Volume 49 | Issue 12 | December 2013

Owner: Pierre Lemieux
1995 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur III (SCAZN02COSCX55478)
Holiday
Holiday Party
Party and
and Awards
Awards Event
Event –– December
December 15th
15th
VOLUME 49
ISSUE 12
DECEMBER 2013
December
Mrs. Claus’ Irresistible, Indescribable,
Incredible and Imaginative Holiday Party
and Awards Ceremony
Can you believe it has been nearly eight years since we first dusted off our finery,
polished our PMCs, decorated both our fine automobiles and ourselves and arrived
at the home of Karen Perrault for one of the best-attended events of the year – the
annual RROC holiday bash? Can you even imagine how many pounds of succulent
prime rib and delicious salmon have been devoured on a wintry day in December?
By all accounts, the quantities have been huge. This year we are teaming the ever
popular holiday party with our annual awards celebration.
So not only will you partake in some of our cherished holiday traditions, such as
the informal concours of holiday-themed decorated Rolls-Royce and Bentley motor
cars gracing the driveway with the exquisitely attired members wondering if they will
be a winner and come away with a plush teddy (bear), a lotto ticket worth $1000 or
something in between – you may be the member that wins the Best Restored RollsRoyce or Bentley award for 2013 or one of our many other great honors.
You can still expect our time-honored traditions such as the always popular
“Twelve Days of Christmas” and of course, the somewhat unpredictable gift exchange.
Please remember that RROC staff is not responsible if your coveted gift is stolen
shortly after you have removed the dazzling wrapping paper. Please bring a wrapped
gift for the exchange, not to exceed $30 per couple for the item. However, you don’t
have to spend anything, as this is the one time that re-gifting is perfectly acceptable.
Just make sure that your gift is Holiday Grand, funny, cute, adorable, practical, valuable
or maybe just highly exchangeable.
In summary, the North Pole is now located at 18 Outrider Road in Rolling Hills.
Please polish up your PMC, hang some garland, decorate with Santas, bows and
bells and make sure that you wear your holiday finest to celebrate these wonderful
holidays with your fellow RROC members. In addition to the awards ceremony, the
holiday concours, the joyful singing and the gift exchange, you will be treated to a
fabulous and very generous lunch of prime rib or salmon with all of the trimmings
including dessert. Please mark your remittance envelope with #1 for Prime Rib and
#2 for Salmon.
Now, it’s hard to believe, but in all of the years that we have been celebrating
the holidays in Rolling Hills, the price for this event is still under $50 per person. As
a matter of fact, it is only $45 person but the bad news is that this event will sell out.
There is limited seating at the North Pole so if you would like to attend, please make
your reservations early.
Date:Sunday, December 15, 2013
Hostess: Karen Perrault (310) 519-0536
Time:10 a.m. (We are starting earlier to allow time for the annual awards.)
Where:18 Outrider Road
Rolling Hills, CA 90274
Price:
$45.00 per person
RSVP Deadline: December 11, 2013
Lunch Choice:
Prime Rib (#1 on envelope)
Salmon (#2 on envelope)
What to Bring:
Your fine holiday style, a festive Rolls-Royce or Bentley and one
exchange gift per couple ($30 maximum)
Directions to Karen Perrault’s Home
Directions: From North or South, take the 405 Freeway to the 110 Freeway South.
Exit the 110 Freeway at Anaheim. Both lanes may turn left at the bottom of the offramp. Turn left from the right lane, and make an immediate right turn onto Anaheim. At
the second signal you will reach a five-point intersection. Do not make an immediate
left, but turn the second left up the hill onto Palos Verdes Drive North. Drive past
Western Avenue. Turn left onto Palos Verdes Drive East.
You will wind up the hill a ways and will pass the following streets: Bronco (right),
Roan (left), Coach (left), Mustang (right). Immediately after Mustang you will come
to a small sign, Eastfield Gate (on your right). Turn right and go to the right side of
the guard shack. Give your name and destination. Proceed through the stop sign at
the end of the guardhouse, and turn left at the first boulevard stop, Outrider Road.
Proceed to almost the end of the street. #18 is on the left. Please, only Rolls-Royce
and Bentley motor cars in the driveway. All others may park on the street.
DECEMBER 2013
2013 Regional Officers
Chairperson
Vice Chairperson
Treasurer
Secretary
Pierre Lemieux
760 408-0230
Steve Butler
Karen Perrault
310 519-0536
Carolyn Quadt
562 598-7028
Appointed Positions
Chief Judge
Technical Chairperson
Membership Chairperson
Awards Chairperson Newsletter Editor
Hospitality Chairperson
Marketing/Advertising
Directory Editor
Webmaster
Archivist
Bylaws, Policies, Procedures Tom Mercurio
Ronny Shaver
Susana Gateau-Cumin
Tom & Terri Mercurio
Dori Oisen
Joan Hugron
Cell: (949) 439-0465
Gene TowIe
Karen Perrault
Steve Power-Fardy
Diane Cerveny
Brad Zemcik
2013 Board of Directors
Benoit Gateau-Cumin
Howard Green Brad Zemcik
Clint Camomot
Robert/Nancy Ratinoff
Ronny Shaver
Larry Ewaska
Sherry Stern
Joan Hugron
Editorial Staff
Editor: Dori Olsen
Cell Phone: (424) 644-5987
[email protected]
The Spirit of Ecstasy is published monthly, approximately
two weeks after the meet. Articles and notices should be
received no later than the 15th of the month prior. Please
Identify cars (with chassis numbers) and individuals in all
photographs. Private
party
advertisements
for
Rolls-Royce/Bentley sales, wanted items, parts, lost and
found, or information will be published for members at no
charge. For car sales, include chassis number and asking
price. Photos will be published at a nominal charge.
Non-member advertising will be accepted at published
rates. Display advertising is accepted, at the discretion of
the Editor, for business card, 1/4, 1/2, or full page insertions
in increments of three, six or twelve months. Advertisements
are published as a courtesy to the membership. The Southern
California Region and its Editor(s) do not assume responsibility
in the event of a claim of loss or damage resulting from
publication. Members are responsible for investigating any
advertising claims prior to entering into an agreement with
an advertiser. Please contact the Editor(s) for information
or published rates. Articles reflect the opinion of the authors
and do not necessarily reflect national or regional policy. The
Southern California Region and its Editor(s) seek to publish
accurate material but neither assumes responsibility in the
event of a claim of loss or damage resulting from publication.
The organization is under the control of the National RROC.
2013
Chairman’s Corner
Well, yet another year hasWilly
flown Hugron
by with “Bentley
speed” and I have to say that I am looking forward to the
upcoming holidays with great anticipation.
We have had such a fun-filled year with so many
incredible events that it will be hard to top, but I can
assure you that we are already working diligently on 2014
and it’s looking very exciting. One of the events next year
that you don’t want to miss is the San Diego region’s Spring
Hugron
Tour in April. You might want Willy
to register
soon because
they only have space for up to 100 guests and it is already
filling up fast. You can go online on the RROC website www.
rroc.org to register and get more information. Be sure to
check the ad on page 7.
Chairman’s Corner
On that note, you don’t want to miss a single minute of
our Southern California region happenings. If you haven’t
already done so, be sure to go to the RROC website and pay
your dues for 2014. Don’t forget to include the additional
dues for your region and spouse/partner memberships.
One of my favorite events of the year is just a
couple of weeks away and that is the holiday party hosted
by Mrs. Christmas herself - Karen Perrault. You don’t
want to miss this because the views are spectacular, the
house is decorated from top to bottom and the prime rib is
divine. This year we have also added our awards ceremony
to the event, so make sure that you are there to applaud
the winners of the Best Restored Rolls-Royce and Bentley
awards and the Most Improved Rolls-Royce and Bentley
awards. We will also be honoring members who have given
exceptional service to the club.
I want to especially thank Betty and Howard Green
for hosting an awesome Fox Hunt in October and Benoit
and Susana Gateau-Cumin for hosting the pre-hunt Stirrup
Cup. I have to say, this was my first time and I wasn’t sure
what to expect. I had such a blast that I will make sure
not to miss them in the future. It was great to see so
many beautiful cars on the road and a wonderful way to see
parts of the city that I would have never known about. It
was a really fun day! Thank you!
I can’t finish the year without thanking all of our
members who volunteered to host events in 2013 and
to our officers, directors and chairpersons who give up
so much of their time to make it all happen. It would be
impossible without them and they are the reason we have
such a wonderful region.
On a special note: I want to say what an honor it is
to have worked side-by- side with Karen Perrault over the
years. I think she is just amazing on how she helps and
supports so many of us on the board and does this year
after year. She is always volunteering for any position or
task that needs fulfilling. She is simply the best and is the
RROC-SOCAL.COM
reason
why we have such an outstanding region. Karen, I
thank you from the bottom of my heart.
Happy holidays and happy motoring Pierre Lemieux
RROC-SOCAL.COM
December
1
DEADLINE FOR RETURN OF
ELECTION BALLOTS
7
Monthly Tech Seminar
Election Ballot Count
Host: Ronny Shaver
15
Holiday Party and Awards Event
Hostess: Karen Perrault
January
4
Monthly Tech Meet
Host: Ronny Shaver
TBA
Quarterly Breakfast Meet and Drive
Pasadena area
February
TBA
Judging Seminar
March
TBA
Quarterly Breakfast Meet and Drive
29 Concours d’Elegance
No Cost
$45
The Cover Story
By Pierre Lemieux
I have been amazed at what I have found on eBay over the years. It has certainly come in handy in restoring my 1948 Mark VI But
this spring eBay surprised me once again; this time with a freshly
listed 1995 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur III (SCAZN02COSCX55478)
with 16,000 miles. It was a one-owner car that was being sold by
the Rolls-Royce/Bentley dealership in St Louis. The car had been
traded in by a “little old lady” on a new Bentley Mulsanne and had just
been serviced. Luckily over the years I have made a lot of friends
from various car clubs and I knew I had someone that I could trust
to look at the car for me. So after a few days and a satisfactory
inspection, a sales price was agreed upon and the car was on its way
to the west coast. It arrived in time for our 40th Concours in April at
Santa Anita. Very excited!
Rudy Rizzo
Huntington Park
Kenneth Geiger
Los Angeles
Frank Spitzer
Costa Mesa
DECEMBER 2013
The Fabulous Fox Hunt
The Tale of the Fox
Over hill, over dale, we drove our trusty steeds
Through the woods and through the river, they never, ever faltered
As we experienced Hunters had tended to their needs
His course, of course, our wily Freddy never altered
His zeal! His zest! His energy! was something to behold
As he led us on a merry chase as he has done of old
But lo, Fox Hunter Ken and friends were really on their game
And were determined to hunt the Fox to their everlasting fame
The Hunt was very thrilling and we repaired gleefully to our pub
To enjoy a hearty meal and with great anticipation
Answer complex questions we were determined not to flub
So as not to shame the So Cal Rolls-Royce and Bentley Owners’ Club
Hunt Masters Howard and Betty planned the perfect day
We were all enchanted and really wanted to stay
We hoped the day would never end
But alas, that is not the way
So, all good tales must come to an end
And this day we will recall
A day no better way to spend
Agreement from us all!
Our thanks to Howard and Betty Green
For planning this expedition
A grander Hunt we have never seen
To say otherwise is surely sedition!
(Poem shamelessly submitted by your editor Dori Olsen.)
(Fox Hunt cartoon provided by Sherry Stern.)
DECEMBER 2013
The Fox Hunt
Sunday, October 20th found a group of indefatigable Fox Hunters
gathered at the Beverly Hills home of Benoit and Susana Gateau-Cumin
to begin the 2013 Fox Hunt with the Stirrup Cup. After gaining sustenance
for the chase, the Hunters determinedly chased Freddy the Fox through a
circuitous twenty-two mile course. Freddy was in top form and led us on a
merry two-hour chase that zig-zagged through Cheviot Hills, Beverly Hills,
onto Sunset Blvd and then on to Bel Air, Westwood Village, Brentwood and
finally ending at our surprise trattoria. There was no panic, as all of the
participants found their way to the Amici Brentwood Restaurant in Santa
Monica.
Along the way we passed the homes of Jack Benny, Lucille Ball and
Jimmy Stewart in Beverly Hills. We saw the Playboy Mansion (no, none of
the gentlemen dropped in) and the Aaron Spelling estate that sold in 2011
for a reported 85 million dollars.
The owners of Amici Brentwood could not have been more
accommodating. We parked our prized PMCs in their parking lot and what
a sight that was. They opened the restaurant early for us alone and we
dined family style on pizza, chicken, salmon and handmade ravioli. The
ambiance was delightful and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal and the
camaraderie that had developed from the hunt. It was the perfect venue for
the grand finale!
The room was
abuzz
with
lively
conversation
and
Howard brought us
to order to review
the answers to the
questions, many of
which were intriguing.
Examples are:
Q: What sound does a
store make? A: Aahs
(the name of the store)
Q: What is the Bela Lugosi Vineyard? A: Vampire Wines (also the
name of the store)
Q: What exclusive club was passed on the Hunt? A: The Beverly Hills
Mutt Club Our thanks to Howard and Betty Green for hosting this challenging and
magnificent 2013 Fox Hunt! And thanks to Sherry Stern who ably assisted
the Greens in staging the Hunt.
The Fox Hunt Team Captains
Jim Brownell
Steve Butler
Clint Camomot
Dave Dwoskin
Fernando Eiroa
Benoit Gateau-Cumin
Howard Green
Stephen Hiemstra
Willy Hugron
Ken Johnson
Karen Perrault
Dick Pilponis
Steve Power-Fardy
Rick Rosiejka
Joel Shapiro
Tom Warden
1948 Silver Wraith (WDC16)
1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow (SRE26228)
1987 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur (NAF-13373)
1955 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I Saloon (LSWA226)
2000 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph
1965 Bentley S3 Continental (BC58LXE)
1957 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I (LSCC77)
1980 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
1958 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud I (LSJF22)
1984 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur
2001 Bentley Azure (KB1-62550)
1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow
1965 Silver Cloud III Saloon (SKP181)
1976 Rolls-Royce Silver Shadow LWB
1951 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith (WOF9)
1957 Bentley S1 Saloon (B316LEG)
Ken Johnson and his coterie answered the most questions correctly and
Ken was very excited to be installed as the Hunt Master for the 2014 Fox
Hunt.
DECEMBER 2013
6
DECEMBER 2013
RROC-SOCAL.COM
Membership Renewal
December Tech Seminar
If you haven’t already done so, it is time to renew your membership
in the National RROC and the Southern California Region for 2014.
You don’t want to miss the exciting events and technical seminars
that we have planned for next year, not to mention not receiving the
newsletter.
This is a reminder that Ronny’s December tech seminar is
December 7th at 9:00 a.m. Club members may bring their own cars
and work on them too! Reservations must be made by Dec. 4th to
bring in a car by contacting Ronny at (714) 953-0896 or via e-mail
at [email protected]. Of course anyone can come and
watch as fellow RROC members tackle minor repair jobs on their
“precious PMCs”.
Renewal is easy! It is convenient to pay your dues online and you
may pay electronically using a credit or debit card on the secure site.
Simply go to the National RROC website at www.rroc.org. Log in
and select Membership Renewal on the left side of the screen, directly
above Log Out. A Membership Renewal screen will display with a
summary of your current status. If you have no changes, click Next.
The Membership Renewal – Payment screen will display. Enter the
requested credit card/debit card information and follow the directions
on the screen. Be sure to pay the National dues of $70.00 and the
Southern California Region dues of $55.00. If you have a spouse or
partner, add an additional $1.00 for their membership.
If you are still receiving paper notifications in the mail, you may
want to update your information on the National site to include your
e-mail address. That way you will receive electronic notifications and
enjoy the convenience of updating and receiving your information
online.
We look forward to your continuing membership in 2014.
Thanks from the Editor
The tech session is held at Ronny’s Garage, 111 West 1st St.,
Santa Ana, CA 92703.
Join Us for the 2014 Election Ballot
Count
It is time for the election of officers and members of the board
for the 2014 calendar year. Your vote is very important and we hope
you took the time to review the candidates’ qualifications and cast your
vote.
Ballots will be counted at the monthly Tech Seminar at Ronny’s
Garage on December 7th beginning at 10:00 a.m. The address of
Ronny’s Garage is 1111 West 1st St., Santa Ana, California 92703.
This is an important event and all members are welcome and
encouraged to attend. Please RSVP to Ronny Shaver by e-mail at
[email protected] or by phone at (714) 953-0896 by
December 4th if you are planning on attending.
By Dori Olsen
Publishing The Spirit of Ecstasy on a monthly basis is a group
effort that requires dedication, commitment, ingenuity, creativity and
follow-through. I want to thank profusely those members who make it
possible to generate a quality newsletter on a timely basis:
Pierre Lemieux for his monthly column and his contributions of special
interest articles.
Steve Butler for his articles, his planning of the monthly events and for
always keeping me apprised of the details.
Karen Perrault for her pictures of the monthly events.
Ronny Shaver for his monthly column Ask Ronny and updates on his
monthly tech seminars.
Steve Power-Fardy for his constant support and help and his photos
and special interest articles.
Gene Towle for obtaining ads to support the cost of the newsletter and
for his article detailing his car restoration.
Nancy Ratinoff and Sherry Stern for proofreading the newsletter.
Susana Gateau-Cumin for providing new member information.
I also want to thank these wonderful members who took time out
from their busy schedules and contributed articles, photos, ideas, etc.
They are, in no particular order:
Bill Clarke, John Glassco, Brock Backlund, Bill Cronkhite, Steve
Anderson, Howard Green, Glen MacDonald, Bob Pazen, Diane
Cerveny, Tom Warden, Nancy Ratinoff, Bob Ratinoff, Gene Towle,
Bill Baker, Michael Berman, Willy Hugron and Larry Ewaska.
Additional thanks to all of the members (you know who you are)
who took the time to call or send me e-mails of appreciation and thanks.
It means a lot!
And finally, thanks to all of you, our members, who take the time to
read the newsletter. Have a fabulous holiday and a wonderful 2014!
Enjoy margaritas and beach music at our hotel venue
Overlooking beautiful San Diego Bay.
Synopsis of the 2014 Spring Tour in San Diego County
Our tour begins with a welcome dinner in the evening of Sunday, April 13 at our host hotel.
Coincidentally, April 13th is the last of three days of events surrounding the La Jolla Concours, a carFour
days
of special
camaraderie
in one
of that
themany
most
oriented
celebration
involving
driving, eating,
drinking, and car judging.
It is likely
of our 2014
Spring Tourers may want to arrive in San Diego early to participate in that event.
wonderful places on our planet.
Monday is our first day of driving, and it will concentrate on the sights and attractions to be celebrated
within the city of San Diego itself. Participants may choose to follow a 59-mile drive that is prescribed
Please plan on joining us!
by local visitor and tourism authorities as encompassing the highlights of things to see and do, or they
may choose a-la-carte style to concentrate on any area(s) of personal interest. Lunch will be taken on
your own, when and where you get hungry. Dinner on Monday evening will be hosted at a top-shelf
• 500 MILES OF TOURING • 7 EXQUISITE MEALS
waterside restaurant with views of San Diego harbor and the city skyline.
• WONDERFUL CAMARADERIE • RIDE SHARING ENCOURAGED
Tuesday presents a tour of our North County, heading inland and north as far as the Bonsall and
Fallbrook area, with lunch to be hosted at a recently-remodeled Country Club. Our return to San Diego
along
the coastline Day
will offer 2—
a driveTuesday,
through our beach
communities
between
Carlsbad
and downtown
Driving
April
15, 2014
The
North
San
San Diego. Driving mileage for the day will be about 120 miles. Heavy hors d’oeuvres for supper will be
Diego
County
Tour
Drive
through
many
exquisite
North
San
hosted at the car collection of a local Club member, and bus transportation to the event from our
hotel
will Diego
be provided.
County estate communities. Lunch at a handsome
country
club.
Dinner
highly-acclaimed
Car
Wednesday
will be
our longest
driving at
day a
(about
160 miles) with a route into
our Collection.
local mountains east
of town. We’ll pass through San Pasqual Valley and Julian, and have a hosted lunch at the mountain
home of members Rob & Ivonne Webb, followed by a drive out to Mount Laguna via the Sunrise
Driving
3 day)
— eastward
Wednesday,
TheState
Grand
Highway
with viewsDay
(on a clear
to the SaltonApril
Sea and16,
Anza2014
Borrego Desert
Park.
Dinner
on Wednesday
will be onthe
your dramatic,
own, affording you
the opportunity
to sample
from aDiego
variety of
Loop
Tour. Enjoy
varied
scenery
of San
restaurants within walking distance of our hotel.
County. Lunch and dessert at private country retreats.
Thursday
will be
our finaldinners
day, and thein
shortest
daySan
of the week.
We will tour through Coronado,
Small
group
Olddriving
Town
Diego.
drive southward on the Silver Strand, and visit a national wildlife refuge in the estuaries near our border
with Mexico. A food truck will meet us “on the road” for lunch, and we’ll have our annual “mascot
decorating”
contest Day
for tour participants
to memorialize April
the highlights
the week The
by decorating
the
Driving
4 — Thursday,
17, of2014
South
hood ornament on their PMC. The theme for our mascot decorating contest will be “San Diego
San (Further
Diegodetails
County
Tour.
Enjoy ofour
world-renowned
Memories.”
will be provided
upon confirmation
your reservation.)
Lunch will be
followed
by tours ofand
the U.S.
Olympic
Center nearCoronado.
Otay Lakes, and aA
relatively
early “near
return to
estuaries
one
of Training
our jewels,
special
our hotel.
the border” lunch!
The concluding dinner on Thursday evening will be a formal (black tie optional) dinner hosted at the
fabulous Calumet automobile collection of Club member John Ellison, where we’ll be able to see “up
The
Mascot
Competition
—Again,
an RREC
Tradition
close”
many 2014
of his cars that
have won awards
at our National Meets.
bus transportation
to the
dinner event from our hotel will be provided.
also celebrated in San Diego! Theme:“San Diego Memories”.
Black tie dinner at a world-famous car collection.
DECEMBER 2013
Beauty is more than skin deep
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hidden advantages of radial construction...
• Easier steering, both
driving and parking
• Puncture resistance
• Quicker response
• Increased safety
• Better ride; less road
shock
• Shorter emergency braking
• Better wet weather traction
• Better fuel economy
• Better tracking; less
“wandering”
• Less rolling resistance;
better fuel economy
• Longer tread life
We offer a full range of classic 15”,16”, and 17”
sizes for both classic and later model Rolls Royces
and Bentleys in any whitewall width.
DIAMOND BACK CLASSIC RADIALS
4753 Highway 90, Conway, SC 29526
888-922-1642
www.dbclassics.com
Rolls-Royce
Bentley
Exclusive Expert Service
Repair-Inspection-Restoration
1111 West 1st St
Santa Ana, CA 92703
714-953-0896 [email protected]
Ronny Shaver
By appointment only please
DECEMBER 2013