[Steve Barcak]

Thanks overuld- thanks for the compliment. This is fun to do for sure. I wish I could go through the southern areas on this trip but, I have already overextended myself so much, it is not funny. I will plan a trip your way sometime again though. I say 'again' because on my great road trip of Oct '93 in my '70 455 GTO ht, I did go through the south... and the entire east coast too. From Maine down all the way to Key West. I even got a picture of me with my '70 at the key West marker. Then we took I-10 across the south to get back to Az.

Today was another great day. I ended up staying in Michigan after having dinner with Barry Kluczyk and family last night. He is the Editor of Pontiac Enthusiast magazine in case you didn't recognize his name. Barry had recommended me visit the Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum. I am very glad I did so!
I also had the great pleasure of meeting fellow PY member 70ra455 (Phil DiLernia) today. Phil bought me a nice lunch and then we both visited this very cool museum. It even had a '74 GTO inside! I found out that Phil is a man of God and I am a believer too so though we both share the car hobby in general and Pontiacs and GTOs in particular, we both realize that our faith in the Lord is first.
Here are some pics. If anyone has interest in this museum, here is their web site- www.ypsiautoheritage.org

I now plan to head towards Indiana.
It was a pleasure to meet you uand become friends Phil. We have more in common than we realized. And thanks to Performance years for this fine message board too!

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"

[TheMonkey]

STEVE BARCAK FOR PRESIDENT !

[70ra455]

Steve ... great meeting you too!! BTW, the pictures didn't show up on here?? I'll post what I got ...

[Steve Barcak]

Here are the pics from today with 70ra455

Gosh, it took a tedious 5 hours to get these pics on here. my old laptop is about shot.

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"

[70ra455]

Hey ... look at me with the '74!!! I liked it. All original paint, etc. Condition #2 - #3. With new paint it would be a solid #2. Auto .. non-hatch car. Great shape, beautiful Green (what is that color) it looks like Pepper Green from '70.

[70ra455]

BTW, Steve said I have the honor of being the first GTO to meet him on his 8,000 miles to date trip!!!

[Steve Barcak]

Here are somee great pics from western Virginia. Even Yogi is there!

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org


"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"

[Steve Barcak]

and here are some from West Virginia hwy 60. I ended up liking hwy 60 in West Virginia better than the day prior drive in Shenandoah park. The park is over 100 miles long at 35 mph with few places to eat, etc
By contrast, Hwy 60 is just as pretty, has ice cream places, old cars, old gas stations, more places to eat, higher speed limits plus it was free. The park clips you $15 to use 'their' road. I also learned that eminent domain was used to kick out familes who settled there legally so the park could be. That is not right. It put a sour taste in my mouth.
I'll take hwy 60 in WV over Shenandoah if I was only doing one.

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"

[Steve Barcak]

This past Saturday would be the third and last time to Ohio on this trip. The other times the leaves were not changed much. This time, the fall colors were in high gear.

Take a look at Ohio last Sat, Sun and Monday.

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only.......no corporate nonsense!"

[Steve Barcak]

On sat in Ohio, I visited the Neil Armstrong museum in Wapekeneta. He is one of my heros and I always wanted to visit there. It was worth the drive.

Sat eve I was driving through Marysville, Oh when I saw a car show at the Burger King. I found a motel, checked in, dropped off my trailer and then entered in the show. People noticed my trailer hitch. I told them it was " a chebbie mans best friend", and explained that it came in handy when my chevy friends broke down and would need a tow home. I would save them money instead of calling a wrecker. Everyone was nice and my car got a lot of attention though no one seemed to really understand what they were looking at. I ended up winning an award and that made me feel reeal good. There are some nice car people there in Marysville.

Sunday I attended Sunday school and then church by invitation from Py member Sirrotica ( Brad Yost ). Then we went out for a nice lunch and Pontiac rap session. Sunday eve I visited family in Columbus.
Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"

[Steve Barcak]

On Monday I visited KRE racing in Glenmont. The Kauffmans were very nice to me and showed me their equipment and some of their specialized protoype parts for the Pontiac V-8. Things like billet cylinder blocks and canted valve billet heads. I did get them to pose with me in front of their lastest ( known ) head set up. Thanks for the tour and for lunch guys. You have to have some of the trickest, wildest Pontiac stuff around!
After that, I calmed down awhile and then started to head to Michigan...

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"

[Steve Barcak]

I have already covered Mon, Tues and Wed. on Thurs, I met PY member Tin Injun Tom. We then visited the New Yorkk central rail museum in Eelkhart.
In the afternoon, I visited the Grissom air and space museum. For those who do not know, Gus Grissom was the 2nd US astronaut in space. He also was burned to death on a practice launch for Apollo 1 in 1967.
In the evening, I had the pleasure to meet yet another PY member and his family, Mike Nixon. Thanks for the nice meal Mike, It was such a pleasure to meet and talk with you!

Tthat was a full day.

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only...no corporate nonsense!"

[Steve Barcak]

Whew! that was a lot of work! selecting pics, resizinig them, writing and putting this stuff down. About 3 hours worth. I hope it is enjoyed.
I think I am now finally caught up on this thread. As of today, Friday, I am starting my 6th week on the road with my '72 4555HO WW5 GTO.
Am I tired of driving it? NOPE!
Do I want to go home? kinda'
Every day with the WW5 is a blessing. These are really great cars. Pontiac did a hellova job building fine automobiles when they had REAL Pontiac motors in them. I don't care if it is a 350, 400, 455 or whatever, Pontiac just built some outstanding machinery. I was never old enough to get a new one but, I have more than made up for that. I have over a lifetime of great Pontiacs to enjoy.
Take that Poncho out this weekend for spin and have some fun with it!

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"

[Lloyd-TX]

It is most definitely an interesting thread, Steve.

Mucho thanks for the story, and of course the photos.

I'm gonna TRY and come see YOU soon, but in any case - next time you're on a more southern trek, let's hook up!

[Sirrotica]

I invited Steve to attend our church with us last Sunday knowing he is a fellow Christian. I know this, as last Spring we had attended his Pontiac Heaven Drag race and show(selling our T Shirts there). Steve had a church service at the dragstrip, and he attended it also. I don't know of many race and show promoters that would attend church on the morning of a race and car show. The event is a huge undertaking in itself and it shows how commited he is. My wife and I sat and talked Pontiacs over lunch and almost til suppertime. I learned a few things I didn't know bout Pontiacs and I think I might even have told Steve a few things he wasn't aware of. I am blessed to have a wife that loves the Pontiac hobby as much as I do and I will look forward to the next time our paths cross with Steve. Thanks Steve for the wonderful day we shared with the Lord, you and the GTO.

[Tin Injun Tom]

I second what Sirrotica said.
I wasn't aware of this thread as I don't usually look in the 70-72 GTO section.
This is a great ongoing story of new friendships being made, and I am greatful for having the oppertunity to meet Steve, and for him to make that extra effort to meet me, and others along his way.

That is an awsome picture of the B-58 Hustler, Steve. I had also seen the one of that wall display on the thread in the LOBBY. Very cool.
I am impressed with how much work you are getting done just posting all these cool pictures and keeping a diary of sorts, for us to follow.

Hope you can get the oil changed, with the help of another member. I can relate. I've always changed my own oil since I owned my first car, and I couldn't imagine letting a Jiffylube place do it.

[70ra455]

Hi Steve:

Just to let you know I tried a few emails to you (thank yous for the day we had together etc.) and they kept bouncing back to me! Hmmmm ... I'm not sure what's wrong.

[Steve Barcak]

Thanks for the info Phil. I think there was something wrong with my server. It seems to be working now.
I have had nothing short of a wonderful time here in Indiana. The people have been just great. There are so many GTOs and lemans' in the Batesville area it is hard to see them all. I'll be posting some pics soon.
for now, I am headed into southern IL and plan to be in Missourri tommorrow.

'til later,

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"

[Steve Barcak]

Hello all,
I have made it to Missourri and have now traveled 9,000 miles in 38 days.

1st picture is of Jerry Eckerly and his Atoll blue '70 conv. This car is flawless and Jerry is the original owner too!
2nd picture is me and the WW5 at Fast Automotive in Batesville, IN. If you are anywhere near here, you owe it to yourself to meet Paul and all the dozens of REAL Pontiac fans.,Pauls shop handles all kinds of work on your vintage Pontiac from small things to a rotiserrie resto! There is even a Ram Air IV Judge being restored there. Quite the place and people to get to know!
3rd picture is at the Grissom memorial at his home town of Mitchell, IN
4th picture shows there is still some pretty color in Indiana.

I left Indiana with a really good feeling! I had met and made many new friends, seen some great cars and museums too!

Hats off to all the fine people I met and things I saw in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and the Virginias too!

Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org

"Real Pontiacs only...no corporate nonsense!"

[Steve Barcak]

Hi all,
it has now been 6 weeks, as of today, on the road with my '72 WW5 455HO GTO. Miles driven so far is about 9,300. I am in central Missouri now and headed to Kansas for this evening.

I'm now having issues with my lap top and am using a public libray computer to type this.
I'll keep taking pics and but, may not be able to report until I get home in about a week. I've met many Pontiac people here in Missouri and have enjoyed the time and took many pics.
If anyone wishes to contact me, phone will be best. my number is 480-899-7873

thanks and 'til next time,
Steve Barcak www.pontiacheaven.org
"Real Pontiacs only....no corporate nonsense!"