A GDYNETS® PUBLICATION © 2011, G. DAVID YAROS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Car Collector Chronicles ®
Volume IV, Issue 6
Exploring:
Car Collector Chronicles
High RPMs
Car Collecting Today Classic Rides Reports From the Field Oldsmobile (1897-2004) Cadillac (1902- ) Allanté (1987-1993)
Corvair (1960-1969)
IN THIS ISSUE:
High RPMs
1
GDYNets On the Web
1
I’ll Take One of Each, Thank You!
2
Kiwi Olds Followup
4
Coming Next Issue
Speaking on Olds matters: Let me note the passing in April of a true Oldsmobile legend, Joe Mondello. When it came to Olds performance, Joe had the ability to wring out every ounce of horsepower in a Rocket V-8. He truly earned the title “Dr. Oldsmobile.” Of equal note was his willingness to share his knowledge, educate others and stand ready to help without having to be asked twice. Simply put, Joe made owning an Olds even better! Last fall I purchased a used Oldsmobile door mat, for lack of a better term. It is approximately 4’ x 6’, red in color, with the rocket logo and the word “Oldsmobile” in black. It has a rubber backing. My intent is to display it alongside SAVED 62 at shows. With the first really warm WI day (84º on 10 Apr) I decided it was time to inspect the mat, which had been sitting in the car
When this mat was in use at an Oldsmobile dealership, I can only conclude it must have been outside, at the front door. I
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CCC® Forum EMail: OldsD88@gmail.com
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cannot fathom how, otherwise, it would have gotten so filthy. At any rate, it is now getting to the point of being presentable and soon ready to again greet Olds fans! I shall first subject it to blasts of compressed air to try and get out the particles of sand/dirt that still seem to be oozing from the freshly cleaned fibers?
GDYNets® on the Web Find GDYNets on the web:
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barn in a sealed box since purchased. When I opened the box and unrolled the carpet a dust cloud rose up! I did know there was chewing gum embedded in the carpet that would need to be removed. Once that was taken care of, I thoroughly vacuumed the carpet. It was now ready for the pressure washer treatment. I am here to tell you that rivers of brown, dirty water flowed from the carpet. I hit it repeatedly to get out as much dirt as possible. I then scrubbed the carpet with carpet cleaner. It too turned brown! Continual spraying with the pressure washer finally got it to the point that the dripping water was clear, instead of brown or grey, and one could actually tell the color of the carpet is bright red.
Car Collector Chronicles-scribd
Photos
June 2011
Saved 62 - 1962 Olds web site http://www.freewebs.com/ jeandaveyaros The Gray Lady - 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville web site
SAVED 62: A website devoted to our 1962 Oldsmobile Dynamic 88 convertible. The site also has a lot of information on Oldsmobiles and its founder, Ransom Eli Olds.
THE GRAY LADY: This website features our 1955 Cadillac Coupé de Ville and Caddy information.
DAVE’S DEN: A website devoted to a myriad of interests. Foremost is extensive information on the “Steel City” of Gary, IN. There are also offerings on steel making, U.S. Steel-Gary Works, U.S. Marine Corps, M14 assault rifle, of course Oldsmobile, and the tragic story of the murder of Gary, IN Police Lt. George Yaros.
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Car Collector Chronicles
I’LL TAKE ONE OF EACH, THANK YOU! This one boggles the mind. We all know someone obsessed with a particular marque, for whatever reason. In fact, we all may be guilty of such, to some degree. That being said, none of us can even begin to hold a candle to an “Iowa farmer,” named Dennis Albaugh. His fascination is with Chevrolet. Not just any Chevy however, but particularly Chevrolet convertibles. What do I mean by obsessed? Would you believe he owns at least 1 each of every Chevy convertible ever manufactured, including Vettes? His collection of over 110 cars starts with the 1912 model year, and goes through 1975. The 1912 is actually a Little, manufactured under the watchful eye of William Durant and later brought into the Chevy fold. “… [H]e owns at least 1 each of every Chevy convertible ever manufactured, including Vettes.”
The only year not represented is 1939. Why? He doesn’t have a ‘39 because Chevy did not make a convertible in the 1939 model year. Why does the collection stop at 1975? Because that is the last year GM offered convertible models. Every convertible Chevrolet ever made does specifically include the Corvette models from 1953 through 1975. Readers need to know that this is a private collection. One may not just drive over to Iowa and check them out. Occasionally, Albaugh holds a charity event revolving around his cars, but it is strictly his call as to if and when he does so. The best we mere peons can do is view his cars online. Here are some links: http://thealbaughclassic.com/ and http:// public.fotki.com/deanvp/automobile/dennis-albaughs-che/. Your search engine of choice will also garner plenty of hits on the term “Albaugh and Chevrolet.” So who is this guy? What is his story? I referenced him as an “Iowa farmer.” That is sort of true. Along with his brother, he worked the family farm. It became apparent this endeavor could not generate enough income to support the both of them. Denny, being a nice guy, let his brother take over the operation. For his part, he went into agrichemical delivery. The initial efforts did not fare well, to say the least. He rented a truck and tank to deliver 1,500 gals. of weed killer to a customer. Unbeknownst to Dennis, the rented tank had a leak. By the time he got to the farm to make his delivery, the tank was empty! Dennis did manage to overcome this financial disaster, and the rest his history, as they say. Dennis progressed from agrichemical delivery to agrichemical manufacture. One item he manufactures is the key chemical used in formulating Roundup™. He has plants in MO, Argentina and Brazil. He is also working on a deal to open yet another plant in Mexico.
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Car Collector Chronicles
I’LL TAKE ONE OF EACH, THANK YOU! -Cont’d. While Denny still maintains his Iowa roots, his legal residence is in Marco Island, FL. He lives in FL, but not just for the weather. FL has no personal income tax. That is significant when one realizes that Albaugh is high on the Forbes Magazine® annual listing of the wellheeled. His current estimated worth is a mere $1.5 Billion! The pad he maintains in his hometown of Ankeny, IA, encompasses 10,000 sq. ft. and includes a 19-hole golf course on the grounds. Not bad for a part-time residence! In his spare time, when he is not working or playing with his beloved Chevys, Dennis is into horse breeding and racing. He is joined in this activity with his son-in-law, who introduced him to the avocation. Together they own 10 race horses. He is also dabbling in real estate, constructing a 3,500 home subdivision near his IA home. Here is a shot of just some of his Chevys:
Who maintains these rides, and at what annual cost, I wonder? What I do know is, Jay Leno, you definitely have competition among the most moneyed car collectors!
“His current estimated worth is a mere $1.5 Billion!”
Car Collector Chronicles
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KIWI OLDS - Followup I do not know what it is about these Oldsmobiles that go to New Zealand, but they do seem to be cursed? You may recall the horror stories of the ‘62 Dynamic 88 convertible that was shipped to NZ, only to be found unroadworthy, not able to be licensed, and after many, many months and dollars, returned to the U.S. (Jul ‘10 issue of CCC®)? Today (26 Apr 2011), I received the second email from the latest New Zealander to have purchased an Olds; covered in last month’s issue. An earlier email confirmed the presence of the 2 bbl. carb, and was singing the praises of the car. He described how great it looked after being cleaned, polished and waxed. Between the lines, one could see the smile on his face. His latest email began: “The Good, The Bad, The Ugly!!!” My heart sank as I read on. For the first time, he got underneath the car and took a look at the undercarriage. What he discovered is not nice. In fact, he has been advised the frame is so bad that it needs to be replaced! Let him say it in his own words: Firstly, I would like to say that I don't class myself as naive or one that does not understand the possible dangers. But, I felt that I had taken the correct steps. I jacked the car up to start working on the brakes. As I had not been able to get underneath until now I was unaware of the hidden rot. There are holes in the frame chassis big enough to put your finger through. When you start poking around with a screw driver it soon becomes evident. I have had a Car Certifier have a look. He said that it is beyond repair, and would require a new chassis. Also, there is evidence of a ding in the rear and patches in the trunk and rear chassis. All in all, not good news.
What can be said, that was not already said in my “For Want of a Nail” article? Let’s hope he can get these discrepancies satisfactorily resolved, one way or another! Ok, I’ve had my say for the month. Now its your turn! I invite/encourage submission of your comments, opinions and contributions, and ask that you help spread the word about our pub. Everything sent shall indeed be reviewed by me. Submissions should be sent to CCC® at OldsD88@gmail.com. Now that you have finished reading this month’s issue of our pub, come start/join an ongoing dialog with other CCC® readers and like-minded car collector folk on the CCC® Forum. Stop by, check us out and share your views … . _______________________________________
-- RESTORE 'EM, AND DRIVE 'EM! COMING NEXT ISSUE:
Car Barn Activity Allanté Maintenance TBD
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Car Collector Chronicles
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