HO HO HO!!!
Feliz Navidad! Buon Natale! Joyeux Noel!
Sretan Bozic Merry
Christmas! Kurisumasu Omedeto
And a very Happy Hannukah
too!!
These two wonderful holidays (read: Holy Days) are about much more than
gift giving, shopping, and buying stuff.
In fact, they both represent miracles from God.
Enjoy the features here and be sure to read about the significance of
these events in the closing area of the Newsletter. Let’s pause and take time
to celebrate for the real reasons.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1 Editor’s Introduction
2 Advertiser’s Promos
4 Picture Caption Contest
5 Cruise Night Information
6 Guest Writer’s Columns
Lou
Refano
Rich’s
Tech Tips
7 My “Car” Story
8 The Archive
9 Editor’s Closing
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Here are some special deals and offers from some of our advertisers!
We thought it would be a good time to re-acquaint you with what these folks
offer when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. They have grrreat stuff!!
All of these businesses below advertise on Long Island Classic Cars.com
in the underlined section of the website.
These folks have GREAT stuff for CHRISTMAS and HANNUKAH gifts!!
– Order now!!
Let’s start with TRANSPORTATION.
When you buy that new car or sell one of yours, Phil at ABRO MOTORSPORTS is offering special rates for those who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com! He has all new equipment, fully enclosed, insured, and door to door service by the owner himself! Call him for a free quote today!
Mike at S&S ULTIMATE AUTO TRANSPORTING has been serving liclassiccars.com readers for several years and he has reported some nice business from you folks. Call him and mention us for a nice rate to go along with his nice service!
Hmmm….maybe you are buying something to add to the fleet!?
In that case check the INSURANCE section.
Call VEHICLE APPRAISERS NETWORK. Dave Smith is an accredited appraiser of the International Appraisers Network. What that means is that his services are reliable and accepted by major members of the collector car market. If you need an appraisal of your car, or an experienced and accurate assessment of a specialty or classic vehicle that you are considering purchasing, Dave is the guy you should call upon. Don’t make that purchase without a professional appraisal! Spend a little now to save thousands later!! Tell him he was recommended by liclassiccars.com!!
For good rates, and more importantly; great service, check out THE RASKIN GROUP. Ask for Ray and tell him we sent ‘ya! They will help you out and give free quotes with no obligation.
If you like dealing with pros, try the DeStefanos at ALLSTATE/HAGGERTY AGENCY. They work in conjunction with one of the world’s finest Specialty insurance companies, but can also provide you with the local touch you need!
Perhaps you need a little monetary help with that new purchase?
Go to the FINANCE section and see…..
The largest and most widely known of all Classic Car Finance institutions is J.J. BEST. They have so many years of getting people into cars and have helped thousands! Their experience and rates are top notch! Mention LI Classic Cars.com for some special consideration!
Keith Adler at CLASSICAUTOLOANS.COM. Tell him you saw his ad on liclassiccars.com and he will certainly help you out! He specializes in all kinds of classic, exotic, and luxury car loans.
Also try Jim at CLASSIC CAR FINANCIAL. He can help you if your
credit is less than perfect. They finance classic and modern machinery.
How about PARTS for your baby?
Are you putting out a fire? Is your car running hot? Electrical goblins? Fuel leakage? In any case, having a fire stopping device is a necessity in our valuable cars! John at PYROCOOL TECHNOLOGIES has a patented system that not only works better than standard fire extinguishers, but it is harmless to paint, rubber, fabric, and other valuable surfaces! If you care about your car - get one of these! The pros and industry use it all the time!
The folks at A&M AUTOMOTIVE HARDWARE have all the auto body supplies, hardware, and specialty tools you could need. They are giving 10% off when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. They also carry the Wizard product line.
Call or go to PARTS AUTHORITY. They have everything automotive and locations throughout the area! They are giving 10% off to all who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Get your repair, maintenance, and performance parts all in one place! Get some stocking stuffers from their vast inventory!
AUTOMOTIVE UNLIMITED has a huge selection and stock of classic and modern day parts. Give them a call and ask for Eric or Dave. Mention our site for some nice savings!
Is your radiator or cooling system steaming you up? Then Bill Carberry at CLASSIC HEATERS and CAP-A-RADIATOR SHOP is the one man who has what you need! Whether it is parts, service, or a custom build, this guy does it all. Mention liclassiccars.com for a discount that will certainly cool you off!
How about some NOS, reconditioned, or used parts for your Chevrolet vehicle? Don at RESTO TRIM is offering 10% off now through the end of May when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Minimum $100 purchase. He can give you the parts you need, or refurbish yours to showroom new condition!
If you need Mopar parts, HERBEE DODGE is giving 5% off when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Whether you need resto, performance, or daily driver parts, call or visit them. They are a great bunch of guys in the parts department! Ask for Bob or Ronnie.
More GM stuff you say? DAVE’S GM PARTS is also offering 10% off for all who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. He has three (3) warehouses full of parts!
Traction issues? Slip slidin’ away? BARNWELL HOUSE of TIRES offers a nice 10% discount to folks who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. They do all kinds of front end, suspension, and mechanical work in a very neat and modern facility. They also can “hook you up” with a new set of stickies for your vehicle at a great price!
Need some RESTORATION or REPAIR?
Any restoration is only as good as the prep work that goes into it. That being the case, here is a company that can start you off in the right direction: AMERICAN DRY STRIPPING will take your car and all your parts down to bare metal so you can restore them better than new! Tell them we sent you for some special considerations!
APPEL AUTO SERVICE is operated by a classic car nut! He is more protective of your cars than you are! Call him to get free quotes on all types of work. Tell him LI Classic Cars.com sent you and he’ll take car of you and your car for sure!
Jan at ELITE COACHWORKS takes tremendous pride in his work. He can make your modern, classic, or anything else look gorgeous! He has good prices, turnaround time, and most important he is a quality guy to deal with! Tell him LI Classic Cars.com sent you and get a discount as well!
Whether it is your interior or top (and a whole lot more), the boys at AUTOMAT have got you covered. [Pun intended]
The fellas have decades in the hobby and do tremendous custom jobs as well as classic and modern restorations, repair, and modifications to your vehicle. Let them know you saw their ad here for a nice discount. Their reputation is their name!
Dave (from above) also owns and operates BANNER ROD & CUSTOM. I have seen his work and man his cars are scary fast! He performs surgery on all types of cars, whether you want repairs, fabrications, customizing, restorations, engine or chassis building, paint and body, dyno-tuning, and more!! Again mention Long Island Classic Cars.com for 10% off any work! That can be a monstrous savings for restorations and custom work!
Try AL & SELWYN. Paul is a serious pro at classic car and performance mechanical work. He takes great care with your vehicle and has a true interest in the art. He offers great prices and service to begin with, but mention Long Island Classic Cars.com for a nice discount.
You don’t have to be nuts to be CAMARO CRAZY. But you must be nuts if you don’t visit Anthony and Ken for your Camaro and other muscle car needs! These guys do repairs, restorations, and custom building of all kinds of cars. They are offering 10% off on all labor costs for any kind of work when you mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. Sweet deal!
EAST COAST RESTORATIONS is also owned and operated by Don Ness. He does beautiful work on vehicles. Stock, modified, or custom, he does it all! A nice, clean, and efficient shop is his trademark.
STREETSIDE RESTORATIONS specializes in fabricating, roll cages, and complete restorations! Tell Christian that liclassiccars.com sent you! He will take care of you and your ride.
You saw them mentioned above for your transportation needs, however Mike also owns S&S ULTIMATE AUTOMOTIVE. They specialize in 55-57 Chevys, but also do work on all kinds of specialty vehicles. Tell him we sent you! Mike’s a real nice guy too!
BARNWELL HOUSE of TIRES offers a nice 10% discount to folks who mention Long Island Classic Cars.com. They do all kinds of front end, suspension, and mechanical work in a very neat and modern facility. They also can “hook you up” with a new set of stickies for your vehicle at a great price!
Many of our readers have foreign cars that need love too! Lou Palumbo at GULLWING MOTORS INC. is THE specialist to see for all your repairs on British, Italian, German, and other foreign car makes. They have over 25 years experience! Tell them you saw their ad on liclassiccars.com and they will take care of you and your car with “kid gloves”.
Bill at CLASSIC HEATERS and CAP-A-RADIATOR SHOP does some real special fabrication, repair, and resto of your cars components. He makes things from scratch as well, and does some neat resto work to boot!
Paul Rawden who sells and restores vintage license plates is now also offering a duplication service. If you have one good plate and the other one is damaged or even lost, Paul can duplicate the good one for you so you have a full set again! How about that?!
Warm weather means top down cruising! Just in time, Jim at PHOENIX AUTO INTERIORS is offering 10% off on convertible top repairs and replacements! Just mention Long Island Classic Cars.com and he’ll have your car ready for the road in style!
Another professional upholstery shop is RP INTERIORS. They do many of the custom and classic rides you may have seen at the shows. Tell Rich you saw his ad on liclassiccars.com. They do cars, boats, bikes, even airplanes!
And what’s better than driving with the top down and the radio on?! Nothing if you ask me! The problem is most of us don’t have a good working radio and speakers. Robert at ELLIOT’S CAR RADIO can fix your “box” and speakers and have you driving and singing along with the music. (Hopefully that’s a good thing.) He is offering free shipping on your radio purchases and/or repairs for the month of April. Just make sure you tell him Long Island Classic Cars.com sent you!
While you’re parked or driving, THE REFELECTED
IMAGE can ensure that you properly see where you are going and
what’s around you! They are offering 10% off on all mirror restoration,
customizing, and re-silvering! What that means is simple: if your rear or side
view mirrors are cloudy or gray, they can make them brand new again! They also
create stock and wild custom etchings and graphics for any kind of ride!
ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS GIFTS
NOW!!!
GET HANNUKAH GIFTS TOO!
Want some collectible or show stopping AUTOMOBILIA? Check the PARTS-BUSINESS AD section.
Alan at CARZIGNS is offering free shipping on all custom made signs for your pride and joy! These are the highest quality show signs out there and he offers a design service that no one else does! Put your orders in now for CHRISTMAS GIFTS!!
Just make sure to mention LI Classic Cars.com for the free shipping! (By the way, his design service is outstanding! I know, he did a beautiful sign for my ’69 Super Bee that you may have seen at the shows.)
TOYS TOYS TOYS! Who can have enough? Not me! Call DIECAST MUSCLE. They have one of the largest stock of die cast items that includes ultra-rare and limited edition models you can’t find anywhere else. I have many of their items and their service is fantastic! Ask for Mark or Dave. They will give you 10% off all orders regardless of amount, and, free shipping if you spend $100 bucks! Make sure to mention you saw their ad on liclassiccars.com for the discount.
ORDER YOUR CHRISTMAS &
HANNUKAH GIFTS NOW!!!
How about these great deals!! Just don’t wait folks, some of these
offers are for a limited time only!
Brought to you by Long Island Classic Cars.com
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Long Island Classic Cars.Com’s
Submit
your caption along with your name and e-mail address to: newsletter@liclassiccars.com
This
contest is open to everyone! (LI Classic Cars.com paid personnel, regular
column writers, and business advertisers are not eligible.)
Winners
will be notified by e-mail and/or phone.
Please
submit all entries by the 1st of the next month. (ex: for November’s
contest the entries are due by December 1st)
No
substitutions of prizes will be allowed.
In
the event of prize choices, winner will be given the opportunity to select the
one they want.
All
decisions are final and are made by the paid personnel of Long Island Classic
Cars.com
A few
simple rules:
1) Be funny
and creative!
2) Keep it somewhat
clean!
Here is
last months winning entry from Petra G.
Ok!! OK!! I promise I won’t ask “Dad are we there yet”
anymore!”
Petra wins
a diecast set of three 1/64th scale Muscle Cars! Congratulations!
---- ----
---- ---- ----
---- ---- ----
----
The
“Caption Cut-Up Contest” will return in 2006.
Thanks for
all your contributions and congratulations to all the winners!
Look for
more fun and other contests this coming year!
___________________________________________________
“EXTRA
EXTRA! READ ALL
ABOUT IT!!”
2005 Cruise Night location
updates:
Seems like they have all ended for now…..
If anyone knows of any that might still be going – or
any new ones….
Let us know and we’ll publicize it!
Till next spring then….keep ‘em covered and dry!
___________________________________________________
GUEST WRITER(S)
COLUMN(S)
Lou Refano gives
us a nice feature this time out that is all about the resurrection over at
Chrysler Corporation. Not the one that took place in the 70’s, but the modern one
taking place now!
“Rich’s Tech Tips” tunes us in to proper tune ups! Many tips and “Did you knows?” that will help you get
the most performance from your car!
In this month’s “My Car Story” we have a nice submission from
a jolly old fella named Nick who has a very special kind of “lead sled”.
You may have seen pictures of it, but here he gives us a little low down and
lets us in on some secrets of its nature!
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THE RENAISSANCE OF
CHRYSLER
by Louis
Refano
On Sept. 30, 2005, the last Neon rolled off
the assembly line at Belvidere, Illinois. This news item was probably not
noticed by too many, but it must have caught the eye of you loyal Plymouth
fans. Now the Neon was no Superbird...or even a Duster 340...it will not
be mourned that much, and some will recall it as the spunky little car that
said "Hi"; but it was the last link to the Plymouth nameplate that
was discontinued in 2001. Shame that the Mayflower marque was axed under
the sharp blade of DaimlerChrysler, despite the memorable cars that the
division produced in its 74 year history. But like the multitude of
independent carmakers that have been mentioned in previous articles, Plymouth
became a victim of hard economic facts and stiff competition, particularly the
Japanese and Koreans who can build small cars cheaper. The end of
Plymouth stands out as one of the few bits of disappointment for a car company
that has been on a serious roll for the past few years. What I'm
referring to is a resurgence, a renaissance, since the 1989 model year that has
been nothing short of momentous.
Back in the
fall of 1980, the FIRST time Lee Iacocca graced the TV airwaves, Chrysler was
hanging on by its fingernails and began producing those wonderful K-cars, aka
the Plymouth Reliant and Dodge Aries, two of the blandest, most forgettable
compacts to ever hit the streets. That K-car platform would serve as the
basis for what the company would produce for the rest of the decade and
beyond. Remember those '80s Chrysler products? The '80s were the
decade when Chrysler put boxes on wheels and said a 
few prayers. Who could forget
the "exciting" Plymouth Caravelle, Dodge 400, 600, and Dynasty, and
the Chrysler LeBaron.
One thing
for sure...this was not your father's Barracuda. Even the limo they
offered was a K-car! And of course those minivans which were basically
tall boxes on the, you guessed it, K-car platform. The mid-size Cordoba/Mirada/Imperial
series was also boxy, just bigger. The New Yorker/St. Regis brought
boxiness to the full-size arena. There was also the Fifth Avenue, which
was a reworked Gran Fury, which itself was a reworked Plymouth Volare. Rounding
out the line at the bottom were the primitive Omni/Horizon compacts. Yep,
Chrysler got the most out of what it had - which wasn't much because of its
poor financial condition. Their most interesting car was probably the
Chrysler Laser/Dodge Daytona tandem introduced in '84, but even those had K-car
underpinnings and a turbo 4-cylinder that wished it was a V-6.
So out of
this deep conservatism and financial instability came a radical breakthrough in
1989 when Chrysler introduced a concept car that they could shock and awe
people with...again! A sports car that came out of left field, brought
the house down, and launched the renaissance...the first Dodge Viper
prototype. This car was simply stunning...to say it caused a sensation
would be the biggest possible understatement. Excitement the likes of
which hadn't been seen around Highland Park, Michigan since the early
'70s! And a V-10 engine, wow! Did it grab you at the auto show the
way it grabbed me? Thanks to the groundswell of public reaction, Chrysler
put this show car (with slight modifications) into production. At last,
the influence of the designers began to surpass that of the accountants.
A few years later, the same formula was applied to the Plymouth Prowler, the
company's interpretation of an early '30s custom hot rod, built for the
1990s. Talk about your car show buzz! Would they dare make a
production car out of THAT? Well we all know the answer. Whenever
you see that car on the street, you can't help but turn your head! In
just a few short years, the turnaround at Chrysler was unheard of...the stuff
automotive dreams are made of.
By the late
'90s Chrysler catapulted to the top of the heap as the style leader.
Now this is
all nothing new, because the history of Chrysler is a history of cycles.
They emphasized engineering and dependability when Walter P. Chrysler launched
the company in the '20s. Then they tried something bold like the
futuristic Airflow in '34; unfortunately the car was too advanced for the
times, and the public stayed away in droves. Having been burned by the
Airflow, the company got conservative for two decades, as Chairman K.T. Keller
wanted cars that were small in length, that people could wear their hats
in. Sales plummeted. Then the "Million Dollar Look" came out in
'55 and saved the company. By '61, people were tired of the fins and wild
styling...so head stylist Virgil Exner was out, and Elwood Engel was brought in
who favored more rigid, straight-line styling. Conservatism took hold
again until the ground-breaking muscle cars of the mid - late '60s. After
the end of the short muscle car era, engineering was the primary focus again in
the '70s, and by '78, sales fell off the chart again. See the trend
here?
But this
latest Chrysler renaissance since the late '80s has been truly
inspirational. Just as ground-breaking as the Viper was the LH-series for
1993. These were startling, forward-thinking family sedans that were
nothing short than a reworking of the basic automotive platform. These
cars, marketed as the Chrysler Concorde, Dodge Intrepid and Eagle Vision,
pushed the styling envelope with a new "Cab Forward" look: Very roomy
interiors, base of the windshield pushed forward towards the front axle line,
wheels to the corners stance, short hoods and long passenger cabins. This
was as different from the Chrysler boxes as apples are different from
bananas.
As an
example of the designers' thought process for those LH cars, Tom Gale, Chrysler
Vice President of Product Design, noted that the Concorde, Intrepid, and Vision
represented major breakthroughs in vehicle technology, packaging, and
processing, as well as styling. "We didn't want to imprint a new
look to the same old package," he explained. "Our intent was to
have intrinsic value instead of just things that were decorative. We were
willing to give up vinyl roofs, wire wheel covers, and the traditional elements
to get a good rear suspension and more space inside the vehicle. That was
the philosophy from the very beginning." And of course, Chrysler
management was willing to take this massive risk. Gale credits Chrysler's
senior management, most notably Chairman Lee Iacocca and President Robert Lutz,
for having the vision to pursue the Cab Forward design in its embryonic stage.
But Chrysler didn't stop there;
there was the aforementioned Neon that was bold and different; it's hard
to make an econobox look distinctive without making it ugly, but they
pulled it off. There were the big-rig inspired Ram trucks which caused
their own sensation and styling changes to the truck market; the aforementioned
Prowler; the redesigned Intrepid; the PT Cruiser with its "new old
school" hot rod look, and the 300M and Sebring convertible.
With each model, Chrysler was saying, we're different and we're
confident! No question about it, Chrysler was not
building look-alike cars.
After causing so much buzz with Cab
Forward, in 2005 Chrysler abandoned it with the introduction of the 
Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum and
'06 Charger. These are more old-school with longer hood, shorter deck
proportions, taller front ends and belt lines and narrower windows...but with a
striking, modern interpretation. Can it be? Another reinvention of
the basic car look, immediately after the last one? This has no precedent
in Chrysler history. Can't forget about that other new head-turner, the
Crossfire. This is the same company that just a few years ago made the
Reliant?!! Believe it, friends...this is a new, hip Chrysler
Corporation. They make distinctive, beautiful cars that have people
talking...and the competition scrambling (if only they had done the new Charger
as a 2-door...that would have made it perfect). It is not a stretch to
say that in a few decades from now, most of these cars will be highly collectible...and
the "renaissance era" at Chrysler, when the grand old company
mustered up some courage, took some big swings and knocked them out of the
park, will be fondly remembered.
Sources:
fast-autos.net, www.allpar.com,
Seattle Times
(Lou, great article! No
doubt about it – Chrysler is the
styling leader!) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
By Rich Fiore
TUNE-UP OR TUNE OUT BABY !!!!!
Ok so you want to tune-up your car
eh? You think you have seen it all ? Maybe, maybe not. Most people
with collectible cars have probably done their own tune-ups in the past and
have a pretty good idea of what it’s all about, but may not realize what it
is really all about. So
let’s start with a good definition of what a tune-up
is. A tune-up is an orderly process of inspection, diagnosis,
testing, replacing and adjustment that is periodically necessary to
maintain peak engine performance and efficiency without rebuilding the engine
... whew !!! Say that in one breath. The word tune-up for the most part is
really more applicable to our classic rides than today's vehicles although
a few things still do apply. Today's cars... since 1974, ( I know I'm
dating myself ) are equipped with an electronic ignition, ( I'll take points
any day ), fuel injection, and at least one on - board computer...
Ugh. For the most part there are very few adjustments that can be made.
So lets start by looking at the theory behind your ignition system there
Sparky. This magical system for producing a voltage for the spark plugs is
broken down into two parts. The primary and secondary. The ignition primary
circuit is called the low voltage ( 12 volts ) or low tension circuit. ( It’s
just a cool dude ). It consists of the ignition switch, ballast resistor (
or resistance wire ), ignition coil primary winding, breaker points and
condensor. The secondary ignition circuit is called the high tension
circuit ( this guy is a little testy and will bite you if you cross him ) . It
consists of the ignition coil secondary winding, distributor rotor and cap, the
coil, spark plug wires, and of course the spark plugs.
How it works is fairly simple. When the ignition switch is turned on and the
breaker points are closed current flows in the primary circuit. As the
current flows through the primary winding of the ignition coil a strong
magnetic field is produced in the coil. When the breaker points open the
current stops flowing in the primary winding and this field collapses. (
The points are essentially a switch ). This collapsing field cuts across the
primary and secondary windings ( high tension remember?) and creates a high
voltage in the secondary winding. This voltage flows out of the center of the
coil through the coil wire, rotor, and on to each plug via the distributor cap.
Once at the plug there is enough electrical potential ( voltage ) to jump the
plug gap and create a spark in the process. And we all know what this spark is
for don't we ? ... Bada Bing !!!! We have ignition.
The primary circuit as I mentioned, consists of a few items, and one of them to
look at is the ballast resistor. This resistor is simply a current
compensating device. At low RPM current flows for longer periods of time. This
heats up the resistor and increases its resistance. This reduces its
current flow. This action keeps the coil primary windings cooler and improves
breaker point life. At high speeds current flows for shorter periods which lets
the resistor cool and increase current flow. This permits good secondary
voltage to be obtained. Keep in mind during cranking the ballast resistor is
bypassed. On vehicles with a resistance wire, the current flow varies based on
the temperature of the wire. As it heats up there is more resistance. Got it ?
Another item in the primary circuit is the condenser. This little tootsie
roll is nothing more than a capacitor. It stores electrical energy. When the
points open up there is a tendency for arcing which will eventually pit the
contact surfaces. The condenser is there to prevent this.
So lets get down to doing the Cha Cha and see what the textbook version of a
tune-up really is. Besides replacing the obvious points, plugs, condenser,
rotor, cap and wires it also consist of :
Checking centrifugal and vacuum advance
Inspect drive belts and check tension
Test alternator output and regulator
Test and service manifold heat control valve
Check hot air damper on air cleaner snorkel
Replace PCV Valve
Replace fuel and air filters
Test fuel pump pressure and volume
Check and adjust carb
Adjust valves ( if required )
Clean and inspect battery
Test battery and cranking voltage
Test cylinder compression ( believe it or not )
Inspect/test emission control systems
Inspect all vacuum hoses
So
there you have it. The text book version of a tune up. Maybe a little more than
you anticipated ?
Beep
Beep mmm Beep beep yeah !!!!
Keep cruisin’ it ain't that cold !!!!!!!
Quick and Dirty : When was the last time you checked the dwell
and timing ? Do you keep spare points, condenser, ballast resistor, and
coil in your trunk along with a dwell meter?
(Richie: Your in-depth
knowledge about all the systems is staggering! Hope your head doesn’t explode!) Pete
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Kris
Kringle: AD343 Sled
(St. Nicholas of Patara)
Ho, Ho, Ho! By way of introduction
allow me to say
Soon I will be heading with packages your way
I’ll bring lots of gifts to give in this season
The birth of God’s Son – Our Lord is the reason
I hope you’ve been good and sweet and nice
Nothing less my dear friends will ever suffice
Be charitable to others – give what you own
And you’ll be rewarded with an eternal home
My “car” as you call it is really a sleigh
It’s powered by Reindeer that are fueled up by hay
It started way back long ago in December
So many centuries I can hardly remember
It is chopped, lowered, polished, and chromed
Got every modern gadget save for a phone
Don’t need it ‘cause I’ve got a direct link
If you see me in passing I’ll give you a wink
I built this sled over the course of a year
No tranny, no engine, not even a gear
So powerful so smooth and so fast
Got power and energy man it’s a blast!
This one of a kind little ride that I’ve got
Is special, unique, and looks really hot
The elves keep it clean with special attention
The secret ingredients I can’t really mention
Top speed is classified – let’s just say it is fast
There are things quicker than comets I’ve passed
It hooks, jumps, and steers great in the turns
Believe it or not, this sled even learns!
Can be set on automatic – tell it what to do
Don’t need to hold on it flies straight and true
The body is composite - of what I won’t say
The materials came from so far away
With some special blessings that come from above
It’s made to last forever – forever with love
Got room for my helpers and gifts galore
We’re never past full – can always hold more
In closing to tell you “that’s all that there is”
Would not be the truth and that’s not my biz
Some things we must save for the time beyond now
You will know the secrets someday I avow
My love to you all no matter what color
What faith, what country, a sister or brother
Be true to each other as Jesus directed
When your end time comes you won’t be rejected
It’s his day that inspires this flight of mine
Compared to him my flame doesn’t shine
He loves you all each and every one true
A Buddhist, a Muslim, a Christian, a Jew
My little red rocket will see you real soon
I’ll be by your house on my way past the moon
That wraps it up, got to get ready for my flight
Merry Christmas to all! And to all a good night!
(Thanks for the
enlightening poem Santa! Merry Christmas to you too!)
(PS - I’ve been very good this
year. How about a ’63 Max Wedge car?!) Pete
______________________________________________________
Here
is where you can access previous editions of the Long Island Classic Cars Online
Newsletter.
October 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Oct03.html
November 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Nov03.html
December 2003 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Dec03.html
January 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jan04.html
February
2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Feb04.html
March 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Mar04.html
April 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Apr04.html
May 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/May04.html
June
2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jun04.html
July 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jul04.html
August 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Aug04.html
September 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Sep04.html
October 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Oct04.html
November 2004 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Nov04.html
January 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jan05.html
February 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Feb05.html
March 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Mar05.html
April 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Apr05.html
May 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/May05.html
June
2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jun05.html
July 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Jul05.html
August 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Aug05.html
September 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Sep05.html
October 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Oct05.html
November 2005 http://www.liclassiccars.com/Newsletter/Nov05.html
You
can also access the previous Newsletters through a link on the main page of the
website.
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A GREAT BIG THANK
YOU to all of our contributors and writers this year! Especially to our
regular columnists who make this Newsletter the success that it has become!
We couldn’t do it without them and they are sincerely
appreciated!
How about a big cheer for each and every one of them!?!
Look for
some new features, articles, contributors, and more in 2006!
There may
even be some changes to the website!
Enjoy your Christmas and Hannukah everybody. The main thing
about these beautiful holidays is not the giving or receiving of gifts, nor the
commercial aspects of them, nor the parties.
What they are about is very significant and should be celebrated
and revered as such.
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Hannukah
represents the miracle of the oil and lamps. Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights,
is an eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating a miracle from back in the times
when the Maccabees had won a victory over the Syrians, who were oppressing the
Hebrews.
After their victory over the
Syrians, the Maccabees wished to re-dedicate the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. But
they found they had only enough oil to light the lamps of the temple for one
night. Miraculously, the oil lasted eight nights. Long enough for new oil to be
properly prepared.
Led by Judah Maccabee, the most
famous of Mattityahu’s five sons, the Maccabees, a force much smaller than the
powerful Greek armies, finally triumphed in 165 B.C.E. On the 25th of Kislev,
the Maccabees reclaimed the Jewish Temple, which was, at that point, almost
unrecognizable as a place of Jewish worship.
The Talmud says that when the
Jewish army wanted to rededicate the Temple, they were unable to find enough
specially prepared oil to light the Menorah, a holy lamp, or candelabra, used
in the Temple service.
Finally, in one Temple chamber,
the Maccabees found a single bottle of oil, which normally would have lasted
only one night. However, by a miracle, the one bottle of oil lasted eight
nights, until new oil, fit for Temple use, could be produced.
This is the miracle Jews
commemorate to this day. By lighting the eight Hanukah lights of the menorah,
Jews everywhere recount the triumph of their ancestors against immorality, the
rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the miracle that a one day supply
of oil lasted eight days.
Christmas
is one of the holiest and most revered days on the Christian calendar. That is
the day that the birth of Jesus Christ is celebrated. This event is the coming
of mankind’s savior, the messiah that will free the world. God so loved the
world that he sent his son not to condemn it, but to save it.
The story tells how Mary the
mother of Jesus, became pregnant by the Holy Spirit of God. A miracle of God
that is called the Immaculate Conception. At the time, she was betrothed and
engaged to a man named Joseph. When Joseph found she was pregnant he intended
to break the engagement. An angel appeared to him in a dream and told him to
believe Mary – she had not known a man, this was by the Spirit of God. They
would have a son that would be the messiah and free his people from their sins.
Mary and Joseph were on their
way from Nazareth in Galilee, where they lived, to Bethlehem in Judea where
Joseph was from, because Emperor Augustus had ordered a census be taken and
each person had to go register in their home town. Pregnant and due to give
birth, they couldn’t find suitable accommodations anywhere. They eventually
came to the little town called Bethlehem, and with no room for them in any of
the inns, they stayed in a stable. Surrounded by animals Mary gave birth to
Jesus.
Shepherds that were tending to
their flocks in the fields saw angels who told them of Jesus’ birth. They went
and found the babe lying in a manger and worshipped him. At the same time there were three wise men in
the east who studied the stars and were told about the Jewish baby to be born
that would be King. They saw his star rise – the star of Bethlehem - and followed it until it led them to the
stable where Jesus was born. They brought gifts and also worshipped the babe.
This is what led to the
tradition of gift giving on Christmas as it is celebrated today by Christians
around the world.
Pete Giordano
Long Island Classic Cars.com