ATA Members Travel to Barrett Jackson Auction

On Wednesday, January 20, 2010, Scott Zirlin, Mike Warzek and Doug Shaver of the Adirondack Triumph Association traveled to Phoenix, Arizona, to attend the Barrett Jackson Auction. And, no, we were not there to buy anything, just look and enjoy, because purchasing a car was only part of the expense. In order to get into the bidders ring it cost $500 and guests were another $150. If you were to win the bid on a vehicle you had to pay an additional 10% of the sale price to Barrett Jackson, plus the expense of getting the vehicle home. Trailering the vehicle commercially was about $1800 to get it to the Albany area. All in all this would be a pretty expensive ordeal, in my opinion.

One of the great things about Phoenix in the middle of winter, especially for us folks from the Northeast, is the opportunity to get out of the snow and cold and into some great sunshine. Well, it just so happens that we hit record weather in Phoenix and it wasn’t of the good kind. While they normally get 3 inches of rainfall in a whole year (a fact) they got more than that in the first 24 hours of our visit. And, it continued to rain and blow for our entire visit with temperatures that barely got higher than 50 degrees; more about the weather later.

On Thursday morning we made our first visit to the Barrett Jackson Auction at Westworld in Phoenix. We were not disappointed! Huge tents had been erected to cover hundreds of cars and trucks waiting to be auctioned. If you could not find something you liked here then all you had to do was walk through the main tent where the actual auction took place to see another hundred or more vehicles on display and waiting for the auctioneer’s hammer. For me personally I most enjoyed the great selection of British vehicles including my favorite, E style Jaguars and big Healeys.

In addition to the fine selection of vehicles there were dozens and dozens of vendors way too numerous to list, but lots of fun to browse through and pickup the freebies they all offer. And, of course, the food vendors were excellent with a great selection of food and beer.

Later on Thursday we drove over to the Biltmore Resort and Spa and saw the RM Auction taking place there. The Thursday evening auction focused on a great selection of British vehicles. In fact, we later discovered that fellow ATA member Bob Ensign, representing someone else, was in the crowd and actually bought a couple of vehicles, including an E style Jag which he thought may have actually set a record with its price. Incidentally, the fellow that he was bidding against was Wayne Carini of Chasing Classic Cars fame and that may be partly how the price got so high. Scott, Mike and I actually got to say hi to Wayne. Something I am sure he will never forget.

On Friday morning it was back to Barrett Jackson to browse through some of the tents we didn’t get into the day before. What I found very interesting was the tents set up for vehicle owners who were there to sell their vehicles without going through the auction, like a car corral at a local car show. It seemed to me that this was the place for owners who have modified their cars into something quite different from what they started out life as. For instance, there was a corvette that had a 1953 front end and a 1966 back end, or something like that. Kind of a shame, I thought.

Then, we began hearing loud engines and squealing tires only to discover that a short race track had been set up and drivers were putting Shelby Mustangs and Corvettes through their paces. And while it was fun to watch we discovered that you could actually ride in both of these vehicles at no cost. The deal was that you had to first drive a Ford model in order to get a ride in the Mustang and then drive a GM model in order to get a ride in the Corvette. And when I say “drive” I mean they expected you to pound the pudding out of these vehicles. The course began with a straight away and went into a U turn and then a series of S turns, anyway you get the drift. What a hoot that was and all free of charge. Oh yeah, I forgot to mention that they required each driver to pass a breathalyzer test before getting behind the wheel. Of course, Scott, Mike and I all passed easily (give me a break; it was barely 9 AM). After your test drive you got a ride in a Mustang and a Corvette with a professional driver at the wheel. Now I’m not saying it was frightening, but, I may have soiled myself slightly. Brother could those cars go and those drivers drive them. Hands down, the most exciting thing we did for the entire visit.

Once we recuperated from the thrill rides, we decided to take in another auction called the Silver Auction, located at Ft. McDowell about 12 to 15 miles out of Phoenix. I think it is fair to say we found this to be the least interesting auction. Not very formal or fancy and the vehicles a tad bit below average compared to what we had been seeing, but, none the less worth the visit. Also, this auction was located at a casino, much to our surprise, so we high tailed it out of there pretty quickly, as you can probably imagine.

And so, that brings us to Saturday. After we got packed up and the car loaded we decided we would check out one more auction before we headed to the airport. Now, you might remember earlier I said I would comment more about the weather. Well this is the place. The last auction we visited was the Russo and Steele Auction, also in Phoenix. On Thursday evening the bad weather brought with it very high winds. This resulted in 2 massive tents collapsing onto hundreds of vehicles in the auction. It was estimated that 50 to 60% of the vehicles suffered damage, in some cases huge steel poles smashed down on them. A portion of one tent actually ended up on a major highway causing it to be shut down for several hours.

While only vehicle owners were allowed in the tent area, Scott, Mike and I were able to walk along a chain link fence and get within about 30 feet or so of some of the damaged vehicles. Some convertibles had been left under the tents with their tops down and now the owners were actually bailing rain water out of them. Others lost mirrors, antennas and windshields while still others were total losses. All in all this was a very sad situation. And to make it even worse, each vehicle owner had signed a waiver holding the auction harmless in the event of any damage to their vehicles.

Also on Saturday morning, while driving along the highway we spotted the MG Shop owned by Glen Frost in Tempe, AZ with about 6 or 7 vehicles parked outside. When we pulled in and began looking around Glen came out, unlocked a gate and gave us free access to the entire yard. No exaggeration, there were hundreds and hundreds of vehicle parts, including a set of Moss front fenders that would fit a '67 MGB roadster, something Mike Warzek had been looking for. Mike made a deal and bought the fenders which he had shipped via Greyhound bus. And, 16 days later he had them in his possession. Mike adds that Glen is a great guy to deal with especially when you consider much of the dealing was by phone after we had returned home.

And so, we left for the airport to catch a noon hour flight and arrived home in Albany at about 9PM on Saturday evening. The three of us had a fantastic trip and something we would encourage others to take if given the opportunity. -- Doug Shaver

ATA Banquet -- report coming soon!

March 27 : ATA Tech Session and tour of Merli Carriage Mfg. Co.

On Saturday March 27th, 14 ATA members and guests were on hand for a tech session/ tour of the Merli Carriage Manufacturing Co. in Duanesburg, NY, with owner Joseph Merli giving the tour. The company manufactures 19th and early 20th century wagons and pushcarts as well as reproduction, restoration, blacksmith service and body chassis manufacturing using handcrafted methods from that time period. The web site to view the above mentioned products is www.merlimfgco.com

Joe Merli opened up the tour of the manufacturing company with a brief explanation of the business and the various shops in the building we were in. Joe also included a short talk on some of the various projects that are currently in production. Stepping into the machine shop, Joe showed the group one of the currents projects he is working on, the remanufacturing of an 1899 Olds Electric horseless carriage (l). The carriage is made of wood and the carriage style is called Stanhope; it was a luxury model in 1899. The electric carriage could travel at the blazing speed of 12 miles per hour with the electric charge lasting 40 miles. Since there was no odometer, the owner had to rely on the battery gauge to let him/her know when the battery charge was getting low.

Joe explained the remanufacturing restoration process and the in-depth research involved with this project as well as plenty of insight about the 1899 Olds Electric Carriage history. A couple of interesting tidbits of information Joe passed along to the group. First, in the later 1800s and early 1900s, most of the automobile makers were either carriage or bicycle markers. Second, a fire at the Olds Motor Works’ Detroit, MI, plant in 1901 destroyed all of the carriages and building plans of the new prototype gasoline and electric models being developed. The only model saved was the new design “Curved Dash Olds” that later became the number one horseless carriage in the nation. This carriage is being reproduced by actual photographs on loan from the R.E. Olds Transportation museum in Lansing, MI, to the Merli Carriage Manufacturing Co.

Joe has also done extensive research with the family of R.E. Olds in this remanufacturing of non-existing R.E. Olds-built prototype vehicles. The plan is to have the Olds Electric Carriage partly complete by the first week in July and have it ready for display at the Olds Museum in Lansing, MI, for the Oldsmobile Nationals car show event. Finishing the talk about the Olds Carriage we were given a tour of the projects in the buildings and grounds.

Joe is in the process of collecting various items...well, maybe collectables and artifacts are two better words to describe what Joe has acquired through various means. The project being worked on for a few years is to recreate a train station stop complete with a full-size locomotive, station, railroad crossing, general store and ice cream parlor -- and be a working museum, too. First to be shown was an actual Delaware & Hudson railroad tool maintenance shed originally located a few miles away in Delanson, NY. The tool shed was totally restored. Inside the shed was a 1904 Curved Dash Oldsmobile (above) that in 1985 re-enacted an original 1903 trip when it was driven from San Francisco to New York. In 1903 there was no such thing as the interstate highway system or any paved roads at all.

There cannot be a railroad tool shed without having a locomotive around. Sure enough, saved from the recycling plant, sits a Pennsylvania locomotive without the engines. There are also rails and railroad signals nearby.

Joe then opened the door to the general store that, upon entering, had a very noticeable aroma of wood, burlap, twine and machine oil. Joe pointed out that all of the wooden counters and wooden drawers came from Wallace Armer Hardware, which was a very successful hardware store located in Schenectady, NY. Unfortunately the business fell on hard times and closed and the contents were auctioned off. Leaving the general store, the next building to visit was a 1941 “Silk City” model stainless steel diner. This diner is now being restored to its original period and will become a part of the “Canal Street Station Railroad Village Museum” that Joe is creating.

A big thanks goes out to Joe Merli for letting the ATA visit his manufacturing company and giving those of us there a tour of the company and the property. (Meanwhile, Joe thanks US!)

[Note: photos above by Drew Kinum]

April 19: ATA Tax Night Pot Luck Supper

Our sixteenth annual tax night pot luck supper was once again one of our most popular events of the year. Over thirty club members and their families got together at the Alplaus Fire House on April 21st to share an evening of food and conversation. The weather was dry and warm and a few club members drove their British Automobiles.  To shake off some of the winter storage dust. We counted 7 British Cars in the parking lot. The food was again plentiful and delicious and there was something for everyone.  As always the desserts were a winner.

After dinner, club president Dave Faulkner conducted a short business meeting. He talked about the many driving and dining events that the club sponsors. Dave also recognized two new members -- Cal Rolling and Val Kushner -- and guests Tom Schwendler & Rosemary Abowd, who just happen to own a Delorean.  That could be why club members Joe Dertino and Anne Nafziger, the owners of the only Delorean in the ATA, invited them; hopefully there be another.  It was very nice to have both Cal & Val and Tom & Rosemary join us for the tax night supper, it was pleasure to meet and talk with them.  In addition, Dave acknowledged two fellow club members who passed on to travel the open road, Vic Handy and Jim Shea, both will be missed.   Bill Cook reported on club events that are coming up in May, June, and July. Bill also gave a short talk on a road tour that he will be leading in the future.  We look forward to the many free events that our very active club sponsors during the pleasant months here in upstate New York.

The meeting was concluded with a 50/50, and a raffle of various door prizes.  The 50/50 winner was Bill Cook.  The night ended with a joke or two by Joe Bena and some auto-related stories that didn’t included Paul Munson’s Herald.  Everyone pitched in with cleanup and headed home excited about this year's club events. -- Joe Bena

June 20: Cruisin' on the Avenue on Father’s Day

Every Father’s Day the Village of Scotia, NY, holds its Cruisin' on the Avenue car show on Mohawk Avenue. This year’s show had well over 100 various makes and models of automobiles lined up on the avenue that afternoon. The Village of Scotia really goes all out and does a wonderful job with the car show.

There were really only three autos of importance and of course they just happened to be British: Harry Bartik’s 1960 TR 3A, Cal Rollings’ & Val Kushner’s (really Val’s) 1974 TR 6 and yours truly’s 1975 Spitfire. Making the noteworthy and honorable mention list was a 1939 Packard, a 1926 Ford Model T and a couple of 1966 Mustangs -- only because I know the owners. There was quite the variety of autos to satisfy everyone’s likes or dislikes.

Harry had his book of restoration photographs of the TR 3A with him and had it out on display. One guy was very interested and talked with Harry for well over 20 minutes about the restoration and about the car in general. A little while later an editor from Hemming’s Motor News attending the show stopped by and was very interested and inquisitive about the TR 3A restoration and was serious about having an article written about the restoration in one of Hemming’s publications. While talking with Harry, the editor also met Harry’s son Matt, who is an artist specializing in creating famous makes and models of autos (and had a couple on display). Another inquiry about an article was in the making. Sounds like a win/win for Harry and Matt. Each one of us throughout the afternoon had show walkers come by and look over our cars and want to talk about them or tell us stories of when they use to own an LBC back in the day.

Our three LBCs may not have been the flashiest, loudest, outrageous, a low rider, a muscle car, a classic restored to “what the hell did they do that for?” or even a real classic in line on Mohawk Avenue that afternoon; instead, the three LBCs had the character and uniqueness to be looked at and admired for just a second or two longer causing the mind to wander into “what if mode” then suddenly shaking back to the real world by “honey, get that thought out of your head” or fond memories of what fun it was to own an LBC many fluid drips ago.

Thanks to Drew Kinum, one of the show organizers, for keeping ATA together. -- Dave Faulkner

June 23: ATA Go-Kart Night

The Adirondack Triumph Association Go Kart night was finally held on Wednesday, June 23, after rain delays on June 9 and June 16. After all the bad weather, we finally had a beautiful evening for some racing at Muscle Motors in Cobleskill, NY. Jim Beil arrived in his 1979 Triumph TR7, Chris Wickes drove his 1979 MGB Roadster and my son, Steve Shaver and I arrived in my 1979 MGB Roadster. Altogether we had 8 ATA members and I brought two guests, my son Steven and friend Joe Corsall.

As always, the cars were fast and the track was ready for us. Carol “CRASH” Flanagan was in rare form. Before a race begins, the starter always goes through the rules with number one being No Bumping. Somehow Crash Flanagan doesn’t think that rule applies to her. At one lucky point I was able to get by her, thanks to my extremely high-level driving skills. However, as I entered the bridge and the underpass turn, she t-boned me. After the attendant came out and got her off my back, we continued with me beating her by just a narrow margin. Actually, I feared for my life and was just trying to get away from her!

In a later race a very similar thing happened when I passed my son, Steven. I swear he tried to kill me. I guess when you are as good a driver as I am they are “all out to get you”!

In yet another race, where a 12-year-old boy was in the mix, Joe “the Bully” Corsall tapped the boy’s back end (the car) and spun him around, presenting the opportunity to get by him. While the boy sat there, several racers went by. You never saw such big eyes with him just waiting for someone to hit him head on. Well, when the race ended, the boy went crying (real tears) to his mother who immediately took him to their car and was going to leave. The Bully actually felt bad and followed them to the car and persuaded his mother to let him buy the boy another race. I guess all is well that ended well, but he is still a bully.

After about 3 or 4 races, Ann Shaver arrived with the pizza and soda, so we all took a dinner break. During this time, Chris Wickes and Charlie Renna told us how Chris came to own his MGB. The car had ended up in a salvage yard and actually had the two puncture holes on the driver’s side where it had been impaled by a fork lift preparing to dump it into the crusher. Chris made a deal with the salvage yard owner and brought the car home. Of course Chris went on to tell us about the husband and wife that had previously owned the car and what he had to go through to get clear title to it. It seems that they were married, then divorced, then good friends and finally hated each other. The rest of this story is best told by Chris if you have the time. In any event you would never guess that the car it had been punctured by a fork lift. Chris has done a nice job restoring it.
It is noteworthy to mention that John Watson didn’t get yelled at once by the racing attendant. If you had been at our races in the past, you would understand why this is noteworthy. Enough said!!

The racing was fun, the soda and pizza were good and the socializing was tremendous. Until next year.... -- Doug Shaver

Above: Ten members and guests of the ATA enjoy some pizza and soda between races.  Seated are Chris Wickes, John Watson, Carol Flanagan and Ann Shaver. In the back row is Charlie Renna, Jim Beil, Steve Shaver, Charlie Flanagan and Joe Corsall.  The photo is taken by Doug Shaver

July 4: Coasting Down the Hill

Every July 4th, the hamlet of Alplaus, NY, holds its parade and fire house picnic to celebrate Independence Day complete with fire equipment, bags pipes and drums, marching band(s), horses, spectators and, of course, automobiles. This year again, Alplaus resident Joe Bena was joined by some fellow ATA members to coast down the Alplaus Avenue hill.  Lining up this year were a gang of Joe’s (four of them out of six with LBCs).

Leading the ATA in their parade favorite 1981 Delorean DMC-12 -- gull wing doors open -- were Joe Bertino and Anne Nafziger. Next in line and making an appearance after of couple of years of hibernation were Mitch and Connie Ware in their 1971 TR6. Following was yours truly in my 1975 Spitfire, and riding with me was my co-candy thrower Emma Norris.   Emma is the first of my younger cousins to have a ride in the Spitfire, and being in the parade was an added treat.  Emma now has bragging rights over the rest of the younger generation of cousins in the family. Behind me and Emma was Joe Trupiano and his son Spencer in Joe’s 1967 Austin Healey 3000. Spencer was able to hitch a ride ahead of us in a fire truck.  He need a change of pace since they had some distance to drive to get to Alplaus from south of Albany.

Next in line was Joe Bena and one of his grandsons, Eli French, and along for the ride was Jack Cheverton in Joe’s 1960 TR3A. Following Joe was son-in-law Charlie French in Joe’s 1959 Morgan +4.  Also in the Morgan were Charlie’s other sons, Isaac, David and Daniel, and tagging along was their friend Baruk Currin. The boys are starting to get big; in a couple of years either they are going to have to draw straws on who gets to ride and who has to watch because there will not be as much room behind the seats. Or Joe is just going to have to buy another Morgan or TR3 so his oldest grandson can drive while the younger brothers hitch a ride.
Somehow a couple of non- British autos got in the mix, such as a 1953 Ford convertible owned by Jack Bena. Riding shotgun was his son Tom. The Ford convertible is the last model year Ford used a flathead engine. In 1954 Ford switched over to overhead value engines.  Coasting behind Jack and Tom was Bob (Prof.) Nevin in his 1948 Crosley.  And finally there is the ATA caboose: Joe Gabriel in his MG-TD kit car.

The day was hot, humid, muggy, sticky and any other assortment of words used to describe the beginning of a heat wave in the Northeast.  After the parade we were all welcomed to join the Bena clan at the house for a picnic and cooling off in the pool.

Thanks again, Joe, for having the ATA join you in the Alplaus Parade. -- Dave Faulkner

Parade photo by Gail Smith

August 2: Summer Freebie Picnic

Monday, August 2, was for our annual Adirondack Triumph Association Club Freebie picnic, at the Niskayuna River Road Town Park. (Click on picture to enlarge it; a report will follow soon.)