Thought you would appreciate a bit of Car Information as well trivia from “American Graffiti The Movie".
After filming American Graffiti, transportation manager Henry Travers sold Steve’s '58 Impala via a classified ad in the San Francisco Chronicle. A local teenager bought it for $285, and on the way home, the brakes failed, and one of the taillights fell off. The owner kept the car until 2015, when it went to auction and was purchased by NASCAR personality and racing commentator Ray Evernham. Evernham had the car restored to its as-filmed appearance, and the renewed Impala made its public debut at the 2016 SEMA show.
The character Bob Falfa, played by Harrison Ford, drove a '55 Chevy in the film, challenging reigning drag racer Milner. Three black ’55 Chevys were used, including a junkyard find for the crash scene and two others. These cars had previously appeared in the film Two Lane Blacktop. One had a 454-cu.in. V-8 and a Turbo Hydra-Matic 400, while the other was powered by a 427 cu.in. V-8 paired with a Muncie M-22 transmission. During the race scene, the car’s axle broke, and in a second take, the replacement axle broke as well. Only one of the ’55 Chevys remains, and for a time was owned by the same Kansas collector who had the ’32 Deuce coupe. It later went to an owner in Maryland, who restored the car to show condition, though it was extensively changed from its appearance in the film.
In total, some 300 cars were used in filming American Graffiti. Local vintage-car owners were paid $20 to $25 per night (reports vary), plus food, to lend their vehicles to the production.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Brent Berrett, our Vice President, and Robert Means, our Secretary, as they conclude their terms and have chosen not to run again. Their dedication and contributions have been invaluable, leaving big shoes to fill within our club.
At our October Membership meeting, two members have accepted nominations to serve four-year terms. Paul Masla has accepted the nomination for Vice President, and Duane Borski for Treasurer. The club will hold a vote for these positions at the November Membership Meeting. Thank you, Brent and Robert, for your outstanding service, and best of luck to Paul and Duane!
WelcomeNew Members
Please welcome our new members to the car club family! We're thrilled to have you join us as we share our passion, connect with fellow enthusiasts, and make great memories. Whether you're here to learn, showcase your ride, or enjoy the culture, there's a place for everyone. Welcome aboard!
Robert and Anna Anderson with their
'24 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible
Rich Cucharo and Jennifer Mayer with their
'03 Dodge Challenger R/T and '24 Ford Bronco Big Bend
Sherrie Geffe with her '34 Ford Sedan
Johnny and Diana Perez with their '98 Dodge Viper RT10
The following members and significant others are celebrating birthdays this month.
Joe Burick - 11/12
Martin Landis - 11/13
Pat Gonzales - 11/14
Patty Leader - 11/16
Janet Tomono - 11/18
Mike Rachfal - 11/20
Rob Morgan - 11/21
Larry Jones - 11/28
Robert Anderson - 11/29
Nikki Puckett - 11/30
The provided information is sourced from the club's roster. Kindly inform us of any errors or omissions so that we can rectify them promptly.
New Club Rides
New Members Robert and Anna Anderson's
'24 Chevrolet Camaro SS Convertible.
Membership Assistance Requested
Our "Member's Ride" page is one of the most viewed on our site, showcasing our club's pride and passion! Please check if we've posted photos of your current ride(s) and let us know if any vehicles need to be added, removed, or updated.
For assistance, cact Rick Goble at (763) 232-9436. Thank you for helping us keep this page fresh!
Jim Leader led a group of 12 cars to the Goodyear Municipal Recreation Center for "National Night Out," an annual event promoting police-community partnerships and neighborhood unity. It fosters safer, more caring communities by connecting neighbors and law enforcement. Thanks to all who joined, with special appreciation to Jim for leading the group.
EFHS's Homecoming Parade
Homecoming is a cherished tradition for high school students, with a week of events like a parade, spirit days, a football game, and a dance. Yet, few consider its historical roots in American high schools.
This year, we proudly supported Estrella Hills High School with a display of eight cars, led by Jim Leader and his team: Justin Clarke, Robert Means, Steve Gonzales, Kerry Morris, Ron Lorenzo, Jordan Rands, Bill Owen, and Jim Leader. The club thanks everyone for their pride and local support.
2nd Annual Cars & Cocktail
The Cars and Cocktails event, hosted by EMCC and led by Brent Berrett, showcased the exceptional work of Nick Escobedo and the Golf Course Restaurant team. With perfect weather and unique, award-winning cars on display, attendees enjoyed seamless organization, warm welcomes, and great hospitality.
Thanks to Brent’s leadership and the dedication of the entire team, this memorable event marked another successful year.
The following video was created by Eric Vigneron with photos provided by Presley Woodall from Nifte Oafie
(click here to view her website).
Freaky Friday Night's Trunk or Treat
The Estrella Mountain Car Club had a fantastic turnout at the community event! Six members—Jan Polanski, Colleen Kasowskyi, Kerry Morris, Doug Bryson, Jordan Rands, and Bill Owen—proudly represented the club. With nearly 50 unique cars on display, our rides were a crowd favorite.
Over 500 kids and families enjoyed the entertainment, games, and activities, making it a memorable night of cars and community. Thanks to everyone who attended!
Celebrating our members' achievements is a cornerstone of our newsletter, and we count on the updates you share to keep it vibrant. As Arizona’s car show season kicks off, let us know about any awards you receive so we can make this the last month without news in this segment. We love highlighting your successes for everyone to enjoy, and we can't wait to see those trophies rolling in!
We'll drive through Wittmann, Wickenburg, Congress, Kirkland, Skull Valley, Prescott, and end in Cottonwood—enjoy the beautiful views! After lunch, choose your own route back. It’s a 3+ hour scenic cruise! For more information click on the link below.
This marks the fifth consecutive year our club has joined this campaign, which provides a fantastic opportunity to make someone’s holiday brighter—whether through donations or active involvement. We invite everyone to help us make a difference! For more details, please click the link below.
We are excited to invite you to this year's Christmas party at the Player’s Grille and Patio at the Golf Club of Estrella! Come and enjoy a festive evening featuring a delightful dinner buffet, door prizes, and a pay-as-you-go bar with happy hour pricing. For more information click on the link below.
This graph appeared in an article from the September/October 2024 issue of *Hagerty Drivers Club* magazine, discussing the impact of gas prices and the technological advancements we've witnessed throughout our lifetimes.
In 1973, an OPEC oil embargo triggered a severe U.S. fuel crisis, ending cheap gas and pushing Americans to reconsider their fuel-heavy lifestyles amid inflation and rising environmental concerns. This led to new regulations like the CAFE standards, pushing automakers toward fuel efficiency over horsepower. The crisis shifted focus in the automotive industry to smaller, fuel-efficient cars and sparked innovations, paving the way for modern electric vehicles and highlighting how crises often drive progress.
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