Subject: 57-56-55 CHEVY LISTF
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 13:25:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: BOB FORD <bob_ford@sbcglobal.net>
To: "BOB,FORD" <BOB_FORD@sbcglobal.net>
THIS IS THE 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST APRIL 4, 2004
IF THIS E-MAIL HAS AN ATTACHMENT, IMMEDIATELY DELETE THIS E-MAIL.
THIS LIST IS DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE 1955, 1956,
AND 1957 CHEVROLETS TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND HAVE A
LITTLE FUN IN THE PROCESS. ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOME.
TO POST SOMETHING ON THIS LIST PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR POST TO
BOB_FORD@SBCGLOBAL.NET
THERE IS NO COST TO BECOME A LIST MEMBER AND ONLY LIST MEMBERS ARE
ALLOWED TO POST SOMETHING ON THE LIST.
THIS 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST IS NOT SENT OUT ON ANY SET SCHEDULE SO IF YOU
WANT TO POST SOMETHING THAT CONTAINS A DATE, PLEASE SEND IT IN EARLY
SO I CAN GET IT OUT TO THE LIST MEMBERS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE EVENT.
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CITY AND STATE WITH YOUR POSTS. IF YOU ARE
POSTING SOMETHING FOR SALE PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE
1. YOUR PHONE NUMBER
2 THE PRICE
3. WHEN YOU WILL BE AT YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND YOUR TIME ZONE.
TAKE AS MUCH SPACE AS YOU WANT AND FULLY DESCRIBE WHAT YOU HAVE
FOR SALE OR WANT TO BUY.
YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS LIST ARE WELCOME.
IF YOU WANT TO SEND ME E-MAIL THAT YOU DO NOT WANT ON THE LIST
PLEASE PUT "PRIVATE NOT FOR THE LIST' AS THE SUBJECT.
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS LIST ARE THE MEMBERS OPINIONS AND NOT
NECESSARILY MINE. I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OUT ANY MATERIAL NOT
APPROPRIATE FOR THIS LIST.
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AS THE LAST THING ON YOUR E-MAIL.
IF YOU BUY SOMETHING FROM A LIST MEMBER, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT I HAVE
NO WAY OF KNOWING THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT OR THE HONESTY OF THE
SELLER. BUYER BEWARE.
BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF A VIRUS, PLEASE DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS
WITH YOUR E-MAIL. E-MAIL WITH ATTACHMENTS WILL NOT BE READ.
THANKS
BOB FORD
EDITOR
__________________________________________________ ____________________
From: Editor
Thanks for everyone ideas to help me do the conversion to a new ISP. Also, a
great big Thank
You for the people that sent financial help to allow me to complete this
task in a reasonable time
frame. I thought you might like to know how I did it.
I have now almost completed the conversion to SBC but what a task. I still
have to notify all the
lists I am on to change my e-mail address.
I had 5000+ addresses in my address book. I was using Compuserve Classic,
the old version of
Compuserve. After entering many e-mail addresses by hand and making a lot of
typing
mistakes, I knew there had to be a better way. At the rate I was going, and
the typing mistakes I
was making, it was going to take me months to complete the conversion.
SBC uses Yahoo for their e-mail and Yahoo will let you import addresses from
a Palm and/or
Outlook Express. The problem is SBC/YAHOO will not tell you what the format
of the
e-mail address input file is. For computer people, this problem is easy to
understand. For non
computer people, to import an address book from something other than a Palm
or Outlook
Express, you need to know what the record being imported looks like. Is the
name first or last?
What position in the record to be imported is the e-mail address? To make
this problem even
harder, when you look at a record that contains an e-mail to be imported, it
is not readable. That
is it is not ASCII text.
I have a son that has a Palm so I had him export the address file from his
palm to his PC
and then send me the exported file on a CD.
At this point, I knew I needed some help with this project so I hired a
computer expert to help
me. We loaded the CD on my PC and had a look at the exported file. After a
lot of work, we
figured out the format so we now knew what SBC Yahoo would accept as input
for an address
file. We had to look at a Hex dump of the file to figure it out. Anyone
every tried looking at a
Hex dump? If you have you know how much fun that is.
The next problem was to find what the address file in Compuserve Classic
looked like. I called
Compuserve support and they told me the format of the address file was
propriety information
and they would not give it out. It took about 10 calls to Compuserve support
to find someone that
knew English well enough that I could understand them. What a bummer.
We then did a dump of the Compuserve address file in HEX. After a lot of
work and many bad
choices, we finally was able to figure out the format of the Compuserve
Classic address book.
Then we wrote a BASIC program to extract the address book data from
Compuserve and
reformat it to look like the Palm data.
Several members have asked how they can contribute to the fund to help me
with this
conversion. Please understand that no contribution is necessary for you to
stay on the list. If
you want to help out, you can send a check to the address below or use
PAYPAL (part of e-bay)
If you use PAYPAL, you just enter my e-mail address BOB_FORD@SBCGLOBAL.NET.
With
PAYPAL, you can use a credit card.
BOB FORD
18091 MARK CIRCLE
VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA 92861-2648
BOB_FORD@SBCGLOBAL.NET
----------------------------------------------
From: "haley", INTERNET:haley@mo-net.com
Hello, Bob. I want to thank you for your list. It is a valuable source of
information for any tri-five
enthusiast. I am looking for a 4 bbl. air cleaner for a 57 Chevy. If anyone
has one they would like
to get rid of, e-mail me at haley@mo-net.com. Thanks again, Bob.
Ken in Missouri
---------------------------------
From:VINCE, INTERNET:VVDE@cs.com
Bob
I know you are telling it like it is. I own a business in a rural area. My
internet service went out
of business. I had to find a new one. What a hassle. Like you, I had about
5000 people in my
address book. Of course the new internet service was not compatible with my
old ones address
book. I had to hire a computer guy to convert my address book to the new
internet service. At
$80 per hour (a very high wage in my area) it took him over 80 hours to do
the conversion.
You provide such a valuable service to us and I don't want to see your list
stopped. I will be
glad to contribute to your conversion fund. If you do the math above, you
will see how much it
cost me to change internet service. I don't think it is fair for you to have
to pay that kind of
money to provide us a free service.
Just the blank tape for the videos you have sent me FREE over the years cost
more than the $5
you propose to charge new members. They are getting a bargain. I urge all
members of this list
to send Bob a contribution. I know you will feel better for doing it.
Bob, when you told us to check the states unclaimed property database, I did
it. That one piece
of advise has changed my life forever. I checked and I did not have any
unclaimed property. I
checked for my wife and she didn't have any unclaimed property either. As an
after though, I
checked my wife's name before she married me. When I saw the result, I
almost fainted. She
had a 7 figure amount due her from an insurance policy she did not know
anything about. It was
one her dad had on himself. My wife was the beneficiary The insurance
company claimed they
could not find her because she had changed names an addresses. Sure, she
changed names and
addresses. She married me.
I have a unusual story about the videos you sent me. The recent one about
World War II
industrial production and one you sent me a few years ago called "The Way We
Were 1940-
1945". I am a member of the American Legion. I took these tapes to the state
convention
recently. One of the small meetings rooms had a VCR player. I put these
videos in that room
and invited people to watch them. Word spread around the convention about
these tapes and
they were being played over and over. They were played at least 100 times.
Many members
called their family to come in and see them. It was a very emotional time
for a lot of us and
the for the first time, a lot or relatives of people in World War II got the
feel of what it was about.
The sad part of this story is someone swiped the tape from the room. Could
you please send me
another one.
Thanks
Vince Decano
Editor's note. Thanks for the support Vince. Just send me your address and I
will send you a
DVD of the stuff on video. Hopefully a DVD will not wear out. It is good to
hear about you getting what is owed your wife from the state. Here in
California, we have had money in the states unclaimed property for such
people as the Mayor of Los Angeles. As always the claim was that he could
not be located.
BOB
--------------------------------
From:"The Shew's" <shew@ntelos.net> Add to
Hello Bob,
Thanks for keeping up with this list, you are a bigger man
then me. I do not want to change providers and I only
have about 30 emails. You mentioned charging new members
$5, I would appreciate it if you would post your home
address. I will gladly pay you $5 a year and still feel
like it is worth a lot more.
I do have some questions and comments for the group. I
just took my 57 210 2 door sedan to Red Line Performance
in Bristol, TN 423-968-4090. He is going to replace my
floor and trunk for starters then add a flaming river
rack and pinion system. Bill Rambo of Red Line is making
a stainless steel bracket / crossmember the will bolt in
the entire rack and pinion until. I am happy that more
work is getting done to this car and maybe I can get it
on the road before it turns 50.
That was my comments, here is my questions. Has anyone
ever put 4 bucket seats in their tri five? Got any
Pictures? Has anyone installed the under the floor
master cylinder? Has anyone cut off their drip rails
that run along the top of the car. Removed their vent
window? Installed the Ram Jet 350 GM Crate motor, is it
fast?
That's enough for now
Charlie
Leaving Virginia and moving to Nashville, very soon
---------------------------------------
From:kfmartel@rockwellcollins.com
To Bruce Jacobs,
To stop the speedometer from "fluctuateing all over
the place" you should lubricate it with a liquid
graphite based oil. I disconnect the cable from behind
the speedometer and pour a little liquid graphite down
the cable. Then hook it up and drive. If enough oil was
put in so the the whole cable gets lubed then it should
stop "fluctuating" withing a few miles. If not then
repeat with more graphite oil until it does. But if this
does not work then there really is something wrong.
Most of the time this "fluctuating" is caused by the
cable being moved and gets bent of kinked so you should
also check that the cable runs under the dash out the
firewall as streight as possible. Ditto for where it
connects to the tranny.
If your speedometer is not accurate it could be your
not running the stock wheel size. Any change in wheel
diameter changes the accuracy of the speedometer. You
will then have to have an expert recalibrate (change
gears) in the speedometer.
Good Luck, Kim in CA
---------------------------------
From:kfmartel@rockwellcollins.com
To Brian inVA,
Before installing Radial Tires on original wheels
have the place your going to install the tires check the
rims when the old tires are removed. Tell them that
those rims have never had radial tires on them and you
want to be sure there will be no problems. If they do
not know what your talking about go someplace that does.
You should not have any problems if the rims are is
good shape, no small cracks at seams or welds.
I'm putting a new set of Diamond Back Classic
Radial Wide White Wall tires on my '55 this month. As
this car once had used blackwall radials on it I
probabily will be okay, but I'm going to have my Tire
Center check the rims anyway before installing the
Radials.
And by the way have the all metal valve steams
installed as they will stop the hub caps from rotating.
Good Luck, Kim in CA
--------------------------------
From:jslee55@comcast.net Add to Address Book
Bob,
I personally don' think that $5.00 is enough. As far as current
members, I' willing to bet, most if not all, will be willing to do as I
intend to do, mail you a check. The information and the entertainment
value of this newsletter far exceed $5.00. I have picked up new inter-net
friends, some around the world, that I never would have if it weren't
for your efforts.
Jack Lee
So. Yarmouth, MA
55 Nomad
-------------------
From:jslee55@comcast.net Add to Address Book
Bob,
Just want to say thank you for the video on the wartime production of
goods. I enjoyed every minute. I am a child of the mid fifties so I
wasn't around to experience any of it. Going to school, it was to resent
to be thought, so I have missed out all the way around. I have learned
more about this country's history through my two daughters and their
studies, as it is now ok to talk about these issues. Being interested in
all things mechanical, I found the clips interesting on how the tanks
and aircraft were assembled. I don't think this generation could do
what that generation had to as far as coming together and building a
complete manufacturing plant in less then a year. With all the labor
unions, environmental activists, war objectors, etc.
Again, Thank you,
Jack Lee
So. Yarmouth MA.
------------------------
From:Ilovemy56@aol.com
To Sandy Pierce, Hey, I thought Racing on the Highway
was ILLEGAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!????? It DOES however sound
quite EXCITING !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Richard
-----------------------------------
From:Ilovemy56@aol.com Add to Address Book
To Bob Beck, I can surely go along with a 2.00
contribution for all of Bob's WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Richard
----------------------------------------------------------
From:YakimaMagic@aol.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
As current members know, this is a non profit
endeavor. I did
not intend this to be a money maker for me and it has
not. I hope to keep this list as a valuable
service to the list members. I have decided that the
best way to do that is to charge new members
a membership fee.
From now on, all NEW list members will be charged a
ONE TIME fee of $5 to be added to the
list. I invite your comments on this change
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
As valuable as your list is, I think a $5 fee for new
members is more than fair. And I'm sure you will still
be non-profit. Jan Mowrey
----------------------------------------------
From:BUDFOSDICK@aol.com
Bob,
I see no reason why you shouldn't charge new members $5
to sign up - I would gladly pay the $5 my self to help
out with your expenses.
Bud Fosdick
Heartbeat Classic Chevy's
56 Conv.
--------------------------------------------
From:MuzikBiz01@aol.com
Hi, Bob,
Got your newsletter fine...looked a bit different.
Everything was double spaced, easier to ready, perhaps.
A 'dumb question:" one of your readers mentioned looking
for a 'street runner.' Had not heard that _expression.
I've heard of 'street rod' and 'driver,' but not street
runner. Explain? Thanks.
Also, did you get my e-mail regarding the passing of Jan
Berry?
Always great to get your list. Regards,
Fred
--------------------------
From:"Betty Ellis" <bellis@4state.com
Bob: Could you or some of your members give me the address or phone #
of Obsolete chevy. My husband thinks it in Georgia. He had a catalog,
but loaned it and it didn't come back. Thanks Robert and Betty Ellis,
Riverton, KS bellis@4state.com
--------------------------------------
From:Rolasan@aol.com
To the guy that wanted to know the '57 265 color. It was
yellow.
Bob Sanford
'55 sedan under contruction
'55 BBW pickup waiting it's turn
--------------------------------
From:Karfitter@aol.com
Personally, I dont know how you manage to keep up. Im
proud of you for making it this long without charging
for your site. I have been on here for a couple years
and have had many hours of reading to wind down after a
LONG day at work. Thanks for all you do for the gear
heads of america.
Kevin Rogers
Georgetown, DE
1955 BA 2Dr Ht
1955 210 2dr sedan
1970 Front engine dragster
ps: It sucks having to work so hard to support our
habits. But Sunday Morning When The BEAST comes ALIVE
and runs off an 8.0 second run, It ALL seams worth it.
------------------------------------------
From:"Sam Woodard" <swoodard4@cox.net>
Congrats on transistion, I have a few parts for 55
chevys for sale in oklahoma city area. I have an
original front 2door seat 55 needs covered but good and
all there 600.00.........twoo front fenders good no rust
or dents 150 each 1 hood with bird removed and peaked
in very nic condition 300.00 2 one pc rear bumpers
need replated 150 each. and a 1955 2 door sedan (post
car) less eng needs floors and tailpan work nice chasses
with 10 bolt rear roller with vin numbers no title
2500.00 and need a couple of bare 55 to 57 frames no
suspension in okla area. thanks and get em out and drive
em . sam woodard swoodard4@cox.net
-------------------------------
From:"Paulie Cananoli"
Hay Bob,
Even though I'm a seasoned member there's $5.00 comming your way via
snail-mail az of today. I am happy to contribute and will be happy to
send you five more dollars every April 1st 'cause I'd be a fool to risk
loosing you and the service you provide. Whutabout the rest of you yahoo's,
can
ya spare a fiver for Bob's new assistant??? Let's support our editor!
Paul Mears
------------------------
From:"loujudyb" <loujudyb@earthlink.net>
This is in reply to Harvey Kane and 1/4 mile times for a
'57 270 "stick". Way back when-
I had a black 2dr Hardtop - 270 horse, 3 spd stick, 4.56
posi. I consistenty turned
14.7's at 95 mph at San Fernando dragstrip back in 1959
& 60. Car was stock
and weighed in at 3,780 lbs. Yours was lighter.
Lou Bartoletti
Black 57 Bel Air - this one is a cruiser.
--------------------------------
To:bruce_bj@swbell.net
Dear Bruce,
Many years ago in my youthful stupidity, I re greased
the speed o cable with wheel bearing grease.
That was o/k until winter time here in Kahlifornia. If
that is the case, you have to flush out the housing with
paint thinner (cleaning solvent) and use either a white
lithium grease or other low viscosity type. With both
ends of the housing disconnected and the cable removed,
either a "baster' or pump type oil can is a good flusher
tool to remove that 40+ year old grease/lubricant. Use
air hose (low pressure) to thoroughly dry the housing.
Also, if the speedo head is dry, a quick fix is to soak
a 1/2" ball of cotton with "3 In One" oil, and press the
oil into the back of the "head", through the small gap
at the circumference of the "head".
Some cars had a "lube plug" for this, and before that a
"grease cup".
If this doesn't solve the problem, then the speed o has
to be removed for complete cleaning and calibration.
A good old fashioned watch/clock master should be able
to perfrorm all but the calibration.
For years now, speed o's have used the principle of
"magnetic coupling" instead of multiple gears, except
for the "odometer" section.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Rouge`
robertarouge@juno.com
---------------------------------
From:"joey" <mailjoey@peoplepc.com>
Hey bob and list hope all is well, did any of you watch
speed chanel on wed, the barrit jackson auction was on
and a highly modified 55 sold for over 200,000. Even I
was shocked. Joey
------------------------------
From:nd4speed@telia.com
Hallo Bob
Someone on your list wanted info about -57 Chev
performance
I had this info on my homepage, ( its down )
If you want you can put out some numbers to your list
77,5 and 104 is 1/4 mile speed , 120 and 134 is topspeed
Sune Gustafsson from Sweden
Red -57 ragtop owner
CCI # 1348
?283" 185hpPG11,0sMotor trend
?283" 220hpTG10,1sMotor trend
Sport sedan283" 270hpPG9,9s17,5s77,5Motor trend
Two-doors283" FI 283hp3sp8,0s120Motor trend
Sport coupe283" FI 283hp3sp14,21s104Close r. 3sp.
Bob Wingate -76
4d Bel-Air283" 270hp?8,2sPower -78
?6cyl 140hp?15,5s
Corvette 1957
283" FI 250hpman7,2sClose r. 3sp. Motor trend
283" FI 283hp134
283" FI 250hp6,7sJan -57 motor life
---------------------------------------
From:"Jim/Carolyn Wheeler" <56chevys@cox.net>
Bob, as a financial adviser, this is probably old hat to
you. Nevertheless, list members may have to worry if
their broker has been reporting Original Issue Discounts
as interest income in their annual 1099 reports.
OID is a current income item, all right, but the
individual OID's are to be added to cost bases of bonds.
So, if bonds are sold your tax basis is higher and
reportable gains are less.
Our old broker was not doing that and we were paying
income tax TWICE, both on current OID income and later
on gains of bonds sold.
Regards, Jim Wheeler, Tucson, Arizona, 56Chevys@cox.net
Editor's note. Jim, I am always happy to post info that will save list
members money. When it
relates to Bond income, I suggest you consult a tax pro. Stock brokers may
not know about all
the provisions of tax law.
Bob
------
From:PMc9355592@aol.com
Dear Bob,
I was waiting till I got to the end of the 'list' to make a suggestion
and there was Bob Beck beating me to it, Right on, Bob. Why not let each of
us chip in with some small amount to help out. Just give us the prefered
method
and an address. Any amount would not meet the joy your list has brought us.
Thank you,
Jim McEvoy 56 BA Hrdtp
----------------------------------------------
From: "Terry Houchins" <terry75115@yahoo.com>
All early 1956 radio's for 57 Chevy's came WITHOUT the
output transistor in the rear. They all had seperate
power supplies like the Wonderbar.
Later in 1957 the radios were built with output
transistors, so a seperate power supply was no longer
needed.
Terry
------------------
From:"lsims88usa@pipeline.com" <lsims88usa@pipeline.com>
hi bob....if you haven't done it, set up your account at
www.paypal.com so new members can easily pay your totally
justified fee and so old members like myself wanting to
pay the $5 can do the same...stipulate that credit cards
cannot be used, only direct bank debit transactions to
keep your collection of fees free of paypal charge...
best of everything and thx!
Lynn and Milly Sims
Peninsula Classic Chevy Club
"Smiles Go Miles"
Original Message:
-------
From:"Steve Norden" <alamo@netins.net>
Bob, I don't see a problem with your $5.00 proposal for
new members......maybe after a trial period so they
could appreciate the service provided prior to paying.
I think you should consider using Paypal as an
additional payment mechanism. You're probably aware of
Paypal.com, but if not I can explain further.
Amos.
-----
From:"Thadd" <Thaddspad@cox.net>
RE: Bruce Jacobs' Speedometer questions.
I have had great sucess with Paul's Speedometer Service
located at 529 N. Pacific Coast Hwy in Redondo Beach.
Quality work; reasonable price. His phone is 310
374-3017.
Speedometer accuracy is determined by the speedometer
gears in the transmission. Pauls can fix the "bouncing"
in the speedo unit, and if you search the net, you can
find which gears are needed for the rear end ratio/rear
tire size that you are running.
------------------------
From:"Randy Hartsock" <randy.hartsock@ga-esi.com>
Bob:
A $5 charge to new members to get on the list! Are you crazy?
I've been a long term member & I'll send ya $5 just to
help defray your cost just to remain a member. I hate to
think of you coming out of pocket to provide the
services that you do.
Check or cash to the Mark Circle address?
Thanks,
________________________________________________
Randy Hartsock
Sales Manager
General Atomics Energy Products
General Atomics Electronic Systems, Inc., USA
Ph: (858) 522-8403, Fax: (858) 522-8401
Email: randy.hartsock@ga-esi.com Web: www.gaep.com
----------------------------
From:"Bill Kautz" <kautz@comcast.net>
For Brian in VA and anyone else contemplating a
change to radial tires. When I switched from bias ply to
radials on my '55 210 I bought new wheels, too. There
were several reasons, the main reason being that the
original wheels were riveted together, not welded. The
original tires were tube-type, therefore not subject to
leaking around the rivets. Radial tires DO put
additional stress on the wheels, especially in sharp
curves, due to a larger footprint and better grip on the
road. Also, 40- 50 years, the lug bolts tend to egg out
the bolt holes in the rims just from normal wear and
tear. As for power steering, yes, it's a lot easier to
turn the steering wheel with PS, also due to the
radial's bigger footprint and better grip. If you don't
have to parallel park or maneuver in tight spaces,
changing to radials shouldn't be a problem without PS. I
also have a '64 Pontiac with a 389 sitting on the front
wheels, no PS and it is a bear to parallel park with
radial tires.
Sure glad you're back, Bob! Thanks again and no, I
don't think $5 is asking too much to join this list. You
will get a lot more than $5 worth of help here every
time the list comes out! Wild Bill
------------------------
From:"Mary Lamarca" <Mary.Lamarca@pf.ucsb.edu>
Hi Bob, a month ago I think I read on your site that someone made
steering wheels for 55, 56,57 chevy's just like the originals but smaller in
size. I need to get the name and number for them. Does anyone remember that?
Please
help!! You can e-mail me at mary.lamarca@pf.ucsb.edu Thanks
-----------------------
From:"Lynn Mark Sims" <lsims88usa@pipeline.com>
hi Bob...here is my requested e-mail...if you have 5000
entries, is it a viable suggestion for you to hire a
local high school computer student at 10 bucks an hour
for the project?...best of luck and so many thanks for
all you do for all of us!...Lynn Sims
------------------------------
From:"SANDRA SCOTT" <SANDYSCOTT@peoplepc.com>
Bob,
You do a great job and service for us "listees." Yes,
we agree that we should all send Bob whatever we would
like to for his hard work and dedication to keeping this
list going!
So, Bob, is that your address we see at the bottom of
your "list." If so, let us all know and soon you will
be receiving donations for all your hard work. Take
care,
Carl & Sandy
Editor?s note. Yes, that is my address.
Bob
----------------------------
From: INTERNET:MuzikBiz01@aol.com, INTERNET:MuzikBiz01@aol.com
Wow. To use the old 60s cliche, 'what a bummer.' Jan Berry dead at 62. While
it does not shock me--like Dennis Wilson's death in Marina del Ray in '83,
or
the tragically premature death of Denny's younger brother, Carl, in
'98--still, the death of Jan on Friday, March 26, is a cold reminder of how
fragile life
truly is. You're literally 'here today, gone tomorrow.' I turned '60' on
Wednesday, March 24. Jan passed away on Friday. I'm still in shock. Tears
are
welling up in my eyes as I remember the great times we had through the
years.
I met Jan three years before I met 'The Beach Boys.' It was a Dick Clark
Show
being shot at Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco Bay--1960. I was
16. I was not involved in promoting 'live events' in those days...just a
high
school sophomore doing weekend deejay relief at a jazz station and still
working
for 'free' as a radio 'gopher' so I could 'hang out' at the Top 40 stations
in Sacramento. I still have the ticket to that Dick Clark Show. I still
remember it as if it were yesterday.
Jan and Dean were 'cool.' Unlike the Everly Brothers--who lived a million
miles away in Nashville--Jan and Dean lived in California. They didn't sing
songs
about 'devotion,' 'puppy love,' 'bird dogs,' or falling asleep at the
drive-in movies. They sang about cars, surf, cruising, and having a crush on
that
'new girl in school.' Their sun tanned good looks and youthful optimism
personified the California lifestyle--two full years before Brian Wilson and
'the boys'
would make it into a recording studio. In fact, within two years of that
Dick
Clark Show, The Beach Boys would be 'opening' for Jan & Dean!
After the Clark show I walked over to the two of them and introduced myself.
In just a few brief minutes I felt I'd known them my entire life. They had
had
two major hits at that point, "Jenny Lee" and "Baby Talk." Their current
record was "Linda," if I recall. Surf and car songs were still three years
away
but they had already established themselves as a duo to reckon with.
Two years later--May of '62, to be exact--during my senior year at El Camino
High School, a San Francisco concert promoter, Pete Marino, was bringing a
'star studded' outdoor concert to the Sacramento County Fairgrounds.
Headlining
was Johnny Crawford, of the hot 'Rifleman' television series. Also on the
show
was Bobby Freeman, who lived in San Francisco, and who's hit single, "Do You
Wanna Dance," would later be covered by The Beach Boys, The Mamas and The
Papas, and The Ramons. Also on the show were Smokie Robinson & The Miracles,
including Smokie's wife, Claudette. They had just had their first major hit,
"Shop
Around." Rounding out the show were my two friends from Southern California,
Jan & Dean.
El Camino High School was in the affluent north area of Sacramento and
somehow--be it childhood bravado, or the fact that I was too naive to think
they'd
say 'no,' I approached the promoter, Marino, with this idea: why not bring
the
whole show out to our high school for a 'free' concert? If the kids like the
'sneak preview' many of them will talk their folks into attending the
concert
that evening. It worked!! Marino agreed to let me bring the entire cast to
my
high school for an afternoon assembly. It was my 'first' major concert
event. I
had just turned 18.
I met everyone at the old Sacramento Inn...a nice hotel on the north side of
the city. However, only Dean was on hand. Jan had missed the LA flight
because
of school commitments at UCLA. He was a 'premed' student with a 'genius IQ.'
Finally, Jan arrived and we all caravaned to the school--about a fifteen
minute drive.
The kids had filled the "Boy's Gym" to capacity. And, since school was now
over, as it was well past 3 o'clock, word had gotten out that this big show
going on at El Camino, so kids from other area high schools were coming by
the
hundreds to partake of the free show!! The County Sheriff had to shut the
doors
to the gym. It couldn't hold any more!
I was the school Commissioner of Entertainment, so I introduced the cast to
the crowd and everyone did one song--lip synching to their hit record
through a
cheap PA system. That was not that uncommon in those days. Few acts carried
full bands.
Ironically, exactly one year later, on May 24, 1963, I promoted the first
Beach Boys concert at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. I'd found my
niche:
working as a part time deejay for $1.50 an hour--and booking teen clubs and
concerts for the 'big bucks.' Back then, the 'big bucks' amounted to about
$600 a
concert--if it was successful. But with gas 14.9 cents a gallon, new cars
sold
for $1,500, and houses for $25,000! $600 was a lot of money for a nineteen
year old in 1963!
When I persuaded Murry and Brian to record a 'live' album in Sacramento--and
it became The Beach Boys' first #1 album and first 'Gold' album--I received
a
phone call from Jan. "Fred, we want you to do a show for us just like you
did
for Brian and the band." "You mean you want to cut a 'live' album in
Sacramento," I asked. "Yes, the kids there are great, replied Jan. Adding:
"They scream
their asses off! Get together with Lou (Adler) and work out the details.
Will
you do it," asked Jan. "Are you kidding? Sure, count me in," I replied. I
was 20 years old and having more fun than any of my high school peers. Once
in a
while, I even managed to get paid for it! But the real reward was getting to
'hang out' with many recording artists that just one or two years before, I
had been listening to on the radio, or spinning their record on my own
program.
Artists like Johnny and Dorsey Burnette, Freddy Cannon, my old buddy, Ray
Peterson, who I still see almost every single week, The Surfaris, The
Righteous
Brothers, Dick and DeeDee, Paul and Paula, Clyde McPhatter, Johnny Rivers,
The
Dave Clark Five, and so many more.
So that was all happening around the time of Jan's phone call. The album,
recorded at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on October 24, 1964, became
the
foundation of Jan & Dean's "Command Performance" album. Since Jan was
co-writing
songs with LA deejay and television personality, Roger Christian, I was
asked
to introduce Roger, who, in turn, would introduce the duo. I remember
Roger's
introduction: "Welcome to 'Scream City.' Guys, hang on to your girls. Girls,
just 'hang on.' Here's America's #1 duo, Jan and Dean!!"
I had suggested using LA studio musicians, as Sacramento did not have a
rhythm section the caliber of the LA session cats. Here was the lineup: Hal
Blaine,
drums. Steve Barry, bass. Phil (PF) Sloane, keyboards; Glen Campbell,
electric guitar. I paid Glen $200 for the show!! Of course, everyone but
Blaine did
'double duty.' Glen sang a few songs, Steve and Phil did their "Fantastic
Baggies" show. A Canadian singer, Terry Black, also appeared. It was a great
concert.
I booked J & D pretty regularly in those early 60s days. Teen clubs,
concerts, dances. We did them all. Most of the time they 'lip synched.' They
did not
carry their own musicians on many of those dates. That would come years
later
with the "Bel Air Bandits" and "Surf City All-Stars."
My friend, Mack Choate, and I, drove over to Tunica, MS last June to see Jan
& Dean perform at Sam's Town. Jan had to be wheeled to the stage and
assisted
up onto the stage, where he was seated for the entire performance on a
stool.
Dean, Mack, and I, had lunch together that afternoon, prior to the sound
check. I could see that Dean was getting frustrated with the situation. Jan
could
barely get up the strength to do one show a week. The idea of doing a
national
'farewell tour' was a physical impossibility. It was like dealing with a
kid.
That early morning fateful 1966 accident on the real 'dead man's curve' had
taken it's toll.
The good looking teen idol of the early 60s...the premed student with
enormous talent...was no longer. It was sad to see what Jan had become.
Prior to the
concert, as Jan sat in the backstage dressing room, I watched and listened
as
he spoke, and attempted to sing, the words to one of their biggest hits. He
was struggling with every line but he would not give up. He was determined
to
'carry his share' of the concert. After all, he was "Jan" of "Jan and Dean."
He
was one-half of one of the biggest vocal duets of the rock era. He was also
one of the first to co-write and co-produce his own records.
Jan started singing: "I've-got-it-bad-for-the-new-girl-in-school,
the-guys-are-flipping- but-I'm-playing-it-cool." He struggled with every
word, often
repeating a line two or three times before he moved on to the next. He'd
look over
to me every now and then for encouragement. I sat down next to him and
started singing the lines with him, telling him it was gonna be great. He
sang the
same lines over and over. Over and over.
Then it was show time. He was wheeled to the stage, assisted to his stool,
and the band started into the first song. It was "New Girl In School." Jan
had
put a half hour into rehearsing his lines for that one opening number. I
swear
his microphone was turned off, but that really didn't matter. There he was,
pouring out his heart in song. For a brief moment, Jan was a 'star' again.
For a
brief moment, he was that sun tanned teen idol from California.
You led a good life, Jan Berry. You deserve a good rest.
Your friend and fan,
Fred
Editor?s note. Great story Fred. Thanks for sharing it.
BOB
--------------------------------------
From: Editor
Please mark your calendar for AUG 14, 2004 when we will have another "Meet
the Editor party". I hope to see you then.
As I was converting e-mail address to my new ISP, I noticed that several of
the e-mail addresses had .rr. in the e-mail address. Anyone know what that
means?
Some people seem to get this list double spaced. Some don?t. I am checking
with SBC/YAHOO to find out why.
For your information, the most popular ISP for list members is AOL. A lot of
people use an ISP called ATTBI . I have never heard of that ISP. Could
someone that has it tell me what it is?
Someone called me recently asking for my help in finding in Southern
California a place that would customize a car. He wanted to take a modern
car, rebuild it mechanically, and customize the body. Any help would be
appreciated. Also, just for my information, anyone know what kind of money
we are talking about to do something like that?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
end of 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST
BOB FORD
18091 MARK CIRCLE
VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA 92861-2648
BOB_FORD@SBCGLOBAL.NET
VOICE 714-637-8877
FAX 714-637-2955
Editor of the 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST and TURBOGLIDE REGISTRY
I plan to live forever, so far so good
Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2004 13:25:32 -0700 (PDT)
From: BOB FORD <bob_ford@sbcglobal.net>
To: "BOB,FORD" <BOB_FORD@sbcglobal.net>
THIS IS THE 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST APRIL 4, 2004
IF THIS E-MAIL HAS AN ATTACHMENT, IMMEDIATELY DELETE THIS E-MAIL.
THIS LIST IS DESIGNED AS A MEANS FOR PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE 1955, 1956,
AND 1957 CHEVROLETS TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER AND HAVE A
LITTLE FUN IN THE PROCESS. ALL OPINIONS ARE WELCOME.
TO POST SOMETHING ON THIS LIST PLEASE E-MAIL YOUR POST TO
BOB_FORD@SBCGLOBAL.NET
THERE IS NO COST TO BECOME A LIST MEMBER AND ONLY LIST MEMBERS ARE
ALLOWED TO POST SOMETHING ON THE LIST.
THIS 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST IS NOT SENT OUT ON ANY SET SCHEDULE SO IF YOU
WANT TO POST SOMETHING THAT CONTAINS A DATE, PLEASE SEND IT IN EARLY
SO I CAN GET IT OUT TO THE LIST MEMBERS BEFORE THE DATE OF THE EVENT.
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR CITY AND STATE WITH YOUR POSTS. IF YOU ARE
POSTING SOMETHING FOR SALE PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE
1. YOUR PHONE NUMBER
2 THE PRICE
3. WHEN YOU WILL BE AT YOUR PHONE NUMBER AND YOUR TIME ZONE.
TAKE AS MUCH SPACE AS YOU WANT AND FULLY DESCRIBE WHAT YOU HAVE
FOR SALE OR WANT TO BUY.
YOUR COMMENTS ABOUT THIS LIST ARE WELCOME.
IF YOU WANT TO SEND ME E-MAIL THAT YOU DO NOT WANT ON THE LIST
PLEASE PUT "PRIVATE NOT FOR THE LIST' AS THE SUBJECT.
THE OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS LIST ARE THE MEMBERS OPINIONS AND NOT
NECESSARILY MINE. I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO EDIT OUT ANY MATERIAL NOT
APPROPRIATE FOR THIS LIST.
PLEASE INCLUDE YOUR NAME AS THE LAST THING ON YOUR E-MAIL.
IF YOU BUY SOMETHING FROM A LIST MEMBER, PLEASE BE AWARE THAT I HAVE
NO WAY OF KNOWING THE QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT OR THE HONESTY OF THE
SELLER. BUYER BEWARE.
BECAUSE OF THE DANGER OF A VIRUS, PLEASE DO NOT SEND ATTACHMENTS
WITH YOUR E-MAIL. E-MAIL WITH ATTACHMENTS WILL NOT BE READ.
THANKS
BOB FORD
EDITOR
__________________________________________________ ____________________
From: Editor
Thanks for everyone ideas to help me do the conversion to a new ISP. Also, a
great big Thank
You for the people that sent financial help to allow me to complete this
task in a reasonable time
frame. I thought you might like to know how I did it.
I have now almost completed the conversion to SBC but what a task. I still
have to notify all the
lists I am on to change my e-mail address.
I had 5000+ addresses in my address book. I was using Compuserve Classic,
the old version of
Compuserve. After entering many e-mail addresses by hand and making a lot of
typing
mistakes, I knew there had to be a better way. At the rate I was going, and
the typing mistakes I
was making, it was going to take me months to complete the conversion.
SBC uses Yahoo for their e-mail and Yahoo will let you import addresses from
a Palm and/or
Outlook Express. The problem is SBC/YAHOO will not tell you what the format
of the
e-mail address input file is. For computer people, this problem is easy to
understand. For non
computer people, to import an address book from something other than a Palm
or Outlook
Express, you need to know what the record being imported looks like. Is the
name first or last?
What position in the record to be imported is the e-mail address? To make
this problem even
harder, when you look at a record that contains an e-mail to be imported, it
is not readable. That
is it is not ASCII text.
I have a son that has a Palm so I had him export the address file from his
palm to his PC
and then send me the exported file on a CD.
At this point, I knew I needed some help with this project so I hired a
computer expert to help
me. We loaded the CD on my PC and had a look at the exported file. After a
lot of work, we
figured out the format so we now knew what SBC Yahoo would accept as input
for an address
file. We had to look at a Hex dump of the file to figure it out. Anyone
every tried looking at a
Hex dump? If you have you know how much fun that is.
The next problem was to find what the address file in Compuserve Classic
looked like. I called
Compuserve support and they told me the format of the address file was
propriety information
and they would not give it out. It took about 10 calls to Compuserve support
to find someone that
knew English well enough that I could understand them. What a bummer.
We then did a dump of the Compuserve address file in HEX. After a lot of
work and many bad
choices, we finally was able to figure out the format of the Compuserve
Classic address book.
Then we wrote a BASIC program to extract the address book data from
Compuserve and
reformat it to look like the Palm data.
Several members have asked how they can contribute to the fund to help me
with this
conversion. Please understand that no contribution is necessary for you to
stay on the list. If
you want to help out, you can send a check to the address below or use
PAYPAL (part of e-bay)
If you use PAYPAL, you just enter my e-mail address BOB_FORD@SBCGLOBAL.NET.
With
PAYPAL, you can use a credit card.
BOB FORD
18091 MARK CIRCLE
VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA 92861-2648
BOB_FORD@SBCGLOBAL.NET
----------------------------------------------
From: "haley", INTERNET:haley@mo-net.com
Hello, Bob. I want to thank you for your list. It is a valuable source of
information for any tri-five
enthusiast. I am looking for a 4 bbl. air cleaner for a 57 Chevy. If anyone
has one they would like
to get rid of, e-mail me at haley@mo-net.com. Thanks again, Bob.
Ken in Missouri
---------------------------------
From:VINCE, INTERNET:VVDE@cs.com
Bob
I know you are telling it like it is. I own a business in a rural area. My
internet service went out
of business. I had to find a new one. What a hassle. Like you, I had about
5000 people in my
address book. Of course the new internet service was not compatible with my
old ones address
book. I had to hire a computer guy to convert my address book to the new
internet service. At
$80 per hour (a very high wage in my area) it took him over 80 hours to do
the conversion.
You provide such a valuable service to us and I don't want to see your list
stopped. I will be
glad to contribute to your conversion fund. If you do the math above, you
will see how much it
cost me to change internet service. I don't think it is fair for you to have
to pay that kind of
money to provide us a free service.
Just the blank tape for the videos you have sent me FREE over the years cost
more than the $5
you propose to charge new members. They are getting a bargain. I urge all
members of this list
to send Bob a contribution. I know you will feel better for doing it.
Bob, when you told us to check the states unclaimed property database, I did
it. That one piece
of advise has changed my life forever. I checked and I did not have any
unclaimed property. I
checked for my wife and she didn't have any unclaimed property either. As an
after though, I
checked my wife's name before she married me. When I saw the result, I
almost fainted. She
had a 7 figure amount due her from an insurance policy she did not know
anything about. It was
one her dad had on himself. My wife was the beneficiary The insurance
company claimed they
could not find her because she had changed names an addresses. Sure, she
changed names and
addresses. She married me.
I have a unusual story about the videos you sent me. The recent one about
World War II
industrial production and one you sent me a few years ago called "The Way We
Were 1940-
1945". I am a member of the American Legion. I took these tapes to the state
convention
recently. One of the small meetings rooms had a VCR player. I put these
videos in that room
and invited people to watch them. Word spread around the convention about
these tapes and
they were being played over and over. They were played at least 100 times.
Many members
called their family to come in and see them. It was a very emotional time
for a lot of us and
the for the first time, a lot or relatives of people in World War II got the
feel of what it was about.
The sad part of this story is someone swiped the tape from the room. Could
you please send me
another one.
Thanks
Vince Decano
Editor's note. Thanks for the support Vince. Just send me your address and I
will send you a
DVD of the stuff on video. Hopefully a DVD will not wear out. It is good to
hear about you getting what is owed your wife from the state. Here in
California, we have had money in the states unclaimed property for such
people as the Mayor of Los Angeles. As always the claim was that he could
not be located.
BOB
--------------------------------
From:"The Shew's" <shew@ntelos.net> Add to
Hello Bob,
Thanks for keeping up with this list, you are a bigger man
then me. I do not want to change providers and I only
have about 30 emails. You mentioned charging new members
$5, I would appreciate it if you would post your home
address. I will gladly pay you $5 a year and still feel
like it is worth a lot more.
I do have some questions and comments for the group. I
just took my 57 210 2 door sedan to Red Line Performance
in Bristol, TN 423-968-4090. He is going to replace my
floor and trunk for starters then add a flaming river
rack and pinion system. Bill Rambo of Red Line is making
a stainless steel bracket / crossmember the will bolt in
the entire rack and pinion until. I am happy that more
work is getting done to this car and maybe I can get it
on the road before it turns 50.
That was my comments, here is my questions. Has anyone
ever put 4 bucket seats in their tri five? Got any
Pictures? Has anyone installed the under the floor
master cylinder? Has anyone cut off their drip rails
that run along the top of the car. Removed their vent
window? Installed the Ram Jet 350 GM Crate motor, is it
fast?
That's enough for now
Charlie
Leaving Virginia and moving to Nashville, very soon
---------------------------------------
From:kfmartel@rockwellcollins.com
To Bruce Jacobs,
To stop the speedometer from "fluctuateing all over
the place" you should lubricate it with a liquid
graphite based oil. I disconnect the cable from behind
the speedometer and pour a little liquid graphite down
the cable. Then hook it up and drive. If enough oil was
put in so the the whole cable gets lubed then it should
stop "fluctuating" withing a few miles. If not then
repeat with more graphite oil until it does. But if this
does not work then there really is something wrong.
Most of the time this "fluctuating" is caused by the
cable being moved and gets bent of kinked so you should
also check that the cable runs under the dash out the
firewall as streight as possible. Ditto for where it
connects to the tranny.
If your speedometer is not accurate it could be your
not running the stock wheel size. Any change in wheel
diameter changes the accuracy of the speedometer. You
will then have to have an expert recalibrate (change
gears) in the speedometer.
Good Luck, Kim in CA
---------------------------------
From:kfmartel@rockwellcollins.com
To Brian inVA,
Before installing Radial Tires on original wheels
have the place your going to install the tires check the
rims when the old tires are removed. Tell them that
those rims have never had radial tires on them and you
want to be sure there will be no problems. If they do
not know what your talking about go someplace that does.
You should not have any problems if the rims are is
good shape, no small cracks at seams or welds.
I'm putting a new set of Diamond Back Classic
Radial Wide White Wall tires on my '55 this month. As
this car once had used blackwall radials on it I
probabily will be okay, but I'm going to have my Tire
Center check the rims anyway before installing the
Radials.
And by the way have the all metal valve steams
installed as they will stop the hub caps from rotating.
Good Luck, Kim in CA
--------------------------------
From:jslee55@comcast.net Add to Address Book
Bob,
I personally don' think that $5.00 is enough. As far as current
members, I' willing to bet, most if not all, will be willing to do as I
intend to do, mail you a check. The information and the entertainment
value of this newsletter far exceed $5.00. I have picked up new inter-net
friends, some around the world, that I never would have if it weren't
for your efforts.
Jack Lee
So. Yarmouth, MA
55 Nomad
-------------------
From:jslee55@comcast.net Add to Address Book
Bob,
Just want to say thank you for the video on the wartime production of
goods. I enjoyed every minute. I am a child of the mid fifties so I
wasn't around to experience any of it. Going to school, it was to resent
to be thought, so I have missed out all the way around. I have learned
more about this country's history through my two daughters and their
studies, as it is now ok to talk about these issues. Being interested in
all things mechanical, I found the clips interesting on how the tanks
and aircraft were assembled. I don't think this generation could do
what that generation had to as far as coming together and building a
complete manufacturing plant in less then a year. With all the labor
unions, environmental activists, war objectors, etc.
Again, Thank you,
Jack Lee
So. Yarmouth MA.
------------------------
From:Ilovemy56@aol.com
To Sandy Pierce, Hey, I thought Racing on the Highway
was ILLEGAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!????? It DOES however sound
quite EXCITING !!!!!!!!!!!!!! Richard
-----------------------------------
From:Ilovemy56@aol.com Add to Address Book
To Bob Beck, I can surely go along with a 2.00
contribution for all of Bob's WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!! Richard
----------------------------------------------------------
From:YakimaMagic@aol.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
As current members know, this is a non profit
endeavor. I did
not intend this to be a money maker for me and it has
not. I hope to keep this list as a valuable
service to the list members. I have decided that the
best way to do that is to charge new members
a membership fee.
From now on, all NEW list members will be charged a
ONE TIME fee of $5 to be added to the
list. I invite your comments on this change
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
As valuable as your list is, I think a $5 fee for new
members is more than fair. And I'm sure you will still
be non-profit. Jan Mowrey
----------------------------------------------
From:BUDFOSDICK@aol.com
Bob,
I see no reason why you shouldn't charge new members $5
to sign up - I would gladly pay the $5 my self to help
out with your expenses.
Bud Fosdick
Heartbeat Classic Chevy's
56 Conv.
--------------------------------------------
From:MuzikBiz01@aol.com
Hi, Bob,
Got your newsletter fine...looked a bit different.
Everything was double spaced, easier to ready, perhaps.
A 'dumb question:" one of your readers mentioned looking
for a 'street runner.' Had not heard that _expression.
I've heard of 'street rod' and 'driver,' but not street
runner. Explain? Thanks.
Also, did you get my e-mail regarding the passing of Jan
Berry?
Always great to get your list. Regards,
Fred
--------------------------
From:"Betty Ellis" <bellis@4state.com
Bob: Could you or some of your members give me the address or phone #
of Obsolete chevy. My husband thinks it in Georgia. He had a catalog,
but loaned it and it didn't come back. Thanks Robert and Betty Ellis,
Riverton, KS bellis@4state.com
--------------------------------------
From:Rolasan@aol.com
To the guy that wanted to know the '57 265 color. It was
yellow.
Bob Sanford
'55 sedan under contruction
'55 BBW pickup waiting it's turn
--------------------------------
From:Karfitter@aol.com
Personally, I dont know how you manage to keep up. Im
proud of you for making it this long without charging
for your site. I have been on here for a couple years
and have had many hours of reading to wind down after a
LONG day at work. Thanks for all you do for the gear
heads of america.
Kevin Rogers
Georgetown, DE
1955 BA 2Dr Ht
1955 210 2dr sedan
1970 Front engine dragster
ps: It sucks having to work so hard to support our
habits. But Sunday Morning When The BEAST comes ALIVE
and runs off an 8.0 second run, It ALL seams worth it.
------------------------------------------
From:"Sam Woodard" <swoodard4@cox.net>
Congrats on transistion, I have a few parts for 55
chevys for sale in oklahoma city area. I have an
original front 2door seat 55 needs covered but good and
all there 600.00.........twoo front fenders good no rust
or dents 150 each 1 hood with bird removed and peaked
in very nic condition 300.00 2 one pc rear bumpers
need replated 150 each. and a 1955 2 door sedan (post
car) less eng needs floors and tailpan work nice chasses
with 10 bolt rear roller with vin numbers no title
2500.00 and need a couple of bare 55 to 57 frames no
suspension in okla area. thanks and get em out and drive
em . sam woodard swoodard4@cox.net
-------------------------------
From:"Paulie Cananoli"
Hay Bob,
Even though I'm a seasoned member there's $5.00 comming your way via
snail-mail az of today. I am happy to contribute and will be happy to
send you five more dollars every April 1st 'cause I'd be a fool to risk
loosing you and the service you provide. Whutabout the rest of you yahoo's,
can
ya spare a fiver for Bob's new assistant??? Let's support our editor!
Paul Mears
------------------------
From:"loujudyb" <loujudyb@earthlink.net>
This is in reply to Harvey Kane and 1/4 mile times for a
'57 270 "stick". Way back when-
I had a black 2dr Hardtop - 270 horse, 3 spd stick, 4.56
posi. I consistenty turned
14.7's at 95 mph at San Fernando dragstrip back in 1959
& 60. Car was stock
and weighed in at 3,780 lbs. Yours was lighter.
Lou Bartoletti
Black 57 Bel Air - this one is a cruiser.
--------------------------------
To:bruce_bj@swbell.net
Dear Bruce,
Many years ago in my youthful stupidity, I re greased
the speed o cable with wheel bearing grease.
That was o/k until winter time here in Kahlifornia. If
that is the case, you have to flush out the housing with
paint thinner (cleaning solvent) and use either a white
lithium grease or other low viscosity type. With both
ends of the housing disconnected and the cable removed,
either a "baster' or pump type oil can is a good flusher
tool to remove that 40+ year old grease/lubricant. Use
air hose (low pressure) to thoroughly dry the housing.
Also, if the speedo head is dry, a quick fix is to soak
a 1/2" ball of cotton with "3 In One" oil, and press the
oil into the back of the "head", through the small gap
at the circumference of the "head".
Some cars had a "lube plug" for this, and before that a
"grease cup".
If this doesn't solve the problem, then the speed o has
to be removed for complete cleaning and calibration.
A good old fashioned watch/clock master should be able
to perfrorm all but the calibration.
For years now, speed o's have used the principle of
"magnetic coupling" instead of multiple gears, except
for the "odometer" section.
Sincerely,
Robert A. Rouge`
robertarouge@juno.com
---------------------------------
From:"joey" <mailjoey@peoplepc.com>
Hey bob and list hope all is well, did any of you watch
speed chanel on wed, the barrit jackson auction was on
and a highly modified 55 sold for over 200,000. Even I
was shocked. Joey
------------------------------
From:nd4speed@telia.com
Hallo Bob
Someone on your list wanted info about -57 Chev
performance
I had this info on my homepage, ( its down )
If you want you can put out some numbers to your list
77,5 and 104 is 1/4 mile speed , 120 and 134 is topspeed
Sune Gustafsson from Sweden
Red -57 ragtop owner
CCI # 1348
?283" 185hpPG11,0sMotor trend
?283" 220hpTG10,1sMotor trend
Sport sedan283" 270hpPG9,9s17,5s77,5Motor trend
Two-doors283" FI 283hp3sp8,0s120Motor trend
Sport coupe283" FI 283hp3sp14,21s104Close r. 3sp.
Bob Wingate -76
4d Bel-Air283" 270hp?8,2sPower -78
?6cyl 140hp?15,5s
Corvette 1957
283" FI 250hpman7,2sClose r. 3sp. Motor trend
283" FI 283hp134
283" FI 250hp6,7sJan -57 motor life
---------------------------------------
From:"Jim/Carolyn Wheeler" <56chevys@cox.net>
Bob, as a financial adviser, this is probably old hat to
you. Nevertheless, list members may have to worry if
their broker has been reporting Original Issue Discounts
as interest income in their annual 1099 reports.
OID is a current income item, all right, but the
individual OID's are to be added to cost bases of bonds.
So, if bonds are sold your tax basis is higher and
reportable gains are less.
Our old broker was not doing that and we were paying
income tax TWICE, both on current OID income and later
on gains of bonds sold.
Regards, Jim Wheeler, Tucson, Arizona, 56Chevys@cox.net
Editor's note. Jim, I am always happy to post info that will save list
members money. When it
relates to Bond income, I suggest you consult a tax pro. Stock brokers may
not know about all
the provisions of tax law.
Bob
------
From:PMc9355592@aol.com
Dear Bob,
I was waiting till I got to the end of the 'list' to make a suggestion
and there was Bob Beck beating me to it, Right on, Bob. Why not let each of
us chip in with some small amount to help out. Just give us the prefered
method
and an address. Any amount would not meet the joy your list has brought us.
Thank you,
Jim McEvoy 56 BA Hrdtp
----------------------------------------------
From: "Terry Houchins" <terry75115@yahoo.com>
All early 1956 radio's for 57 Chevy's came WITHOUT the
output transistor in the rear. They all had seperate
power supplies like the Wonderbar.
Later in 1957 the radios were built with output
transistors, so a seperate power supply was no longer
needed.
Terry
------------------
From:"lsims88usa@pipeline.com" <lsims88usa@pipeline.com>
hi bob....if you haven't done it, set up your account at
www.paypal.com so new members can easily pay your totally
justified fee and so old members like myself wanting to
pay the $5 can do the same...stipulate that credit cards
cannot be used, only direct bank debit transactions to
keep your collection of fees free of paypal charge...
best of everything and thx!
Lynn and Milly Sims
Peninsula Classic Chevy Club
"Smiles Go Miles"
Original Message:
-------
From:"Steve Norden" <alamo@netins.net>
Bob, I don't see a problem with your $5.00 proposal for
new members......maybe after a trial period so they
could appreciate the service provided prior to paying.
I think you should consider using Paypal as an
additional payment mechanism. You're probably aware of
Paypal.com, but if not I can explain further.
Amos.
-----
From:"Thadd" <Thaddspad@cox.net>
RE: Bruce Jacobs' Speedometer questions.
I have had great sucess with Paul's Speedometer Service
located at 529 N. Pacific Coast Hwy in Redondo Beach.
Quality work; reasonable price. His phone is 310
374-3017.
Speedometer accuracy is determined by the speedometer
gears in the transmission. Pauls can fix the "bouncing"
in the speedo unit, and if you search the net, you can
find which gears are needed for the rear end ratio/rear
tire size that you are running.
------------------------
From:"Randy Hartsock" <randy.hartsock@ga-esi.com>
Bob:
A $5 charge to new members to get on the list! Are you crazy?
I've been a long term member & I'll send ya $5 just to
help defray your cost just to remain a member. I hate to
think of you coming out of pocket to provide the
services that you do.
Check or cash to the Mark Circle address?
Thanks,
________________________________________________
Randy Hartsock
Sales Manager
General Atomics Energy Products
General Atomics Electronic Systems, Inc., USA
Ph: (858) 522-8403, Fax: (858) 522-8401
Email: randy.hartsock@ga-esi.com Web: www.gaep.com
----------------------------
From:"Bill Kautz" <kautz@comcast.net>
For Brian in VA and anyone else contemplating a
change to radial tires. When I switched from bias ply to
radials on my '55 210 I bought new wheels, too. There
were several reasons, the main reason being that the
original wheels were riveted together, not welded. The
original tires were tube-type, therefore not subject to
leaking around the rivets. Radial tires DO put
additional stress on the wheels, especially in sharp
curves, due to a larger footprint and better grip on the
road. Also, 40- 50 years, the lug bolts tend to egg out
the bolt holes in the rims just from normal wear and
tear. As for power steering, yes, it's a lot easier to
turn the steering wheel with PS, also due to the
radial's bigger footprint and better grip. If you don't
have to parallel park or maneuver in tight spaces,
changing to radials shouldn't be a problem without PS. I
also have a '64 Pontiac with a 389 sitting on the front
wheels, no PS and it is a bear to parallel park with
radial tires.
Sure glad you're back, Bob! Thanks again and no, I
don't think $5 is asking too much to join this list. You
will get a lot more than $5 worth of help here every
time the list comes out! Wild Bill
------------------------
From:"Mary Lamarca" <Mary.Lamarca@pf.ucsb.edu>
Hi Bob, a month ago I think I read on your site that someone made
steering wheels for 55, 56,57 chevy's just like the originals but smaller in
size. I need to get the name and number for them. Does anyone remember that?
Please
help!! You can e-mail me at mary.lamarca@pf.ucsb.edu Thanks
-----------------------
From:"Lynn Mark Sims" <lsims88usa@pipeline.com>
hi Bob...here is my requested e-mail...if you have 5000
entries, is it a viable suggestion for you to hire a
local high school computer student at 10 bucks an hour
for the project?...best of luck and so many thanks for
all you do for all of us!...Lynn Sims
------------------------------
From:"SANDRA SCOTT" <SANDYSCOTT@peoplepc.com>
Bob,
You do a great job and service for us "listees." Yes,
we agree that we should all send Bob whatever we would
like to for his hard work and dedication to keeping this
list going!
So, Bob, is that your address we see at the bottom of
your "list." If so, let us all know and soon you will
be receiving donations for all your hard work. Take
care,
Carl & Sandy
Editor?s note. Yes, that is my address.
Bob
----------------------------
From: INTERNET:MuzikBiz01@aol.com, INTERNET:MuzikBiz01@aol.com
Wow. To use the old 60s cliche, 'what a bummer.' Jan Berry dead at 62. While
it does not shock me--like Dennis Wilson's death in Marina del Ray in '83,
or
the tragically premature death of Denny's younger brother, Carl, in
'98--still, the death of Jan on Friday, March 26, is a cold reminder of how
fragile life
truly is. You're literally 'here today, gone tomorrow.' I turned '60' on
Wednesday, March 24. Jan passed away on Friday. I'm still in shock. Tears
are
welling up in my eyes as I remember the great times we had through the
years.
I met Jan three years before I met 'The Beach Boys.' It was a Dick Clark
Show
being shot at Treasure Island Naval Base in San Francisco Bay--1960. I was
16. I was not involved in promoting 'live events' in those days...just a
high
school sophomore doing weekend deejay relief at a jazz station and still
working
for 'free' as a radio 'gopher' so I could 'hang out' at the Top 40 stations
in Sacramento. I still have the ticket to that Dick Clark Show. I still
remember it as if it were yesterday.
Jan and Dean were 'cool.' Unlike the Everly Brothers--who lived a million
miles away in Nashville--Jan and Dean lived in California. They didn't sing
songs
about 'devotion,' 'puppy love,' 'bird dogs,' or falling asleep at the
drive-in movies. They sang about cars, surf, cruising, and having a crush on
that
'new girl in school.' Their sun tanned good looks and youthful optimism
personified the California lifestyle--two full years before Brian Wilson and
'the boys'
would make it into a recording studio. In fact, within two years of that
Dick
Clark Show, The Beach Boys would be 'opening' for Jan & Dean!
After the Clark show I walked over to the two of them and introduced myself.
In just a few brief minutes I felt I'd known them my entire life. They had
had
two major hits at that point, "Jenny Lee" and "Baby Talk." Their current
record was "Linda," if I recall. Surf and car songs were still three years
away
but they had already established themselves as a duo to reckon with.
Two years later--May of '62, to be exact--during my senior year at El Camino
High School, a San Francisco concert promoter, Pete Marino, was bringing a
'star studded' outdoor concert to the Sacramento County Fairgrounds.
Headlining
was Johnny Crawford, of the hot 'Rifleman' television series. Also on the
show
was Bobby Freeman, who lived in San Francisco, and who's hit single, "Do You
Wanna Dance," would later be covered by The Beach Boys, The Mamas and The
Papas, and The Ramons. Also on the show were Smokie Robinson & The Miracles,
including Smokie's wife, Claudette. They had just had their first major hit,
"Shop
Around." Rounding out the show were my two friends from Southern California,
Jan & Dean.
El Camino High School was in the affluent north area of Sacramento and
somehow--be it childhood bravado, or the fact that I was too naive to think
they'd
say 'no,' I approached the promoter, Marino, with this idea: why not bring
the
whole show out to our high school for a 'free' concert? If the kids like the
'sneak preview' many of them will talk their folks into attending the
concert
that evening. It worked!! Marino agreed to let me bring the entire cast to
my
high school for an afternoon assembly. It was my 'first' major concert
event. I
had just turned 18.
I met everyone at the old Sacramento Inn...a nice hotel on the north side of
the city. However, only Dean was on hand. Jan had missed the LA flight
because
of school commitments at UCLA. He was a 'premed' student with a 'genius IQ.'
Finally, Jan arrived and we all caravaned to the school--about a fifteen
minute drive.
The kids had filled the "Boy's Gym" to capacity. And, since school was now
over, as it was well past 3 o'clock, word had gotten out that this big show
going on at El Camino, so kids from other area high schools were coming by
the
hundreds to partake of the free show!! The County Sheriff had to shut the
doors
to the gym. It couldn't hold any more!
I was the school Commissioner of Entertainment, so I introduced the cast to
the crowd and everyone did one song--lip synching to their hit record
through a
cheap PA system. That was not that uncommon in those days. Few acts carried
full bands.
Ironically, exactly one year later, on May 24, 1963, I promoted the first
Beach Boys concert at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. I'd found my
niche:
working as a part time deejay for $1.50 an hour--and booking teen clubs and
concerts for the 'big bucks.' Back then, the 'big bucks' amounted to about
$600 a
concert--if it was successful. But with gas 14.9 cents a gallon, new cars
sold
for $1,500, and houses for $25,000! $600 was a lot of money for a nineteen
year old in 1963!
When I persuaded Murry and Brian to record a 'live' album in Sacramento--and
it became The Beach Boys' first #1 album and first 'Gold' album--I received
a
phone call from Jan. "Fred, we want you to do a show for us just like you
did
for Brian and the band." "You mean you want to cut a 'live' album in
Sacramento," I asked. "Yes, the kids there are great, replied Jan. Adding:
"They scream
their asses off! Get together with Lou (Adler) and work out the details.
Will
you do it," asked Jan. "Are you kidding? Sure, count me in," I replied. I
was 20 years old and having more fun than any of my high school peers. Once
in a
while, I even managed to get paid for it! But the real reward was getting to
'hang out' with many recording artists that just one or two years before, I
had been listening to on the radio, or spinning their record on my own
program.
Artists like Johnny and Dorsey Burnette, Freddy Cannon, my old buddy, Ray
Peterson, who I still see almost every single week, The Surfaris, The
Righteous
Brothers, Dick and DeeDee, Paul and Paula, Clyde McPhatter, Johnny Rivers,
The
Dave Clark Five, and so many more.
So that was all happening around the time of Jan's phone call. The album,
recorded at the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium on October 24, 1964, became
the
foundation of Jan & Dean's "Command Performance" album. Since Jan was
co-writing
songs with LA deejay and television personality, Roger Christian, I was
asked
to introduce Roger, who, in turn, would introduce the duo. I remember
Roger's
introduction: "Welcome to 'Scream City.' Guys, hang on to your girls. Girls,
just 'hang on.' Here's America's #1 duo, Jan and Dean!!"
I had suggested using LA studio musicians, as Sacramento did not have a
rhythm section the caliber of the LA session cats. Here was the lineup: Hal
Blaine,
drums. Steve Barry, bass. Phil (PF) Sloane, keyboards; Glen Campbell,
electric guitar. I paid Glen $200 for the show!! Of course, everyone but
Blaine did
'double duty.' Glen sang a few songs, Steve and Phil did their "Fantastic
Baggies" show. A Canadian singer, Terry Black, also appeared. It was a great
concert.
I booked J & D pretty regularly in those early 60s days. Teen clubs,
concerts, dances. We did them all. Most of the time they 'lip synched.' They
did not
carry their own musicians on many of those dates. That would come years
later
with the "Bel Air Bandits" and "Surf City All-Stars."
My friend, Mack Choate, and I, drove over to Tunica, MS last June to see Jan
& Dean perform at Sam's Town. Jan had to be wheeled to the stage and
assisted
up onto the stage, where he was seated for the entire performance on a
stool.
Dean, Mack, and I, had lunch together that afternoon, prior to the sound
check. I could see that Dean was getting frustrated with the situation. Jan
could
barely get up the strength to do one show a week. The idea of doing a
national
'farewell tour' was a physical impossibility. It was like dealing with a
kid.
That early morning fateful 1966 accident on the real 'dead man's curve' had
taken it's toll.
The good looking teen idol of the early 60s...the premed student with
enormous talent...was no longer. It was sad to see what Jan had become.
Prior to the
concert, as Jan sat in the backstage dressing room, I watched and listened
as
he spoke, and attempted to sing, the words to one of their biggest hits. He
was struggling with every line but he would not give up. He was determined
to
'carry his share' of the concert. After all, he was "Jan" of "Jan and Dean."
He
was one-half of one of the biggest vocal duets of the rock era. He was also
one of the first to co-write and co-produce his own records.
Jan started singing: "I've-got-it-bad-for-the-new-girl-in-school,
the-guys-are-flipping- but-I'm-playing-it-cool." He struggled with every
word, often
repeating a line two or three times before he moved on to the next. He'd
look over
to me every now and then for encouragement. I sat down next to him and
started singing the lines with him, telling him it was gonna be great. He
sang the
same lines over and over. Over and over.
Then it was show time. He was wheeled to the stage, assisted to his stool,
and the band started into the first song. It was "New Girl In School." Jan
had
put a half hour into rehearsing his lines for that one opening number. I
swear
his microphone was turned off, but that really didn't matter. There he was,
pouring out his heart in song. For a brief moment, Jan was a 'star' again.
For a
brief moment, he was that sun tanned teen idol from California.
You led a good life, Jan Berry. You deserve a good rest.
Your friend and fan,
Fred
Editor?s note. Great story Fred. Thanks for sharing it.
BOB
--------------------------------------
From: Editor
Please mark your calendar for AUG 14, 2004 when we will have another "Meet
the Editor party". I hope to see you then.
As I was converting e-mail address to my new ISP, I noticed that several of
the e-mail addresses had .rr. in the e-mail address. Anyone know what that
means?
Some people seem to get this list double spaced. Some don?t. I am checking
with SBC/YAHOO to find out why.
For your information, the most popular ISP for list members is AOL. A lot of
people use an ISP called ATTBI . I have never heard of that ISP. Could
someone that has it tell me what it is?
Someone called me recently asking for my help in finding in Southern
California a place that would customize a car. He wanted to take a modern
car, rebuild it mechanically, and customize the body. Any help would be
appreciated. Also, just for my information, anyone know what kind of money
we are talking about to do something like that?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
end of 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST
BOB FORD
18091 MARK CIRCLE
VILLA PARK, CALIFORNIA 92861-2648
BOB_FORD@SBCGLOBAL.NET
VOICE 714-637-8877
FAX 714-637-2955
Editor of the 57-56-55 CHEVY LIST and TURBOGLIDE REGISTRY
I plan to live forever, so far so good