Volume 4 Issue 1 January 2004
All about the people . . . and the car
that brings us together
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DMC Email Contacts: Mary Diamond, Membership |
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Delta's February Birthday Folk How Does YOUR Color Rank in DMC? Delta’s Anniversary Luncheon & Run The Peterson Automobile Museum
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Click here to go to our Delta Miata Club web homepage
We held our first 2004 General Meeting/Luncheon at Pee Wee Muldoon’s in Brentwood, followed by our Anniversary Run along Morgan Territory Road on Saturday, January 17, 2004. Graeme Kinsey led the run up to the Morgan Territory Preserve where a number of us went on a short hike up the hill. The fog and low overcast didn’t spoil our top-down all the way fun.
At our meeting we went over a tentative schedule of runs. There is a definite feel of positive interdependence in this group as different people elected to help in the runs and events. Connie and Gaylon Kellner are working on a Niles run. Larry Meek is considering a run up to a casino in the foothills and also looking into a new logo and apparel for our club. Gwen Cotter is working on a run to the Ryde Hotel, which was a 1930s hotel that is still decorated in that era’s art deco. Cathy Spooner volunteered to do her Delta Ferry and Jackson run. Diana and Larry Vanvekoven volunteered to work on the Holiday Party in December and are looking into Wimpy’s as a lunch spot for Larry and Barbara’s Delta Loop Poker Run. “Run Graeme” is putting together two runs, one to Mt. Diablo and one to Angel Island (do Miatas float?). Ken and Michele Freeze offered to help with Tech Advising. Check the calendar for more details as they develop. Thanks to everybody.
Larry Mensch
(Note:
for more pictures of the event, click here)
DMC Members
Celebrating Birthdays In February 2004
Thanks to all those who have renewed for the upcoming year. Those who have not sent their checks in by now have been removed from our roster, but we want you back! Please contact our membership director to arrange reinstatement.
DMC membership currently includes 29 active memberships and 44 members.
********The windshield flyers can be downloaded from the website**************
--- Mary Diamond
What Colors
Are Our DMC Miatae?
We all know that color is a very personal thing, and we’re fortunate that our Miatae come in a variety of colors. What’s the distribution in Delta Miata Club? For an answer to this colorful question, I checked our records. Here is what you members yourselves reported on your applications:
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Color |
Quantity in DMC |
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Black |
1 |
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British Racing Green |
1 |
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Sunburst Yellow |
3 |
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Evolution Orange |
1 |
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Classic Red |
6 |
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Silverstone |
2 |
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Cranberry |
1 |
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Crystal White |
2 |
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Emerald Mica |
3 |
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Green |
1 |
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Midnight Blue Mica |
1 |
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Montego Blue |
3 |
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Pure White |
2 |
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Red |
1 |
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Silver |
3 |
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Starlight |
1 |
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Sunlight Silver |
1 |
Hmmm. . . . do I see some
“Personalization” in a couple of those color names? And is that a “plain” black and a “plain” red? Guys, we gotta talk!
Next month: How Many Miles? Please email
me the mileage on your current Miata.
Include its color, name (if known), year, model, transmission type,
whether original owner, and anything else you think might be of interest. Indicate whether it’s been rebuilt or any
other special significant work you’ve had done to prolong its life (3rd
clutch, rebuilt engine, 3 sets of brakes, etc.) If I get enough responses, I’ll report on it and let you know how
long our Miatae last. Special
bonus: I may include reports from other
clubs!
Graeme
This was the third Delta Miata Club Anniversary Luncheon I’ve attended and I must say I think it was the most fun of all of them! Our Club has evolved into a friendly tightly knit group of folk who enjoy a good time. Due to our small size we’re all getting to know each other and there are lots of smiles with the miles we enjoy in our cars and at our dining tables. The luncheon was Larry’s first member-attended event and he stepped into his role with a combination of school principal leadership experience and an open mind for new ideas from the group. Pee Wee Muldoon’s server brought good humor to the event and we all felt well taken care of.
After a good meal we gathered in the cool outside area and considered our next move. Some had to leave for other activities, but a hard core eight Miatae got ready to cruise on our now traditional Morgan Territory Road Run. We discussed an alternative Delta Levee run (possible candidate next year) but decided with the bad weather we’d had recently it wasn’t a good option this time as we hadn’t had a chance to pre-qualify the road conditions. Suddenly, down went the tops! Gray skies notwithstanding, a surprising number of folk dropped their tops and cranked up their heaters. Then, with me in the lead and Ken & Michelle acting as sweep, off we went.
The mode was cruisin’, not racing, and we enjoyed a scenic run along Marsh Creek Road then up Morgan Territory Road. This mostly one lane road kept me on my toes as the lead, for we did encounter some oncoming traffic (see pictures), which were very courteous for the most part. A hike at Morgan Territory Preserve warmed us up further but our view was limited so we trekked back to our cars and a photo shoot, then quickly jumped into our cars, turned the heaters on (getting a message here?) and headed down the other side of the mountain.
As we returned to civilization, some folk veered off toward Danville/Walnut Creek to do some shopping and some continued on with the group. A couple others left as we hit Vasco Road, and by the time we arrived on Marsh Creek for the trip home there were a stalwart three cars left. My two following cars turned off onto Deer Valley Road toward Antioch and I was left on my own to enjoy for the second time that day, the marvelous twists and curves of Marsh Creek Road as I went home to Concord.
A good day!
Graeme Kinsey
The Peterson Automotive Museum
Larry Meek
After thinking about the grand time we had at Blackhawk, I thought I would write a small article about my favorite car museum. The Peterson Automotive Museum is located at 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90036. It is located in the heart of Museum Row. There are several other museums nearby, hence the name.
They have a large garage, which is all-day parking. You can enjoy the Peterson, then go view the Museum of Tolerance, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the La Brea Tar Pits, and find a good lunch at Callendar's on Wilshire (an upscale Marie Callendar's).
I went for a special exhibit of Rolls-Royce automobiles, showcasing the earliest models to the recently released Phantom. The current exhibit is SPEED, THE WORLD'S FASTEST CARS. Check out the museum's schedule at www.peterson.org
One reason I love the Peterson is the ground floor Street Scene. It displays early development of the California car culture and shows how Los Angeles was built around the automobile. There are many enjoyable pictures of the early LA freeways - with 2 or 3 cars on them! There is an exhibit of customized cars, the lead sleds. One wacky little corner shows personalized cars - more enthusiasm than taste! The final exhibit is car development. I love the Chrysler Turbine car from the 60s. Memories from High School!
The second floor has a Shelby section, the World of Matchbox Cars, and a gallery of celebrity cars. The Batmobile is there. The General Lee from the Dukes of Hazard used to be there but wasn't there on my last visit.
I highly recommend taking the time to visit the Peterson the next time you're visiting in Los Angeles. If anyone is interested in making a weekend trip sometime, let's talk. I would suggest we take bigger cars than our beloved Miatas and go as a group. Think about it!
Larry Meek
We’ve made some additions to our website. We have photos for last year’s events and also our anniversary party of a couple of weeks back – if you have some photos to add, please send them to me – check the photo section for guidelines. Also, our links have been updated and you’ll see the link at the bottom of the main page is easier to find, to sign up for DMC News – sign up for that so that you can receive casual emails from other DMC members regarding independent runs, engine questions, etc. Also, we’ve got a link now for “Ask, don’t wonder!” for our tech support folk, Ken & Michelle Freeze. Check it out!
Graeme Kinsey
Hey everyone –
just to let you know, we will publish certain articles at a members request
even if it is not related to club events or news. These articles can be either items for sale (generally Miata
related) or they can be for other important events. If you, as a Club member, wish something published, please send
it to the newsletter editor.
Miata Calendars!
I have bought two nice Miata calendars that have pictures of California events. One is from Zack at SOCALM and one from Tom Wood at Miatafun.net. Both have great pictures! The SOCALM was a sellout but the Miatafun.net calendars are still available click here for Miatafun calendar info