We had a wonderful time. For December, we had very good weather with clear and dry roads. The cars started rolling in around 6pm and the last one left around 11:30pm. While those who didn't attend were not part of the happy 36 members who did, here are some pics letting you see some of what went on. We missed those who weren't there, but this was truly a very fun time.
Andy & Lisa are always great hosts and their home was a perfect place for the party. Both attached garages are heated, a huge family room, big dining room, big living room. More than enough room and plenty more. Next year, we'll be having the party in Westchester at Ralph Weidenbach's home. It is nice to know this early what is going on. We had a short meeting and discussed 2005, which is shaping up to be a very interesting and enjoyable year. The winter meetings are set, we're discussing the Hot Rod Power Tour, Super Chevy Sunday, a few car shows together and a picnic. We missed those who could not attend and are looking forward to seeing you within the next 12 months as 2005 looks like it is going to be very good.
Here
are a couple of pictures from the Sept. You'll see the cars, starting with
Mike, John, George, Andy, Wes, Jim, Mike, Bob, Ted, Tim & Steve.
Getting ready to enjoy what the summer brought, what is coming up, plans for the family, house and cars. Above this 40 by 30 garage Mike has a 30 by 18 or so "storage" place that can have the floor removed to have the car lifted up there or to finish for an apartment of some sort. One could make it the master bedroom, actually, and put clear plexiglass in the floor so you could look over the bed and see the Chevelle tucked-away. Just a thought.
On August 21st, Mark and Cheryl Witczak were married after much preparation. Below are some pictures from that day. We wish the best for Mark & Cheryl. Now the next step is the delivery of a new family member . . . the 1965 Evening Orchid Chevelle that we've all been waiting to see all together for the last 7 years!!!!
Mark & Cheryl enjoy their dance at the wedding reception. Some of the NICC cars that were driven to the wedding / reception. The red 1965 Chevelle is looking for Mark's '65 Evening Orchid to park beside it sometime soon.
There was plenty of power at the September 11th Open House at Borowski Race Enterprises. From the points leading Top Fueler above (engines built by Borowski) and classic factory-type quarter mile racers. Good weather, nice cars, fun for all. Pictures courtesy of NICC member Terry Schattl. Thanks Terry.
It was fun and a beautiful, warm day. Not too hot, but the cars were great. Below are some pics of what was seen at the spot the Primm's were at with the First Generation Monte Carlo Club in Pontiac, MI. It was perfect as it was the Northern most part of Woodward and it was a large "town square" turnaround with a stop light, so at every green light after sitting for a bit, the tires were squealing, a perfect spot.
I encourage more members to attend next year. To tempt you here are a few pictures:
There we were standing watching the car and the most expensive one was this Ferrari Enzo. People were running up to it and I couldn't figure out why, until I saw the license plate "INDY 003" with Roger Penske himself driving it. A Pontiac engineer who I was talking to (worked on the original GTO and the new one) said "Roger has a house in Bloomfield Hills", which was about 2 miles South of this spot. Cool.
Being the weekend of the Michigan NASCAR race some of the teams drove their transport trucks up. Here is Earnhardt Jr's truck; he did a great job trying to light up the tires, but the thrill was listening to the turbo spool-up and watching the cab shake. The tires never did turn. Appreciated the effort though.
Here are the two Primm Monte's parked with about 40 other first generation Monte Carlos on Woodward Ave. in Pontiac, MI. The gold Monte SS was chosen as People's Choice. The green Monte, just 2 weeks prior had 20 years of grunge under the hood and we redid the motor with Dart heads, headers, Edelbrock intake, HEI, performance harmonic dampener and so much more. Without fellow member, Andy Marchiando it wouldn't have been done. In a 3 week time both engines were pulled and the compartments detailed. Thanks, Andy.
The presentable engine compartment after 1.5 weeks of cleaning and detailing. The power brake booster's finish is original and the fenderwells were NOS that I had in the garage. Josh and Joel were also big help. With encouragement from John Sonnefeldt, the A-Pillar gauge pods were added from Autometer and the white faced gauges look great. The green bulbs match the car. Josh was the electrician on the pod installation.
This is the engine prior to the rebuild / clean-up. Would never pop the hood with it like this, but now, it's not a problem.
There was a good response from the NICC at the Super Chevy Show in Joliet. I attended on Sunday and saw several NICC member cars, including Jim Gollwitzers 1972, Craig & Chris Long's 1970 and Joe & Donna O'Mara's 1970. The weather was perfect (70 degrees) and the sky was clear. Next year we'll have to see how many we can get there all on one day. We had cars there on Saturday and Sunday.
This is the original 1964 Chevelle that I placed in the newsletter in 2003. Was in the garage of a deceased member of a Catholic church in Chicago. I saw it and it was remarkable, you'll notice the window sticker in the back glass. I could have bought it for $200, but didn't. The current owner, "Big John" bought it for around that and now has what I consider a museum piece. Very nice, eh? Don't discount 4 doors. Oh yes, the interior was covered since new and with the plastic off, look brand new.
Craig
& Chris Long's 1970 Chevelle SS. Driven up from Kankakee, it was nice to spend
some time the Long's talking.
Joe and Donna O'Maras 1970 Chevelle SS. From Frankfort, this car has quite a history. Go to "Member Cars" for more information on this car and its meeting with a semi while "safely" parked at home in the garage.
Chuck Finch from the Michigan Chevelle Club drove down to Joliet and spent some time with NICC members. It was great having Chuck and his nephew Josh down visiting.
Above we see the NICC members in Ted's garage, some cars lined-up on the street and Ted's '66 El Camino (with the Edelbrock RPM package) resting before it's next 12 second trip down the quarter-mile.
The first started to arrive John Shipkowski's debut At the Primm Ranch
of the '71 SS Monte.
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JUNE 26th CRUISE HOSTED BY PRIMM’S -It was a PERFECT day for a cruise and 19 NICC members brought out there cars to Culver's in Bolingbrook. There will be info. in July's newsletter and more info. under the "Activities" folder soon, but here are a few pictures of what you missed. We wish you were there. It was a good time.
MAY 22nd MEETING AT HOLBACH'S:
Although it was overcast and at times drizzled, around 20 members and 11 cars showed up for the first cruise of the year at Holbach's house. There will be more information in the June newsletter, but if you'd like to see Tom & Kyle Wilkin doing a burnout in Holbach's driveway, go to video page and watch and listen.
For those who couldn't make it, we missed you but make sure you come to all the activities you can this summer. You'll be glad you did.
Let's see, how long ago was this picture taken? I have a guess but while kids grow and we get old, Holbach's 1966 Chevelle is still around. Come to the cruise and follow it to our cruise spot. Warning though, Jim hasn't let the Chevelle know that its small block should be afraid of big blocks. As far as it knows, it is a big block and likes to run. Beware.
APRIL 24TH MEETING:
A full write-up on the meeting will be in the May newsletter, but posted here for those who were unable to attend are some pictures of the meeting at Tom, Karen, Kyle and Emma Wilkin's home. Also, the new officers for the year 2004-2005 are as follows:
President: George G. Primm
Vice President: Mark Witczak
Treasurer: Jim Karg
Show Coordinator: Dana White
Merchandise Coordinator: Karen Wilkin
Prior to the meeting Terry Schattl, Mike Hogan, Joe Wirth, Jim Karg, Jim Holbach
and others are entertaining Josh & Joel Primm who are watching the everyone get
ready for the meeting and enjoying Tom's 72 Chevelle big block.
Some more NICC members enjoying the evening. It was raining outside, but 25 members showed up to enjoy the beginning of the season and vote.
Enjoying the evening.
After the voting we go back to catching up on personal & car news and other important stuff.
MARCH 2OTH MEETING RECAP:
The NICC met on March 20 meeting at Borowski Race Enterprises in Rockdale, IL. It was a perfect day for weather and driving. A complete recap is in the April newsletter. It was very informative and Bob and the crew did an outstanding job of being prepared. You can tell Bob is a commercial pilot for a major airline; he leaves nothing to chance and covers all the bases. Each member had the chance to get a LETTER from Borowski explaining their accomplishments. There was also a detailed OUTLINE of what you should look for in machine work. These two handouts were very thorough and completely explains their work methodology and philosophy; a confidence builder.
If you are looking for TOP engine building, machine work, head work, transmission and rear end work, this is the place to go. They don't work on Circle Track and NHRA engines because they are rookies. They know their stuff.
The link to their website is included in the "Links" page.
For those who were unable to attend March 20th's meeting, below are some pictures of what happened. If you were unable to make it, sorry. We had a great time, the weather was perfect and over 30 members showed up to start Spring off right!!!
Some of the members listening to Bob Ruben's welcome.
These are pictures of the tour. The first picture is of the receiving area. Also in the first picture are most of the machines: block honing, connecting rod machine, head area, align boring, etc. All conveniently located for easy work flow. The second picture shows owner Bob Rubens 1968 SS Chevelle with a 540 Merlin for members to enjoy. After the tour, Bob gave rides to any members wanting to experience the Merlin magic.
You'll notice that the Best machine shops use our secret to cleanliness; Simple Green!!! These pictures show the NICC members in the parking lot of Borowski's and the 1968 Chevelle SS of owner Bob Ruben as it gives any member who wants an experience of 540 cubic inches of Merlin Magic !!! Thanks Bob, to you and your crew. We had a great time. Thank you.
There are two videos from the meeting; a GM 383 crate engine dyno run and Bob Rubens giving a ride to a NICC member in his 1968 Chevelle with the 540 Merlin. Go to the Video Clips below.