Newsletter
Cadillac Chronicle

May you and yours have a Happy, Healthy
and Prosperous 2005 !!

Yes, 2005 arrived along with snow on the Saanich Peninsula. We had about three inches in Brentwood while the rest of the area had a very meager amount. The forecast for tonight here on the lower Island is for more snow and colder temperatures so winter is finally here. Many of the local plants have started to show signs of life but that will be curtailed with the onset of the winter. With all this nastiness here in paradise, I thought a chart on stopping distances would be in order as a reminder to be extra careful while wheeling around those Cadillacs. The chart was supplied by Wane McCallum and he wishes to stress that these distances are for optimal conditions so adjustments must be made as the conditions change.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - This will be held on February 6Th. - at 6938 Shiner Place, Brentwood Bay. The meeting will start at 1P.M. so that we can be completed by 3P.M. and our members can get home before dark to get their Sunday dinner prepared. It is hoped that everyone will be there as elections for Vice President, treasurer and Social Convenor will take place. We will also have the treasurers report for the last year. Membership fees will become due at that time and a general discussion as to the future of the club and its direction will happen. The executive is looking forward to input and ideas from members so if there is anything you wish to bring forward, that will be the time! I hope to see everyone there.

Stopping Distances !!

Cars (still) for Sale:

1940 LaSalle 4 Door Sedan – This car is dismantled but is almost complete. It is in a garage but has some rust areas. Call Norm Marr in Naniamo @ 1-250-754-8229 for details.

1966 Coupe DeVille #3 condition - $6,000.00 CDN 1-250-477-3402

4-1973 Cadillac Hubcaps for sale- $50.00. Call Stephen @ 1-250-217-1202

1977 Coupe DeVille – one owner 92,000 mi. Call 656-6466

1980 Biarritz Eldorado Coupe – Stored outside – project car Call 1-250-652-3090

1976 Eldorado Convert.-Superb original condition, Arizona car, all available extras. You can purchase it for $12,000.00 now or wait until spring and pay $14-16,000. Hoping to sell before it goes to the dealers or E-Bay. Call David at: 250-744-1409 or messages at: 250-479-5894. Photo below

Club Sponsors:

The following are the sponsors of the club at this point. We will publish additional sponsors as they are brought on line. These sponsors have provided support to the club either financially or otherwise and as a club, we would like to assist in the promotion of their efforts. If you are in need of any of their services please don’t hesitate to call.

Craig Reeder – Coast Capital Real Estate – 592-1723 – Craig has been the main benefactor in our web site production and maintenance. He is the Webmaster for the club and conducts his very busy real estate business to the joy of his many clients. Thanks Craig for making this all possible.

CLCC Commercial Friends and Associates

LORDCO – This western Canadian auto parts company has supported us with club membership discounts and prizes. This is a full inventory parts and accessory store that caters to many businesses as well as retail sales. LORDCO has many branches throughout B.C. as well as machine shops on the lower mainland for service work.

STYLES UPHOLSTERY – Styles is a full service upholstery and trim shop specializing in Auto and Marine equipment. They have provided a Club discount for members of the CLCC and are located at 631 Princess Street in Victoria, Ph. 1-250-384-5442

FINISH LINE MOTOBILIA-This magic toy box has just recently been opened at 2008 Douglas Street in Victoria, Ph. 1-250-361-1562. It contains a plethora of Die-Cast Models, Clothes, signs, Videos etc. etc. etc. The shelves are stocked with a great quantity of items only superceded by their quality. It is sure worth a browse if you are interested in anything concerning automotive or motorcycle memorabilia. They have also been known to do favors for clubs, their members and activities.

Many thanks to the above sponsors of our club and their endeavors, without them the CLCC would still be an unorganized group looking for a place to enjoy their Cadillac habit.

Cuban Cadillacs
Many thanks to Phil Dauphinee for including us in on his vacation in Cuba. Phil writes some of the columns on modeling and has recently taken a winter break in Cuba and has provided us with an article and pictures of some of the specimens on the streets of Havana. How many of the pictures can you identify by year??

The Old Cars of Cuba - A large percentage of the American cars that had been imported to Cuba between the end of World War II and the start of the US trade embargo in 1960 are still in service over forty years later. These are the only cars in Cuba that can be privately owned and bought and sold. All other cars are owned by the state. Many old cars are in surprisingly good condition with all of their trim although I saw very few with original hubcaps. Of those that have recent paint jobs it seems shades of candy apple red are amongst the most popular. The most plentiful models of cars probably match the statistics for North America in the fifties. Early 1950 Chevrolets are very common. Most cars are four door models but many two doors, station wagons and convertibles were seen. Some of the convertibles however did not leave the factory that way. While most cars still have their original engines, a few have been converted to diesel likely using engines from Russian light commercial vehicles. I saw a '52 Dodge with front disc brakes showing how innovative Cuban mechanics are. I was not able to confirm it but it appears that the bright work on many cars may be not chrome but nickel-plating which is a metal Cuba has in abundance. The most extravagant car seen was a 1957 Imperial that was immaculately restored including the Hemi engine. The only thing not correct were the Magnum V-8 badges on the front fenders and the misspelled "Chrisler" in the grill. Apparently the most difficult challenge to keeping the old cars running is finding good spark plugs for the high compression engines. It must also be tough for the owners to afford fuel for these gas-guzzlers.

http://www.legendarymotorcar.com/home.html

Phil Dauphinee
Victoria B.C. Canada

cuba04

Well, How many did you recognize? Be sure to attend the A.G.M. on Feb. 6Th to find out. We will see you there!!

All the best and be careful out there as those roads are not always as they appear.

Lorne Scott