VFR HOME PAGE

The Latest...
GN 2008
Join The VFR
Emeritus
The Goddess
Monthly Mtg.
The Gallery
'08 Calendar
Past Events
Links
Merchandise
Thank You!
Officers
Questions ?

(Last update: Wednesday, 30 April 08)

W E L C O M E !

Welcome to the Home Page for 2008 Cadillac & LaSalle Club Grand National information!

The Valley Forge Region is proud to host this special occasion - the Golden Jubilee of the CLC!  We are committed to making your Grand National experience the finest it can be!

This page will serve as your "one-stop-shopping" destination for the latest Grand National news.  We've posted event and vehicle registration forms (the same forms as in the Self Starter), event itinerary and descriptions, host hotel information, and answers to some of those Frequently Asked Questions.

No matter where you are on the Valley Forge website, just click on the Liberty Bell, (the official GN '08 Logo), and you'll return to this page!

The year 2008 is a significant year in the history of the  Cadillac & LaSalle Club. It marks our 50th year of existence, a testament to the foresight of our founding members and the members who since then have guided our club into becoming the first class organization that it is today.

The 2008 Grand National Meet will be a celebration of the history of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club with Philadelphia, the birthplace of our  great nation, as the  backdrop.

During  this  week you  will  learn about the history of our club as told by many individual members from throughout the USA and the world.  As you experience this special Grand National Meet, you also will be instilled with a great feeling about the future of the CLC!!

In the mean time, take a look at our tentative itinerary, below, and be sure to mark August 12-16, 2008 on your calendar!

See you in Cherry Hill!

Jack Hotz, 2008 Grand National Chairman 

(back to the top)

Tim Coy, Art Director for The Self-Starter, has provided the 8-page Judging Section from the 2008 CLC Directory, for your reference, here.

  UPDATED Grand National Forms 
We've just posted the same forms that appeared in the April 2008 issue of The Self Starter.  This includes the Registration Form and Schedule, Vehicle Registration Form, and the Tour Descriptions.
Click here - 4 pages - PDF

(back to the top)

2008 Cadillac & LaSalle Club
Grand National
Commemorative poster
 
Posters are $15.00 and will be available for sale at the Grand National event in the Crowne Plaza hotel
 
Artist Dan Reed will be on hand during the event to autograph commemorative posters
 

Visit Dan's website, here.

Want A Copy Of The GN '08 Flyer?
Click here - 2pages - PDF

(back to the top)

Interested In Volunteering

For The 2008 Grand National?

 

Believe it or not, the 2008 Grand National Meet, hosted by the Valley Forge Region, is getting closer and closer - August of 2008 will be here before you know it!

Volunteers are needed for all aspects of this grand event!  Help put your stamp on what promises to be one of the largest and most fun Grand Nationals, as we celebrate the Cadillac & LaSalle Club's 50th Anniversary!

Please contact CLIFF WOODBURY ASAP if you are interested in volunteering for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

(back to the top)

 

 

About Our Host Hotel...

Crowne Plaza Hotel    (Philadelphia / Cherry Hill)

2349 West Marlton Pike
Cherry Hill, New Jersey     08002     United States
Hotel Front Desk: 1-856-665-6666 
 

As of February 1, the host hotel for the 2008 Grand National in Cherry Hill (the Crown Plaza) is sold out Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights.  All lodging requests for those nights should now be directed to the backup hotel, the Cherry Hill Holiday Inn (see below).

 

The Crowne Plaza Philadelphia / Cherry Hill is South Jersey's largest hotel outside of Atlantic City.  It is located near all of these fine local attractions:

Center City Philadelphia Pennsylvania Convention Center
Liberty Bell Independence Hall
Franklin Institute Philadelphia Zoo
Wachovia Center (Sixers & Flyers) Citizens Bank Park (Phillies)
Lincoln Financial Field (Eagles) Battleship New Jersey
Tweeter Center Mount Laurel
 

At the Crowne Plaza Philadelphia / Cherry Hill, enjoy beautiful views overlooking the Philadelphia Skyline and the Cooper River. The hotel is 5 miles (10 minutes) from Downtown Philadelphia and less than 20 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport. The lively Delaware River Waterfront is close by and Atlantic City beaches and casinos are just an hour away. (Buses to Atlantic City are available directly through the hotel.)

The host hotel for GN '08 is the perfect place for our special celebration. With plenty of parking and a banquet room that seats 1,200 for dinner, it is big enough for a large gathering of club members.  There will be plenty of things to do at the host hotel at GN '08. A large flea market will be available all week, a full slate of seminars are planned, along with other activities.

The host hotel group rate is $128.00 per night (plus taxes), double occupancy. This rate is valid through July 12, 2008.  For group rates be sure to mention the CLC when reserving your room!!

For reservations call:

Crowne Plaza Hotel Front Desk (Philadelphia / Cherry Hill) 856-665-6666
Crowne Plaza Hotels (Main Number) 877-227-6963
 

The host hotel is now accepting reservations, as of September 1, 2007.

(back to the top)

 

About Our Alternate Hotel...

The Holiday Inn
2175 W. Marlton Pike
Cherry Hill,  NJ  08002
856-663-5300
www.holidaycherryhill.com
 

The Holiday Inn is located 1/2 mile from the main host hotel.  It is now accepting reservations for the GN at the rate of $123.00 per night (plus taxes) for Monday, August 11, through Saturday, August 16.

 

Dates and Itinerary
2008 Cadillac & LaSalle Club Grand National

(All activities will originate from the host hotel unless otherwise noted.)

Monday, Aug. 11, 2008
 
bulletAfternoon/evening registration for those arriving early for the driving tour.
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008
 
bulletRegistration.
bulletDRIVING TOUR (Optional): New Jersey Pine Barrens (9am - 3pm).
bulletHospitality facility available.
Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008 - GN Officially Begins
 
bullet

Registration.

bullet

BUS TRIP: Allentown Classic Motor Cars (Allentown, PA) (9am - 2pm).

bullet

CLC Museum Board Meeting (10am - 2pm).

bullet

SEMINARS:
bullet

Room A:
bullet

(1:00pm - 2:00pm) Chrome (Jerry Martin).

bullet

(2:10pm - 3:30pm) Basics of A/C (Greg Surfas).

bullet

(3:40pm - 5:00pm) Advanced A/C & Climate Control (Greg Surfas).

bullet

Room B:
bullet

(1:00pm - 2:00pm) Oil (ExxonMobil).

bullet

(2:10pm - 3:30pm) Troubleshooting the Flathead Engine (Jack Hoffman).

bullet

(3:40pm - 5:00pm) Manual Transmission, 1937 to 1953 (Jack Hoffman).

bullet

Room C:
bullet

(1:00pm - 2:00pm) Upholstery (Dave Brady).

bullet

(2:10pm - 3:30pm) Gasoline (Speaker TBD).

bullet

(3:40pm - 5:00pm) CLC National Seminar on Region Development (Toni Rothman).

bullet

YOUTH ACTIVITY: Children's Seminar (ages 5-18) - The History Of Cadillac (2-3pm).

bullet

WELCOME PARTY: Sponsored by the Valley Forge Region @ Taylors Restaurant (6 - 8pm) - or have dinner on your own.

bullet

Hospitality facility available.

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008
 
bullet

BUS TRIP: Combined Tour: The AACA Museum (Hershey, PA) AND Allentown Classic Motor Cars (Allentown, PA) (7am - 5:30pm).

bullet

WALKING TOUR: Historic Philadelphia Tour (9am - 3pm).

bullet

BUS TRIP: Longwood Gardens and Winterthur (7:45am - 4:30pm).

bullet

YOUTH ACTIVITY: (Ages 5 - 18) Miniature Golf Outing (1 - 3pm).

bullet

YOUTH ACTIVITY: (Ages 5 - 18) Pizza & Ice Cream Sundae Party (5 - 7:30pm).

bullet

The Valley Forge Region has made arrangements for club members to attend dinner at your choice of:
bullet

Taylors Restaurant (buffet) (6 - 8pm).

bullet

The Lobster Trap (4-course served meal) (First seating @ 6pm).

bullet

Hospitality facility available.

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008
 
bullet

BUS TRIP: The AACA Museum (Hershey, PA) (8:30am - 3:30pm).

bullet

WALKING TOUR: Historic Philadelphia Tour (9am - 3pm).

bullet

BUS TRIP: Maritime Tour: Battleship New Jersey & Penn's Landing (First shuttle departs @ 9am).

bullet

CLC National Board Meeting (7am - 5pm).

bullet

GM 100th ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION: Reception sponsored by GM, including a speaker from GM (6 - 7:30pm).

bullet

Dinner on your own.

bullet

Hospitality facility available.

Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008
 
bullet

Judges' Breakfast and Briefing (7 - 9:30am).

bullet

THE GRAND NATIONAL CAR SHOW!

bullet

LADIES' ACTIVITY: Tea and Fashion Show (12:30 - 3pm).

bullet

Chapters Meeting (4 - 5pm).

bullet

Cocktail Reception (6pm).

bullet

Evening Awards Banquet (7 - 11pm).

Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008
bulletHotel check-out and departure.

(back to the top)

Explore Philadelphia!
Birthplace of our nation!

Join us for a tour of historic Philadelphia. You’ll tour through Independence Hall, The Liberty Bell Exhibit and The National Constitution Center, all within two blocks of each other and  just 10 miles from our hotel. With a short walk farther you will find the grave of Ben Franklin, the Betsy Ross House and Elfreth’s Alley.  Another tour will take you to the battleship USS New Jersey, the most decorated battleship in world history. For the kids, a trip to the New Jersey State Aquarium will be in order.

For those who prefer four wheels, we’ll be  traveling  to Allentown,  PA  to see the Nicola Bulgari Collection of antique autos, which is noted for the finest collection of Buicks in the world. We’ll also travel to the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA, home to a fabulous and ever changing collection of automobiles from every era of automotive history.

(back to the top)

CURIOUS ABOUT OUR ACTIVITIES?

Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008
New Jersey Pine Barrens Driving Tour

Join us on a tour through the famous New Jersey Pine Barrens. Tour through a part of New Jersey that is known for the “Jersey Devil”, a mythical (some swear that it is real!) creature that is part horse and part bird. Drive through beautiful countryside and quaint little towns in preparation of the 2008 Grand National Meet.

Early settlers moved through this area making charcoal and bog iron.  About a six hour drive through old towns and the stunted pine forest unique to this area.  We will visit a few historical sites and have lunch on your own at a local stop. 

(back to the itinerary)

 

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008
Allentown Classic Motor Cars (Bulgari Collection)

The private collection of Nicola Bulgari, of jewelry fame.  All these cars have been personally picked by Mr. Bulgari and represent a genuine American heritage of autos that ordinary people drove.  Mr. Bulgari buys and drives what he likes, not what others tell him to buy. Box lunch included. (5-6 hrs)

(back to the itinerary)

 

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008
Seminars (Held in the host hotel)
bullet

Room A:
bullet

(1:00pm - 2:00pm) Seminar A-1: CHROME - Jerry Martin, of Charger Metals, Philadelphia, PA. will discuss the plating process and finish polishing of plated car parts.  Jerry did this seminar at the 1993 GN.  He will talk about the economic and aesthetic differences between “Street Chrome” and “Show Chrome”.

bullet

(2:10pm - 3:30pm) Seminar A-2: BASICS OF A/C - This seminar, by Greg Surfas, will include a description and demonstration of Cadillac air conditioning components and systems.  The operation of individual components and their operation together as a system will be the focus of this meeting.

bullet

(3:40pm - 5:00pm) Seminar A-3: ADVANCED A/C & CLIMATE CONTROL - Greg Surfas will go over the description, function, and purpose of the components in Cadillac Climate Control systems.  Emphasis on years 1964 through the early ‘80’s.

bullet

Room B:
bullet

(1:00pm - 2:00pm) Seminar B-1: OIL - A representative of ExxonMobil will speak about lubricants and old cars.  Focus will be on the removal of ZDDP from the newest oil blends and what can be done to protect your pre-1973 car.  Changes in other lubricant requirements will also be covered.

bullet

(2:10pm - 3:30pm) Seminar B-2: TROUBLESHOOTING THE FLATHEAD ENGINE - Flathead Engines, repair and rebuilding of 1937 through 1948 Cadillac flathead engines.  Repeat of the Savannah seminar by Jack Hoffman with more time to cover more of the subject.

bullet

(3:40pm - 5:00pm) Seminar B-3: MANUAL TRANSMISSION - 1937 to 1953 - Jack Hoffman will conduct this seminar on disassembly, repair, and assembly of all manual trannys 1937 to 1953.

bullet

Room C:
bullet

(1:00pm - 2:00pm) Seminar C-1: UPHOLSTERY - Dave Brady, of Emmaus, PA., does it all when it comes to auto trim work.  He will discuss upholstery, convertible tops, leather, and interior fabrication.

bullet

(2:10pm - 3:30pm) Seminar C-2: GASOLINE - A discussion of the effects of ethanol/gasoline blends as used in pre-1975 cars.  He will talk about corrective measures to prevent damage to sending units, flexible gas lines, and gaskets throughout the fuel system.

bullet

(3:40pm - 5:00pm) Seminar C-3: CLC SEMINAR ON REGION DEVELOPMENT - Members are invited to participate in discussions on the topic of Region Development.  The focus will be on determining what members expect from their Region, analyzing why some activities are successful and others are not, plus sharing and borrowing other CLC Regions' best practices.

(back to the itinerary)

 

Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2008
Welcome Party

A well supplied hors d’oeuvres reception at Taylor’s Restaurant 2/10ths of a mile from the Crowne Plaza.  Cash bar.  Sponsored by the Valley Forge Region.

(back to the itinerary)

 

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008
Allentown Classic Motor Cars & AACA Museum combined tour

Do both car tours in one long day.  Box lunch included.  (10-11 hrs.)

Allentown Classic Motor Cars: (Allentown, PA)  The private collection of Nicola Bulgari, of jewelry fame.  All these cars have been personally picked by Mr. Bulgari and represent a genuine American heritage of autos that ordinary people drove.  Mr. Bulgari buys and drives what he likes, not what others tell him to buy.
AACA Museum: (Hershey, PA)  Named one of the "sixteen best auto museums in the world" by Autoweek in June 2007, about 130 cars on display at all times.  The main exhibit, From Sea to Shining Sea, takes the visitor from coast to coast, decade by decade, through a century of automotive history.  The special exhibit will be "Fins".

Visit the AACA Museum website, here.

(back to the itinerary)

 

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008 and
Friday, Aug. 15, 2008
Walking Tour of Historic Philadelphia

Independence Stroll.  Walk through historic Philadelphia.  Visit where freedom rang first.  See Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the new Constitution Center, Ben Franklin Court, Elfreth’s Alley (the oldest continuously occupied street in the country), and Christ Church.  Lunch on your own at the Bourse Building.  (6 hrs.)

(back to the itinerary)

 

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008
Longwood Gardens and Winterthur

Longwood Gardens, Pierre DuPont’s weekend retreat.  More than 1000 acres with 20 indoor gardens and 20 outdoor gardens.  Winterthur, Henry F. DuPont’s collection of over 85,000 pieces of fine furniture and antiques, including 66 pieces of a dinner service made for George and Martha Washington.  There are 175 period rooms on display.  Lunch included.  (8-9 hrs.)

Visit the websites for Longwood Gardens and Winterthur, here.

(back to the itinerary)

 

Thursday, Aug. 14, 2008
Dinner of Your Choice
The Valley Forge Region has made arrangements for club members to attend dinner at your choice of:
Taylor’s Restaurant Buffet Dinner:  Pasta station with 4 kinds of pasta, 5 different sauces and 4 toppings.  With a garden salad.  Also, carved roast beef, and roasted turkey with potato salad, cole slaw, macaroni salad, and bread and rolls.  Cash bar.  Limit 200.  Shuttle bus available if needed.

Lobster Trap Restaurant: Soup and salad, choice from 4 entrees, (crab cakes, strip sirloin, salmon, and chicken), dessert and coffee.  A sit down served dinner.  Cash bar.  Limit 200.  Shuttle bus available if needed.

(back to the itinerary)

 

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008
Antique Automobile Club of America Museum

Hershey, PA.  Named one of the "sixteen best auto museums in the world" by Autoweek in June 2007, about 130 cars on display at all times.  The main exhibit, From Sea to Shining Sea, takes the visitor from coast to coast, decade by decade, through a century of automotive history.  The special exhibit will be "Fins". Box lunch included.  (7-8 hrs).

Visit the AACA Museum website, here.

(back to the itinerary)

 

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008
Battleship New Jersey & Independence Seaport

See the ‘Big J’, the battleship New Jersey, the most decorated battleship in our country’s history.  Take the ferry (tickets included) to Penn’s Landing and visit the Maritime Museum, the 1892 cruiser Olympia, and the submarine Becuna.  Lunch on your own.  A rotating shuttle bus will operate between the New Jersey and the host hotel all day. (6 hrs.)  Closed shoes required on this tour!

Visit the website for the Battleship New Jersey and Penn's Landing, here.

(back to the itinerary)

 

Friday, Aug. 15, 2008
General Motors 100th Anniversary Reception

GM sponsored hors d’oeuvres anniversary reception with special guest speaker. Cash bar.  Dinner on your own.

(back to the itinerary)

 

Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008
Ladies Tea and Fashion Show

Enjoy some tea sandwiches, liquid refreshments and sweets while viewing the latest fashions by Coldwater Creek.

(back to the itinerary)

 

Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008
Awards Banquet

Choice of filet mignon, salmon or chicken breast stuffed with crab meat. A sit down served dinner with dessert and coffee, followed by the awards with guest speaker from GM.

(back to the itinerary)

 

Wanted: Old Grand National Photos

 
As the CLC takes this opportunity to look forward to the future of the club, we also want to look back at the people that have made the CLC so outstanding.  So dig out your photo albums!  Do you have any pictures of PEOPLE from previous Grand Nationals?   (We have plenty of car pictures!)
 
Can you identify the people in the pictures?  If not, don't worry about it - send the photos anyway!
 
Can you identify the Grand National where the pictures were taken? If not, don't worry about it - send the photos anyway!
 

Please send your digital pictures to Nancy Hotz at NansCaddy@aol.com

 
If you are sending original prints - do you want them back?  We'll scan them and return them to you...
If you have prints, please send them to:
Nancy Hotz
P.O. Box 263
Haddonfield, NJ    USA   08033
phone: 856-429-0641

(back to the top)

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I have a question that isn't answered below.  Who can I contact?
A. Contact the Grand National Chairman, Jack Hotz, the Valley Forge Region Webmaster, Pat Caruso, or the Registrars, Cathy and Tom Myers.
 
Q. Must I be a member of the club to participate in Grand National events?
A. Yes, you must be a member of the Cadillac & LaSalle Club to participate in the 2008 Grand National Meet.  For more information about joining the CLC, please contact:
The Cadillac & LaSalle Club, Inc.
P. O. Box 360835
Columbus, OH     USA     43236-0835
Phone: (614) 478-4622
Fax: (614) 472-3222
E-mail: clcoffice@cadillaclasalleclub.org
Join online at: www.cadillaclasalleclub.org
 
Q. Where will I find more information about GN '08?
A. More information is available in the January 2008 issue of The Self-Starter.
 
Q. Have the host hotel and alternate hotel started accepting reservations?
A. Yes, the host hotel (Crowne Plaza) and alternate hotel (Holiday Inn) are accepting reservations.
 
Q. Which airport should I use?
A. We recommend using Philadelphia International (PHL) as your first choice.  Atlantic City, NJ Airport (ACY) is nearby, too.  You may consider Newark/Liberty (EWR) as an alternate, but it is an 80-mile drive to Cherry Hill - on the famous New Jersey Turnpike!
 
Q. Where is Cherry Hill, New Jersey?
A. Cherry Hill is in southern New Jersey, across the Delaware River from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Cherry Hill is 5 miles (10 minutes) from Downtown Philadelphia and less than 20 minutes from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).  (Cherry Hill is approximately 100 miles south of New York City.)
 
Q. What will the weather be like?
A. We make no guarantees, but you can expect afternoon temperatures of approximately 85F/30C.
 
Q. Where will the cars be displayed and judged?
A. In the parking lot of the host hotel.
 
Q. Will trailer parking be available?
A. Yes, in a nearby secured lot.
 
Q. Where do I go for information to prepare my car for judging?
A. The 2007 Membership Directory, pages 48 thru 55 is a fountain of information.  Judging forms are printed for your perusal.  Details of judging, classes and eligibility are printed out.  There will be a judging seminar in the spring, well before the 2008 GN.  Look for an announcement on the date and place.  And don't forget the CLC website:  up-to-date lists of technicians and historians are available for your specific model/year.
 
Q. Is there any public transportation in the area?
A. The GN is being held very close to Philadelphia, one of the main transportation hubs on the east coast.  Travel by Amtrak, NJ Transit, Patco, and Septa.  This is only a partial list of public transportation available.
 
Q. Have the registration deadlines been set?
A. Yes.  Early Registrations will be accepted through July 12, 2008.  Late Registrations will be accepted from July 13 through August 5, 2008.  Registration forms will be posted on this website and in The Self Starter concurrently.
 
Q. What can you tell me about the flea market?
A. The flea market will be on blacktop, as of right now.  Space size approximately 10 feet x 20 feet.  The cost will be $50 per space and a New Jersey Tax ID will be required.  Cadillac & LaSalle parts and literature only.  The hotel will have tables available at $25 per table - first come, first served, payable that day.  Registration forms will be available soon.
 
Q. Are there any campgrounds in the area?
A. Local camping books refer to this campground as the closest to Philadelphia:
Timberlane Campground  ~  117 Timberlane Road  ~  Clarksboro, NJ  08020
856-423-6677
Q. What methods of payment are acceptable?
A. You can pay by check (US funds, drawn on a US bank, please), international money order, or Western Union.

(back to the top)

Q. Do I have to be a CLC Member to be a vendor?
A. No.

(back to the top)

Q.
A.

(back to the top)

 

 

Copyright © 2000 - 2008 Cadillac & LaSalle Club - Valley Forge Region, Inc. ~ All rights reserved.
Questions or comments? E-mail the webmaster
The Valley Forge Region is not affiliated with the Cadillac Motorcar Division or General Motors Corporation.
Hit Counter pages have been visited since December 16, 2004.

WINNER - 2001 - Newsletter Excellence Award, Cadillac-LaSalle Club
WINNER - 2000 - Norman Uhlir Regional Activity Award, Cadillac-LaSalle Club
WINNER - 1998