CADILLAC LaSALLE CLUB OF CANADA

Well, here we are again at the end of 2005 and the beginning of the 2006. The past year has been exciting for some of us and troublesome for others but none the less, we are still here and looking forward to 2006. Most humble apologies for not putting out a newsletter for Nov. but other priorities took over my life for most of the month. We are now back down to earth and face the job of printing the pictures from our vacation and assimilating them into a proper memory album for the time when we can no longer go traveling.

Ruth & I would like to wish you all the very best that 2006 may bring and a most joyous Christmas Season.

NEXT CLCC MEETING

If all goes well, the next CLCC meeting will be our Annual General Meeting on Feb. 12^Th. at 1:00 P.M. at the home of Wayne and Sheila Christmas.-5087 Lochside Drive, Victoria B.C. Further instructions as to it’s location will be in the Jan. Newsletter. At this meeting there will be election of the following officers of the club:

President-

Secretary –

Events Coordinator –

Director of Public Relations –

We hope you will all attend and keep the club as vibrant and active as it is at present. The Christmas Brunch had it’s usual good attendance of 16 members and was enjoyed by all. Many thanks for the representatives from Nanaimo that braved the elements and enjoyed the meeting of friends both old and new.

Many, many thanks for all your input, co-operation and assistance over the past year and lets keep up the good work for the next ones. Again, may you all have a great holiday over the Christmas Season and all the best for the New Year!!

Grease From the Squeaky Wheel

When doing touch-up jobs after all the lengthy preparations have been done, make sure that the temperature is within reasonable limits of the recommendations on the paint can. Should the ambient temp of the area and work surfaces be too high, the paint will set up too quickly and if too cold, it will result in an "orange peel look" and will take some time to polish it back to the desired finish. If you haven’t done this type of repair before, talk to the Squeaky Wheel of some other person knowledgeable on the subject. This pertains to the "Base Coat" system and an "Enamel" finish will be very different. Happy Ho, Ho and have a stupendous 2006.

Wayne McCallum (AKA – The Squeaky Wheel)

To Restore or Not To Restore. Part Two:

The following is part two in the series of three pertaining to this article that was published in the Self-Starter – The magazine of the Cadillac LaSalle Club inc. The picture following is one of an un-restored 1928 LaSalle now being tenderly cared for by Lorne Scott, Brentwood Bay B.C.

Parts Availability

Parts are usually available for most of the common cars providing you have the time, patience and finances. It becomes proportionally more difficult with the rarity of the unit. There are some vehicles that parts are no longer available for whether at swap meets, magazines or any of the other sources usually used. This is the time when a pattern and an appropriate tradesman must be employed. This can be very expensive so hopefully your project is complete enough to have the old part for use as a template. If this is not the case, a lengthy search may turn up a drawing or information will likely turn up so your replacement piece can be built. Patience is the key word.

Eventual value of your project

Before embarking on such a project, the finished value must be considered especially if this is being done for profit. If it is being done for your own use and will likely be kept for years, you will be able to amortize some of the costs over the years and be deducted in the joy that will be derived from it. If you are trying to recapture a point in time of your youth for example, the cost over-run may be easier to take.

It is much easier to live with yourself (and your spouse) if you have overspent on your dream car than if you have written off your profit margin at resale time. (More justification)

Time Availability

Time required for this venture will vary depending on how much is to be sub-contracted and how much you can do yourself. It also depends on what type of restoration is to be done, either partial, complete or somewhere in between.

If too much time must be allotted to the project, other aspects of life may be neglected and can cause endless friction in your world. An endeavor such as a restoration can also add endless hours of enjoyment to life especially if you are able to share it with someone.

Commitment

Just how much commitment do you have to this project? If your lifestyle contains many other priorities, you may be well advised to obtain a vehicle that will require low maintenance and wait for restoration. In life, our wishes usually take second place to our needs and responsibilities so be sure that when you start on this wish that it has a reasonable chance of success.

Availability of Assistance

As most of us who are in the hobby know folks with like interests, help is usually available, one way or another. You may find that if you question five people, you will likely get at least five different answers. It would seem best to take the useful parts from all five, add it to your original idea and come up with a sixth. Everyone has their own way of doing things but the best one is the one that works for you. Some of the best advice and assistance will come from members of a club who are dedicated to that marquee such as the Tech Reps from the CLC. They will either supply the information required or guide you to somewhere that it is available. As far as actual physical assistance goes, you will likely recruit it from your circle of friends or club members nearby.

Commercial assistance may be available at your location or you may have to search through magazines for shops with the technology you require. Most of those that advertise in the reputable magazines will be able to assist you to your satisfaction because negative advertising for them travels faster and is more effective than a monthly issue advertisement.

Well, that is about it for now as the Yuletide season calls for my attention. All the best to all of you and make plans now for the Feb. 12 Meeting.

Lorne Scott