Spring Drive Whatcom 2016

The Lynden Tribune and Ferndale Record present

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

SPRING

drive whatc m WHAT’S INSIDE: Nathan Dykstra has taken car restoration to an art form with his labor of love business. ........................ C4

Get introduced to the new Porsche 911. ............... C3

Old photos of Union Oil Company gasoline stations in Whatcom County offer a trip down memory lane. See which of them you can remember from the past................ C8-C9 A supplement of the

&

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Ferndale Record

DRIVE WHATCOM

C3

2017 Porsche 911 gets turbocharged Porsche introduces turbocharger technology to entry-level vehicle for first time

By Cameron Van Til sports@lyndentribune.com

BELLINGHAM — Porsche has been manufacturing cars with turbocharged engines since 1974, but has typically reserved turbochargers for higher-end models like the 911 Turbo.

Now, for the first time, one of Porsche’s entry-level vehicles will be turbocharged.

In an effort to increase performance and fuel efficiency, twin-turbocharger technology is being introduced to the 2017 Porsche 911.

The 2017 Porsche 911s will be arriving any day at the Roger Jobs Porsche dealership in Bellingham. They will be on display for public viewing beginning April 12.

“What we get from this is greater efficiency, greater performance and greater torque, all with smaller displacement,” said Roger Jobs Motors sales professional Travis Graddon.

The new Porsche 911 comes in two models: the Carrera and Carrera S. Both feature a decrease in engine displacement from the 3.4-liter and 3.8-liter motors of the past to the new 3.0-liter twin-turbocharger.

Both new models increase the 911’s horsepower by 20 in comparison to the non-turbochraged predecessors. The Carrera’s horsepower is ramped up to 370, while the Carerra S rises to 420.

The Carrera produces 331 poundsfeet of torque (an increase of 44 poundsfeet) and the Carrera S achieves 368 (an increase of 43).

The 2017 Porsche 911 is coming to Whatcom County this spring. (Courtesy photo) Both new 911s register 7,500 revolutions per minute on tachometers.

The Carrera can accelerate from zero to 60 miles per hour in 4.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 183 miles per hour.

The Carrera S can go zero to 60 in 3.7 seconds and top out at 191 miles per hour.

Towing • Recovery • Tire Change • Fuel Delivery • Lock Out • Jump Start

“It’s a big shift for Porsche,” Graddon said of the new turbocharged 911s. “It enables them to compete with other sports cars, but while maintaining the efficiency requirements for not just the U.S., but for all countries.

“Less fuel consumption, better per-

formance,” he said.

Roger Jobs also features a few 2016 911 Turbos. This higher-end model has a larger engine displacement (3.8 liters), but can generate 520 horsepower and roughly 500 pounds-feet of torque.

•

Heston Hauling

24 Hour Car Rentals

360-312-TOWS (8697)

6397 B Portal Way, Ferndale WA 98248 • hestonhauling@gmail.com

Maintenance, Repair & Restoration Over 30 Years of Experience Master Certified On-Site Mobile Unit

360-393-8938

C4

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Ferndale Record

DRIVE WHATCOM

Vehicle restoration an exacting, intricate process for Nathan Dykstra

Nathan Dykstra has started working on a full restoration of a Trans Am, complete with rebuilding every part of the underside. (Tim Newcomb/Lynden Tribune)

Nothing leaves Dykstra’s shop that he isn’t fully proud of

By Tim Newcomb tim@lyndentribune.com

SUMAS — Nathan Dykstra isn’t joking when he says he’s “living the dream.” As the owner of the high-end vehicle restoration business Nathan’s Custom Cars, this Whatcom County native spends time doing what he loves. Lots of time.

A recent full restoration of a 1963 Ford Fairlane had Dykstra laboring in his Sumas shop — a barn he converted on his property — for 2,500 hours. “Most people work a 2,000-hour year,” he said. “I don’t like letting them leave unless I can say I’m proud of that, that it came from my shop. It is a pride issue.”

There was the Fairlane, which was excruciatingly exacting in its detail. Dykstra estimates over 100 hours simply putting delicate trim back on “to make it perfect.”

And the entire time, in his head, he was saying to himself: “Don’t scratch nothing! Don’t scratch nothing!”

Even still, he calls the process a real pleasure. “It is fun,” he said. “It is challenging.”

The Fairlane may have taken 2,500 hours, but his recent restoration of a 1958 Chevy for a professional football player brings up a different story. It is the same truck the out-of-town player’s grandfather drove to take him for a lollipop every Saturday when he was a kid and this player now takes his grandpa in for a coffee every Saturday. Well, sort of the same truck. Dykstra enjoys the restoration of the body, but he likes adding the modern touches.

“The reason they are restoring the car is that people like the body lines the way they are,” he said. “You give it the subtle little touches that it needs, very unique things so the original body lines pop.”

But beyond that, Dykstra loads the restorations with

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Ferndale Record

DRIVE WHATCOM

C5

One of Nathan Dykstra's more recent restorations was a 1963 Ford Fairlane. (Courtesy photos)

the new technology for brakes, suspension and more. “So you are driving a new car with a classic body,” he said. “It is not the ultimate nostalgia with every nut and bolt to factory, but let’s make it as nice as we can possibly make it.”

On the ’58 Chevy, Dykstra did just that, putting the body back into pristine shape, but basically handing his client a brand-new vehicle on the inside with fuel-injection, electric shifting and plenty more. “Basically what you have is a 2013 Corvette in a ’68 Chevy truck that gets 25 miles per gallon,” he said. “It is totally drivable like a brand-new car with all the fun stuff.”

He equates merging the old with the new like building a foundation for a house, needing to get the foundation right from the very start or else you end up out of whack along the way. “Every time you change something, it changes something else,” Dykstra said. “It is a chain reaction.

When you starting changing stuff, you See Nathan on C6

Auto Service center Free pick up and delivery in Lynden

Ask about how to add warranty to your vehicle!

CALL TODAY! 318-8620

BEST TIRE VALUE PROMISE We promise you’ll get more for your money at Les Schwab

Free Peace of Mind Tire Protection

• If a Tire is Damaged Beyond Repair We’ll Replace its Value • Our Workmanship is Guaranteed for the Life of Your Tires • We Offer Free Pre-Trip Safety Checks

Free Lifetime Tire & Mileage Care

ete’s Auto Repair, LLC

rofessional Car Car e

Our Technicians are ASE Certified We do Diagnostics and Repairs Brakes, Exhaust, Electrical, Etc. Also Oil Changes and all other Recommended Maintenance Locally owned and operated by Pete and Nita Harksell

www.petesautorepair.net

• • • •

Free Flat Tire Repairs • Free Tire Rotations Free Tire Rebalancing • Free Air Checks Free Brake & Alignment Checks Hundreds of Les Schwab Locations to serve you

WALLGREN TIRE CENTER LES SCHWAB REVOLVING ACCOUNT

LYNDEN 354-1446 210 BIRCH BAY-LYNDEN ROAD LYNDEN, WA 98264

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Ferndale Record

C6

DRIVE WHATCOM

Nathan: A full labor of love Continued from C5 have to be very, very careful.”

Dykstra restored his first car for himself at age 25, a 1970 Challenger RT. Now 15 years later he has about 30 cars to his name. The business is still building, though.

Dykstra spends the morning trimming cow hooves and the afternoon working in the garage he saved up to create.

The tough part of the business side, he said, is there is simply no way he can bill for as much time as it takes to finish the really high-end work, what he’s become known for and his specialty.

“Nobody can really afford that,” he admits. “Not normal people, anyway.” And that makes turning this labor of love into a business a “rocky road.” That doesn’t mean his work isn’t gaining notice, though. The Fairlane, for example, restored for a local person, has taken home show prizes because of Dykstra’s work.

“I love to do the restorations,” he said. “The only thing holding you back is how creative you can be. That is the cool part for me. I have a canvas here and to see what I can do with it and how can we make this really cool — it is basically not letting anything hold you back.”

And that’s why Dykstra can say without reservation he’s living the dream.

What do we do?

We are a full service shop.

Repair - Maintenance - Mechanical - Electronics

We can do it.

Introductory Special!

15% OFF

your first order of Business Card, Letterhead & Envelope Package!

WE PROVIDE: Professional Graphic Design Full Service Commercial Printing • Direct Mail Services Competitive Pricing • Fast, Personal, One-on-One Customer Service Contact us today for a FREE, NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE 354-4444 | aarons@lyndenprintco.com 113 6th Street, Downtown Lynden www.lyndenprintco.com

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Ferndale Record

DRIVE WHATCOM

C7

Restorations for Nathan Dykstra center on keeping the classic lines of the car, but giving it modern abilities. (Courtesy photos)

YOUR WINDSHIELD COULD SAVE YOUR LIFE!!

Through 4 generations and over 87 years, WE REPAIR AND MAINTAIN ALL DOMESTIC AND IMPORT CARS AND TRUCKS.

ASE Certified Master Technician, Advanced Level Specialist

FREE Dinner with any windshield purchased and installed! *Some restrictions may apply.

The Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC)is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to the safe replacement of auto glass. The AGSC was founded and is supported by companies in the auto glass replacement industry that keep safe installation as their primary goal and is an accredited American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards development organization. For more information, please visit our website at www.agsc.org

axtonautomotive@gmail.com

Find us on

acebook

* *Discount not to exceed $50.00.

C8

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Ferndale Record

DRIVE WHATCOM

Reliving old Union Oil Company stations locally Some time ago, Jack Young of Lynden loaned to the Tribune a photo album of shots of former Union Oil Company outlets in Whatcom County. Jack’s father, Thomas R. Young, was a Union Oil distributor based on Depot Road in Lynden from 1926 to his retirement in 1971, and he delivered gasoline to retail stations. Most of the sites are long gone, including the original small building and four tanks on Depot. To the extent known, identification of some of the sites is given. Anyone who knows more for certain is welcome to email to editor@lyndentribune. com or call 354-4444 ext. 22, and the additional details will be printed in another edition of the Tribune. (Courtesy photos) This was the main Union Oil distributorship headquarters of Thomas Young on Depot Road, Lynden.

Depot Road, Lynden

A Full Service Auto Repair Facility • Brakes • Tune-Ups • Mufflers • Transmissions • Electrical • Shocks & Struts • Factory Scheduled Maintenance • Check Engine Light Diagnostics • Clutches • Engines

At some corner with Highway 99

Celebrating 58 Years in Specialized Precision Repair!

901 Evergreen St Lynden, WA L-R: John VanderPol, Todd Maas, Jack Simmons, Brad Maier, Barb Maier, Bill Maier, Jesus Hernandez, Audrey Elmer, Brent Maier, Brian Ramirez

354-7698 • Mon. - Fri. 8-5 • Sat. 8-2 • 8181 Guide Meridian • Lynden

354-2172

www.charliesautobodyinc.com

• Unibody & full frame repair • Auto body repair • Professional color matching

DRIVE WHATCOM

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Ferndale Record

Blaine Service Station

C9

Swanson’s Mercantile, location unknown

Possibly in Judson alley south of the 500 block of Front Street in Lynden

An early Whatcom County motoring stop

Breidford Motors, Blaine

Lynden Motor Company in the 600 block of Front Street, downtown Lynden

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Ferndale Record

C10

DRIVE WHATCOM

New Hyundai Elantra takes on competition 2017 model boasts features not available in other segment cars

By Brent Lindquist news@ferndalerecord.com

BELLINGHAM — The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has many new additions that make it an upgrade from last year’s model, but it also boasts some elements that set it apart from the competition.

“It has features that aren’t available in other cars in its segment,” said Gabe Lopez, sales manager of Rairdon’s Hyundai of Bellingham.

These aspects include automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and smart cruise control.

The Automatic Emergency Braking feature uses a camera and radar sensor to scan for vehicles and pedestrians in the car’s path. If a driver doesn’t react to an imminent collision, Automatic Emergency Braking kicks in.

Blind Spot Detection uses radar to detect when a vehicle is in the Elantra driver’s blind spot. Audible and visual alerts are deployed.

“Those are features that you won’t find in a Civic or a Corolla or Focus or cars like that,” Lopez said.

Lopez said the Elantra is a car that works for many different needs of people.

“It’s for people who drive back and forth to work, run to the grocery store multiple times per week and pick up their friends now and then,” he said. “And it’s for people who appreciate good gas mileage."

The Elantra is rated for 29 miles-pergallon in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.

“And with the active economy mode engaged, you can get better than what’s rated by the EPA,” Lopez said.

The 2017 Hyundai Elantra has made upgrades since last year's model. (Courtesy photo) The 2017 Elantra comes in two models: the SE and the Limited. The SE has a base price of $17,150 while the Limited

costs $22,350 before add-ons.

In addition to the safety features, the Elantra features a new body style and de-

sign as well as an expansive interior design.

For details, call Hyundai of Bellingham at 877-232-4435.

“Get Ready for Spring & Summer” • Engine tuned up for better mileage • Transmission serviced • Brake repair and brake fluid flushed • Air condition recharge & repair

“Call and make your appointment today!”

“Come see us for All your Automotive Repair Needs!”

Thank you for a great 32 yrs. We look forward to serving you in the years to come.

Serving Whatcom County since 1984

YNDEN ERVICE ENTER

S C

Ken Van Mersbergen & Jerry Brann, owners

MON-FRI 8:00-5:30

354-2611 FULLY CERTIFIED BY AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXCELLENCE

700 Grover St. Lynden Remember “Service” is our middle name.

Lifetime Warranty On All Work

INSURANCE WORK SPECIALISTS SPECIALIZING IN: • Collision Repairs • Laser Frame Measuring • Major Collision • Semis & RVs

360-354-2104 • 210 Main Street, Lynden • www.mapleleafautobody.com

DRIVE WHATCOM

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Ferndale Record

Use a pair of jumper cables properly Know how to hook them up to a helping vehicle Although keeping a pair of jumper cables in your car is a good thought for starting your car if the battery is run down, you also need to know how to use them. If you don’t, you could end up hurting yourself and your car.

When to jump your car Jumper cables don’t fix every problem, but if your car won’t crank, attempting to

Using jumper cables is rarely a planned occurrence. (Courtesy photo) jump it is an easy way to diagnose whether or not you’re dealing with a battery issue.

If you’ve left the lights or some other battery-draining feature on for an extended period of time and now the vehicle won’t crank, it’s possible it could be caused by a weak or defective battery. If that’s the case, pull out your jumper cables and get to work.

Get some help You’ll need another vehicle from which to pull some power, so drive up another vehicle near the one that won’t start, positioning the vehicles nose to nose, if possible. Try to get them as close together as possible.

Determine where the batteries are on each vehicle. Some newer models have the battery hidden, and you may need to read the owner’s manual to find the location.

Hook them up Make sure both vehicles are turned off and in park. Take your jumper cables and attach one of the red clips to the positive (POS/+) terminal of your battery, and the other red clip to the positive terminal of the other vehicle. Then, attach the other black (NEGATIVE/-) clip to the negative terminal on the other battery, and the final black clip to an unpainted metal surface not near the battery on your car to ground it.

See if it will start Start the other vehicle first and let it run for a few minutes, then attempt to crank your car. If it works, keep the engine running and drive it for at least 15 minutes to help build up a charge in your car’s depleted battery.

Then you should have the vehicle checked at a repair shop soon.

C11

C12

Lynden Tribune | Wednesday, March 16, 2016 | Ferndale Record

DRIVE WHATCOM