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When you install a GM OE-quality engine, automatic transmission,
or transfer case, it comes with a 3-year/100,000-mile limited
warranty,* covering both the part and your labor. With our warranty,
same- or next-day delivery from Powertrain Wholesale Program
dealers, and OE quality, you have the coverage to complete your
repairs with confidence. For all your powertrain
needs, call 1.866.OE.PARTS
for a dealer location and
technical assistance.
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* Whichever comes first. Warranty applies to engines, transmissions, and transfer cases installed in passenger car and light-duty truck
series 10-30. This warranty does not apply to any unit installed under the General Motors New-Vehicle Limited Warranty and covers
only those parts that are marketed by GM as Goodwrench or GM Parts. Transfer cases purchased prior to 1/1/09 have a 2-year/24,000mile
limited warranty. ©2009 GM Corp. All rights reserved.
Knowledge
is Power
Nadine Grobmeier builds
customer loyalty through
empowerment
The Long Haul
Servicing customers who keep their cars longer
Online Enlightenment
eForum highlights Web-based opportunities
PLUS:
Inside the action of collector car auctions
WINTER SUMMER 2009 VOLUME 2527
AD-PU-0003-09

n FIXING CARS &
TAKING CARE OF
PEOPLE
“ Knowledge is Power” Clinic and other community outreach
programs help Airpark Auto Service soar above the
competition.
Page 20
cONTENTs
INTUNE ADVISORY BOARD
ACDelco Marketing Director Nancy McLean ACDelco Advertising Manager Chris Brandt Advertising Specialist Debra LaLonde
PUBLIShINg STAff
Publishers Pam Riehl & Bree Erin Brownlee Senior Editor Barry Kluczyk Art Director Elizabeth Raab Copywriter Cynthia Curry
Contributors Amy Lenard & Eric Lingaur Copy Editors Jennifer Lang & Karen Mauck Print Production Laura Bronczyk
Studio Production Paul Kangas & Jeff Zimmerman, Mundocom Detroit
CONTACT US intune@leoburnett.com
NEW AND
IMPROVED
Revisions to product lines
and the addition of new parts
offer great product improve-
ments from ACDelco.
Page 08
A HEAD START
ON THE FUTURE
ACDelco’s relationship
with gM enables a unique
opportunity for technicians
to look under the hoods of
fuel-cell vehicles.
Page 18
UNDER THE
HAMMER
Inside the world of collector
car auctions.
Page 28
COMPONENTS
04 NUTS & BOLTS
08 ThE gOODS
10 BREAK ROOM
14 ShOP TALK
18 SERVICE BAY
24 STREET CRED
26 SMART MOVES
30 REAR VIEW
Intune is published for ACDelco, General Motors Corp., by Leo Burnett, 3310 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, Mich. 48084. General Motors is an equal-opportunity employer. Manuscripts and photographs
are submitted at the sender’s risk. Submission of letters and photos implies the right to edit and publish. ©2009 by Leo Burnett. All rights reserved.
Cover image copyright Gorilla. Used under license from Shutterstock.com.

NUTs & bOLTs
04
Side Blind Zone
Alert System
Introduced in 2008 on
a couple of Cadillac and
Buick models, gM’s driver
aid known as the Side
Blind Zone Alert* system is
spreading to more vehicles
—including the redesigned
2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan.
Side Blind Zone Alert uses
radar sensors on both sides
of the vehicle (mounted behind
the rear fascia) to scan a
150-degree field of view within
a 3.5-meter range. Alternating
radar beams sweep the
NUTS & BOLTS
TECH
FOCUS:
adjacent traffic lanes to “look”
for other cars. Vehicles entering
one of seven zones identified by
the system will illuminate an LED
symbol visible to the driver, such
as on the outside rearview mirror.
The system is designed to ignore
stationary objects such as fire
hydrants or parked cars.
Some vehicles complement the
Side Blind Zone Alert system with
Lane Departure Warning. It’s a
camera-based lane detection
system that warns drivers of
inadvertent lane changes. With
it, a camera identifies traffic lane
markings and provides audible
alerts if the driver appears to stray
out of the lane.
*Before making a lane change, always
check the Side Blind Zone Alert display,
check the side and inside mirrors, look over
your shoulder for vehicles and hazards and
start the turn signal.
05
acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

NUTs & bOLTs
ACDelco’s TSS levels match
greater monthly purchases with
increased benefits for
If you’re already an ACDelco TSS member, we don’t have to tell you about the advantages that come with your affiliation
NUTS & BOLTS
—everything from exciting marketing programs, signage, uniforms and even discounts on new gM vehicles, to unmatched
technician training and professional seminars. It’s a program that helps grow your automotive business and stay on the
leading edge of the industry’s evolving technology.
But even longtime TSS affiliates may not be aware of the recent revisions to the benefits offered within the Red, White
and Blue levels of membership. The levels are based on average monthly purchases of ACDelco parts and acknowledge
greater purchasing power with more benefits. here’s an overview:
Tss red level –benefits include:
• Access to training seminars and Web courses (instructor-led training can be purchased, too)
• Marketplace discounts for a variety of business-related enterprises, such as tools, uniforms, diagnostic equipment
and more
• Consumer Assurance Program
• Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) program
• Automotive Service Educational Program (ASEP)
Tss white level –The benefits build on all of the red level with the following additions:
• ACDelco instructor-led training courses, business seminars and tech assists
• acdelco.com locator
• Eligibility for ACDelco image materials and signage
• Eligibility to apply for the College Scholarship Program
• GE Fleet and Universal Warranty Preferred Vendor list
• Eligibility for technician contests
Tss blue level –building on the benefits of the red and white levels, the blue level also includes:
• acdelco.com locator preferred position
• ACDelco instructor-led training with preferred seating and Web-based simulations
• Additional marketing support provided when applicable
Independent shops not currently part of the ACDelco TSS program can join if they meet the following requirements:
• Sponsorship from a local ACDelco Dedicated Distribution Group (DDG) member
• Achieving minimum monthly reported purchases of ACDelco products
• Employment of trained technicians in all areas of work and at least one ASE-certified technician
• Prominent display of current ACDelco signage
Learn more about joining by calling 800.825.5886 or logging on to acdelcotechconnect.com.
06 07

ThE gOOds
08
NEW AND IMPROVED
Updates to product lines and the addition of new parts offer great product
improvements from ACDelco
ACDelco is continually updating, adding and replacing components in its extensive range of parts, ensuring
customers of a broader range of choices and more parts to fit their vehicles. Recent changes and additions to the
product lines include revised clutch hydraulics, improved fuel injectors, improved air conditioning compressors and
an expanded lineup of belts and hoses.
PRODUCT LINE 15
New, improved air conditioning
compressors bring cool relief
ACDelco recently added 19 brand-new (not remanufactured)
aftermarket h6 air conditioning compressors.
They feature a 10-cylinder design that is an improvement
over the previous six-cylinder design. The design also
includes Teflon ® -coated aluminum pistons and dowel pins.
ACDelco continues to offer the original-style six-cylinder
h6 compressors in addition to the new, improved
aftermarket compressors, for a greater range of
choices to offer customers. for more information on
the new compressors, see Bulletin 09D-026 or see
your ACDelco representative.
By the way: To protect customers’ air conditioning
systems, it’s important to know the purity quality
requirement for the refrigerant. for R134a, 40 pounds
per minute (ppm) is the maximum impurity level
established by the Air Conditioning and Refrigerant
Institute (ARI) and the Society of Automotive Engineers
(SAE). ACDelco’s R134a refrigerant meets SAE J2776
purity standards.
PRODUCT LINE 21
Updated CMFI brings product
enhancements, cost advantage
ACDelco recently introduced a revised remanufactured
Central Multi-port fuel Injector (CMfI), part number
217-3395, for the popular 1992-95 4.3-liter V-6 found in
a variety of compact trucks, SUVs and vans.
The updated, high-quality CMfI can be used in place
of the OE injector. It features:
• A new base regulator with double diaphragm to
provide enhanced sealing
• New poppet valve retaining clips
• New O-rings in all locations
• A resized O-ring at interface to protect against leaks
• New nylon fuel lines
• OE-style replacement materials for all seals,
O-rings, hoses and clips
Applications for the injector include 4.3-liter-equipped
models of the following 1992-1995 vehicles:
• Chevrolet Astro and GMC Safari
• Chevrolet Blazer, GMC Jimmy and Oldsmobile
Bravada
• Chevrolet S-10 and GMC S-15/Sonoma
PRODUCT LINE 35
More belts and hoses– ACDelco
all-makes coverage expands
ACDelco has added 185 all-makes parts to the belts
and hoses product line. They include a variety of ribbed
V-belts, idler and de-coupler pulleys, belt tensioners,
timing component kits and molded hoses.
Also, ACDelco now offers a kit for 1993-95 Chrysler
minivans equipped with the 3.3L or 3.8L engines that
solves the common problem of the belt jumping off
the pulley. The ACDelco kit has pulley grooves and belt
ribs that lock together, making it almost impossible for
the belt to jump off the drive pulley.
The Chrysler kit includes a double-sided V-ribbed
belt, a grooved idler pulley and a tensioner with a
grooved pulley.
PRODUCT LINE 38
Clutch hydraulics transition
Matching industry consolidation of the manual
transmission clutch hydraulics market, ACDelco is
working to reduce or eliminate duplication in the
coverage of clutch hydraulics components (clutch
master cylinders and clutch slave cylinders).
ThE gOODS
ACDelco’s initiative should eliminate most duplicate
inventories and offer a stronger, more competitive
product line. As a result, the previous Line 14 clutch
hydraulics was discontinued and transitioned to
ACDelco clutches, product Line 38. The change was
effective february 2.
The changes included a clean supersession of the
previous Line 14 part numbers. Also, kits to relabel
products are offered for customers who have existing
inventories of previous Line 14 part numbers. ACDelco
Market Area Managers are available to help with the
transition process.
It is important to note that the parts transition does
not include traditional Line 14 brake hydraulics or Line
38 clutch kits. Also, Line 38 does not have the product
line discount included in Line 14, but ACDelco altered
pricing on 188 of the Line 38 part numbers to align
with Line 14 invoice pricing. This represents approximately
a 12-percent weighted WD price decrease.
09

Eak rOOm
10
The 2010 Buick LaCrosse
VEhICLE TYPE:
Midsize sedan
CONfIgURATION:
Unitized construction; front-engine;
front-wheel drive (all-wheel drive
available)
ENgINE:
3.0L V-6; 3.6L V-6
TRANSMISSION:
6-speed automatic
IN ShOWROOMS:
Summer 2009
Buick has redesigned the LaCrosse midsize sedan for 2010, giving
it an elegant design that looks decidedly upscale. The premium
appearance is complemented by a comprehensive list of new features
and technologies, including available All-Wheel Drive (AWD).
As a result of Buick’s growing presence around the globe, particularly
China, the redesigned LaCrosse was developed with unprecedented
input from gM’s design and engineering groups in North America,
Europe and Asia. In fact, the design was first introduced on a concept
vehicle that debuted in China in 2008.
The 2010 LaCrosse is offered with a pair of new engines tuned to deliver
a balance of performance and efficiency. They include a 3.0-liter DOhC
V-6 rated at 255 horsepower (252 hp with AWD) and a 3.6-liter DOhC
V-6 rated at 280 horsepower. Both use variable valve timing and
direct-injection technology to optimize power and efficiency, with
reduced emissions. A 6-speed automatic transmission is paired with
each engine, too.
A contemporary interior includes available features such as in-dash
navigation,* Bluetooth ® connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and a
USB port. for rear-seat passengers, a DVD entertainment system is
offered. Also available is a head-up instrument display in the windshield;
high-intensity discharge adaptive forward lighting that can direct the
headlamp beams up to 15 degrees for enhanced illumination of the
road and its curves; a rearview camera with the display integrated
into the navigation system screen and Side Blind Zone Alert** that
notifies the driver if a vehicle in adjacent lanes is traveling in the
driver’s outside mirror blind spot.
Offered in
three models:
CX – equipped with the
3.0-liter V-6, premium
cloth seats and 17-inch
wheels.
CXL – also equipped with
the 3.0-liter engine,
adds leather-appointed
heated front seats,
dual-zone automatic
climate control, fog
lamps, outside rearview
mirror with LED turn
indicators and puddle
lamps and 18-inch wheels.
AWD is available.
CXS – powered by the 3.6-liter
V-6, it adds available
real-time active-dampening
suspension; perforated,
leather-appointed seating;
heated and ventilated front
seats and chrome-plated
18-inch wheels (19-inch
optional).
Production and dealership
availability of the new LaCrosse
begin this summer.
*Map coverage not available in Puerto Rico.
**Before making a lane change, always
check the Side Blind Zone Alert display,
check the side and inside mirrors, look over
your shoulder for vehicles and hazards and
start the turn signal.
BREAK ROOM
11
acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

y Mark Phillips photos Barry Kluczyk
ONLiNE OppOrTUNiTiEs
ACDelco’s latest eForum identifies Internet-based avenues for increasing parts sales
ACDelco delved further into the world of e-commerce
and explained to its partners ways to leverage the
Internet during the latest eforum conference, held April
21-23 in Ypsilanti, Mich.
The conference encapsulated ACDelco’s emphasis on
electronic security, e-training and promotion of Internet
sales, including obsolescent inventory. It was the
fourth-annual session and welcomed affiliated
warehouse distributors.
Attendees could participate in various training
sessions, including overviews and deep dives into
ACDelco’s eSmart and Prodriver tools, as well as the
company’s Business-to-Consumer (B2C) strategies.
There is a burgeoning customer base for buying autos
and auto parts online, says famous Rhodes of eBay ®
Motors, which is partnering with ACDelco to sell
obsolete parts.
In 2008, $19.3 billion was spent online on automotive
parts and services, according to forrester Research’s
report, “State of Online Retail.” That was an increase of
nearly 15 percent over 2007’s $16.8 billion—and that
includes spending after the economy quickly soured.
Obsolescent parts sales through eBay Motors began
as a pilot program earlier this year for ACDelco and it
has steadily gained traction.
Steve Liao of MechanicNet says distributors pay no
eBay listing fees to sell their parts through the
ACDelco/eBay Motors partnership. eBay, which is
known chiefly as an auction site, charges fees to list
items for sale or auction. MechanicNet will pay those
costs for distributors.
The ACDelco/eBay Motors partnership has taken into
consideration several factors to encourage participation,
Liao says. Warehouse Distributor (WD) names are
hidden from buyers to prevent channel conflict with local
customers. In addition, WD contact info is removed to
prevent a service burden on a WD’s counter staff, and
sales tax is collected from customers so distributors
don’t have to do it.
Promoting internet sales
Renee David, an ACDelco advertising specialist,
revealed to distributors the tricks to promoting their
Internet sales and encouraged them to use paid
search terms on google ® rather than online advertising
to reach customers. It’s the most efficient and a more
precise method of reaching them, she says.
“Paid search is a way to find anything
as a consumer,” David says. “Search
catches a consumer when they’re
out there looking for something.”
With paid search, advertisers pay only when someone
clicks on a link as opposed to some ads, which cost
money every time someone sees the ad, regardless if
they click through to a Web site. There are two types
of searches on the Web. “Natural search” is when
people utilize google, for example, and find results
based purely on content of the Web page. With “paid
search,” advertisers buy key words and when a Web
user searches for a particular term, the appropriate
links are served up. David stresses to distributors with
e-commerce Web sites that they shouldn’t rush to buy
any and every key word.
“You don’t want to go out and purchase the term
‘ACDelco batteries’ if you don’t sell batteries,” she
says. “If you bought that and send someone to a
page about filters, they’re going to be confused.
good content and driving people to the appropriate
place in your site is the key to success.”
David says ACDelco buys about 1.8 million key
words, such as various combinations of words like
“ACDelco batteries” and many variations of the most
popular parts. n
12 13

shOp TaLk
FROM PLOWS
TO PALM TREES
by Amy Lenard photo Courtesy of Steve Johnson
Canadian-born Florida technician builds
a 30-year career in the sun
Johnson didn’t much care for farming. So, after high
school, he began an apprenticeship with a general
Motors dealership and continued on that path for several
years. he moved to florida in 1980, where he spent the
next 20 years working as a technician and floor foreman
at a variety of dealerships.
Now, after about nine years at Terry Wynter Auto Service
Center, his experience has him front and center in
automotive interviews on television and radio. Recent
vignettes featuring Johnson’s take on gas-saving
gimmicks and better gas mileage have appeared in
local and national media outlets.
“Steve has a unique ability to have
great technical and people skills so
he makes a wonderful representative
for our company,” says shop
co-owner Kay Wynter. “he’s terrific
in front of a camera.”
Johnson works with a staff of seven technicians, along
with a service writer and parts manager. he says
everyone in the service area has special strengths.
“Individuals can’t do everything, but
together we work well as a team,”
says Johnson, whose specialties
are drivability, electronics and air
conditioning. “Each one of us has
a certain area of expertise, which
keeps things running smoothly.”
Ulmer’s Auto and Truck Service in great falls, Mont.,
celebrates 64 years in the business this November. Much
has changed since Clarence C. Ulmer opened the doors
on Nov. 3, 1945.
HUMBLE BEgINNINg
The city’s population has grown from about 30,000 in
1945 to about 59,000 today. And while Montana
remains one of the least populous states in the country,
it nonetheless has more than doubled the number of
residents in the last six and a half decades— from
477,000 in 1945 to about 960,000 in 2009.
Three generations and 64 years in business make
Ulmer’s Auto a Montana landmark
by Eric Lingaur photos courtesy of Ulmer’s Automotive
Clarence Ulmer got his start in the automotive service
business working at various dealerships as an
independent owner. Before World War II, area dealerships
for manufacturers such as Plymouth, hudson and
Nash didn’t run their own service departments and
subcontracted independents to operate them.
After the war ended, Ulmer decided he wanted to start
his own shop. Money was tight at that time, but his wife
Drusilla had been saving for a home, so the couple
used their house fund to start the business. The building
But while Montana has changed, the family at Ulmer’s permit for Ulmer’s was the first issued in great falls after
he spends a lot of time pouring over service manuals,
Auto hasn’t. It’s currently managed by greg Ulmer, the World War II ended, and Ulmer’s has remained in the
but senior technician Steve Johnson sometimes feels
grandson of Clarence Ulmer.
same location ever since.
like he’s in the middle of his own mystery novel.
A car enthusiast to the core, Johnson says he recently
“When you work a family business you only have to work When the shop opened, Ulmer’s Auto had only one
“Being a technician is a lot like being a detective,” he says. downsized his personal fleet of vehicles so he could
half a day, just pick which 12 hours you want to work,” building and four service bays. The staff consisted of
“Someone brings you a problem and you have to analyze purchase a leisure boat for cruising around the florida
says greg Ulmer.
Clarence Ulmer and three mechanics. In the years that
the clues, come up with a theory and solve the mystery coastline with his wife Janis and their two adult sons.
Ulmer’s is a long-time TSS affiliate and an all-makes
followed, the shop has been expanded twice; it now
before you repair the vehicle.”
But he still has a 2002 Corvette, 1969 Chevelle, 1986
all-models service center that performs a variety of auto
houses seven bays, employs five technicians and one
Johnson is an integral member of the service team
Jaguar XJS Coupe and 1989 Mazda RX-7, in addition
and truck repair, as well as some fabrication. It also
assistant technician. Several of Ulmer’s technicians
at Terry Wynter Auto Service Center, a Total Service
to the half-ton pickup truck he drives to work.
services many area vehicle fleet accounts, some of
have worked there for more than 15 years, and all of the
Support shop in fort Myers, fla. he’s also an avid drag Literally and figuratively, Johnson has come a long
which have been customers for more than 35 years.
Ulmer’s employees are considered part of the family.
racer, classic car enthusiast and hot-rod builder who’s way from the farmland of Ontario, but a successful
Ulmer’s prides itself in providing personal service at Clarence Ulmer ran the shop from 1945 to 1980. he
been adept at mechanical service since growing up on career of more than 30 years proves the automotive
competitive prices and really takes the time to get to handed the reins to his son gary, but returned to the
a farm in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where repairing and industry offers plenty to a technician who’s dedicated
know their customers. They have many customers that shop every day until he passed away at the age of 84.
maintaining equipment was a way of life.
to his vocation. n
have been coming in for more than 40 years.
Continued on page 16
14 15
acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

seConD anD thirD generations
gary C. Ulmer took over the day-to-day operations in
1980 and purchased the business from his father in
1990. gary is 70 years old and still works 10 to 12 hours
a day, five days a week. gary began working at the
garage when he was 10, chasing parts around town
on his bicycle and cleaning the shop floor. his father,
Clarence, started teaching him the tricks of the trade
when he was 14, and gary served his apprenticeship
under him.
gary Ulmer always had a keen interest in cars and how
they worked. he even customized his own vehicles in
high school. After graduating from high school, gary
continued to work at the garage and attended many
classes to expand his knowledge of the industry. Today
gary is referred to as the “old mechanic” around the
shop and is the expert customers call and ask for when
they are working on their own classic vehicles.
greg Ulmer, gary’s son, is the third generation and is
working to purchase the business from his father.
greg has managed the business for the past 10 years
and, like his father, also started working at the shop
when he was 10.
“I was always interested in cars
and how they worked,” he says.
greg Ulmer worked at the shop to earn a little extra
money to work on his 1941 Plymouth coupe and the
1968 Camaro that he has owned since high school. he
earned a business degree from the College of great
falls, while also working in the family business and
completing his apprenticeship under both his father
and grandfather. he is ASE master-certified in auto and
truck repair and serves on the Montana Apprenticeship
and Training Directors Association Board.
greg Ulmer is also a member and participant in the
Leadership great falls Program sponsored by the
great falls Chamber of Commerce and has been active
with the local school district’s career day sessions by
providing job shadow opportunities for high school
students interested in going into the automotive service
field. he is a big proponent of continuing education and
encourages his employees to stay current on the newest
and future vehicles by taking classes and taking advantage
of the numerous training courses from ACDelco.
“The training courses are essential for our technicians,”
says greg Ulmer. “With all the changes occurring in the
industry, we take advantage of them whenever possible.”
16
a long history with
aCDelCo
ACDelco and Ulmer’s have main-
tained a long, fruitful relationship
that dates back more than 50
years. It started in the days when
ACDelco was known as United
Delco. Ulmer’s was the first
ACDelco TSS service center in the
great falls area. greg was on the
first ACDelco Advisory Council that
was assembled back in the 1990s,
when it was called the Quality
Installer Program. Even the Ulmer’s
logo and the outside of the Ulmer’s
building are red, white and blue,
matching ACDelco’s color scheme.
“Being an ACDelco Total Service
Support center is very important to
my shop and means quality parts,
great support, advertising benefits,
promotional opportunities, image
enhancement and great training
opportunities,” says greg Ulmer.
“Our ACDelco representative,
Paul Burns,
has provided great
support as well as all
the folks at our WD,
Direct Automotive, for
many years.”
Ulmer’s has had fathers, sons, wives,
brothers, cousins, nephews, grand-
daughters and grandsons all work at the
family business over the years, and there’s
currently a 14-year-old grandchild that may
be the fourth generation to continue the
family business for the next 64 years.
The car owners of great falls are in
great hands. n
17

sErvicE bay
18
A HEAD START ON THE FUTURE
As part of gM, ACDelco enables a unique opportunity for technicians to look under
the hoods of fuel-cell vehicles
Monroe County, N.Y., holds a unique position in the
automotive world. The city of honeoye falls—located
about halfway between Rochester and the finger Lakes
area — is home to one of gM’s advanced powertrain
technology laboratories, and nearby communities and
municipalities in the county have become real-world
proving grounds for the emerging technologies.
County-owned vehicles, for example, include gM’s hybrid
sedans and trucks, along with bio-diesel-, CNg- and
E85/E20 ethanol-powered vehicles. Monroe County is
also home to one of the nation’s few hydrogen refueling
stations that is used to replenish the fuel supply of
fuel-cell vehicles.
With so much alternative-fuel activity in the area, there’s
considerable interest from local technicians and other
automotive professionals about the impact such
technology may have on their businesses in the future.
And when ACDelco representative george Matic ran
into gM fuel-cell engineer David Savage at the grocery
store, an idea was hatched for a summit meeting that
would give local technicians an overview education on
the nuts and bolts of fuel-cell vehicles.
It all came together recently, as Matic collaborated with
warehouse distributor Nu-Way Auto Parts and officials
from Monroe County to conduct the one-of-a-kind
seminar. David Savage and another representative from
the honeoye falls lab were the featured speakers.
“There is a lot of interest from technicians who want to
get a handle on this upcoming technology,” says Mark
Szwarcberg, market area service manager for ACDelco.
“When the word went out about the seminar, we got an
immediate and enthusiastic response.”
About 100 local TSS, Key fleet and ISC technicians, as
well as other automotive specialists, attended the event
that was hosted at Monroe County’s fleet maintenance
facility in Chili, N.Y. Savage walked the attendees through
the design, operation and performance characteristics of
hydrogen fuel-cell-powered vehicles.
gM brought prototype fuel-cell vehicles based on
modified versions of the Chevrolet Equinox. The vehicles
were part of gM’s recent Project Driveway program that
placed them with cities and individuals around the country
for real-world evaluation. Seminar attendees were given
the opportunity to ride the vehicles, but not surprisingly,
their interests were really piqued when Savage put one
of the Equinoxes on a lift and allowed the mechanically
minded technicians to examine its unique features.
“There wasn’t a person left in his seat when that vehicle
was raised on the lift,” says Szwarcberg. “Everyone
wanted to see if there were going to be radical differences
in the way they worked on vehicles of the future. I think
they were pleasantly surprised to find it wasn’t alien
technology and servicing these vehicles won’t be radically
different from today’s cars.”
That the seminar came together with the assistance
from engineers and prototype vehicles is a testament to
the unique relationship shared between ACDelco and
general Motors.
“I don’t think you’d see such a unique program come
together without that relationship,” says Szwarcberg.
Bill Yandow, from Rochester, New York-based Nu-Way
Auto Parts, agrees. “The gM lab is tied in very well locally,
so it was great that we were able to leverage their
engineers for the seminar.”
Nu-Way Auto Parts often partners with ACDelco for local
technician programs and seminars. The parts distributor
supports TSS shops and ACDelco’s Key fleet customers,
and coincidently, one of Yandow’s customers is the fleet
department for Monroe County.
“When they heard about the plans for the fuel-cell seminar,
they insisted on hosting it at their facility,” says Yandow.
“Because they are already using alternative-fuel vehicles,
they wanted to play an integral part in the event.”
Yandow reports the fuel-cell seminar was one of the
most popular events staged by Nu-Way Auto Parts and
ACDelco.
“It was a great instance of synergy, when all the right
elements came together for a very informative meeting,”
he says. “It’s something that would only happen with
ACDelco and its relationship with gM.”
by Barry Kluczyk photos courtesy of general Motors
HOW A FUEL-CELL
VEHICLE WORKS
A hydrogen fuel-cell-powered
vehicle uses an electrochemical
process to produce electricity
from hydrogen. No petroleum
products are used in a fuel-cell
vehicle and the only “exhaust” is
clean water vapor.
Basically, each fuel cell consists
of an electrolyte and a pair of
catalyst-coated electrodes, a
porous anode and cathode.
hydrogen (or a hydrogen-rich fuel)
is fed to the anode where the
catalyst separates the hydrogen’s
negatively charged electrons from
the positively charged ions. At the
cathode, oxygen combines with
electrons, resulting in water or
hydroxide ions.
The electrons of the anode side
SERVICE BAY
of the cell cannot pass through the
electrolyte to the positively charged
cathode side. They must travel around it
via an electrical circuit. This movement
is the electrical current that is used to
drive the vehicle. There is no internal
combustion engine or conventional
transmission, as the electric power is
sent to electric motors at each wheel. n
19

20
FIXING CARS
& TAKING CARE OF PEOPLE
“Knowledge is Power” Clinic and Other Community Outreach Programs Help
Airpark Auto Service Soar Above the Competition
“fixing cars and taking care of people” is the motto of
Nadine grobmeier, president and owner of Airpark Auto
Service, an ACDelco TSS affiliate located in warm and
sunny Scottsdale, Ariz. It is a family-owned and -operated
business, working on all makes and all models.
The Scottsdale area, located northeast of Phoenix, has
transformed over the years into an upscale tourist and
shopping destination with a plethora of trendy, high-end
nightlife, championship golf courses, upscale restaurants
and resorts, art galleries and luxury shopping choices.
In fact, many consider Scottsdale the United States’
spa capital because it boasts such a large number of
destination spas throughout the area.
This service-centric attitude is embedded in the entire
team at Airpark Auto Service, and which led Nadine
grobmeier to recently host a free women’s car care clinic
at her shop in the spring entitled “Knowledge is Power.”
“Taking care of people and treating them like more
than simple customers is what makes our business
successful,” says grobmeier. “Concentrating on our
customers is our first priority and taking care of their
cars is secondary.”
grobmeier’s original idea for her first car care clinic was
to invite 20 to 30 of her female customers and their
friends, family members or coworkers to attend a fun,
half-day session at Airpark Auto Service to learn about
basic car care maintenance, answer automotive service
questions and provide an open forum to discuss fears
associated with vehicle repairs and taking their cars into
the shop for service. Because 65 percent of Airpark’s
customers are female, a women’s car care clinic was an
extremely appropriate activity for their customer base.
The response she received was surprising. Only a few
days after sending the invitations in print and online,
grobmeier had to close registration for the clinic soon
after receiving more than 60 affirmative responses. The
interest for the program was overwhelming, and on a
sunny Saturday morning a group of 60 women came
into the main Airpark Auto Service bay for a four-hour
session. They learned how to check engine oil and the
benefits of proper tire pressure, as well as received
hands-on instruction regarding what happens under the
hoods of their cars.
In preparation for the clinic, grobmeier and her team
invested considerable time and resources into making
the event a fun and educational experience. Prior to the
event, grobmeier had her main shop floor refinished,
assembled gift bags for each attendee, developed
signage, created raffle giveaways and even provided valet
parking and food from a local bakery. Of course, the
tables were decked out in ACDelco red, white and blue
and the gift bags contained a variety of ACDelco items.
Not only was ACDelco a sponsor of the “Knowledge
is Power” clinic, but grobmeier’s ACDelco field
representative Brain hoff, district manager, and his
team played an important role in the planning and
success of the women’s seminar. They used ACDelco’s
Knowledge is Power toolkit, which is available to all TSS
affiliates through their local ACDelco representative.
grobmeier and hoff began planning the clinic in the fall of
2008, and hoff brought in additional resources with the help
of Jules Varga, ACDelco regional technical manager, and
partners from ACDelco Parts Distributor One Source, which
is a division of Kay Automotive Distributors.
by Eric Lingaur
photos courtesy of Nadine grobmeier
“Being associated with
ACDelco has not only
allowed us to offer quality
parts to our customers,
but has also given us the
opportunity to work together
to implement programs like
the ‘Knowledge is Power’
clinics,” says grobmeier.
“having a partner like ACDelco
is important to the success
of our business.”
The clinic surpassed grobmeier’s expectations
and earned local media exposure that included
a television interview with her the morning of
the event. grobmeier and her team already
have a waiting list for the next women’s car care
seminar they plan to host in the fall, and women
near Scottsdale can sign up for the next session
by visiting Airpark Auto Service’s expertly crafted
Web site at airparkautoservice.com. She has
also received a lot of positive feedback and
suggestions from attendees that she is utilizing
to make the next session even better.
Car care clinic attendee Lorena Moore shared,
“Thank you for an informative and fun time at the
Women’s Auto Seminar this past Saturday. I’m sure
each woman, including myself, picked up a few
valuable tips to make us wiser in the knowledge of
car servicing and repair. As you said, ‘knowledge is
power.’ You have a great team and it was nice to have
them included in the presentations.”
“hosting a women’s clinic had been a goal of mine for
some time, and it feels great to finally have the first
one under my belt,” says grobmeier. “The confidence
that I feel going forward with future clinics and
fine-tuning them is something I am looking forward
to with great anticipation.”
21
acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

almost two DeCaDes of growth
The women’s car care clinic is just one part of grobmeier’s
successful Airpark Auto Service recipe. To get the full pic-
ture, one needs to look at how Airpark got started and the
type of honors they’ve earned for their outstanding service.
Airpark Auto Service was purchased by grobmeier and
her late husband Stacey in 1992. The shop is located in
the thriving, executive Airpark business district in North
Scottsdale—the next-door neighbor is a Lamborghini
dealership. The Airpark business district is the secondlargest
employment center in the greater Phoenix area,
with more than 50,000 people employed at nearly 2,500
individual businesses. In all, the Airpark generates a
combined economic impact of more than $3 billion
annually, and is still growing.
When the grobmeiers purchased the existing auto shop in
1992, they only had three technicians and leased a facility
with seven service bays. With a lot of hard work, innovation
and establishing a solid customer base, they purchased
a new lot in the Airpark and built a new, state-of-the-art
facility in 1998. That new building, which they still call
home today, doubled the size of their original shop—
including 14 service bays—and allowed them to
expand their workforce to 17.
grobmeier’s team prides itself in being able to fix any car
on the road and has technicians who specialize in Asian,
European and domestic vehicle models. They also have a
strong fleet and medium-duty expertise as well.
a tough Challenge
Stacey grobmeier’s enthusiasm for the automotive
industry started at an early age, when he was racing
and working on cars and motorcycles as a teenager.
from the age of 18, he worked in a variety of positions
at various dealerships gaining valuable experience and
learning the ins and outs of the aftermarket industry.
his dream of owning his own auto shop became a
reality with the purchase of Airpark Auto Service. At the
time, Nadine was working at a local accounting firm
and brought her business and administrative expertise
to the fledgling business to help grow it.
In 2003, the grobmeier family had to face a difficult
challenge as Stacey passed away in September, after
losing his battle with leukemia. his loss was certainly
sad, but challenging times often bring out the best in
people and Nadine persevered.
“Stacey’s brilliance as a businessman and his expertise
in the automotive industry was certainly what gave
us such a solid foundation, but there was no doubt in
my mind about keeping the business going after he
passed,” says grobmeier.
grobmeier picked up the reins and took control of
the shop, with support from her son greg and his wife
Jocelyn, their daughter Ashley and even their younger
son Tyler. Longtime manager Aaron Nelson and dedicated
controller Craig Stiffler also played a big role in keeping
the business moving. The entire Airpark staff, and even
the shop’s customers, provided a deluge of support after
Stacey’s passing.
Six years later, grobmeier continues to grow the
business by providing quality service and creating
strong relationships with her customers, and her
outstanding efforts are being recognized: Airpark Auto
Service has been an AAA-approved auto repair facility
since 1996 and has been an AAA Top Shop for the
past seven years. It has also earned a “green Shop”
distinction by the State of Arizona and AAA—the first
such recognition for a Scottsdale service center.
grobmeier is also a strong supporter of education and
training. The majority of Airpark’s technicians are ASE
certified and Airpark is one of only two ASE Blue Seal of
Excellence service centers in the North Scottsdale area.
Besides receiving accolades for being an exceptional auto
service garage, Airpark Auto Service is a strong supporter
of helping the local community and the environment.
Airpark supports Packages from home, a local charity
that sends care packages to troops overseas. grobmeier
and her shop were also featured in a “NASCAR Angels”
episode for helping a well-deserving United States Air
force sergeant get back on the road.
“It’s all part of our philosophy,” says grobmeier. “We want
to be more than just a place to have your car repaired.
We want to be a vital part of the community.”
She and her staff have unquestionably achieved that
goal—much to the satisfaction of drivers all over the
Scottsdale area. n
22 23

sTrEET crEd
Drivers are keeping their cars longer–but not necessarily giving them the proper care
by Barry Kluczyk photo Shutterstock
A recent study by R.L. Polk and Co. confirmed what most TSS and ISC shop owners already knew: Americans
are holding on to their cars longer. The average age of cars on the road has increased to 9.3 years, according to
the survey. It was 8.3 years only 10 years ago.
What’s driving owners to drive their cars longer is a combination of factors, including the cost of a new vehicle, the
existing condition/quality of their current car—a nod to the increased build quality of cars of the past decade— and,
not surprisingly, trepidation about the current state of the economy.
As drivers hold on to their vehicles longer, explaining the need for inspections and regular maintenance can help
save them money in the long run and enhance business at your shop.
Indeed, it’s likely the case their vehicles need attention. During nationwide checkup events held between April and
October 2008, an astonishing 80 percent of the vehicles inspected needed service, parts or fluid, according to
the Car Care Council. In fact, nearly 10 percent showed up with the Check Engine light illuminated.
“Vehicle checkup events are typically the focus of community car care events sponsored by repair shops, parts
stores or distributors, in cooperation with local vocational schools, media, civic groups and others,” says Rich White,
executive director, Car Care Council. “While these events are free to consumers and serve as community-relations
builders, most aftermarket businesses that participate experience an increase in sales and customers as a result.”
Understandably, most drivers have an out-of-sight/out-of-mind relationship with their cars—and the vast majority
simply don’t know, for example, what a CV boot is, let alone worry about whether it has started to leak now that
the car is 8 years old.
There is a fine line to walk in pointing out the need for such inspections and creating the appearance of a superfluous
up-sell, but when handled correctly, the customer will understand the benefit and potential savings of a more costly
future repair.
neglected maIntenance
The increased quality of vehicles built in recent years can also
cause maintenance neglect — much like a person putting
off a checkup with a physician because he or she generally
feels fine. Regardless of a vehicle’s running condition, as the
mileage increases, the performance of many components
deteriorates or, at least, is affected by age.
If the survey touted by the Car Care Council is a barometer
of the general public’s fleet, there is a great deal of ignored
maintenance:
• 32 percent of inspected vehicles had low, overfull or
dirty motor oil
• 23 percent had low, leaking or dirty coolant
• 18 percent had unsatisfactory belts
• 10 percent required maintenance to the battery cables,
clamps or terminals
• 11 percent had weak batteries
• 7 percent needed new PVC filters
Another important area of concern was tires. During the
inspections, 15 percent of the vehicles had improperly
inflated tires and 12 percent had tread wear sufficient to
warrant replacement.
InvestIng In a long-term
relatIonshIp
In addition to performance- and safety-
related repair items, customers may
also neglect faulty features perceived
as convenience items. for example, an
inoperative seat heater, malfunctioning
power window or even a crackling audio
speaker may be problems a customer
simply puts up with if he or she didn’t
anticipate owning the vehicle much longer.
But if economic or other reasons recently
prompted the owner to keep his or her vehicle
longer than anticipated, the decisions have
also caused a change of mind about repairing
those convenience features. When a customer
visits for scheduled service, ask about any
other problems the vehicle might have and offer
to quickly estimate the cost of repair. You’ll likely
find he or she is agreeable if it means entering
the summer driving season with a crackle-free
audio system or hitting the cold season again
with a rejuvenated seat heater.
Indeed, as customers keep their vehicles longer,
the opportunity to build a long-term relationship
grows. Providing quality parts, service and advice
are keys to making it a successful relationship. n
24 25
acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

smarT mOvEs
drIven to succeed
ACDelco’s North Central Region recognizes its top TSS customers
There are plenty of great ACDelco TSS shops in
the North Central Region, but four of them were
recently recognized with the first-ever Outstanding
Achievers Award.
Selected for their ACDelco purchases, training
participation and high customer-service scores, the
four recipients include Spitfire Automotive in Oak
Lawn, Ill.; Berger Auto Parts and Service in fort
Wayne, Ind.; fuerst Automotive in Broadview heights,
Ohio; and hire’s Auto Parts in fort Wayne, Ind.
“The awards were presented to the most elite TSS
customers in the region as tokens of our partnership
and appreciation of their loyalty to ACDelco,” says
harold Meyer, regional manager for the North Central
Region. “These shops exemplify the very best of what
the ACDelco brand stands for, and we’re proud to be
associated with them.”
Meyer visited each shop personally to present award
plaques. Another 46 TSS shops in the region were also
noted for their high performance.
“This was our first formal recognition of the top-performing
accounts, and we’d like to continue acknowledging them
with future awards,” says Meyer.
At Berger Auto Parts and Service, the award reinforced
owner Dan Berger’s belief in the TSS program.
“I’m honored to receive the award, but ACDelco itself
deserves recognition for the assistance they give
us,” he says. “The training and marketing advice is
terrific—they (ACDelco) are definitely interested in
all aspects of our business.”
Berger started his shop in 1983 as a parts store and
grew it to include service. The business now includes
two locations in fort Wayne, employing more than 20
technicians.
“The online training is great, because our techs can participate without traveling,” he says. “As technology keeps
progressing on new cars, that’s very important to us.”
That steady advancement of technology has represented the biggest changes over the past 26 years in business,
he says.
“When I started, the business was very affected by the weather— such as
flooded carburetors and dead batteries during cold weather,” says Berger.
“That’s not the case today. Cars are much better now, so we have to stay on top
of the high-tech features that go wrong.”
A TSS affiliate since the program started, Berger points to ACDelco’s training as keeping him and his staff on top
of that technology.
“That’s one of the best aspects of the TSS program,” he says.
harold Meyer, ACDelco Regional
Manager, visited each of the
Outstanding Achievers Award
recipients to present personal-
ized plaques. he is pictured in
these four photos, along with the
representatives from each TSS
affiliate (depicted in the captions
from left to right).
(Far left) Dan Berger, owner, and staff, with
Harold Meyer, Walter Campbell of ACDelco
and Eugene Poinsette of Tri City Automotive
And with training keeping Berger’s technicians at the forefront of service technology, more customers make their way
to his two shops. It’s a recipe for success that makes Berger Auto Parts and Service an outstanding achiever. n
26 27
Warehouse
(Top) Lisyahimba Patilla, John Gemperline,
Bob Stout, owner, Tim Kozimor, Peter Gutierrez
and Harold Meyer
(Center) Harold Meyer, Spitfire Automotive
President Rich Malinowski, Sr., and Dom
Ramirez
(Bottom) Harold Meyer, Eugene Poinsette of
Tri City Automotive Warehouse, Tom Hire, owner,
and Walter Campbell of ACDelco

28
by Barry Kluczyk photos by the author
It takes only a couple of minutes, but in that time a valuable collector car’s worth will be summed up by a room
full of knowledgeable enthusiasts. With luck, the car will change hands at the end of its moment in the spotlight,
pushed away by the next Corvette or muscle car to cross the block.
That’s the summation of a collector car auction’s proceedings, but it’s hardly the sum of all that goes on during
the sale. The auction is more than the collective sale of dozens or hundreds of cars, it’s a microcosm of capitalism
and a window into the world of automotive obsession.
Collector and antique auto auctions have been around for decades, but they’ve become much more popular
in recent years. This is due in no small part to the broadcast of the annual Barrett-Jackson sale in Scottsdale,
Ariz. Other auction companies, such as Mecum, RM Auctions and Kruse, have enjoyed sales growth in the past
decade, as the interest and corresponding value in classic American muscle cars has mushroomed.
You can thank the baby boomers for much of the frenzy, as their disposable incomes later in life fueled restoration
and acquisition booms that made the muscle car price run-ups of the late 1980s seem like chump change.
The recent turmoil in the global economy has put a damper on both prices and the number of cars being sold at
auction, but they remain popular venues for enthusiasts to buy and sell— or simply gauge current market conditions.
And if you have the means and desire, the time may be right to take advantage of, ahem, “price corrections” and pick
up the car of your high-school dreams for a relative bargain.
insiDe the auCtion tent
If your only perspective of collector car auctions comes
from watching millionaires out-ego each other on TV
while bidding up one-of-a-kind hemi ’Cudas and ZL-1
Camaros, don’t worry—reality is much less expensive.
In most cases, cars sell at or near the market value.
In other words, auctions are not the domain of wealthy
collectors, brokers and the like. There are dozens of
collector car auctions held around the country every
year that offer a diverse mix of vehicles that real people
can afford. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll score a
rare 1969 Trans Am convertible for pennies on the dollar,
but if you’re simply looking for a clean classic car that
won’t break your budget, you’ll have plenty of choices.
The prospect of buying a car at an auction is intimidating
to those who’ve never participated, but after you’ve
learned the ropes, you’ll likely find it’s a straightforward
process and exciting experience.
One of the best ways to overcome auction trepidation is
attending one strictly as an observer. You don’t have to be
a registered bidder to attend a collector car auction, so go
as a spectator to learn the basic layout and operation of
the sale — and ask questions of the auction staff.
Besides learning the ins and outs of the auction process,
a collector car auction makes for a fun outing for anyone
who appreciates classic cars. Often, the sales attract the
very best examples of the rarest and most interesting
cars, making it a great de facto car show.
if you Plan to buy
If you’ve decided to attend an auction to bid on a car
and it’s your first time, plan to register with the auction
company at least a week or two before the sale. The
auction company will typically require a letter of guaranty
from your bank that you’ve got the funds to follow
through on a sale. In some cases, a bid limit may be
instituted. It’s an insurance measure that enables you to,
say, bid up a nice, 327-powered ’69 Camaro, but not the
million-dollar hemi cars.
Once your paperwork is set, you’ll be assigned a
bidder’s number. When your dream car hits the stage,
you can indicate your bid to the auctioneer with a
raise of a hand, a shout or both. Typically, a bidder’s
assistant will quickly appear at your side, helping to
keep the auctioneer’s attention.
Keep in mind that if your bid is accepted as the highest
at the auction’s close, you bought the car. There’s no
thinking it over or talking to the seller at that point. It’s
your car; and generally, the auction company will want
payment arrangements to be made that day.
In the fine print of your registration, you’ll also see a note
about the buyer’s premium. That’s a euphemism for sales
commission and that’s how the auction company makes
its money. Expect the premium to be anywhere from 5 to
10 percent more than the final, “hammer” price of the car.
Do your homework
Before sticking your hand in the air on that initial bid,
make sure you know as much as possible about the
car, its history and the general market price for it.
When it comes to the car, it means, for example, knowing
that the ’68 gTO was only offered with a 400-cubic-inch
engine, so a car in the auction with a 455 engine is
incorrect. Also, the car’s value is directly related to
whether the engine is original to the car. A seller with
nothing to hide will have paperwork available for
inspection that specifies whether the drivetrain is
original. A car with a non-original engine shouldn’t be
avoided, but it won’t be worth top dollar.
Inspecting the car also means checking for signs of
body repair, rust and less-than-thorough restoration
techniques. There are many online resources for popular
models, so finding the common problem areas on most
cars is relatively easy.
One of the drawbacks with the auction is it’s impossible to
test-drive the car, so you’re gambling that it’s in good running
condition. If the seller is available, ask pointed questions,
such as: Does it overheat or is the rear axle noisy?
what’s it worth?
Knowing what to bid on a car can be difficult. If you’re
unsure where to start, let another bidder make the initial
offer and proceed from there. It’s important to keep your
emotions and ego in check, as the prospect of buying a
car at a fair, market-correct price can evaporate during a
heated exchange of bids. Decide on your maximum price
prior to raising your hand for the first time and stick to it.
Also, keep in mind that not all models of a car line are
worth their weight in gold. A 1969 Mustang Boss 429
is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, but a 1969
Mustang grande with a garden-variety 302 engine is not.
Somewhere in the middle is the classic car that suits you,
offering enjoyment on summer cruise nights and, with
luck, a return on your investment after a few years.
All it takes is a little research and a well-timed raise of
your hand when the auctioneer calls for bids. n
29
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Ear viEw
30
63 ’ Buick
RIVIERA
by Barry Kluczyk
photo general Motors Corp.
Used with permission, gM Media Archive
By the early 1960s, American automakers were
diversifying their product lineups at an unprecedented
pace. Whereas the previous 50 years of automotive
marketing saw each brand offer one basic vehicle
platform, but in a variety of models, trim and body
configurations, the 1960s saw a move to distinct,
different-sized products. This was a result of competition
from foreign brands that offered smaller, more efficient
cars — cars that Detroit simply could not counter with its
traditional one-size-fits-all model.
So, in response to Volkswagen and other similar imports,
a new class of American compact cars, including the
Chevy Corvair, Pontiac Tempest and ford falcon, was
born. Interestingly, the counterpoint to the imports’ small
cars also gave rise to a uniquely American vehicle class:
the intermediate. They were the midsize, “personal” cars
designed for the growing class of suburban commuters
who typically drove alone to and from work.
One of the first and most expressive intermediates was
the 1963 Buick Riviera. It was one of renowned gM
designer Bill Mitchell’s finest creations, with gracefully
flowing lines highlighted by a classic long hood/short
rear deck proportion and a subtle “Coke bottle” effect
aft of the doors.
The Riviera did much to change the image of Buick as
a staid, conservative brand. With its comparatively racy
styling and dimensions that were much shorter and
narrower than the full-size Buick models, the Riviera felt
downright sporty behind the wheel. That feeling was
reinforced by the power from its standard 401-cubic-inch
Nailhead V-8 or the optional 425-cubic-inch engine.
Curiously, the 425 engine carried a sticker that read “Wildcat
465,” and in a break from convention, the 465 didn’t denote
the engine’s displacement or horsepower rating, but the
torque rating (the horsepower rating was 340).
Inside, the Riviera continued to defy the public perception
of Buick, with standard front bucket seats, a center
console, floor-mounted shifter and a jet-age-inspired
instrument panel.
About 40,000 examples of the 1963 Riviera were sold,
and it remains one of the most sought-after non-muscle
cars of the 1960s. With its classic Bill Mitchell styling and
perfect proportions, it’s easy to understand why it
interests enthusiasts and collectors.
from the pressure of industry change, the Riviera
emerged a diamond. n
A BOX THAT’S WORTH
A THOUSAND PHOTOS
A future TSS customer takes the ACDelco box for a
spin at the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The ACDelco box visits
South Africa, expecting
lions and tigers, but
finds only penguins.
ACDelco’s great parts are found throughout the
world. Now it’s your turn to show us where. grab
any ACDelco part box off the shelf and take it with
you wherever you go. Snap a photo of the
ACDelco box, then send it to Intune for a chance
to see it in our next issue.
Send photos electronically to:
intune@leoburnett.com
Or mail to:
Leo Burnett Detroit
Attn: Intune – Bree Erin Brownlee
3310 West Big Beaver
Suite 107
Troy, MI 48084
The easy-riding ACDelco box is ready for a wind-blown ride—as soon as a square helmet is found.