The November 2023 newsletter - Text Version
Updated 01-Nov-2023 = Copyright (c) 2023 Corvairs of New Mexico
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Corvair Society of America --- CORSA --- Chapter 81
November 2023 / VOLUME 49 / NUMBER 11 / ISSUE 578
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This Month
President's Letter ................ Greg Nelson
Treasurer's Report .............. Steve Gongora
Meeting Notes ................... Steve Gongora
Birthdays and Anniversaries ........ Membership
Los Luceros ................... Brenda Stickler
Calendar of Events ......... Board of Directors
Super Van ....................... Steve Gongora
Board Meeting Notes ............. Steve Gongora
Dues Due Dates ..................... Membership
Eclipse ........................... Jim Pittman
Ft. Union ........................... Las Vegas
Las Vegas Tri-State ............ Lupe Arellanes
A Sheared Axle on the Super Van . Steve Gongora
Cover: Tarmo Sutt's Restoration of his 1966 Corvair
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Pres Greg Nelson 505-400-8670 fesedu@comcast.net
VP Robert Gold 505-268-6878 beisbol30@msn.com
Sect David Huntoon 505-281-9616 corvair66@aol.com
Treas Steve Gongora 505-220-7401 stevegongora@msn.com
FROM THE PRESIDENT: GREG NELSON
Program
Not an in-depth program this month but I'll show some designs of next
year's Tri-State T-Shirt design, and I'd like and comments suggestions (positive
and negative) on its layout. The picture below is just one example. The base
picture is the Castenada Hotel.
Los Luceros Historic Site
We made our second annual trip to Los Luceros Historic Site and once
again it did not disappoint. We were joined this year by To n y and Linda (great
to see them), Dave Huntoon (he and Tarmo drove their Corvairs) and the Gongoras
brought along a guest (Ted) who was very impressed. Thanks to Steve and Rita for
bringing the picnic basket. We also helped Linda gather crabapples for canning.
We might have gathered enough for a jar or two because they aren't very big.
Apparently, they did not plant any blue corn this year. It was pointed
(continued on page 4)
REPORT FOR CNM TREASURY ACCOUNT FOR OCTOBER 2023: STEVE GONGORA
DATE CHECK# AMOUNT PAYEE DESCRIPTION BALANCE = $ 3,272.78
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2023.10.02 7069 +$ 25.00 Dues J.Anderson 12 m CNM +$ 25.00 $ 3,297.78
2023.10.02 249 +$ 50.00 Deposit T.Doak - Banquet TriState 2024 +$ 50.00 $ 3,347.78
2023.10.30 7549 +$ 50.00 Dues R.Gold 26 m CNM +$ 50.00 $ 3,397.78
2023.10.30 7549 +$ 25.00 Deposit G.Nelson 12 m CNM +$ 25.00 $ 3,422.78
(Gregory Nelson - 1 year membership donated by Robert and Anne Mae Gold)
2023.11 NOV NEWSLETTER ============================================ BALANCE = $ 3,422.78
MEETING NOTES: STEVE GONGORA: OCTOBER 7, 2023
CNM Meeting 14 members in attendance
Meeting started at 10:15 AM - called to order by Greg Nelson
Pat's guest - Rene
Elections -
Greg Nelson - President
Robert Gold - Vice-President
Dave Huntoon - Secretary
Brenda Stickler - Events Co-Ordinator
Lupe Arellanes - Membership chair
Steve to help Greg to transition to newsletter
Treasurer Report - $3297.78
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Lupe - tell people to register early for Tri-State.
The hotel is raising the rates after December 2023.
Brenda - Things to do
J&R Vintage Museum - closed
Wheels Museum
Route 66 Visitor Center - Event going on - wants participation
Los Luceros - October 21 at 9:00 AM at Buffalo Thunder - map available
to those who can't make it on time. Bring a light lunch
Nuclear Museum on Eubank and Central
Tinkertown Museum
Stranger Factory in Alamogordo
David Huntoon - Suggestions:
Moriarty Museum to visit - large vehicles on display
The sail planes nearby
Robert Gold - trip to Santa Fe to support Tarmo with an event
Santa Fe Bite / Christmas - Sal's Restaurant for Christmas Dinner
Robert Gold - State Fair Car Show: I need more Corvairs for next event.
Alex, Geoff Johnson's son - will try to transition to help with the
State Fair Car Show
Trash clean-up on Saturday October 14, 2023 - 8:00 AM - Solar eclipse at 9:17 AM
Announced that Sharon Heil passed away on September 7, 2023 - Greg is sending a
sympathy card.
Tarmo was able to visit with Bill & Betty Lawless
They live in Prescott, Arizona
Bob Kitts - Van is leaking gas on van - Needs some attention. Plans to be made
to re-attend and repair the problem
TARMO SUTT - PRESENTATION
PART II OF RESTORATION OF HIS 1966 CORVAIR TURBO CONVERTIBLE
Sold an extra chrome moulding - factory bucket seats with headrests
Fully optioned vehicle, Few cars were made / Sandblasted all the suspension
parts / Bushings were pressed out / Front Suspension spring has to be cut to
level the car / All bolts were anodized to black color /POR54 - was used to
paint the entire bottom of the car
Saginaw Transmission - was an improvement over the 1965 transmission /
Sandblasted any part that needed cleaning / Exchange Students were very helpful
in taking care of this process /Suspension was assembled and reinstalled / Quick
steering shaft was installed / Convertible top was completely taken apart,
painted and reassembled / Car was taken to House of Covers and all parts were
shipped to have on hand / Insulation installed in the engine compartment / New
tacking strips were installed on the top frame / Windshield came from Francis
Boydston to Jim Pittman to Tarmo Sutt / Trunk was painted like factory with a
splatter effect / Top has never been put down since it was installed
It was entered at the Corsa Convention in June 2011 / About 40 cars were
inspected at a the time
Update on Title for Rampside - Tarmo was sent a packet with request for a higher
bond - value of Rampside was set between $30,000 to $50,000
Was advised to get an appraisal. Tarmo found one in Santa Fe
Meeting adjourned at 11:32 AM
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FROM THE PRESIDENT: GREG NELSON (continued from page 2)
out that perhaps the field must lay fallow for a year. If that's the case,
that's certainly motivation to return next year.
Mecum Auctions
There are three Mecum Auctions coming up and each has a few Corvairs on
the block [Las Vegas -- 2, Kansas City 1, and Kissimmee 5]. I'll comment in
Future newsletters what the gavel price was for each of them. The sell price is
relevant to us. As an example, Tarmo is refurbishing a Rampside without a title
and the State wants a bond that is twice the NADA estimate which in his case was
$54,000, so the bond needs to be $108,000. What? That sounds like the gavel
price for a fully restored Rampside at auction, not a rust-bucket fresh out of
the field. Once Tarmo finally gets a title perhaps he can take us through the
process at a future meeting sometime next year?????
Trash Day Eclipse
Our last trash day of the year also coincided with an annular eclipse in
which Albuquerque was in the 100% totality path. I brought extra eclipse glasses
for our usual post-pick-up visit to the Roots Farm Cafe. We all sat outside on
the west edge of the patio to watch the beginning of the eclipse to just past
totality. The light did change (but not totally dark) and it did cool down
enough that I had to fetch a sweater from the car. I will be traveling to
Frisco, Texas next April 8th, 2024, for a total solar eclipse. My whole family
lives right in the path of totality. If the weather holds, then next year's
event will be my second total eclipse.
Tires
In July 2021 I purchased five MAXXIS tires for the '64 Monza. They were
$118 each with free shipping from Priority Tire (online). I would like to add a
new set to the '63 Spyder for the simple fact that there is no date code on the
tires which means they was made prior to 2000. The tires still have lots of
tread and could run forever but let's not tempt fate. Priority Tire, and
everyone else, is currently out of stock, and the price has jumped to $183, with
free shipping. I sent a message to MAXXIS Tire asking if they still manufacture
this tire, and they replied the tires I want should be back in stock in 3-5
weeks. Fingers crossed.
Xmas Party
We'll get an update on our Xmas Party plans, but I believe we are going
to Sal's. Details to follow at the November meeting. We should also begin making
plans for CNM's 50th Anniversary.
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AS WE GET CLOSE TO ENDING OUR CNM YEAR 2023
BRENDA STICKLER
Our attendance to Los Luceros doubled from last year. Every group that has gone
has really appreciated the rich history, and the fact that it is actually a
plantation from the 1700's in Northern New Mexico.
We are going to meet up for breakfast after our November's Saturday Morning Club
meeting. Bring your ideas where we can enjoy a breakfast together, near our
Senior Center.
We also will close our year with our annual Christmas Celebration Meal. Rita has
found us a great restaurant on the Westside, that their family recommends.
Hopefully, someone can submit what charity we should support and collect for, so
all can bring their donation to out final event of 2023.
I would like to thank our elected new officers. Our club is fortunate to have
dedicated people.
I want to thank all who supported me for my terms as Vice President. Also, it
was such a gift for Steve Gongora to have taken over our CNM monthly newsletter.
Our Club will be forever grateful for Jim Pittman's dedication over the decades,
as editor. We always have cherished the amazing "classic touches" that Heula has
made over those same years for many of our club events. What an awesome CNM
Couple!
As our "Vairs" keep on Roaring in New Mexico.- see you soon, Brenda
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Anne Wiker Nov 6
Jim Pittman Nov 13
Anne Johnson Nov 21
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
Brenda Stickler Nov 21
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| November 2023 | December 2023 | January 2024 |
| Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa | Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa | Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa |
| 1 2 3 4 | 1 2 | 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
| 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 | 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 | 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 |
| 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 | 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 | 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 |
| 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 | 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 | 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 |
| 26 27 28 29 30 | 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 | 28 29 30 31 |
| | 31 | |
SAT 04 NOV 10:00 AM Meeting: Highland Senior Center
131 Monroe St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 Phone: (505) 767-5210
Possible brunch after meeting - location to be discussed
WED 15 NOV 7:00 PM Board Meeting via Zoom
FRI 24 NOV 9:00 PM Deadline for items for the December newsletter
MON 27 NOV ******* TARGET FOR PRINTING, MAILING DECEMBER NEWSLETTER <<
SAT 02 DEC 10:00 AM Meeting: Highland Senior Center
131 Monroe St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 Phone: (505) 767-5210
SAT 09 DEC 11:00 AM CNM Christmas Dinner - Sal's Ristorante - Coors & Sequoia
WED 20 DEC 7:00 PM Board Meeting via Zoom
WED 27 DEC 7:00 PM NEW MEXICO CAR COUNCIL MEETING - FOURTH WEDNESDAYS
Manzano Mesa Senior center - 501 Elizabeth St SE
FRI 22 DEC 9:00 PM Deadline for items for the January newsletter
>>>>>>> EARLY DUE TO HOLIDAYS <<<<<<<<<<<<
MON 25 DEC ******* TARGET FOR PRINTING, MAILING JANUARY NEWSLETTER <<
SAT 06 JAN 10:00 AM Meeting: Highland Senior Center
131 Monroe St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87108 Phone: (505) 767-5210
WED 17 JAN 7:00 PM Board Meeting via Zoom
WED 24 JAN 7:00 PM NEW MEXICO CAR COUNCIL MEETING - FOURTH WEDNESDAYS
Manzano Mesa Senior center - 501 Elizabeth St SE
FRI 26 JAN 9:00 PM Deadline for items for the xxxxxxxxx newsletter
MON 29 JAN ******* TARGET FOR PRINTING, MAILING XXXXXXXXX NEWSLETTER <<
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THE SUPER VAN
STEVE CONGORA
Most people know about my van. The short story is that I've been connected to
this van for a long time. The first encounter was in 1975. A gas station did
some repairs on the van and the owners never picked it up. He titled the van
under a mechanics lien and my dad bought it. We worked out a trade with Jerry
Goffe for a Greenbriar for the Corvan. He rebuilt the motor and used it for
several years. When my dad was recalled to active duty in 1982, I wanted a
commercial vehicle for House of Covers and Jerry's van was the perfect fit.
The motor lasted 26 years before a new one was rebuilt by Dave Langlois. I drive
the van on a daily basis and it serves me well. There aren't too many vehicles
that will fit a 9 foot couch. You can't find a better vehicle to transport items
because everything is protected from the elements.
Rita and I were delivering an upholstered chair for my nephew, Jake who now owns
House of Covers. We took the chair to Bernalillo near the National Guard. I
travel often on the freeway with speeds up to or exceeding 70 miles an hour on a
regular basis. I also cleared my shed of wood, which I thought I was going to
use but haven't. It went to a person who is an artist with creative wood
furnishings. Rita and I delivered the wood to Rio Rancho then traveled to
Bernalillo to meet some friends. This was a couple of weeks ago. This reinforces
my confidence in these fine machines. There have been a couple of times where
the axle has worn through the u-joints and has left me stranded. The solution
was to replace the axle and be on my way.
I teach a Spin class three times a week and drive my van to the gym regularly. I
drove from my class to home on a Sunday, as usual, and made a right turn going
approximately 1 to 2 miles and hour and all of the sudden my right rear corner
collapses. I get out of the car and my tire is separated from the axle. I've
never seen this happen before. On closer inspection, it seems that this was
inevitable on this particular axle. There is a very small portion of the axle
that was showing a new break. Needless to say, I was taking a lot of deep
breaths on that Sunday knowing that the possibility of some tragic event could
have occurred.
Thanks for the trusty cell phone of calling a tow company to pick up the van and
a trusty Dave Langlois to have a place where the van could go and get the tender
loving care that he always gives it. Thank you Dave.
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BOARD MEETING NOTES -- OCTOBER 15, 2023 -- STEVE GONGORA
The meeting conducted by Greg Nelson on Zoom started at 7:00 PM. Members
participating besides, Greg were Robert Gold, Brenda Stickler, Lupe Arellanes
and Steve Gongora.
Greg was looking for a particular font for the Las Vegas Tri-State logo that
would accept photos within the letter.
Lupe was to take a trip to Las Vegas, NM to check in.
We confirmed the trip to Los Luceros at 9:00 AM meeting at the parking lot of
Buffalo Thunder.
The last clean-up of the year was on October 14 which was the same day as the
annular eclipse.
We discussed the possibility of mailing a copy of the newsletter to all members.
Christmas Dinner was to be confirmed at Sal's Ristorante on Coors and Sequoia on
December 9th at 11:00 AM.
Robert Gold will be writing a story on a particular 4-door Corvair that has been
owned by several CNM members.
A Membership list was assembled to be available to all members.
Steve Gongora called LeRoy Rogers to check in. LeRoy has sold all his Corvairs
and other collectibles. He kept one car, his Imperial.
There was rumor that Gordon Johnson was not in good health. Gordon and Barbara
Johnson are long-time CNM members.
Meeting was adjourned at 7:40 PM
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Send your Dues to:
CNM Treasurer
Steve Gongora
8419 Palo Duro Ave NE
Albuquerque, NM 87111-3238
Welcome our newest members:
Corbett & Erin Battaile with their 1964 Corvair Convertible
Dues Due
Due in October
William & Sharon Heil inactive as of Nov 2023
Due in November
Linda & Dick Cochran - inactive as of Dec 2023
Due in December
Larry Blair - inactive as of Jan 2024
David Huntoon - inactive as of Jan 2024
Anne Johnson - inactive as of Jan 2024
Due in January
Tracey & John McMahan - inactive as of Feb 2024
Due in February
Lupe & Jim Arellanes - inactive as of March 2024
Phil Finch - inactive as of March 2024
Curtis Shimp - inactive as of March 2024
Inactive:
LeRoy Rogers - inactive as of June 2023
Lube Lubert - inactive as of Aug 2023
Dave & Jan Alin - inactive as of Sept 2023
Clifton & Katie Trujillo - inactive as of Sept 2023
Schedule of Dues:
CNM: 12 months = $25.00 or 26 months = $50.00
CORSA: 12 months = $45.00 or 26 months = $90.00
If you want to pay CNM and CORSA to Treasurer:
Both memberships 12 months = $70.00 or 26 months = $140.00
On October 14, 2023, an annular eclipse was visible in the continental United
States. In the morning, the moon covered the face of the Sun, so that the Sun
appeared in the sky as a single ring of light, known as the ring of fire. Our
state of New Mexico was fortunate to experience this first-hand, if you lived or
visited the path. One of our CNM members created an ingenious way to observe the
event on his garage door. That was none other than Mr. Jim Pittman.
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FORT UNION NATIONAL MONUMENT NEAR LAS VEGAS, NEW MEXICO
Fort Union National Monument is a unit of the National Park Service of the
United States, and is located north of Watrous in Mora County, New Mexico. The
national monument was founded on June 28, 1954.
The site preserves the second of three forts constructed on the site beginning
in 1851, as well as the ruins of the third. Also visible is a network of ruts
from the Mountain and Cimarron Branches of the old Santa Fe Trail.
There is a visitor center with exhibits about the fort and a film about the
Santa Fe Trail. The altitude of the Visitor Center is 6,760 feet (2,060 m).
A 1.2-mile (1.9-kilometre) trail winds through the fort's adobe ruins.
Description by William Davis
Santa Fe trader and author William Davis gave his first impression of the fort
in the year 1857:
Fort Union, a hundred and ten miles from Santa Fe, is situated in the pleasant
valley of the Moro. It is an open post, without either stockades or breastworks
of any kind, and, barring the officers and soldiers who are seen about, it has
much more the appearance of a quiet frontier village than that of a military
station. It is laid out with broad and straight streets crossing each other at
right angles. The huts are built of pine logs, obtained from the neighboring
mountains, and the quarters of both officers and men wore a neat and comfortable
appearance.
History of the fort
The fort was established in the New Mexico Territory, on the Santa Fe Trail. It
was provisioned in large part by farmers and ranchers of what is now Mora County
(formally created in 1860), including the town of Mora, where the grist mill
established by Ceran St. Vrain in 1855 produced most of the flour used at the
fort.
The fort served as the headquarters of the 8th Cavalry in the early 1870s and as
the headquarters of the 9th Cavalry in the late 1870s during the Apache Wars.
F. Stanley wrote and published a book titled Fort Union New Mexico in 1953,
giving a colorful history of this fort and individuals such as Davey Crockett.
Land ownership
In its forty years (1851-1891) as a frontier post, Fort Union had to defend
itself in the courtroom as well as on the battlefield. When the United States
Army built Fort Union in the Mora Valley in 1851, the soldiers were unaware that
they had encroached on private property, which was part of the Mora Grant. The
following year Colonel Edwin Vose Sumner expanded the fort to an area of eight
square miles by claiming the site as a military reservation. In 1868, President
Andrew Johnson declared a timber reservation, encompassing the entire range of
the Turkey Mountains (part of the Sangre de Cristo range) and comprising an area
of fifty-three square miles, as part of the fort.
The claimants of the Mora Grant immediately challenged the government squatters
and took the case to court. By the mid-1850s, the case reached Congress. In the
next two decades, the government did not give any favorable decision to the
claimants, until 1876 when the Surveyor-General of New Mexico reported that Fort
Union was "no doubt" located in the Mora Grant.
But the army was unwilling to move to another place or to compensate the
claimants because of the cost. The Secretary of War took "a prudential measure",
protesting the decision of the acting commissioner of the General Land Office.
He argued that the military had improved the area and should not give it up
without compensation. This stalling tactic worked; the army stayed at the fort
until its demise in 1891, not paying a single penny to legitimate owners.
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2024 TRI-STATE NEWS
BY LUPE ARELLANES
[ REGISTRATION FORM ON-LINE ]
City Selection: Las Vegas, New Mexico; Dates: May 17th-18th-19th 2024.
Host Hotels:
Banquet Hotel: The El Fidel Hotel.
Accommodations: The Castaneda Hotel & The Plaza Hotel.
Car Show Hotel: The Castaneda Hotel.
The Castaneda Hotel, a historical Fred Harvey House, has 18 rooms
reserved for out-of-state attendees with a 2-night minimum. Overflow attendees
will be directed to the historic Plaza Hotel.
Call for Reservations: (505) 425-3591 for both hotels; mention "Corvair
Tri-State" for our negotiated 15% discount; prices per night range from $84 to
$143/night; payment collected upon reservation.
Banquet/Show Cost: Early Bird $50 Adult;
Price Increase after March 1, 2024 to $65.
Seeking Silent Auction Donations. Members can bring items to any monthly
meeting. Asking for items valued at $20+.
Rita & Steve Gongora will create 5 large basket auction Items from donations and
additionally purchased items.
Seeking Keynote Speaker Ideas. Should you have any connections with someone who
you would like to see speak at our event, please email us:
tristatecorvairs@gmail.com
Seeking T-Shirt Design Ideas. Send us your rough ideas whether it be a drawing
or a picture of other shirts. If your inspiration idea is selected, you will WIN
a FREE Shirt. Your winning inspiration will be forwarded to our graphic artist
to develop further. Please email your ideas to:
tristatecorvairs@gmail.com
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[ photos ]
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