Bill Brown & Stan Hostetler
Bill is a multiple winner (4 times)
and has the highest mileage total!
** If you are interested in hosting a monthly club meeting, contact ** Activities Coordinator: Lynn Hillman @ lm_hillman@mac.com
September: Open
October: Open
November: Open
August: Hosted by Lee & Stan Hostetler Date, time, & location TBD
Presidents Report June 2022
I would like to take a moment to thank J and Connie Brown for hosting another Fredericksburg AACA show. On Saturday June 4th we were back on Caroline Street, and it felt great. I’m happy to report that VCTC won the participation trophy again this year. I’m proud of our members turning out to support this show and hope we can continue to set the standard for club participation. I would like to point out that Jim and Susan O’Neale took home the 2nd place trophy and Gene and Peg Marianetti captured the 3rd place award. The remaining birds were Bill and Linda Brown’s ‘55 blue, Stan and Lee Hostetler’s ‘56 white, J and Connie Brown’s new ‘57 red, John Garnett’s (Fredericksburg local) pink ‘57, and from PCTC Rick Healy’s red ‘57 (1st place).
The Richmond AACA Car Show to benefit St Joseph Villa was held on Saturday 11 June. VCTC was represented by Bill and Linda Brown and Lee and Stan Hostetler. The threat of possible rain kept some birds tucked away in their nests. We had a great time, saw some incredible cars and met a lot of people who really enjoy seeing the little birds.
Our next scheduled meeting will be hosted at the home of Steve and Nancy Wigley on Saturday, 16 July. Steve’s juggling act alone is worth the price of admission (a side dish or dessert). This was a great club meeting last year and I hope all of you will seriously consider attending. The meeting will start at 11:00 with lunch being served at 12:00. Bring your bathing suites and enjoy the pool. There will be more details soon.
We still have several months that need hosts including September, October, and November If you are interested, please contact Lynn Hillman, Activities Coordinator, at: Im_hillman@mac.com.
A little news from Ford Corporate, if you have not already heard it. Ford plans to hedge their bets on the future of electric vehicles by splitting the company into two divisions: Ford Blue which will keep with the traditional gasoline/diesel lines (cash flow) and Model E which will be the future electric car and truck division. Concerning the future of the name “Thunderbird”, January 21, 2022, Ford renewed the name plate with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. This got the rumor mill up and running on social media (CARSCOOP, AUTOEVOLUTION and CARGLANCER) buzzing with the idea of a next generation Thunderbird. Could it be electric powered? They could name it the “E-Thunderbird” perhaps. This is a speculation with one exception; there was a sighting of a C8 Corvette Stingray (Torch Red) with a Z51 package at the Ford R&D facility…what are the Ford engineers up to?
Here are a few tidbits for the month of June concerning the history of the Thunderbirds:
6/5/2001- Job1 at Wixom Assembly Plant for retro birds
6/12-16/2003- Ford’s 100th Anniversary Celebration at Dearborn
6/17/2005- Ford Thunderbird 50th Anniversary Celebration at Ford’s World Headquarters
6/23/1953- Ford’s Sport Car Concept drawings completed by W. P. Boyer
I’m looking forward, as always, to meeting with you and sharing a story or two about Thunderbirds.
Bill Brown
www.vaclassictbirdclub.com
The Davidson's April 2009
The Most Tbirds at a Club Event 20 Classics & 4 Retros
Thunderbird Appreciation Day 2019
Chesterfield
November 2020
1st Award Winner
Russ Dolbear & Fred Schmoyer
"Trophy Love"
Nancy Schmoyer
George Lake
October 25-30: CTCI International Convention in San Antonio, Texas
Photo taken at Graves Mt. Lodge Syria, VA 2008
July 16: hosted by the Wigleys @ their home in Toano, VA
CLUB EVENTS
OTHER EVENTS
Note: Click on photos to enlarge and see more.
December : hosted by Lyn & Ron Padrick (date & location TBD)
PAST AWARD WINNERS
2007 Alice & Russ Dolbear
2008 Alice & Russ Dolbear
2009 Linda & Bill Brown
2010 Linda & Bill Brown
2011 Peg & Gene Marianetti
2012 Sue & Steve Patterson
2013 Nancy & Fred Schmoyer
2014 Carrie & Lynn Hillman
2015 Nancy & Fred Schmoyer
2016 Linda & Bill Brown
2017 Peg & Gene Marianetti
2018 Paula & Eric Best
2019 Lee & Stan Hostetler
2020 Defered - pandemic2021 Linda & Bill Brown 510
Dedicated to the enjoyment, restoration, and preservation of the Classic Thunderbirds 1955,1956, and 1957
miles
1252
1050
2064
1222
1346
1276
1116
1068
946
1300
1030
1112
1126
Footnote: President's Message page is a "throw-back" to the original T-Bird Times newsletter.
MILES DRIVEN AWARD
Trophy Award History
The idea for a ”most miles driven” trophy began back in 2006. Then VCTC President, Fred Schmoyer thought it would be fun to have a friendly competition to promote driving of our classics. Our trophy was designed and crafted by club members George Lake and Fred Schmoyer.
Mileage is tracked for Classic Tbirds driven to club events simply by noting the mileage from member’s home to the club meeting location using Google Maps. The noted mileage is doubled to create a round-trip total and then tabulated. The club member who travels the most miles for the year has their name placed on the trophy and is awarded The Trophy for a year.
CURRENT YEAR TOTALS
- Usually, plan for guests to arrive by 1130 with things kicking off at 1200. It’s best if there is a dedicated/designated parking area for those driving classic and retro Tbirds. If meeting at a restaurant, the business management can often help identify and reserve a suitable area. When weather cooperates, we can have 10 or more classics at the event. Hosts should plan to arrive a bit early to confirm plans with the restaurant and direct parking.
- For planning, usually 20-40 members attend our monthly events. If a head count is desired in advance, email notices can be sent requesting RSVP from those planning to attend. (Club officers will help with that.) Ideally, the meeting would be held in a room large enough to seat everyone comfortably. If in a restaurant, it’s best (though not required) if the area is separated in some way from other customers to facilitate group discussion and business.
- Options for lunch can vary depending on the venue. Regardless of choice, hosts should talk to restaurant management to inform them of the overall plan and coordinate necessary details. Ordering and paying individually from the standard menu is one option. If going this route, it’s best to coordinate with restaurant management to make ordering and serving go smoothly without excessive delay. Selecting menu items in advance or catering a buffet line is another possibility. Another option depending on the venue is to determine/provide the main course and have attendees contribute to the meal by bringing a dish to share. Generally, try to keep costs for lunch under $20 per person. Meeting hosts can collect lunch fees from guests as they arrive, or guests can pay checks individually after lunch depending on which option was used.
- At the meeting site, you can expect the club President to discuss the plan and manage timing to briefly conduct VCTC business and make any pertinent announcements prior to serving lunch. This business generally takes less than 15 minutes. When complete, lunch is served and expect the rest of the day to go smoothly as the servers do their thing and attendees can continue mixing, meeting and eating.
- As an after-lunch option, consider if there are additional activities available at, or near the meeting location which can be visited following lunch. While not required, this can provide opportunities for attendees to visit places they otherwise would not have known about.
TIPS FOR HOSTING AN EVENT
** Tips for Hosting **
See Below President's Message
Classic Thunderbird Club International Chapter #36
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
RECENT PHOTOS
PHOTOS
ARCHIVED PHOTOS
PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT
TREASURER
Bill Brown
J. Brown
Eric Best
SECRETARY
ACTIVITIES
CHAPLAINS
Stan Hostetler
Lynn Hillman
Brenda Morrison / Carrie Hillman