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#81
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Hey Steve - this might be too late, but there's one heck on an interesting AND rare Lucy Blue WW5 car you ought to see while in Missouri.
It belongs to Mike Darr in Smithville, MO. (816) 532-4349. Super nice guy, has a bunch of Pontiacs and loves to talk about them. If you can make it to see him, it'll be worth the trip. Take care, Steve.
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Regards, "455HO" Lloyd 2008 GMC Sierra Denali 2WD Crew, L92 6L80E, Silver w/ Ebony guts, 14.26 @ 98 |
#82
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Thanks for the info Lloyd. Maybe I can catch him next trip. I am in Kansas now starting my 7th week on the road with the WW5 GTO. I should get into Albuquerque by tommorrow if all goes well. Probably crack 10,000 miles this weekend! yikes! that is a lot of miles for one trip.
Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org 480-899-7873 "Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 |
#83
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Hi all,
I did break 10,000 miles on Friday eve in the Texas panhandle on hwy 54. I spent the weekend in Albuquerque. On Sat night, I met up with a bunch of members of the Albuquerque GTO AA chapter. It was a lot of fun. Now, I am in northeastern Az near my new place. I dropped off the '68 GTO here and am now headed home to Maricopa outside of Phoenix. I have about 250 more miles to go and the trip will be over. I'll be posting some more pics and comments soon after I get home ( I am still using computors at public libraries because my lap top died in Kansas). take care, Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org "Real Pontiacs only...no corporate nonsense!"
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 |
#84
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CONGRATULATIONS, Steve!!!
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Anybody else on this planet campaign a M/T hemi Pontiac for eleven seasons? ... or has built a record breaking DOHC hemi four cylinder Pontiac? ... or has driven a couple laps of Nuerburgring with Tri-Power Pontiac power?(back in 1967) |
#85
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Over 10K miles - WOW!
You are indeed THE man, Steve. Thanks for returning my phone call last week, it was great to chat with you, if only briefly. Say, don't forget to post all of your WW5 info over in my WW5 thread when you get settled. Take care, my friend.
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Regards, "455HO" Lloyd 2008 GMC Sierra Denali 2WD Crew, L92 6L80E, Silver w/ Ebony guts, 14.26 @ 98 |
#86
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Thanks Jack and Lloyd.
Here are some more interesting pics of where I went and who I met with. Here is Wayne Koenig for Perryville, MO. Larry Cooper, Wayne and I had a nice lunch and then I got to see Waynes cool Pontiacs including many cool projects and "F" body drag cars and this beautifully restored 10th anniversary Trans Am. Then Larry Cooper showed me the Fabulous Firebirds parts yard and then we drove to his shop to see some of his collection including this rare '70 Firebird funny car! Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org "Real Pontiacs only...no corporate nonsense!"
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 |
#87
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After visiting the Fredricktown and Perryville areas of Missouri, I traveld further to Vienna to visit a Pontiac legend by the name of Don Bennett.
Don is 82 and a WWII battleship veteran. He worked with Arnie Beswick in the late 50s through early 60s at a Pontiac dealership in eastern Iowa. If any of you remember the early Super Duties. Some of the cars had a hood scoop. It was Don Bennett who was eating lunch one day with Arnie when he suggested to him to contact Pontiac about getting the hood scoops off of the med duty Ford trucks to be used on the Catalinas. The rest is History. Don won both the Winternationals and the US Nationals in '62 with his 389 GP. Now Don has an outstanding Firebird collection that spans 3 decades. Here we are with his '73 Formula 455SD. I spent a few days with Don, he has some great stories not only of Pontiacs but of WWII also. His ship, USS South Dakota, was anchored not far from the USS Missouri during the surrender. Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org "Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 |
#88
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Partially hi-jacking your thread, Steve . . .
I was fortunate to meet and visit with Don in Tulsa at the POCI convention. I snapped a few shots of his awesome Ascot Silver SD Formula while we were chatting. Don doesn't "pull any punches" when having a conversation, but he's one heck of a nice guy with quite the Firebird collection . . .
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Regards, "455HO" Lloyd 2008 GMC Sierra Denali 2WD Crew, L92 6L80E, Silver w/ Ebony guts, 14.26 @ 98 |
#89
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Thanks Lloyd for adding. Yes, Don is a good Pontiac man.
My next stop in Missouri was with GTO AA board member John and Diana Johnson in Mexico, Mo. They showed me their '70 Conv and '69 Judge Ram Air IV HT. Nice people and nice GTOs. Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org "Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 |
#90
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It would have been a great story if this "adventure" would have been covered by one of the Pontiac mags.
THAT would have made interesting reading, outside of the norm. Very interesting trip and thanks for posting. |
#91
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Quote:
Now . . . why didn't Steve think of that?
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Regards, "455HO" Lloyd 2008 GMC Sierra Denali 2WD Crew, L92 6L80E, Silver w/ Ebony guts, 14.26 @ 98 |
#92
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Well, it's not too late - surely someone on this forum has some contacts at HPP and I'd bet that Steve would share his story and photos with a writer who could capture the spirit of the adventure and put it into words and pictures that convey the pure joy of driving one of these fine machines. What you say Steve? This is too good a story not to share! (Now that I own a 455 HO car I can really appreciate how much fun this trip must have been )
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1971 GTO 455 HO 4-speed - Cameo White, White Vinyl Top, Jade Green Interior, Ram Air Hood, AC, Honeycombs and 8-track 1974 Formula 455 I Owned in 1975-1976. Now Own Its Twin From Same Dealership |
#93
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Thanks again guys. I do know the Editors of the magazines in the Pontiac world personally, so I would not need an 'in' so to speak.
I guess the hard part is to sit down and write a story and submit it to them. I do think there would be interest. I just have so much other stuff going in the Pontiac world, let alone other places. That is the stumbling block, it would be me writing it. I want to work on my fueler, my wagon, my new property, other GTOs, my HEMI stuff, my event "Pontiac Heaven X" coming in April, etc, etc , etc. I'll try to. At least I got to post some of it here with pics. I really appreciate all the interest and all those to I was blessed to meet along the way. I will never forget all the great memories of the last 2 months. Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org "Real Pontiacs only...no corporate nonsense!"
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 Last edited by Steve Barcak; 11-13-2007 at 12:08 AM. |
#94
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I still thinks its one of the top threads ever, and appreciate you taking the time to post!
You should do it again next year....maybe cover it on your site and dictate it for a ghost writer: "On the Pontiac Road with Steve Barcak and Friends" That would be worthy of some sponsorship $ and very interesting reading. There are so many Pontiac guys out there that dont do the forums or shows. Many getting older with nice collections and a story or two to tell. It would be great to "visit" with them and tell their story. Thanks again. |
#95
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Here are some final pics from Missouri. There was still some nice fall colors and I seem to like getting pics of military stuff...
Also, I have a few cars stored in Missouri too and with the dolly empty, it only made sense to load one up and bring it back to Arizona. If you all remember, I had started the trip by towing a complete '75 Trans Am from Phoenix to Columbus. This is a '68 GTO saved from the crusher less engine and most of its front end....another one going to Pontiac Heaven where it will be in good company. Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org "Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 Last edited by Steve Barcak; 11-15-2007 at 08:28 AM. |
#96
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After serveral days in Missouri, I entered into Kansas via hwy 54. My first stop was in Iola, Kansas where I met up with Dave Hall and "GoatDr" Doug both PY members. Dave rode out with Doug in Dougs white '70 HT. We had a nice mexcan dinner ( Thanks!) and then talked Pontiac until it was too cold to continue to do so. It was a pleasure meeting and talking with both of you.
In the picture without the GTOs, Dave is on the left, Doug in the middle. Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org "Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 |
#97
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Did Larry sell Fabulous Firebirds?
Great trip!!!
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************************************************** ******************* 73 TA 4 spd #'s match red/white - "STOLEN" AT TERRY SPEAR's SHOP IN Columbia TN ~mid 2014 Last offical pic of the car can been seen here: http://clubs.hemmings.com/pontiactn/...%20-%20rev.pdf People have seen it posted FS on Craigs List back in late 2013 early 2014.... ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ IF YOU HAVE ANY INFO ABOUT IT PLEASE CONTACT ME!!! |
#98
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cdoggy81- Yes, Larry sold his yard and retired. He is still a consultant for them though.
Next, after being in Iola, I headed to El Dorado to visit with Mike Cooper. For those not familar with Mike, he has one of the fastest Pontiacs in the country at 7.00. His car is a carbon fiber replica '63 Lemans with a blown, injected IA II on alky. Mike was nice enought to spend a half day with me over a meal and he showed his home and property, shop and race cars. He also has a 10 second '76 Aste wagon. Mike has been into Pontiacs since his dad bought as '59 Bonneville in '59. In the afternoon I visited Wilhite automotive in Derby, Ks. Tom Wilhite has a 9 second '59 Catalina and a 10 sec '58 Chieftain. While visiting, I photographed a '58 2 door sedan in for a wheel alingment. It is probably one of a hand ful of '58 drivers left. Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org "Real Pontiacs only...no corporate nonsense!"
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 |
#99
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I just got through reading this thread - wow! Impressed with your devotion to driving the car. Besides the obvious winter months up here in Ontario = road salt, I can't bring myself to driving my cars daily for fear of leaving it somewhere unattended and having some one bang into it while parked at the local mall, or worse, stolen. I know, I know... That's what insurance if for, but i.m.o, these cars are getting so expensive to fix, let alone replace, I hate chancing it.
Steve, you're the MAN! -Andrew
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-probability is fundamental, uncertainty is inevitable [B]Looking for a '71 casting rochester 7042270 - have a '72 dated 7042270 that can trade? |
#100
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After leaving the Wichita area, I heaed further west on hwy 54. I wanted to see the town of Greensburg before dark. Unfortunately, it was almost dark by the time I got there. I did see quite a bit of damage but was unable to get pics because there was not enought light. I stopped at the diner that I have eaten at a few times and it was gone. This was the town that got hit by a catagory 5 tornado earlier in the year on May 5. Very sad indeed.
I did get to take a few pics of an old GMC truck ( it did not have a Pontiac in it as I had hoped ). Then, into the night I drove through the remainder of Kansas, then through the Oklahoma panhandle and the Texas panhandle and into New Mexico where I pulled over for a few hours of sleep. This was the night I passed 10,000 miles in the '72 WW5 GTO. Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org "Real Pontiacs only...no corporate nonsense!"
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Hundreds of Pontiacs in Az "Real Pontiacs only..no corporate nonsense!" Facebook- Pontiac Heaven Hosting- 23rd annual Pontiac Heaven weekend- Phoenix pending due to covid Pontiac Heaven Museum in process Phil 2:11 Last edited by Steve Barcak; 11-17-2007 at 11:50 AM. |
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