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April 2007 The Pontiac Journal - A Performance Years Newsletter Volume 5 - Issue 1
WELCOME Below is another packed issue of the Pontiac Journal for all of our faithful subscribers to read. There are a lot of great articles in this issue including Insights into the Pontiac hobby by Don Keefe, Spotlight on PY Forums member: Scott Rex, Relief for headliners that have seen better days, Exposure of a useful feature of the PY Forums and much more. Once you've finished your cruising for the day, turned out the light in your garage or put aside you PY catalog; Sit down in front of your computer screen and read what we've been hard at work on. And if you have any comments, questions, articles or article ideas, please feel free to send us a note at Pontiacjournal@performanceyears.com.   The Pontiac Journal Staff IN THIS ISSUE     NEW FACE IN THE PY NEWSROOM     THE COLLECTOR CAR MARKET: BUYERS LEARN SOME LESSONS     PY FORUMS TECHNICAL TIP: QUICK LINKS     IDENTIFYING SLOW MARKETS... AND BOOMING ONES.     PJ FEATURED RIDES     DROOPY HEADLINER SYNDROME     PY SPOTLIGHT ON: SCOTT REX     2007 SPRING SHOWS ON THE EAST COAST     PRODUCTS ON THE HORIZON     COMING UP IN FUTURE ISSUES PAST ISSUES Volume 1 - Issue 1 Volume 1 - Issue 2 Volume 1 - Issue 3 Volume 1 - Issue 4 Volume 1 - Issue 5 Volume 2 - Issue 1 Volume 2 - Issue 2 Volume 3 - Issue 1 Volume 3 - Issue 2 Volume 4 - Issue 1 Volume 4 - Issue 2 Volume 4 - Issue 3   NEW FACE IN THE PY NEWSROOM by Keith Macdonald   The pontiac Journal is proud to invite a new contributing writer to our staff, Don Keefe. You may not realize it but you've probably already met Don on the PY Forums without realizing it. On the forums he's chosen to protect his real identity by using his online handle; [insert drum roll here] Don Keefe... OK... it may not be much of a secret identity so... TO READ MORE, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.   THE COLLECTOR CAR MARKET:                         BUYERS LEARN SOME LESSONS by Don Keefe   With January’s Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction kicking off the 2007 auction season and the Mecum Kissimmee auction coming right after, it appears that at long last we are starting to see a little more in the way of buyer discretion at these events. Don’t get me wrong, there are still... TO READ MORE, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.   PY FORUMS TECHNICAL TIP:   QUICK LINKS I thought I'd take some time and highlight a valuable tool on the PY Forums that is available to all members; The Quick Links Menu. Tucked up in the navigation bar at the top of every page is a link labeled "Quick Links" that you may have over-looked... TO READ MORE, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.     IDENTIFYING SLOW MARKETS...                                                 AND BOOMING ONES. by Don Keefe   With the collector car seeming to be in a sort of transitional period, I thought that it would be a good time to help market observers and players identify the relative strength or weakness of the collector car market at any given point in time. The idea here is that there are indicators... TO READ MORE, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.   PJ FEATURED RIDES Performance Years   Each Issue of the Pontiac Journal we will feature three owners who have submitted their Pontiacs for the Customer Rides section of our Website. Each owner whose Pontiac is chosen will receive a $25 Performance Years gift certificate, as well as the praise and adoration of all of you readers. Winners, please contact us with your name and address so we can send you your gift certificate. TO READ MORE, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.   DROOPY HEADLINER SYNDROME Chris Casperson   If you have been or are the owner of a vintage mid 70's to 80's GM vehicle the title of this article has probably already got one eye twitching and slow but deliberate rage building as you remember the countless embarrassing situations that headliner has brought about. Like when you pulled up at that light to see the car passengers next to you torn between laughing hysterically at your perforated 6 foot vinyl Sombrero or... TO READ MORE, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.   'PY SPOTLIGHT ON:         SCOTT REX of PHILADELPHIA, PA "My first experience with a Pontiac was with a 1974 Formula 400 Firebird in 1981. I thought it was just about the fastest thing on four wheels. However, after an ego-busting 15.90 time slip at Atco raceway, I realized it wasn't as fast as I thought. Shortly after my first drag strip outing, the Formula was stolen... TO READ MORE, PLEASE SUBSCRIBE.   2007 SPRING SHOWS ON THE EAST COAST Charlotte, NC   Lowes Motor Speedway- April 12th-15th What a great way to accelerate the Spring season for us northerners. While temps can still dip into the 20's across the northern states, Charlotte usually brings temps in excess of 70 and sometimes 80 degrees. Attendees are treated to an incredible amount of automotive parts and accessories filling both the inside as well as most of the grounds surrounding the track. Wear your best sneakers and you might want to consider some pre-walks to get in shape for this one. You'll need a full two days to cover all the rows of parts. And that doesn't count the car corral and the car show that runs all the way around the actual track. PY has a limited number of guest passes available. E-mail us for a free pass (limit one per member). First come, first serve. Carlisle, PA   Carlisle Fairgrounds- April 18th-22nd Now a cult classic, this event is the official international 'kick-off' for the automotive enthusiast. Although bargains on rare items have become few and far between, there is an attraction to Carlisle that transcends parts. For many, it’s a ritual, the 'guys only' hunting trip, the yearly bachelor party. Many attendees renew yearly friendships and visit their favorite suppliers to see what's new, or pickup items to save on shipping. Whatever the reason, for 5 days, it continues to draw in excess of 100,000 enthusiasts each year. Englishtown, NJ   Raceway Park- April 27-29 Although E-town, as most call it, has always been shrouded by the 'in your face' New Jersey attitude, this show has mellowed out over the years and is a consistent performer. It is not unreasonable to expect to find even the rarest items at this show. While used motorcycles, bicycles, stereos, ski's, snowboards and even the occasional washer/dryer combination are in full force, many hard to find musclecar parts fill the entire grounds on both the pit and spectator sides. You can always find Bargains at E-Town! If you like garage sales, here's your chance to attend about 1000 garage sales all in one place. On both Saturday and Sunday, take a walk down the full length of the 1/4 mile track for a look at some very nice classics. Musclecars and later model American muscle machines are available for browsing and for sale. Richmond, Va   PY Pontiac's In The Park- May 18th-20th Regional Pontiac Race days have spread like wildfire across the country. None have matched the magnitude of the Norwalk Pontiac Nationals. However, this 3rd Annual event has separated itself from the pack. Its mid May timing is perfect. Its location is within striking distance of Southerners, Mid-westerners and Northeasterners alike. This NHRA approved track has facilities that are 2nd to none and that Southern hospitality is always welcome. The track closes its doors to all but the Pontiacers starting Friday morning. Friday night, after the Pontiacers tune up their cars, a full contingent of Chevys, Fords and Tuner cars can test their luck against some of the baddest Pontiacs in the country. Saturday and Sunday is completely reserved for the Pontiacs with huge prize money at stake. The Friday and Saturday night parking lot parties get bigger every year and allow racers, show car owners and spectators to all reflect on the days events as well as what transpired in the last 5 months, since that's how long it's been since most of these Pontiac owners have gathered together. You need to put this on your list of 'must attend' Pontiac events. PY has a limited amount of Hospitality Suite passes where you can cool off and have a beverage while watching the racing action. Tickets are available for Saturday or Sunday. E-mail to reserve your passes. Specify Saturday or Sunday. Then just show up at the PY Tent to pick up your passes.   PRODUCTS ON THE HORIZON Performance Years   This is simply a list of some items that we are reproducing or a new reproduction we plan to carry.   RPU38K   $399.00/pr   Complete 9" Rear Drum Kit   Now Available   RPC78   $159.00/pr   1966-67 GTO Conv. Well Moldings   Available Soon   RPR105   $69.00/pr   1964 GTO Rear Bumper Splash Shields   Now Available   RPR105A   $69.00/pr   1965 GTO Rear Bumper Splash Shields   Now Available   RPR97   $299.00/pr   1967 GTO Rear Bumper   Due in April or May   RPF68L &   RPF68R   $89.00/ea   1968 GTO Headlight Door Cover   Now Available   RPF71B   $30.00/ea   1971-72 GTO Park Lamp Bezel - Diecast   Now Available   RPC60   $99.00/pr   1964-55 GTO Conv. Chrome Caps   Now Available   EVT42   $65.00/pr   1969 GTO 2.5" Exhaust Tips - stainless   Now In Stock   RPI527   $4.00/ea   1968-72 GTO Headliner Wire Bow Clip   Now Available   RPI527A   $4.00/ea   1968-72 GTO Large Headliner Bow Clip   Now Available   RPI735   $26.00/ea   1969-81 GTO Deflector Vent Assembly   Now In Stock   RPI735A   $19.00/ea   1969-72 GTO Dash Vent Bezel- Narrow Base   Now Available   RPI735B   $19.00/ea   1970-72 GTO Dash Vent Bezel- Wide Base   Now Available   RPI754A   $45.00/ea   1969 GTO Blower Switch -AC   Available Soon   RPI191B   $189.00/kit   1963 (Lemans Only) Door Panels- Black   Available Soon   RPZ252   $19.95/ea   Tempest Fender Cover   Now Available   RPZ255   $19.95/ea   Lemans Fender Cover   Now Available     GFE14F   $19.00/ea   1973-81 FB Rec Cap & white tube   Now Available   GFE14H   $9.00/ea   1980-81 FB Molded Cool Rec Hose   Now Available   GFD72R &   GFD73R   $30.00/ea   1972-79 FB Drip Rail Molding   Now Available   RFI256A   $29.00/ea   1969 FB Center Dash AC Vent   Now Available   RFF24C &   RFF24D   $26.00/ea   1969 FB Park Lamp Filler   Now Available   RFI66 &   RFI66A   $45.00/ea   1968-69 FB Seat Back Latch   Now Available   RFI70 &   RFI70A   $199.95/ea   1967-68 FB Seat Frame Assembly   Now Available   RFI71 &   RFI71A   $199.95/ea   1969 FB Seat Frame Assembly   Now Available   RFF25   Price Drop!!   1969 FB Bumper to Filler Panel   Available Soon   We got word that these are being reproduced in the ORIGINAL RUBBER and the price is expected to drop by 20-25%.
COMING UP in Future Issues The Launch of our Two New "Write-In" sections We expect to have a good Performance question and a good Restoration question to take to the industry leaders. You'll get to hear their positions on each of the questions and most likely a definitive answer will be evident. A new Tech Article of the Month Each Month we will highlight a technical issue that is just chock-full of great information and helpful tips. A new "MOM" Our Member of the Month is always a surprise. Next month’s winner is no exception, so make certain you don’t miss it More Product Specials As always, we will have a bunch of special price breaks on Performance Years Products available to Pontiac Journal Subscribers only. Featured Customer Rides We will continue to award prizes to select PY Customers who have submitted their Rides for our Customer Rides. AND... Any other Pontiac news worthy information, stories, trends and developments that come across our desks.	Credits Publisher Chris Casperson Editor-in-Chief Chris Casperson Production Manager Steve Craig Contributing Writers Chris Casperson Don Keefe Keith MacDonald Scott Rex Technical Editor John Buchta