Classic Cars, Tech Center News, October 16, 2000

RECENT ARTICLE - CLASSIC CARS

TOP HAT JOHN-CLASSIC CARS COLUMN - Tech Center News, October 16, 2000

CARS, cars, cars. Gotta love ‘em all, but without car people who knows what we would or could have-today though its the development and application of electronic technology to the mechanics of the automobile that is taking center stage. And it takes highly educated and performance oriented car people to do that. One Frank Antonucci, a Warren Mott teacher, was the recipient of the Winning Futures Teacher of the Year Award - its just this kind of dedication from a teacher in the professional sector that keeps us old car, new car, engineering and automotive types having virtually all the entertainment that we get … from the automobile.

Mr. Antonucci was formerly the body shop instructor at Sterling Heights Career Prep Center and has been very instrumental in helping young men-and women-into the automotive sector/field in the past 18 years. Unfortunately injured a few years back in an auto accident, Frank Antunucci is back full time and again giving 100% of himself, helping students on their way to becoming successful and productive young Americans. Winning Futures is an incentive program sponsored by Hamilton Chevrolet, local area businesses and individuals to help progressive students and faculty attain their highest capabilities. It is always a pleasure to watch success. I have a father who gave me the introduction, the basics and love for the automobile and started out my collection of auto literature some 50 years ago that has virtually become a library. At 86 the ‘old geezer’ is still taunting Mustangs with his ‘tweaked’ LT1 powered Buick Roadmaster. Other members of my family have become successful due to teachers interest.

The local heavy metal band, JENDZA, is part of the family and opened for Alice Cooper at the recent Michigan State Fair, played the State Theater, have multiple recordings on the market and, are on their way to, hopefully, a successful career. And if you read the National Geographic, the September issue had a feature story on The Unbeatable Body and how the body does what it does-so very well with training. Jason Wennings story as a Paralympic Athlete is showcased beginning on page 30 with pictures on pages 32-33. Jason, another family member, resides in Ann Arbor, Michigan and was born with multiple birth defects causing doctors to amputate his deformed feet in childhood and leaving him with stumps. But that didn't stop this boy as he holds world records for swimming and will be in Sydney, Australia from October 18-29 to compete and maybe bring some medals back for the USA in Paralympic Games. Jason's family lives in Missouri where moms a school teacher and dad, a retired Army Lt. Colonel- is Program Director of the Missouri Research and Education Network. Teachers and moms and dads… they can bring out the best in you … if you just listen to ‘em. There is nothing in this world that perseveres more than greatness or excellence. THJ 2000.

SEEMS like big things are happening in the automotive world that will affect all segments. The internet has affected old cars in what I would reference as a positive manner, as parts, components and whole cars are offered for sale at given prices or bid prices. I have heard of parts and pieces that previously did not sell-stored for years-then put on the net and … gone. And folks telling me the selling price was way more then expected. At an Automotive Press Association-APA-luncheon, Harold G. Wells-who owns General Motors and Chrysler retail stores in Whiteville, N.C., and is the Chairman of the NADA, National Automobile Dealers Association-states that the new car dealer network is here to stay and will be on the internet selling cars. Mr. Wells who is a graduate of GMI, has been in the new car business for 45 years and has just recently hired a young lady full time to handle internet sales. At a previous APA luncheon, J.T.Battenberg III, Chairman, CEO and president of Delphi Automotive Systems, talked of flying cars. Admitting he dreamed of flying cars as a child, today's cars and those of tomorrow may not fly but will have electronics capable of performing just about everything that you can now do from your home. If your car does not perform well or stops running-just dial up your server and get it fixed … right now. I can imagine this scenario "Hello, Delphi? My muffler bearing is quadrilating and making noise causing the vehicle to stop". At which time the voice on the in car cell phone responds, "Please push control alternate A on the in

dash key board and be on your way again, thank you". Its called ‘smart highways’ and it is coming. The future is now, just as it always has been, its just coming a little quicker than it has been in the past …3,000 years. All this hopefully tells me that the interest in what is old will live. Deduced logic says that if you know where you came from, you can probably figure where your going, so, old cars just might have a place … for a while.