Dazzling DeVille owners with their Certificates of Appreciation

77 pre-registrations!  That’s what we received, which by the way is an all-time record.  With those many pre-registrations, we were looking at a record turnout; even more cars than the 115 cars we had for the Fabulous Fleetwoods event the year before.  All we needed was nice weather, but a funny thing happened the day before the show.  It snowed!  Not just flurries, but accumulating snow, especially in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and West Virginia, as well as parts of Maryland.  Richard Sills commented that the last time there was accumulating snow in October in Lancaster, Pennsylvania was 1973!  And the time before that was 1940!  Bob Crimmins and Jeff Montgomery trailered Bob’s 1955 Coupe DeVille from New Jersey Friday to beat the snow storm.  Unfortunately, quite a few of the pre-registered attendees were unable to attend due to the freak storm.  But, we thank those folks for their support and to show our appreciation, we mailed them their certificates of appreciation (DeVille owners) and commemorative programs after the show.

In spite of the stormy weather, Past CLC President Richard Sills and Shelley Chadick welcomed over 40 out-of-town guests and Potomac Region members to a “Pre-Show” night dinner in the restaurant of the Holiday Inn (see pictures below).  Quite a few Valley Forge Region members drove their daily drivers instead of their pre-registered classics as a result of the snow in the Northeast.  However, Jeremy & Smokie Crews drove thru sleet and rain from Richmond, VA in their original 1962 Eldorado Biarritz to attend.   CLC President Lars Kneller and his wife Jaunda flew in from Indiana and CLC Northeast Regional Vice President Andy Zizolfo and his wife Allene came down from New York to participate.  Alan Clark, CLC Grand National Photographer, came from California to join us.  There was plenty to eat and drink and the conversations were lively.
 

While attendees were enjoying the camaraderie at the Holiday Inn Greenbelt, dealership preparations were well underway as Henry, Dan & JoJo Ruby delivered tables and supplies and prepared the coffee pot and Danish while the staff of Capitol Cadillac moved vehicles from the front parking areas and cleared the show field. 

By Sunday morning, the storm was gone but the winter-like temperatures were still in the area (probably in the mid 30s).  By 8:00 AM, the crew of volunteers had arrived to begin registering and parking the cars.  As the case with previous shows, a show vehicle was on site and ready to be parked before 8:00 AM!  It quickly warmed up to the mid 50s with only a slight breeze.  As a result, 62 cars arrived to participate in the event including 20 Dazzling DeVilles ranging from 1955 to 1970.  There were cars driven to the show from five states, representing four different CLC regions (seven regions counting the CLC members who attended without their cars).  It was a terrific gathering of exceptional automobiles.

DJ Mikey Veilleux of Music Madness officially opened the show at 10:00 AM with the playing of our National Anthem.  Before long, the showroom and show field were filled to near capacity. The Dazzling DeVilles on display are listed below.

Tom Pollutri’s
1962 Sedan Deville

Sandy Kemper’s
1959 Coupe DeVille
 

Paul Habicht’s
1959 Sedan DeVille
 

Mark E. Brodsky’s
1964 DeVille Convertible

Roger Bentley’s
1955 Coupe DeVille

Dan O’Flaherty’s
1956 Sedan DeVille
 

Mark E. Brodsky’s
1969 Coupe DeVille
 

Mark E. Brodsky’s
1969 DeVille Convertible
 

Randy Edison’s
1959 Coupe DeVille

R. Scot Minesinger's
1970 DeVille Convertible
 

Bob Crimmins’
1955 Coupe DeVille

Following the Potomac Region’s current practice, the judging was done by the owners of the cars registered in the show (peer judging), except for the Dealer’s Choice Award and Car Show Coordinator Award.  Throughout the day, many of the owners could be seen walking among the cars with their pencils and ballots in hand.  When the deadline for voting was reached, over 70% of the attendees eligible to vote had submitted a ballot.

Before the awards program began, the Potomac Region’s Auctioneer Extraordinaire George Boxley auctioned off the original painting by Dan Reed of the 1949 Coupe DeVille that was the basis for our show’s dash plaque (pictured right).  This is an acrylic on canvas painting, 16 x 20, mounted in a pecan wood frame, something that can be displayed and treasured forever.  The painting was created especially for the 2011 Fall Capitol Cadillac Show featuring the Dazzling DeVilles.   Dan chose to feature the landmark first year Coupe DeVille because of its significance, and he chose to recreate the color scheme used in the 1949 advertisement, Triumph Blue body with a Horizon Blue roof. 

After the auction, CLC Past President Richard Sills, who served as the Master of Ceremonies, began the awards presentation.  He began by providing a brief, but informative history of the DeVille history and the automobiles produced under that marque.  Each of those pre-registered DeVille owners, whose car was featured in the commemorative program, was presented with a framed certificate of appreciation for being a part of the Dazzling DeVilles event.  Then he introduced Potomac Region Director Vince Taliano who thanked Daniel Jobe and Capitol Cadillac for hosting this remarkable show.  Vince also acknowledged the club members and other individuals who tirelessly helped with the production of the show. 

 

Following the drawing, as Richard described each of the cars, Daniel Jobe presented the awards for the first, second and third place winners in each of the classes and the awards for Best Pre-War (Monroe Dorsey’s 1938 Cadillac Series 60 Special), Best Post-War (Paul Habicht’s 1959 Sedan DeVille) and Best of Show (Randy & Susan Denchfield’s 1935 LaSalle Convertible Coupe). 

 

In addition, Daniel Jobe presented his choice for the Dealer’s Choice Award to Jeremy & Smokie Crews for their 1962 Eldorado Biarritz, Debbie Piel announced that George & Rita Boxley’s 1960 Series 62 Coupe won the Ladies’ Choice Award donated by Brenda & Jim George, and Henry Ruby presented his Car Show Coordinator Award, a framed $100, to Preston Waters’ 1966 Calais Coupe.  Lastly, Richard asked for the audience’s help in identifying the car that was registered and driven – not trailered – the longest distance to participate in the show.  Dick Parsons of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania edged out Jeremy & Smokie Crews from Richmond, Virginia.

In this competitive group of high-quality cars, these were the award winners:

At the finale of the awards ceremony, a special cake was presented to Henry Ruby from his family and friends to celebrate his 75th birthday, which fell on the day after the show. 

After cake, the weekend of CLC fellowship drew to a close.  The Potomac Region extends its utmost appreciation to Daniel Jobe, President of Capitol Cadillac, who has made the facilities of his 77-year-old dealership fully available to the Potomac Region for its semi-annual car shows since 1992.  And the Region thanks the many CLC members who attended the Dazzling DeVilles.