As my father-in-law used to say...S**T OR GET OFF THE POT!!
Been out of town for the last 2 days with my wife's family....got a lot of windshield time in and haven't slept good the last 2 nights....been thinkin'!!! Here is one person's vision of a BIG GET TOGETHER!! I am offering, please I need some help too!!, to try to get this function off and rolling.
We don't need another event to tie into...we can be a stand alone function all our own!! I don't think it would be too hard to get 100 cars. More on that later.
PREMISE: The first get together of the 348-409 gearheads. All persons with any interest in these engines are welcome. This will be a laid back fuction with show & shine time, racin' and meeting members and hopefully some famous people.
WHERE: Kansas City, MO. Kansas City is geographically located in the center of the country, both north & south and east & west. This would be the fairest place to start with an event like this. It could revolve to some where on the east coast next year and the west coast the year after that. Then back to the midwest. In order to make this first function successful, a central location would hopefully minimize most of the travel time and expenses.
WHEN: In order to catch the best possible weather, I would suggest the 2nd, 3rd or 4th weekends in September. It would still be warm then..maybe even hot, but to wait until October, we would be taking a real chance on inclemenmt weather possibilities. We hopefully don't want to spend all the time necessay to get here and have it rain all weekend.
ACCOMODATIONS: I would contact the Embassy Suites. It is located on I-29 and is only 5 minutes from the airport. It's parking lot is large enough to handle 100+ cars and the trucks and trailers nessary to get them here. That will also provide all the rooms and banquet facilities for the host hotel. The Embassy has held Late Great conventions before and just had the MO State Harley Davidson HOG rally so they are in tune with our needs.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Thursday would be check in and registration day. No scheduled activities....just Meet and Greet...all day and all night!! Friday would be Show & Shine Day. Fill the parking lot and bench race all day. Friday night would be our banquet night. Guests and registered members would have a banquet room at the Embassy with a program of some sorts to follow dinner. Saturday, I would leave open. It would be a combination of more Show & Shine for those that want to and a day at the drag strip for all the others. We have KCIR here in town and I'm assuming they would still be racing in Sept. By leaving this day open, everyone can feel free to do as they please. By having the banquet on Friday night, Saturday evening would be left open for whatever!! KC is famous for it's steaks and restaurants. We're also known for our bar-b-que if that is to your liking. There would possibly be a cruise going on somewhere in town. Also, some members may have to depart on Saturday to be home by Sunday evening. Sunday...nothing on the schedule except exchanging address and phone numbers and saying good-bye!! Being the first event, I have not tried to schedule any"work shops" or formal meetings. It would be my intent to have a low-key 3 days and then we can expand from there next time.
JUDGING: NOT!!!! I can't imagine this group being into judging!! Having the best trailed 62 fullsize or the best detailed engine compartment doesn't seem appropriate!! This is just a get together to have FUN. But I feel all paid participants should go home with a trophy or plaque for their support and attendance. Remember all the posts about trophies several weeks ago?? Something like "Particpant of the 1st annual 349-409 National Convention". Something the great grandchilden can ask...what is this??!!! This should not be competitive judging!!
EXTRA ACTIVITIES: Kansas City has alot to offer. The Plaza was the world's very first shopping district..it's beautiful. I know several of you ride Harleys. The brand new Harley Davidson Assembly Plant is located 5 minutes from the Embassy Suites. They give a plant tour that is something to see!! All Sportster and Dyna models are built here. They ship in the engines & transmissions, tires & seats and build everything else from scratch!! Very impressive. Also have Kansas Speedway, our Nascar track to drive by. Depending on the different schedules, the Kansas City Royals may be playing baseball or The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh from their Super Bowl win next Feb!!!!!!!!!!!, may have a home game that weekend.
MEMBERS & GUESTS: This event would be open to anyone that pays their registration fee. You would not have to be a member of 348-409.com. I bet we will be amazed how many new members sign up before the convention!! Anyone and any vehicle with a 348 or 409 engine would be allowed to display their vehicle in our area. Not to be confusing...if you have a nice 62 SS with a 283......this is not the event to bring your car to!!! Start a small block club if you want to do that!! I have friend here in town building a 32 F*** street rod with a 409. I also got a picture about 2 months ago of a 409 in a TRIKE!! Any guest can register to attend the banquet and functions even if they do not have a car or 348-409 engine, as long as they pay the registration fees.
INVITED GUESTS: Having the privilege of knowing all these people, I would call to invite the following: Hayden Proffitt...nothing more need to be said about what he has accomplished for the 409's and drag racing. Delmer McAfee...he built the replica red 62 bubbletop car of Hayden's. Hayden and the car were together last in 1989 at Dallas Super Chevy in my space. Here would be your chance not only to meet Hayden, but get a picture with him and YOU and the car!!!! Doug Marion..Mr. Chevrolet...has more knowledge of Chevrolet than any one peoson I've ever met. Doug was the original editor of Super Chevy magazine and invented the idea of Super Chey Sunday. Doug can't guarantee coverage in Chevy Rumble but if you are a bettin' man...get ready!! There might be enough material for a 2 or 3 part article!! Tom Jacobson and his Pro-Mod 62 bubbletop. Doesn't have a 409 engine in the pro-mod car but Tom's legacy with 409's is well known. His 62 Biscayne, that he bought from Butch Leal, with the Hayden Proffitt & Assoc. stickers on the doors, is in the NHRA Drag Racing Museum in Pomona. I have a customer who has 3 immaculate Z-11 cars...2 63's and the THE Dickey Harrell 62 with the aluminum front end that is shown in the POST about Dickey Harrell on this site. The 2 63's are the Terry Prince car and the Frank Sanders S&S Headers car. Don't know if all 3 can be here but it's worth a try!! Plus, Donnie Shaffer and his 348 and 409 collection would be invited!! What I would be shooting for with these guests, would be a question and answer session after the Friday evening banquet. Plus they would hopefully be around for the Friday and Saturday sessions for more meet and greet.
COSTS & FEES: Now, for the dirty part of the whole thing. We can't ask these people to give us 4 to 7 days of their life without some type of financial aid. So I am proposing AN ESTIMATED registration fee of $100 per person. That person can bring a car or not...as long as he attends the function and the banquet, he pays the $100. Spouses would be an extra $15 only if they wanted to attend the banquet.
I believe that we can draw 100 cars or "persons". By persons, I would encourage EVERYBODY, that can not take the time to drive, to please fly in and attend. This will only be successful if we have enough attend. Everyone on the coasts, Aubrey and our Canadian friends, truck409 in Delta Junction, Alaska can help make this event successful by their attendance. I am basing the cost of the $100 regristration on 100 paid attendance. I would go to the local Late Great chapter and let them know that all their "qualifing" vehicles would be welcome. I really think that 150 to 200 cars would not be unreasonable.
I have not spoken to any of the people on my list buy I feel comfortable that they would do their best to attend. Having said that, here are some costs associated with the transporation and lodging expenses. Hayden..probably $3000..his wife's health is not good and if he attends, a 24hour a day nurse will have to be provided for the time he is away. Delmer, Doug and Tom will probably run $1000 with either gas and mileage or airline tickets. All should be provided a motel room.
I am estimating the banquet or buffet dinner at $15 per head. I might be all wet on that but it's a start. The trophies for 100 might run $15 a piece also. Adding this all up...I'm at $9000 to put the event on. With 100 paid participants at $100...that's $10,000. There should be some type of Event Insurance and there will be some advertising expense and all types of stuff I don't even know yet. Now if we have a turn out of 200...we'd be in tall cotton. But if we don't ....the costs will still be $10,000. I'm certainly not looking to make a profit on all this, but I can't afford to subsudize it either.
MANDATORY ATTENDANCE: Good ole Bob, our beloved administrator. Bob...a way MUST BE FOUND for you to be here. For 3 reasons....First, without you, we wouldn't even be here today to discuss the idea of a National Convention!! Secondly, it will give you an opportunity to meet personally ALL these internet friends you have had for years!! As well as they getting the chance to meet you!! THAT is important!! Thirdly, you can explain to everyone why in the world, you choose to put a 409 into a 66 Chevelle!!!! Why not a 56 Nash Metropolitian (my choice) or a 62 Impala???!!! You can not NOT BE A PART OF THIS!!
CRIPES!!! My original message is too long!! Gotta go. Will post my final thoughts later tonight
Been out of town for the last 2 days with my wife's family....got a lot of windshield time in and haven't slept good the last 2 nights....been thinkin'!!! Here is one person's vision of a BIG GET TOGETHER!! I am offering, please I need some help too!!, to try to get this function off and rolling.
We don't need another event to tie into...we can be a stand alone function all our own!! I don't think it would be too hard to get 100 cars. More on that later.
PREMISE: The first get together of the 348-409 gearheads. All persons with any interest in these engines are welcome. This will be a laid back fuction with show & shine time, racin' and meeting members and hopefully some famous people.
WHERE: Kansas City, MO. Kansas City is geographically located in the center of the country, both north & south and east & west. This would be the fairest place to start with an event like this. It could revolve to some where on the east coast next year and the west coast the year after that. Then back to the midwest. In order to make this first function successful, a central location would hopefully minimize most of the travel time and expenses.
WHEN: In order to catch the best possible weather, I would suggest the 2nd, 3rd or 4th weekends in September. It would still be warm then..maybe even hot, but to wait until October, we would be taking a real chance on inclemenmt weather possibilities. We hopefully don't want to spend all the time necessay to get here and have it rain all weekend.
ACCOMODATIONS: I would contact the Embassy Suites. It is located on I-29 and is only 5 minutes from the airport. It's parking lot is large enough to handle 100+ cars and the trucks and trailers nessary to get them here. That will also provide all the rooms and banquet facilities for the host hotel. The Embassy has held Late Great conventions before and just had the MO State Harley Davidson HOG rally so they are in tune with our needs.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: Thursday would be check in and registration day. No scheduled activities....just Meet and Greet...all day and all night!! Friday would be Show & Shine Day. Fill the parking lot and bench race all day. Friday night would be our banquet night. Guests and registered members would have a banquet room at the Embassy with a program of some sorts to follow dinner. Saturday, I would leave open. It would be a combination of more Show & Shine for those that want to and a day at the drag strip for all the others. We have KCIR here in town and I'm assuming they would still be racing in Sept. By leaving this day open, everyone can feel free to do as they please. By having the banquet on Friday night, Saturday evening would be left open for whatever!! KC is famous for it's steaks and restaurants. We're also known for our bar-b-que if that is to your liking. There would possibly be a cruise going on somewhere in town. Also, some members may have to depart on Saturday to be home by Sunday evening. Sunday...nothing on the schedule except exchanging address and phone numbers and saying good-bye!! Being the first event, I have not tried to schedule any"work shops" or formal meetings. It would be my intent to have a low-key 3 days and then we can expand from there next time.
JUDGING: NOT!!!! I can't imagine this group being into judging!! Having the best trailed 62 fullsize or the best detailed engine compartment doesn't seem appropriate!! This is just a get together to have FUN. But I feel all paid participants should go home with a trophy or plaque for their support and attendance. Remember all the posts about trophies several weeks ago?? Something like "Particpant of the 1st annual 349-409 National Convention". Something the great grandchilden can ask...what is this??!!! This should not be competitive judging!!
EXTRA ACTIVITIES: Kansas City has alot to offer. The Plaza was the world's very first shopping district..it's beautiful. I know several of you ride Harleys. The brand new Harley Davidson Assembly Plant is located 5 minutes from the Embassy Suites. They give a plant tour that is something to see!! All Sportster and Dyna models are built here. They ship in the engines & transmissions, tires & seats and build everything else from scratch!! Very impressive. Also have Kansas Speedway, our Nascar track to drive by. Depending on the different schedules, the Kansas City Royals may be playing baseball or The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh from their Super Bowl win next Feb!!!!!!!!!!!, may have a home game that weekend.
MEMBERS & GUESTS: This event would be open to anyone that pays their registration fee. You would not have to be a member of 348-409.com. I bet we will be amazed how many new members sign up before the convention!! Anyone and any vehicle with a 348 or 409 engine would be allowed to display their vehicle in our area. Not to be confusing...if you have a nice 62 SS with a 283......this is not the event to bring your car to!!! Start a small block club if you want to do that!! I have friend here in town building a 32 F*** street rod with a 409. I also got a picture about 2 months ago of a 409 in a TRIKE!! Any guest can register to attend the banquet and functions even if they do not have a car or 348-409 engine, as long as they pay the registration fees.
INVITED GUESTS: Having the privilege of knowing all these people, I would call to invite the following: Hayden Proffitt...nothing more need to be said about what he has accomplished for the 409's and drag racing. Delmer McAfee...he built the replica red 62 bubbletop car of Hayden's. Hayden and the car were together last in 1989 at Dallas Super Chevy in my space. Here would be your chance not only to meet Hayden, but get a picture with him and YOU and the car!!!! Doug Marion..Mr. Chevrolet...has more knowledge of Chevrolet than any one peoson I've ever met. Doug was the original editor of Super Chevy magazine and invented the idea of Super Chey Sunday. Doug can't guarantee coverage in Chevy Rumble but if you are a bettin' man...get ready!! There might be enough material for a 2 or 3 part article!! Tom Jacobson and his Pro-Mod 62 bubbletop. Doesn't have a 409 engine in the pro-mod car but Tom's legacy with 409's is well known. His 62 Biscayne, that he bought from Butch Leal, with the Hayden Proffitt & Assoc. stickers on the doors, is in the NHRA Drag Racing Museum in Pomona. I have a customer who has 3 immaculate Z-11 cars...2 63's and the THE Dickey Harrell 62 with the aluminum front end that is shown in the POST about Dickey Harrell on this site. The 2 63's are the Terry Prince car and the Frank Sanders S&S Headers car. Don't know if all 3 can be here but it's worth a try!! Plus, Donnie Shaffer and his 348 and 409 collection would be invited!! What I would be shooting for with these guests, would be a question and answer session after the Friday evening banquet. Plus they would hopefully be around for the Friday and Saturday sessions for more meet and greet.
COSTS & FEES: Now, for the dirty part of the whole thing. We can't ask these people to give us 4 to 7 days of their life without some type of financial aid. So I am proposing AN ESTIMATED registration fee of $100 per person. That person can bring a car or not...as long as he attends the function and the banquet, he pays the $100. Spouses would be an extra $15 only if they wanted to attend the banquet.
I believe that we can draw 100 cars or "persons". By persons, I would encourage EVERYBODY, that can not take the time to drive, to please fly in and attend. This will only be successful if we have enough attend. Everyone on the coasts, Aubrey and our Canadian friends, truck409 in Delta Junction, Alaska can help make this event successful by their attendance. I am basing the cost of the $100 regristration on 100 paid attendance. I would go to the local Late Great chapter and let them know that all their "qualifing" vehicles would be welcome. I really think that 150 to 200 cars would not be unreasonable.
I have not spoken to any of the people on my list buy I feel comfortable that they would do their best to attend. Having said that, here are some costs associated with the transporation and lodging expenses. Hayden..probably $3000..his wife's health is not good and if he attends, a 24hour a day nurse will have to be provided for the time he is away. Delmer, Doug and Tom will probably run $1000 with either gas and mileage or airline tickets. All should be provided a motel room.
I am estimating the banquet or buffet dinner at $15 per head. I might be all wet on that but it's a start. The trophies for 100 might run $15 a piece also. Adding this all up...I'm at $9000 to put the event on. With 100 paid participants at $100...that's $10,000. There should be some type of Event Insurance and there will be some advertising expense and all types of stuff I don't even know yet. Now if we have a turn out of 200...we'd be in tall cotton. But if we don't ....the costs will still be $10,000. I'm certainly not looking to make a profit on all this, but I can't afford to subsudize it either.
MANDATORY ATTENDANCE: Good ole Bob, our beloved administrator. Bob...a way MUST BE FOUND for you to be here. For 3 reasons....First, without you, we wouldn't even be here today to discuss the idea of a National Convention!! Secondly, it will give you an opportunity to meet personally ALL these internet friends you have had for years!! As well as they getting the chance to meet you!! THAT is important!! Thirdly, you can explain to everyone why in the world, you choose to put a 409 into a 66 Chevelle!!!! Why not a 56 Nash Metropolitian (my choice) or a 62 Impala???!!! You can not NOT BE A PART OF THIS!!
CRIPES!!! My original message is too long!! Gotta go. Will post my final thoughts later tonight