Volume 12



Volume 15 Issue 2 Fall 2009 Chapter of the Gran Sport Club of America; 625 Pine Point Circle; Valdosta, GA 31602 912-244-0577

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Bob Sr. and Bobby Jr. Grand Nationals

Old School New School: Our History With Buicks.

It all started in the summer of 1983. My sons, Bobby and Tony, along with my nephews, went to the Buick Nationals in Bowling Green, Kentucky. When they came back, Bobby was hooked. All he would talk about was the Buicks and that I had to go with next year. At that time, little did I know how much my life would change

Later that summer, Bobby called me at work and informed me about a car a friend told him about that was in a body shop in Schiller Park. He didn’t know much about it except that it was a 1968 Buick G.S. He asked if we could go and look at it after work. I said yes and later that day we went to look at it.

The story behind this car was that a guy brought the car to this shop to have body work done along with a paint job. While the car was there, his wife filed for divorce and it was not friendly at all! He was afraid she would get the car, and he would still have to pay for the work being done, so he asked the owner of the shop if he would take the car for what he owed him. The shop owner figured if he didn’t accept this, he wouldn’t get paid so he agreed.

We took the car out, and it ran well. It was completely stock, but we were surprised at how powerful it was. When we got back, the shop owner had pulled all the paperwork out on the car as to what had been done, and the price quote he had given the car owner – the bill was $5,000. We bought the car and brought it home.

The next summer, we had planned to drive the car to the G.S. Nationals. We had worked on it, and had it all ready to go. We were going to leave at 3:00 am. When we got up, it was raining – figures! We packed the car and were ready to go. Everybody was excited about going. We started up the car, and as luck would have it, a hole opened up in the radiator. There was no way to fix it at 3am, so we took my Chevy Caprice instead.

On to 1985. Bobby went to the Chicago Auto Show. When he came home, he had all kinds of literature on the Buick Grand National. His mind was made up; this was going to be his next car. We then went to the Buick dealership to look at this car. I had never heard of it, and didn’t have any idea what it even looked like. After seeing it, I knew why he liked this car so much. After a test drive, I told him that if he could pay for it, I would sign. So home we came, with a 1985 Buick Grand National, with a factory installed sun roof. So far, I have never seen another ’85 with a sunroof. It took me quite a while to get used to driving it. A six-cylinder, somewhat quiet, compared to big-block V-8’s as I was used to. Remember, I came from the muscle cars of the ‘50s and ‘60s. It seemed like I was driving a sewing machine, until I got on it. Case closed, new era.

A year later, he traded that car in for a 1987 G.N. and we all know why.

Continued on Page 3

|Opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the GS Club of America, the Chicagoland Chapter of the GSCA, or any of the officers of these |

|automotive enthusiast clubs. |

|Chapter Volunteers | |Member’s Change of Address |

| | |Chicagoland members who move are requested to notify our membership chairman |

| | |before the next newsletter mailing. We do not want you to miss a single edition |

| | |of your newsletter. Please notify us of e-mail address changes as soon as you |

| | |change providers. |

| | | |

| | |Membership Renewal |

| | |Please check the label on your newsletter. If your membership is up in January, |

| | |June will be your last newsletter. Obtain an application from the website or |

| | |past issue, and mail to 4010 Raymond Avenue, Brookfield, IL 60513, along with a |

| | |check for $20 made out to “CCGSCA.” Please don’t let your membership lapse! |

| | | |

| | |Volunteers for the Chapter |

| | |Contact Bob Nunes if you are interested in helping our Chapter continue providing|

| | |Buick Motorsport activities for our members. Fresh ideas are vital to keep the |

| | |Club exciting. By distributing the work among more volunteers make it more |

| | |enjoyable for all. The tasks are easy, generally fun, plus you will always have |

| | |plenty of help. |

| | |Upcoming Events |

| | |Sep 11-13 – BOP races at Byron Dragway |

| | |Sep 25 to 27 - Midwest Buick Challenge – Osceola, IN |

| | |Sep 27 – BCA Marquardt Car Show – Barrington, IL |

| | |Oct 10 – Cordova BOP Race @ Cordova Dragway |

| | |Oct 24 - Borowski Race Enterprises Meeting – Joliet, IL |

| | |Nov 14 – Suburban Welding Meeting – Franklin Park, IL |

| | |Jan 24, 2010 – Casper’s Electronics – Mundelein, IL Meeting |

| | |Jan 30, 2010 – Christmas Party – Countryside, IL |

| | |Jan 30-31 – Drag Expo – Schaumburg, IL |

| | |May 11-15, 2010 – 30th GSCA Nationals – Bowling Green, KY |

| | |May 21-23, 2010 – 20th Buick Race Day – Norwalk, OH |

| | |July 30 – Aug 1, 2010 – Buick Performance Group Nats – featuring Stage 1 |

| | |Convention – National Trails, OH |

|Director |Loyd Bonecutter |708-485-8477 | | |

| |loydb@ | | |

|Co-Director / |Steve Russo |815-795-4737 | | |

|Gran Sport |STEVEGS1@ | | |

|Co-Director / |Mark Holda |630-747-7652 | | |

|Turbo Regal |M.Holda@ | | |

|Activities |Paul Brelie |224-484-8057 | | |

| |ELATED3@ | | |

|Race Chairman |Joe Garcia | | | |

| |jrg3517@ | | |

|Treasurer |Bill Grupp | | | |

| |jackbot@ | | |

|Secretary |Barb Holda |708-243-7280 | | |

| |Metaz_56@ | | |

|Membership |Shari Bonecutter |708-485-8477 | | |

| |sharib@ | | |

|Graphic Artist |Paul Vilser paulvilser@ | | |

| |Beth Andrews draena710@ | | |

|Publisher |Loyd Bonecutter |708-485-8477 | | |

| |loydb@ | | |

|Advertising |Beth Andrews |847-845-7342 | | |

| |draena710@ | | |

|Photographer |Frank Jackowiak |630-430-2487 | | |

| |frank@ | | |

|Midwest Challenge |Loyd Bonecutter |708-485-8477 | | |

| |loydb@ | | |

|Cruise Chairman |Chris Gatch |708-576-8931 | | |

| |cgatch@ | | |

|Volunteers |Bob Nunes |847-455-7796 | | |

| |Rich George |630-551-3120 | | |

| |Wayne Smith |708-354-0130 | | |

|Membership Policy & Dues | | |

|The Chicagoland Chapter of the Buick GSCA is open to all Buick enthusiasts and | | |

|owners of Buick powered cars. Membership is $20 per year, and includes a quarterly | | |

|newsletter and much more. Apply online at the chapter web site or send dues with | | |

|check made out to CCGSCA with membership form to: | | |

|Shari Bonecutter – Membership Chairman | | |

|Chicagoland Chapter GSCA | | |

|4010 Raymond Avenue | | |

|Brookfield, IL 60513-1846 | | |

|Chapter Web Page | | |

| | | |

Cover car continued

Bobby was not into car shows, so Carol and I would take his cars to the shows. We enjoyed talking to people and looking at other cars. It was at one of these shows that Carol said to me, “I notice that whenever someone comes up to you and talks about Bobby’s cars, you never tell them that it is not your car but your son’s.” I said to her, “Who cares?” She brought this up several times after that. This took place during the summer of 1993, as the car show scene was coming to an end. I started to become tired of telling people that they were my son’s cars and not mine. Then I decided to do what every red-blooded man would do when he wants to please his wife, or in some cases, maybe his girlfriend, or both. I went out and bought a car of my own.

During the fall of 1993, Bobby called and told me to look in the newspaper in the Auto Section and look under used trucks for sale. There it was, in the middle of this listing: For Sale: 1969 Buick Gran Sport Convertible, asking $8,000. I called the phone number that night and a man named Pat answered. He said they had the ad in the paper for at least a month and that I was the only person to call. I didn’t have the guts to tell him that the ad was in the wrong section. We started to discuss the car and he told me it was in a gas station in Arlington Heights. Bobby and I went over and took a look at it. We could not believe how clean it was! We started it up, and it ran very well. The gas station attendant said he was told that the motor had been rebuilt recently. The next night I called Pat back and we started what then was a month of phone calls about a price. We went back and forth, and he didn’t want to move much off his price. I had just about given up when I received a phone call from his wife. Her name was also Pat. She asked if I was still interested in the car. I said yes, and before I could say another word, she said her husband was greedy. If I could bring a check for $5500 and meet her at the gas station, she would sell me the car. She said the car was hers, and in her name. I wasted no time in meeting her there, check in hand. She signed the car over to me, while hollering at her husband, and I became the owner of a 1969 Buick Gran Sport Convertible. On the way home, we started to get our first snowfall. We put the car in the garage and no longer would I have to say “this is not my car, it belongs to my son.”

There’s a lot more to tell you about my life with this car, but I will save that for another time.

I believe it was three years ago that I had the chance to purchase a 1986 Buick Grand National from a fellow club member who was moving to Montana. I have enjoyed driving this car so far; it is still stock but I am getting the itch to build it up.

Bobby and I are lucky to be able to own four Buicks: a 1987 G.N., a 1986 G.G., a 1969 G.S. convertible and a 1968 G.S. hardtop.

Bob and Bobby Nunes

Please take a look at your mailing label. The due date unlike last quarter’s newsletter should be there.

Director’s Garage – Loyd Bonecutter

Greetings Performance Buick Fans. It has been a beautiful summer if you are not a Commonwealth Edison Investor and looking to live off the electric bill dividends, own a swimming pool or like water sports. Particularly for turbo Regals this year has the best temperatures for turbo boost ever.

The economy continues to be in the news daily, to the point where spending by those of us lucky enough to maintain employment, is being postponed where possible. This has definitely affected our Buick vendors, many of whom are hurting. Poston’s has gone out of business, so there is a quarter page of one of our advertising pages now empty, and a Midwest Buick Challenge sponsor that no longer contributes to the racer’s payouts. I’m hoping this trend does not continue as we need our vendors to provide goods and services to keep our Buicks running.

Having too many irons in the fire is becoming a way of life here. The yard has been neglected the most, with the car’s detailing suffering as well. Shari and I both are trying to keep up with our Facebook accounts, with Shari doing a much better job of that. For those who have not joined Facebook you are missing out on lots of fun, but it does become a time killer. Just blame Facebook and our not having a couple of dates nailed down for this newsletter being late.

The Chicagoland Drag Race Season has been lively. Our two times at Great Lakes has been interesting with the first being delayed due to heavy rains washing mud onto the track, and the second time due to the timing electronics being knocked out with a lightning strike. Great lakes was great to us with competitive pricing. Bryon treated us well with discounted pricing for our last event as well, as Good Guys pricing took the entry fees and spectator fees higher than normal except for our Buick racers. Thanks to Joe Garcia our Racing Director. Please be sure to thank him for the great job when you see him next.

For those of you who did not attend the BPG Horsepower Nationals at National Trails Dragway really missed out this year. The GSX reunion was amazing with 96 cars on display. Saw a number of Chicagoland GSX owners including Ajesh Parikh, Mike Fletcher, Paul Vilser and Joe Pratt there. There were probably some missed, as I walked the field of dreams in amazement. It was great seeing Dennis Manner and the other folks who helped make the unique parts for these cars at the Technical Session. Next year they are having a Stage 1 Reunion so those of you with documented Stage 1 cars should seriously consider bringing your cars. All I have to say about Shari’s car is that it is all fixed now.

The Midwest Buick Challenge is only a few weeks away. Getting sponsor money for the racing has been more difficult and will be significantly down this year. Folks do not want to return any calls to give us bad news, so it has taken extra calls this year to determine who is in and who feel they cannot afford our event this year. Cannot fault anybody who is having difficulty with business being down this year and hope the racers understand the purse will be tight this year. We also are finding the TSM, TSO and THS sponsors are down this year as well, so will be sharing our purse to the winners of these events as well. Due to low Chapter coffers, we will not be buying dinners for volunteers this year, only sponsors who attend our appreciation dinner. For those of you who have never attended our little event in Osceola, Indiana please be sure to give us a try. We have tried very hard to make this a fun event for all who attend. This track treats our racers and spectators well, with new bathrooms this year. We will be pressing for VHT to be added to the big end of the track for safe runs by TSO cars and Bobb Makley to thrill the spectators. I’m hoping the few scary runs last year do not keep many TSO entries away.

With Scott Simpson moving into the Chicagoland area, we may see a resurgence in TSM efforts at the Midwest Buick Challenge. We have been blessed with a number of TSM racers attending our event for a number of years now. The South Bend, Indiana area has a number of dedicated turbo Regal owners that are a help in negotiations with the track and local sponsors. With the easy access for most of us this track is turning out to be a winner in a number of ways.

Many of you may have noticed a new racing event called Turbo Hot Street (THS) is being added to the Midwest Buick Challenge. Kip Asplund has been working hard to create a new venue for turbo Regal racing, that truly is appreciated. This heads up racing offers folks a chance to try a 0.4 tenths second pro tree. I encourage our quicker closer to stock racers with full interiors and air conditioning equipment to look into participating. Please be sure to look in for information or seek Kip out. The entries in last year’s Alcohol Class are encouraged to join in THS.

We are having our October meeting at Borowski Race Enterprises. The Chicagoland BCA had a technical session with these folks last year, which impressed several of their members. They are familiar with Buick engines, so may be a local resource for our members to consider. Please attend and please ask questions. Also, please bring a chair.

Would like to thank Bob Nunes for setting up our second meeting at Suburban Welding. Our November meeting last year was very informative about welding techniques that us who appreciate older cars that need such services should know. It was fun watching our members try their hand at welding last year with equipment that is readily available. The tips on what features to look for in equipment available for home use was interesting. We will again provide a light lunch for members who brave the weather to come out.

Well, I see the page is about to end. Hope to see you at an event soon.

Membership News Shari Bonecutter

Hi Everyone! I hope you’re enjoying these last cool days of summer! I’ve not cared for the wet weather this year, but I like it cooler! I know the race cars like it better, too.

Thanks for all the well wishes these past few months; I’m feeling much better, and am able to get around somewhat better. Things will change as time goes on!

I’ve got a lot to report on, so here goes…(hope my notes are accurate!) We had a great turn-out for the Chili Cook-off back in March. We had 9 contestants, which pretty much fed a large crowd. The winner of the first place travel-trophy was Jon Skrobot. Beth Andrews came in 2nd, Mike Prybell came in 3rd, and Barb Holda came in 4th. All those who placed also won gift cards from various restaurants. Mike Phillips held a great question and answer session, as always. All in all, it was a well-attended meeting. Thanks go to Bob Nunes for getting the park district hall for us. Thanks also go to Mouse, Steve Kelly, Bob, Beth and Dana for helping us set up and move stuff around.

We saw a lot of club members at the B-O-P-C swapmeet in Wheaton. I don’t know if there were many Buick parts for sale. I sort of remember the weather being crummy. Thanks to all who did attend – the BCA was host and your support was appreciated.

April was the dyno session which was not very well attended. Scott Pitts tried his best to find us a place, but it’s getting harder and harder. New insurance regulations will not let our members put their own cars on the dyno, which our members don’t like. We also feel that maybe having one in spring and one in fall is one too many, so we’re not having one this fall. We’re not 100% sure that we’ll have one in spring – that remains to be seen. If you are truly interested, please inform one of the BOD, ok?

May was the GS Nats, which Loyd and I think was well attended. Some folks will poo-poo this, but we’re glass-full kind of people. We had a few surprises, with Mary Ferrari showing up from AZ and Wayne Bachar coming in from Montana – it was great to see them! We had enough volunteers to help judge the car show, which is one of the few things that got in before the rains came back. Yes, the weather stopped the racing, and all race money will be saved until next year. Guy and Denise Dempsey just barely were able to spread some of Glenn’s ashes on the track before the monsoon started. I was imagining hearing Glenn cackle away up there behind the pearly gates and toasting us all with his brandy and diet coke! So now there’s a little piece of Glenn down there! I need to thank Loyd and Beth for all their help with me, along with Frank and Dave Anderson. Beth and Barb pretty much took care of selling the booth inventory, along with some help from Loyd, Bob and Bobby Nunes. Thanks so much for everything!

We missed the Buick Race day in Norwalk, OH; I’ve heard it was well attended and the weather was pretty decent! This is one of our favorite events, and it really hurt to miss it. Next year!

There was no 4th of July car show, due to lack of support from the Village of Woodridge’s Police Department. We’re hoping to hold it next year, probably in Countryside where we have the Christmas party. Keep your fingers crossed!

Some of the car shows/cruises have been well attended; some have not. I know how summer gets. We had our usual crowd at the Cascade Drive Inn. This year we saw the Transformers and the Hangover. I was entertained! The night was rain-free and fairly mosquito-free.

We held an appraisal session with our friend and sponsor Mike Grippo, who offered an A+ appraisal for half-price! We ended up with 12 folks that showed up for their appraisals, with some members completely forgetting about it or not being able to afford it. I don’t think anyone who had the appraisal is sorry – I know we were pleasantly surprised how much it would cost us to replace our beauties. Now we have to up our insurance. I do know that when we do this again, be prepared to put down half the cost for a deposit.

Loyd and I went to the Buick Performance Group weekend the end of July/beginning of August. We had a small caravan there, and a larger one coming home. Ajesh Parikh was part of the one going there, bringing his GSX to the reunion. That was an awesome sight – 96 GSX’s in the same place! I do know that Chicagoland member’s Dan and Judy Weiland took 1st place in 1970 Stock (I think) in the car show. There were some issues with the weather there as well, but they did get all the racing in on Sunday. It was nice to see some of the Chicagoland group there to race and/or to show.

Member News

Welcome back to Larry Calef of Galva, IL and Tom Osec of Chicago, IL. Welcome to the following new members: Larry Hyc, Chicago, IL; Chris Jackosn, Plainfield, IL; Patrick Kane, Westchester, IL; Leo Penrose, Sauk Village, IL; Vince Procaccio, Homer Glen, IL; Bill Sayatoni, Berwyn, IL; William Locke, Bryant, WI; Salvador Jiminez, Chicago, IL; Gary & Denise Plencner, Pleasant Prairie, WI; Steve Fiorenza, Sleepy Hollow, IL; Bill Erickson, Rockford, IL; and Robert Ashford, Valporaiso, IN. I hope you enjoy the club!

I have a few birth announcements. Steve and Tammy Russo had another baby girl, Cheyenne Marie, born April 3, 7 lbs 9 oz and 19.5 inches. Big sister Savannah welcomes her, too. Jeremy, Bethany and big sister Hannah Race welcomed Samuel Jamieson on April 11, 2009. He was 5 pounds, 10 ounces. Mr. & Mrs. Glen Reyelts welcomed Matthew Thomas on August 4, 2009. He was 7 pounds even and 19.5 inches long. Bob Kostuk has a new grandson, born August 10, 6 lbs 8 oz and 20.5 inches long. Congrats to all!

Condolences go to Larry Hyc on the passing of his brother.

So these days, Loyd and I are fiercely trying to tie up loose ends for the Midwest Buick Challenge in September. Sponsor money is slow to come in, but I know all will honor their pledges. We’re looking forward to a fairly good turn-out for this, our 12th year. If you’ve not got a room yet, you still have time. Info for this is: We're staying at the Ramada Elkhart - again - 3011 Belvedere Road, Elkhart, IN 46514. Phone number is 574-262-1581. You need to use this code - CGCBCG/SMERF and it's under the Chicago Buick Club name. We have 25 rooms for Friday and Saturday nights, Sept. 25 & 26 and a few rooms for Thursday and Sunday nights. These rooms consist of either a king size bed or 2 double beds for $69. Not a bad price! They are hanging onto the rooms until Sept. 10; after that it's an availability issue. So please call soon.

I was promised that the rooms have been rehabbed - new carpets, new linens and bedspreads, new mattresses, new drapes and sheers, etc. We drove around outside and yes, the outside is all spiffy. So we're giving them another shot. Plus the Bennigan's is still there and that was sooooo handy.

We’re having a Friday night cruise there again, this year. Please look at the flier elsewhere in this newsletter. We had a good time last year at Simonton Lake Drive-In, and are looking forward to another one this year.

We’re putting together the fall schedule as we work on this, too. We still have a race or two in October – one of them being the B-O-P race in Cordova, IL on October 10. A bunch of us are going up the day before. The hotel info is either Comfort Inn Riverview , 902 Mississippi View Court, Le Claire, IA 563.289.4747 or The Super 8,right next door, 563.289.5888.

I just set up a tour of Borowski Race Enterprises for Saturday, October 24. We’ll get to tour their facility, probably see an engine on a dyno, and have a club meeting and lunch, of course. They have a large parking lot, so if the weather holds, let’s see if we can bring out our babies for another nice drive. Borowski is located in Rockdale, which is right near the Route 66 drag strip. There will be a flier elsewhere in this newsletter.

Bob Nunes is also working on a return trip to the welding shop in Franklin Park. The guys that went this past winter had a blast there – they even got to try their hands at welding something. I’m hoping for a larger crowd and as much fun this time. This will take place on November 14th.

No meeting in December, and Loyd is just setting up January’s. I just looked up the date for the Drag Race Expo, and it’s being held January 30-31. January 30th is our Christmas party. Please set the date aside.

I think that’s most of the highlights from the past 6 months, and some of the future events. Please note the label on your newsletter. We had an error in the program last time, and it should be fixed now. If your dues were due in June, it should show on your label. Please send those in soon, ok?

Take care, and everyone have a safe and enjoyable fall! I sincerely hope to see more of you at some of the events!

CLASSIFIEDS – For Sale

1976 Century GS - has a 455 engine - Turbo 350 trans - 342 psi - power locks, windows, etc - Firethorn Red with white landau rood - White leather bucket seats - Pace car spoiler. 3rd owner, 1st and second owners were in the same family. $12,000 or best offer.

Call Brad at 708-774-1335

1973 Buick 350 Engine - Complete and running. Bottom end knock. $70.

84-87 GN/T-Type Trunk Lid Black in color. Excellent condition. No holes for a spoiler. $170 Call Dwayne weekdays between 7:00 am - 5:00 pm at 708-499-0710.

15 X 10 chrome Corvette Rallys 2 barely used ( less than 10 miles) 15 X 10 chrome Corvette rally wheels. 5 inch back spacing. Fits either 5 on 4.5 or 5 on 4.75 bolt patterns. $175.00. Call Carl at 773.875.4866

Hurst pro matic shifter and other stuff Shifter was used for one week all parts are there $100.00 buy it get second shifter free.

Auto meter pro comp tach new still in box $75.00.

Q-Jet carb 800 cfm plus box of Q-jet parts $100.00. Call Steve - cell days only 608-712-5365, after 5pm 815-885-2753

1970 GS 455 Convertible, Bamboo Cream with a Black interior

Original car with 56,821 miles on body, 455 freshly rebuilt engine with 138 miles since rebuild.

Automatic on the column, bench front seat.

Power brakes, NO air conditioner, NO power windows.

The car has Jet Hot Headers and 2 1/4 inch exhaust.

Red Line tires. 

Asking $20,000 or best offer. Please contact Dennis Martinek via e-mail dennismartinek@ or call 708-447-8759 with questions or offers.

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BPG Horsepower Nationals 2009 GSX Reunion – Field of Dreams

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