WHEELS ANYTHING ON
February 21, 2015 ESTHERVILLE NEWS Find this publication online at www.esthervillenews.net under ʻSectionsʼ
Wildcattin’ In Style . . .
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015
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Roger and Dorothy Christensen enjoy taking their 1965 Buick Wildcat convertible on cruises throughout the area. Photo submitted
Wildcattin’ it in style D BY MICHAEL TIDEMANN STAFF WRITER
o r o t h y Christensen always knew that her husband had his eye set on buying a Buick Wildcat. So one Friday when she saw a 1965 Wildcat convert‐ ible advertised at auc‐ tion in Lakota in the Fairmont, Minn. Sentinel the fall of 2005, she called him
while he was on his mail route to tell him about it. Okay, said Roger. I’ll go. It didn’t take much to talk him into it, actu‐ ally. They’re now the third owner of the Wildcat that still has just 80,000 miles. The Christensens have taken the con‐ vertible to shows in
Swea City and Jackson (wear a cap when you have the top down, Roger advises). They’ve also taken it to cruises at the Lakes. In its day, the Wildcat was one of Buick’s sportier models. The Christensens like to drive theirs rather than haul it between shows. “I don’t want a show
car that I have to haul. We just wanted some‐ thing we could ride around in,” said Roger. And the big 401 seems to get them around just fine. While he isn’t one of the original Black Knights — current members Skip Miller, Leo Domek, Ray Dahna, Bob Jensen Turn to STYLE, Page 3
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015
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T he ar t of waxing
F
or car‐lovers, there aren’t many things in life more beautiful than a perfect wax job. The shine and the are enough to make waxing worth your while, let alone the protection it can afford your car. The newest types of waxes are syn‐ thetic polymer based, helping them provide protection that generally lasts more than three months. This time period obviously depends on if you park your car indoors or in a garage, as well as if it has been exposed to a harsh environment. Considering a spray wax? These are designed for quick application and are generally less durable than liquid or paste waxes. Sprays can, however, be used for a boost between quarterly applications of liquid or paste waxes. Waxing is not to be confused with polishing, which does not protect your car’s finish. Various glazes and polishes can, however, restore the natural oils your paint once had.
better than one that isn’t. n Use small, circular strokes with a microfiber pad. n Work one section of the car at a time. n Use one side of the pad to cut through the waxy surface. n Flip the towel over to the clean side to remove any additional residue.
Use Microfiber Towels
n If you want your wax job to hold up, it’s important that you first fully wash and dry your car. A completely clean and dry car will take in the wax
For the gentlest option, use microfiber towels for both drying and waxing your car. Unlike other types of towels, microfiber varieties do not mar the finish or create scratches on the surface. Be sure to care for your microfiber towels according to their washing instructions. Most require special attention, including being washed separately from other laundry. Most microfibers are recommended to be washed only with hot water and dried on a low‐heat setting.
STYLE, Continued from Page 2 and Rodney Ross are — Roger does remember the Black Knights rolling up to the pump when he working in his dad’s gas station north of the railroad underpass on Ninth Street. Jensen also worked for his father when the club was founded in 1955. Christensen fond‐ ly remembers the Knights drag rac‐ ing on area country roads. “I always thought that would be
really neat,” said Christensen of the idea of owning a classic. “I’ve always loved cars. I’ve been around cars and racing all my life,” said Christensen. He’s also owned IMCA modified and sprint cars — just like other Black Knights Dahna, Leo Domek and Ross. Christensen joined the club in 2006 when it reformed after a hia‐ tus of several decades.
Waxing Steps
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Dan Kleinʼs 1961 Buick Le Sabre still has just 38,500 miles. Photo submited
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Dan Klein has had a lot of cars over the years. Dan’s first car was a 1957 Chevy wagon he bought when he was 15. A year later he bought a Chevy El Camino. He had a 1956 Chevy pickup that he used to tote around a 1950 travel trailer. He sold the pick‐ up to a collector in Albert Lea, Minn. but still has the trailer. He also had a 1957 Chevy pickup that cost him a set of Crager wheels. Another pickup he had was a 1962 Chevy C‐10 with topper that he bought for $300 in 1998. He also had a 1941 Chevy and a 1969
The fire department mounted the ladder on the Speedwagon in the 1940s. Photo by Michael Tidemann
Chevelle SS he bought in horse. “It was an excit‐ 1975 for $400 — with a ing car if you wanted to 396 engine and 350 Turn to BUICK, Page 5
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Klein once used a 1956 Chevy pickup to tote around this 1950 travel trailer he restored. He sold the pickup but still has the trailer. Photo submitted
BUICK, Continued from Page 4 put your foot in it,” he said. He also had a 1957 Chevy pickup he liked so much that when someone asked if he wanted to sell it, Dan high‐ balled a price $5,000 over what he needed and sold it on the spot. And then there was the 1967 Cadillac and the 1960 Pontiac Catalina Safari wagon. Klein’s pride and joy right now is a 1961 Buick Le Sabre. The original owner bought it new, put 23,000 miles on it, went to Vietnam and never
came back. A collector bought it and did minor restoration in 1982 and Dan bought it from the collector’s estate in 1998. The bubble top coupe still has just 35,800 miles. With The original 345 nailhead engine has the standard 200 horsepower. A common comment Klein gets is, “I’ll never live to see another one of those again.” Dan’s taken the Buick to area cruises, including Back to the Fifties in St. Paul.
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DATE: Sunday, Feb. 22
LAST DASH
TIME: 1 p.m. Eastern TV: Coverage begins noon Eastern on FOX
FOR A NASCAR LEGEND
ON POLE: Jeff Gordon, Chevrolet
JEFF GORDON ON POLE FOR HIS FINAL DAYTONA 500
A
fter enjoying one of the most successful careers in motorsports, Jeff Gordon announced earlier this year that 2015 would be his last season to be a full-time NASCAR Sprint Cup driver. And NASCAR couldn’t have scripted a better way for him to say goodbye. Gordon recorded the best lap time in qualifying to earn the top starting position in Sunday’s Daytona 500, cementing his place as the most compelling driver when the new NASCAR season opens with its marquee event at 1 p.m.
Eastern on Sunday. “I can’t think of anything cooler than to start this season, the Daytona 500 — my final Daytona 500, my final full season — on the pole,” Gordon said after qualifying. “It’s going to be pretty important for me to be on that pole when it all starts.”
TEAMMATES STARTING AT THE FRONT Gordon edged out his Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Jimmie Johnson, for the pole. That means Gordon will start the race next to his longtime mentor, and Hendrick will lock out the front row of Sunday’s race. Johnson didn’t miss the historic significance
of starting the race alongside Gordon, who will be in his 23rd and final Daytona 500. “To start next to him in his final Daytona 500, it’s really cool. Depending on how the results turn out, it could be a bigger storyline yet,” Johnson said.
ROBERT LABERGE / NASCAR VIA GETTY IMAGES
Jeff Gordon and his crew chief, Alan Gustafson, along with Jimmie Johnson and his crew chief, Chad Knaus, pose with the Daytona 500 Pole Award and Front Row Award after qualifying for the 57th Annual Daytona 500 on Feb. 15.
CHRIS GRAYTHEN / NASCAR VIA GETTY IMAGES
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015
ESTHERVILLE NEWS/ESTHERVILLE, IA
Black Knights hold banquet,
PLAN SENDERS DANCE
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IT PAYS TO PLANT PRECISION
The Black Knights Car Club of Estherville held its annual Christmas banquet Saturday, Dec. 13 and is making plans for a dance with The Senders March 21. Photo submitted
Field View
20/20 SeedSense
At their Dec. 13 banquet, the Black Nights presented a $500 scholarship to Kevin Miller, who attends the Iowa Lakes Community College auto body program. From left are treasurer Bob LʼHeureux, vice president Marty Domek, Miller, president Rodney Ross and secretary Bettje Willmore.
V-Drive
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agsolutions.us@gmail.com 415 First Ave. N • Estherville, IA 51334 The Knights donated food items at their annual banquet for the Emmet County food pantry. From left are vice president Marty Domek, president Rodney Ross, Matt Stine and secretary Bettje Willmore.
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SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2015
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