Canyon Lake Car Club

Below are all the old stories and list from the HOME page and CAR OF THE MONTH.

Congratulations to our June 2010 Car of the Month recipients.

Ernie and Beckey Mason and their 1965 Lincoln Continental. 

The car was purchased in 1996 from the niece of the original owner who had been sick for several years and then passed away.  The car had been setting for about 12 years just wasting away.  Becky says, “When we bought it, it only had 45,000 original miles and looked like it might be a good project”.  After getting it home, we found that the engine had four (4) stuck valves and the car had lots of rust from just setting and needed a lot of TLC.  After getting the engine in operating condition, everything else showed up.  The transmission and cooler, power breaks, power steering, radiator, power windows, suspension, you name it.  Needless to say that it took a lot longer than I thought it would to get it in just drivable condition, but we did it.  It was used as a daily driver until we moved to Canyon Lake.  Getting only 5 miles to the gallon and with the price of gas over $3.00 a gallon it only gets driven once a week. 

“Little by little this ’65 Lincoln is getting done, but it is like any other classic car, I'll probably work on it forever.” Says Ernie Mason

Don Norris joined the Canyon Lake Car Club in March 2010 after acquiring his 1955 Chevy Bel Air.  This is Don’s third ‘55.  He sold his last ‘55 in 1963.

Don says  "I retired a few years ago from Cadillac and was looking for a project to occupy my time". Don found this 55 Chevy in Northern California at a consignment dealer in January 2010.  He was told the car belonged to a serviceman who had gone off to war and had not returned. Because of that, Don does not have any background or any other documentation on the car and has had to research what his car has in it.

The Bel Air has a 1965 Corvette 327 CI Engine with 340 HP.  The Intake and Carburetor are Edelbrock Performance with a Mallory Ignition.  It has a Muncy 4 Speed Transmission with a 411 POSI Traction Rear End.

Don’s future plans for the car include converting to power steering, painting and new upholstery.

"I'm having a blast tinkering on the car and my wife Anne has no problem finding me" says Don.

As his license plates displays, Don loves “KRUSN” in his “55 in Canyon Lake.   Watch for Anne and Don a warm summer nights.

The March 2010

Car of the Month is

Dave Paule and his

’69 Chevy Malibu

Dave says “The picture are of my 2 favorite projects. Pasadena city hall seismic retrofit & upgrade & my 1969 Chevrolet Malibu.”

I purchased my car in 2004 after the encouragement from my Dad and unsolicited support from my wife. I had just completed building our house and needed an escape from pounding nails & pouring concrete.   I had a few muscle cars while growing up & learned a lot working on them. They kept me needing a job to pay for parts keeping me occupied and out of trouble.  

I chose this particular car for styling mostly and partly from my best High School buddy had one that always got us to where we were going in style and first. We had a lot of cruising fun in it.  I purchased the car cosmetically as shown but replaces the entire drive train from a 350/4spd combo to a fuel sipping, 20mpg 454 with a 5spd Tremic transmission. For safety & comfort I added disc brakes, power steering, 3 point seatbelts, sound system, 2-1/2”dual exhaust, vintage air conditioner, thicker sway bars & body bushings. It performs perfectly.

My daughter just drove it to  and from Las Vegas with her college girlfriends for spring break (before I watched The Hangover). I just got back from a 1200 mile loop to the Pleasanton Goodguys show, up to Chico to see my daughter in college and back. For the 4^th time in the last year.

This car has brought back and created a lot of memories. It has taught me more automotive skills and being a member of the car club adds meeting new people and with that brought there knowledge and resources.

There are many ways to enjoy a car. There are the ones that like to go fast. There the ones that like to polish, pet and perfect. There are the ones that like to go to shows and get trophies. Some just see them as a means to get to and from enjoying the freedom they bring. I like mine to get a good parking spot at car shows but, mostly I choose to cruise.

January 2010

Car of the Month

1935 DODGE PICK UP-OWNER JIM & GLORIA THOMPSON

The Truck came from Grand Coulee Washington where a friend gave it to me in 199.  He had a small body shop and I was living in Grand Coulee working on the new Third Powerhouse for the Dam at the time. When the project at the Dam was completed I towed the truck back to Orange, Ca. where I lived at the time, the truck was in original condition, complete with bullet holes, 4 Cyl Motor and no glass at all. Some Indian ranchers who needed work done on a farm truck traded it to my friend in lieu of money for their repairs. My friend moved to Los Alamos N.M. and he called me and told me he needed work to bring the truck to N.M. We started out with a budget but quickly threw that out the window!   Jim says “As any builder knows budgets are a joke.”

We started with a Chrysler 440 CU.IN but it did not fit so we opted for a small block chevy, a, 350 trans and Ford 3:08 gears, Mustang front end with coil over suspension in the back, all from local wrecking yards in the area. It took just a little over 2 years to complete the 1^st phase. It now has a ZZ4 Crate Motor, 700R4 trans with 3:55 Ford posi 8in. rear end. The truck was chopped 3” and the bed was shortened 13” The back fenders were sectioned to accommodate the rear end. It has Colorado Custom wheels, 17” in rear and 15” in front. It also has pwr steering, pwr disc brakes, AC, power toneau cover which is 1 piece aluminum and electric windows.

Truck was last painted by Cypress Auto body, Cypress CA and upholstered by Gabe’s in Bloomington, CA The original paint was 1^st applied in N.M., 2^nd paint by Gordy`s in Bullhead City, 1st upholstery was from N.M. as well. Its all steel with the exception of the front fenders which are fiberglass. It’s a good driver and has been driven to Fresno, Bakersfield, Lake Havasu and Yuma, AZ. Many times.

The license plate says “MOFLAME” ,which is not meant to be an ethnic slur, MO is for MOPAR and Flame speaks for itself, Gloria and I are both proud to be members of CLCC and have met many nice people since joining.

November 2009 Car of the Month

Being one of the newest members of the Canyon Lake Car Club and winning Car of the Month is quite an honor.  Never did I think that I would make such an impression in the hot rod community.  From the time I could drive, I have had a fascination  with the motor vehicle.  My high school car was a 1970 Chevelle that my Father helped me build.  Fast forward to 1997, I fell in love, got married, and had twin daughters all in a span of two-years.  Well needless to say, the hot rod fund ran dry.  On Memorial Day Weekend of 2004 I answered a recycler ad for a 1963 Nova.  One look at it and I bought it (after getting my wife's permission, of course).  The Nova was complete and bone stock.  Once I got it home it sat parked until the winter of 2004.  I could not stand it anymore, opening the garage door and walking by it 3-4 times a day, something had to be done.  I had no choice, but to call an emergency family meeting.  I put my foot down and told my girls the car was collecting spiders and something had to be done.  We could either spray a potentially hazardous chemical to kill the spiders once a week or I could start working on my Nova. 

The next day disassembly started.  My original plan was to retrieve a junk yard small block with a turbo 350, clean it up and install.  Well, plans changed.  It started with one piece being powder coated and ended up absolutely everything that is orange is powder coated top to bottom, front to rear.  The front suspension is a total cost involved, A-arm coil over springs with 11" rotors and polished calipers.  The rear is also a T.C.I  sub-frame connectors are used.  The motor is a Chevrolet Stroker 383, with Dart Pro 1 Aluminum heads, Edelbrock Tunnel Ram, Twin Demons, Billet Specialties V-Trac System and Vintage Air.  The wiring is a Ron Francis Product.  The body was in good condition to start with.  I removed all moldings and welded the holes closed.  Both doors were re-skinned and I fabricated the hole in the hood for the tunnel Ram.  I wanted a tunnel ram since high school and I was finally old enough to "over rule" my Father so the tunnel ram happened.  All of the holes in the dash were also welded closed.  The transmission is a 700R4 with a 3400 Stall converter.  The rear end is a Ford 9" positraction.  The wheels are Billet Specialties "Vintec" 17", and the rubber is Goodyear.  On the inside, glide seats are in the front and a custom rear seat was made to accommodate for the minitubs I fabricated.  From the console to the carpet, including the headliner, door panels, and all of the woodwork was designed and built by me.  Only the covering of the seats were "farmed out".  The entire interior was designed around the rear television (nothing else matter to my daughters).  The trunk was built from my love of the pick up.  The P.V. bed style floor lifts up for storage.  No room for a spare tire, that’s what we pay AAA for, right?  As for the outside colors, I love orange.  Our family room is orange, my shoes are orange, my license plate confirms this "ORNGNTZ" (orange nuts!).  This 1963 Chevrolet Nova was built almost entirely by me, absolutely everything I could do, I did.  Every mistake was made my me.  The knowledge I learned from mistakes is worth it.  I  I would like to thank the people I've met that have helped me  build my first real hot rod.  While I may be quite shy, I look forward to becoming friends with all at the Canyon Lake Car Club.  One last thing, throughout this build my Father was battling Alzheimer's/Dementia, I tried so very hard to finish this car and give him a ride.  He died in February 2007, I finished in March 2007.
 
Thanks again for this honor,
Ken Hooton
 
P.S.-Thank you to my loving wife Stephanie and my twin daughters Kassidy and Karlee, the loves of my life.

November 2009

Canyon Lake Car Club

Car of the Month

The honoree is

Leo Biller and his

'70 Olds Cutlass SX convertible

 
 
Leo's car is a 1970 Olds Cutlass SX convertible. The SX model was made for only two years and is the same platform as the 442 including the 455 cu. in. 365 hp motor. The SX was an attempt to hide a performance car in luxury clothes for insurance purposes. The SX came with AC, and all the power options, including steering, brakes, windows, door locks, seats etc. In 1970 there were only 378 convertibles produced according to the SX registry.
 
Leo first spotted his car in a down town Los Angeles auto repair facility. It was on 7th st. and I would pass by it while riding the bus home from work. I had just sold a 64 Thunder Bird convertible and was in the market for another convertible. I stopped in to talk to the shop owner about the car and was informed it was for sale. The owner had had some work done to it and then became ill and turned the car over to the shop owner. It was in need of some body work and paint. This was in 1992. I bought the car and drove it home. At that time it had 74k miles on it. I was the second owner.  I drove it for about a year and had a Doug Nash transmission put in along with an electronic ignition. I then stored it in my mother's garage till 2006. I then had it transported to Ralph's Auto body in Hawaiian Gardens. His shop removed all the trim and bumpers and prepped the body for paint. It was repainted it's original factory color, "Saffron Yellow" including all jams, trunk and under hood. I wanted to keep the car as original as possible and opted for the original color. The racing stripe was a dealer installed option for that year and I chose to include it to match the interior. Several of the trim parts had to be replaced requiring a search of the Internet for them. I was fortunate enough to be able to still buy some of the parts while Olds was in business in 92. They included several beauty rings for the wheels, taillights, a grille insert and wheel well trim.
 
The interior is a special option, sable brown, which I could not match with any of the interior shops. I did find the material and ordered enough to have the front buckets and rear bench re-done. The rest of the interior is what came from the factory. The top was replaced with a matching Hartz cloth top as the original had a slash over the driver area. I think some one forgot their keys at one time. I had the original AM FM radio rebuilt and it now works fine.
 
The wheels are factory wheels that were powder coated to match the paint. I am looking to change the wheels to the other style of SS1 wheels which are all polished and do not require beauty rings.
 
Leo says "The car has been a great pleasure to own and especially never seeing anything quite like it at any of the shows. It is a pleasure to ride in with the air on or with the top down. The 455 still has plenty of power, but I would like to have it gone through and rebuilt with some internal performance upgrades. That will come down the road."

Thanks Leo and congratulations on being the November 2009 Canyon Lake Car Club Car of the Month.

The CLCC Car of the Month is chosen from all those members who bring their rides to the Monthly Car Club Breakfast.  The next breakfast will be November 21 from 8am to 10am.  See you there !  

Special thanks to Anthony Ganci for takeing these pictures and most all others.  Thanks Anthony !!!!

CAR OF THE MONTH

CANYON LAKE CAR CLUB

SEPTEMBER, 2009

1971 PONTIAC FIREBIRD FORMULA 400

BARRY AND SHERIE LANDON

"Original Owners"

In the year 1970, after driving a 1964 vintage black gutless Comet Sherie inherited from her grandfather, Robert Emmett Cannon, the two of us decided it was time to purchase a car that had enough power to get up the necessary speed to get on the freeways in Orange County, California. So during the last few months of 1970 and beginning of the following year, we both spent just about every weekend studying and test driving many cars.  We especially remember test driving the Ford Mach 1, but Sherie could not see through the louvers out the back window and because of being only 5'1" tall, she just generally could not see out the car.  As we proceeded to test drive other cars, such as the Trans Am, she found that was also true with all but the PONTIAC FIREBIRD FORMULA 400.  We finally narrowed it down - Sherie was comfortable driving it and loved the power, Barry loved the lines and look of the car and both especially loved the handling and high-power performance, and particularly loved the hood scoops on the FORMULA 400.  On February 18, 1971, it was time to begin negotiating with Casey-Beckham Pontiac in Anaheim, California.  We agreed on a final total price of $4558.05.  What a deal, right!  Sherie remembers from then on flying down the 405 frwy from Mission Viejo to her work in Newport Beach at 95 mph every morning - never seeing a cop, thank goodness, and never having trouble getting on those freeways again!

Sherie drove her FIREBIRD FORMULA 400 full-time for 15 years, transporting around three kids and three dogs, from February 18, 1971 to December 30, 1986, when it was decided once again it was time for a new car, only because a larger one was necessary.  But we could not part with our beloved FIREBIRD; so, needless to say, we didn't.  Our FIREBIRD has its original 81,000 miles, has never left the state of California, has never been in any kind of accident, except for the time when a liquid amber tree feel on its roof while sitting in our driveway in Lake Forest (was painted red during repairs), has never been given a speeding ticket (or any other kind), has never given us any trouble, and has never not taken us where we wanted to go. 

We stored our FIREBIRD carefully, receiving several offers from friends and passer-bys to buy (could not have any of that), until it was time to restore it to its original stock condition and color (including matching serial numbers and original transmission), which was done in September, 2009, just in time to receive Car of the Month, Canyon Lake Car Club.  How GRAND is that!

We can't wait to drive it off once again to show it off!

August 2009 Car of the Month

is Bill Edward and his '55 Chevy Belair

Bill told us that "the car has survived 2 divorces and a recession".   After completing the car in late 2004 Bill took his new ride to the drag strip.  As the tree turned green Bill slammed the peddle to the ground, the '55 lifted and twisted.  As he regained control just missing the rail he saw the little blue Nova steadily passing.   Bill let of the gas and straightened the car, slammed the peddle a second time, shifted and hit the NOS switch. "I passed the Nova like it was in reverse" and hit 117 MPH as I crossed the 1/4 line.   Bill says this was the first and last time he raced the car.

And now, we are proud to present, the June 2009

Canyon Lake Car Club

Car of the Month

Darryl and Susan Rei's 1971 Corvette Stingray

Our car is a 1971 Corvette Stingray T-Top that is equipped with a LS-5 454 and 4-speed transmission.  Darryl and Susan purchased this Vette 3 years ago from C n'V Corvettes in Tempe, Arizona.  It has 78,000 original miles.  Darryl says "We enjoy cruising in it around Canyon Lake and to the coast".  Future plans include a new paint job and doing some performance upgrades to the motor.

Good luch Darryl and Susan, we'll keep an eye out for you.

Sincerely,
Darryl and Susan Reid

HAPPY HOLIDAYS !

Check out the pictures:  LINK

HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! 

And our lucky selected Car of the Month for November 2008 is.......

(give me a drum roll)

Congratulations to Bruce and Paula Peters for being picked October 2008 Car of the Month.

Enjoy !   For the whole photo album click HERE

Bruce says their car is a 1930 Ford Model A Coupe, 327 Chevy engine, 400 Chevy trans, chopped 4 1/2 inches, Channeled 3 inches. I purchased the car on E-Bay several years ago and had to go to Hutchinson, Kansas to pick it up.  "I would like to tear it down, do some repairs and repaint this winter but I am already working on 3 other cars" says Bruce. That does not include my 1928 Ford Roadster that I built from the  ground up that needs a few finishing touches, a 1954 Thames that just got painted but still has a ways to go for completion.

Bruce adds, "I have been a member of the Canyon Lake Car Club since it started. Come on guy's. Get out your Old Cars and Hot Rods and join the fun."
 
Thanks,
 
Bruce

Congratulations to our newest Canyon Lake Car Club member, Dirk Stew, and his 1933 Delux Fordor Ford for being picked as Car of the Month.   Dirk found out club on the internet via the web site and decided to stop in for breakfast.   Dirk is a great addition to our club.

Dirk was quite surprised and honored to be sellected as the "Car of the Month!" for September 2008.   "I was also pleased about how friendly your membership is and how I felt welcomed!  I am pleased to be included as a member of the club and will do my best to help make a positive contribution to it!" says Mr. Stew.
 

Dirk adds some background on the 1933 Deluxe Fordor:
 
I bought it from a car dealership in Sioux Falls, South Dakota a few years ago.  A buddy of mine Paul Labine and I took turns driving from Lake Elsinore to go get it.  I had forgotten how big and how beautiful this country is!  It took us three days to complete the trip.  I have replaced the engine with a 1933 Ford Flathead as stock as I could make it.  It was rebuilt by Taylor Engine in Whittier.  I have replaced the suspension with new original springs/shocks, etc.
 
My interest in antique cars is more of a historical interest.  I am attracted to the 1930's in America.  When I drive the cars around town, Its the closest I'll get to going back in time.  To think these cars were around for Franklin Roosevelt's Presidency, Pearl Harbor,  and World War ll, The atomic bomb and all of the many historical events that helped shape our country.
 
I also just think these old cars are just plain cool!  I'm also privileged to have a 1937 Deluxe Humpback Fordor,  a 1930 Standard Fordor, and a 1930 Rumble seat Coupe.

Here are some pictures (thanks Anthony) for his '33 Delux fordor.   You can see a few of Dirks other cars at the bottom of the page.  For the full photo album click HERE.

They were right again, the annual Big Bear Car Show was one of the best this year!   The setting was great, the show was well organized, parking was assigned and, the part I liked best was the very enthusiastic crowd response during the cruise around the lake.

If you didn't make it this year make plans to register and come up next.

Here some links to check out the cars, the setting and the great people:

My pictures: LINK

Big Bear Antique Car Club Website: (CLCC is featured): LINK

More pictures: LINK (no pictures of CLCC)

And even more pictures:LINK   (this one we're in)

Canyon Lake winners:

"Best T-Bird" : Ann Bond

"Top 25" : Brent Stackhouse

Here are the pictures from the June 18 Lake Elsinore Market Place Cruise Night

LINK TO ANTHONY"S PICTURES

Fiesta Days came and went leaving a lasting impression and new memories.

A Canyon Lake tradition, the Fiesta Days celebration is our way of kicking off thesummer season.   This year Nature played a joke by giving us a weekend of 100F heat followed by a week of chilly wind, rain, tornados and hail.   We started Fiesta Day Saturday morning by staring up at the looming black clouds wondering what the day would bring.   The chauffeurs were nervous about having their tops down and no one knew if they should wear a jacket, bring an umbrella, sweatshirt or would a tank top work?

A few of us met at 6:30am to drop the shirts, hats, flyers, set up the tables, hang the posters and get out butts over to the parade starting line.  Yes, I said 6:30am.   We all agreed our preview of the weather looked promising despite the questionable forecast.   No rain, no sprinkles, only the luminous clouds hovered the parameter of our City.   The main topic of discussion was the WEATHER.

Nearing 7:30am, two groups of Car Club rides lines up near the start of the parade route.  One group was at the starting line consisting of convertibles who would chauffer our Canyon Lake dignitaries and the other group supporting the Car Club in the parade including our volunteer banner carriers.

This was my first Fiesta Days and I had no idea what to expect.   I could feel the excitement and see the sparkle in the kids' eyes.   Michael and Rachel Earlywine hitched a ride with me and assisted Mayor Pro Tem John Zaitz in my car.    John Zaitz, being a Fiesta Days veteran, gave us pointers on the pitching and tossing of candy and beads.   Michael and Rachel did a great job keeping John stocked with goodies and throwing candy out to the kids.

The weather feared the parade, never dropping one bit of precipitation.   The parade route down Canyon Lake Drive, up to the Lodge, around the circle and back to Lighthouse was packed with spectators.   As we passed by the Lodge each dignitary and group was announced.  Once parked over on Lighthouse we enjoyed the day listening to the bands, eating great food, meeting new friends and hanging out at the Canyon Lake Car Club Booth. 

A Fiesta Days 2008 photo album has been added including 54 pictures.  Photo credits go to Anthony Ganci and Chuck Casey.

Additional gratitude goes to all the chauffeurs and parade participants of the parade, booth volunteers and other who helped at the booth.   Thanks to Sam Paule and her friends for carrying the banner.  Behinds the scenes thanks go to Babette for preparing the posters and cash box, Babette for making the custom beach cover ups, Joe, Anne, John, Babette and Chuck for setup and tear down of the booth.   Congratulations to Vonnie and Kathy for pulling the hole thing off.

Congrats to

Mike and Mary Lioacono

and their red hot '67 Buick Skylark.

(complete photo album LINK)

Most  people get tired hearing from us old timers "I wish I had the cars I owned in my youth".  

I hate to be one of those guys BUT I owned around 40 pre 1970 classic cars, of course at that time they weren’t classics.
Mike spent the last 35 years riding motorcycles, mostly Harleys, he finally gave up his Chopper and Heritage softail.
 
But Now he's back into classic cars one of which is a 34 ford 5 window and the other is a 67 Buick Skylark.  
Mike says: "I just realized I’m just as old and classic as my cars, boy that hurts." 
 
Mike adds, My wife and I have 3 daughters, 2 are living with us living with us.   We have 4 cars and each of my daughters living with us has a car making 6 cars. I should have bought a bigger house! 
 
I had a meeting with my 3 cars and voted that my wife has to park her car outside
I hope she doesn’t read this article.
 
Getting back into cars after all these years I have to learn where to buy parts and who are the best mechanics and the locations of the shops for restoration and repairs.   I have some work to do to make these cars more detailed.
 
After joining The Canyon Lake Car Club, many of the members have been helpful with information and advice.

Presenting our April 2009 Canyon Lake Car Club

May 2009 Car of the Month

Dave Deboe and his '55 Chevy Bel Air Convertible

TEMPERARY PICTURE LINK

Dave and Judy Deboe purchased this beautiful restoration and received delivery during Christmas week 2007. The 2 1/2 year frame off restoration had just been completed with only 703 miles since completion. This classic is all original with a 265 cubic inch 180 hp V8 with optional oil filter and a manual transmission with 3 on the column. Dave says "there's an original working radio and clock!". Finding original 1955 California license plates made the restoration complete. There were only 42,278 Bel Air convertibles built in 1955, which was 2.38% of the total number of Chevrolets built that year, making this a very special find.   Dave adds "I can remember very clearly capturing a rare glimpse at this clasic back in the 50's. Driving it today is really special!"

Congrats Dave and Judy, Great Ride!

The site that was created by the previous owner is:

http://www.emdpix.com/ebay/55convertible.htm

You can be chosen as Car of the Month by attending one of our monthly Car Club Breakfasts.  Just bring your ride and get a ticket for the raffle.  Check "upcoming events" to find the next Car Club Breakfast.  Held monthly on Saturday morning from 8 to 10am at the Canyon Lake Country Club.

Congratulations to all the Canyon Lake Car Club Members who attended and won trophies at the Rods and Rails show last Sunday.

Sixteen rides met at the Canyon Lake Market for a 7:30am caravan down Goetz road to the Orange Empire Railway Museum.   The staff let us in at 8am as we parked, set up the Ez-up and kicked back.    Pete and Suzi found out early on their ride would be the focus of next year’s Rods and Rails poster in addition to being on the cover of this years program.

 Two additional Canyon Lakers arrived with their cars to make a total of 18 registered cars and trucks.   The show included food, music, goodie bags, hand made show posters, reenactment gun fights, Juice Newton, craft show, potato festival, Perris history display and of course, cars, trucks, motorcycles and trains.

There was plenty shade trees and green grass to keep things cool as the temperature reached 90F.   At 3pm the show coordinator began announcing the show trophy winners.  The Club hurried over to the stage area and cheered on the winners.

13 of 18 Canyon Lake Car Club entries won a trophy including the Club Award which was a nicely appointed wooden club with small gold name plate forever engraving our first club award.

You can check out all 69 pictures HERE

Photo credits go to Hans Wegg and Anthony Ganci.

The July Car of the Month is Anne Landin and her Chevy Corvette.

We asked Anne why she loves her vett so much, her response is "Its red, its shiny, its fast, and its fun to drive!"

Anne's husband Joe says the car was a frame off project.   We purchased the body and chassis in 2003 and spent the next 2 years locating all the missing parts,
completing the paint, bodywork,interior,and trim.   We drive the car on a regular basis and have won several first place awards.

You can see Anne and Joe cruisin' the lake on cool summer nights enjoying this shiny red fun to drive car.

Congratulations to Ernie and Becky Masson and their 1962 Studebaker Lark 4 door sedan for being chosen as the June 2008 Car of the Month.

This Studebaker Lark was purchased in 1994 from Faith Carter’s cousin  (a little old lady from Pasadena) for $200, whom had it stored in a one car garage in Pasadena for about 10 years.   The car was covered with empty boxes and other misc. items.  After clearing the garage of the misc. items and removing the car, it appeared that the car was in fairly good condition except for the front end, which looked as if it tried to go through a closed Forestry Service pipe gate. 

Parts were not a problem; new parts were available through Studebaker of California.  The car had only 85,000 original miles on it, so restoring was fairly easy.   When my son and I started working on the project, he had three children, and wanted a sedan.  He was working for Keystone Automotive at that time and had several body repair shops for customers.  It took about two (2) years to finish the car and by that time he had four (4) children and needed a van for transportation. 

The Lark is far from a “Hot Rod”.  It has a small V-8 and a two (2) speed Studebaker transmission.  It is good on gas mileage; it gets about three (3) times the mileage as my 1965 Lincoln Continental does.  The car is fun and easy to drive and my wife enjoys driving it as much as I do.

Keep an eye out for Ernie and Becky cruisn' Canyon Lake.

Presenting the May 2008

Canyon Lake Car Club

Car of the Month

The honors go to Howard and Jane Dague and their beautiful 1940 Ford Coupe

It has a small block Chevy (what else), 700R4 transmission, disc brakes, AC and power windows and is a lot of fun to drive.  Since purchasing the car I have modified or replaced nearly everything (with the help of many friends), including new interior, suspension, rear end, many engine mods, paint, etc.

For a slide show and additional pictures, check out the May 2008 Car of the Month photo book (LINK)

Dave Paule is back in action after a short hiatus and a huge upgrade to his '69 Chevelle Malibu..

Dave sent in this story for all club members to read.

Car Modification - by Dave Paule

I acquired a 1964 Nova in hopes of getting my daughter involved with my passion for cars. This also suited my needs to put a Big block in my 1969 Chevelle and donate its 350 to the Nova project. I also do a lot of driving in my Chevelle so I added a 5 speed Tremic transmission kit to the “to do” list. I salvaged the 454 from a 1985 Suburban, striped it down, repainted it, added a vintage correct aluminum intake manifold, and valve covers to dress it up. With the engine complete & planted in the car I went to Carlsbad to purchase the much waited for Tremic transmission from Classic Motor Sports. I gave them the Differential gears, tire size for proper speedometer reading. At this point I was running short on patience & high on excitement to get the beast on the road. Once again I solicited the help of Keith’s Garage in Wildomar to come to my aid & get it running correctly. Keith pulled out the front seat & carpet to modify the floor pan that would accommodate the taller Tremic transmission, installed transmission, adjusted belts timing wire kit, radiator, reinstalled Vintage Air compressor to fit the big block, installed floor sound proofing, new jute, relayed the carpeting & 7 days later I was smoking the tires with the A/C running, Inaugural run to Costa Mesa & back yielded 16mpg in traffic, but that won’t last long with the power & correct gearing this develops I won’t be able to keep my foot out of it for long. First real trip is scheduled for the end of the month Goodguys show in Pleasanton via PCH. The best complement I got was from my 14 year old daughter with “ I like the bigger sound it makes”.

Awesome job Dave, let's put a AOD in my Falcon and maybe one of those Roush crate engines. (ya, I wish).  Can't wait to see the '64 Nova.   Somewhat related, make sure you check out Chip's Overhaulin' called "Wake up call" where he overhauls a '63 Nova.

April 5, 2008 - Del Mar Good Guy's Car Show

I went to my first Good Guys car show today.  Del Mar, what a car show.   I knew I was in for something big when the line to park in the $9 dirt lot, a half mile from the entrance, had a 45 minute wait.   I did get parked and had a good conversation with a stranger as we hoofed it to the ticket counter.   After paying the $17 entry fee and waiting another 20 minutes just to get thru the gate I become more skeptical of just how good could this show be?   Once in the door it was easy to see why this humongous group of people was gathering and willing to pay and wait.

There were 3 large indoor areas and a massive outside area with at least 1000 more cars, customs, trucks, bumper cards, bikes, and.... wow, things I've never seen before.   Venders around every turn.  Bob Benter was there with his Lucas Oil booth and the Fairlane.   I also bumped in to a few of our guest speakers.   It felt like bumping in to family.

Some of the cars we've all heard of were here.   Chip had 3 cars at the show, 2 in the main building and 1 over at the Mother's booth.   Of the three, the P32 was there and from my perspective, one of the most awed over, jaw dropping photographed cars.   You may now know this but Chip designed this car after seeing the 2007 Canyon Lake Car Show shirts... or was it the other way around.

My personal highlight of the show was getting Chip to finally sign the back of this shirt.

After checking out this building I bought a $20 hot dog, $5 water and splurged for the $8.50 onion rings.  I said what the heck; I'm at a car show.   I meandered around the other buildings trying to get my bearings.   Once outside I discovered the weather was cooperating, the clouds had cleared and the sun was out.   I also noted that the some of the people were just as interesting as the cars.  (sorry, no pictures of the unique people)

I gave Joe Landin a call and he told me precisely where the club was parked.   Little did I know there were about 3000 cars.    It was like looking for a needle in a hey stack (plus there was so much to look at I couldn't just bee-line it to every red car I saw).  So I have up but not before meeting my Del Mar tour guides, the Delias, who led me to the group.   It was good to see familiar faces and hear about the cool things everyone has been up to.

After a long day I called it quits and headed back to dusty field to search for my car.   Del Mar was a great show with some of the best So Cal cars and vendors.

Check out the Photo Gallery for more pictures.

Thanks for reading... Chuck

The Car Club is proud to announce our April 2008

Car of the Month

Anthony Ganci and his 1930 Ford.

Anthony has the following story:

Born in Brooklyn, New York.
Raised by an Italian Family.
Hobbies were stick ball and building model cars and airplanes.
Family moved my two sisters and myself when I was 14 years old to Pomona California.
Lived there for about a year and a half and moved to Montclair.
At 15 1/2 I got a summer job and earned $550.
At 16 I bought my first car which was a 1939 Ford 2 door sedan for $125.
    Loved working on it every time, modifying paint, lowering & raising it.
    Had a blast going to Drive Inn's, the beach and hamburger places to hang out.
    Favorite places to hang out in Montclair at that time
    were "Burger Lane" and the "A & W Root Beer" on Holt Blvd.
 
Cars bought after the 1939 Ford were 1947 Ford 2 door coupe, 1948 Chevy 2 door Sedan, 1955 Chevy Pickup,
1954 Chevy 2 door sedan, 1954 Chevy 2 door hardtop, 1955 2 door hardtop and presently 1930 Ford 5 window
coupe....
 
After raising my family I bought my 1930 Ford Coupe in 1987 for $2,700.
Car was on original chassis, Olds motor, Olds Trany, Corvette Rear end.
Gave the engine and trany away to a needy family.
Sold the chassis and all components for $700.
 
Building the Hot Rod took a while, as I did a lot of the work myself.
TCI Chassis, 69, 350 Chevy Truck Motor 4 bolt main, 350 trany, Currie 9" Ford Rear End.
Hot Rod shop did the welding, My friend Ron built the motor, another friend did the painting.
I can still remember getting home from Hughes Aircraft Fullerton to build my hot rod.
During that time I spent a lot of time polishing stainless and aluminum till way past dark.
 
 
Car Clubs:
    Drifters
    Canyon Lake Car Club

Anthony gave us the following pictures (this is a great set of pictures)

Canyon Lake Car Club

February 2008 Car of the Month

The Christensen's

1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe

This 1950 2 door Plymouth Deluxe is owned by John and Patti Christensen of Canyon Lake.  They are the third owner of this car which has been in the family since purchased new in early 1951 in Southern California.  The vehicle was assembled in November of 1950 at the Chrysler plant in Van Nuys, California, according to the build sheet.  The price tag was around $2500 and came without a heater, radio, or turn signals.  That was all “optional equipment.”  The original owner was a little old lady from Arcadia who drove the car sparingly and always garaged it.  It was the garage that caused ownership to be transferred to Patti’s brother-in-law, (nephew of original owner), after his 80 year old Aunt kept “clipping” the garage putting it away.  He took it to his garage in Northern California where it spent the next 20 years.  He drove it once or twice a year until he passed away.  John Christensen had always had his eye on the car because it was a carbon copy of one he had in high school in …well some time ago.

John bought the car from Patti’s sister in 2004 and spent the next 3 ½ years bringing it back to new condition.  The car has 62K actual miles.  The Plymouth was in exceptional condition but, it leaked oil from every old cork gasket and leather seal.  The car was completely dismantled, however the body was not removed from the frame.  John got a lot of networking help from Bruce Peters, a member of the Canyon Lake Car Club.  Bruce dug in his card file and produced a painter and upholsterer.  The car was in “paint Jail” for about six months but it was worth the wait.  Rick Prewitt of Miracle Auto Painting prepped and painted the car before it went off to the upholstery shop where James Mendoza completed the interior with fabrics to the period without the costs of wool broadcloth.  About 90% of the chrome was redone by bumper Boyz in Los Angeles, Calif.

Patti says if you see John driving about the lake or surrounding community, he is pushing that little old 96 horsepower flathead motor as hard as he can to stay out of your way.  He may be on his way to pick up parts for his next project, a 1967 Chevy Chevelle.  He says it is decision time, big block or small block???  

Hans did something great at Christmas time, read on........

Hans Weg writes:

CHRISTMAS EVE, LINDA HAD A MEGAPHONE AND EVERY TIME WE PASSED SOMEBODY SHE YELLED OUT MERRY CHRISTMAS.
THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME WE DID THIS, BUT WE HAD SUCH A GOOD TIME DOING IT, WERE PLANNING TO DO IT EVERY YEAR. I HAD BORROWED A SANTA SUIT BUT NOW I BOUGHT MY OWN. NEXT YEAR WERE PLANNING TO ALSO SIT IN FRONT OF OUR HOUSE AND HAND OUT CANDY CANES TO ANYBODY THAT STOPS. I ALSO THOUGHT THOSE PICTURES FROM THE CRUISE AROUND THE LAKE WERE PRETTY GOOD. I DON'T KNOW IF YOU DID IT. BUT I HAD A GREAT TIME. THE CHEVY NOVA IN FRONT OF ME AND I BURNED RUBBER EVERY CHANCE WE HAD, IT WAS AWESOME.

THANKS,
TALK TO LATER
HANS WEG

Suzanne Delia wrote a great story about her husband’s hot rod.  "Pete's '34" has a very interesting history and an award winning track record.  The Delia's are highly active car enthusiasts with Suzi being last years CLCC Secretary and Pete being this year's Events Chairman.  Check this ride out.

   We spent a couple of years going to car shows with friends but didn’t have a car ourselves.  We found that we both liked ;34 Ford’s. But stayed members of the “No Car-Car Club”.  Until one day on vacation, at the river, we received a call from a “friend” telling us about a 1934 Ford for sale in Palm Springs.  We stopped to look at it on our way home and picked it up the next weekend.  Pete said it was “perfect” and then proceeded to change:  Paint, upholstery (twice), engine, about the only things he hasn’t changed are the side mirrors and brake lights.  It’s now “personalized”.   In fact, when we moved to Canyon Lake, he tore down a perfectly good garage to build one tall enough to house a hoist for “his baby”.

     1934 Ford, 3 window coupe which has been chopped 3 ½ inches.  Shaved suicide doors with remote release, custom flame painted firewall, removable steel side aprons, steel running boards, Dakota Digital power operated window and trunk openers.   T.C.I. powdercoated frame and tubular A-arms.  Polished 20 gal. stainless steel gas tank.  Mike’s Turbo 400 transmission with Gear Vendor Overdrive and cooler.  Show quality House of Kolors custom yellow exterior paint with harlequin flames.   INTERIOR – Cerullo beige leather bucket seats with flame embossed leather headliner, door panels and trunk.  Ididit steering column with Boyd Coddington steering wheel match to wheels.  Dakota Digital dash gauges.  Overhead console for radio and ignition switch.  Alpine AM-FM, DVD player with 9 inch screen and concealed speaker system.  Dakota Digital Smart Untenna,  ENGINE: - 540 cu. In Dart motor, balanced & blueprinted: Polished Hilborn fuel injection system with 8 polished velocity stacks and BDS computerized fuel management system, Polished 3 ½ inch stainless steel Flowmaster exhaust with Doug’s cutouts and chrome tips.  Power steering.  All polished Hilborn intake manifold.

    Pete’s 34 has won several awards including:  The 2004 Grand National Roadster Show which is an indoor show that requires the car to be on carpet and have stanchions around it.  Judging  is done by professional judges from the Oakland area.  They use white gloves to inspect the:  interior, exterior, motor and even crawl under the car using mirrors to see everything.  Some people wrap their cars in cellophane to bring them into the show.  Pete’s 34 was awarded the 33 – 34 Hot Rod Class Winner  We were also invited to and attended Blackey Guejeian’s Autorama in Fresno.  All cars at the Autorama  must be invited by “Blackey” who goes to shows all over the country to find the “Best of the Best” to attend his show.  Since he feels that all cars in his show are winners there aren’t any specific car awards given, everyone receives a magnificent 4 ½ foot trophy.  After the Autorama we gave away our carpeting and stanchions and now enjoy driving the car. 

If you didn't make the extra meeting, breakfast and tour of Randy's museums, then you really missed truly awesome event.

We had a great breakfast in our own Canyon Lake Country Club restaurant.   The Club car-pooled over to Randy's and met in his driveway (Randy lives in Lake Elsinore).  From the minute we walked through the door we were all awestruck!   Randy has the best personal collection of drag racing memorabilia in the world.  Randy gave us 'the' personal tour including his barn of toys where he keeps his rides.  My jaw was on the floor most the tour.

We WILL visit Randy's museum again in the future.   Randy is a CLCC member and the "R" in P&R Foundation (who puts on most the local car show events including Temecula and John Force's shows)

Pictures are worth a thousand words, check out what we were treated too. (Additionaly, John Force's brother Louis Force, arrived and added to the event).  For more infomation visit Randy's web site (randysdragracingmuseum.com)