Motor Market Sept23

Written in

Larry and Jeanne Doerr of South Sioux City, NE have always had a shared love for classic cars. It’s how they met in fact – cruising the loop in Norfolk, NE in 1971. On May 26, 1973, the couple married, beginning a journey of a lifetime finding, restoring and racing older vehicles, traveling all over the country, bringing home numerous awards and even running a valve cover race track in their own garage.

Larry’s passion for cars began at age 14. His first car was a 1950 Dodge coupe he bought for $50, then later sporting a ’39 Chevy – neither of which

was ever finished. In school, he became even more familiar with the inner and outer mechanisms of cars by restoring a ’53 Chevy, two-door post car, given to him by his grandfather.

Jeanne’s fondness for cars also started at a young age, starting with collecting Matchbox cars. She also, Larry claimed, “never dated guys who didn’t have cool cars.”

Over the years, Larry and Jeanne attended many car shows and cruise nights including the Woodward Dream Cruise 11 times, three Hot Rod

By: Vanessa Carlson Bender • Photograhy By: Ken Cox

Power Tours and other national events such as the Mopar Nationals in Columbus, OH. As of today, the pair has driven over 300,000 miles among all of the cars Larry has built.

Once a month, from October to March, the Doerrs host winter get-togethers in their garage, where their valve cover race track, Gravity Falls Raceway is located.

“We take valve covers from car engines, put wheels on them, and then we have a track, and we run them down the hill,” Larry explained.

He was given the idea five years ago at the Goodguys event in Des Moines. During the warmer months, they do a few car shows, including a large race in March at the World of Wheels in Omaha, NE. They also host free races for kids during the three-day weekend.

Of course, Larry also worked on and restored cars over the years, showing them off at various car shows. One of Larry and Jeanne’s most prized set of wheels is their blue 1967 Plymouth Satellite convertible, which was purchased in 1988 from a friend’s car lot.

“It’s just a body style I have always liked, and then I finally got the opportunity to own one,” Larry relayed.

When Larry and Jeanne purchased the Satellite, it had roughly 100,000 miles on it. From there, the car was initially driven daily during the summer by Jeanne, deeming it her car ever since. After a few years, the Satellite was reluctantly parked due to mechanical issues, waiting in line behind a ’70 Dodge Challenger T/A clone, ’70 Plymouth Cuda Pro Street and a ’66 Dodge Charger 500 with a Daytona-style wing to be restored.

Eventually, Larry and Jeanne’s son Brad returned home one Christmas break and ended up sanding all the paint off in an attempt to get the project moving.

Larry added that “It started as just a quick paint job, wasn’t even going to jam it. It soon got out of control.”

The restoration began with a 1993 518 automatic overdrive transmission. A Cuda shaker top was then made into an air cleaner for the 2007 6.1 Hemi engine, giving it 425 horsepower and 420 foot pounds of torque. This proved to be the biggest challenge in making the vintage hood scoop work as

a functional air cleaner on the modern fuel-injected motor. The Satellite also includes independent front suspension by Control Freak Suspensions with Larry’s addition of air rides, as well as rear Ridetech triangulated 4-bar air rides.

The custom seats, door panels, console, trunk and all carpet on the interior are the work of Darrin Carlson of Boonies Upholstery. Larry removed the dash pad and modified it with a metal lip, providing a nice flow from the lower dash. The instrument panel and glove box door were also replaced with handmade metal ones including the gauge pods.

On the exterior, Larry replaced the rear quarter extensions with handmade parts including taillights, trim and rear spoiler. The front fenders, grill and front bumper were modified from a ‘67 Dodge Charger. The rocker panels, quarters

and front fenders were lowered and all the trim was removed. Larry replaced all engine compartment panels with smooth ones as well. All of the exterior design, body work, priming, sanding, blocking, wet sanding and buffing were completed by Larry. The finishing touch of Speedway Blue paint was sprayed by Dick Brown.

All in all, Larry added over 100 one-off parts plus 100 more modified parts to the Satellite including all wiring and electrical aspects. Over 220 feet of seams of modified parts, were welded and smoothed out with 25 feet on the hood alone. Over the span of six years, 5,000 hours were spent restoring the Satellite convertible, with Larry working on it in his garage for 4,700 of them. “Out of control,” as Larry put it, resulted in one out-of-this-world ride.

Photograhy By: Tim Costello

The Plymouth Satellite made its driving debut in late spring of 2013. Since then, Larry and Jeanne have driven 65,000 miles through 28 states and Canada. Larry has also used the car for autocrossing and drag racing, while Jeanne runs it at several events at the dirt drags.

“I’m just very proud of the work Larry put into the car and the accolades he has received with it,” Jeanne stated.

Those accolades include several major, national awards such as Goodguys Builder’s Choice, PPG’s Paint Pick, several Best Mopars, Top 10 in the Hot Rod Super Nationals, the Grand Champion at the Street Machine Nationals and SteelMaster Builder Award.

What began as a romance sparked by the love of cars, turned into a lifetime continuing to do what they both love – working on cars and spending time with each other. For the Doerrs, the ’67 Plymouth Satellite convertible in particular has acquired the most miles out of everything else they own. The love that Larry and Jeanne have for cars, as well as each other, seems to have been written in the stars.

DODGE DART SPORT

TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE CAR/WHY YOU CHOSE THIS CAR. WHAT’S YOUR CAR’S STORY?

This was my dad’s car in high school that he purchased in 1979. His sister then drove it until 1991, when it was parked and sat in a garage until the fall of 2017 when my dad and I began restoring it. We removed the engine and had it machined by

J & L Premier Automotive in Tea, SD. Aluminum heads and an air gap intake, both by Edelbrock, were added, as well as a Quick Fuel 750 CFM E85 carburetor and Bullet camshaft (duration at 0.050, intake 235 and exhaust 243). A posi new rear end with 3.91 rear gears was also installed.

The car was first driven in the fall of 2018 after the restoration, with improvements continuing to be made over the years. In 2022, new rear quarters and a full paint job were completed.

WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PART ABOUT YOUR CAR? IS THERE ANYTHING YOU WOULD CHANGE?

The fact that I get to drive my dad’s high school car around is my favorite part.

WHAT PLANS DO YOU HAVE FOR THIS CAR?

Maybe a two-step unit for launching at the dragstrip

WHAT’S AN INTERESTING FACT OR SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT THIS RIDE?

The car has a factory-installed sunroof, which not many had at that time. The vinyl top is original, and it runs on E85 as well.

Name: Keegan Lange

City, State: Sioux Falls, SD

Year-Make-Model: 1974 Dodge

Dart Sport

Engine: Original 318 block, bored 0.030 over and stroked to 390 cubic inches

Transmission: 3-speed manual

Stock suspension

Doug's Headers dual exhaust with X cross over and Flowmaster Super 40s

Body: Bodywork done by Jay's Body Shop in Sioux Falls in 2021/2022

Interior: New AutoMeter fauges, new steering wheel, the rest is factory original

*

When you enroll in one of Mitchell Tech’s more than 35 high-demand, high-tech programs, you will experience the best technical education available.

How do we know that Mitchell Tech may be your best choice?

• 99% Job Placement*

• Fully Accredited

• Numerous Program Accreditations

• Regionally Unique Programs

• Many Dual Credit Options Available

• 81% Retention Rate**

• The Newest Campus in the Region

• Military Friendly School Since 2010

The bottom line . . . if you want to be the best, you have to work hard, learn by doing and put your skills to work in the real world.

Our mission is to prepare you for a successful, skilled career. Come and visit or check us out online and you will find out how you can Be The Best at Mitchell Technical College.

**Among best in nation for 2-year colleges (IPEDS first-time, full-time students - 2022-23, National Center for Education Statistics)

Graduate outcome data is gathered through graduate surveys, faculty-collected data, and phone surveys started six months after graduation. 460 of the 466 graduates in 2021-22 are represented in the data. Employment rate is figured by: (graduates employed)/(responding graduates who are seeking employment).

–CAR TIPS FOR–BACK TO SCHOOL

Is your high school or college student headed back to school this fall? Make sure they are ready for anything life throws at them — including car trouble!

Beginning to drive is an exciting time for students, but for parents or guardians, the number of “what ifs” that could happen with a child out on their own can quickly spiral into panic mode.

If your student is hitting the road in their own vehicle, it is essential they know how to react and respond to any possible automotive issues they may encounter along the way. The more your child needs to drive themselves to sporting events, band practice or even head off to college, the more vital it becomes that they know how to handle car problems successfully if they arise.

LESSON #1: CAR MAINTENANCE 101

The first lesson your new driver needs to learn is the importance of car maintenance and the necessary routine care for keeping a vehicle running. Before your student starts the car and heads down the road, consider walking through a couple of the most basic car care tips with them:

•Tire Care–How to measure air pressure and change a tire.

•Oil Changes & Fluid Checks–How to check for low levels or leaks.

•Dashboard Notifications–What each of the lights on the dashboard means, and what to do when one lights up unexpectedly.

•Defensive Driving & Parking–How to stay aware while driving and avoid unnecessary accidents or damage.

By covering the basics of car maintenance with your student, they will feel more equipped and confident to take on the road this fall.

LESSON #2: HOW TO JUMP THEIR CAR (AND HOW TO AVOID NEEDING TO)

One of the most important skills you can give your young driver is the know-how to jump their vehicle. Whether due to cold weather or car problems, most cars will inevitably fail to start when they turn the key, and they will need to know what to do so they can arrive at class or practice on time.

Ensure your student’s vehicle has a set of jumper cables and that they know how to safely apply the cables to another vehicle. Help your student understand whom to contact to get their vehicle started. This could be an excellent opportunity to get them signed up for AAA or another roadside service.

LESSON #3: UNDERSTANDING INSURANCE

It is likely that your student has never given much thought to car insurance. However, as they head out on the road by themselves, it is vital that they understand what insurance is for, and what their policy covers.

LESSON #4: PROACTIVE DRIVING BEHAVIOR

Another seldom-discussed element of driving is the proactive measures you can take to prevent issues. When it comes to driving, the best offense is a good defense. Your student can avoid many common problems if they take the time to stay aware, drive safely and take precautions.

STAY AWARE

The best way to stay proactive while driving is to be constantly aware of your environment. Teaching your student how to remain vigilant while driving with defensive driving skills will help them travel safely on their own.

with Graham Tire

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720 N. Main St. Mitchell, SD 57301 (605) 996-7709

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2101 W. 41st St. Sioux Falls, SD 57105 (605) 339-3334

2320 6th Ave. Aberdeen, SD 57401 (605) 225-2352

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421 W. Sioux Ave. Pierre, SD 57501 (605) 224-8643

2101 West 41st St. Sioux Falls, SD 605-339-3334

DRIVE SAFELY

Consider running through the various car safety mantras that we all know by heart. Whether it is Turn Around, Don’t Drown to avoid flash flood-related driving emergencies or Phone Down, Eyes Up for driving with a cell phone, these short phrases can help prevent costly accidents.

TAKE PRECAUTIONS

Knowing how to take care of their vehicle during inclement weather and where to park safely can help increase their car’s life and safety. This also includes staying on top of routine maintenance.

FINAL EXAM: HELPING YOUR STUDENT TAKE OWNERSHIP

A great way to send off your student with confidence is to give them ownership of their vehicle. Teaching them basic car maintenance tips or how to put aside money for future car repairs can instill a sense of responsibility and pride in their vehicle by encouraging personal ownership and accountability.

Investing in your child’s driving success is a multifaceted affair — don’t leave it up to chance. Take the opportunity to teach them valuable life lessons so they can better focus on their studies, not car trouble!

Graham Ractliffe Manager

THE ROAD TO

SUCCESS

By: Sarah Grassel

With hands-on experience in and out of the classroom, Automotive Technology students at Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, SD are graduating with their degrees and skills fit for careers that are in high demand. Instructor Thor Green, department supervisor for Lake Area Tech’s Automotive Technology program, has been working in the industry for more than 15 years.

“I was a graduate of Lake Area Tech Automotive Technology, and I started teaching here in 2010,” Thor proudly shares.

In a short timeframe of 18 months, the program mainly focuses on work in the repair shop on campus. The shop is nearly 28,000 square feet and provides students with the hands-on foundation for the necessary skills and experience in the field.

Thor adds, “This program serves the need to train new auto technicians for the workforce while trying to stay current with the rapid changes in technology throughout the industry.”

: In addition to Automotive Technology, Lake Area Technical College offers programs in agriculture, aviation, business, human services, nursing, medical and fire rescue, heavy equipment operating, welding and more.

Over the course of the program, students eventually decide on one of four specialties – Automotive Gas, Diesel, Light Duty Diesel or the new Electric Vehicle option.

Lake Area Tech is also certified by the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation, the highest level of achievement recognized by the National College for Automotive Service Excellence. To achieve that accreditation, Thor explains, the program requires hundreds of entry-level tasks to be completed and mastered, along with several soft skills that prepare students for client interaction. He states, “Soft skills include phone etiquette and interview skills for customer relations.”

Working on a variety of autos from cars and sports utility vehicles to trucks and more, a few of the courses include:

• Brake Systems Diagnostics

• Steering, Suspension and Drivetrain Diagnostics

• Engine Repair

• Diagnosis of Automatic Transmissions/Transaxle

The biggest challenge is also one of the benefits of the program. “Students only have 36 weeks in the school year to learn the basics and practice those skills to become proficient while also learning new technology, which seems to be changing at a very rapid pace,” Thor says.

The shorter program length does, however, allow students to start working in their field quickly. After graduating with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Automotive Technology, students secure jobs as service technicians, shop managers/owners and transmission specialists. Let us help you begin your journey in the automotive industry!

Thor Green, department supervisor for Lake Area Tech’s Automotive Technology program

‘Vette Down Under

BY: JUSTIN OLSEN

Meet Marilyn, a 1958 Corvette that has undergone quite the transformation. What started as a dilapidated roller after sitting since the early ‘90s, is now a pure vision of beauty. Yes, I know which Marilyn may come to mind for some, but this car is no Norma Jeane. John Ward of Fuel Bespoke Design said what was left of the car was in poor shape. In fact, he did not even want to take on the project.

John’s client purchased the car, however, eventually, persuading John into tackling the ‘Vette.

Ok, let's address the elephant in the room - the steering wheel is on the wrong side of the car. No, it is not trick photography, it is a right-hand drive Corvette from Down Under. That’s right, this Marilyn came to us from across the pond in Australia. Since

American muscle is a worldwide phenomenon, the car was imported from the States a few decades ago and is located in Dubbo, NSW, Australia. Since most of the original parts were missing or in bad shape, it was somewhat easier for John to give it some 21st-century updates. The owners, Robert and Wendy Stevenson, had recently attended SEMA in Las Vegas, NV, and returned with lots of inspiration and a few requirements: A daily driver and impressive performance and handling. In addition, a two-year deadline was on the calendar so the ‘Vette could be a part of Robert and Wendy’s daughter’s wedding.

After a new front clip was grafted and the rear quarters were widened 1.5 inches, Marilyn was dressed in Cadillac’s Metallic Black Diamond and Inca Silver and accented with Rosso Corsa red for the leather interior. A mini roll cage is hidden inside to accommodate 3-point seat belts, which are required in Australia to achieve a roadworthy certificate and legally drive the streets. Despite the fact that Chevy never offered a right-hand drive until the new C8s came out, John converted this one and gave it a power rack and pinion steering. Dakota Digital RTX gauges are in the pods behind the wheel, configured in the standard kilometers per hour.

Marilyn was able to attend the wedding, as well as numerous car shows in the area, bringing home plenty of award-winning bling. She has exceeded the owners’ expectations in all aspects, proving that this star knows how to shine!

Looking for More Info?

Head to DakotaDigital.com for more photos, details and past features from Six Degrees!

JUSTIN OLSEN

ON THE RIGHT

TRACK

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY PROGRAM

After the first year of gaining a solid foundation, students may enter the Automotive Gas option or the Light Duty Diesel option, allowing for an Associate of Applied Science degree and specialization in the area of most interest.

At Lake Area Tech, staying current with industry standards is a priority. The instructors are master-certified by ASE and the program itself is NATEF certified. Students can be confident that training at Lake Area Tech is second to none.

The Automotive Tech program invests significantly in the latest industry diagnostic equipment. Our automotive tech program has up-to-date training aids including a Hunter Alignment System, Premium Scissor Long-Deck Rack, RoadForce Touch 4th Generation Wheel Balancer, and an Ergonomic Center Clamping Tire Changer, just to name a few.

Electric Vehicle Option: Graduates of an ASE Education Foundation Master Level accredited automotive technician program may enroll in the one-year Electric Vehicle option. As the transportation industry continues to evolve toward electric and hybrid vehicles, there is a growing demand for skilled service technicians who are trained to troubleshoot and repair.

Light Duty Diesel Technology Option: Diesel Technology graduates may continue their education by enrolling in the Light Duty Diesel Technology option. Upon completion of the Light Duty Diesel Technology option, students will be eligible to test for A2, A3, A4, A7, and A9 ASE Certifications in Automobile and Light Truck.

TRANSPORTATION DEGREES

AUTO BODY AND PAINT TECHNOLOGY

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNOLOGY

• Electric Vehicle Option

• Light Duty Diesel Option

AVIATION

• Aviation Maintenance Technology

• Professional Fixed -Wing Pilot

• Unmanned Aerial Systems Pilot Option

DIESEL TECHNOLOGY

• Ag/Industrial Tractor or Truck Option

• ButlerMAX Option

• Cat THINKBIG Option

• CNH Top Tech Option

• Light Duty Diesel Option

• Techknowledge John Deere Option

HEAVY

EXTRA MILE

NAVIGATING

Engine Building in Today's Climate

ON

Engine building has evolved greatly over the years. Engine design, process modifications, hard part choices, equipment updates and updated precision machining requirements are just some of the radically changed aspects of engine building over time. Even our machining industry has changed in recent years. Some shops are choosing to specialize in one or two specific engine profiles, others are widening their service reach and the rest are selling off equipment to downsize. Many machine shops have closed their doors or retired from business, leaving fewer machine shops to choose from to service the need. In addition, our engine part supply chain has also taken a hard hit in the last few years; it goes really deep and is one of the largest and most cumbersome of all of these modifications recently.

Today, we are dealing with an increased service load with decreased engine part

availability, which requires more time to search for available project parts. This has presented us with a challenge we haven’t dealt with before, but we are navigating this constant change to the best of our abilities. All part manufacturers are doing the best they can as well with the demand but there are many aspects to overcome. On top of that, our industry has also demanded continuing process updates and machine tooling changes to properly build today’s engine. These processes are more time-consuming compared to the procedures of the past, prolonging the completion of projects.

When a project comes in to be built, we need to fully disassemble and check every component to determine what work needs to be completed. Then, we check what parts may be available for the build. Lately, we have noticed that even if there is availability listed, it may

with

not mean it is available right then. We have been experiencing long wait times on ordered part inventory coming in and, in many cases, the availability is canceled or pushed out to a later date. This is frustrating to not only the project process but it tremendously disrupts the machining procedures as well. We are spending multiple hours researching and often reordering parts to get a project completed. Recently, we have been experiencing improperly made parts; many times, we can correct them, but sometimes we need to reorder the part and then wait. Due to the lack of qualified workers and the high demand for engine hard parts, the quality control of many part manufacturers is much less apparent than previously.

Here at Sehr Performance, going “The Extra Mile” has always been of high importance. We check, measure, recheck and re-measure every component of our engine builds. Knowing this gives our customers confidence in our engine build. Having qualified, certified engine builders and machinists, along with the priority of attention to detail, ensures every engine we build is by far the best product we can provide our customers.

do

Let me start by saying that this particular account may sound like a fairytale of some sort, but I assure you that it is entirely true. Once upon a time, on May 16, 1957, Harry and Leona Koehler bought a brand new yellow and white 1957 Chevrolet 4-door sedan from the Lambrecht Chevrolet in Pierce, Nebraska. Living on a farm, they wanted to have a nice-looking car that was dependable and could carry their family to wherever they needed to go any time of the year. The car served the family so well over the years that Harry named it “Sugar Baby.” Even their daughter, Dorothy said she just loved it since it was easy to drive and haul her friends around in high school. Lots of good memories! Then on January 12, 1962, the ‘57 was traded off at Lambrecht Chevrolet for another new car. Because the ‘57 was approaching 50,000 miles on the odometer and was still working well, Harry thought it was the thing to do. During that time, most cars had to have their engines rebuilt at 100,000 miles and Harry wanted to avoid dealing with that.

Lambrecht Chevrolet had the ‘57 on their used car lot for a while with no one

really showing any interest in buying it because of new car sales being up. It was used occasionally as a loner car while someone was having their car serviced. Lambrecht was not in the habit of getting rid of trade-in cars that didn’t sell, so he put the ‘57 inside an old storage building they had along with other brand-new or low-mileage vehicles he wasn’t able to sell. For over 50 years, Lambrecht had accumulated over 400 vehicles, storing them in numerous buildings in Pierce, out in various fields around the area and even in Kansas. He wasn’t going to give them up.

Then around 40 years ago, just as Lambrecht was beginning to store cars, the roof of the building the ‘57 was stored in began to cave in on a prized ‘58 Cameo pickup with one mile on it, which was near the ‘57. Therefore, all the cars in that building were moved into a field to avoid any further damage. The ‘58 Cameo pickup was moved into the original old dealership building. As for the ’57, it sat in the field amongst other cars for the next 40 years, exposed to all the seasonal weather elements and

sun as it sank into the ground up to the wheels.

Fast forward to 2013, when the idea of auctioning off all these vehicles came into the picture. It was quite a feat to get all the vehicles into a central location including moving the ones stored in Kansas back into Nebraska for the sale. Rounding up all the titles wasn’t a problem thanks to Lambrecht’s wife, who handled all the bookkeeping over the years and knew where everything was at. The auction was handled by VanDerBrink Auctions and pretty much turned into a worldwide historical event - even televised on the History Channel!

Gene Reiser heard about the auction three months ahead of the actual event and was excited about the possibility of buying a tri-five Chevy. On the first day of the auction, Gene headed out at 4:30 a.m. to get to Pierce early and view what was for sale. There weren’t too many people there yet as he rolled in, but soon, a line began to form, forcing him into a field where he had to pay $20 to park. Then people came in droves. Once the auction

estimated crowd bidding grew to 10,000 people along with many online bidders. Gene decided to leave a little bit earlier to avoid the crowd doing the same, knowing there was a yellow and white 4-door ‘57 Chevy he had his eye on for the next day's auction.

The following day, Gene returned with what appeared to be a smaller crowd, however, still had to pay $10 to park. As the day went on, he realized there were 40 cars to be bid on in front of the ‘57 he was eyeballing. Finally, when 4:30 p.m. rolled around, the ‘57 was on the auction block. The bidding began with four people and then narrowed down to two. It was between Gene and someone else, with the other guy bidding $7,500. Gene threw out another bid of $7,700 and the hammer went down. He owned it. After that, he mentioned calling his wife quickly and saying, “Sorry honey!”

After paying for the newly acquired ’57 Chevrolet 4-door sedan and getting the title, Gene asked for the keys because the car was locked. The people at the auction responded by saying we don’t have them, but you can look on a table over in the corner where there is a pile of keys to look through. Frustrated, he went to the table and started looking, asking others at the table if they had seen any keys for a ‘57 Chevy. In an instant, a guy handed him keys with a

he would be there. His buddy showed up at about 8:30 p.m. and got in line to load the car. Finally, at 11:30 p.m., Art Nordstrom loaded the car using his fork truck onto the trailer. That was a godsend as the front wheels didn’t roll and all the tires were flat. After that, the ‘57 was taken back to his buddy and put in storage.

Gene started working on the ‘57 as soon as he could to make it a roller, which he did. Shortly after making that happen, he moved his family to Brandon, South Dakota and brought the ‘57 there to its own garage stall so he could really begin digging into it. Over the next nine and a half years, he thrashed on the ’57, adding new brakes and brake lines, fuel lines and eventually, rebuilding the original 283 and Powerglide trans to make it move. Then came the new original exhaust system, radiator and everything else to make it a driver. For Gene, it was a labor of love getting it to that point. All the while, he decided not to alter the outside of the body, keeping its patina and rust portraying it as a survivor after sitting in a field for all those years. With the original title in hand, Gene connected with the original owner’s daughter and drove the car to Pierce, Nebraska last year to reunite Dorothy with a past memory and go for a ride. It was a great day for everyone, especially for Gene as the ‘57 made the 300-mile round trip without an issue.

A farm boy from Salem, Bob’s family moved to Sioux Falls when he was 12 years old. After graduation from Washington High School, he attended USD where he majored in Commercial Art. A lifelong auto and art enthusiast, Bob wanted to combine his passions into a career. A self-taught mechanic, body-work, welder and painter, he worked in the industry for seven years. He later went to work for Horner Waldorf Box Company, where he worked for the next 33 years, retiring as Package Design Manager for Smurfit Stone Container. Bob has built dozens of street rods over the years, doing everything except the upholstery work. Bob started the Great Plains Street Rodders Car Club in 1985 and today the club has over 340 members. You can see more of Bob’s paintings and car features on the club’s website: www.greatplainsstreetrodders.com.

Bob Schmeichel

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Dates Subject to Change

44th Annual Vintiques Rod Run

September 8-10, 2023 - Watertown, SD

Memorial Park on Lake Kampeska

For more information contact

Kevin Gribble 605-882-2952

HWY 339 Show and Shine

September 10, 2023 - George, IA

Main Street

For more information

Call 712-400-0874

41st Annual Black Hills

Super Swap Meet & Car Corral

September 10, 2023 - Rapid City, SD

Central State Fair Grounds

For more information

Call 605-348-7373

12th Annual Classic Car Show & Picnic

September 10, 2023 - Sioux Fall, SD

Linwood Wesleyan Church

For more information

Call Jack at 605-929-7083

Lake County History Club Car Show Fundraiser

September 10, 2023 - Madison, SD

Madison High School

For more information

Facebook.com/SmithZimmermanMuseum/

Blacktop Cruisers

21st Annual Car Show

September 16, 2023 - Osage, IA

Mitchell County Fairgrounds

For more information

Call 641-732-3662

Fall Classic Car Show

September 16, 2023 - Sioux Falls, SD

8601 W. 26th St.

For more information

Call 605-362-0800

Menno Volunteer Fire Dept. Show & Shine

September 16, 2023 - Menno, SD

Main Street

For more information

Call 605-660-5823

The West Point Car Show

September 17, 2023 - West Point, NE

Nielsen Community Center

For more information

roadgems.com/the-west-point-car-show/

Hogs N Hot Rods

September 23, 2023 - Brookings, SD

GM Dealership

For more information

Call 605-692-6315

19th Annual OutKasts Car Show

September 23, 2023 - Mitchell, SD

Mitchell's Main Street

For more information

Call Steve 605-630-3787

10th Annual Cars-N-Carroll Show & Shine

September 24, 2023 - Carroll, NE

In front of City Auditorium

For more information

carsncarroll.wixsite.com/cars-n-carroll

Knoepfler Chevrolet Car Show

September 24, 2023 - Sioux City, IA

100 Jackson St.

For more information

Call 712-279-7145

Straight Lines Custom

Restoration Annual Cruise Night

September 27, 2023 - Tea, SD

Straight Lines Custom Restorations, Inc.

For more information

facebook.com/GPSRSiouxFalls

Cruiser Car Show

September 30, 2023 - Rapid City, SD

Main Street Square

For more information

mainstreetsquare.org/calendar/cruiser-carshow-1-d3mkh

First Annual

Divide Hill Car Show

October 1, 2023 - Castana, IA

Divide Hill Roadhouse

For more information

divide-hill-roadhouse.hub.biz

2023 Cruise to the Woods

October 1, 2023 - Fort Dodge, IA

Lizard Creek Ranch & Event Center

For more information wccruisers.com

Vintage Dirt Drags in Dakota

October 6-7, 2023 - Sturgis, SD

Sturgis Dragway

For more information

Call Robert at 605-415-6518

Cars & Coffee of Siouxland

October 7, 2023 - Sioux Falls, SD

Schulte Subaru

For more information

facebook.com/carsandcoffeesiouxfalls

ASK THE MOTOR MEDICS®

TUNE-IN AND TUNE-UP!®

Dear Motor Medics,

I used the remote start on my 2004 Chevy Silverado to warm it up the other morning and came out to find my interior filled with smoke. I did not see smoke coming out of any area, so I aired it out and drove to work. I have checked all the electrical functions and the only thing I find that does not work is the heater fan’s high speed. Could this be what was smoking?

Steven Kalamazoo, Michigan

Dear Steven,

The interior HVAC blower fan system could have been the source of the smoke. Blower resistor failures are common as vehicles age. The blower windings break down over time and the resistance on the circuit increases, causing the resistor to run much hotter than it should. Eventually, the resistor can fail and sometimes it will let off smoke. In addition to the resistor failing, some vehicles have issues with the wires that attach to the resistor and the connector plug melting. In the case of the Silverado, it is a common issue and some of them were subject to a recall, so check with your local dealership for more information. The most important thing to remember is to stop driving a vehicle when you see or smell smoke. Fire spreads quickly in a vehicle and you can be overcome by the fumes of the many materials used in its construction. Always think about your safety first.

Take care, The Motor Medics

Dear Motor Medics,

I have a 2007 Chevy Impala with several issues that all occurred about the same time. I have a check engine light on, poor cabin heat and my fuel mileage is not as good as it used to be. What kind of things should I be looking for?

Diane Wray, Colorado

Dear Diane,

It is possible that just one thing is causing all your problems and that item is small and relatively inexpensive - your engine’s thermostat. The thermostat is responsible for keeping the engine temperature at a steady level so you have proper heat available for the interior, as well as proper operating temperature for the engine to operate efficiently. When a thermostat does not allow the engine to warm to a certain level on OBD II vehicles, the computer responds by turning the check engine light on. Another effect of low temps is a decrease in fuel mileage due to continued fuel mixture enrichment. In the past, our vehicles used carburetors with chokes on them to enrich the fuel mixture for proper running until the engine was warm. Around the early ‘80s, this changed to electronic fuel injection and is now controlled by the engine computer. If the thermostat does not regulate the engine temperature properly the computer may continue to enrich the fuel mixture, causing the vehicle to have poor mileage. Thermostats should be serviced when the coolant is flushed or when they fail to operate as designed.

Take care, The Motor Medics

with The Motor Medics ® Shannon Nordstrom, Russ “The Super Tech” Evans, and Chris Carter

From the Hosts of the Under The Hood radio show.

ZACH AND LIZ SMITH

THE NEW OWNERS

OF STRAIGHTLINES CUSTOM RESTORATIONS!

Zach and Liz have taken over operations at Straightlines effective July 1. Zach has worked here for 15 years and is well-versed in all aspects of the business. Under his ownership, you will see the same outstanding level of workmanship and customer service for which we are known!

We invite you to call or stop in to visit about your restoration, performance and service needs.