2015 VOLUME 4
The Official Magazine of the Allanté Club of America and the Allanté XLR Chapter of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
BY TOM ROHNER over 300 Ferraris, 50 Panteras, 100 Lamborghinis, Alfa Rameros, and more Italian classics. Other events we attended this year included the parade of classic cars in downtown Carmel. These are the same cars that are on display at the famous Pebble Beach Concours. We attended the Gooding auction where a good friend of mine sold a 67 Jaguar XKE convertible. We spent Friday at the Mecum collector car auction. Historic races were at the famous Laguna Seca race track that weekend too, but we didn’t get there this year.
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, I don’t know about you, but we had a really great summer at the Allanté Club of America. We got off to a great start at the Cadillac Grand National event in Milwaukee. We had a great time, saw some great Allantés and made some great new friends. That’s what car meets are all about. But better yet, we met with Allanté club Presidents and Chairmen from all over the country. We came to the conclusion that it’s time for us to all work together. Time to bring the Allanté community together once and for all. And that process has begun. Our Magazine is bigger and better because of the combined efforts of the Allanté XLR Chapter of the Cadillac La Salle Club (based in Chicago) and our club the Allanté Club of America. Our first magazine effort together was a great success. We have heard so many positive comments that it reinforces that we are on the right track to a successful combined effort.
Our next big event will be here in San Diego at the Coronado Speed Festival. This is a weekend of Historic Car Racing at the Naval Air Station located on the island of Coronado in San Diego Bay. The event is held every year in late September. October is going to be another great Allanté month. Our good friend, John Monzo has put together another “Allanté Grand National” event to be held in Nashville, Tennessee. The dates are October 21st to 24th. He has an action packed four days planned for us, including a trip to the Corvette plant only 80 miles away. Sandy and I are flying in early to visit a friend who lives in Bristol, Tennessee. It’s going to be a week to remember. Remember this is your club. If you have any suggestions or comments we want to hear them. Our new editor and club manager Joe Yang is doing a “bang up job”. He’s a wonderful young man. He and his wife are expecting their first child this fall. Feel free to contact him and give him some good advice.
This is the final “Insider” for 2015. I and the staff want to thank everyone for another successful year and we want to wish everyone in the Allanté Community a In August we traveled to the Monterey Peninsula in Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year. California to attend car week. It was a spectacular event. One to be put on any car guy or gals bucket Thanks for your support, list. So many events, so little time. The highlight of our week was the Italian Concorso on Saturday August 14th. There were five Allantés that showed up at the event and we all had a good time. I was able to go around to everyone’s Allanté and answered questions Tom Rohner, President about their specific car and make adjustments on Phone: 619-807-8770 almost every car. At this event alone there are probably Email: trohner@san.rr.com 2
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June 20, 2015 -- Sandy in the Feature Car at the Cadillac LaSelle Grand National Meet in Milwaukee, WI. PRODUCED BY: Allanté Club of America 888-255-2683 CLUB PRESIDENT: Tom Rohner 619-807-8770 email: trohner@san.rr.com EDITOR/CLUB MANAGER: Joseph Yang email: admin@allante.com MEMBERSHIP DIRECTOR: Sandy Phatsenhann email: sandy@allante.com ADVERTISING: Call 619-807-8770 or email: trohner@san.rr.com
President's Message
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Tom's Tech Corner
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Grand Rapids, MI: 12th Street Cruise
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Dick Hussey's Tech Corner
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About the Cover
12
Allanté XLR Chapter of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club
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Allantés For Sale
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© 2015 Allanté Club of America
Want to contribute an article to the Insider Magazine? It can be about your Allanté or about your travels in it. If you have a great tech tip, travel story, or some Allanté history to share, email us at: admin@allante.com SANDY PHATSENHANN
JOSEPH YANG INSIDER VOL 4, 2015
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TOM’S TECH CORNER
BY TOM ROHNER Does your Allante go into storage over the winter months? Have you thought about putting your Allante into storage for a couple of years? There are a few basic things to do that will save you a lot of time and money when you put your car back in service. First of all, I recommend changing the oil and topping off all the fluids. If your storing your car in a cold climate be sure the coolant and the washer reservoir are protected to way below zero temperature, according to your neck of the woods so to speak.
87-92 Gas Tank (Metal)
93 Gas Tank (Plastic)
Gasoline. If you’re just going to store it for the winter or up to 12 months, I would recommend filling your tank before you put it away. Storing your car with only a small amount of gas in the tank is not a good idea. The small amount of gas tends to go bad much faster. If you’re going to store it for a long period of time I would recommend siphoning out the tank to as close to empty as possible. Maybe even try to burn up the last little bit of fuel in the tank. This old gasoline is what makes your car hard to start after a few years. It turns into a gel-like substance and clogs up the whole fuel system. Obviously don’t put your car away dirty. Those contaminates on the paint can do damage over time to the clear coat. Yes, all Allantes have a clear coat from the factory. Same is true of your interior, don’t put it away dirty either. Prep the leather seats and the vinyl components with a good cleaner and protector. I like McGuire’s products, but there are many other good products available. Make sure you don’t leave any food or candy in the car. Tires. It’s also a good idea to put tire dressing on your tires and pump them up a little firmer if you’re just storing the car for the winter. This will help prevent flat spots on your tires from forming. If you’re going to store your call longer it’s a good idea to put your car up on blocks to protect your tires.
Rodent Stop 4
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Protect your car from rodents. Rodents love to eat wires under the hood and in the car. There are fewer nicer places for a rodent family to make a home, than the interior of your car, when you’re not using it. I sell
TOM’S TECH CORNER a great little product called “Rodent Stop” for $14.50. You can buy it at www.allantestore.com. It works great. It has four individual packets to spread around your car. I put one packet under the hood, one in the trunk, and one for the interior. I recommend removing the battery. Store it in a warm place, not on a concrete floor. For short periods of time a battery tender works great. You can buy them at the Allante Store also. Your car will likely drain even the best of batteries in usually 3-4 weeks because of all the on board electronics that are always functioning even after the car is turned off. I don’t recommend starting your car while it is being stored because of all the condensation problems that can come up. Just get it properly stored as mentioned above and let it sit until you are ready to use it again.
Battery Tender
Put a car cover over it and let it sit until you are ready to put it back into use again.
Tom's Allanté Store, Inc. MEETING ALL YOUR ALLANTÉ NEEDS Here, at Tom's Allanté Store, Inc., we're Allanté owners ourselves, actively involved in the Allanté community and in servicing the cars. Because of this, we can appreciate these fine convertibles as much as you do and can help you maximize your ownership experience and enjoyment of the car.
Call Today! 619-807-8770 Allantésource.com
We have the new, used, rebuilt and reproduction parts you need for your Allanté. • • • • •
All Allanté electronics item-stereo systems, digital clusters, DIC panels Rebuilt ABS master cylinder and ABS pumps, new hoses Fenders, hoods, bumpers, grilles and tail lights Window switches, window regulators, vent glass, mirrors New upholstery and floor mats
Having trouble getting your Allanté repaired? We can probably help. Dick Hussey & Ron Backus • 561-844-3938 or fax 561-844-3922 Email: Allantésource@prodigy.net Check us out in the web too: Allantésource.com
The Story Behind the Cadillac Allanté As Told By The Men Who Built It Hours of fascinating stories about how the Allanté was born and built • How the Allanté was conceived • Why Pininfarina was chosen • The "Million Dollar Handshake"
A must for all Allanté owners! Available in CD & Audio cassette. Two volumes, $30 each, includes postage. Mail check to: Richard Bednar • 913 Charles St • Champaign, IL 61821 (217) 359-5369 • bednarrick@yahoo.com
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DICK HUSSEY’S TECH CORNER
BY DICK HUSSEY
HELP AT YOUR FINGERTIPS COOLER
OFF
WARMER
LOW FAN
HI FAN
AC control head used to operate the on-board diagnostics. When Cadillac introduced the Allanté back nearly 30 years ago, they hyped its many wonderful features: among them the Keiper Recaro 10 way bucket seats, the Bosch III ABS system, and the Bose stereo system. But one of the best features built in and part of every Allanté ever built never seemed to be mentioned, not in sales literature, or even in the owner’s manual. What was it? The on-board diagnostics capability. Back in the 1980’s, onboard diagnostics was in its infancy. Today, it is common, across the board on all makes and models. GM used Allantés to help develop the system still in use today.
(4) the HVAC programmer (runs the air conditioning) (5) the Climate Control Driver Information Center (6) the SIR (Supplemental Inflatable Restraint) module (air bag) 1990-1993 only (7) the AntiLock Brake and Traction Control System (1993 only) (8) the Real Time Damping Module (operates the Electronic speed sensing suspension (1993 only)
(1) the Engine Control Module (later renamed Powertrain Control Module) (2) the Body Control Module (3) the Instrument Panel Cluster
This on-board diagnostics capability was certainly not geared to the new Cadillac owner. That’s why it is not covered or even mentioned in the owner’s manuals. I test drove a 1993 Allanté when it was new, but did not
Pre-1993 models had antilock brake modules (19871989), antilock brake and traction control modules (1990-1992) and speed dependent damping modules The computer system on Allantés was way ahead of its (1989-1992). These modules were not on the serial data time. The computers communicated on what is called line and tended to function on their own, but did report the serial data line. Information was constantly flowing data and problems to the car’s on-board diagnostics feaamongst the cars control modules: ture.
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ABOUT THE COVER: ALLANTE DESIGN Rarely does an automobile company issue the kind of challenge that led to the creation of the Allanté. Cadillac specified that there were to be no "givens" no preconceptions and, most importantly, no compromise. Indeed, there was to be only one self-imposed mandate: to build a 2-place ultra-luxury roadster of world class stature.
by traditional convertible wind buffeting and noise. In fact, the car is so quiet that at 55 mph, driver and passenger can hold a normal conversation -- with the top down.
Unlike many convertibles, this car was designed from the wheels up to be an open-top roadster. Thus, Allanté possesses the extra rigidity necessary to cope with harsh The result is Allanté, the new spirit of Cadillac. road surfaces and spirited driving. It also provides a solid foundation for the quiet, comfortable ride that is The Commission to create Allanté's custom coachwork the hallmark of every Cadillac. was awarded to Pinifarina of Turin, Italy, master designer of Ferrari and Rolls-Royce. Here, the building Yet Allanté is far more than just a fair-weather sports of the fine motor cars is as much a labor of love as it is roadster. This Cadillac is the first and only car in the a business. This intense devotion is brilliantly evident world to have a folding convertible top with three in Allanté's fluid curves, rounded edges and rakish glass windows--including a window on each side and shape. The car is aggressive, yet civilized, strikingly an electrically heated rear window. Thus, while others distinctive, yet unmistakably Cadillac. may be content with plastic panes, Allanté offers the superior visibility and durability of glass. At the same Beyond the purely aesthetic, Allanté's sleek design is time, Allanté also has a lightweight aluminum hardtop also aerodynamically efficient. Because Cadillac and that needs no tools at all to quickly and securely be Pininfarina believe in form with function... and in the locked in place. With its hardtop installed, Allanté has wind tunnel as a design tool, Allanté achieves a .35 the serene quiet and comfort of an international-class coefficient of drag. As a result, Allante is not affected closed coupe. 12 INSIDER VOL 4, 2015
• Rebuilt Window Switches
Top Items
17327 Via Del Campo San Diego, CA 92127 1-888-255-2683
Tom's Allanté Store, Inc. MEETING ALL YOUR ALLANTÉ NEEDS Everything for Your Allanté
Tom Rohner's Allanté Store
17327 Via Del Campo • San Diego CA 92127-2131 Tel: (619) 807-8770 • Fax: (858) 674-5779 Email: trohner@san.rr.com We can ship directly to you or to your repair facility. We accept all major credit cards and PayPal.
www.AllanteStore.com • We have new, used, reproduction
• Rebuilt Window Regulators
• Rebuilt Visors
• Seat Belt Buckles
• Rebuilt CD Players
• Rebuilt ABS Pumps
• Rebuilt Master Cylinders
• Rebuilt Speakers
• Chrome Wheel Upgrades
• Hard Tops: Carts, Covers, Hoists
• Rebuilt Top Pull-Down Motors
and rebuilt parts for your Allanté • We have a full service shop to service your Allanté • We have accessories, car covers, shirts and hats, and much more • If it's for an Allanté, we either have it in stock or we can get it for you. Dismantled Allanté Parts stages of dismantling.
• We have 50 cars that are in various
• All Body Panels • Weatherstripping
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