The Monthly Vettcetera Provides the Latest Updates on Our Chapter
Each month, please make sure to click on the VETTCETERA Menu link on the Left side. You can also view it by clicking HERE.
The Vettcetera includes the following info:
- Club Officers and their contact information
- Club Officers and their contact information
- The Chapter Chairman’s Message (Editorial)
- The most recent Chapter Board Minutes
- “Food for Thought” a monthly column written by our Vice Chair
- Chapter Information (Badges, Dues, etc)
- Items Wanted and Fore Sale
- Lastly, a page with our sponsors
Chairman’s Message – Something Old, Something New
By Jeff Blakeslee
One of the hallmarks of any NCRS meet is the image of several sets of feet sticking out from
under a Corvette. In fact, when I’m taking pictures, it is much easier to get a shot of a
judge’s shoes than their face. Even more disturbing is that most of us can now recognize
each other just by our shoes. It’s as if we have developed a sort of sixth sense and can
associate a fellow member with his footwear.
At an NCRS meet, it is quite common to see a member walking by a set of familiar feet and
calling out “Hi Pete, how is it going?” Then magically from under the car you may hear,
“it’s going great Don, how about you?” Often a lengthy social exchange can take place
between two members without one of them ever having to get out from under the car. Yes,
we are a unique breed, and we would not have it any other way.
As I get older, I realize I’m going to have to start warming up before a judging meet by
stretching and then crawling around the floor for 30 minutes. Better yet, maybe I’ll do this
warm up out on the street where I can experience the hot asphalt under my hands
and knees – that way I will truly be ready to judge. We judges wear this burden like a
badge of honor. Sure, we like a grassy judging field or a nicely carpeted floor, but deep down
we realize those are for wimps. What we really want is blistering hot, freezing cold, or better
yet, soaking wet pavement. That is the only way we can show our true dedication to finding
that one bolt with the wrong finish or that exhaust clamp that is clocked incorrectly.
From the sidelines, the public wonders what the heck is going on, all the time debating
whether emergency services should be called. But to us NCRS folks, this is just another day
at the office.
Don’t get me wrong, I like being under a classic Corvette as much as the next person.
But now and then I like to go to a car event where I can have coffee at a corner shop, visit
with friends, and just enjoy the day. That’s why I’m suggesting that the NCC mix in a
different kind of car show now and then. Specifically, I’m hoping that all of you will join
us at the Novato Nostalgia Days this year. This is a fantastic car show in Downtown
Novato. Classic cars will be parked up and down the street making for a friendly and
casual setting. There are a lot of shops and vendor booths to keep you fed, and you will be
entertained with live music. I have attended this on my own several times, and this year
I’m hoping that we get enough members interested to have a nice showing of what
properly restored Corvettes look like. If we get 15 or more members, they will reserve a space
for us so we can all park together, and we will be allowed to set up an informational booth for
NCRS.
If you would like to join us for this event, the date is October 11th and 12th and you can sign
up at the website link below. When you register, please be sure to put NCRS in the
“Club Affiliation” section of the registration. If we get enough interest, we may also organize
a road tour to the event. I hope to see you there.
Nostalgia Days Novato – Annual Car Show
See the June Newsletter here: https://www.ncc.ncrs.org/newsletters/
Chairman’s Message By Jeff Blakeslee
Los Gatos – Spring Meet
Los Gatos was a relaxed and enjoyable judging meet, and I felt that all who attended were happy with the facility and the way the event came together. The setting is just about perfect for our needs, not at all pretentious, but still elegant enough that everyone is comfortable. It does have the feel of days past, but that only adds to its appeal. Wayne Yurtin
did us proud by finding this facility and setting up our first event there. It’s unfortunately that it will eventually be torn down, but we can enjoy it while it lasts. We do intend to book there again next year.
This year we had the following cars to judge: Jack Brier’s 1966, Bob Lozito’s 1966 and Bob Grauer’s 1969. All received Top Flight Ribbons, and that always makes for a fun day. Gary Beaupre and I judged the exterior of Bob’s 69, which made me a bit nervous as I’m used to Bob being my Team Leader! But I guess that’s how we grow as judges, and Bob accepted the results graciously. Bill Cash was good enough to bring back his very fine 1965 396 Coupe as our only Duntov Display. No matter how often I see that car I seem to like better each time. The following Sportsman entries also received Ribbons: Doug Waltor’s 1963, Don Trofft’s 1967, Dana Richard’s 2003 and Marci Albers’ 2007. Without the cars to judge and ogle over, we would not have a meet, so thank you to everyone who brought their beautiful Corvettes. I arrived late on Friday night, so I missed out on some of the best parts of the event. I asked past president Bob Grauer to summarize his feelings about the events of Friday evening, and here is what he had to say: “Chris Springer’s tech talk was brilliant. He gave everyone his background restoring classic muscle cars and exotics. He talked about Joe Calcagno’s 1962 that had been put into storage for 34 (?) years, in a trailer on Joe’s property in Soquel, CA.
Chris had restored the exterior paint on the car, and I think he said it was one of his first painting projects in business. (Joe C. had restored the interior himself) He showed a picture of the car removed from the trailer in pristine condition. Chris spoke about the amazing condition of the paint while surprised that the trailer (sealed for 34 years) had preserved this important Corvette. Then….he took us all outside to see the actual car where we all learned more from Chris about the paint technique he used (lacquer) and the result were incredible.
Dinner was at the Los Gatos Grill, about 25 people. The menu was more than limited with multiple appetizers to choose from, burgers, fish & chips, and bar service. The food was generous, and I can speak for myself that my burger, mozzarella sticks, and coleslaw were excellent. It was convenient and no stress.”While I missed the food on Friday night, I was around for the food truck meal on Saturday. Everyone I spoke with found the food, the service, and the presentation to be top notch (flight). And to top that off, the owner of the food truck brought his new C8 Corvette, and eventually got up the nerve to ask me if he could park it in our area. It was a beautiful dusty blue with cream-white interior and added a nice touch to our display.
Glorie conducted a nice raffle, and even a live auction for the two Dana Forrester prints that Bob Grauer was able to get donated to the event. I believe that Glorie raised $300.00 on the raffle, plus the $175.00 for one of the prints. As always, this money will go to the cost of providing the Saturday lunch for all registered attendees.
I want to personally thank everyone who attended, and those who judged, tabulated, and just plain helped along the way. Mike and Sharyl did an incredible job (as always) and worked hard all day to make the event successful. There are so many things that just seem to happen when they are at the helm, but I assure you that they don’t happen on their own. Lastly, I want to thank Bob Grauer for doing the initial leg work to set this up.
Great Job Everyone!
Photo’s below of the meet and Joe’s 1962. Read more in our newsletters https://www.ncc.ncrs.org/newsletters/
Joe Calcagno’s 1962 that had been put into storage for 34 years
Sonora Fall Meet – September 22 & 23, 2023
We are closing in on our Sonora CA Fall Judging Meet on Friday September 22nd and Saturday the 23rd at the Heritage Inn.
Please mark your calendars and register. Did I say please? Please!
Registrations are active online and in the Driveline. We need judges! We need sign-ups! Mike has lined up some great cars!
To repeat, the location is beautiful Yosemite country! It’s a hike, but a worthwhile trip! Mike is planning a great judging event and Joe LeMay will be presenting a judging school on the ABC’s of CDCIF.
- Bob Grauer, President
Los Gatos Spring Meet Photos
The Spring Meet Photos are now posted HERE
Los Gatos, CA Spring Judging Meet
APRIL 14-15, 2023
Don’t forget to register for NCC’s Spring Judging meet in Los Gatos! This is a 5 point meet and we’ll be judging cars on Friday & Saturday. Be sure to join us for dinner at Pedros (downtown Los Gatos) on Friday night. The party bus leaves the Los Gatos Lodge at 5:30pm. You can reserve your room by calling the Los Gatos Lodge (408-354-3300) and mentioning discount code “NCRS”. Room prices start at $109. See you there!
Register for the meet by logging into the NCRS National website here:
NCC’s Spring Judging Meet in Suisun City
Reminder: Online registration for NCC’s Spring
Judging Meet in Suisun City opened on February 1st. The meet will happen on April 22nd and 23rd. Please remember to give your raffle items to Glorie McNay.
You can register by logging in on the NCRS National Site at this location>> https://www.forums.ncrs.org/register/event-subscription.php
Suisun Meet Photos, Latest Vettecetera
Check out the photos from the April meet in Suisun in the new page under “Events/Past Events”. You can also click here: https://www.ncc.ncrs.org/2021-ncc-spring-meet-suisun-ca/
The May Vettecetera is now posted on the Newsletter page: https://www.ncc.ncrs.org/newsletters/
Next NCC Member Meeting is on May 11 via Zoom. Member meetings are always on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7pm. We look forward to seeing you there!!
New Meets, Judging School Presentations
If you haven’t attended our monthly meetings, it’s easier than ever to join via Zoom. Our next meeting is on April 13, 2021 at 7pm. Click or copy this link to join the Zoom call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85851808752?pwd=WnR6cUZuNDRUdXRLR3oxS2ZSamQwZz09
You can view the latest Monthly Vettecetera at this page on this web site: https://www.ncc.ncrs.org/newsletters/
We posted some of Bob Grauer’s Judging School Presentations on this site. You can download here: https://www.ncc.ncrs.org/links-and-photos/
We look forward to seeing you at the Member meeting in April!!