finally come to an end, they say. Yes, I’m sad to say, this will be the last issue of the ’49 Times I’ll be putting together, as I’ve finally reached a point where I’d like to completely retire. This issue will be the 40th issue of the Times to appear since 2001, during which time we all have had a forum to say quite a bit about our favorite car. Is there more to say about ‘49s? Certainly, but it will have to be with a new Prez.

If any current chapter member(s), or anyone else, would like to take over and put out the Times, I would be very pleased to assist and get things going, as well as to contribute the occasional article. The mailing list, which includes details of each member’s car(s) and his/her dues status, is in a simple ancient software package which can be mastered in a minute. Getting out the newsletter requires 3-4 hours of scanning and word processing work once every 3 months. I then run the result by Editor Art Gardner. You’d then get it to your favorite print shop (though the current print shop could also be used) and several days later collect the finished folded and stapled copies. My wife and I then spend about an hour sticking stamps and address labels on them, after which I carry them to the post office. It’s actually fun and you’ll get to know many other ’49 owners, either personally or by phone and email. The only other tasks are to: 1. deal with members’ dues payments and keep the books, most of which occurs from December to March; and, 2. organize a chapter meeting at CLC Grand National Meets if you are so inclined. If interested, contact me by email as above or by snail mail or phone as per my listing in the CLC directory.

An upside of this is that you won’t have me badgering you any more with those annoying post cards to mail in that $8 check! (Surely one of the best bargains since 1949.) If the Times does not continue, those members who are already paid up for 2011 and beyond will receive a refund in the mail. Back issues will still be available at $2.50 postpaid or $2.75 outside the USA.

On a more positive note, I had a great time again this year at the great Hershey flea market and car show October 6-9. Art Gardner couldn’t go but lent me his Chevy Suburban to carry my stuff. Chapter member Joe Cutler and I shared a motel room and spent much more money than we should have buying ’49 stuff we just had to have. Chapter member Jim Murdoch (MA), who now owns a ’50 but used to have a ’49, graciously agreed to display the stuff I had for sale in his vendor’s space, which partially made up for my extravagance. On the evening of the 8th we went to dinner with ‘49er Jon Schneck, who is restoring a convertible, along with his dad and some other friends. Other ‘49ers spotted at the meet included Dennis Akerman, Paul Cichon, Randy Denchfield, Bill Edmunds and Rege McDonough, although numerous others, no doubt, were there too.

On a parting note, I’d like to wish all Forty-Niners a very Merry Christmas or a Happy Chanukah and, for 2011, an especially Happy New Year. May your ’49(s) start quickly, run sweetly and shine brightly in 2011 and thereafter. Meanwhile, I hope you’ll find this last issue as interesting as always

newsletter

newsletter

I’ve been enjoying driving the car on long drives around the Long Beach (Washington) Peninsula. That’s what I bought it for so long ago, and now that I’m retired I can take advantage of the sunny week-days and drive with little or no traffic here at sustained speeds and few stops. Lovely road car and lovely memories of riding in my grandmother’s ’49 on the exact same roads, past the same landmarks. I wish I could have shared photos of the interior of my car with Jim Jordan (see June ’10 Times) so that he could have restored his interior to its original look. I was fortunate to buy an untampered-with, one-owner car, which looks very much at home in its new garage (photo attached). Still looks timeless, modern, and elegant!

newsletter

In my spare time, when I’m not twisting wrenches on my 6207 Club Coupe or another old automotive toy, I enjoy a day on the lake fishing for Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass. Such was the case in mid June when I was invited for a couple of days of fishing on Great East Lake which borders New Hampshire and Maine. We had a pleasant afternoon of fishing, then headed out for a light supper at Poor Peter’s Pub … a local watering hole with very good comfort food. Upon approaching the restaurant, I was surprised to see a white ’49 Club Coupe out front … in of all places, rural Maine. As you all know, other than at car shows, we seldom see another vintage Cad, so this was surprising to say the least.

Upon closer inspection, this was no ordinary ’49 Coupe. It had a rally style ram front bumper, bucket seats with racing type belts and a roll bar. Also, heavy duty steel wheels that looked sort of NASCAR and plaques front and rear with “Peking to Paris Rally”. Now my curiosity was peaking so I had to find the owner and chat with him about this car. I asked the waiter and he directed me to a group of 60-something gentlemen enjoying their dinner and beer. I proceeded to inquire about the car and of course, mentioned my involvement with the best Cadillac ever made. Long story short, this is a specially modified 6207 Coupe that will be running this rally in the Fall of 2010. When you access the website (below) for the Team and the Rally, you will see the many exotic countries they will be navigating … including Mongolia and Iran! This famous event, first run in 1907, requires the car to run the original motor and brakes, along with certain other OEM parts, but does allow some latitude on other systems.

I will be following their progress on this incredible adventure and hope many of you will do so as well. I’m so glad they chose our favorite Cadillac to challenge the Asian and European countryside and elements.

Peking to Paris in a ’49 http://cschwager.wordpress.com/2010/05/13/the-preparation/

newsletter

On Friday, May 28th, my friends Christian Stiewe and Samira Farouqi got married, with my ’49 convertible and me an important part of the festivities. Christian and Samira live in Cologne, about 60 miles from my home. The area is heavily populated, and there are traffic jams every morning and afternoon in and around the city. To avoid getting stuck, I decided to travel to Cologne Thursday evening and spend the night at another friend’s home in the same neighborhood.

I was busy at work that day and got home late, but it wasn’t too bad because when I finally started, the traffic jams had disappeared. But soon after entering the highway, raindrops were falling. When I started the wipers, one of the blades flew away! With a bad feeling, I continued my journey (no chance to stop and look for the missing part). The rain stopped soon, and when I arrived at my friend’s home, I found a pair of new wiper blades in the trunk. Phew, you can imagine my relief.

The night brought rain again, but the sky cleared up very slowly in the morning. After breakfast I drove to Christian’s home to pick up some glasses for the champagne to be served after the wedding ceremony. Next, I had to drive to the town center to get flowers for the car and pick up Samira from the hair dresser. The traffic was very heavy, and road work didn’t make it easier. Finally I managed to pick up the flowers, the bride and reach the civil registry office just in time.

After the ceremony the sky had cleared further and the Cadillac’s top was dry. I put it down and placed the car next to the entrance, where the champagne was served while everyone tried to photograph the couple and the Cadillac. What an experience driving an old Cadillac cross-town with the top down, flowers on the hood and a happy couple in the back seat! Pedestrians shouted congratulations and held their thumbs up when they saw us passing by.

After the wedding pictures had been taken, I drove the couple to the hotel where the wedding guests were waiting. The hotel was surrounded by a large pedestrian zone. No motor vehicles allowed. But the management lowered a barrier just for us. I drove slowly in a semi circle, stopped in front of the entrance and let the couple get out of the car. What a show! When I drove my ‘49 to the underground garage, I took three boys with me. For them riding the short distance in that old Cadillac was much more exciting than the wedding.

The next day started with a perfect blue sky. After breakfast with Christian, Samira and some other guests, we stowed the presents in the trunk and I drove the couple home. They enjoyed the ride again, and so did I on my way home. What started so bad with rain and a lost wiper blade became a very nice experience that will stay in fond memory for a long time.

newsletter

With apologies to Rodgers and Hammerstein, I got to Kansas City on a Friday; by Saturday I’d learned a thing or two! Thing 1: It’s just as hot in Overland Park, Kansas as it is in St. Louis. Thing 2: there is nothing to help take one’s mind off the heat than the sight of 76 beautiful vintage Cadillac and LaSalle “gas buggies” on display.

Unfortunately, there were only three 49 Cadillacs in attendance, one convertible, one coupe and one sedan. The light (Corinth?) blue 6267X convertible is owned by chapter member Russell Creason of Kansas City, MO. The dark (Triumph?) blue 6167 coupe is owned by Steven Christensen of Shawnee Mission, KS. The sedan was a light blue 6269 owned by Tom L. Brown. There was one close relative, a 1948 6269 SDN belonging to James Moore of Sharpsburg, GA..

It made me wish I had taken my 1949 6069X, but I am not yet brave enough to drive it on the interstate, and I don’t have access to a trailer. Nevertheless, I had a great time viewing and photographing the automobiles for the better part of two days (see next page), paying particular attention to features on the ‘49s for comparison with mine, and discussing our cars with the other owners. My daydream of owning another collector Cadillac to go with my 49, now includes even more candidates for consideration.

Late in the day Saturday, hot and tired after two days spent walking around on the asphalt parking lot, I headed for home, grateful that I had the opportunity to attend my first Grand National. I am looking forward to the next one close enough to my home base to make attendance feasible.

newsletter

For more than 60 years Motor Trend Magazine has been the “Bible” of auto publications. In 1949 they started their annual practice of doing a multi-page spread on their “Car of the Year”. The first was the 1949 Cadillac, due primarily to its post-war styling and, more importantly, the fact it was powered by a new OHV V-8 engine and an improved Hydra-matic transmisison. The magazine has decided to do a commemorative on the 1949 Cadillac and they have chosen my 49 Coupe as the featured car. Obviously, I’m excited about this and had a full day of shooting at the Muckenthaler Museum in Fullerton, Calif. The cover story was in the January 2010 issue. Below is my own photo, taken unfortunately during a drizzly day in 2009.

newsletter

Many ’49 Cadillac fans are aware there was a town car and 2 passenger coupe built for Mrs. Morgan Adams of Pasadena CA. There are pictures of them in both standard books on Cadillacs. Features of these cars include a formal roof treatment with a small rear window, fins removed as well as body bright trim and insignia removed.

I spent part of my childhood in Pasadena, saw these cars as I rode my bicycle, fell in love with the town car and got acquainted with the owner. The car was sold in the ‘60s, then “disappeared” for 40 years. I now have acquired the car. I submitted a complete article on it for the Self-Starter, but thought ’49 fans might like a “heads up” on this information regarding one of the most unique ’49s. The 2-passenger coupe, on the other hand, was “modernized” in the 1960s and remained in the original family for 50 years. It has been restored back to its original appearance by a new owner.

newsletter

A contingent of ‘49ers, including Dennis Akerman, Paul Cichon, Randy & Susan Denchfield, Horace DiTecco, Jay Friedman, Art Gardner, Dan Gardner (all the way from Scotland), Rege McDonough, Jim Murdoch, John Pontarini and yours truly (and, no doubt, others too.) made the annual pilgrimage to the Mecca of the old car hobby, Hershey, October 6-10. A few of us arrived Tuesday, the 6th, in fine weather, while most of us arrived Wednesday and were “treated” to blustery, chilly conditions and dark, threatening skies. Art Gardner arrived late that day, having driven his ’49 Club Coupe, “The Cadster”, 750 miles from Georgia without incident, with hopes of selling his pride and joy in the massive car corral.

As Thursday dawned with fair weather and sunny skies, Jay and I donned our walking shoes and embarked on the daunting task of covering the many acres of the swap meet in a quest for those elusive ’49 Cadillac parts, while Art stationed himself at his car to wait for prospective buyers. The pickings were good, and by day’s end we had succeeded in filling to overflowing a “granny” cart and kid’s wagon with sundry ’49 parts. Meanwhile Paul Cichon, owner of a gorgeous ’49 hearse named Morticia, was successful in finding a rare and beautiful Miller-Meteor factory brochure depicting all models of hearses offered in ’62 and workmen performing the conversions and body drop.

Friday commenced with a light drizzle, which fortunately dissipated by late morning, followed by bright sunshine, all too often a scarce commodity at Hershey. Having successfully traversed the remaining flea market fields, we rendezvoused at the CLC hospitality tent where we were treated to coffee, soda and various snacks, including peanuts served in a ’49 sombrero hub cap courtesy of ‘49er Bill Edmunds and his wife Jay Ann. The conversations, of course, centered on our favorite passion and it was a wonderful opportunity to for a reunion with other CLC members. Art G. announced the bittersweet news that “The Cadster” had indeed been sold, and was on its way to a new home in Connecticut.

On Saturday, the final day, we attended the AACA National Show, under overcast skies but with mild temperatures, where we viewed a multitude of beautiful antique autos from all eras, including many rare, one-of-a-kind makes. ‘49ers Randy and Susan Denchfield entered their very nice, original, un-restored 6269 4-door with only 39,000 miles in the Historical Preservation Original Class. Also seen was a Belden Blue ’49 convertible from Pittsburgh which was restored in 1995 but appeared to have just come out of the shop. All in all, it was a successful meet, the weather cooperated and a “sweet” time was had by all.

newsletter