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PONTI-YAKKIN Volume 13, Issue 67 July 2013

CLUB OFFICERS

President: Alfred Flores

(210) 435-6333

Vice President: Thomas Rauschuber

Treasurer: Mike Prescher

Secretary: Penny San Marco

Newsletter Editor: Penny Bryant

Website Editor: Thomas Rauschuber

The purpose of the Alamo Area Chapter

(AAC) of the Pontiac-Oakland Club Interna-

tional (POCI) is assisting Pontiac and Oakland

Car owners with the restoration and enjoyment

of these great cars through sharing of knowl-

edge, and promotion of social activities.

Membership in the international body is a pre-

requisite of chapter membership. Local chapter

dues are $20.00 per year. Membership entitles

you to receive our monthly newsletter “Ponti-

Yakkin”, free personal car/parts for sale/wanted

ads, inclusion in club-sponsored events, and

voting rights on chapter issues. Members are

encouraged to submit articles for use in the

newsletter. All materials are subject to ap-

proval, editing, and space limitations. Articles

used are the opinions of their author and not

ACC or POCI.

To submit ads, articles, or request information,

please call one of the above listed club mem-

bers or contact us at:

Alamo Area Chapter-POCI (Pontiac-Oakland Club International)

PO Box 34654

San Antonio TX 78265-4654 www.classicpontiac.org

Official Newsletter of the Alamo Area Chapter of the Pontiac-Oakland Club International

Meeting Location July 9, 2013 Meeting @

IHOP 14424 San Pedro (No. Hwy 281)

July is here and some of our members are on the road

heading for Dayton, Ohio. Destination: the Pontiac

Oakland Club International national convention. Frank

and Penny San Marco, Thomas and Candace

Raushuber, Jim Boring, Brian Yamanouchi and Jimmy

and Christine Means are driving up to take part in con-

vention activities this year. I’m sure we will have

plenty of pictures and full coverage come next meeting

and I look forward to all the details.

I recently received an e-mail message from Brooks

Burt reminding me that this July is our 30th anniversary

of our local POCI chapter. It brings me to think about

all the things our club chapter has done over the years

and how successful we have been. Our members are

what makes our chapter a fun club to be a part of, and I

would like to thank every member for our continued

success. I appreciate Brooks bringing this to my atten-

tion and hope to grow our membership for continued

success.

Members may not be aware, but Brooks Burt is one of

our founding members and our first club President and I

appreciate his continued support of our club. Brooks is

also one of the more knowledgeable members of all

things Pontiac. If you ever have a question about the

originality of your Pontiac, I encourage you to talk with

Brooks to get a sample of how much he really knows

about Pontiac Motor Division. He has told me he

will be at our July meeting to talk about scale models

(Continued on page 2)

A Note From the President

Submitted by: Alfred Flores

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(Pontiac in particular). I look forward see what is the

new offerings to the scale model hobby.

Mike Prescher has compiled the latest club roster and I

will have copies available for all current members if you

would like a copy. I can also e-mail you an electronic

copy if you prefer. If you have any changes in address or

in your Pontiac cars that you own, please let Mike know

so we can all have your latest information.

Our next meeting is this Tuesday July 9 at 7:00 pm at

the IHOP restaurant at 14424 San Pedro Ave. It is lo-

cated just off HWY 281 N and north of Bitters Rd. I look

forward to seeing you all there!

Alamo Area Chapter of POCI Minutes

June 11, 2013

Alfred called the meeting to order after giving ample time for

stragglers to get there. The small turn out most probably re-

flected the fact that the Spurs play off game was going to start

before the meeting would be over. Ten members were present

including a new member, Roger, who owns a 67 and an 04

GTO. C His bio includes a stint at Fisher Body where he

worked while he was in college. Special guests were Alfred’s

wife Christina and their two sons Alexander and Andrew. It

was a pleasure to have them visit now that school’s out. The

minutes were accepted as printed in the newsletter and the

Treasurer’s report was accepted as given by Mike.

OLD BUSINESS

The Firebird shirt that Walmart has in the stores now was

modeled by Alexander Flores. They are great looking and the

price is definitely right.

Greg Howerton reported on his successful excursion to Indiana

to pick up a 56 Pontiac he had seen advertised in Smokes.

When he arrived and saw the car there were some issues that

had not been clearly defined by the owner. But the result of the

discussion was that Greg got a car hauler thrown into the bar-

gain and that made it a very good deal.

Mike brought the trophy from the Bow Ties Show to Frank &

Penny who just couldn’t wait for the presentation and had

headed back to Seguin. Thanks Mike. He also reported that

David Pelzel took home a trophy that day that was previously

not recognized at the meeting. The Chapter had a very good

representation at the show that day. Congratulations to all.

NEW BUSINESS

Brian Yamanouchi and Alfred did get by the new Cavender

Buick, GMC dealership and talked to the sales manager about

doing a show & shine at their facility. He seemed very recep-

tive to the idea and Alfred invited him to attend one of our

meetings. If we decide to do that event we will need at least 10

members to participate. More news as it develops.

POCI national convention July 9-13 in Dayton, Ohio will be

attended by Thomas, Jimmy Means, Jim Boring, Frank &

Penny leaving Sunday July 7. Anyone else interested in join-

ing the caravan please call any of these members for more

info.

Alfred asked Mike for the contact info on the embroidery lady

from Autorama since he has not received the Chapter’s tarp as

yet. She made an error on the design and had to take all that

stitching out and redo it. He will get in touch with her and get

a report.

RECENT EVENTS

Mike & Justin took their Pontiacs to the 3rd annual Wounded

Warrior Memorial Day car show on Monday May 27 in

Helotes. They had 184 cars participate and lots of food ven-

dors as well as silent and regular auction items. Mike and

Justin each took 1st place in the Firebird and Pontiac class re-

spectively.

Alfred took his GTO to the new Saturday night cruise-in at the

Carry-On at Hwy 151 & Potranco Rd. It was good only in the

early part of the evening. The pizza was good but there were a

lot of loud boom boxes and in and out traffic as the evening

went on. Christina suggested if you plan to go plan to get there

early and leave early. There were a few Pontiacs there.

Soda Pops in Boerne had a smaller than usual turn out June 8

due to Market Days cutting down the available space. Mike

attended and enjoyed the event. Check out Soda Pops online to

find out what dates are coming up. The date is variable.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Castroville Cruise Night Friday Night June 14 at Womack

Chevrolet

Cruisin’ for Christ to the Crooked Trail Bike & Truck Show

Sat June 22.

Pontiac Southern Nationals “Planes & Pontiacs” car show in

Addison, TX Sept 7th. Alfred brought a flyer for anyone inter-

ested

Submitted by Penny SanMarco

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(Continued on page 5)

The SEMA Action Network (SAN) continue to oppose deci-

sions by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to

permit the sale of gasoline containing 15 percent ethanol

(E15). The EPA has previously granted waivers to market the

fuel for model year 2001 and newer vehicles, despite industry

concern that it poses a risk to older vehicles and certain high

performance specialty equipment of any age. The EPA has

now begun approving E15 registration applications, the next

step to permitting the fuel to be sold commercially.

The SAN opposes the sale of E15 based on scientific evidence

that it causes corrosion with incompatible parts. Ethanol in-

creases water formation which can then create formic acid and

corrode metals, plastics and rubber. Ethanol also burns hotter

and can cause some engines to stall, misfire and overheat.

The EPA’s decision to permit the sale of E15 for newer vehi-

cles was based on limited scientific research. The SAN sup-

ports federal legislation (HR 3199) that would direct the Na-

tional Academies to conduct a comprehensive assessment of

E15 and E20 gasoline. Under the bill, the research would in-

clude an evaluation of the safety, durability, and performance

effects on engines and related equipment for motor vehicles

and boats.

The EPA agrees with the SAN that E15 poses a risk to an esti-

mated 74 million pre-2001 vehicles in the marketplace, includ-

ing many collector cars. The SAN opposes the EPA’s solution,

which is simply to require a gas pump warning label and make

it “illegal” for the consumer to fuel the vehicle with ethanol-

blended gasoline. The EPA makes it the vehicle owner’s re-

sponsibility to understand the potential threat posed by E15.

The EPA does not provide immunity to gas stations, auto-

makers or others in the market from lawsuits if a consumer

alleges equipment failure from E15.

The SAN will continue to oppose E15 until there are conclu-

sive scientific findings that demonstrate that it will not harm

automobiles of any age as a result of corrosion or other chemi-

cal incompatibilities. The SAN represents millions of enthusi-

asts who buy and operate these automobiles.

For more information, contact Stuart Gosswein at stu-

artg@sema.org.

SEMA is supporting legislation (S. 344) introduced in the U.S.

Senate to ban the sale of gasoline containing 15% ethanol.

The bill would overturn actions taken by the U.S. Environ-

mental Protection Agency (EPA) two years ago to permit etha-

nol levels to rise from 10% (E10) to 15% (E15). The agency is

only requiring a gas pump warning label to alert motorists

that E15 could potentially cause equipment failure for vehicles

older than model-year 2001.

"This legislation is necessary to protect auto enthusiasts by

preventing damage to older vehicles and high-performance

specialty components," said SEMA Vice President of Govern-

ment Affairs Steve McDonald. "SEMA applauds Senators

Roger Wicker (R-MS) and David Vitter (R-LA) for their efforts

to correct by statute a flawed decision by the EPA. Unless en-

acted into law, E15 may soon appear at a gas station near

you."

Ethanol increases water formation that can then create formic

acid and corrode metals, plastics and rubber. Older cars and

certain high-performance specialty parts are not constructed

with corrosion-resistant materials or able to tolerate the

higher temperatures at which E15 may burn. Auto enthusiasts

have complained for years about damage caused by E10,

which is now in more than 90% of gas sold in the United

States E15 would increase that risk by 50%. For classic cars

that are infrequently driven, corrosion could eventually dam-

age the engine, fuel lines, fuel tank and exhaust systems.

SEMA represents thousands of companies that market prod-

ucts for these vehicles and, through its SEMA Action Network

(SAN), millions of enthusiasts who buy and operate these auto-

mobiles.

For more information on S. 344, visit the SAN website. For

details, contact Dan Sadowski at dans@sema.org.

Collector Car Appreciation Day

Friday July 12, 2013

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The Banshee Firebird at the 1968

Autorama By Tom Bonner | Published: January 24, 2012

Banshee Firebird arrived late for the 1968 Autorama. The own-ers are seen waiting for approval to move the car onto to the show floor. Note the snow underneath the car and the heavily-padded roll bar that extends through the roof.

I was in the basement loading dock at the 1968 Detroit Autorama, when these guys showed up with an injected Pontiac Firebird. The show was already open to the public and all of the other cars were set up in their displays.

Some of the officials pointed out that the owners had missed the deadline and attempted to prevent them from bringing the car into the auditorium. Cooler heads realized that the crowd was there to see cars, and the more cars the better. So the Firebird was allowed to join the other exhibits in the lower “overflow” area.

The Firebird looked to be freshly completed. The fact that the car arrived at Cobo Hall after the show opened to the public has always led me to believe the car was thrashed together to make the show.

The Pontiac was known as the Banshee. I’m not sure what class it was built for. It looks like a funny car, but it wouldn’t have been very competitive against the supercharged floppers on the match race circuit. It is possible it was intended for the NASCAR Ultra Stock class, where it would compete against

cars like Wayne Gapp’s Super Cat Cougar.

One odd thing is the roll bar; which extends through the roof. What’s the deal with Pontiacs with the driver’s head above the roof line? We’ve already looked at Dick Jesse’s chopped GTO. The Banshee would be the second Pontiac at the same show with this configuration.

It is possible that Jesse had input into this car’s construction. If

you were from the Detroit area and were intent on building a Pontiac funny car, you would almost certainly talk things over with Dick Jesse. Perhaps Mr. Unswitchable suggested the roll bar above the roof design?

I assume from the arrangement of the injector stacks, that there is a Pontiac V-8 under the hood. The other injected en-gines I am familiar with typically lined the stacks up in neat rows.

The name Banshee is a reference to the code name for the Firebird. Not long after rumors started to spread that Chevrolet was developing the Camaro, we heard that Pontiac wanted in on the “pony car” action. The automotive press announced the new Pontiac would be called the Banshee and Pontiac even displayed a Banshee concept car on the show car circuit.

Shortly before the Banshee was to be released, however, Pontiac abruptly announced that their Mustang fighter would be known as the Pontiac Firebird.

Apparently someone at Pontiac did a little research and dis-covered that Banshee is a Scottish term for “Wailing Death Spirit.” You have to remember that there was no Google and no internet back then. Seeking out information such as this required much more effort in 1967.

The management at Pontiac always tended to free-spirited, but even they realized that you don’t offer a car named after a death spirit. So exit the Pontiac Banshee and enter the Pontiac Firebird.

Of course that is the story I heard. Wikipedia suggests that Pontiac didn’t want to pay Eugene Lally for the naming rights. That could be true, but the death spirit story is the one we heard back in 1967.

The builders of this Firebird chose Banshee for their drag rac-ing name. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you who owned, built and drove the little Banshee. Can someone step up and provide more details on this injected Firebird?

Another shot of the Banshee in the Cobo Hall loading dock.

Credit: Tom Bonner's Vintage Nitro (http://vintage-nitro.com).

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Become a member of the Alamo Area Chapter of the

POCI and

Please join POCI also.

Check out the benefits of membership in the

national organization!

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Upcoming events Bandera, TX Open Classic Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show

Every 3 Saturday of the month at the Rusty Wheel Show

Grounds, Hwy 15 N (next to Sonic) 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

12th Annual LaVernia Park Foundation BBQ Cook Off &

Car Show. 8/10/13 Lavernia City Park Baseball Field,

8/10/13 8:00 am to 11:00 am.

Roddy Tree Ranch Open Car Show , Ingram, TX 8/24/13,

8:00 am to 11:00 am.

Pontiac Southern Nationals 9/7/13 “Planes & Pontiacs” car

show in Addison, TX .

Classy Chassis Car Show 10/16/13, Helotes, TX

New Cars/Parts wanted/for sale

Recurring Events:

Friday Night Cruisin’ Biff Buzby’s at IH 35 & Toepperwein

Rd. every Friday night.

Castroville Cruise Night 2nd Friday of every month at Wom-

mack Chevrolet. Starts at 6:00 PM includes National Collector

Car Appreciation Day event this month.

Coffee & Cars, 2nd Saturday of each Month. Lowes at I-10 at

the Rim. 18303 Rim Dr, Exit 554, 8:00AM to 10:30 AM in the

parking lot of Lowes at the Rim.

Pig Stand Swap Meet on the last Sunday of each month.

TJ Burgers in New Braunfels on Saturdays.

Carson’s Car Corral, 1604 & Blanco - last Sat of month. 8

am to 10 am.

Vineyards at Blanco & 1604 Breakfast at 8:00 am every 4th

Saturday. Coffee & Rides cruise last Sat month @ Panerea

Bread Co 1203 N. Loop 1604

Soda Pop’s in Boerne Changes to various Saturday of the

month, (check their web site) monthly during the summer.

103 N. Main St. 7-13-13 at 7:00 pm.

Wonderland of the Americas Mall (formerly Crossroads Mall)

Cruise In (2nd Saturday each month) 4522 Fredericksburg Rd.

Fat Boy’s Cruise In every 1st Friday of the month 610 Hwy

16, Bandera, TX Starts at 5:00 PM

Bandera, TX Open Classic Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show

Every 3 Saturday of the month at the Rusty Wheel Show

Grounds, Hwy 15 N (next to Sonic) 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Lowes’ Saturday Morning Cruise-In at the Rim. Every 2nd

Saturday, 8:00 am - 10:30 am

Midnight Madness at San Antonio Raceway, Marion, TX, 7/

13 & 27/13 at 7:00 pm

AAC Pontiac-Oakland Club

P.O. Box 34654

San Antonio, Texas 78265-4654

ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED

PLACE

POSTAGE

HERE