TIPS/COMMENTS
BY QUENTIN LEVITTE
I got a
call recently from Stan Bentley and he asked me to write his article for
him. Stan and Ruth are now on there annual six month vacation in Florida and apparently Stan is way too busy playing golf and cards. Anyway, what are good
friends for? I said, "I would take care it". This is sort of
like doing your older brother's homework. I asked him what to write
about and he said, "let everybody know what we are doing for the All Ford
Show scheduled for September 14th 08". Great idea Stan.
To date Stan, Ruth, Pat and I have met a couple of times to work on
different aspects of this show. Our work was made easier by the paper work
given to us by Gregg Glaviano and Stan and Ruth's long history in the
club. First we secured the location of the show at the Birch Run Expo Center. Second Stan and I asked Chris Jansen to be our "Head
Judge". We believe Chris will do a great job and many of you will
probably be getting a call from him in the near future. We talked to Mike
Winters and he will poll some members and come up with an appropriate charity.
This is important because our charity's name appears on much of our
advertising. Thanks, Mike.
There is plenty of paper work required to put on this show.....we filled out
and sent the required forms for event insurance and submitted our
advertising to MCA so our show will be listed in the MUSTANG TIMES.
Stan and I are trying to lay out a preliminary flyer that can be handed out at
the early car shows. This flyer will be just a "mark your calendar
with time, place, date" type of flyer. The most important flyer
will be getting our attention in the near future...we want to rework some
of the classes first. Stan came upon a good idea for trophies down in Florida and will follow up with this very soon.
There is still much to do.....get porta johns,find a DJ, get more trash
containers, fill out and pay for permits from the village of Birch Run and a lot of things we have'nt thought of yet.
Stan always ends his column with "don't be a stranger" we hope when
you're asked to help with this, or any club project, you won't be a
stranger.
CLUB
MEMBERS BIRTHDAYS CLUB MEMBERS ANNIVERSARIES
13
Michael Winter
13
Phillip Cummings NO ANNIVERSARIES THIS MONTH
13
Carolyn Coats
13
Mary Jo Clay
16
Dick Lebsack
16
Paul Wrigglesworth
18
Daniel Kuk
20 Kriste Zimmerman
20
Jason Kosal
24
Gina Dillenbeck
25
James Waswick
26
Paul Steinborn
29
Kevin Barnum
31
Rich Svatora
HAPPY
BIRTHDAY TO ALL!
CHRISTMAS
PARTY/DECEMBER MEETING
Our MCMM Christmas Party and brief meeting were held
at the Four Occasions Hall in Millington, MI on Sunday, December 2nd.
Those present were: Lon & Sandy Hetchler, Leif & Melissa Johnson,
Michael & Carolyn Coats, Quentin & Pat Levitte, Stan & Ruth
Bentley, Dave & Diana DeSilva, Gary Strappazon, Chris, Mindy & Madelyn
Jansen, Gary & Vicki Decker, Ron Loudenslager & Jenny Davidson, Alan
& Debbie Macdonald, Charlie Reinhardt, Garth O’Mara and new member Michael
Dohning, Jim & Renee Waswick, Jim & Brenda Ostrom, Bill & Ada
Hoard, Dick & Nyla Lebsack, Linda Kabobel, Rick George and his grandmother,
Jim & Kathy Jansen and 2 grandchildren, Tom & Lynn Welsh, Tim &
Nancy Grahl and their 2 children.
A big thank you goes out to Lon & Sandy Hetchler
for hosting this great party. They did a terrific job.
President Dick Lebsack called a brief meeting. Gary
Strappazon gave the treasurer’s report. Dick talked about the 3rd
annual Chili Potluck. It will be held either in February or March at the Midland Community Center. It will include a mini-swap meet. There is an indoor pool so
bring your extended families. The cost is $5 per family and an additional $1
to get into the pool area. The 4th annual Show & Shine will be
held at Saginaw Valley Ford in Saginaw on Saturday, May 17th. Ron Loudenslager
will head up this event again. The “Be Cool” Car Show in Bay City will be July
11th and 11th. Charlie Reinhardt is in charge of the cruise on
Friday night. The Bavarian Fest is celebrating their 50th
Anniversary. At the end of the festival this year our club was contacted to
provide between 50-75 Mustangs in the 2008 Festival parade. If indeed, this is
what they want let’s all plan on getting “in the parade” with our Mustangs.
2008 Membership dues were accepted today. Those paying their dues received a
$5 Shell gas card. IF YOU PAY YOUR DUES BEFORE THE END OF JANUARY YOU
CAN BE ELIGIBLE FOR A $5 SHELL GAS CARD WHILE SUPPLIES LAST.
At the end of the meeting Dick Lebsack, outgoing president turned the keys to
the post office box and the cargo trailer to new president, Charlie Reinhardt.
2009 NATIONAL SHOW: Gary Strappazon gave the
comparison figures of the Frankenmuth Park location and the Expo Center in Birch Run location. The Frankenmuth location would cost $9,687 and the Expo
location would cost $9,600. Gary stated that with the Frankenmuth location
there is a good possibility of sponsors in Frankenmuth for the event. The
Bavarian Inn Lodge rooms would rent for $125 a night. The club does not have
to guarantee any specific number of rooms. A vote was taken and the Frankenmuth Park is the location for the 2009 National show. (April, 2008 is the
deadline to have a guarantee of at least $8,000 committed sponsorship money for
the show.)
Meeting adjourned and the party began!
Respectfully submitted, Linda Kabobel standing in
for Diane Williams
THE PREZ SEZ
I
hope that everyone has had a great year! While I sit here writing my first
“Prez Sez” column, I think back to when I joined the Mustang club. I have had
a lot of fun and gained much knowledge from other members. Hopefully, all of
you in the club will use the knowledge available to you through the other
members in the club. With all the activities that we participate in, we should
be able to meet most everyone in our club at least once!
In
December, we had our annual Christmas party, planned and hosted by Lon and
Sandy Hetchler. Next year we look forward to having just as much fun and food!
Don’t
forget on February 16, Dick Lebsack is arranging the Annual Chili Potluck.
This year we will be at the Valley Plaza Hotel in Midland. There are more
activities to do there and the room fee is for a longer time frame, so we won’t
have to leave after only a few hours. Contact Dick at (989) 631-9536 and let
him know if you are planning to attend and look for his story in the
newsletter.
Look
for more information to come about the “Great Lakes Stampede National Mustang
show in June, 2009 that our club is hosting.
I
don’t plan on any major changes for the club, as I think the club is heading in
the right direction. But look for some subtle changes to occur during my
tenure. Feel free to approach me with suggestions and comments you may have,
as this is your club and it will take you to make it better too!
Charlie
Reinhardt
President
MCMM TREASURER’S REPORT
1-02-07
Balance Forward 10-15-07 $9,273.30
Income:
Dues
20.00
Total Income
$20.00
Expenses:
Ruth Bentley 11-07 Newsletter
132.64
Ruth Bentley 12-07 Newsletter
111.82
Postmaster, PO Box
rental 52.00
Charity Donation Children’s Wish
Fund 1,300.00
Total
Expenses
$1,596.46
Ending
Balance:
$7,696.84
Respectfully submitted, Gary Strappazon, Treasurer
TIME
IS RUNNING . . . . . . . . . .
ONLY 16 MONTHS UNTIL JUNE, 2009
FOR
SALE FOR
SALE FOR SALE
2004
Mach 1, only 12,200 miles. Garage kept and NOT used as a daily driver. Adult
owned and like new. Competition Orange, 32 V 4.6L, automatic. $22,000
Mike
Winter (810) 953-0542 or e-mail: myblack78cobra@hotmail.com
Mustang
II parts, 74-78, fenders, doors, header panels, grilles, gas tanks, other misc.
parts. Also 3-speed manual transmission with bell housing and flywheel for
small block, 1968 FMX auto transmission.
Mike
Winter (810) 953-0542 or e-mail: myblack78cobra@hotmail.com
1971
351 C 10 ½ Motor $700
1971
Top Loader $1,300
1971
390 GT Bore Castings $100
1970
400 Chevy, RPM Heads and more $4,500
Jim
Schreiber (989)832-2204
As
you know all membership dues are due in the month of January. Here is
what is due.
The
dues are $20 a year. Please use the form below when sending in your dues.
Thank you.
Amo,
Jeff Kunz, David
Arkwood,
Blake Liacopoulos, Gari
Babala,
John Livermore, Jennifer
Baker,
John Mace, Tim
Barnum,
Kevin Maier, Rose
Bayard,
Ken Martin, Cindy
Beaudoin,
Shirley Martin, Dennis
Bindig,
Tom Maxson, Michael
Blymyer,
Larry Merchant, Aly
Borchard,
Randy Miller, Robert
Brunner,
Charles Mueller, Emil
Burtt,
Steve Nash, Richard
Cabadas,
Al Nordin, Greg
Christensen,
Marilyn Nutt, Bob
Church,
Jim Ostrom, Jim
Cipriano,
Madelyn Pallas, Seraphim
Clay,
Rod, Sr. Rahamut, Ken
Clay,
Rod Rehmus, Judy
Condra,
Chuck Reinhardt, Charles
Cooke,
Gary Riley, Gary
Cummings,
Phillip Rogers, Al
Daenzer,
Keith Rondo, Dale
Decker,
Gary Rutkofske, Don
Dillenbeck,
Robert Rys, Kelly
Esckilsen,
Jeff Schulze, Kurt
Ewka,
Connie Short, Camille
Ford,
Richard Steinborn, Paul
Frank,
Ed Svatora, Rich
Glaviano,
Gregg Thompson,
Jason
Hall,
Wilson Torrey, Belinda
Hansen,
Terry Trombley, Jim
Harris,
Jeff Uhlmann, Richard
Haskell,
Alan VanWert, Larry
Haver,
Leslie Volpe, Tom
Haver,
Dennis Wentworth, James
Heemstra,
Ray Weslock, Trevor
Hetzner,
Randall Wesolowski, Al
Hoffman,
Dan Wilcox, Wally
Hoffman,
Rich Williams, Diane
Johnson,
Steve Winter, Michael
Kohn,
Gary Wrigglesworth,
Paul
Kosal,
Jason Young, Michael
Kuk,
Daniel Zimmerman, Del
SOCIAL
CHAIRPERSON REPORT
Welcome New Members:
Michael Dohning of Mayville. He has a 1982
Red & Rusty Mustang.
Jeff & Jeri Mayer of Davison. They
have a 2008 Black on Black v8 convertible.
We heartily welcome you to our club. We
hope to see you at our club meetings and activities.
Get well wishes are being sent to Tom
Volpe. He is having shoulder surgery on December 15th. Tom, we
wish you a speedy recovery.
Lova Reinhardt’s son Matthew who is in the
Coast Guard is being deployed to Iraq. Let’s keep Matthew in our thoughts and
prayers for his safe return.
JANUARY AGENDA
Call to order 7:00 pm Proxy
Report
Introduction of Guests Treasurer’s
Report
Introduction of new Members Roll
call of full-time active members
COMMITTEE REPORTS OLD
BUSINESS
Property: G. Riley MCMM
Sponsorship: T. Welsh
Membership: L. Kabobel Christmas
party: L. Hetchler
Historian: L. Reinhardt NEW
BUSINESS
Club Clothing/Merchandise: G. Riley Chili
Potluck: Dick & Charlie
National Show: Gary & Charlie Show
& Shine: R. Loudenslager
MCMM Annual Show: Quentin & Stan “Be
Cool” Show: Gary & Charlie
MCA Regional Director: S. Bentley MCMM
Show Charity: Need Volunteers
Two Members to talk about their cars to
recommend charity
Adjourn Any
other New Business????
50/50 Drawing: G. Riley
2008
Ford Shelby GT500KR Lands Starring Role on Knight Rider
By
Michael Collins
Dearborn, MI, December 13, 2007 – When
the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR launches this spring don’t be surprised if there’s
some confusion over what the letters “KR” stand for.
While
the super car has been known to racing fans at “King of the Road” since 1968,
it’s about to star in a remake of the hit TV series Knight Rider making
mix-ups inevitable.
“It’s
purely a coincidence and a nice one at that,” said Al Uzielli a senior advisor,
to Ford Global Brand Entertainment the Ford office in Beverly Hills which works
to place Ford branded vehicles in movies, TV and other media. “Auto
enthusiasts will know what KR stands for. But most viewers will probably think
it means Knight Rider; at least at first.
The
popular American television series which ran from 1982 to 1986 starred David Hasselhoff
as Michael Knight, a kind of modern day “knight”. His partner was an advanced
Pontiac Trans Am with artificial intelligence. Not only could it talk, it
could morph into an attach vehicle that accelerated to 300 mph, used a Turbo
Boost to jump over obstacles and even drive itself.
In
the new version, Hasselhoff returns, but the lead character is now Justin
Bruening who plays Knight’s long-lost son Michael Tracer. Replacing the Pontiac is the KR which in real-life is about to launch a 40th anniversary
limited edition with an engine output estimated at 540 horsepower.
But Knight
Rider is more than just the product integration of a Ford vehicle into a
plot line; it’s also a media sponsorship with commercials and promotions for
Ford products interjected throughout the two hour program. If the ratings are
good, NBC plans to turn the show into a weekly series this fall.
Knight
Rider will
provide Ford with the opportunity to showcase its new SYNC voice activated
information and entertainment technology into the storyline in vehicles like
Focus and Edge.
2008
Ford Shelby GT500KR – continued
The arrangement
allows NBC and Ford to co-promote both the movie and the cars at special
events, in theaters, in print and on the internet.
“This
is a completely car-centric show and my understanding is that NBC was heavily
pursued by both GM and Chrysler,” Uzielli said. “We landed it because not only
did we have the perfect car, we had the right logistics. Our advertising
agency Teamdetroit had strong contacts on the business side and our team at
Ford Global Brand Entertainment had a close relationship with the creative side
including the new head of NBC Entertainment Ben Silverman.”
For
many Knight Rider fans the casting of the car known as KITT (Knight
Industries Three Thousand) is as important as the lead character.
In
the movie version, KITT’s supercomputer is capable of hacking almost any system
and its body - thanks to its creator’s work and nanotechnology – is capable of
actually shifting shape and color. Plus, its artificial intelligence makes it
the ideal good cop partner: logical, precise and possessing infinite
knowledge. It is the ultimate car – and someone will be willing to do anything
to obtain it.
For
designers, the first challenge of creating a screen version of the “King of the
Road” 20008 Shelby GT500KR, was that the car isn’t even on the road yet. The
solution was to go to Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) who is well-known for creating
one-of-a-kind vehicles in the California market.
GAS
had one week to create the new KITT, and they pulled out all the stops. Six
people worked full time to create the Mustang that would be sent over to
Picture Car Warehouse as the father of all the KITT derivatives and stunt cars.
Not
only does KITT make its appearance as a GT500KR but Knight Rider fans
get to see KITT in three modes – HERO, ATTACK and camouflage versions.
The
HERO is a standard 540-horsepower Shelby GT500KR and the ATTACK is a further
modified high-speed version.
The
GT500KR is built up from a Mustang GT with an automatic transmission to
facilitate the driving scenes, stunts, and camera work necessary to produce the
great action scenes n the movie. Stunt versions were also built for doing all
of the aggressive driving maneuvers.
The
ATTACK version was designed by Harold Belker who is also responsible for the
vehicles in movies like Batman & Robin, Armageddon, Deep Blue Sea, Inspector Gadget, Battlefield Earth, Spider-Man, Minority Report, XXX, the Cat
in the Hat and Superman.
Working
with Belker was Ted Moser of Picture Car Warehouse and 25 automotive
specialists who, created six variations of the GT500KR. The ATTACK car
features a new rear bumper cover, toe-tiered spoiler, side scoops and custom
rocker panels….not to mention a completely modified interior to accommodate
creative needs, shooting and post production computer graphics.
“Ford
wanted to keep KITT as close to the Mustang Shelby GT500KR as possible,” Belker
said. “Some may say the ATTACK version is a little over the top, but this
isn’t about reinventing design language, it’s about being entertaining.”
By
the time Knight Rider debuts in February, a Mustang will have already
had extensive media exposure in the movie I Am Legend which opens
December 17. Starring Will Smith, the story gives major screen time to a Ford
Shelby GT500. Between the two roles, the Mustang brand is about to get three
months worth of the kind of Hollywood visibility not often seen by one product
– or for that matter one star.
“I
don’t think we’ve ever seen anything like this,” said Cindy Stacy, senior vice
president and director of national broadcast for Teamdetroit. “The important
thing is that while the Mustang has a starring role in both projects, other
Ford vehicles are integrated throughout the films. In fact, in Knight Rider
I think just about every Ford vehicle is accounted for.”
While
some may see the timing of the two projects as pure luck, Frank Zazza,
considered a legend in the product integration industry for placing products
like Reese’s Pieces in the movie ET and Junior Mints in a well known
episode of Seinfeld, says it’s more.
“You
can only call it luck if you realize that being lucky is being prepared when
the opportunity comes,” he said. “The people at Ford were prepared and they
knew how to act quickly. They have been excellent at finding quality projects
and putting the right vehicles into the right parts.”
Sincerely,
Dave
Marchand
Mustang/Thunderbird
Club Center
THIS
ARTICLE PROVIDED BY CHARLES REINHARDT
THE
CHILI POTLUCK IS BACK!
We are off to another great fun year. The winter
family fun activity is the awesome chili potluck on Saturday, February 16,
2008. MCMM is sponsoring the 3rd annual chili potluck at a “new
location” at the Valley Plaza Best Western Resort and Conference in Midland. It is located at the first Midland exit off US 10 (Bay City Road). So put
Saturday, February 16, 2008 on your MCMM calendar. Bring a crock, pail or tub
of your favorite (Hormel if you wish) and a salad or dessert to pass. The
plates, spoons, bowls, napkins and pop will be furnished. Bring your family,
kids, grandkids or guests, chili, dish to pass, your swimsuit and $7 to help
pay for the rent of the room. Valley Plaza offers “free swimming” in the hotel
pools. Other amenities available for a fee are a game room, bowling, movies
and a putt-putt golf course. Also, you can bring your great stories, trade or
swap die cast cars or Mustang memorabilia and bring your 1/64th die
cast cars for the Hot Wheels drag racing event. I will bring a How Wheels four
lane racing track for some drag racing. Place your bets! The fun begins for
early swimming at 11:30 am and we serve the chili at 12:30 pm. Since we have
the room for the day we can do other activities after the meal.
MCMM
CHILI POTLUCK
Saturday,
February 16, 2008
VALLEY
PLAZA RESORT AND BEST WESTERN HOTEL
5221
Bay City Road,
Midland
1st
Midland Exit off US 10 to Midland
(989)
496-2700 www.valleyplazaresort.com
Room
available at 11:30 am for early swimming, Chili served at 12:30 pm
WE HAVE
THE ROOM ALL DAY!
YOU BRING:
Yourself and family
Chili and dish to pass
Swimsuit and $7 per family for room rent
Mustang stuff to trade etc.
I BRING:
Napkins, plates, spoons, bowls, pop
1/64th race track and die cast cars
CALL FOR
RESERVATIONS
DICK
LEBSACK AT (989) 631-9536
UPCOMING
EVENTS
JANUARY, 2008
19-27 North American International Auto Show in Detroit
FEBRUARY, 2008
16 Chili Potluck 11 am to ?? at Valley Plaza
Hotel, Midland
MARCH, 2008
07-09 World of Wheels Auto Show in Detroit
16 Time Change (Spring Forward!)
23 Easter
MAY, 2008
17 Show & Shine at Saginaw Valley Ford
JUNE, 2008
14-15 Bavarian Festival Corral
16 Annual Strawberry Shortcake and Membership
meeting
JULY, 2008
11-12 “Be Cool” Car Show and Cruise
