June 2006 Newsletter - Great Lakes Cobra Club

The INSIDE
Track
June
2006
Newsletter
Thoughts for the Summer
by Wes Rozan - Editor
Well, its summer-time and the living is easy. Bull-S-----!
Visit out website at:
www.greatlakescobra.com
GLCC
OFFICERS
Linda Rennie
President
Dave Swanson
Vice President
I still need to wash the house windows, wash the kitchen and
bath walls and ceilings, clean the garage out, trim the shrubs,
start the mower, change the oil, sharpen the blades, weed the
flower beds, put down some mulch, put-away the snow shovels,
clean out the basement, spray for ants, spiders, wasps, etc, rototill the garden, plant the vegetables, paint the garage door, fill the
cement cracks with tar, power wash and stain the deck, dig a tree
stump-out, put down grub-control, fertilize the lawn, bring down
the mountain bike, clean and put the patio furniture out, fix the
BBQ-Grill, put in tree fertilizer spikes, contract to paint the house
paint the mail-box, re-caulk the cedar siding.
Then I have this place up-north on a lake in Mecosta and I have
to do it all over again! But I need to fix the sea-wall, put the dock
in, start the boat, put the boat in, trim the trees, find more stones
and rocks for the driveway and flower beds, spray for insects.
Dave Courter
Treasurer
Karen Anway
Secretary
GLCC
NEWSLETTER
STAFF
Wes Rozan
Newsletter
Editor
wjrcobra706@
sbcglobal.net
Kathy & Tim
Byzewski
Newsletter Distribution
Now for the important stuff. Change the oil in the Cobra, get new
rear tires, wash and wax the Cobra, change the air filter, black-out
the tires, clean the trailer, re-glue the floor tiles, paint the door interior, check the lights, brakes and tire pressures, wash and wax
the truck, clean the vehicle interiors.
Good thing I live alone or I wouldn’t have time to do any of this.
Everyone have a good safe time at the Double Venom Spring
Fling.
T h e I n si d e T r ac k
Pa ge 2
MAY 16TH - GLCC MEETING NOTES
Meeting was called to order at Gino’s in Waterford at 7:10 p.m. – 24 members in attendance.
April 2006 minutes were posted in the newsletter. Questions taken, none.
Treasurer’s Report Account balance is $4,568 ($550 for Hospice); all bills paid.
Cruise and Special Event Committee Report given by Terry Anway.
th
 Car Show for Hospice – Saturday May 20 in Canton.
th
th
 Poker Run – Linda Rennie covered; June 4 (11 is rain date). Starting out at McDonalds on Telegraph north of Square Lake. Total run to take 3-4 hours with lunch provided at the end.
 Spring Fling – The DVSF (held outside of Cleveland) has been cancelled. Several GLCC members
attending Columbus event (London Cobra Show). Contact Terry if interested in caravanning. So far
170 cars are signed up for the London Cobra Show.
 WWDC – The club has paid $100 to put our name in for the lottery for car clubs to park in Birmingham. Drawing to be held on May 31 st. Birmingham is limiting car clubs to 30 cars. Club members
are looking for alternatives in the event we are unable to get our Hazel St. location (to park more
than 30 cars with 555 and Franklin Bank). Alternatives include Mercedes dealership in Birmingham
(Bill Wells) and Royal Oak Ford (where GLCC parked before). Dave Swanson volunteered to locate other possible alternatives on Woodward.
 Doug Lentz motioned to drop Birmingham as an option if we cannot be guaranteed Hazel Street,
all approved.
th
 Terry to report the results of the lottery at the drivers meeting for the Poker Run on the 4 .
V Coordinators / GLCC Events Needed – If any members are willing to help coordinate and/or have
interest in participating in the following events; contact Terry. Northern Michigan Cruise, Christmas
Party, Cobra Rides for …. Hospice of Michigan?, North Carolina Cruise (or covered bridge tour ?,
Cruise to Port Austin, Cruise to Hell, Swap Meet, Milan Dragway, Waterford Hills Racing, Frankenmuth Car Show, Gratiot Cruise, Fall Color Tour, Saturday morning breakfast cruises, Grand Haven Car
show, Cruise to Gilmore car museum, Fall Orchard Cruise.
HELP – NEED PARTICIPANTS AND COORDINATORS FOR CLUB EVENTS!!
VI Club Merchandise & Apparel:
 A-Frame awards is the new provider of merchandise. Terry modeled a new shirt from A-Frame. A
link to their website from the GLCC website will be added soon. Members may go directly to the
A-Frame to order GLCC logo wear at: www.aframeawards.com
VIIMembership Committee: Linda Rennie reported 107 new or renewing members. New members: Pat &
Joyce Burger were in attendance.
VIII Newsletter: Closing date June 1, 2006. Articles are needed. The idea of revisiting member profiles
for each article was discussed. Any volunteers to write profiles should send them (or any other articles)
to Wes Rozan at [email protected]
IX Meeting Location – Mark DeLuca has confirmed Logan’s in Troy for next three even month meetings
(June, August, and October). The members in attendance elected to use Gino’s for the odd months
(July, September, November). Karen to confirm the room. It was also suggested that we check into
Mesquite Creek now that they have new ownership (Andiamo’s) and the old Toscani’s Grille which has
reopened as a Mexican restaurant. Suggestions/recommendations should be forwarded to Linda Rennie.
X Monthly Raffle: Winners were: Dave Swanson and (unknown).
XI Next Club Meeting: Tuesday; June, 20th 2006 - 7:00 pm Logan’s Roadhouse in Troy.
XIIMeeting adjourned at 8:10 p.m.
I
II
III
IV
T h e I n si d e T r ac k
Pa ge 3
BEST WISHES to GLCC’s Vice
President Dave Swanson and
his bride Kelly…
Dave & Kelly “tied the knot”
on June 3rd and headed off to
Bermuda for their honeymoon.
GLCC OFFICER ELECTIONS – RESULTS ARE IN! - REPRINT
By Karen Anway, Secretary
The April monthly meeting brought in the finale of the hotly contested race for the annual officer elections of
2006. O.K., this depiction may be considered a bit of an embellishment. The election was actually quite
serene with the only real concern that nominations would decline to take on the mission. However, all of
the nominees were amenable and accepted the challenge of taking our club forward for another two years.
Officer positions that were up for election included President and Treasurer; however, when the Vice
President accepted the nomination for President that also left the Vice President office open. Nominations
were made, some arms were twisted, and the voting was unanimous for our new officers. We are pleased
to report the following new officers:
LINDA RENNIE, PRESIDENT: Linda has been a member of GLCC since the club’s inception, and a member
of the predecessor club (SEMCMA). The original club was formed in 1997 with six members. Linda built
her own Classic Cobra replica which she first put on the road 1997, and she has drives that car everywhere
(including to work). Linda was instrumental in helping to build Cobra owner contacts, organize events, and
was instrumental in the inception of GLCC’s formal organization as a club in 2001. Since the club’s foundation she has served as Vice President.
DAVE SWANSON, VICE PRESIDENT: Dave has been a member of GLCC since 2003 and has actively participated in monthly meetings and club events. Dave finished his Kirkham Cobra in early 2005 and already
has over 1,000 miles logged. He has more enthusiasm for these cars than anyone I have ever seen. His
contagious smile, interest in others and eagerness to get things going is a welcome addition to the board.
DAVE COURTER, TREASURER: Dave (Courter) has also been a member of GLCC since 2003 and attends
almost every monthly meeting and actively participates in many (almost all) club events. Dave got his Superformance Cobra in 2003 and is also an active participant in the Superformance car owners club. Dave
has already taken the appointment to task by helping organize the club’s legal history. While filling Doug
Lentz’s shoes in making sure our club stays on track financially will be difficult to do, Dave is already showing he is ready for the challenge.
Please join me in welcoming these new officers to the GLCC board!
I also want to thank Joe Pappas and Doug Lentz for the past 4 ½ years of hard work and dedication to the
club. Their perseverance and commitment to the members has been a tremendous contribution to the club
and helping us get where we are. Both Doug and Joe have promised that they will continue to be actively
involved and step in when help is needed, we are going to hold you to that!
Pa ge 4
T h e I n si d e T r ac k
GLCC CLUB HISTORY
By Doug Lentz
In 1993 I visited the Saturn plant in Spring Hill, Tennessee as a trouble shooter on door systems.
While waiting for something to go wrong, I waited in a break area with a closed circuit TV. An ad came on for
Classic Roadster, having nothing else to do I called the 1-800 number and talked to Gene Bagelski. Before you
could say “Cobra”, I was the proud owner of a Classic Roadster. The car was to be shipped the next month, but
before the car could be shipped the company went chapter 13 followed by chapter 11. Classic Roadster went
bankrupt the same day my father died so things were put into perspective for me a little. Thanks to Gene; a
body, frame and a few parts made it out the door before they shut down.
I started to build with the parts I had, but soon came to a stand still because I was missing just
tooooo many parts. Thanks to Ken Seybert for parts, and a local friend named Vic Cox for moral support, I was
able to complete the car in 1993.
The first Woodward Cruise did not have many Cobras, I only saw one other, but my car was a
hit. Jennifer and I drove up and down Woodward for hours and had a great time. If we needed to pull over
there was always a place.
I drove my car like I stole it and started driving the car to work; I had an assigned parking spot
just out side the plant entrance. A fellow named “car nut” had to drive right past it to get to the power house
where he worked.
One day I was told some car nut was sitting at my desk and he wanted to talk about the Cobra.
I walked in to see this car nut sitting there looking like an excited 12 year old. We talked about Cobras and I
didn’t have to twist his arm too much to get him to jump. The car nut also got his car from Classic Roadster
after a reorganization of the company and did all right.
The car nut was Terry Anway and he finished his car in 1997. We agreed to meet during the
2nd Woodward Cruise at a Wendy’s restaurant. I was driving down Woodward and Terry pulled out in front of me
and yelled we’re in the Wendy’s lot and screamed off. There were six of us then, myself and Jennifer, Terry and
Karen, John and Linda Rennie, Ed and Diane Combs and a couple that drove up from Daytona Beach along
Gene Bagelski from Classic Roadster sitting on a small hill in the parking lot. Doug Green would drive by occasionally, we waved but he kept driving and ignoring us. If I remember right it rained that day too. Then the
Woodward Cruise was still pure and you could really enjoy; big business had not taken over yet.
After the WWDC, Terry started getting together with other Cobra owners and going to local
cruises. The thought of starting a Cobra club was forming in his little Cobra head.
One of the first events we did as a group, but still not a club, was a two day cruise to Port
Huron. Boy did it rain. The first night we covered the cars the best we could and I can still hear Karen saying as
we walked away from the cars. “Boy it just doesn’t seem right letting them sit there alone.” I worried about my
car all night long. This was the night we discovered that Terry has pajamas with little Cobras on them. We
cruised in the rain up the Thumb of Michigan and got soaked. Present were the Lentz’s, Anway’s, Green’s, and
the Marlowe’s.
For the third WWDC we again met at the Wendy’s with the same group. For the forth WWDC
Terry was able to get Hazel Street in Birmingham. Terry had a small e-mail list and did direct mailings. At this
time, Karen and Terry were bank rolling the “not” club out of their own pocket. I took up a collection to off set
some of the costs; I think I got about a $100 on the day of the WWDC.
Finally Terry called me and said he had a meeting set for the following week to formalize the
club at Rochester Mills Brewery in April of 2001. I could not make the meeting but said I would be Treasurer.
The first Board of Directors consisted of Joe Pappas President, Linda Rennie Vice President and Karen Anway
as Secretary. And the rest is history!
T h e I n si d e T r ac k
Pa ge 5
FIRST STRIKE
By Ron Nelson
A friend once asked me, “If money was no object, what would I do with my life?” Without hesitation I answered, “I would work on more expensive cars.”
Some time ago, I accepted the fact that it’s definitely the project and build that turns me on. The owning
and using seem to me to be more of a liability.
Surprisingly, I know of certain others who quietly suffer from the same disorder. I’m confident however,
that medical science will soon label the condition. Hence, yet another new drug will be developed, with a
low risk of certain unpleasant side affects, to help those of us so afflicted.
Enter my Everett-Morrison cobra kit. I won’t admit how long I’ve owned the kit. Suffice it to say, there’s
some things you don’t want to rush.
In December 2005, Murray Pfaff, from Pfaff Design, asked me if I would be able to have my cobra finished by Autorama. He wanted it to be a part of his display. Ken Seybert and I were both up for the challenge. The car was a blank canvas, but my mission was clear. To blend the sexy curves and shapes of
the cobra with an equally seductive paint scheme; to accentuate the positive. A victoria secret of color
and body mods, if you will.
The makeover began with the body man’s scalpel, the roto-zip. All but the outer 5 inches of the hood
was removed and replaced with a highly curvaceous, low profile, pro snorkel hood scoop. So much for
engine breathing problems.
The nose job was next. Fiber glassing over the bumper holes, air vents and removing the turn signal
bosses. Mr. Roto-Zip and I cut a pair of gaping 5 inch diameter holes just below and inboard of both
headlights. These holes would soon be the home for hand-laid driving light bezels with 4 inch lights. A
$200.00 bill put the turn signals into the headlights, via the Auto Nik Company. With the front-end
roughed in, I headed rearward for a mild fannytuck, to accommodate a pair of spiritually superior LED
tail lights.
Bodywork complete it was now time to wrap this girl in a french bikini of orange pearl, white diamond
pearl and negro black paint. And voila’, the
first LED lit, tri-tone; four-eyed snake was born! I
call her, “First Strike”.
Add to this a marathon session of final assembly
and debugging. Ken holding my hand all the way.
Four days of Autorama and now I am ready for a
new project. Cindy has a long list, you bet.
Thanks go out to the pioneers of the club and to
Ken Seybert/CVR Automotive and Murray
Pfaff/Pfaff Design, but most of all to my wife Cindy,
she gave me permission.
Pa ge 6
T h e I n si d e T r ac k
LETTER FROM THE GLCC EVENT COMMITTEE—REPRINT
The 2006 calendar of events is underway, several exciting events are being planned and the calendar of events
on the website has been updated to include our initial plans.
Following are the events that are currently on our calendar and are planned for 2006.
DATES
EVENT
CONTACT
June 4
GLCC IV Annual Poker Run
Linda Rennie
June 3-10
Hot Rod Power Tour
Mike Bird
June 11 (rain date)
GLCC IV Annual Poker Run
Linda Rennie
June 23-25
Spring Fling – London, Ohio
Terry Anway
July 14
Rolling Sculpture Show – Ann Arbor
Terry Anway
July 15
Club Picnic – Lake Front Park
Jim Binder
August 13
Rockin’ Rods Car Show – Rochester
Bob Matouka
August 17
WWDC – Pre-Dream Club Cruise
Terry Anway
August 19
XII WWDC – GLCC Event
Terry Anway
September 9
Frankenmuth Auto Fest
Terry Anway
September 16
VII Annual Chicken Run
Kelly Londy
While this is a great start, MORE EVENTS AND THE VOLUNTEERS TO HELP ORGANIZE THEM ARE NEEDED!
Below is a list of past events GLCC has had, if there is interest or more importantly you would like to
help coordinate, contact Terry Anway at 810-397-8475 or [email protected]
POTENTIAL 2006 EVENTS – Any Interest?








Northern Michigan Cruise
Cobra Rides for Hospice
Cruise to Port Austin
Cruise to Hell
Swap Meet
Milan Dragway
Waterford Hills Racing
Gratiot Cruise








Saturday Morning Breakfast Cruises
N. Carolina Cruise (or covered bridge tour)
Grand Haven Car Show
Cruise to Gilmore Car Museum
Fall Color Tour
Fall Orchard Cruise
Christmas Party
Other Ideas?
To help coordinate, all you need to do is pick a date, time, location, and be the contact to answer
questions from members that want to participate. Karen (secretary) and Wes (newsletter editor) will
help put together an article for the newsletter and send out an e-mail to announce the event. That is
all there is to it! Please let me know if you would like to help with the planning.
LATE BREAKING NEWS
GLCC “won the lottery” in Birmingham, which means the club is allowed 30 cars for the 2006 Birmingham WWDC event. We have also confirmed our Hazel Street location! Jim Binder and Terry
Anway are working with adjoining businesses to get our club another 30-40 spaces. Look for more
news in next months’ newsletter or at the next meeting. Tickets will be on sale soon….
T h e I n si d e T r ac k
Pa ge 7
CLASSIFIED ADS
CLAS S IF IED AD S R UN UN T IL ITEM S ARE SO LD O R UP
NON-COMMERCIAL ADS ARE FREE TO CLUB MEMBERS
WJRCOBRA706@ SBC GLOBAL.NET TO P LACE AN AD.
TO 6
AND
MONTHS; ADS ARE RE-NEWABLE.
FOR NON-MEMBERS.
EMAIL AT
$20
1996 Superformance 65 Shelby COBRA 427 S/C 2251 Miles,
Dynamic Motorsports Demo Show Car, 460 Cobra Jet SVO
Ford Engine—1973. 70,000mi . Needs rebuild but runs. Has
Engine, 550 hp @6350 rpm, 530ft/lbs torque at 4750, 5
bell housing & flywheel. Set up for manual trans. Doug Lentz
speed trans. MSD Ignition w/ Optima Deep Cycle battery,
810 735-4721 or 810 573-9920.
$45,000 or best offer. Call Jerod Swallow at 248-893-9808.
Superformance 427 S/C COBRA-SPF579, blk/gold stripes,
5,400 miles, 427 FE/500+hp by Bill Parham/Southern Automotive, Much Much More. . .$62,000 Contact John at (937)
935-1062 or E-mail [email protected]
427 Side Oiler Engine— Just freshened. 500 hp, cast iron
heads, medium rise. Contact Mike Bird. 248 783-1070 or
517 914-6846 (cell).
2005 Lonestar LSC Cobra - 409 cid motor. 351 w/409
stroker kit from CHP, 5 spd, MSD ign, GT40P Ford heads CNC
Air Cleaners– Aluminum billet top with cast bottom. 81/2 X15 ported, Boyd Coddington Smoothie 2 wheels, candy red w/
X2 K&N filter. Designed for low hood clearance applications. sliver stripes. $41,000 or best offer. Call Larry Markov 586Can be machined to fit. $325 Contact: Terry Anway (810) 397- 469-1122 home or 313-606-5756 pager.
8475
Thinking about building a FFR? Moore Performance (FFR recommended builder) can save you money on kits and freight if
you order through us. For info, call Matt: (419) 898-0059
Web site: www.mooreperformance.net
Everett-Morrison COBRA—Built 1997. 466 cid, 560 hp, Blue
Thunder heads and intake, TKO 5 speed, MSD. Too much to
list. $42,500 OBO. Contact Joe Pappas 248 830-7500
2003 Superformance S/C COBRA—522 cid BB Ford, 601 hp
@5300 rpm, 618 ft lb @ 4600, turkey roaster, Tremec 5 spd,
795 miles, quick jacks, Titanium/black. $55,000. Contact Al
Green 248 620-2875.
Mickey Thompson tires mounted on Halibrand replica knockoff wheels (Ford bolt pattern). (2) 26x8.5-15 and (2) 29x12.515. $900. Contact Barb Rossbach at 248 969-2823.
Classic Roadsters II: Kits and information contact Bob Barnstead at 877-523-8310, c/o: RJ Replica Roadsters, Livonia,
MI. Factory Authorized Dealer.
Ford 460 Parts: Cast Aluminum Edelbrock RPM 7166 Performer Intake $160.00, and Ford Motorsports Water Pump
$100.00; contact Wes Rozan at 248-425-1112.
Superformance COBRA—Guardsman blue w/Whimbleton
white stripes and rondells. FORD Windsor stroker engine 430
H.P., Tremec TKOII Trans, Accusump, 3000 miles. POR Jim Binder 313 884-2512.
Cobra Side Pipes—2” dia.pipe, 50” long w/manifold extensions. $200.00—Doug Lentz 810 735-4721 or 810 5739920.
T H E G R E AT L A K E S C O B R A C L U B
Tuesday, June 20th, GLCC Meeting 7 p.m.
Friday — Sunday, June 23rd — 25th;
Spring Fling: London Cobra Car Show
UPCOMING EVENTS...
Friday, July 14th, Rolling Sculpture Car Show
Ann Arbor
Saturday, July 15th; GLCC Club Picnic
Lake Front Park Grosse Pointe
Newsletter of the
G r e a t La k es C o b ra Cl u b
10154 Dar Lane
Goodrich, MI 48438
810-397-8476
FIRST CLASS MAIL
GLCC February Meeting
June 20, 2006 Meeting Place.
Logan’s Roadhouse, Troy, MI
NW Corner of 14-Mile & John R.
Troy, MI 7:00 p.m.
The room is open earlier for dinner
The Great Lakes Cobra Club
meets at 7:00 pm, the third
Tuesday of every month
(except December and
January).