President’s Address - Travis Bolton

Heart Of America Corvair Owners Association

August 2006 Volume 42, Issue 8

VairCor

Inside this issue:

President’s Address 1

Thank-You 2

Johnny Ray’s Cruise August 19th

3

What Hot? What’s Not? 4

Ararat Shrine Show 5

Tulsa Show 5

Tool Crib/Shows 7

August - that hot, humid month that kids always dread because it means back to school - is here. Boy is it here and is it ever hot. I think I've had enough excessive heat warning days. Of course as I write this, severe thunderstorms are playing the part of the Big Bad Wolf - huffing and puffing and trying to blow my house down.

This is a pretty full month for me, including 2 birthdays (mine and my Dad's) two wedding anniversaries (ours and my sister-in-law's), a trip to Detroit for the Woodward Avenue Dream Cruise and the Johnny Ray's Cruise night (unfortunately the weekend I'll be in Detroit which is also my 11th wedding anniversary.) But did you know that August wasn't always called August? You probably did, but I didn't. It's been August for as long as I can remember. It hasn't always even been the 8th month. At one time, it was the 6th month and was known as Sextillis to the Romans until after Caesar Augustus took over the Roman Empire and the senate made the following resolution:

Whereas the Emperor Augustus Caesar, in the month of Sextillis . . . thrice entered the city in triumph . . . and in the same month Egypt was brought under the authority of the Roman people, and in the same month an end was put to the civil wars; and whereas for these reasons the said month is, and has been, most fortunate to this empire, it is hereby decreed by the senate that the said month shall be called Augustus.

And they also increased the number of days from 30 to 31 so that Emperor Augustus wouldn't be saddled with an inferior month as compared to Julius, whom July is named after. I know if I had a month named after me, it'd better have at least as many days as my brother's! Where'd the extra day come from? Well, from February which was already inferior with only 29 days (30 in a leap year) so what's another day gonna hurt? Then of course they changed the last 4 months around to avoid having 3 months in a row with 31 days (which September had). Imagine the power to change the calendar the whole world uses! I'm not sure when they added the extra months, but I guess they've gotten it right now because it's always hot in August and cold in January. At least it's consistent.

Now for a little club business. Please consider if you can make it out to the Johnny Ray's cruise on the 19th. Even if you can't help out, bring your car out. I think there are some pictures in this issue of the last cruise and I think everyone who has been able to make it has had a good time. This is the last one we'll be helping with this year, so let's have a good showing. Yes I realize the irony that I'm asking for a good showing and I won't even be there - but hey, I don't have a car to take anyway. The other item is about the Great Plains Roundup in September. If you plan to go but haven't registered yet - please do so. We'll announce our plans for the 2007 event during the awards banquet and it'd be nice to have a lot of us there. Of course we're looking for volunteers to help with those plans as well. Thanks to those of you who've already volunteered, but I'm sure we could use some more.

See you at the Creekside, Travis

Page 2 VairCor

This is the last cuisse night at Johnny Ray’s that the club will be hosting for this year. It would be great if we all could make it on the 19th with our cars. I know that not everyone can. Johnny Ray’s is at 800 SW Blue Pkwy, Lee’s Summit, MO 64063. We will be gathering at around 4:30pm to open and close at 9pm. If you can’t be there for the entire time, come cruise in and out at you leisure.

Pictures are from June’s get together. Cars are Mike Dawson, Jack Richardson, Jack Hill and Karl Cozad.

Johnny Ray’s Cruise Drive In - August 19th

Page 3 Volume 42, Issue 8

What’s Hot? What’s Not? What Still Counts. - By Bob Vukas

Gadgets are a Man’s Best Friend Gadgets are a love of mine. The newest, the latest and the handiest have a special place in my heart. In the movie Batman, the Joker asks “Where does he get all those marvelous toys”? If you see a catalog or website with a Batman utility belt please let me know. If I purchased a van it would need to be one with the stow and go seats. A seat that disappears into the floor for both the middle and back rows harkens back to the days of 9 passenger station wagons. Corvairs had fold down seats for more hauling purposes as did the Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto Hatchbacks and wagons. Everything old is new again and this time it is improved.

Juice on the Loose Today I will return my second rebuilt generator and regulator to Clarks Corvair. The first rebuild was installed less than a year ago and it quit at 37th and Topeka Blvd last Tuesday in the heat of the afternoon sun. While waiting two hours for the two truck in the showroom of Expert Tire I had a great deal of time to think. I did not think fast enough to not order a second rebuilt set from Clarks but the Ford light bulb did go off and I remembered Ace Starter and Generator in Wichita. They rebuilt and upgraded the generator in my ’57 so I switched gears and had the now dead generator and regulator shipped to them. For the same price as a rebuild from Clarks I believe the reliability will increase greatly and the unit will be back by Friday.

On the Road Again Following the Back to the Fifties adventure we are off to the Mayo Clinic for the 4th of July. It is only fitting and proper that Rachel’s appointment comes at this time as she wishes to be independent and free from her lung disease. Her doctor called her from California during a convention and wants her to consult with him and two vascular specialists. She even has a smaller more compact night breathing machine so it will be easier to pack on all our trips. Five days after we return I will head back to Wahpeton, ND for a summer yearbook workshop. I love to drive. I love to drive…..

Slick 50 There are now conclusive tests that prove Slick 50 does help protect your engine during start up. It does not improve your gas mileage but engine protection is worth a great deal during a cold start.

The Ararat Shrine Antique and Classic Auto show was held July 23 in North Kansas City. Three members of HACOA took their Corvairs to the show. Those attending were Rick Ebesen, Karl Cozad and Jack Hill. Trueman Ervin, a member of HACOA, was also in attendance but was showing another of his cars. Also being shown were 2 early models, one a convertible and the other a 4-door owned by people not belonging to HACOA (can you believe that?). All total there were about 350 entries, most every make and model, including a Packard with a late model GM engine. Jack Hill found the car called a Salen, built in California, to be of special interest, since the current cost is $450,000. It was a mid-engine car with ground clearance of about 3 inches. Thanks to Rick, Karl and Jack for representing HACOA.

information for this article was supplied by Jack Hill

You to

Marriott Tulsa, Southern Hills

913-493-7000 or 1-800-228-9290

Special Code,#GPC or #GCC

Corvair Round UP

SEPTEMBER

22, 23, 24

2006

Green Country Corvair Group

Page 5

Page 6 VairCor

Show Your Club Support Bring Your Car

Show It Clean and Shine Work on Tires

More Next Month

Tulsa Corvair Show Green Country Corvair Group of Tulsa has their show 3 weeks ahead of our show on Fri. Sept. 22 to Sun. Sept. 24 (Concours on Sat.). HACOA volunteered to help them run the Concours, so with that in mind, we will need judges and scorers to help on this. Please let me know if you can help at Tulsa so I can be setting up for judging groups and scor-ers.

Volume 42, Issue 8 Page 7

Tool Crib

Tool Deposit Rental Fee

Puller for Harmonic Balancer $3.00 $1.00

Ramps, Auto $4.00 $1.00

Torque Wrenches:

1. 1/2” drive 20-150 lbs. $15.00 $2.00

2. 3/8: drive 100-1000 lbs. $15.00 $2.00

Floor Jack & Stands $25.00 $3.50

Ring Grove Cleaner $3.00 $1.00

Dwell-Tach Meter $5.00 $1.00

Greaser: blower bearing & Idler Ply $5.00 $1.00

Hubs, Rear Towing for LM powerglide $10.00 $1.00

Contact: Ken Ragan

Ragan Enterprises

212 Warner Rd

Bonner Springs, KS 66012

913-422-5778

E-mail: kenrragan@sbcglobal.net

HACOA 831 N 81st Terrace Kansas City, KS 66112

Editor, Gini Ragan Phone: 913-422-5778 E-mail: timerragan@sbcglobal.net

August Calendar

August 8th Meeting at Creekside

6:45 Board 7:00 Social Very Little Business

August 19th Cruise at Johnny Ray’s, Lee’s Summit, MO

August 20th 50’s Night & Classis Car Show, KC, MO

September 12th Meeting at Creekside

September 22,23,24 Great Plains Corvair Round Up Tulsa, OK

Heart Of America Corvair Owners Association

Oldest Incorporated Continually Active Marquee Corvair Club

We’re on the web at

HACOA.ORG

2006 Officers & Directors

Travis Bolton-Pres. 816-792-2682

Steve Lankford-VP 816-838-4947

Beth Williams-Secretary 660-827-5430

Larry Vaught-Treasure 816-523-7228

Directors

Dominique Allen 816-668-3847

Jack Hill 816-452-0619

Ken Ragan 913-422-5887

Karl Cozad-Ex-Officio 816-741-2696

VairCor is the official publication of the Heart of America Corvair Owners Association, the oldest incorporated continuously active marquee Corvair club and Chapter 640 of the Corvair Society of America. The membership fee in HACOA is $15.00 annually, payable January 1. CORSA membership is required. HACOA monthly meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 pm., 7;00 pm Social at the Creekside Pub and Grille, 9916 Holmes Road, KCMO.