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Sunday 12-13-15 So
Cal Mets Christmas Party
We had another Christmas Party at Mama Coza's Italian restuarant that
couldn't be beat! Our club members enjoyed a fine dinner, a great gift exchange and each others company. Metters in attendance
were President and First Lady Ronnie and Barbie Bauman, Ken & Judy Conner, Armando and Maritza Reyes, Nick & Renee
Anderson, Mike & Kim Dahlberg, Leon & Nancy Hastings, George & Norma Mocabee, Tony & Jackie Bilotti, Jeff
Gordan & Donna, Marcia Jones, Paul Van Wig, Gwen Tolleson, Gary Loomer.
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Donna, Jeff, Norma, George and Judy |
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Front table- Nancy, Leon, Armando, Maritza, Mike and Jackie. (Kim behind Jackie)(Tony behind camera |
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Ronnie, Marcia, Gary, Gwen, Paul, Nick, Renee and Barbie-Jeff standing it the back |
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Nancy, Leon, Armando, Maritza, Mike, Kim and Jackie |
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Judy, Norma, George and Ken |
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Paul trying on a home made hat and scarf |
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Ken Modeling the same 'outfit' |
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Marcia got some blue Met slippers to go with her blue Met |
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Ronnie was presented with a laser etched Metropolitan signed by all members at the party |
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President Ronnie Bauman speaking very kindly of the club and it's members |
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Marcia's little Pup Tinkerbell will be leading the next cruise |
Saturday 12-12-15 Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade We were in
the Laguna Niguel Holiday Parade again this year. We had a good showing of eleven Mets and a very nice custom Rambler
Station Wagon. Metters in attendance were Ronnie Bauman, Ken & Judy Conner, Gwen Tolleson, Tony Bilotti, George &
Norma Mocabee, Marcia Jones & Sister Chris, Carol Stephenson, Elise & Tim Doran, John & Anita Fildes, Jeff Gordan
& Donna, Mike & Kim Dahlberg and Tom & Bonnie Booth in 'The Rambler'.
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Judy Conner working on Ken and her Met |
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George on the left, Gwen on the right |
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Norma & George working on Daisy next to Tony's wind up car from Santa |
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Parade Mets in front and in the mirror |
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Chris & Marcia by Marcia's Met |
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Gwen & Ronnie undoing after the parade |
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On our way to Ruby's for lunch after the parade-Nice ocean view |
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Ruby's Autodiner in Laguna |
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Clockwise, Mike, Marcia, Ronnie, Waiter, Ken, Marcia, Chris, Elise, Tim |
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Clockwise, Ken, Marcia, Chris,(Elise&Tim behind Chris) Mike, Kim, Ronnie, Judy |
Click Here For A Short Parade Video
Sunday
November 15 Another trip to Toms Farms in Corona We made another trip
to Toms Farms again. It seems to be a favorite with So Cal Mets. In attendance were new prospective members Tom and Bonnie
Booth from Cerritos. They have recently aquired a Met that they are putting some TLC into. But they were driving a beautiful
custom 1960 Rambler Station Wagon Sunday. Other Metters were Armando and Maritza Reyes and Maritza's Mom, driving an 'X'.
Nick & Renee Anderson, Ronnie Bauman, Tony & Jackie Bilotti, Marcia Jones, Ken & Judy Conner, Leon & Nancy
Hastings, Mike & Kim Dahlberg and Paul & Allison Van Wig.
The Mets always attract a crowd (People Magnets) and we're always happy to share time with the people, let
them take pictures (lots of pictures) and ask questions.
We had lunch at Toms Burgers this time. Good food but seating is better at Senior Toms. We'll probably switch
back to 'Mexican' food next time. There
was a band playing on the other side of the pond from us at the burger place. They were pretty good and best of all, not too
loud. After that we did some shopping (and buying) at the stores and the weekend flea market.
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Again, Metters West of Corona Met at Knollwood in Anaheim, where we met Tom, Bonnie & the Rambler |
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The Rambler was done very well ! |
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The Rambler was done very well ! |
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The Rambler was done very well ! |
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Then we arrived at Toms Farms |
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Then we arrived at Toms Farms |
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And then the PEOPLE came!!! |
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Had lunch and listened to the band |
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Had lunch and listened to the band |
October 10 2015 Nash-Hudson-AMC get together at the Automobile
Driving Museum-El Segundo
On October 10 we were invited to a Nash-Hudson-AMC get together by the
Automobile Driving Museum in El Segundo, Ca. They wanted to do this because the old Nash factory now a Boeing satellite
factory is right around the corner. Due to an incredible heat wave and some mis communication mostly So Cal Met members
and nothing but Mets showed up. So Cal Metters that came were Mike Dahlberg, Tony Bilotti, Bob and Phillis Burchett, Jody
Lynn and guest and Elise Doran and guest. We made a fine show and our cars were admired by museum guest. Even with a turnout
less than expected I learned some interesting information about the Nash factory built in 1948 as Nashs' west coast factory.
If you have ever driven to LAX you've probably seen it and not known it was originally the Nash factory.
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Mike and Tony braving the 405 fwy |
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From the front-Tonys-Mikes-Bob & Phyllis' and Elises' |
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Bob&Phillis and Phillis' Met |
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Replica Showroom in the Museum |
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Driving Museum's Ice Cream Shop |
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The Nash Factory Administration Building around 1954 after the merger |
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Nash Factory around 1961 after being bought by Howard Hughes for a satellite factory |
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Same Building today is a Boeing Satellite Plant |
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This was the back of the factory where the cars came out on NASH St. |
September 19 2015 Trip to Crystal Cove/Newport Beach, Ca.
On September 19 So Cal Met Members Marcia Jones, Ken Conner, Mike and
Kim Dahlberg and Tony and Jackie Bilotti took a ride down the So Cal Coast to 'Crystal Cove' in Newport Beach. The location
has been used in several movies including 'Treasure Island' 1918 and 1934, 'The Isle of Lost Ships' 1929, 'Herbie Rides Again'
1974 'Beaches 1988. From the beginning of the 20th century people began
vacationing at Crystal Cove and the owner at the time James Irvine I allowed vacationers to build cottages on the beach for
themselves. Eventually the Irvine Company sold the property to the State of California and it was turned into a State
Park. The cottages are being renovated by the Crystal Cove Alliance for public use. After Crystal Cove we took the loop through Newport Back Bay for a finish to another great Met outing! To find out more visit www.parks.ca.gov/crystalcove
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$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Houses |
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Front view of the same $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ Houses |
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Ken, Marcia, Tony, Jackie, Mike & Kim |
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Marcia, Kim, Ken, Jackie & Mike in the tunnel under PCH to Crystal Cove-Tony behind the camera |
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Mike, Kim, Tony, Jackie & Marcia by the Visitor Center- Ken behind the camera |
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View inside the 'Beaches' Cottage |
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Inside a restored Cottage |
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Jackie, Kim, Marcia,Mike & Ken |
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Cottages awaiting restoration |
Click Here For Short Beach Video
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Jackie, Tony, Mike, Kim & Marcia at the Beachcomber-Ken behind the camera again |
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Beautiful Newport Back Bay |
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Tonys, Marcias, Mikes & Kens adding to the beauty of Newport Back Bay : ) |
MOCNA International Meet July 8 thru 12 Tacoma Washington
Below are a few pictures
from the MOCNA International meet in Tacoma Washington. The
pictures were provided by our newsletter editor Ken Conner. Your Webmaster coudn't attend but there will be more in the July-August
newsletter as our award winning newsletter editor Ken WAS there! From
looking at these pictures, Boy Oh Boy do I wish I could have made it.
Click Here For a Video Of one of the Cruises - Special Thanks to Brian Cotariu
Click Here For The Vashion Island Cruise..Thanx Again Brian!
If you click the box below the video that has 'bc62met' next to it you will go to Brians
YouTube page with lots of great videos.
Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade 7-4-15 At the request of Donny Conn, author
of 'Beep Beep- The little Nash Rambler So Cal Mets entered the
Pacific Palisades Fourth of July Parade. The article below was
written by So Cal Mets Newsletter editor Ken Conner.
So Cal Mets Annual Picnic 6-14-15 Sunday June 14 So Cal Metters met again at Craig Park in Fullerton for our annual picnic. Gwen Tolleson
was there before sun up to lay claim to our usual spot. Other club members that attended were President Ronnie Bauman and
First Lady Barbie, Marty, Chuck & Charlie Tourdot, Ken & Judy Conner, Mike & Kim Dahlberg, Paul & Allison
Van Wig, Jim & Lisa Houpt, Armando & Maritza Reyes, Leon & Nancy Hastings, Marcia Jones, Chuck Hatfield &
Linda Flechtner, Renee & Nick Anderson, John Perrotti, Tony & Jackie Bilotti. June Valentine, Her Husband Michael
and Son Justin also came and that's always icing on the cake.
The Cherry on top was our newest member Elise Doran and her Significant Other (sorry, I'm getting forgetful).
With the addition of Elise to our club we now have a beautiful Black and White Met. The first in our club. Lunch was a Buffet of great food and our annual auction raised
enough to keep us comfy for a while to come.
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Our Half American & Half British Flag |
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The Gang Having A Great Time |
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Listening for the winning 50/50 number. Barbie won and gave it back to the club, Thanx Barbie |
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The Auction Table-Good Stuff! |
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Our Auctioneer Ronnie-"Who'll start the bidding at $100.00?" |
This was Marty Tourdots' 'item' brought to the table. She really out did
herself with this project. Allison Van Wig won the auction for this at $60.00 if I recall. Then she offered all but one bottle
for sale at $10.00 each and donated the money back to the club, Thanx Allison!
Greater Bay Area Mets had the picture bottom left done of some of their cars near the Golden
Gate Bridge. Our club bought a copy from the photographer, framed it and put it on the auction table. June Valentine won the
bidding on it and we should be able to see it in the Metropolitan Pit Stop Museum!
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Elise looking at the guys looking at her Met |
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View of our Mets from the hill |
More Pictures in our award winning newsletter
Sunday June 7--Huntington Beach Concours Sunday June 7 So Cal Mets members Ken Conner and Tony Bilotti represented our club at the 30th Huntington
Beach Concours. Ken has been convinced by the Huntington Harbor Car Club to judge in this event for the past couple years. Ken had ignition problems with his Met that morning so Tony brought
the only Met. His Met was entered as a 'British Hard Top Driver' and took the Third Place award. Not quite as good as Gwens
First Place award the previous year but it took a Rolls Royce and a Bentley to beat him all the same. : )
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Third Place Tony next to the Second Place Bentley |
Our Gwen Wins Best in Class at Huntington Beach Concours 6-1-14 Click Here
Sunday May 30th - Mets and Mini/Micro Car Coastal Cruise Sunday May 30th some So Cal Mets Members met with some Mini & Micro Car Club
Members for a cruise up the coast from Huntington Beach City Hall to a beautiful park at the top of Signal Hill. Our route
took us up PCH through Huntington Beach, Huntington Harbor, Seal Beach and Long Beach to the top of Signal Hill. The weather was a little overcast and took a little from the
view but the cruise was great all the same! We had a respectable
line of some of the cutest little cars ever built putting down the road looking like they were all on their way to FAIL a
smog test! : ) Our return route took us through
Long Beach Marina on our way back to Kathy Mays Lakeside Cafe in Huntington Central Park for a lunch and a chat that could't
be beat! Met Club Members in attendance were,
club President Ronnie Bauman and First Lady Barbie (Driving the red Crosly Pic Up)
Ken Conner, Marcia Jones, Gwen Tolleson, Jeff Gordan, Nick & Renee Anderson, Mike Dahlberg, Chuck Hatfield and Linda,
Tony & Jackie Bilotti and Gary Loomer (Met and Mini Club Double Agent). The
Micro/Mini Drivers were Mike Hewitt, Mark Baughn, Gary Cochran, Marvin Josephson, Pat Quilter, David Raab, and Tom Scherer.
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Gathering at H. B. City Hall |
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Gathering at H. B. City Hall |
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Gathering at H. B. City Hall |
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Gathering at H. B. City Hall |
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Gathering at H. B. City Hall |
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Hilltop Park - Signal Hill |
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Hilltop Park - Signal Hill |
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Hilltop Park - Signal Hill |
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Hilltop Park - Signal Hill |
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Lunch at Kathy Mays Lakeside Cafe |
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Lunch at Kathy Mays Lakeside Cafe |
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Lunch at Kathy Mays Lakeside Cafe |
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Lunch at Kathy Mays Lakeside Cafe |
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Some of the group after lunch |
Saturday April 25th-11:00 am--Return to Toms Farms Again we made what has
turned out to be our annual trip to Toms Farms in Corona. Marcia
Jones and Tony & Jackie Bilotti made their way from West Anaheim to Green River Road in Corona to stop at Caryl Stephensons
house so she could join the fun. Mike Dahlberg in Brand X (Mikes Met is ill) was also there waiting for us. From
there we caravaned south to Toms Farms where we met with So Cal Metters Nick & Renee Anderson, John & Connie
Waugh and President and First Lady Ronnie and Barbie Bauman. We found out that
Ronnies' axel broke pulling into the parking lot. So after lunch, a Baumans Towing flatbed pulled into the parking lot with
another Met,,,,,,How Handy! We had a wonderful lunch, did some shopping,
a few of us road the train. The weather was a little gloomy but was reported to be clearing up....Not! Tony,
Jackie and Marcia got rained on all the way home.
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Caryls' with the new paint---Looks Great!! |
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Barbie, Ronnie, Nick & Renee |
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John, Caryl, Connie & Mike |
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Here come the Mounties to the rescue! Ronnies' backup Met...He says it's handy to have a tow truck! |
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And the broken axel goes back to the shop |
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Ronnie, Nick, Barbie, Renee & Marcia |
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There's a band each weekend at Toms' |
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Mike, Marcia & Jackie,,Tony behind the camera |
Saturday March 14 - 11:00 am Lunch at the Rainforest Cafe We made another trip to the Rainforest Cafe in Downtown Disney for lunch. Metters
in attendance were Chuck Hatfield, Linda Flechtner, Gwen Tolleson, Marcia Jones, Tony & Jackie Bilotti and Ronnie &
Barbie Bauman.
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Rainforest Cafe--Downtown Disney |
Tony, Linda, Chuck, Marcia, Gwen, Jackie, Barbie & Ronnie' Thanx to Lindas' Photoshop skills including Tony (the photographer) in the picture
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Gwen, Marcia, Barbie, Chuck & Ronnie |
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Chuck tugging his rope & Marcia waddling up to the bar |
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The Gang waiting to be SEATED : ) |
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The Gang waiting to be SEATED : ) |
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On The Left...Ronnie, Barbie, & Marcia |
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On The Right...Linda, Chuck & Gwen (Tony in the empty seat) |
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Tonys' & Chuck's with Monorail Blue |
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Tonys', Chucks', Marcias' & Ronnies' with Monorail Orange |
Sunday February 15th So Cal Metters, Ronnie & Barbie Bauman (President
and First Lady) along with Armando & Maritza Reyes, Nick & Renee Anderson, Ken Conner, Mike Dahlberg, Tony Bilotti
and past President Ed McCallister took a little cruise down Santa Ana Canyon Road with the Santa Ana River to the left of
us to Gypsum Canyon between Anaheim and Corona. Then we followed Gypsum Canyon Road to the other side of the river and headed
back the direction we came from. We went through Yorba Linda and had lunch at Polly's Pies in old Yorba Linda down the
street from the Richard Nixon museum. From there we headed a few miles down
Imperial Hwy to where we started. We shared handshakes, hugs and we headed home.
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Crossing the bridge to the other side of the river |
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Eds, Mike, Ronnies, Tonys, Kens & Renees at Polly's |
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Clockwise from bottom-Mikes back,Nick&Renee,Barbie&Ronnie,Tony,Ed,Ken,Maritza,Armando |
2-7-15 Lunch
at The Old Spaghetti Factory and Tour of 'Baumansville' with John & Rosemary Dowling from the UK Met Club
This event was not on our calendar but the club was invited when we had a date. Saturday 2-7-15 we were again treated with a visit from The Dowlings. John and his wife Rosemary
make an annual visit to The States to visit their Daughter and new Grandchild in Los Angeles. John Dowling is the editor for
the Metropolitan Owners Club of the United Kingdom newsletter. While in town they
like to meet with So Cal Mets to see what we're up to. John was interested in a few car projects our President Ronnie Bauman
has in the works. So we all met at Baumans Towing in Riverside. We went to lunch at a beautiful
Old Spaghetti Factory and then back to Ronnies for a grand tour of 'Baumansville' and a look at the cars Ronnie is working
on. Those of us who are members of the UK club renewed our membership and John brought us window decals, key rings and lapel
pins from the UK Club. Ronnies place is a car guys heaven and we all had a great time.
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John looking at Gary Loomers' StudebakerCamino |
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Ronnie greeting and sharing a laugh with Rosemary |
From bottom left/ Tony Bilotti, Gary Loomer, Ed McCallister, Gwen Tolleson,
Chuck Hatfield, Linda Flechtner, Paul Van Wig
Ronnie & Barbie Bauman, John & Rosemary Dowling, Nick & Renee Anderson, Ken & Judy Conner.
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John and Rosemary Dowling |
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Ronnie Bauman telling us about the Family business and 'THE CARS' |
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Barbies' new Met on the left. John & Tony in front of another of Ronnies Mets |
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Ronnies' great collection of Crosley radios |
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Another one of Ronnies projects |
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