Meet The Members And Their Rides
Member Name: Bob McDowell
Hometown: Willow Grove, PA
Member: Secretary
Car: 1966 Ford Mustang "Kathleen"
My love of classic cars goes back to when I was a kid. Growing up my parents had a 1966 Rambler Classic 770 (a real no frills type car) but I loved it. When my dad junked it in the late 70's I was so sad when him and my uncle towed it away. My first love of the Mustang came from seeing the Mustang II in Charlie's Angels. In 1994 my friend's dad had bought this Mustang and had planned on giving to my friend's sister but she didn't want it. After some body work and paint I bought it. At the time it was nicer than my daily driver (1978 Buick Le Sabre) but when I bought my first new car I couldn't afford the insurance on both so it got tucked away in my mom's garage then followed me when I got married (after all my mom wanted her garage back). Numerous times my mom suggested that I get rid of it since I wasn't driving it but I am glad that I didn't listen to her. Numerous times I have had people come up to me at shows and told me various stories of having a Mustang just like it or had a Mustang and wished they never got rid of theirs. In 2002 I decided that it was time to start restoring my Mustang. I was introduced to Mark Carver and ended up joining Down the Road Cruisers. Through the years I have had numerous things done to it but it was mostly mechanical or underbody work but from late 2006 to mid-2007 I had the bodywork, paint and chrome done. My plans are to in the future have the interior and motor compartment redone. I have had several people tell me I should change things around (like having a 289 put in it) but I am restoring it to stock condition with the exception of the paint which I had done with a basecoat /clear coat finish. The Mustang is Dark Green Metallic with a 200ci 6 straight cylinder engine, MS, MB, C-4 automatic transmission and Deluxe Pony interior (White & Ivy Gold). Since I have antique tags on it I have a replica PA license plate on the front that reads 66Pony.
During the time I have owned it I have won various awards but the one that surprised me the most was in June 2009 at the Strawberry Festival show I won 2nd place which really caught me off guard. I love going to the different shows with the people from the club and taking it for drives in the area. After I had the bodywork, paint and chrome done I named her Kathleen after my mother. Eventually I would love to get a 1966 Mustang convertible to go along with my hardtop but we'll see what happens.
Hometown: Willow Grove, PA
Member: Secretary
Car: 1966 Ford Mustang "Kathleen"
My love of classic cars goes back to when I was a kid. Growing up my parents had a 1966 Rambler Classic 770 (a real no frills type car) but I loved it. When my dad junked it in the late 70's I was so sad when him and my uncle towed it away. My first love of the Mustang came from seeing the Mustang II in Charlie's Angels. In 1994 my friend's dad had bought this Mustang and had planned on giving to my friend's sister but she didn't want it. After some body work and paint I bought it. At the time it was nicer than my daily driver (1978 Buick Le Sabre) but when I bought my first new car I couldn't afford the insurance on both so it got tucked away in my mom's garage then followed me when I got married (after all my mom wanted her garage back). Numerous times my mom suggested that I get rid of it since I wasn't driving it but I am glad that I didn't listen to her. Numerous times I have had people come up to me at shows and told me various stories of having a Mustang just like it or had a Mustang and wished they never got rid of theirs. In 2002 I decided that it was time to start restoring my Mustang. I was introduced to Mark Carver and ended up joining Down the Road Cruisers. Through the years I have had numerous things done to it but it was mostly mechanical or underbody work but from late 2006 to mid-2007 I had the bodywork, paint and chrome done. My plans are to in the future have the interior and motor compartment redone. I have had several people tell me I should change things around (like having a 289 put in it) but I am restoring it to stock condition with the exception of the paint which I had done with a basecoat /clear coat finish. The Mustang is Dark Green Metallic with a 200ci 6 straight cylinder engine, MS, MB, C-4 automatic transmission and Deluxe Pony interior (White & Ivy Gold). Since I have antique tags on it I have a replica PA license plate on the front that reads 66Pony.
During the time I have owned it I have won various awards but the one that surprised me the most was in June 2009 at the Strawberry Festival show I won 2nd place which really caught me off guard. I love going to the different shows with the people from the club and taking it for drives in the area. After I had the bodywork, paint and chrome done I named her Kathleen after my mother. Eventually I would love to get a 1966 Mustang convertible to go along with my hardtop but we'll see what happens.
Member Name: Edward A. Plazek
Hometown: Roslyn, PA
Member: Founding Member
Car: 1959 Chevrolet El Camino
I was 7 years old when the 1959 El Camino arrived in the showroom, I fell in love with them. Through my teens, I always said I was going to own one someday. It was not until 1990 when I finally contracted and bought mine. This El Camino was restored by radio station KJAM in Madison, SD in 1989. Although restored, it was only a 20 footer and still required work. Like an engine, replating bumpers and adding a grill guard. It is a driver. It was only not driven 3 times as a result of a blown rear. My hope is to someday energize it with a 348 as the current 283 just does not do it. I think I would then be able to classify it as a muscle car! My highlight in ownership was when I was contacted by a representative of West Coast Precision Die Cast and asked to have it photographed to produce a 1/25 Franklin Mint quality die cast model. The model was produced and I am the proud owner of one. As with most collector cars, there is always a search going on to upgrade the vehicle with refinished trim, added accessories, etc. It has received numerous awards and lots of conversation at shows. Referred to me as my "Red Sled".
Hometown: Roslyn, PA
Member: Founding Member
Car: 1959 Chevrolet El Camino
I was 7 years old when the 1959 El Camino arrived in the showroom, I fell in love with them. Through my teens, I always said I was going to own one someday. It was not until 1990 when I finally contracted and bought mine. This El Camino was restored by radio station KJAM in Madison, SD in 1989. Although restored, it was only a 20 footer and still required work. Like an engine, replating bumpers and adding a grill guard. It is a driver. It was only not driven 3 times as a result of a blown rear. My hope is to someday energize it with a 348 as the current 283 just does not do it. I think I would then be able to classify it as a muscle car! My highlight in ownership was when I was contacted by a representative of West Coast Precision Die Cast and asked to have it photographed to produce a 1/25 Franklin Mint quality die cast model. The model was produced and I am the proud owner of one. As with most collector cars, there is always a search going on to upgrade the vehicle with refinished trim, added accessories, etc. It has received numerous awards and lots of conversation at shows. Referred to me as my "Red Sled".
ddMember Name: Craig Marvill
Hometown: Langhorne, PA
Car: 1967 Pontiac Firebird
The first Firebird I ever saw up close was a '67 or '68 at a used car dealer when I was about 14 or 15 (1969 or 1970). I rode my bike home and convinced my dad he had to see this car. We drove to the dealer after dinner that evening. The car was the same color as mine is, dark blue, but was a convertible with white interior and top. The guy at the dealer let me sit in it and I was hooked. I said to my dad "You have to get this car." His response was a little different. He said "You're crazy if you think your mother would get in a car like this." We drove home (without the Firebird) but I thought I'm gonna get one someday. I saw them for sale over the years but the opportunity was never right to buy one. It turned into a "one of these days" things. In 1999 a fellow I worked with, Dave Valentine, said that he had a 1967 Firebird that his grandmother had bought new. Dave and his dad had plans to restore the car. I asked Dave to keep me in mind if they ever decided to sell the car. In 2001 Dave's dad passed away. He couldn't look at the car anymore and asked if I was still interested. I said yes and in early 2002, with my wife's blessing, finally got my Firebird. A true "little old lady" car with only 43,000 miles. It had door dings, the paint was tired, it needed carpets and some TLC. Over the years I had picked up trim pieces, emblems and new carpet. In 2007 I had the body work done and the car was repainted. I have added correct but non factory options-dual exhaust, Rallye II wheels, spoilers and hood tach. I have an AM-FM-CD player in the glove box but the original push-button AM radio is still in the dash set to 99 WIBG of course. I am trying to keep it as stock looking as possible. It has a 326 cubic inch engine putting out a whopping 250 hp with 2 speed powerglide transmission, power steering and four wheel drum brakes (stopping is an adventure). I would like to eventually convert to disc brakes. It is a fun car to drive to shows and cruises. The comment I hear the most is "Boy, you don't see many of these around. All you ever see are Camaros." I just wish my dad could have seen it.
Hometown: Langhorne, PA
Car: 1967 Pontiac Firebird
The first Firebird I ever saw up close was a '67 or '68 at a used car dealer when I was about 14 or 15 (1969 or 1970). I rode my bike home and convinced my dad he had to see this car. We drove to the dealer after dinner that evening. The car was the same color as mine is, dark blue, but was a convertible with white interior and top. The guy at the dealer let me sit in it and I was hooked. I said to my dad "You have to get this car." His response was a little different. He said "You're crazy if you think your mother would get in a car like this." We drove home (without the Firebird) but I thought I'm gonna get one someday. I saw them for sale over the years but the opportunity was never right to buy one. It turned into a "one of these days" things. In 1999 a fellow I worked with, Dave Valentine, said that he had a 1967 Firebird that his grandmother had bought new. Dave and his dad had plans to restore the car. I asked Dave to keep me in mind if they ever decided to sell the car. In 2001 Dave's dad passed away. He couldn't look at the car anymore and asked if I was still interested. I said yes and in early 2002, with my wife's blessing, finally got my Firebird. A true "little old lady" car with only 43,000 miles. It had door dings, the paint was tired, it needed carpets and some TLC. Over the years I had picked up trim pieces, emblems and new carpet. In 2007 I had the body work done and the car was repainted. I have added correct but non factory options-dual exhaust, Rallye II wheels, spoilers and hood tach. I have an AM-FM-CD player in the glove box but the original push-button AM radio is still in the dash set to 99 WIBG of course. I am trying to keep it as stock looking as possible. It has a 326 cubic inch engine putting out a whopping 250 hp with 2 speed powerglide transmission, power steering and four wheel drum brakes (stopping is an adventure). I would like to eventually convert to disc brakes. It is a fun car to drive to shows and cruises. The comment I hear the most is "Boy, you don't see many of these around. All you ever see are Camaros." I just wish my dad could have seen it.
