The ANTIQUE AUTOMOBILE CLUB of AMERICA

Westerly Pawcatuck Region

CLASSY CHASSIS NEWSLETTER

June 2008

~ We welcomed our guest for the evening Brian Sweisford from Charlestown, RI. Brian’s children Sara and Matt were with Brian at our meeting. ~

Club Trip Tour to Ray Helgar’s Garage Little Compton RI:

May 25, 2008-----What a great, beautiful day to go on an old-car excursion to Little Compton, RI. Susan + I (and our 4-yr-old grandson, Zachary) decided to be "presidential" and try to get to Benny's in Westerly earlier than the prescribed 8:30 meeting time, but, alas, good ol' Earl was already there in his bright yellow chariot when we pulled in!! Very closely on our heels came Jim + Peggy, followed by Al + Sandy, and Bob + Laura. Our caravan of 5 cars departed at 8:35, met Tom + Josephine, and Sonny (alone!!!!!) in S. Kingston, then proceeded across (2 GREAT bridges, right Zach??) into Newport Our pit stop for defeuling at McD's produced some excitement, as local police were called in to investigate a parking-lot accident----interesting sociological display of passions (the young girl was definitely guilty, contrary to her accusatory histrionics!!---she did like The Blue Chebby, though). Continuing on to Little Compton, we arrived at Ray Helger's @10:15, and spent some time with Ray while he examined our cars----even he didn't have a clue to the reason for the strange device on Sonny's exhaust manifold----can't find much more of an expert!! Well, a good time was had by all guys + gals (+ child) alike, perusing 620(!!!) antique outboard motors, @30-40 old cars (including a GREAT '49 green Cadillac), a buried Model T, great jokes, stories and visual evidence of turtles in his pond, and Tom's find in the parts building----he's been looking for that rear-bumper part for TEN years!!! All-in-all, everyone was quite impressed with Ray + Sally's establishment, and there very personable welcome to us. Following our departure from Ray's, we stopped at Sakonett Vineyards for a great, relaxing picnic, then an uneventful trip back home. What a GREAT day!!!!!

Respectfully submitted, Pres. Pete Steelman

Coming Events:

6/11/08 Wednesday 4:30 pm Meet at RI Exit 1 off I-95 parking lot for the Cruise at Denny’s West Warwick. Denny’s is off Exit 7 RI I-95N

6/13/08 Friday 8:00 am at the old Rosie’s Diner Rt 2 N. Stonington Those going on club trip to Hildyne

6/18/08 6:30 pm. Wednesday Executive Meeting. Executive Meetings are held at Tim Horten’s Westerly Between Rite Aid Pharmacy and Kentucky Fried Chicken.

6/25/08 7:00 pm Club Meeting. Club meetings are held at the North Stonington Senior Center behind the Groton Chelsea Bank North Stonington. Annette Miner and Jo Link are responsible for refreshments. Guests are always welcome.

7/4/08 Groton 4th of July Parade? Details later. (paid event)

8/13/08 Washington County Fair Details later. (paid event)

Other Events:

Every Monday nite 5-9 Cruise at Ocean Beach. Every Thursday nite 5-8Cruise at Misquamicut Paddy’s parking lot

June 10, Tuesday Dream Machine Classics, Dream Machine Classics, NEW LOCATION, Cruisin At the Montville Commons, 6pm - 8:30pm, Music by "The PO'M", Food Available, Awards, DMC Dragway Valve Cover Races, click here for dragway rules, Rods - Muscle Cars - Motorcycles - Street Machines - Customs - Stockers (1983 & Older unless radical customized) parking for the first 150 cars, call (860) 546-6113 or (860) 848-1955 or (860) 887-9049, Rain Date following Thursday, Directions to the new Cruise Location: Exit 79A (North & South) off I-395, Take the first Exit, at light turn right onto Rt 32 South, go next light turn right into Montville Commons follow signs to The Home Depot Parking Lot; From Rt 12, turn onto Mohegan Pequot Bridge, take Rt 32 exit, left off the exit ramp at the light onto Rt 32 South, go 1/2 mile and at 2nd light turn right into Montville Commons and follow signs to The Home Depot Parking Lot

June 13, Friday Rod Benders Cruise at Mystic Coastal Flooring, 19 Old Stonington Road, Mystic, CT, 6pm - 8pm, for more info call Bob Santos (860) 535-9163 or email at moparfrank@gmail.com

6/14/08 (Saturday) 11 am - 4 pm Cruise at United Congregational Church, Castle Hill Rd., Pawcatuck, CT Hamburger/hot dog soda will be provided to driver and one passenger first 50 cars.

June 15, The Jack Parker Memorial Classic Car Show, Manchester Community College, Great Path, Manchester, CT, 10am-2:30pm, Show car registration 8-11am, Open to all classic, custom and import cars, Trophies for "People's Choice", dash plaques of the first 150 entrants, more info contact ninonistri@aol.com or glemaire@mcc.commnet.edu or MCC Alumni Office (860) 512-2906, Rain date June 22

June 15th 5th Annual Rotary Show at the Abbey Just off Rte 114 at Portsmouth Abbey in Portsmouth, RI Registration - $15.00 per meet car General Public - $5.00 per car Registration: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm

6/21/08 (Saturday) 5 - 8 pm Cruise at Beit Bros Supermarket Rt 32 in Uncasville, CT

June 22, 14th Annual Auto Show, King of the Road at Thompson International Speedway, Thompson, CT, Presented by The Northeastern Connecticut Chamber of Commerce, 9am-4pm, 24 Show Classes, Dash Plaques for First 150 Show Cars

June 27, Rod Benders Cruise at Mystic Coastal Flooring, 19 Old Stonington Road, Mystic, CT, 6pm - 8pm, for more info call Bob Santos (860) 535-9163 or email at < a href="mailto:moparfrank@gmail.com">mailto:moparfrank@gmail.com

June 28, 5th Annual Oldies Antique/Classic Car Show with live band, presented by The Jewett City Savings Bank, 4-8pm at the Griswold Veteran's Memorial Park located at the intersection of Ashland and Hill Streets, Jewett City, CT, collective buttons will be passed out to all who bring their cars/trucks to the show (Please no Pets, Glass, Bikes, Scooters, or Skateboards), Food by Griswold Fire Department, info contact Al Geer 334-5572 or Ricky Bevis 376-2638

August 10, Main Street Car Cruise, Putnam, CT, 1-6pm, Hosted by the Tri-State Cruisers, The Town of Putnam and Associates, To Benefit The Putnam Fire Department, Dash Plaques for the first 500 cars, Trophies, Burnout Pit, etc.