chapter of vtci publication of the long island thunderbird...
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KEN WEINBERG 2009 PORSCHE—Page 10 for Text
Chapter of VTCI Publication of the LONG ISLAND THUNDERBIRD CLUB SEPTEMBER
2018
2017 BOARD OF DIRECTORS– CLUB WEB SITE
http://clubs.hemmings.com/longislandthunderbirds/
President
Elliott Weiner
(631) 724-3756
Vice President
Paul Rosina
(516) 859-1653
Treasurer & Membership
Art Fleming
(631) 909-3853
Technical Advisor
Frank Del Rossi
(704) 483-9554
Technical Advisor
Tony Coloneri
(516) 764-4731
Charity Advisor &
Web Master
Ken Weinberg
(631)316-4637
Editor in Chief
Art Fleming
(631) 909-3853
Advertising Director
Peter Lange
(631) 499-5724
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Cruizin’ for a Cure
Sunday, September 16, 2018
1400 Old Country Road Westbury
&
The Return of Bagels with the Boss
Saturday, September 22nd @ Lee Myles in Roslyn Heights
Cruizin’ for a Cure/Sunday, September 16, 2018: Just a heads up that this show is our next big club event. It‘s at a new location in West-
bury - 1400 Old Country Road, just a stone‘s throw from the Wantagh Parkway. FYI, for this year, because of the change of venue , our meeting
location is the 7-11 and Dunkin Donuts right next to each other on Old Country Road - about a ¼ mi. east of the Wantagh Parkway, and the
show. We will meet there before the show, at 7 A.M. and then caravan over to the show which is only a few minutes away.
Pre-registration is $25.00 - see page #9. If you get your money in before September 3rd, you will save $5.00. If not, it‘s $30.00 day of show…
you get a theme T-shirt, and goodie bag. Last year, I think we had close to ten cars. Let‘s see if we can double that this year. Remember, this
is a non-judged show. I know it‘s going to be difficult for some of you to deal with that but it‘s for a good cause.
Building Homes for Heroes: If you check the extra pages of this newsletter you will see the thank you letter from BHFH, and an article from
Ken Weinberg regarding Kevin Vaughan a former recipient who received his home a number of years ago with us in attendance.
Thursday, August 9th @ Key Food Shopping Center in KP: We put this night aside to thank our show volunteers for their time at our event.
Pizza was on us. We really appreciate all your efforts for our 13th annual show.
Ron Kohlmann: On Friday, August 3rd Ron‘s Thunderbird appeared in Newsday in the ―In Your Garage‖ column. Nice picture and article.
Congratulations………..
Bagels with the Boss Again/Saturday, September 22, 2018 @ Lee Myles Transmission in Roslyn Hts: Dave Unger has invited us back for
another run at his shop and breakfast. Hours are 10 A.M. till about 1-ish. LM‘s is located at 50 Mineola Ave. in Roslyn Hts. LIE to exit 37 and
head north for about ½ mile. Please RSVP so I know you‘re coming.
TGIF Westbury/Tuesday’s: A couple of Sunday‘s ago a bunch of us attended a get together at the TGIF restaurant courtesy of the Mustang
Shelby Club. It was an impromptu event and the waitress staff got to pick the trophy winners for the day. The Mustang guys want me to publi-
cize this Tuesday cruise night. …No trophies, but a discount coupon for food. It‘s on Merrick Ave. in Westbury and just a stone‘s throw from
Old Country Road.
Sunday, August 12th/Smithtown Heritage Rock & Roll Show: A whole bunch of winners today. Bob Marketta, Frank Skrivanek, Larry
AKA Mr. Trophy Werkstell came in first place in their class, and John Karahalis won the People‘s Choice award. Interesting weather pattern
today, Very humid but the sun was out most of the morning and into early afternoon. Then Mama Nature decided to turn Smithtown into the
Eire Cancel. As Burt Ward would say: ―Holy rain drops Batman‖. Again no injury‘s to speak of and we all made it home in one piece.
New member: Kirsten Rizzo and her ‗59 Thunderbird. She lives in Pt. Washington and assures me that we will see her and her car soon at one
of our events.
A Study in Paying Attention: Just recently, I was shopping at Staples in Commack, and was waiting for a friend while leaning on the front of
my Thunderbird. An older gentleman with a beard down to his you know what arrived in his van and spotted the Big Guy. He came over to me
and said: ―is that a Caddy?‖ and how much do you want for it. Well, I explained to him what it is, and not for sale. I guess he did not see the
hood emblem or the words THUNDERBIRD on the nose of the car. Dah…………
August Car Shows On Our Calendar
Sunday, August 19th/Ridge Fireman’s Park: We did this last year, but we are not sure for 2018. This also is a judged show, but if you want
to park together out of your class you do not get judged.
Sunday, August 26th/Lions Club Hecksher Park in Huntington: …Already pre-registered. …Another show we attend every year. …Nice
venue and we hide from the sun when we set up our tent.
Continued on Page 10
CLUB STORE
For Merchandise Call Elliott Weiner
(631) 724 - 3756
Denim Jackets - All Sizes - $40
Pro Mesh Adjustable Hats - $12
Short Sleeve Henley Shirts with Logo
Assorted Colors $15.00
Grey Sweat Shirts Embroidered,
with Club Logo - 9 oz - $15.00
Club Pins - $5.00
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LITC Scheduled Outdoor Meetings 2018
(Rain dates one week later)
Tuesday April 17th-Burger King Farmingdale
Sunday May 20th Thunderbird Appreciation Day
Thursday, June 21th- Kings Park Plaza
July Club Car Show Kings Park
August—Long Island Ducks baseball game
LITC Scheduled Indoor Meetings 2018
Bartucci’s Restaurant 881 Walt Whitman Rd Melville
LITC meets the 3rd Tuesday of Every Month 7:00PM
February 20th 2018
March 20th, 2018
September 18th, 2018
October 16th, 2018
November 13th 2018
Holiday Party January 6th 2018
Nocellos Ristorante of Northport
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
SEPTEMBER
David Levinson
Rocco Vitarelli
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Event Schedule 2018
Breakfast with ―The Boss‖
Sunday March 4th Southbay Diner Lindenhurst
Kings Park St Patrick’s Day Parade– Saturday March 3rd
Easter Parade- Garden City– Sunday, April 1th
Hope For Warriors Miller Ale House –Commack
April 14th Saturday
Empire Galaxie Cruise From Farmingdale to Orient Pt
Sunday April 15th
American Vet Dogs Sunday April 15th
St Patrick’s 12th Annual Car Show-Smithtown-Sunday April 29th
National Thunderbird Appreciation Day
Sunday May 20th
Key Food Shopping Center Kings Park
Westbury Gardens - Sunday June 3rd
Ford Nationals
Carlisle, Pa. June 1-3
N. Jersey T-Bird Show - Sat. June 9th
ST Anthony Car Show Dix Hills Centurion Cruisers
Sunday June 10th
Collector Car Appreciation Day Friday July 13th
Thunderbird/Ford Show
@ Keyfood Shopping Plaza Kings Park
Sun. July 8th
Sayville Street Fest - Sunday, August 5th
Cruzin for a Cure - Sunday, Sept. 16th
Veterans Affairs Medical Center Northport
Wednesday, September 19th
Bagels with the Boss at Lee Myles of Roslyn Hts,
September TBA
Food &Toy Drive—Brookhaven Town Hall
Sunday November 11th
Yaphank Vets Home Sunday December TBA
Cruise Listings
MONDAY
Autofest Cruise night 5;30-9pm Syosset VFW Hall 20 Queens St
Stop & Shop West Islip Union Blvd east of Higbe Lane
Main St East Rockaway @Villa Marcia Restaurant 6pm
Bald Hill Farmingville
TUESDAY
Town of Oyster Bay - Main Street
Yaphank Fire Dept Yaphank
WEDNESDAY
Village of Westbury Madison St parking field #4 5pm to 9pm
Shirley KFC - William Floyd Parkway
Sea Cliff Fire Dept Cruise Night Sea Cliff Ave & Main St starts June 13th
5.:30 to 8:00pm $5.00 car fee
THURSDAY
Downtown Mineola Classic Motor Night Main St 6-9pm 7/7 thu 9/29
Village of Lynbrook - Street Show (Atlantic Ave.)
Lake Grove Houlihan‘s Middle Country Rd 5pm
Kings Park Plaza, Kings Park Indian Head Rd (Key Food) Sponsored by
Kings Park Chamber of Commerce and Kevin Denis of Professor‘s Diner
Room for several hundred cars All Welcome
Wendy's Oakdale - Montauk Hwy & Locust Ave Sponsored by Still Crusin
Car Club contact Ish 631-205-0510 6pm
Riverhead on the water front behind Main St weather permitting including
DJ & Refreshments
Glen Cove School St & Glen St Sponsored by Glen Cove Fire Dept $5 Dona-
tion info Bob Citko 516-676-0366
West Isilp Villa Monaco Restaurant 778 Montauk Hwy 6pm Room for 150
cars food & facilities on site Long Island Road Gents-Ray Rendina 516-523-
7130 or 631-661-3838
FRIDAY
Bellmore train Station Lot Sunrise Hwy & Bellmore Ave Sponsored by
Town of Oyster Bay
SATURDAY
Islip Town Hall 655 Main St Islip 5-9pm
McDonalds Sunrise Hwy West Islip
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Buy & Sell
Parts for Sale: 1964-44 Ford Thunderbird, New Drivers Side quarter repair panel, motor, transmissions, fenders ,trunk
lids, glass, interior, parts bought & sold. Frank Del Rossi (704) 483-9554 1965 Ford Thunderbird Special Edition
Landau NOS Deluxe Spinner wheel covers ( TWO ) with Ford Boxes. $400.00 Firm. Plus shipping. Frank Del
Rossi (704) 483-9554
For Sale: 1965 T-Bird Special Landau (embergio/parchment interior). I have owned the car 8 years and have restored
80%of it myself. Engine compartment, front end, and trunk have been detailed completely. New vinyl top, new tires, new
floor bds. front and rear). Interior redone and original. Front bumper, grill, T-Bird emblems, handles, and rear window
grill all re chromed. 94K original miles. I have the original gate release and build sheet. Only 4500 Specials were built.
the car has many distinct features. Asking $12,500 Call Dennis Terrell (631)888-1446
FOR SALE 1956 T-BIRD White w/white hardtop,black convtop 80K on rebuilt engine many other parts asking
30K Denise Miller 516 825 0735
CLUB JACKETS
SEE ELLIOTT WEINER IF INTERESTED IN ORDERING
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President Message from Page 3
September Car Shows On Our Calendar
29th Annual Boy Scout Car Show in Peconic/Saturday, September 1st: A bunch of us have already pre-registered and for me, I have never
been there. Bit of a trip but ―Have Bird Will Travel‖.
Saturday, September 8th/East Northport Festival & Car Show: I was approached on Thursday, August 9th at Kings Park for our club to get
involved with this event. I told the young lady ―were in‖. The hours are 11 to 3 PM. She promises us some really nice perks. There is no
charge to enter the festival. …Just an early heads up that we will meet by 9:30 in the morning on a site TBD and then caravan over to the pro-
gram. …No trophies or awards but a great time to just to hang out and talk cars. This event is being sponsored by the East Northport Chamber
of Commerce. More info as we get closer.
30th Annual Copiague Kiwanis Car Show at Tanner Park: Sunday, September 9th: …am already pre-registered. I missed this event last year.
This is a nice piece of the world because of the venue. …a view with the beach, the surf, and you get to park on black top. Yes, it‘s a judged
show………….
Our show: Final Show Numbers: This year we donated $3,000.00 to Building Homes for Heroes.
Wednesday, September 19th @ the VA Hospital in Northport: This is an annual event for the VA and us. Hours are 11 A.M. to about 3
P.M. There is no charge, & there is free food for all. Based on what I saw last year, early arrival should be at 9 A.M. If you‘re interested in
coming and want more info, please contact me.
Next Indoor Club Meeting for 2018: Tuesday, September 1th @ Bertucci’s: We are back inside, and remember the club buys pizza. …so
bring your summer stories, and let‘s Rock and Roll………
…and…You‘re Welcome!
When I was eleven years old, I went car shopping with my uncle while visiting him in Southern California. That‘s when I first saw the 1965
Thunderbird convertible. What a beautiful car, the clinchers were the way the top went down and the sequential turn signals. My dream car (he
ended up with a Mustang). As I got older my taste in cars widened. While most of my friends were looking at American muscle cars, my eyes
strayed towards Jaguars and Porsches. I loved the Jag XKE Roadster and the Porsche 911, big dreams for a young kid. Well, I guess dreams do
come true. About 10 years ago, I was lucky enough to find and buy the first car of my dreams, a ‘65 Tbird convertible. This had been more than
a car to me. It connected me with the great people in The Long Island Thunderbirds Club, which in turn got me involved with Building Homes
for Heroes, our club‘s charity. Now, after years of dreaming, my wife Linda and I decided to go for broke, and I do mean $$broke$$, and look
for our next dream car. I found a 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S convertible at a dealer in NJ, that fit us perfectly. The car has only 11,600 miles
on it, from an original owner who has 15 other cars, that‘s why the mileage is so low. As soon as we saw and drove it, we knew it was the car for
us. Although I think I got whiplash when Linda took off on the test drive. The car is fast and loaded, with a 3.8 liter engine that puts out 385HP,
and does 0 – 60 in 4.3 secondswith a top speed of 188 mph, don‘t worry, I will not be testing that. It‘s all leather, navigation, Bluetooth, Chro-
nometer and Stopwatch to time us when we race around the track (I don‘t think so), etc. I don‘t know much about Porsches, yet, so I can‘t go into
anymore details, but I am learning. If I ever can get it away from Linda, I might get to enjoy driving it. Some of my friends have asked me what
I am going to do with the TBird, and my answer is simple. I‘m going to do what I have done since I‘ve owned it, drive it, br ing to shows, work
on that convertible top that loves to aggravate me, and enjoy it.
COVER STORY KEN WIENBERG’S 2009 PORSCHE
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L.I.THUNDERBIRD CLUB NEXT INDOOR MEEING
DATE: October 16th Tuesday 7:00pm
PLACE: Bartucci‘s Restaurant 881 Walt Whitman Rd Melville
Directions: one block north of Northern State Pkwy RT110
becomes Walt Whitman Rd
NEXT INDOOR MEETING: November 13th Tuesday
14 November 2015
August 7, 2018 Dear Ken, On behalf of Building Homes for Heroes, I would like to thank you, the Long Island Thunderbirds and the Thunderbird Owners of New York for your generous donation in the amount of $3,000 Your commitment to helping Building Homes for Heroes in your community is sincerely appreciated. In 2017, Building Homes for Heroes attained a program percentage of 93.85%. This figure measures the percentage of the organization’s expenditures that went toward program-related activities. For more information on the organization, including hero stories of all of the home recipients, please visit the website at Building Homes For Heroes .org. Thank you again for your continued support of Building Homes for Heroes. Together, we will make a difference! Very truly yours,
Carolyn Paszke Carolyn Paszke Director/Special Events & Corporate Relations Office: (516) 684-9220 Fax: (516) 295-4860 Web: http://BuildingHomesforHeroes.org
Building Homes for Heroes, Inc. is a non-profit organization. The organization is a public charity exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
65 Roosevelt Avenue, Suite 105
Valley Stream, NY 11581
Tel (516) 684-9220
Fax (516) 295-4860
Building Homes for Heroes
Building Homes for Heroes Update from Ken Weinberg
Since 2012, the Long Island Thunderbirds and The Thunderbird Owners of
New York have been supporting our charity, Building Homes for Heroes.
We have raised thousands of dollars through our annual car show as well
as merchandise sales. On several occasions, we have seen our donations at
work by participating in the gifting of homes right here on Long Island.
Inone of those events, in November of 2015, several members of both
clubs participated in the homecoming celebration for Marine Corporal
Kevin Vaughan, driving his family and him to his new home in our Thun-
derbirds. Although every home recipient is a hero that deserves recogni-
tion, Kevin holds a special place in our hearts. As a local veteran, we got to
know Kevin personally and share the story of his accident. Every day in
this country on average, 22 veterans commit suicide. The gifting of homes
to these heroes does much more than give them a place to live, it saves
lives. Kevin never let his injury stop him. He is working full time and
continues to progress. An example of this is depicted in an article which
appeared in Newsday on August 1 (See the extra pages below). Kevin is
participating in an experimental program to develop a swim-prosthetic
which will enable amputees to go swimming without removing their pros-
thetic leg. This is just one example of giving back by the home recipients.
Another, USMC SGT. Kirstie Ennis, who was seriously injured when the
helicopter she was flying in as an aerial gunner crash-landed in the Hel-
mand Province of Afghanistan in June of 2012. She along with another
veteran are raising money for the charity by attempting to climb the seven
tallest summits in the world. She is the only above the knee amputee to
summit Mount Kilimanjaro. There are many more heroes helping heroes
stories. Our clubs will continue to support Building Homes for Heroes and
with your support we can make a difference and help save the lives of the
Northwell Ventures produces experimental 'swim leg'
that could help amputees
With the swim-prosthetic, amputees can walk around while at the beach or poolside, then swim more efficiently once in
the water - all without having to remove their prosthetic.
A team of 3D designers and physicians at Northwell Ventures and two other Long Island companies worked together to
create a new experimental amphibious ―swim leg,‖ a prosthesis that can be used by swimmers. (Credit: Martin C. Evans)
By Martin C. [email protected] Updated August 1, 2018 11:26 PM
Kevin Vaughan used to love the water.
But all that changed in 2011, when a bomb attack in Afghanistan mauled the Marine Corps corporal's body, forcing doc-
tors to amputate his left leg below the knee. Vaughan spent 13 months recuperating at Walter Reed National Military
Medical Center, and has used a prosthetic limb ever since.
―Before the Marine Corps, I grew up at the beach and the pool, and that was hindered after my service,‖ said the thick-
shouldered veteran, who said he depends on almost-daily swims in his backyard pool as his major form of exercise.
Dr. Veronica Chehata (right), of Northwell Health at Physical Med & Rehabilitation, talks with Kevin Vaughan of
Merrick, who tested an experimental amphibious "swim leg" at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow on
Wednesday. Photo Credit: Jessica Rotkiewicz
On Wednesday, Vaughan, 28, of North Merrick, waded into a pool at the Nassau County Aquatic Center in East Meadow
fitted with an experimental amphibious ―swim leg‖ that medical technologists at Long Island hospital giant Northwell
Health hope will help Vaughan and other leg amputees swim more easily.
The swim leg, which features a fin-like structure that fits onto the calf of the prosthetic, is made of nylon and carbon fiber
that are layered by 3D printers. The design and materials combine to produce an artificial limb that is both strong and
lightweight enough for walking, but waterproof for swimming and diving.
Northwell Ventures, a spinoff that develops commercial applications for Northwell's medical research, produced the de-
vice in collaboration with two other Long Island companies: Hicksville-based Eschen Prosthetic, which has expertise in
designing artificial limbs, and Composite Prototyping Center of Plainview, which has experience with composite material
Northwell Ventures is hoping to interest the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and other medical providers in offering
this and similar devices to amputee clients. About 1.9 million Americans are amputees, according to Northwell, including
some six percent of injured veterans.
Because their rod-like shape is too thin to provide much propulsion in the water, regular prosthetic legs are mostly consid-
ered dead weight by amputees who swim. Rather than use them, amputees typically cast them aside before swimming,
and hop or scoot on their bottom to the water‘s edge.
And without two legs to balance their swim strokes, leg amputees typically must propel themselves with their arms only, a
slower, more tiring endeavor.
With the swim-prosthetic, amputees can walk around relatively easily while at the beach or poolside, then swim more ef-
ficiently once in the water — all without having to remove their prosthetic.
Vaughan was among about a half-dozen amputees who participated in a test of the custom-fitted swim legs. Members of
the design team that produced the prosthetics compared their blood pressure and other vital signs before and after the par-
ticipants spent time in the pool, treading water and swimming laps first with a regular prosthetic and later with the newly-
designed amphibious limb.
Vaughan said although his recovery has been a series of steps forward and frustrating setbacks since he was medically
retired from the Marines in 2012, he has remained relatively positive.
He said he considers having the amphibious swim leg a potential big step forward.
―Ever since I got hurt, there have been a lot of ups and downs — surgeries, setbacks,‖ said Vaughan, who is studying
health science at New York Institute of Technology. ―It seems like every year I have something new I have to get oper-
ated on or fixed.
―Today seems like a win, because I got something that works,‖ Vaughan said. ―Now I can use it for something I love to
do, which is go to the beach and swim.‖
The VTCI 50th Anniversary Show in Tulsa
Elliott,
You sure had a great all Ford show, I wish we could put that together out here in the country. We just
got back from our 50th anniversary VTCI show in Tulsa, 500 miles from here. Thought you might like
to see some pictures of the show especially the past presidents and Don Brix, one of the founders. I
don't know if you know Larry Seyfarth but that is him in the colorful shit and cap, me next to him with
no hair, The older fellow with the beard next to Larry by the 59 is Don Brix, he started the VTCI in
1968 in Tulsa. We only had 51 Tbirds on the field, low turnout but there is no local club in Tulsa and
everything was done long distance. There is a picture of all the past presidents, except for one and two
have died. On the left is Don Brix, then Larry Seyfarth, then Alan Tast and Steve Longaker, then Lou
Paliani, then our only female president, Terri Mcneill then the current president Rod Wake. It was 100
degrees in Tulsa but we got through it. Any questions? let me know. The 64 convertible pictures is a car
I saw along the road in Arkansas, pretty complete, been there a long time, behind it is a 57 chevy bel air
2 dr ht.
KINGS PARK STREET FAIR JULY 9TH
FOR SALE
Car Jacket/cover with Zipper Silver/Gray fits cars up to 16.6ft like new $150/Best Offer
Vince 516-263-4197
1955 THUNDERBIRD Car is in Burlington CT Contact Ken 860-965-3583
https://hartford.craigslist.org/cto/d/1955-ford-thunderbird/6645572097.html
For Sale 1988 Thunderbird Turbo Coupe
This 1988 Thunderbird turbo coupe 2.3L 4Cyl 5-speed in midnight blue metallic is a one owner unrestored car with just over 35,642 miles. The
car is loaded with options, including a power moon roof, power adjustable drivers‘ seat and upgraded stereo system with graphic equalizer. Other
features include; power windows, power locks, adjustable sport tuned suspension, 4-point DOT approved harness for the driver power mirrors,
rear defrost, tilt steering wheel, fog lights, and entry lights. The car also includes the highly sought after ―snowflake‖ rims. Car is in Oyster bay .
Asking 10K Contact Karen McLaughlin [email protected] or David French 516-474-0737
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GROUP LIFT PURCHASE Is anyone interested in buying a 4-post lift for their garage? I am refurbishing my garage, and have done some research on lifts. I have settled on the Backyard Buddy 7,000lb.
Standard Lift. BYB can store 2 cars in the space of one, requiring just 9' wide, 16' long, 9' ceiling height, and a 120V outlet to store one car above another car, where the lower car is
60" at its highest point or less (e.g. my 1970 Boss 302 on top of my 2013 Boss 302, for ex-ample). The lift is made in Warren, OH, has the best construction & lift locking system in my
opinion, offers jacks, drip pans, and wheels for movement, and offers the best warranty I can find. Go to their website & see for yourself www.backyardbuddy.com. It is also probably the
most expensive 4-post lift at $4,595. But I want one! I would like to assemble a group of 10 or more car guys living here on Long Island who would
like to buy this lift this summer. Then I intend to take the order to the All Ford Nationals (June 2-4), where Backyard Buddy will have a booth. My theory is in addition to the $300 -
400 show special, I can negotiate a volume price delivered to one "area". By negotiating a group purchase discount added to the reduced freight and the show special, I am going to try
to knock $ 500 - 1,000 off the standard retail price of the lift.
Please realize (1) You will still have to pay someone to install the lift at your home ($500 -
1,000), (2) You will have to modify your garage door tracks to clear the lift (~$200), (3) There is no guarantee of the final price; I can only try to get the $1,000 discount I seek. But
10 units should get us some discount; 20+ units will entice the manufacture to give a sub-stantial discount. As an additional incentive, I would invite the Backyard Buddy Marketing
team to come to Long Island and talk to / interview those who participated for their advertis-ing testimonials.
Please contact me by phone or email (below) with any questions, giving me your name, your
email address, phone, and address as confirmation you are willing to spend the necessary funds in June-July. Thank you!
John Dettori
MCA National Director
[email protected] 631 807 1227