starfireelvis

Last year at Spring Carlisle, someone mentioned to my veteran friend that he was eligible to stay at one of the rooms at the Carlisle Barracks for free or for a greatly reduced price, as a result of his military service. Is this true, or to what degree is this correct, if at all? What would be required for eligibility? And whom should he contact and how? Thank you in advance for any information.

FOR SALE—passenger side taillight bezel for 1962 Oldsmobile Fiesta station wagon. Rare item, has some slight pitting, should be able to re-chrome to its former glory. Asking $150 (includes shipping). If interested, contact me at mcibulas@neo.rr.com, or text at 330/388-0192

FOR SALE—passenger side taillight bezel for 1962 Oldsmobile Fiesta station wagon. Rare item, has some slight pitting, should be able to re-chrome to its former glory. Asking $150 (includes shipping). If interested, contact me at mcibulas@neo.rr.com, or text at 330/388-0192

My two friends and I went to Mangia Mangia on Elizabethtown Rd. (State Route 743 south of Hershey), and had a great meal there—they even had Carbonara, which I’ve not seen lately at even the good Italian restaurants I know there and back home—and which I enjoyed thoroughly. Good-sized portions. And our waiter/server was a young fellow who spent a bit of time talking to all of us once he found out we were all in town for Fall Hershey, and engaged us in a conversation about what we drove and what the activities for the week were at the event. Great desserts, too. They do recommend making a recommendation, but they served us within fifteen minutes of our arrival, even though we hadn’t made one. And we killed the time until we were paged by admiring the beautiful ‘56 Buick Roadmaster in the parking lot…

Again, these were the vehicles which had their hoods and trunks down. I think, ideally at least, there should be a designated time at these shows where the cars have their regular appearances highlighted. The hoods up put me in the mind of a dentist working to fill a cavity (and I am only being a little facetious there!)

Yes, that potential is there. In fact, if you look at the factory promotional photos of the ‘62 Olds Starfire, you’ll notice that there is not a center bead moulding that is on the doors and the rear quarters of the aluminum panels. And the very first Starfires for the model year that came out in September and early October of 1961 did not have that ornamentation. Reportedly, it is the concern that you mention that resulted in the addition of those mouldings. A quick perusal of the upper left corner of the Fisher Body Data Plate under the hood that lists the month and week of that month of production (“09A”, for example, would mean that the car was manufactured the first week of September) has always confirmed the very few models I’ve ever seen without those trim pieces…

As always, a magnificent show field at Fall Hershey. I could literally post dozens (ok, hundreds) of vehicles that caught my eye; as it were, it looks like the file allowance is limited to about two pictures per post. I applaud those who, after judging, choose to put the hoods and trunks down so that the styling of the car can be appreciated as the brilliant designers had intended, and as I prefer to capture them for posterity. I’ll start with a picture a videographer took of my 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire as it was approaching the show field; it is not from a perspective that I usually see!

Yep. MeTV it is for me. Andy Griffith and Leave It To Beaver for me, and of course, Hogan’s Heroes. But even they will be on hold while I am in Chocolate Town!

In 2013, from 2 pm Thursday until 10 pm Friday, Hershey received 10 inches of rain. And yes, when I left home, the weather forecast for Hershey looked perfect. You never know when one of those tropical systems just pops up off the Carolina coast and wreaks havoc, kind of like the one a few days ago. One thing I can tell you that was confirmed beyond doubt. When the show field was moved to the former golf course in 2006, I believe it was, Steve Moskowitz addressed the very issue about rain and drainage, and stated that as a result of its previous incarnation, the show field drains very well. I could not believe it when I arrived at the show field Saturday morning, and I literally could not even find a puddle all day—no exaggeration. So I do have that confidence that if the field can handle that torrential deluge of rain, it can handle just about anything…

Posting this for a friend who is not computer-savvy. Please contact at the phone number provided for any questions. Thank you!

In Ohio, a vehicle must be 25 years or older to obtain an historical vehicle plate. They are to be on vehicles only driven to car shows or other related events. Below is the latest version of the historical plate for Ohio, which has been pretty much the same for the last 40+ years, if not longer. Until last year, Ohio required both a front and rear plate on all vehicles, but now only the rear plate is mandatory. Ohio does allow for a Year Of Issue plate to be displayed as a single plate or a matching pair; if it is the latter, the historical plate must be provided if so requested by a law enforcement officer. As for pricing, the historical plates on both of my vehicles were obtained for a one-time fee of $15, and is good for life for the same ownership of the vehicle; the YOI plate requires a one-time fee of $5. I should note that mine were obtained in 1996 and 2007, so the fees in Ohio may have changed since then.

For instance, a friend of mine here at home wanted to know if I could find a couple of cans of Moxie to try out and bring back from here. There used to be some sort of get-together at some guy’s spot to try it out. I know you can get it on-line, but it’s super expensive, and I don’t want to spend $30 or more on a 12-pack, especially if it tastes as awful as some people say.

Just bringing this one back up to the top, as more people may be paying attention at this time. Good Lord willing, one week from now, I’ll be headed east to our old car paradise—can’t wait! At this point, just want an update on any traffic issues/road work in or near town, and of course, any recommendations for restaurants, and even vendors at the swap meet or on the show field Friday. Thanks again!

Yes, this is something that I absolutely do not take for granted. It is an amazing effort put on by several hundred people, who literally plan year-round to make Fall Hershey the absolute best classic vehicle event on the planet. And that goes from Steve at the very top to the volunteers who pleasantly make the sacrifices to ensure our enjoyment. I make a particular point to thank the judging team once they have completed their observations on my car on the show field, as I know it can be and usually is a tremendous, demanding effort to evaluate so many vehicles, especially the closer they are to flawless. The proverbial magnifying glasses must be brought out to find any deductions that distinguish the overall appearance and presentation between such magnificent vehicles. So, a salute and a raise or the glass to those who spend their entire day looking over our prides and joys…

This was taken with the work in progress. Do you actually think this is what the end result looked like? Don’t be so obtuse…

Impala Jim has resolved the issue! He determined that the wire from the ignition switch, from the solenoid terminal, to the solenoid terminal, had a break in it, very close to the solenoid terminal. He spliced in a wire, and that immediately corrected the problem, as it started up immediately, and did so many times over. It should be noted that the starter and the solenoid were replaced about one year ago. Thank you for all of your efforts in trying to help resolve the problem.

I have sat on my hands and bitten my tongue on this, at least on this forum, since this became an issue several months ago. But, the time has come to “pipe up”. There are PLENTY of other events and clubs for people who have non-factory-stock vehicles to take part in. And frankly, it pains me that in my area, in other places I’ve been, and what I’ve seen posted on line—and that includes the fare that you’ll see during the typical Mecum or Barrett-Jackson auction, that I would guess only a quarter to a fifth of the vehicles there would qualify for current AACA standards. In other words, 75 to 80 percent—or more—of the vehicles have been, to use my (clean) term, “monkeyed up”, and are not even worth looking at to me. Call me a purist, call me what you will. But as mentioned previously by others here, I am a champion of the AACA “mission”, and would find it horrific to lower the standards that have been adhered to since the inception of the organization. There are way too many experiences I’ve had throughout my life where, just letting the camel get its nose under the tent, leads to an incremental but eventual dilution and decline of standards (I also have another more crude and colorful phrase that involves a swimming pool, but again, I’ll spare everyone). It would actually break my heart if street rods, resto-mods (a term I liken to “half-pregnant”), and other forms of vehicle disfigurement would become “acceptable” on the Show Field at Hershey. It would destroy the event, IMHO. Those are my honest feelings. But I’ll stand by them, 100%, regardless of the feedback.

In talking with some local classic car aficionados about this at a show today, the bulkhead was suggested as a possible culprit. Thanks for the confirmation and detail regarding this.

My friend’s is made by Craftsman, but this should give you the idea…