MarkV

Cadillac and Lasalle Club

I just received this from the Cadillac La Salle Club, it is a sign of the times. I believe that my generation has very little interest in joining ‘clubs’ as we have the same fellowship in local events and on social media in speaking about cars. Our Club is like the majority of households and businesses in America. We are dealing with a 40 year high inflation rate, skyrocketing prices, supply chain issues, and declining investment income. Our major source of income is membership dues, but our membership numbers have been in a slow but steady decline since our peak back in January of 2011. In September I mailed approximately 700 letters to members who had not renewed. We recovered a few, but unfortunately many have passed away, are experiencing financial difficulties, and/or have sold their cars. We are being successful with attracting new members using the new reduced E Membership rate along with an increased social media presence. We have even convinced some existing members who were on the fence about renewing to use the new reduced E Membership rate. Even though the Grand National in Lombard was a wonderful event, we barely broke even due to escalating food and transportation costs, and less than expected attendance. We also have lost several major advertisers due to economic conditions and the gradual shift away from print advertising. Luckily we missed “the bullet” regarding our insurance coverages. We were made aware last spring that our insurance carrier and other carriers as well were no longer covering car clubs. In fact one car club obtained a new policy and carrier with a $20,000 annual increase over the previous policy period. Glenn and myself, but mostly Glenn, spent countless hours searching for a new carrier that would provide the coverage we needed, and we now have our needed coverage as before with just a minimal increase in expense to the club. When the Publications Committee made its presentation to the full Board in June during the Lombard Grand National event it was estimated the cost for producing the 2023 Directory would be in the neighborhood of $23,500 (compared to $7,595 for the 2022 Directory after offsetting advertising was factored in) and with the severe paper shortages printers were facing at the time there was no guarantee we would be able to have the Directory printed, even at those elevated costs. The Treasurer’s report just presented at the board meeting stated the club’s finances were running significantly behind the year before at that point, so the Board made the forward looking decision to suspend the Directory for 2023 with plans to revisit the matter when it was time to make a decision for the 2024 directory. Due to paper shortages, increased printing costs, and increased postage costs, the Board made the painful decision to suspend the printed version of the 2023 Directory. The Board did, however, agree to spend $1,500 to produce the electronic, on-line version of the Directory for our members’ use, so even though the traditional, printed version was not approved, all of the information we have come to expect and enjoy from our International Membership Directory is still available in electronic form. The Finance Committee as well as all other committees in the CLC will continue analyzing all expenses for the current fiscal year as well as future fiscal years and will make recommendations to the Board in Concord with suggestions on how we can right the CLC financial ship; no areas are off the table for consideration. Unfortunately, with increased expenses across the spectrum, our dues and advertising income are not sustaining the financial aspects of our club’s operations. In fact, in some cases, we are actually losing money on supplying our “The Self-Starter” to certain members due to the rapidly increasing printing and postage costs. There is some good news: it appears we can expect a profit from the Albuquerque Grand National next June as costs in New Mexico are more in line with costs we have experienced in years prior to the Lombard GN and excellent attendance is anticipated for the location. Every effort and consideration will be afforded the publishing of a 2024 International Membership Directory, but many factors as outlined above will needed to be taken into consideration. Some might ask “what can I do to help out?” My suggestion: pass out membership applications at all car shows and events you attend, plus consider giving a CLC membership to a car enthusiast you know for Christmas, it would be an enjoyable gift and will provide some much needed help to your Club. These economic times are very difficult for many businesses and individuals right now, plus many financial experts predict a continuation of these difficult times well into 2023, but we can weather this storm if everyone will lend a helping hand and understand we are doing everything we can in hopes of keeping the changes we may be forced to make to an absolute minimum.

https://amp.tmz.com/2022/11/14/jay-leno-car-fire-burn-center-serious-injury-cancel-vegas/

Valve cover gasket replacement I also need a sending unit

And then the 41s are different in more ways (don’t ask me how I know!)

yes I think so too! What’s nice is it’s small for a car of the era. I love the suicide doors too.

That’s odd what’s even more odd is how the 40 model had quite a few changes within just a few months.

Model year 39 came out in 38

I have a shop locally who will do it for less than $3k

The interior is original. (I have a seat cover over the front now)

well the biggest things are getting it mechanically right and reliable. All the cosmetic stuff can come later. I’m pleased because I got it running last year

the shop working on it seems happy as it was all labeled, etc. they should be working through it this week. They are making quick work of everything. But then again this car is very simple. I did a lot to it already so they are doing all the things I can’t do.

Yes absolutely! Well the champion came out in 1938

Already bought it from them

Found all the brake parts (someone removed everything and never put it back!) gas tank is coming tomorrow driveshaft is going in hopefully by next week we will be back on the ground then there will be a focus on rewiring. Thankfully I already have the harness.

it will be quite some time down the road. The original color was actually a royal blue. This champion is very well equipped and has many of the options from 1940.

Last week I finally sent out the champion to get all the work done that I don’t have the time to do! It took about a year due to the difficulty in finding parts and I ended up busy with other projects. The wiring will be replaced, fluids, brakes, gas tank and driveshaft. Hopefully when done we will be up and rolling! Last year I got it running and it ran great. last year I rescued it from a guy clearing out a property. Parts were missing off of it due to the prior owner passing away while it started some kind of restoration decades ago.

Any 1970s Lincoln Mark IV or V or Town Car Early 80s imperial with a carb conversion. (Great 318) any 1957-1963 Imperial (good sized trunk)

So my champion is missing the shoes and springs and all the guts in the drums (I have wheel cylinders) also I need a fuel tank sending unit

Eject works when I turn the switch to on nothing happens I can’t change the radio stations the antenna doesn’t go up

Nothing is coming through the speakers the tuner is doing nothing the on/off does nothing this radio has an internal bt

The radio isn’t turning on fuse is fine

So I have an issue with my radio, yes the crt is fully functional but I turn the radio on and nothing happens it’s stuck on 98.1 won’t tune and the antenna doesn’t go up. it’s been rebuilt and has blutooth have no idea what’s up!

Just terrible. the problem is training of drivers. worse though are the cars with their advanced technology and sound deadening. How large SUVs would make a Corvette from 40 years ago look like a turtle compared to a coyote. when the cars stopped being three speed flatheads maxed out at 60 that’s when everything became more dangerous. can you imagine if we had advanced safety features back in 1940 coupled with a three speed flathead? Most traffic injuries and deaths would have never happened.

Thankfully most of my former cars ended scrapped. I was lucky the 48 Lincoln that belonged to my grandfather was untouched when I bought it back 16 years later. 20 years is a long time but it’s clear that car lived a rough life