and Salt Lake City were eligible to win the contest, with the overwhelming choice: Salt Lake City, sponsored by Gus Paulos Chevrolet of Valley City Utah. This is the second time that Gus Paulos Chevrolet treated the Corvette caravan to a catered meal. The catered pizza dinner and Continental breakfast the following morning was a crowd pleaser to the 500 plus participants. More details available in the NCM America's Sportscar Newsletter!

Happy November Birthday!

Tim Walsh 11

Adam Taylor 19

Did You Know

By Egon

In today's paper (11/1/99) is an ad "Is you vehicle ready for Y2K on new years day". The ad asks, "is your vehicle computer Y2K satisfactory ?" I'm not too sure what this means! It also read, "preventive maintenance of your computer may save you a lot of headaches".

I have done a lot of research on this subject and have yet to find an auto computer that will quit on 12:01 on January 1. If it's your Vette or other vehicle I suggest you go out on new years eve and enjoy a party. Every year I remind folks to check the anti-freeze in ALL vehicles. Go get a little tester at the local auto parts store and check your own. It only takes a minute and can save you an engine. Also if you store your Vette for the winter, change the oil before you put it away. Fresh oil has lots of additives to prevent rust and other bad things from forming during the storage period.

As a safety item, disconnect the ground cable from the battery during storage. It won't hurt the computer, and then when you reconnect the battery in year 2000 the computer won't know it's year 2000 and work just fine.

Have a good winter.

From the Past

(Excerpts from past newsletters)

A special thanks to all the officers you elected last year. The teamwork, cooperation, and support we gave each other were more than one could ask for.

It is only February but the calendar is starting to fill, with the planning of the road trip to Frisco/Four Corners area and the 98 Wild West Vette Fest well underway. The Sweetheart Breakfast will be at Shilo on . . .

The first thing to do is drive the car for 15 minutes to warm the gear lube so it will be easier to suck out. It is easier if you remove the right rear tire for access to the differential plug.

Janet Miller's Silver '81 took top honors in the Jefferson County Fair Parade for "Best Corvette." Five cars from the Club participated in the August 17 event.

Winners at the '93 Wild Berry Festival included Fred and Wanda Hughes (78 coupe), Donna and Lester Page (78 Pace Car), and Dennis and Bonnie Fikstad (62).

New members include Gary and Dorie Hilliker and Brian and Bev Novak.

The Club drove to Del, Montana for breakfast Saturday morning.