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#494093 - 03/12/08 09:53 PM
Why did you join the BCA?
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JohnD1956
Member
Registered: 03/29/03
Posts: 2224
Loc: New York
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As a side bar to the cost of the Bugle thread, it would be fun to expand on Thriller's question: Why did you join the BCA.
As for me, as a kid and then teenager, I always had an affinity for my Dad's 55 Special 3 speed std. I tried to bring home a 62 Electra convertible but Dad wanted no part of that, and then I got my 57 Special convertible but gave it up to appease my parents. I still loved those 50's Buicks and in 72 I got my first 56 Buick. In the fall of 1973 my brother heard of a show in Tarrytown NY. We drove the car out there and the greeter asked if I was showing the car, but I declined. I didn't enter it in the show because it was dirty and I was embarassed. Then walking around we saw lots of cars in various stages of restoration, and some just driven right from the barn so to speak. I was besides myself. My Roadmaster would have definitely fit in. Then I met someone with a beautiful 31 Buick and he mentioned that there were a lot of cars there in various stages of restoration. It was a hobby where every old car owner was invited. This fellow mentioned the BCA to me, and I decided to clean the car up and enter it in the show the next day.
Problem was, it was a one day show, and I really felt left out. At that point I figured I wanted to be part of the culture but I had a few things on my plate. After I got married in 1974, one of the first things I did was join the BCA.
In 78 Linda and I went to the 75th Buick anniversary meet in Flint. I was hooked. All those Buicks in one place, all those people who had the same affection for the marque as myself, I wished the show would never end.
Later when I moved to the Rochester NY Area and learned there was a chapter, I jumped at the chance to join. It was so great to be among these people who all had the same affinity as myself. I just felt at home. And I've always felt since then that this club was about real down to earth people enjoying and loving their Buicks.
_________________________
John C. De Fiore BCA # 3757 56 Super 56R 69 GS 400 Convertible 69 Electra Limited 2 dr.( well, no longer limited although still unique) 95 Riviera Supercharged (sold) 06 Lacrosse CXL Doing my part to stimulate the economy! Member of the UPSTATE NY CHAPTER check it out at http://unybca.skyphix.com/
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#494207 - 03/13/08 12:34 PM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: 1DandyDaves]
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ZondaC12
Member
Registered: 03/25/05
Posts: 945
Loc: Guilderland, NY
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Same as Dave's story essentially, JohnD1956 recruited me too! I don't think I made even two posts maybe 3 and he piped up about the chapter he was starting.
Neat how it worked out, I got into the hobby the very same year he started this chapter! So just as I needed advice the most, there it was, a group of Buick enthusiasts ready to help me out, like it was meant to be!
_________________________
Paul Tariello III BCA #41445 1938 Buick Special Model 41 Whistler Grey original, 86k miles, in my family since '68  Resurrected in May '05 after 25 years of slumber! Thanks Dad.
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#494212 - 03/13/08 12:50 PM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: ZondaC12]
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HurstGN
Member
Registered: 03/05/03
Posts: 198
Loc: Pittsburgh, PA
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Shotgun wedding.
I wanted to join a local chapter and was forced into it. It wasn't an easy decision as I'm not one to travel to events all over the place, so it took a bit to fork over the cash and take the plunge.
So, what can a member contribute that's been "forced" to become a part of the club? I've been active in the Pittsburgh Tri-Shields chapter since my joining. I held the offices of co-director, and after that, director. Currently I am the webmaster and do many little things in the background that aren't tied to an officer position. As director, I had the help of our entire chapter to increase our local activities and membership. I also convinced our chapter to hold the Great Lakes Regional in 2004. To this day we still have members that never want to do that again.  While things went very smoothly for the attendees, and everyone that provided feedback enjoyed themselves immensely...well we had fires to put out every 10 minutes and not all worked as we had planned. But hey, the attendees had a great time and didn't see us fighting the fires. To this day I'm still proud of each member of our chapter that made that event happen. I still get sideways looks when I use the word "National" at meetings. 
All in all, I think I've done alot for the club, as well as all the members of the Pittsburgh Tri-Shields. Maybe one day I'll convince the members it's time to raise the bar again for a big event that is more than a region wide deal. I don't want to use that other word and upset Dan with the 77 Electra golf cart. 
_________________________
Visit the Pittsburgh Tri-Shields from your PC Dan McCann BCA #34734 October 2007 Hemmings Muscle Machines Feature Car - 1982 Turbocharged Grand National
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#494234 - 03/13/08 02:07 PM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: JohnD1956]
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Pete Phillips
Member
Registered: 09/01/03
Posts: 701
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I joined in 1977 because I had just bought my first old car--a 1958 Buick Limited. There was no North Texas Chapter, no Alamo Chapter, and I'm not sure when Lone Star Chapter started, but it was too far away. The only antique cars I ever saw were Fords and Chevrolets, and I felt like I was the only person in northern Texas who was interested in old Buicks. So, I saw a small ad for BCA membership in Old Cars newspaper (it was a monthly then, I think) for $12, so I joined. After a few years of receiving the Bugle and seeing that virtually all of the national meets and chapters were either in the upper Midwest or in California--much too far for me to participate, I got the urge to start a chapter in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and so the North Texas Chapter began in the early 1980s.
Pete Phillips, BCA #7338
Sherman, Texas
1949 Super Estate Wagon
1950 Roadmaster 76-R
1963 Wildcat 4-spd. conv.
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#494287 - 03/13/08 05:41 PM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: Pete Phillips]
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Smartin
Member
Registered: 03/04/02
Posts: 1875
Loc: St. Charles, MO
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Crin Dima emailed me in 2003 to join them at a cruise night at a local custard place. I've been hooked ever since. Crin - thank you for recruiting me!
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#494315 - 03/13/08 07:04 PM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: Smartin]
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Thriller
Member
Registered: 09/06/03
Posts: 2205
Loc: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Some of what prompted me to join is on the thread about the bigger Bugle / dues increase.
I joined this site a long time ago...then sort of forgot about it for a while. After I purchased 5th old Buick ('62 Special), I sort of rediscovered the forums and Bruce Andren, the tech adviser for the baby Buicks, asked if I would be going to Flint in 2003...the car didn't make it, but the family did and we had a good time. The rest is history.
I have since joined the Gopher State Chapter. I have toyed with the idea of trying to drum up enough members to start a chapter here in Manitoba...the idea is still in the back of my head, but I haven't gotten very far with that. It sort of frightens me when I think about the percentage of the BCA Board of Directors that would recognize me...I could see myself there someday, but the kids will have to be a bit older first.
So, is there anyone on this board that wasn't signed up by JD? 
_________________________
Derek Thille BCA #39416, CBC, MBCC #1984 66 Wildcat Custom Coupe - "Ellie" / 62 Special Convertible / 61 Invicta Convertible / 56 Special 4-door Sedan / 52 Roadmaster 4-door / 41 Special 41SE Sedan / 29 McLaughlin Buick Model 51 2006 Buick Rainier - "Ruby" / 2005 GMC Sierra K2500 - "Max" (the hauler) Thriller's Buick Page
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#494345 - 03/13/08 09:12 PM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: buick5563]
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serb
Member
Registered: 02/11/05
Posts: 631
Loc: Lockport, NY (Buffalo/Niagara...
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This is the way it was:
When we decided to buy a car, a Buick was the only choice. We settled on a 1983 Riviera Convertible. After getting the car, I took it to the local Buick dealer for a thorough check up and look see. While sitting in the waiting room, I started looking at magazines and there was a copy of the Bugle, the rest is history. (Keep tuned for the up coming announcement of the newest addition to our Buick stable).
I had tried to get information on the BCA in the past but was unable to find out anything. I even missed advertisements for the National which had been held in Buffalo a few years earlier. As it happened I was happy to find a copy of the Bugle, three in fact. I told the service manager that I was taking them, not to be returned.
Stevo
Oh, as can be seen from my signature, We also became a charter member of JD's Upstate NY Chapter. Lana and I met him and Linda at the Batavia Nationals and became friends immediately. When JD mentioned that he was going to start a new chapter, we figured we would join to make sure there were enough members. As it turned out, our membership was not really needed to boost the numbers but we are glad that we joined. We are 300 miles from the Albany area and have only made one show but we are and will continue to belong to the chapter. Someday we will be able to get there for other chapter activities. (There are many since there is a very active group led by JD).
_________________________
1983 Riviera Convertible:
1946 Super 4 Door Sedan
ROA:
BCA:
Niagara Frontier Chapter BCA,
Upstate NY Chapter BCA,
Buicktown Chapter BCA,
BDE BCA,
PWD BCA,
AACA:
Lake Erie Region AACA
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#494385 - 03/13/08 10:55 PM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: serb]
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'Reatta1'
Member
Registered: 07/30/02
Posts: 2021
Loc: Oregon
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My story is a little bit different from the norm here. I lusted after a Buick Reatta ever since I saw the first one in 1988 at the Portland, OR auto show. At the time I couldn't afford the price tag but never gave up. In 2000 after a three year search and three Reatta's looked at, I found an 88 with just over 62k on the odomoter. The price was right and the car checked out good so it was acquired. Along the way in 2001 a slight fender bender occurred and in the course of finding parts for the repairs I was pointed to the Reatta forum and the Reatta division of the BCA. In order to join the Reatta division, I was informed that I HAD to be a member of the BCA. The rest is history. Along the way I've met a great bunch of guys, and gals, attended my first BCA national meet last July and managed a Bronze award for my Reatta. Not too bad for a guy who didn't know what he was doing! 
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#494442 - 03/14/08 06:58 AM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: 'Reatta1']
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1DandyDaves
Member
Registered: 12/31/05
Posts: 1048
Loc: Craryville N.Y.
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#494522 - 03/14/08 02:00 PM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: 1DandyDaves]
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rlbleeker
Member
Registered: 06/13/02
Posts: 200
Loc: Spokane, WA
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Got the first Buick by chance in 1989. I needed a car for my then girlfriend/now wife. I had a '63 Impala and was actually looking for a Chevelle, saw a '65 Skylark advertised and figured "What the heck." I turned out to be a '67 2dr hardtop and I drug it out of a field for $50. I had it running in a weekend and we drove it for a year until it was lost in a forest fire. I started looking for a replacement Buick and found a '63 Riviera and I was hooked. Almost 20 years later we have 14 Buicks from '16 to '99. I found this site about 6 years ago, and finally got around to joining the BCA last year. Partly because I felt like I should after hanging out here for so long; but mostly to get the Bugle that I'd heard so much about. There is no local chapter here in eastern Washington, and I wouldn't really have the time if there was. I didn't even make it over to the nationals last year. Oh well, got my Bugle yesterday, and it's well worth the dues.
_________________________
BCA#43402
ROA#11563
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#494704 - 03/15/08 12:07 PM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: JohnD1956]
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Mark Shaw
Member
Registered: 06/08/05
Posts: 930
Loc: Vancouver, WA
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My dad got me hooked on Buicks by asking me to drive and help maintain his 13 Buick while he was touring with the HCCA. I learned what great reliable cars they were and bought my first Buick (29-27) while living in Fairfield California over 20 years ago. I joined the Capitol Chapter BCA & attended meetings a hour away in Sacramento to find contacts for parts and sources to restore my 29 Buick. Although the BCA office could not find my original national registration information, I was one of the host members for the National meet when it was held in Sacramento. (Remember the 29 Buick headlights on the podium at the banquet?)
I added a 31 Buick project car a couple of years before moving to Washington State & continued to tour with the HCCA Portland Group for several years. Jack Gerstkempet Jr. also had a 31 Buick, was a member of that club and encouraged me to join the BCA. I told him that I had attended a couple of the local BCA shows & did not see any prewar Buicks. It just seemed to me that the local club just was not into older cars, so it was several more years before I re-joined.
Jack invited me to go with him to the Buick Centennial because he already had two tickets for everything but his father (one of the BCA founders) could not go. I joined the BCA, went to the Flint Centennial, had a great time. With a lot of Jack's help, we later started the BCA PreWar Division to encourage members with older Buicks to become more involved with the BCA and have fun with their prewar Buicks.
So, it is all started with my father; but it is really all Jack's fault that I am back in the BCA!
Glad to be here....
_________________________
Mark Shaw
BCA PWD Director
HCCA Member (Skagit & Portland)
1913 Model 31 Touring
1915 Model C-25 "Speedster"
1924 Model 45 "Roadster Truck"
1929 Model 29-27 Sedan (Now my son's car)
1931 Model 57 Sedan
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#494746 - 03/15/08 05:28 PM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: Mark Shaw]
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The Old Guy
Member
Registered: 02/13/00
Posts: 2070
Loc: Swartz Creek MI. U.S.A .
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I joined the BCA because my boys were of an age where they wanted to take my 29 Ford roadster pickup to school. It was powered by a 427 Chev and I knew it was just a matter of time before they tried to sneak it out.
I joined the AACA and bought a 37 Chevy and immediately found that 6 kids and a wife don't fit too well. Denny Manner told me of a 32 Buick model 97 for sale in Missouri and with that being big enough for the crew, was purchased. The first BCA National meet was held in Flint in 1971, and Terry Dunham and Bud Cline were instrumental in putting it on. I knew Bud through the local AACA group, and he asked me to help.
I immediately joined the BCA and have enjoyed the group ever since.
_________________________
37 46 modified with 455 & all the toys
40 56C original restored (driven over 100,000 miles by me)
69 Sport Wagon (BDE travelling car)
72 GS 455 ( used to harass Mustangs & Camaros)
87 Electra Wagon
96 Roadmaster wagon
04 Rendezevous (Mama's ride)
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#494872 - 03/16/08 09:18 AM
Re: Why did you join the BCA?
[Re: The Old Guy]
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Buicklover
Member
Registered: 11/12/99
Posts: 94
Loc: Grand Blanc, Mi.
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I joined because The Old Guy told me I would live a long & healthy life just like him........
_________________________
Bill Renico
Grand Blanc, MI.
BCA #12434
ROA #7997
BDE #22
1965 Riviera - An iron fist wrapped in a velvet glove.
1983 Riviera Convertible
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