Bill Harris photos at March Field                                                      www.ocpanteras.com

May 2008

March Field Museum by Cindy Harris.  March, 22nd was a typically beautiful, sunny southern California Saturday, a perfect day to fire up the Panteras.  Fifteen TPOC members gathered at “The Donut Shop” in Huntington Beach.  Six Panteras and three other vehicles headed south for the romp down the Ortega Highway winding our way east through the Cleveland National Forest.  Despite some road construction, which caused a minor delay, the ride was fast, fun and picturesque.  The recent rain had made the hillsides green and the wildflowers bloom.  Once through the mountains we continued east to the March Air Force Reserve Base Field Museum.  There, two other club members joined us.  The docents had coned off a special area for us to park as a group creating an impromptu Pantera car show for other museum attendees. 

We were treated to a special tour of the museum with its many exhibits and a tram tour of the many aircraft on display outside.  The gentlemen conducting our tours are retired Air Force, Bob Maugher inside and Dick Miller on the tram.  They not only provided the facts and the history of the exhibits, but they shared personal anecdotes of their experiences in the service, some on the very aircraft we were seeing.  We also had the opportunity to ride in a simulator, some took the ride, some weren’t so sure of the promised 2G sensation and chose to just watch.  (ed. Phyllis and I took the ride and the docent won a dollar bet that she would complete the ride.  I was sorely tempted to press the bright red button to end it all but I walked out with an abnormal shade of green on my face.)

The caterers had prepared a delicious lunch in the theatre room just for us.  Period footage of various aircraft stationed at March kept us entertained there.  (ed. Included was Bill Wright’s first airplane, the cold war SAC B47 bomber, not the bi-plane I had envisioned.)  After eating we were free to roam around to more closely study the displays, wander around the field or go in to the hangar to watch the restoration in progress of another vintage military airplane.

While getting the Panteras out on the road for a little exercise is fun all on its own, the March Field Museum, with its tens of thousands of historical artifacts, is a fascinating destination and well worth the drive.

   SR71 Fastest production plane             Viet Nam era fighters                Cindy w/WW II birds

Meeting Site a Hit Mel’s Drive-In in Seal Beach attracted the most interest in the form of attendance and P cars.  And so, we’ll use it as our normal meeting site for the remainder of the year.  Its extensive menu pleases everyone along with the fifties and sixties hot rod theme (to match our age).  Our patio dining under heat lamps allows us a grand view overlooking our cars throughout the evening.  Please join us:  your participation is sorely needed.

Update POCA is the drive that requires your action.  So many of you have neglected to inform Judy of a change in email and street address that it’s time to do so.  If this newsletter has been forwarded to reach you, our files are incorrect.  About one third of the email addresses on file are undeliverable.  Is yours one of them?   Some of you have not listed as an associate in the POCA database.  Rights to vote in our elections are extended to every Associate.  Remember that an Associate need not be a spouse but it is usually wise to offer that right to the one to whom you are married first.  Free prison time is offered to those of you who have two spouses.  Be sure to submit your associate’s name before the jailers reach your door.  Send your current info to: Judy McCartney, Membership Director, 6092 Trinette Ave., Garden Grove, CA  92845, 714 897-6964

Tech Session  was held but only two cars got attention.  Parking became an issue that resulted in the use of my neighbor’s driveway.  Bill Harris is seen cleaning his nails there along with 3 other Panteras.  Mad Dawg apple cake and coffee opened the day and Don the Beachcomber chicken lunch by Phyllis closed it.  Also pictured are the two proud winners of a lay down Pantera radiator.

Reminders:   from rkunishige@hotmail.com.  Please email needed corrections/additions to me.

May 14       TPOC Mtg  7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal Beach 563 431-7951.

Jun 1          HB Concours  Support the children’s library and show your car to everyone.  We usually have 6-9 Panteras on display.  See  www.hbconcors.org.  Hot Rods are shown on Sat. May 31st for pre 75 cars.

Jun 7          Presidents Panteras in the Park A great day of shared fun with SoCal chapters. It will be held in Arcadia

in the park like campus of Our Savior Lutheran Church, located at 512 West Duarte Road.  The event begins at 11:00 and, as always, Foothill will provide the goodies, though you are welcome to bring potluck food items to share with your fellow Pantera affecionados.  Come join your friends from all four SoCal chapters for a pleasant day in the shade, enjoying grilled Italian sausages and burgers, and maybe even playing a game of Bocce.   Contact Rob DOrazio (robpantera@sbcglobal.net).

Jun 7          TPOC Tech Session at Dave Rudderow’s (714 969-1301) to remove his headers and mount 180 degree

headers.  Lunch will be provided. 

Jun 8          LB Swap Meet  at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.

Jun 11         TPOC Mtg  7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal Beach 563 431-7951.

Jun 14         TPOC Swap Meet  at Bud Williams’ garage 9am-2pm 2950 E. Coronado St. Anaheim.  Bring your stuff to sell or bring cash to purchase goodies.  Sandwiches and sodas provided.  See Bud’s complete collection.  It goes well beyond that shown in POCA’s article.

Jul 4-13       Le Mans Tour How’s your French?

Jul 6           LB Swap Meet  at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.

Jul 9           TPOC Mtg  7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal Beach 563 431-7951.

Aug 10       LB Swap Meet  at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.

Aug 13       TPOC Mtg  7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal Beach 563 431-7951.

Aug 15-17   Monterey Concorso Itialiano at Black Horse Golf…check with PI.  Sign up now.  Rooms are limited.

Sep 7          Belmont Shore is an ample opportunity to show our cars to a wider audience and do some of that shopping vital to our wellbeing per my room mate.  Get your form at www.baycityrodders.com.

Sep 10        TPOC Mtg  7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal Beach 563 431-7951.

Sep 14        LB Swap Meet  at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.

Oct 08        TPOC Mtg  7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal Beach 563 431-7951.

Oct 12        LB Swap Meet  at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.

Nov 12       TPOC Mtg  7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal Beach 563 431-7951.

Nov            Willow Springs Open Track  hosted by Jim & Cherie Saxton’s West Coast Racing 626 285-2024 in conjunction with both Pantera and Ferrari clubs give you the chance to take your car on the world famous high speed track.  Street cars abound as the Novice group makes full use of the free instructors to show the best line to take on each corner.  They also advise you on the techniques to gain full control of your car while extracting the most from its features.  Remember that there are four run groups based on your experience and two days packed with free lessons to help understand your car’s limits and at the same time improve your driving skills.  Come out to participate or watch the excitement.  (Cherie prepares a free lunch for TPOC members.)  Be sure to offer a ride to anyone carrying a helmet printed with “Rod”.

Dec            7 or 14 Christmas Party  call Bob Singer 714 960-2323 if you’d like to help.

Dec 27       Gondola Ride  another Bob Singer special.