CADILLAC LaSALLE CLUB OF CANADA

Well, some of the items on my agenda for this week have not come to pass so I thought I would take the time to write a newsletter for Sept. There have been some fantastic happenings in and around the Lower Island recently and I thought you should all know about these incase you missed them.

The Vintage Car Club of Victoria Corn Roast

There were six of our member’s cars in attendance at this very special event. The day and setting were perfect for an "Old Car Picnic" at the Saanich Artifacts Museum in Saanichton. There were many interesting vehicles including a Stanley Steamer that kept touring the site so members of all ages could get a view of what it used to be like in yesteryear.

After a great lunch of hotdogs, corn, ice cream and beverages, another look around and it was time for the awards. Jim Morley was surprised, but not the rest of us, when he was presented with the Peoples Choice and Participants awards for his immaculate 1914 Cadillac 7 Passenger Touring Car. Jim and Melanie had just traveled down from Naniamo for the Malahat Challenge the day before and stayed for the Corn Roast as well. Thanks for coming down Jim and well done with your Caddy!!

On my way home, I came up over a hill and it looked like a continuation of the car show at the side of the road. There was the Croy’s 26 Franklin flanked by a couple of Model T’s and a lot of concerned looking people as well. I added the ’28 LaSalle to the parade and checked to see what was happening. The wiring on some of these original vehicles is not what it used to be but after a replacement of one on the Franklin, they were on their way again to the Brentwood Bay Ferry. Well done George and Roma and may the Franklin run many, many more miles with her new wire!!

Classic Car Club of America Tour

It happened again, only this time they arrived in a rainy period. On Thursday, Sept 14^th., the Northwest region of the Classic Car Club of America brought almost fifty gorgeous vehicles to Victoria for a fall tour. Packards dominated the pack but there were again, many spectacular Cadillacs involved as well. They were mainly from the ‘40’s but there was one of the 1938 vintage and all in great running form. Other makes in attendance were two Bentleys from the ‘30’s, one of which came all the way with the top packed away. Now that is "Motoring the British Way". The owner – Al McEwan from Wash.- who was the Shepherd and organizer of the group did a superb job of keeping it all together. Well done Al! I hope to see you again next time through.

The group also contained a Duesenberg, Auburn, and a Cord. I was unable to carry on with the group due to prior commitments but they had a great run around town on Saturday according to one of the CCCA members from Victoria.

Is it a treasure or trinket?

Pictured below is what I think is a radiator Mascot for my ‘28 LaSalle. I received it as one of the last installments of spare parts for my LaSalle due to the demise of the previous owner’s wife. Her Daughter was cleaning up and found some pieces that had remained dormant for some years. I have checked every picture of Mascots that I have and find it is very close to the ones used on the early LaSalles. Do any of you know of or have access to any literature on Mascots such as this? I would really appreciate any information you may have or know about.

Picture not available

Up-Coming Events

Mustang/Chevelle-Beaumont Toy Run

The annual Mustang/Chevelle-Beaumont will be held on Sunday Sept .24^Th starting from the Tillicum Mall rear Parking Lot at around 09:30 A.M. The tour is in aid of the Salvation Army Christmas Fund that supply toys and other items for the children of the Lower Island at Christmas- a very worthwhile cause. Bring a toy or cash donation along with you on the run and drop it off at the Airport Aviation Museum on Canora Rd. in Sidney where the Sally-Ann will be serving hotdogs and juice for a donation. The tour will leave Tillicum Mall and wander out through the lovely countryside of the Saanich Peninsula, along West Saanich Rd. to the Museum. This event has grown over the years and is a very relaxing run for a great cause. Lets all get out and support those less fortunate.

Cadillac LaSalle Club of Canada Christmas Brunch

Our Events Co-ordinator Roger Barrie has arranged the annual Christmas Brunch for December 3^Rd. at the Crossroads Bar & Grill in Langford. It is located at 1889 Island Hwy. at the corner of Sooke Rd. and Goldstream Rd. This promises to be a great start to the Christmas Season so put it on your calendar now so nothing else will interfere with it. Further details will be posted later.

Grease from the Squeaky Wheel

The following is a quotation from Charles Kettering – a Cadillac Engineer of the past. It was entitled "Caddy Wisdom". It sure is food for thought isn’t it?

When you look at a piece of work and you think the fellow is crazy, you ought to pay some attention to that. One or the other of you may be crazy, but you better find out which one it is. It makes an awful lot of difference. Charles Kettering. Caddy Engineer (suspension)

Cadillac of the Month!

This 1972 Eldorado Convertible has seen many changes since it was hauled out of a shed in outback Port Albernie. The body has been almost completely off (at different times) and is scheduled for another go this winter. Wayne McCallum is a retired body man and knew how the ’72 should look and run and with a great amount of effort and research, it shows today almost as it did when it was a baby. Well done Wayne!!

Well, that about takes care of it for this month. Is there anyone out there who has anything to add to the newsletter? If so, I would be pleased to make it happen. I am inserting some computer hints in another newsletter on how to send pictures etc. but you all seem to have that under control. If there is anything you wish to know or have passed over when getting to know the basic operation of your computer, I would be glad to have my computer Guru try to explain it. I would like to learn some of the finer points as well so what would you like to find out about? Please write to me and we will try to make cyberspace an area not to be afraid of. Have a great day and I hope to hear from you soon.

As Archie and Edith Bunker used to sing, "Gee our old LaSalle ran great!"

Lorne