Bringing Pontiac back – first GM would have to buy itself back.  Currently the U.S. government owns GM and they are the ones who insisted that GM should drop the Pontiac brand in first place.  Once this is done, GM could then offer Pontiac franchised to whoever wanted to pick one up.  Offering a unique lineup of products such as high performance sedans (a version of the upcoming Caprice police car?) or a Holden sport truck, or even an updated Solstice (if the tooling still exists).  Pontiac vehicles would appeal to those dealers who feel that they might have a market or customer base for products such as these.  Since there is or recently never was a real Pontiac factory, products could be sourced form wherever they were available. (i.e. Australia) and go from there.  Pontiac is still a viable brand that has a huge following and lots of future potential.  GM should look into this before it’s too late.
Steve Hudson

He has been a member for quite some time and now his 1977 Trans Am Bandit Edition is the featured car. The pictures tell the story.

On August 14, 1926 at the Sherrill Hill Climb, Sherrill, New York the Pontiac hill climb racer first saw competition. It finished first in class, the earliest known competition in an organized event by any Pontiac. The Landvoigts have done extensive research documenting the history of the car, followed by a complete and detailed restoration. In 2010 the car received its Grand National Senior Award from the Antique Automobile Association of America. The restoration attempted to conserve the somewhat rough fit and finish as the car was raced, based upon original photographs and ‘as found’ condition. A conscious effort was made not to refinish the machine to a level at which it never existed.

Museum Director, Tim Dye said “This is exactly the caliper of car we strive to have on display here at the museum. It is a unique and rare glimpse into Pontiac’s early history, enhancing the experience visitors have at the museum. I want to thank the Landvoigts for their generosity in giving up the car so it can be on display here”.

I hosted some of my company’s sales people from our Pennsylvania location a couple of summers ago. I took them from San Jose, CA to Santa Cruz, CA for dinner. The best way to get there is via Highway 17, which is very steep and very windy. I drove conservatively on the way there, however, on the way back, at dusk, I opened her up. Needless to say they got quite a thrill and were a tad shaken. None of them want to go for a ride anymore, I wonder why?

'78 Trans Am of Allen Welbourn in GQ Magazine

I wanted to let you know that my gold ’78 Trans Am Special Edition was recently used in a photo shoot for GQ Magazine and it appears in the June 2011 issue on Pages 222-223. It was a super-fun two day experience!

The photos and text that make up the article about a ‘Lost Highway’ can be found at GQ’s website: http://www.gq.com/style/wear-it-now/201106/mens-summer-clothes-road-trip-packing#slide=1 (Slide 1 of 6 is Hot, but advance to Slide 2 to see my car).

Allen Welbourn
Member #99-5206

Meet me under the Big Top!

Story by Sandra Smith and Photography by Steve Manning, Tom Smith, and Paul Kipphut.

The 2011 All Firebird Lawn Show at Albany-Saratoga Speedway saw 135 cars from as far away as Michigan, Ohio, Virginia, Maryland, PA, RI, CT, MA, NJ, NY, VT, NH, and Quebec, Canada.  Nearly all participants said it was the best All Firebird Lawn Show ever and loved the new venue with the 40’ by 80’ Big Top tent and Speedway Concessions serving 100 percent certified Angus 1/4 pound burgers with lettuce, tomato, onion, and dressings plus home made salads, cold beverages and ice cream.

A very big thanks to NFTAC / FNONA member Tom Smith who organized and coordinated the show.

Many thanks go out to all the FNONA club members and volunteers that helped to make the show a success including Trailer Queens Sandy Smith, Arlene Delaney, Margo Bagneschi, Lisa Lord, and Shelly Reed.

Thanks also go out to our great parking staff including Joel Auger, David Lord, Ron Delaney, Ron Pratt, Gerry Garing, and Ray Eggert.

We thank Brian McDonald from Special Olympics Capital District Region for controlling the entrance gate and directing the spectators.  Brian is a newcomer but did a great job.

We appreciate Master of Ceremonies Alan Edstrom from Saratoga Polo Association.  Alan helped so much with announcements throughout the day and at the awards ceremony with his amusing sense of humor.

It is impossible to have a judged show without credible and knowledgeable judges.  Our 2011 judging staff included FNONA members Head Judge Joe Carey (NY), Rick Holloway (CT), Jim Napoletano (CT), Steve Reed (NJ), Michael Thomas (NY), Neil Silberkleit (CT), and Keith Fuerst (NY).  Our 2011 guest judges included Brian Carter (NY), Ray DeCrescenzo (NY), Michael Tyler (OH), and Russ Stemple (OH).  We truly thank these guys for volunteering to help judge the field with a knowledge and dedication second to none.

I was very proud to see some of my Special Olympics athletes on the field during the show including my son Brian Smith, athlete representatives Jennifer Delaney, Doug Halter, Jim Cunningham, Scott Kennedy, Todd Byron, and Ryan Banker, plus many more escorted by their parents, staff, and coaches.

Sponsors help pay the bills and I cannot thank our sponsors enough.  2011 sponsors included host venue Albany-Saratoga Speedway, Northwind Graphics of Malta NY, Ralph Mangino Jr. and Mangino Buick-Chevrolet www.mangino.com, Fbodywareouse.com, Ames Performance Engineering, Fairfield Inn & Suites of Malta NY, Hagerty Insurance of Traverse City, MI, WantAd Digest, RockAuto.com of Madison, WI, National Firebird and Trans Am Club, DePaula Chevrolet, Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, Midway Family Dental Associates, Zacks Sports, Mothers Polish, Summit Racing, Gold Eagle Products, Dr. Kelly Herbs, Painting by Ken and DeLacey Massage Therapy both of Schenectady NY.

Vendors Jim and Julie Valentino of www.Photowheels.com, Dan and Denise Swint of D and D Collectables and What Nots, and last but not least, Albany-Saratoga Speedway food and beverage concessions.

Thanks goes out to the Digital Photographers who helped capture the Cruise and Show including FNONA member Tom Smith who photographed all of the first place winning cars, Steve Manning who captured the Friday night Cruise to the Speedway, the fun on the track, and the Saturday show, and Paul and Christine Kipphut of www.memorevents.com/ the official Albany-Saratoga Speedway photographers who also photographed the Firebirds on the Track action Friday night.

Last but certainly not least, thanks to DJ Andy Narzynski who played excellent music with top notch equipment and a vibrant personality.

50-50 raffle winner: Ray Eggert from East Greenbush, NY.  Total raffle pool: $1001.00.  Winner portion: $500.50.  Special Olympics portion $500.50.  Winner Ray Eggert gave back $250 to Special Olympics.

The 10th Anniversary All Firebird Lawn Show will be held on Saturday July 7, 2012 (Rain Date of Sunday July from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on the grounds of the Albany-Saratoga Speedway, 2671 US Route 9, Malta, NY, 12020, www.albany-saratogaspeedway.com , phone: 518-587-0220.  Free truck and trailer parking is available at the venue in the general parking area and free camping is also available on the venue grounds.

Thursday night before the show will feature an informal ‘Meet and Greet’ in the host hotel Fairfield Inn and Suites of Malta, NY parking lot starting around 7:00 p.m.

Friday night before the show will include an All Firebird Cruise with police escort which will assemble at theSaratoga SPA State Park on Friday July 6, 2012 at 5:00 p.m. and leave at 5:30 p.m.  The All Firebird Cruise will end at the Albany-Saratoga Speedway venue.  The cruise package will include a full card of NASCAR sanctioned Whelen Series racing on the paved oval, large fireworks display, Firebirds on the Oval at racing halftime, and NASCAR Whelen feature races.  Pre-registration is strongly recommended since participation may be limited.

Sunday July 8 will feature Firebirds on the NASCAR oval running time trials!  In the event that the Sunday Rain date is required, the time trials will immediately follow the show.

The official hotel of the All Firebird Lawn Show continues to be the Fairfield Inn and Suites in Malta, NY.  Reservations before June 1 are strongly recommended since the hotel sells out early and the parking lot is like a giant Firebird show.

For more information, contact Sandy or Tom Smith at 518-587-8215, tsmith24@earthlink.net, or visit http://clubs.hemmings.com/firebirdnationofnorthamerica.

Pontiac Museum

The streets of downtown Pontiac, Illinois will once again be full of Pontiac cars in September when the Grand Prix Chapter of the Pontiac Oakland Club International will sponsor a “Show and Shine” car rally for Pontiac cars there. On September 9, registration runs from 1 – 5PM at the new Pontiac Oakland Auto Museum. Friday evening registered participants will enjoy an evening at the Chautauqua Park Pavilion for a presentation of the Route 66 Musical Review performed by the Vermillion Players. On Saturday, September 10, all Pontiac brand cars are welcome to join in this non-judged car show located around the historic courthouse square in Downtown Pontiac. Included in the weekend events will be visits to all four of Pontiac’s great museums, including the new Pontiac-Oakland Automobile Museum and Resource Center. The Pontiac Jolly Trolley will be providing guided tours to the city’s historical sites, and the Route 66 Museum and the Bob Waldmire Road Yacht will both be open.

On Saturday night, an “Ice Cream Social” at Chautauqua Park is planned for registered participants. After the ice cream social, Route 66 historian John Weiss will present a seminar on the history of the nation’s most famous byway, Route 66.

Sunday morning, registered participants may have their photo taken at the “World’s largest Route 66 Shield Mural” on their way to Starved Rock State Park.

For more information on the event or registration, visit the Grand Prix Chapter’s website at www.grandprixchapterofamerica.com
Or
Contact Ellie Alexander, Director of Tourism, Pontiac, IL
(815) 844-5847
Email: tourism@pontiac.org

The August 2011 issue’s featured car is the 1985 Firebird S. E of Glenn Martin. Here is his story:

I purchased the car on November 5, 1984 from Sun Pontiac in Mesa, Arizona. I transferred it to my son who passed away on November 3, 1988. The car was then retitled in my name and stored for a year.

Since then it’s been my daily driver. The engine finally expired with 300,000 miles on it. I never had touched the engine other than one set of seals. Everything else under the hood had been replaced several times. I had a new (not rebuilt) engine installed and the engine compartment refurbished.