The ballots are in and have been counted. All nominees got overwhelming support (no no votes, only 1 write-in) and are now on the job. All but one of the bylaw amendments passed and it looks like the Blitz will become a quarterly now and no fear, quality and page count (45 page average) will not drop. That will certainly help with costs (full-color costs more) plus it will give me (Mike, editor) more time to put together original articles and to work with people submitting their articles. As an example of the more-time-for-research part of this, I am going through each issue back to 1985 and reviewing the membership reports so that we can get a better handle on this. We had never recorded when people joined and that's what I am looking for. One question I hope to answer are about how long people tend to be members, and another, how long have our current members been with us. Surprising answer so far, it looks like just shy of 25% of current members have been with us for 5 years of less. (Total membership is 154 and inching up.)
Other stories that are developing, Gary Murph's race car, Charles Goin's wiring article (part 3), a report from the 2014 Opel Nationals, my nutty design of a variable cam timing gizmo for the Opel, a report from Rob on his first LeMons race and his first race in an Opel GT, the Tinyvette's tiny role in getting a Guinness World Record, a How-To on how to apply for and get a Guinness World Record, and hopefully a story from AZ about a very nice Manta.
CURRENT
'71 Opel Kadett 4 Door 36D (2.0 L w/ EFI & Auto) - "Mary Ann"
'92 Senator B - "Professor"
'74 Opel Manta - "Barbara"
'72 Opel GT - "Red Baron"
In the past owned:
'04, '05, '06 Pontiac GTO
2 Bitters (#491/#439)
'73 Commodore GS
ATLAS ( 74 Manta w/ 2.8L LK5 )
& many many other Opels and a even few GTs
It is a national magazine!
I figured making the Blitz look good, contain articles with genuine content, etc. was what it would take to put a little spark back into OMC and in the process maybe do the wider Opel community some good. too. Now if Opel would just take notice and start writing me a paycheck now and then.
Seriously though, I wanted this to be something people would be proud to be in, would want to show friends, would want to keep, would want to be in. I think we may be turning the corner now, with more articles coming in for each issue, potentially squeezing out my Tinyvette stories.
Mike
The Blitz is quarterly now. I'll be keeping the page count (averaging 45 per issue) at the same level as when it was bi-monthly and content will continue to be original with an occasional reprint of a classic article.
The next issue is nearly done. I'm waiting to get a few revisions back, a call back from Crower Cams, details about the Opel Nationals, and a few other items, including the cover photo. Does anyone have a drop-dead gorgeous photo of their car to contribute for this?
The ballot and survey results are in and this will be discussed in the upcoming issue. Charles Goin's article on rewiring a GT, the third in a series, is in it. Yes there is some Tinyvette, but believe it or not I've been restraining myself. I'm still hoping to get a short article from the new LeMons Opel GT team. They owe me, or so I tell them.
The table of contents of the current draft is attached.
Mike
I doubt these photos are good enough, but here are my favorite photos of mine.
ImageUploadedByAG Free1425148648.065461.jpgImageUploadedByAG Free1425148766.038921.jpgImageUploadedByAG Free1425149033.132866.jpgImageUploadedByAG Free1425149112.447893.jpg
"Mira," 1970 Opel GT Working ARA AC, European 2.0L and Midikit
"Kara," 1972 Opel GT Targa, Welded Doors, Rhinolined, 40 DCOE SSD, Working GM AC
The first one is interesting. It sort of says "Go west young man/woman/ocelot".
The second would do nicely for a "Centerfold" article if you should ever be so inclined.
Send me the original of the first photo, full res, and I'll try it out. My email etc are in the back of the Blitz.
We have a cover. Thanks.
I still need to rummage up a back cover, more difficult because I have to crop it taller than wide.
The Photo Opels section is available to anyone with a glorious photos, Opel-related.
You are always welcome to use any photos I've taken. All I ask is for photo credit if you do. If you click on my "Flickr" link in my signature you'll find a little over 8000 pics there.
The ones in the "other Opels" album are not necessarily my pics. Most of those are internet finds.
My Flickr photos.
C.R.L. 9/22/69 - 12/8/99, J.M.L. 3/3/43 - 6/15/04, D.M.L. 9/19/50 - 6/23/10, E.G. Sauer 2/26/66 - 2/18/10
'70 GT 'Bonnie', '71 Ascona 4-dr turbo - winter beater, '71 Ascona 4-dr 'Turd' - rallycar, '72 Ascona wagon - 'Red', '72 Manta - caged street car, '74 Manta Luxus - factory sunroof, '74 Manta ITB racecar, '75 Manta - racecar
I may be a little biased, but I think that may be the coolest front cover ever!
"Mira," 1970 Opel GT Working ARA AC, European 2.0L and Midikit
"Kara," 1972 Opel GT Targa, Welded Doors, Rhinolined, 40 DCOE SSD, Working GM AC
Sometimes, bias is a virtue. Or something.
The back cover (below). The photo is from today's work on the Tinyvette's engine.
This issue is getting held up a bit. Details of the OMC Anniversary/Nationals are still being worked out, some edits have not come back yet, and the survey results are still trickling in. But, soon.
My computer was down for several weeks. Wanted to make sure that i did not miss the January - March 2015 OMC Blitz.
Search of my email doesn't show any notice. Last OMC email was December 2014 for the ballots.
It's done except for the final read through, which I am half done doing. It should go out this evening.
The Blitz is quarterly now.
I don't think I posted them here yet, they are in this issue, but in case you can't wait the results are:
51 of 154 ballots were received.
President: Paul Kaman (47 Votes)
VP/Secretary: Matt Newman (47 Votes)
Treasurer: Dick Counsil (46 Votes)
Activities: Gil Wesson (49 Votes)
Editor: Mike Meier (46 Votes), Dave Alten (1 Write-in Vote)
Webmaster: Richard Kavadas (45 Votes)
Amendment 1: 40 Yes / 7 No PASSED Quarterly publication of the Blitz
Amendment 2: 28 Yes / 17 No Failed Blitz as PDF-only
Amendment 3: 46 Yes / 3 No PASSED Appointment of nominating committee in August
Amendment 4: 46 Yes / 2 No PASSED Minor change in the language related to ballots
Amendment 5: 35 Yes / 9 No PASSED Cosigning checks
Have you sent out the issue that has my GT on the cover yet?
"Mira," 1970 Opel GT Working ARA AC, European 2.0L and Midikit
"Kara," 1972 Opel GT Targa, Welded Doors, Rhinolined, 40 DCOE SSD, Working GM AC
That's this issue. Sorry it has taken so long. I was shooting for 2 weeks ago but had to wait for some info for the Nationals articles.
This issue won't be out tonight. I ran out of time and energy. I just finished working on the car, getting it ready to go to a show in Oakland tomorrow. I swapped on the 32/36 carbs, took care of the transmission mount, did a lot more earlier this week. It runs well, but runs lean. Not sure what's up. This carb was OK a few weeks ago. Anyway, laundry, shower, later dinner, up early tomorrow.
I can finish this up when I get back tomorrow afternoon.
Mike
No rush! I know how much work it is to put these things out!
Good Luck on the car!
"Mira," 1970 Opel GT Working ARA AC, European 2.0L and Midikit
"Kara," 1972 Opel GT Targa, Welded Doors, Rhinolined, 40 DCOE SSD, Working GM AC
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