May 2008

Mark Ogren Benefit Cruise

We had a turnout of nine members Corvettes for a sunny, Sunday afternoon cruise to Osceola, Wisconsin for Mark Ogren's Benefit. The Corvettes were on display during the Benefit that was put on by friends of Mark Ogren and held at the Osceola Intermediate School. Members participating in the benefit were: Jim Adams, Denny Adams, Dale and Val Crosby, Jim Fenske, Joe Galindo, Don Goldsbury, Jeff Goldsbury, Roger Kane, John Kramlinger and Dee Herman, Steve and Betty Johnston, and Ron and Jude Hendrickson.

In addition to the members displaying their cars 19 Chapter members donated a total of $1,225.00. The Chapter matched the first $500.00 for a total of $1725.00.

Mark was driven to the Benefit by his friend Doug in Mark's '66 big block roadster. There was a large turnout of friends in support of Mark and his family. Mark is making progress in regaining his strength and use of his muscles.

December 2007

Tech Session

  Our December Tech session and Chapter Meeting was a body drop hosted by Ron Hendrickson and Tim Cossette at Tim’s Westside Collision in Eden Prairie. Ron had the body of his ’65 Coupe painted Milano Maroon by Tim and his staff in early December. Twenty-five or so members turned out on the snowy Saturday morning to participate in the Tech Session/Meeting. Tim gave a brief review of the paint stripping and preparation work that was done before the acrylic lacquer final coats were applied. Ron reviewed the chassis restoration work that he had completed prior to the body drop. The entire Interior had been removed by Ron in the restoration process to reduce the weight of the body for the drop. The body jacks were furnished by Bob Lund, North Central chapter member. Bob does restorations of Corvettes in Bloomington. Bob and Don O’Grady operated the jacks for body lift from the dolly and the drop on to the chassis.

The drop involved a few tasks to prepare the body for the drop. The rear running lights and back-up lights and rear harness were installed. Due to the limited access it is easier to put them in place before the drop. It is also easier to install the rear Corvette Sting Ray emblem prior to the mating of the body to the chassis. We dropped the Coupe with the doors and hood installed. The chassis was complete also with the drive train in place. The most time was spent in aligning the body mounts to the chassis. The lift from the body dolly and lowering the body to the chassis were routine as we have done the procedure previously. Safety of the members working around the body in lifting and lowering the body on the jacks is a key issue and that also went well.

After the body was bolted to the chassis the Corvette was rolled on to Ron’s enclosed trailer and secured for the ride home. Ron expresses his thanks to all who attended and participated in the successful body drop.

.Click Here for pictures from the Tech Session