Group Z Newsletter 2007 - 06-07 June-July 2007

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June/July 2007 Volume 36, Issue 6/7 SPORTS CAR CLUB E s t . 1 9 7 1 Coming Eventz this Summer at Group Z!!! Its that time of year again as we all begin cleaning, polishing, and generally spiffing up our Z cars in anticipation of the 5th Annual Group Z Hot August Day Saturday, August 25, 2007 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at Ricky & Ronnies Drive-In Northwest Corner of Normandie & Sepulveda Blvds., Torrance Registration begins @ 10:00 am Car Show 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Peoples Choice Awards Lots of Z Cars Prizes Food More Details to Follow in the August Z-Breeze! (See the L.A. Times article about Ricky & Ronnies on Page 2) Group Z General Meeting 7:00 pm Thursday, August 9, 2007 Paintless Dent Removal Demonstration at Fuddruckers Restaurant, Buena Park Southeast Corner of Beach Bl. & Orangethorpe Ave. To help us all prepare for the Hot August Day Peoples Choice Show n Shine Car Contest, Tino De La Cruz of Dents B' Gone will be our guest speaker and will clue us
in on the world of "paintless dent removal. As part of his presentation to us, Tino will demonstrate his skill on one of our member's cars so we can all see how it's done. If any of your automobiles have any dings or dents bring them (try to arrive early) for the meeting - your car may be selected for this FREE on the spot dent repair. Inside this issue: Car Buffs Article 2 Vice Prez Muzings 3 NFIBMT Newz 4 Coming Eventz 6 Automobile Trivia 6 2007 Officerz 7 Page 2 Z-Breeze - June/July, 2007 From the Los Angeles Times Car buffs find drive-in haven at Ricky & Ronnie's The 50s-style drive-in diner in Torrance is drawing automotive connoisseurs of many makes and models. By Daniel Yi Times Staff Writer July 14, 2007
The rumbling of engines starts in the late afternoon.
Gleaming hot rods, vintage Corvettes and pristinely preserved Cadillacs converge at a busy street corner in Tor- rance and file into a parking lot. Overhead, speakers belt out Roy Orbison's "Pretty Woman."

It is Cruisin' 50s night at Ricky & Ronnie's Cruise-In Diner, and it transports 64-year-old Sam Fine back in time.
"It creates an atmosphere that makes you feel younger," said the Harbor City car buff, a regular at the event,
held every first Friday of the month.
In car-worshipping Southern California, meeting spots for motor heads are a dime a dozen. Ruby's Diner in Redondo Beach has regular cruising nights during the summer, and Bob's Big Boy in Burbank attracts classic car
owners on Fridays. Many are impromptu events. A restaurant may welcome them on a slow night or strip malls may look the other way as enthusiasts turn their parking lots into auto shows.
But Ricky & Ronnie's, at the corner of Normandie and Sepulveda boulevards, was built specifically to attract car fanatics and their machines.
"Most of the time, a restaurant might say, why don't you guys come Tuesday nights, it is usually slow then," said
Fine, who belongs to a number of car clubs, including the Cruisin' 50s Car Club, one of the biggest in the region with 225 members. "But Ricky & Ronnie's is unique that way."
The restaurant is actually two buildings, a 1950s-style diner in the back
and a "clubhouse" in the front.
With its neon sign, the clubhouse has become a Torrance landmark since Ricky & Ronnie's opened almost three years ago. The owners com-
missioned a building with an auto-inspired fin and an analog clock on the roof. The place looks so authentically 1950s that it has been featured in commercials, including a recent Mercedes-Benz spot complete with roller-skating waitresses.

The restaurant is open regular hours, but the clubhouse is reserved for special events, mostly car-club meetings. The first and third See Car buffs continued on Page 3 Group Z General Meeting Held the 2nd Thursday of every month Next Meeting Thursday, August 9, 2007 Fuddruckers Restaurant 7802 Orangethorpe Ave. (at Beach Bl.) Buena Park, CA 90621 Phone: 714-739-8801 Meeting begins promptly at 7:00 PM Arrive early for best parking. Page 3 Volume 36, Issue 6/7 Page 3 Page 3 Car buffs Continued from Page 2 Wednesdays of each month are reserved for Mustangs. The Chevelles roll in on the second Saturday, and Porsche lovers can feast their eyes every first Saturday of the month. Thursday nights are reserved for motorcycles. 6 During Cruisin' 50s night, the place is filled with grizzled veterans in satin or leather jackets and their wives, but Ricky & Ronnie's attracts a mix of period pieces and modern machines. There are rebuilt roadsters and PT Cruis- ers, classic Mustangs as well as the latest souped-up model. 6 "I just wanted to create a place where all of our buddies could come and meet and talk about their cars," said Rick Smith, the 59-year-old co-owner. The place is named after Smith, an avid car collector, and Ron Shaver, a legendary South Bay-based racing-engine builder and a regular at the restaurant. 6 The other co-owner is Smith's friend and business partner, Dave Albert, a former contractor and one-time mayor of neighboring Lomita who admits he is more of a "truck guy." 6 "I am not a real car buff, Rick is, but this is a real neat place," Albert, 54, said while giving a tour of the 2-acre site recently. "My wife calls it Rick and mine's mid-life crisis." 6 The pair, who have other businesses, won't say how much they spent building the diner "a lot," Albert said but the investment is slowly paying off. 6 On event nights, the parking lot is jam-packed with more than 200 cars, and the restaurant, which serves classic fare such as hamburgers and ice cream malts, gets a regular stream of customers. 6 "It is a much-needed place," said 1963 Indianapolis 500 winner Parnelli Jones, a Rolling Hills resident who has a VIP parking spot at Ricky & Ronnie's. 6 "There used to be a lot more places like this," said the 73-year-old racing icon, whose son P.J. Jones races in NASCAR. "But you would have to go years and years back." Vice Prez Muzings Just a short note from me this month (warning: Ill return to my usual long-winded self in the August issue of the Z-Breeze, which you should receive about 2 weeks from now) to let you know how encouraged I am by the feedback Ive recently received from many of you. Your emails and phone
calls confirm to me that most of us are on the same page when it comes to what we want our club to be and where we want it to go.
I am very sure that with all the ideas, suggestions, criticisms (yes, there were a number of very valid ones) and offers to help by you all, together we will over the next few months improve, refresh and expand the offerings of our club as we grow Group Z into the vibrant, relevant and really fun club we
all want it to be.
There are some things we havent done in a long time to which well return, as well as some brand new
things weve never tried before. Please keep your calls and emails coming, because its your ideas and wishes which will keep our club fresh and exciting.
I hope youre as excited about the future of Group Z as I am! --- John Brantuk, Group Z Vice Prez Page 4 Z-Breeze - June/July, 2007 Page 4 Big News from the Disorganizers of the NFIBMT Tina Van Curren and Chuck Forward, veteran vintage car aficionados and long time participants in "Car Nights"
and the "No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour" have purchased "Autobooks."

"Autobooks" located in Burbank, CA is one of the nations best known automotive memorabilia stores. If you have
never been there you need to add it to your must see list. Three places gear heads must visit when in the Los An-
geles basin: The Nethercutt Collection, The Petersen Auto Museum, and Autobooks.
10th Annual No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour THIS IS THE VINTAGE TOUR WHERE YOU ARE PAID TO DRIVE YOUR OWN CAR ON PUBLIC ROADS ALUMINUM IS THE APPROPRIATE GIFT FOR A 10TH ANNIVERSARY THE FOUNDER WILL ACCEPT ALUMINUM BODIED VINTAGE SPORTS CARS Who can participate? Anyone with a pre 1976 motor vehicle When & Where? Meet at 7:00am on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at Arroyo Blvd. and Seco St. near the South end of the Rose Bowl in Pasadena What does it cost? There is no entry fee. Participants are responsible for their own overnight motel arrangements and their own food The NFIBMT is an unofficial affiliate of the California Miglia. You can do the NFIBMT for free and, if your car qualifies, pay $5,000 and do the Miglia. Two classy tours for the price of one. Overnight stops? Paso Robles on April 10th & 11th at Black Oak Motor Lodge 805 238 4740. Disorganizers have made no advance arrangements What do I get? Three days of fun and fellowship with other car crazy people who love their old cars. No T Shirts, No Dash Plaques, No Grill Badges.
How do I sign up? You dont. Just be at the Rose Bowl at 7:00am on Thursday, April 10, 2008 Get a copy of the route instructions and go. We will depart promptly at 7:30am This is a free event, we have no incentive to wait if you are late How do I get more information? To join our exclusive mailing list send your email address to NFIBMT@aol.com put NFIBMT Mailing list on the subject line PLEASE COPY THIS NOTICE AND POST IT WHERE GEARHEADS WILL SEE IT. THERE ARE NO FORMAL ANNOUNCEMENTS OUR MOTTO: NON CRANIUS INVERTUS RECTUMUS
No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour information continued on Page 5 Page 5 Volume 36, Issue 6/7 MFIBMT information continued from Page 4
10th Annual No Frills Iron Bottom Motoring Tour NON CRANIUS-INVERTUS-RECTUMUS Why This is a No Frills Event and What you need to Know The route book is as straight forward as we can make it. Mileage is estimated, if the book says turn right when it should say turn left it is an honest mistake, not an attempt to get you lost. Complaints about the instructions are not tolerated. Bring a map and use your common sense. Following our route is optional. The California map provided by the Automobile Club of Southern California, includes most of the roads on this tour (some roads are not well marked). Even the guy who lays out the route gets lost. If you have a GPS BRING IT Start with a full fuel tank. Gas is available at several locations but there are some long stretches without gas. Keep your tank topped off. You will need your drivers license, car registration and proof of current insurance to gain access to Ft. Hunter Liggett Carry a cell phone. If you break down you are on your own. Other participants may stop and offer help, be- cause they are fellow gear heads. However, you are ultimately responsible for your own vehicle. Accommodations Make your own reservations Pasadena / Arcadia Hampton Inn, Arcadia, 626 574 5600 Comfort Inn 626 405 0811 Paso Robles Black Oak Motor Lodge 805 238 4740 Or check the AAA book for other motels Unsponsored Meals Pre Event Banquet & Car Show 4/9/08 Robins Restaurant 395 N.Rosemead, Pasadena 6PM Breakfast 4/10//08 Coffee & Rolls courtesy of Autobooks @ The Rose Bowl Lunch 4/10/08 Ollies in Taft Dinners 4/10&11/08 Pick a spot in Paso Robles Lunch 4/11/08 Picnic Hollister Hills State Recreational Vehicle Park Breakfast 4/11, pick a spot in Paso Robles Breakfast 4/12/08 ALL HAND MEAL IN THE PLANNING STAGE TBA Lunch 4/12/08 In N Our Burger, Santa Maria REMEMBER THIS IS A VINTAGE EVENT PRE 1976 VEHICLES PLEASE Add your name to our mailing list. email NFIBMT@aol.com put NFIBMT Mailing List on the subject line Page 6 Z-Breeze - June/July, 2007 Page 6 Coming Eventz One of the best places to see future designs and classic cars is the Art Center College of Design in Pasa-
dena this month. Theres lots to do this summer . . . stay tuned!
If you have any other events you would like to see GroupZ sponsor, let us know. Z Ya Later Group Z Calendar July
12 th General Meeting Fuddruckers, Buena Park 15 th 4 th Annual Art Center Classic Car 07 Show 10am 4pm, 1700 Lida Street, Pasadena, CA Info: 626-396-4216 www.carclassic@artcenter.edu 28 th Motoring J Style 2007 Northern Californias First Ever Japanese Car Festival, Solano County Fairgrounds, Vallejo Info: www.motoringjstyle.com or 415.479.9930
August
9 th General Meeting Fuddruckers, Buena Park 17 th 19 th 5 th Annual Monterey Historics Laguna Seca Raceway, Monterey, CA 18 th Datsun/Nissan Corral at Laguna Seca Race- way, For Info contact Ron Fuller at zoncpres@gmail.com 25 th Hot August Day Show and Shine Ricky & Ronnies 1301 W. Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501 310-326-1213
September
13 th General MeetingFuddruckers, Buena Park 22 nd 8 th Annual Cruisin For A Cure Orange County Fair Grounds, www.cruisinforacure.com for more info
October
1 st - 5 th ZCCA National Z Convention Daytona Beach, FL www.flza.com for more information 9 6h Japanese Classic Car Show Queen Mary Park Long Beach, CA 11 th General Meeting Fuddruckers, Buena Park 19 th 21 st Monterey Sports Car Championships One Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca event that has become a staple of the schedule is the American Le Mans Series finale.
November
8 th General Meeting Fuddruckers, Buena Park
December
8 th Toys 4 Tots Thousand Oaks 13 th General Meeting Fuddruckers, Buena Park
Although membership is not required and everyone is always welcome at all Group Z meetings and events, if you are not yet a member please consider becoming a full member and enjoying all of the benefits of membership in the oldest and best Z-car club in the U.S.A.! Automobile Trivia (Answers on Page 7) 1. How much did the first American car produced in quantity cost? 2. What was the first production car in the United States? 3. What was the first Japanese car to be produced in the United States? 4. In what year was the first-ever Grand Prix race held? 5. What notable device was installed in Cleveland in 1914? 6. Seat belts were added to cars as standard equipment in what year? 7. What Ford model did TV cops Starsky and Hutch drive? 8. Between 1972 and 1982, the average speed of cars on the freeways in what city dropped from 60 mph to 17 mph? Email to newsletter@groupZ.com with Swap Meet in the subject line anything with which youd like to part, and well help you clean out
your garage/office/home/etc. Memberz Swap Meet ( Parts to Sell, Trade, Swap . . . . . NOT Members - thats another club!) Volume 36, Issue 6/7 2007 Group Z Officerz Prez - Charlie Dever Prez@GroupZ.com
Vice Prez - John Brantuk JohnBrantuk@msn.com or (562) 698-2870
Secretary - Bob Heckendorf bobh@groupZ.com
Treasurer - John Harris john@h4lights.com
Eventz Coordinator - Jackie Harris jjharriss@yahoo.com
Newsletter Editor - John Brantuk newsletter@groupZ.com Do You Know Our Partnerz? Vendors & Stores which offer Group Z Members a discount Please help us update our list of Vendors and Stores which offer us discounts. Email to newsletter@groupZ.com with Discounts in the subject line and well compile and distribute the list. Z-Breeze - June/July, 2007 Page 7 Answers to Automobile Trivia on Page 6 1. The C urved Dash Oldsmob ile, which debuted in 190 1, was so ld for $650. Oldsmobi le manufactured 425 of them that year. 2. Many remember the Mod el T as the fir st car to be mass- produced. However, the Duryea was ac tually the first production auto, meani ng more than o ne at a time were made. Thirteen pr actically identical cars rolled off the factory floor in 1896. 3. The Honda Accord holds that distinctio n, being manufactured in Ohi o in 1982 rat her than be ing shipped to the States from overseas. 4. While there were organize d racing events before the turn of the 20th century, the first race called the Grand Prix oc- curred in France in 1 906. 5. The first traffic signal. T he red and gre en sign al lights were operat ed by a traffic officer sitting in a nearby booth. 6. Some automakers installed lap belts as s tandard equip ment decades earlier, but th e National Hig hway Traffic Safety Ad- ministration made them mand atory in all ne w cars on Ja n. 1, 1968. 7. Surely you remember the stylish Gran Torino. 8. A notoriousl y congested Los Angeles. Address Correction Requested June/July 2007 Edition www.GroupZ.com

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