V-8 Registry Newsletter, Volume 11, Number 3
V-8 Registry Members,
A year ago this week, I sold my V-8 Conversion to John Mar, another member of our group. John lives in Sammamish, WA and has expressed an interest in my Corvair for a number of years. I'm 80 and after much thinking, I came to the realization that it was time to let someone else enjoy the Corvair that I have hauled to conventions, autocrossed and drag raced since 2007. John flew into Louisville, KY and I picked him up at the airport. After driving and looking the car over closely we struck a deal and John prepared to drive my conversion 2500 miles back towards Seattle. I thought it was a bad idea, but John loves to drive as he has done over the years to many Corvair events. He spent a week making the trip with only a few car issues and some ice/snow in Idaho. In Pendleton, ID, John stopped for lunch at the Golden Fountain for some Chinese food. To my surprise I get a phone call from John Blagg, a members from Pendleton. He says 'I see your conversion across the street in a parking lot. Are you here?' I explained that I sold the car and the new owner was driving it home. Is it a small world or not? I suggested that he introduce himself and they had a nice conversation before John Mar completed the final 300 miles towards Seattle.
John Mar recently texted me to advise that he had spent 20 nights in the hospital with a back infection that has caused him severe pain. He explained that the long hospital stay took a toll on his muscles. It looks like the planned updates to my conversion are on hold until John fully recovers. I suggest that everyone keep John and other members with medical issues in our thoughts and prayers. As our group ages, many of us are experiencing some difficulties. Getting old is no fun, but NOT getting old is a lot worse. The V-8 Registry officers wish everyone well as the holiday season approaches. Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas.
GREAT WESTERN FAN BELT TOSS
On Saturday, October 21st nearly 20 of our members met in Palm Springs, CA for GFBT. Mark Spies has been our San Diego Sub-Chapter Coordinator for several years now and we appreciate his efforts to bring our local members together for this annual Corvair event. If you check out our Facebook page you will see some pictures posted by Adam Knoll our Facebook Moderator. If you haven't checked out our Facebook page, here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/v8registry
CONVERSIONS NEEDS A NEW HOME
Here's a great opportunity for one of our members to own a 1965 Toro Conversion at no cost. Lenwood Mangham of Carmel, IN is offering his conversion for free to a good home. If interested call Lenwood at 317-242-9490 to arrange for viewing and pick up. Check out the pictures and history of Lenwood's car by viewing his personal page on the V-8 Registry website. Here's the link - https://www.v8registry.com/lenwood-mangham---carmel-indiana.htm
MEMBERSHIP FOR 2024
I should apologize for the limited number of newsletters this year. Due to a spinal injury in March when I slipped on a step, I haven't felt well enough until recently to do much of anything. This late newsletter is another example of my condition. My health has somewhat improved. Recently some time was spent looking for a new source of V-8 Registry t-shirts. Our supplier for many years has been Chuck Rust who owned Star Silkscreen until recently. Chuck has retired and now we need to find a new source for shirts. Luckily a new vendor was found, but the shirts will look a little different in the future. When our supply of silkscreened shirts from Star Silkscreen is gone, we will be offering shirts from Fully Promoted located in Louisville. They produce shirts by a newer process called DTG (Direct To Garment). They can quickly make one or multiple shirts and handle the mailing. Rick Andersen and I are ready to give up mailing shirts to members. It's a time consuming experience.
So, for 2024 we will not offer a t-shirt in a special color. We have a supply of ASH colored t-shirts that Chuck screened for us before he retired. These will be available from our on-line store until our supply runs out for $25 each. Once we complete our arrangements with Fully Promoted, you will be directed from our on-line store to the Fully Promoted on-line store to place an order for new shirts. Your cost for the shirt plus handling will be about $35.00. We hope to reduce the price, but no guarantees.
For 2024, annual Basic Membership remains at $10. We think that this membership fee is a bargain. If you check the fees charged by other car clubs you will quickly find that many charge $35 or more annually. We ask that you complete the membership form on the V-8 Registry website by December 31, 2023. There is a grace period until March 15, 2024. On that date your membership expires and you no longer will have access to the secure pages on the website and your membership is listed as 'INACTIVE'. We look forward to processing your 2024 membership. Here's the membership renewal link -https://www.v8registry.com/membership-application.html
The password for entering the secure pages of the V-8 Registry website is still silva until March 2024. If you have questions, you can respond to this email or call 502-649-3290.
UPCOMING EVENTS
There are no plans for a 2024 Performance Workshop in March. I've reached out to past organizers and no decision has been made. We'll update you when information is available
It's not to soon to start thinking about the 2024 CORSA Convention in Dayton, OH next July 21-26 at the University of Dayton Marriott Inn. A track event is in the planning for the Kil-Kare Raceway. More details will be coming.
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
As most of you know, the V-8 Registry, with the help of multiple members, put together an installation guide for Corvair owners interested in EPS (Electric Power Steering) in 2019. The guide was posted on the website and can be found by clicking this link: https://www.v8registry.com/electric-power-steering.html
You can also find the guide by signing onto the V-8 Registry website and using the SEARCH feature at the top of the HOME page. Click in SEARCH and enter the letters EPS. You will be directed to the installation guide.
We know that Mark Allen, Paul Beck, Guy Desjardins and Ethan Schoonover have installed EPS on their Vairs. I'd like to hear from other members who have upgraded their Corvairs to EPS. Send me an email with your opinion on the installation and performance of your EPS.
ART SILVA'S CONVERSION
Many of you are aware that Art Silva produced Corvair conversion kits in the late 60's. His kit featured a Buick/Olds 215 Aluminum V-8 installed in the Corvair engine compartment. His kits lost favor when Ted Trevor introduced the Crown kit about the same time. After considerable investigation over the past five years and the assistance from several of his friends, Art's original Shop Car has been located. One of Art's associates named Alex Haber has the first Silva conversion. The Corvair isn't in great shape, but it's a survivor and fairly complete. Some discussion has started about donating the Silva Conversion to the Corvair Museum. More details will be offered as plans develop.
Until the next time, GO FAST, BUT STAY SAFE.
John, President
502-649-3290 (KY)
V-8 Registry Members,
A year ago this week, I sold my V-8 Conversion to John Mar, another member of our group. John lives in Sammamish, WA and has expressed an interest in my Corvair for a number of years. I'm 80 and after much thinking, I came to the realization that it was time to let someone else enjoy the Corvair that I have hauled to conventions, autocrossed and drag raced since 2007. John flew into Louisville, KY and I picked him up at the airport. After driving and looking the car over closely we struck a deal and John prepared to drive my conversion 2500 miles back towards Seattle. I thought it was a bad idea, but John loves to drive as he has done over the years to many Corvair events. He spent a week making the trip with only a few car issues and some ice/snow in Idaho. In Pendleton, ID, John stopped for lunch at the Golden Fountain for some Chinese food. To my surprise I get a phone call from John Blagg, a members from Pendleton. He says 'I see your conversion across the street in a parking lot. Are you here?' I explained that I sold the car and the new owner was driving it home. Is it a small world or not? I suggested that he introduce himself and they had a nice conversation before John Mar completed the final 300 miles towards Seattle.
John Mar recently texted me to advise that he had spent 20 nights in the hospital with a back infection that has caused him severe pain. He explained that the long hospital stay took a toll on his muscles. It looks like the planned updates to my conversion are on hold until John fully recovers. I suggest that everyone keep John and other members with medical issues in our thoughts and prayers. As our group ages, many of us are experiencing some difficulties. Getting old is no fun, but NOT getting old is a lot worse. The V-8 Registry officers wish everyone well as the holiday season approaches. Best wishes for a Happy Thanksgiving and a Merry Christmas.
GREAT WESTERN FAN BELT TOSS
On Saturday, October 21st nearly 20 of our members met in Palm Springs, CA for GFBT. Mark Spies has been our San Diego Sub-Chapter Coordinator for several years now and we appreciate his efforts to bring our local members together for this annual Corvair event. If you check out our Facebook page you will see some pictures posted by Adam Knoll our Facebook Moderator. If you haven't checked out our Facebook page, here's the link: https://www.facebook.com/v8registry
CONVERSIONS NEEDS A NEW HOME
Here's a great opportunity for one of our members to own a 1965 Toro Conversion at no cost. Lenwood Mangham of Carmel, IN is offering his conversion for free to a good home. If interested call Lenwood at 317-242-9490 to arrange for viewing and pick up. Check out the pictures and history of Lenwood's car by viewing his personal page on the V-8 Registry website. Here's the link - https://www.v8registry.com/lenwood-mangham---carmel-indiana.htm
MEMBERSHIP FOR 2024
I should apologize for the limited number of newsletters this year. Due to a spinal injury in March when I slipped on a step, I haven't felt well enough until recently to do much of anything. This late newsletter is another example of my condition. My health has somewhat improved. Recently some time was spent looking for a new source of V-8 Registry t-shirts. Our supplier for many years has been Chuck Rust who owned Star Silkscreen until recently. Chuck has retired and now we need to find a new source for shirts. Luckily a new vendor was found, but the shirts will look a little different in the future. When our supply of silkscreened shirts from Star Silkscreen is gone, we will be offering shirts from Fully Promoted located in Louisville. They produce shirts by a newer process called DTG (Direct To Garment). They can quickly make one or multiple shirts and handle the mailing. Rick Andersen and I are ready to give up mailing shirts to members. It's a time consuming experience.
So, for 2024 we will not offer a t-shirt in a special color. We have a supply of ASH colored t-shirts that Chuck screened for us before he retired. These will be available from our on-line store until our supply runs out for $25 each. Once we complete our arrangements with Fully Promoted, you will be directed from our on-line store to the Fully Promoted on-line store to place an order for new shirts. Your cost for the shirt plus handling will be about $35.00. We hope to reduce the price, but no guarantees.
For 2024, annual Basic Membership remains at $10. We think that this membership fee is a bargain. If you check the fees charged by other car clubs you will quickly find that many charge $35 or more annually. We ask that you complete the membership form on the V-8 Registry website by December 31, 2023. There is a grace period until March 15, 2024. On that date your membership expires and you no longer will have access to the secure pages on the website and your membership is listed as 'INACTIVE'. We look forward to processing your 2024 membership. Here's the membership renewal link -https://www.v8registry.com/membership-application.html
The password for entering the secure pages of the V-8 Registry website is still silva until March 2024. If you have questions, you can respond to this email or call 502-649-3290.
UPCOMING EVENTS
There are no plans for a 2024 Performance Workshop in March. I've reached out to past organizers and no decision has been made. We'll update you when information is available
It's not to soon to start thinking about the 2024 CORSA Convention in Dayton, OH next July 21-26 at the University of Dayton Marriott Inn. A track event is in the planning for the Kil-Kare Raceway. More details will be coming.
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING
As most of you know, the V-8 Registry, with the help of multiple members, put together an installation guide for Corvair owners interested in EPS (Electric Power Steering) in 2019. The guide was posted on the website and can be found by clicking this link: https://www.v8registry.com/electric-power-steering.html
You can also find the guide by signing onto the V-8 Registry website and using the SEARCH feature at the top of the HOME page. Click in SEARCH and enter the letters EPS. You will be directed to the installation guide.
We know that Mark Allen, Paul Beck, Guy Desjardins and Ethan Schoonover have installed EPS on their Vairs. I'd like to hear from other members who have upgraded their Corvairs to EPS. Send me an email with your opinion on the installation and performance of your EPS.
ART SILVA'S CONVERSION
Many of you are aware that Art Silva produced Corvair conversion kits in the late 60's. His kit featured a Buick/Olds 215 Aluminum V-8 installed in the Corvair engine compartment. His kits lost favor when Ted Trevor introduced the Crown kit about the same time. After considerable investigation over the past five years and the assistance from several of his friends, Art's original Shop Car has been located. One of Art's associates named Alex Haber has the first Silva conversion. The Corvair isn't in great shape, but it's a survivor and fairly complete. Some discussion has started about donating the Silva Conversion to the Corvair Museum. More details will be offered as plans develop.
Until the next time, GO FAST, BUT STAY SAFE.
John, President
502-649-3290 (KY)
