Pontiac Oakland Club International - 2006 POCI Convention

With the last few years of POCI conventions held in the Midwest, the migration further west to Ontario, California, for 2006 was a fresh twist for members. Held the week of June 27-July 2, it gave left-coast Pontiac fans a chance to show off their cars and the rest of us a opportunity to see a variety of "new" vehicles and make some new friends in the process.

As a result, the 2006 POCI Convention, at least for this author, was one of the high points of the year. It offered up the experience of the Pontiac hobby from a uniquely Western perspective. Though held in Southern California, there were many cars and POCI members from Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, and Utah, and also a very strong showing from the Canadian Provinces of Alberta and British Columbia.

True to tradition, the weather was very hot and sunny with temperatures actually hitting 110 degrees, but fortunately, air-conditioned comfort was always close by.

Activity level for the week was high. In addition to the seminars and official club activities, there was an abundance of outside activities including shopping, sightseeing tours, and of course, great restaurants at every turn.

The host hotel, the Ontario Double Tree, was the scene for a large number of seminars. Presenters included Jim Mattison, president of Pontiac Historic Services, retired Pontiac Engineer and Historian John Sawruk, and retired GM/Pontiac Designer Jim Ewen and Thom Sherwood, who presented some Pontiac-themed movies and other notables from the Pontiac, Oakland, and GMC ends of the hobby. As a fan of automotive art, it was a great thrill to meet the legendary Art Fitzpatrick, who along with the late Van Kaufman, produced some of the most memorable advertising art ever created for Pontiac.

High Performance Pontiac also held one of its "Pavement Pounders Shootouts" at California Raceway in Fontana. It ran along with the POCI Drag Meet, which was hosted by the Pontiac Drag Days organization. We extend a big thanks to Dave Anderson for helping us once again put together a smooth event.

Speaking of the drag racing, when the smoke finally cleared, Ron Hildreth of West Covina, California, took the coveted "Warrior" title, winning $440 in cash and several times that amount in racing equipment. Considering Ron also participated in the HPP Shootout and was celebrating his 34th wedding anniversary, we'd say he had a spectacular day all around.

It was also an exciting week on the show side of the event. A total of 260 Pontiacs, Oaklands, and GMCs were on display in Points Judged and Popular Vote categories. The overall quality of the cars was truly outstanding, and never have there been seen so many pristine '55-'57 Safari wagons in one place before. It was truly breathtaking.

Of course, several other interesting vehicles were on hand, including Mrs. Harley Earl's pink '59 Bonneville convertible, a former "Department X" feature car now owned by Dr. Frank Ellis, and Bunkie Knudsen's '61 Bonneville convertible, now owned by Barry and Barbara Bales. Additionally, Tom Schlauch of Long Beach, California, brought out a trio of unusual Pontiacs, including his '69 303 R/A-V Trans Am, a former HPP cover car; a '69 Ram Air V GTO; and a '63 LeMans coupe with an aluminum 389 Pontiac.

Robert Garacochea of Venice California presented "Bonnewood," a custom '58 Safari wagon trimmed out as a Bonneville. It was constructed by Lou Callasibetta's Old Stillwater Garage in Stillwater, New Jersey, and features an Edelbrock-headed 400, a '64 Pontiac dash, and myriad custom touches. It won Best of Show Post-War, as well as the inaugural Glenn Kooyer Memorial Award, and was an HPP feature car last year.

Older Pontiacs and Oaklands also made an impressive showing, including Harold and Stella Cain's '32 model 302 V-8 coupe. Harold is POCI member number 003, the lowest member number at the event.

For 2007, the POCI convention moves to Tulsa, Oklahoma, and will be held on July 10-14 at the Crown Plaza Hotel. We hope to see you there!