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National SOC gathering in Colorado '08

D DustyJ
OK, we have enough interest so I am going ahead with planning for the NATIONAL MEETING of the SPEEDSTER OWNERS CLUB. The dates will be September 18-19-20 of 2008 and it will originate right here in Loveland, Colorado. I am working on discount rooms at one of our local hotels to be the host site and already have a couple of tours in the mountains mapped out. I am also working with the Chamber of Commerce in Estes Park to set up some special parking for one afternoon to let the public see our cars and give all of you time to shop, eat and see this tourist town. There will be a Bar-B-Q or a dinner on Saturday evening and lots to do while you are here. Plus there will be enough free time for relaxing or individual touring/shopping/fishing/etc.

I am also going to work on getting grill badges made commemorating the gathering. Expect buttons, jacket pins and name tags, too. We are going to try to make this a premier event where Speedster Owners from all over the country can meet and enjoy each other's company.

Any ideas, thoughts, expectations or criticisms please don't hesitate to contact me.

"It'll Be Great in September '08"
Dusty and the lovely Miss Sharon

1957 Vintage Speedsters, plus various Porsches and Mercedes and Corvette

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D DustyJ
OK, we have enough interest so I am going ahead with planning for the NATIONAL MEETING of the SPEEDSTER OWNERS CLUB. The dates will be September 18-19-20 of 2008 and it will originate right here in Loveland, Colorado. I am working on discount rooms at one of our local hotels to be the host site and already have a couple of tours in the mountains mapped out. I am also working with the Chamber of Commerce in Estes Park to set up some special parking for one afternoon to let the public see our cars and give all of you time to shop, eat and see this tourist town. There will be a Bar-B-Q or a dinner on Saturday evening and lots to do while you are here. Plus there will be enough free time for relaxing or individual touring/shopping/fishing/etc.

I am also going to work on getting grill badges made commemorating the gathering. Expect buttons, jacket pins and name tags, too. We are going to try to make this a premier event where Speedster Owners from all over the country can meet and enjoy each other's company.

Any ideas, thoughts, expectations or criticisms please don't hesitate to contact me.

"It'll Be Great in September '08"
Dusty and the lovely Miss Sharon
MusbJimMusbJim'14 VS SoCal Supporting Member
Dusty - that poster looks GREAT! I want one! We are looking forward to fruition of this event, but like I said before, we're heading out to Colorado regardless. It looks like you've got a handle on the flyer/art/picture thing, but I'm also volunteering my son, Colin, for his photoshop skillz (graphic arts). Let me know (PM) how I can help on this end with any of the logistics.

Lambros - It would be very cool if you (and wife) could make this event. My wife is going on the premise that we trailer our Speedster (she poo-poo'd the thought of driving the Speedster on the hwy 15+ hours each way). In light of that, you could join the group using my wife's car, sans trailer (pic attached) or in the event my wife ( and your wife) decides to go shopping - what are the odds?) you can ride along with me. I'm just saying...

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FM Former Member
Dusty - way to go! Great job with the flyer and the initial ideas on lodging and things to do are falling into place nicely. Glad to see that others are facing the same issue where the spouse doesn't want to spend XX hours in the speedster just getting there. The timing seems good - although I'll have to spring for a cake since it's her XX birthday on the 20th. Still working on the trailering arrangements for the speedy - worst case I figure we show up in a Civic.
Alan MerklinAlan MerklinDrclock - Elkins, West Virginia Supporting Member
Rich,

U Haul is a pita plain and simple. U Haul won't allow convertibles and must weight at least 3.500 lbs. ....see their section

BTW max span between the inner load runner rails (open area) is 39" or it will be too wide. ~Alan
____________________________________________________________________
Advisements
Your towing vehicle:
Must be equipped with a hard top if it is an SUV. U-Haul does not allow any type of sport-utility vehicle not equipped with a hard top to tow U-Haul equipment.
Must weigh at least 3,500 lbs. (curb weight), and must equal or exceed 80% of the combined weight of the trailer (2,000 lbs.) and the vehicle being towed (up to 4,000 lbs.)
____________________________________________________________________

D DustyJ
Great News !! I just finished speaking with the owner of a new La Quinta Inn here in Loveland. It is being built right now and will be open in late March. It will have a bar, restaurant, meeting rooms, etc and he will block out 20 rooms for our September 18-19-12 National Meeting. He is offering us a rate of $79 & $99 which is a very nice discount. He will also make a meeting room available at no charge for socializing. This will be a great site as it will be brand new when we are here. It is within 1 1/2 miles from my home and right on Hiway 34 which is the road to Estes Park.

Now I need a little feedback for the tours ... Tell me if you are interested in:
1) half day mountain drives (or shorter?)
2) car museum tours
3) shopping time
4) tour of the Budweiser plant and Clydesdale horses
5) planned dinners each evening
6) more socializing and less driving
What else? Give me ideas and I will try to make it work. I would like to have everything arranged so we can all just set back and relax and have lots to talk about when we get back home.

Drive safe, drive fast, grin a lot;
Dusty
MusbJimMusbJim'14 VS SoCal Supporting Member
Dusty - a drive on your favorite mountain road (Colorado mountain scenery would make a great backdrop for group pics) and culminating the cruise at either the Budweiser Plant or Car Museum would make for a good day.

I'm sure my wife (and probably others) will want to check out the boutiques/shopping/points-of-interest. So maybe the next day hang out around town/socializing with a group get together for lunch or meet up in the evening at the hotel/restaurant.

Otherwise, since we're in your stomping grounds, we're in for whatever!! WOOOOHOOOOO!
FM Former Member
We'll be there. Daughter and future husband live in Colorado Springs, so a "twofer" on this one! Dusty, please make a recommendation for someplace nice to celebrate wife's birthday - no problem if we have to detour from the main stream speedster group, I gotta do something special (and romantic) for her. The car museum, Bud tour or a drive-in just won't work ...
FM Former Member
The cheap and easy way would be for most of you to just rent a Uhaul car transporter. It tows easy and you could just tow the car behind just about any other car to get there.

I think they rent for like 15 dollars a day, and a hitch is maybe 150...that's maybe 250 for a week? And you have no worries out or back.
D DustyJ
Cal,
I look forward to meeting you in September for our National Gathering.

To answer your question about a nice and romantic place for dinner to celebrate your wife's birthday, I would suggest the GREENBRIAR, 8735 N. Foothills Hwy, Boulder, CO (303)440-7979. It is very nice! Sharon and I have frequented it for over 35 years and have never been disappointed. In fact, it has become a favorite location for one of the annual meals for our Ferrari Club. These days it is not as formal as in the past (nowhere is!) but a sport coat with no tie is common. Meals are $25-$40 average. Reservations are required. It is about 45 minutes easy drive from Loveland and might be a great evening for you two before or after our festivities. Let me know if I can help in any way.

Happy Trails,
Dusty
"Sometimes wrong ... but never in doubt" :-)
FM Former Member
Dusty:

Do you know Dave Crouse at Custom Auto in Loveland? I'm the automotive writer for the Kansas City Star, and I've done a number of stories about cars that Dave has restored for Roger Morrison of Salina. Dave's shop might be a nice place for our group to visit. He is a first-class guy, and the work he does is fabulous.

Tom
D DustyJ
Tom,
I do know him because my youngest daughter used to date his son back about 9 or 10 years ago. Dave Crouse makes some faboulous cars and one of his creations recently won an award at Pebble Beach. His shop is very interesting but would make for a very short tour/visit and might bore our "passengers" to tears. Good idea, though.

See you in September

Happy Trails,
Dusty
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