The View from the top.

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February 2010 The View from the top. WMCC February Club Meeting, Sunday, Feb.

There was a scheduling conflict with Kevin McNamara, who had volunteered at the January meeting, to host the February meeting at his home. So, the Lins stepped up and invited us back to their place.

Most of you have been to the Lins home before, but for anyone that has not, here is their address: 11331 Jackson Road, Middleville, MI 49333 Home phone: 269-795- 7878 For those that have not been to

1 February 2010 The View from the top. WMCC February Club Meeting, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010: This month we will be invading the home of Carl & Teresa Lins once again (the Christmas Party wasn t that long ago). There was a scheduling conflict with Kevin McNamara, who had volunteered at the January meeting, to host the February meeting at his home. So, the Lins stepped up and invited us back to their place. We ll reschedule with Kevin for a later date in the summer. Most of you have been to the Lins home before, but for anyone that has not, here is their address: Jackson Road, Middleville, MI Home phone: For those that have not been to their home before, you can mapquest their address for a map & directions. Or, if you are coming from the north (Grand Rapids), head south on Broadmoor Ave.(M37) from M6. Stay on M37 south of Caledonia and bear right onto Cherry Valley Ave, (just as M37 curves to the east, north of Middleville). Follow Cherry Valley south to Jackson Road and turn right (west). Their home is on the south side of Jackson Road, just a short distance off Cherry Valley (4 th house). The meeting will be Sunday, , at 1pm as usual, and once again, let s make this a pot-luck style lunch. We will be talking about our summer calendar. I have added several shows to the calendar and we have some potential conflicts we February need to work around. Please be there so we can have your input. Our sympathies go out to the Kemp family: Robert Joseph Kemp (Dave Kemp s Dad) passed away on Saturday, January 2, He was 70 years old. We send our thoughts and prayers out to the entire Kemp family in this time of sorrow. Events Calendar: As mentioned above, we have added a large number of events, both local and By Doug Warren, national, to our Events Calendar. WMCC President Please look the Calendar over and take note of several important events for WMCC. Mark your own calendars appropriately so you don t miss out on any Camaro fun this year. If you get fliers for other shows, or know of any Membership Dues This is just a friendly reminder. Yearly membership dues are due, for most members, in January. If you joined the Club before July of 2009, your dues are now due. It s $30 for a single membership and $45 for a couple. Dues may be paid at a club meeting or mailed to the WMCC Membership coordinator Shelley Crippin. Please make checks payable to: Western Michigan Camaro Club. Mailing address WMCC Membership C/O Shelley Crippin Wilbur Road Three Rivers, MI 49093

shows not on the Club Event Calendar, please get the information to me, either by phone or e- mail so I can add them to our list ASAP.

The planning for the MiFbody tour of the GM Heritage Center had been ongoing for several months and finally the day was here.

Much to our delight, both the silver Camaro Concept and the orange Camaro Concept convertible were on display right in the lobby.

2 shows not on the Club Event Calendar, please get the information to me, either by phone or e- mail so I can add them to our list ASAP. GM Heritage Center Tour/NAIAS: We had a great day on Friday January 22 nd traveling to Detroit for a whole day of car related activities. The planning for the MiFbody tour of the GM Heritage Center had been ongoing for several months and finally the day was here. At 2pm a large group of approximately 60 people crowded into the Heritage Center s lobby to hear the announcements and rules of the Center. Much to our delight, both the silver Camaro Concept and the orange Camaro Concept convertible were on display right in the lobby. Just before we made our way into the large display room, we presented Brian Meissen with a $500 donation from the WMCC to help fund the MiFbody.com website operations. Inside the large display area were about 200 cars from the very beginnings of GM right up to today. There was everything from several famous concept cars, first produced and last produced examples of cars and everything from race cars to antiques. Also included were engine displays and lots of memorabilia. Because the collection of cars is always being rotated, you will likely never see the exact same Attention Member: Please welcome New Members Kimberly Width 5075 Island View Drive Linden, MI Home Phone Work ph: Cell KWidth9239@charter.net Employer: Chrysler 2010 Camaro cars twice. This may surprise some of you, but my favorite car at the GM Heritage Center is a two tone red, 1931 Cadillac V16 Dual Cowl Phaeton! That car simply oozes class in any era. It s style and details are timeless and absolutely stunning. The Center is not open to the public and only open to organized tours that are prearranged, so you should take advantage of the opportunity every time it s available. From the GM Heritage Center in Sterling Heights, we made our way downtown to COBO Hall to check out the North American International Auto Show for I have attended most every year since the late 70 s and it was pretty obvious that the show was smaller this year than it has been for many years. As a loyal GM guy, I always try to make my way to the GM area first. It sure seemed strange not to see Pontiac, Saturn, Hummer and Saab. The ones that are left: Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC all had nice cars. The once boring Buick cars are really starting to come around with several nice new designs. The Cadillac s have been getting better for the last few years and of course I m always the most excited in the Chevrolet display. As 2

3 most everyone knows, I m not a big fan of green cars, so I will say that the Synergy Green Camaro was not something you can easily overlook. I like the production Volt and the new Cruz looks very nice, too. The bright blue Aveo RS was a real head turner. Overall the Chevrolet brand has a very nice and complete line up of vehicles. The ones that left me a little flat were the GMC s. Though they are trying to separate themselves from Chevrolet with different styling cues, they still seem like rebadged Chevy trucks to me. I still wonder if it should have been GMC to get the axe instead of Pontiac? Only time will tell, I guess. Ray, Ben, Tim and I stopped for a great dinner at Fowlerville Farms Restaurant on the way home to wrap up an awesome day. Motorstate Challenge event for 2010: Many of you will remember us reporting on this event from last June. John & Jimmy Smith and myself had a fantastic time running our cars on the track. The dates for this year s edition are June 18, 19 & 20, The format looks to be the same. A cruise on Friday evening, a track day at Gingerman Raceway on Saturday and an autocross at Lake Michigan Community College on Sunday. I would highly recommend anyone with an interest in finding out how well their Camaro handles to sign up for this event. It will test your driving skills as well, and you just might learn something too! Registration is not open yet (as of ) so you need to keep an eye on in the Motorstate Challenge thread (Racing events section) so you can sign up as soon as possible. The registrations will be limited to a certain number (so everyone gets a good amount of track time). Keep it in mind. We ll see everyone at the February Club Meeting!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Attention Members Last Chance To get your Info updated in the roster before we print it! We are trying to update the WMCC club roster and we need you information. A lot of the info in the current roster is out of date. People have moved, changed Addresses, changed phone numbers, bought & sold cars, etc. So even if you think your information might be correct in the current roster PLEASE send it anyway so we can make sure we have the most current information for you. We must have all your info by Feb 20th, 2010 for it to make it in the new roster. What is needed: Your Names Current Address Current Phone numbers (Home, Cell, Work) Current Employer Current addresses what Camaros/Vehicles you own Please it to scrippin@live.com or mail it to: Thank you, Shelley Crippin WMCC Membership coordinator. WMCC Membership c/o Shelley Crippin Wilbur Road Three Rivers, MI This is how your info will appear in the Roster: Gary Crippin Shelley Crippin Wilbur Road Three Rivers, MI Home: Gary Cell: Shelley Cell: Gary Azon USA gomaro1@live.com Shelley Tupperware & Lia Sophia Consultant scrippin@live.com 1987 IROC-Z Member Since 1994

4 WMCC Monthly Membership Meetings: 2010 Events Calendar (*denotes Official WMCC Event) *Feb 7, 2010 WMCC Club Meeting TBA *Feb 7, 2010 WMCC Club Carl & Teresa Lins home. 1pm *Mar 7, 2010 WMCC Club Meeting Sam s Joint near Gun Lake. *Apr 4, 2010 WMCC Club Meeting Wing s Auto Art shop tour/meeting *May 2, 2010 WMCC Club Meeting Mendon Dust Off Car Mendon H.S., Mendon, MI *Jun 6, 2010 WMCC Club Meeting TBA *Jul 4, 2101 WMCC Club Meeting Party/Club Bob & Joanne Gornick s fireworks viewing, food, etc. *Aug 1, 2010 WMCC Club Meeting TBA *Sep 5, 2010 WMCC Club Meeting TBA (Labor Day Weekend?) *Oct 3, 2010 WMCC Club Meeting TBA *Oct 8-10, 2010 Annual WMCC Fall Color Tour Weekend Upper Peninsula *Nov 7, 2010 WMCC Club Meeting TBA *Dec 11, 2010 WMCC Annual Christmas Party/Club Meeting - TBA All Camaro / All Chevrolet Events: Jun 11-13, nd Annual Ontario Camaro the Four Points Sheraton, St. Catharines, Ont., Canada *Jun 5, th Annual MiFbody Spring Meet & Bakers in Milford, MI Jun 11-13, nd Annual Ontario Camaro the Four Points Sheraton, St. Catharines, Ont., Canada Jun 12-13, 2010 Super Chevy Show, Norwalk, Ohio Jun 25-27, th Annual Camaro Nationals by the American Camaro Assn. Carlisle, PA Jul 2-4, th Annual Camaro Superfest, Riverside Park, Ypsilanti, MI *Jul 11, rd Annual Michiana Camaro Club All Camaro Show unconfirmed -more info later Aug 14-15, 2010 Super Chevy Show, Route 66 Raceway, Joliet, IL *Aug 27-28, th Annual Berger Chevrolet All Chevy Berger th St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI Sep 11-12, th Annual Camaro Fall Racing, Tallmadge, OH Other Automotive Events of Interest: Feb 4-7, 2010 Michigan International Auto Show, DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI Feb 14, 2010 Auto Parts Swap Meet Delta Plex, Grand Rapids, MI Feb 12-21, 2010 Chicago Auto Show, McCormick Place, Chicago, IL Feb 26-28, th Annual Detroit Autorama, COBO Hall, Detroit, MI Mar 5-7, th Annual World of Wheels, Chicago, IL May 22, 2010 Red Cross Benefit Classic Car & Motorcycle s Chicken, 92 E. Columbia, Battle Creek, MI May 29, nd Annual Lane Automotive Car Show (Free!!!!), Watervliet, MI May 31, 2010 Climax Car Climax High School, Climax, MI free Jun 5, 2010 South Haven Festival of Cars, downtown South Haven, MI Jun 5, 2010 Home is where the Heart is Car & Motorcycle Hot Rod Harley-Davidson, Muskegon, MI Jun 5-11, 2010 Hot Rod Power Tour Jun 10-13, th Annual Black Hills Overdrive, South Dakota Jun 13, 2010 Leila Carboretum Car Leila Arbortetum, 928 W Michigan Ave, Battle Creek, MI Jun 18, 2010 Spring Lake Heritage Festival Car Spring Lake Weslyan Parking Lot, 5pm to 9 pm Jun 18-20, 2010 Motorstate Lane Automotive/Gingerman Raceway/ Lk.MI. Comm. Col., South Haven, MI area Jun 19, th Annual Moose Classic Car Sparta Moose Family Center, Sparta, MI Jun 26, th Annual Covered Bridge Downtown Car Show, Centerville, MI Jun 26, 2010 Classics in the Park, Alamo Twp Park, north of Kalamazoo, MI *Jul 10, rd Annual Adam Shafer Memorial Car Show Lawton High School, Lawton, MI Jul 10, rd Annual Classic Car & Motorcycle Show for Dorr Moose Lodge, Dorr, MI Jul 18, 2010 Michiana Cruisers Benefit Car Centennial Park, Buchanan, MI Jul 23, 2010 National Baby Food Festival Cruise-In, Freemont, MI 5pm-8pm free Jul 25, 2010 Salvation Army Benefit Car 400 Capitol Ave. Battle Creek, MI Aug 8, th Annual Apple Peel-in Car Show, Greenville, MI Aug 8, th Annual Deanos Car Show, Allegan, MI Aug 21, th Annual Woodward Dream Cruise, along Woodward Ave Aug 21, 2010 Augusta Village Car Show, Augusta, MI Aug 27-28, th Annual 28 th Street Metro Cruise, along 28 th Street from Grandville to Cascade. Sep 10-12, 2010 Frankenmuth Autofest 2010, Riverside Park, Frankenmuth, MI Sep 10-12, 2010 Street Rod Nationals North Kalamazoo County Fairgrounds and older only. Sep 18, th Annual Alto Harvest Festival Car Show, Alto, MI 4

Janurary 2010 Meeting notes: JANUARY 3, 2010 @ the Falkenhagen s Notes taken by Bonnie Edwards Present: Carl & Teresa Lins, Gary, Shelley & Scott Crippin, John & Christi Falkenhagen, Doug & Anita

Ogrodzinski, Paul & Wendy Murphy Muscle Machines magazine from Hemmings Motor News: Article in this month s magazine which includes a lot of old photos of cars that were sponsored by Berger.

5 Janurary 2010 Meeting notes: JANUARY 3, the Falkenhagen s Notes taken by Bonnie Edwards Present: Carl & Teresa Lins, Gary, Shelley & Scott Crippin, John & Christi Falkenhagen, Doug & Anita Warren, Nick Kemp, Dave & Gay Verburg, Bob & Joanne Gornick, Dennis & Bonnie Edwards, Dennis & Ronnie Mykols, Bob, Kelly & Jordan Donker, Kevin, Roberta & Leo McNamara, Ray & Ben Cochran, Steve Ogrodzinski, Paul & Wendy Murphy Muscle Machines magazine from Hemmings Motor News: Article in this month s magazine which includes a lot of old photos of cars that were sponsored by Berger. Berger decided that high performance factory parts were something that they would offer. Doug gave an overview of the article. 35 th Anniversary Party: Several people have offered to host show. John & Christi stated that they would happy to host the celebration. A vote was taken and passes. Christi stated that there are several areas for photo s opportunities. Doug inquired what date we would like to host this party. Doug explained that the club originated in April of A suggestion of July 10 th was made by Gary and everyone agreed that we would try to do this on July 10 th. It was decided that the meeting would be on July 10 th during the 35 Anniversary Party. Christi asked if we want to dress for 1975? Bob & Joanne Gornick are inviting everyone to their house on the 4th of July to come and enjoy the fireworks. We will enjoy another Pot-Luck style dinner. Dave and Angie had only missed one Club meeting since they joined the club. However, they missed today due to Dave s dad passing away. There will be a tour of the GM Heritage Center on January 22, 2010: Doug expressed he has not heard back what time but he is guessing that it will be around 1:00 p.m. Cobo Hall will be having the North American International Auto Show at the same time. If you are interested in going please call Gary. The cost will be $10.00 a person to attend the Heritage Center tour. The NAIAS is optional as an evening activity. Joe Moss: Doug stated he is a club member we last saw at the Granger, IN show. He came to that show with a red 85 IROC-Z which was solid and awaiting a restoration. The VIN number was very low. This fall he was at an intersection and the car got hit. He stated he had insurance on the car for $4000. There was $2700 worth damage in the accident so the insurance company wants to total the car. He could buy it back from the insurance company very reasonable and would like to pass that along as he currently cannot afford to do this. Please review your insurance policies and make sure you have special Agreed Value insurance replacement value on your cars to be sure this does not happen to you. Doug went over Events Calendar as it stands at this stage. Look for it to be greatly expanded in the February issue of the newsletter. Michigan F-Body.com website donation: Do we want to make a contribution? Many WMCC members use this site quite often, even daily for several of our members. A suggestion of $500 was made and confirmed by members and they will be mailed a check donating to their website. Doug expressed that his 74 Z28 took 2 nd place for Ride of the Year voting on MiFbody y a narrow margin. He would have liked to give the Club some more acknowledgement for how awesome the car, Project DZ74, turned out. Oh well, the winner was a very nice, well deserving 73 Camaro out of Wisconsin. Dues: Get your dues to Shelley Crippin for the year. The amount is $45.00 per couple. Grand Rapids Press: Christi wanted to share an article for from the Grand Rapids Press. This was passed around to members. Thank you to John and Christi for hosting the meeting. The meeting was adjourned. 5

6 Don t Miss the Next WMCC Meeting Sunday February at the home of Carl & Teresa Lins in Middleville, 1pm See Newsletter for details. The Western Michigan Camaro Club is dedicated to the enjoyment, preservation and promotion of the Chevrolet Camaro as the premier four passenger sports car ever. The club was formed in Meetings The WMCC holds monthly membership meetings on the first Sunday of each month. Times and location vary, so see the Newsletter or check the club s web site at for specific times and locations, or call one of the officers. WMCC Officers President: Doug Warren Vice President: Gary Crippin Secretary: Bonnie Edwards Treasurer: Anita Warren Membership: Shelley Crippin Webmaster: Brent Findley Newsletter Editor: Gary Crippin Club Archivist & Photographer: Ray Cochran Club Sponsor Berger Chevrolet ~ BERGERCHEVY.COM Website Watch for the latest info on upcoming WMCC events. Camaro Corner 6

The View from the top.

The View from the top. January 2009 HAPPY CAMARO NEW YEAR, everyone!!! 2009 should prove to be an interesting year. With the economy in shambles, especially in Michigan, a totally new direction politically and a very uncertain