REGIONAL NEWS and REGIONAL COORDINATORS
Do you have an upcoming Riviera event that we should know about?
E-mail us and we'll make note of it here, and in the next issue of "The Riview"!
Active Regional Coordinators Needed!
Do you have the interest and enthusiasm to be a regional representative for ROA? If your area is not represented here, we need your help. As a RC you would be expected to keep local members advised of local activities and host at least one exclusive ROA event a year, such as a picnic or tour. The ROA will support you with updated members lists, mailing labels and pay for postage. The RC program is vital to ROA, lets keep it alive. For more information contact Ray Knott #1 at
. Click here to view details on our Regional Coordinator Program.
|
AUSTRALIA
Click here to read the March 2025 issue of the informative Australian version of the Riview with stories on local Rivieras and much more. (PDF 2.0 MB).
| Australia Event Recap |
|
Melbourne Australia
Tom Kunek, Coordinator
March 27, 2022, Sunday, It was a fantastic 27-degree day (80F) and sunny in which we enjoyed our Riviera display and lunch together. We had 22 Rivieras and 55 people who gathered at James Currie’s factory in Lilydale.
Since it was a Sunday and other businesses were closed there was plenty of open parking in front of his factory. First generation Rivieras were lined up on one side and the later models across from them. We had one member from Griffith NSW and another from Bendigo Northern Victoria.
For lunch there was plenty of room inside the factory to get out of the sun and sit and relax.
James is currently in the deep end of a full resto of a 1966 GS Riviera and it’s also where he stores his 1966 Resto-mod Riviera.
A 1995 owned by John Offer, the most recent import attracted a lot of attention. As the newest model in the country, it was the first eighth generation Riviera many have seen up close.
A big shout out to James Currie to offer his “Riviera Factory” and providing the food and drink for the lucky folks who attended.
New South Wales
Tony Gentilcore, Coordinator
March 27, 2022, Sunday. We were invited to join with other ROA members at the Shannon’s Show & Shine at the Kurri Kurri Nostalgia Festival. Unfortunately, it rained heavily here and only four Rivieras showed up. (PHOTOS Tony 1 &2)
|
|
CENTRAL FLORIDA
Bob Wannall ROA# 3069
1101 SE 56th Court
Ocala, FL 34480
(352) 690-7729
bobwannall@gmail.com
| Central Florida Event Recap |
March 1, 2025—ROA members met at the Habitat for Humanity Strawberry Festival and Car Show in Ocala.
The day was marked by clear, blue skies, 70-degree temperatures and a refreshing light breeze, and we had a small but mighty turnout for the annual Strawberry Festival and Car Show.
Although several members had to cancel just before the event, on hand were Gary Bibb with1972 boattail, guest Hayden Sands with his 1964 featuring a very nice custom interior, guest Ron Snyder driving Bob Wannall’s 1982 convertible, Charles Courture with his 1999 Silver Arrow, which took first place in his division at last year’s ROA National Meet, and Bob Wannall in his 1964.
Left to right: Gary Bibb, Hayden Sands, Ron Snyder, Charles Courture, and Bob Wannall.
The event attracts thousands of festival-goers, so our Rivieras garnered plenty of attention and admiration. We agreed it was an outstanding event, and we’ll be back next year. |
March 2, 2024, Saturday. A soggy weather forecast slowed our Central Florida Region gathering at the 10th Annual Habitat for Humanity Strawberry Festival and Car Show, but we had a fine time and the rain held off until the show ended, and we were enroute to dry garages. The event earned enough to build a Habitat house. Pictured here, left to right, Joyce and Gil Volling, Charles Couture, and Bob Wannall. Not pictured: Jay Mesquita and Debbie Riecks.
|
Colorado
Deborah Hokanson, our Office Manager has expressed interest in organizing events for local members. She has plenty of experience planning events and willing to plan local gatherings. Deborah can be reached at office@rivowners.org
Delaware Valley, PA
Rob Stadnicki #18066
Havertown, PA
484-620-0800
robjstad@gmail.com
We are happy to announce a new Regional Coordinator in SE Pennsylvania and the opportunity to gather at several local activities. If interested in more information or if you plan to attend any of these events contact Rob
either by phone or email.
Mid-Atlantic Indoor Nationals
March 22, 9 am -6 pm, March 23, 9 am-3 pm, held at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center, 100 Station Ave, Oaks, https://motoramaproductions.com
Keswick Village Car Show & Musical Festival
April 12, 3 pm – 7 pm, held on N. Keswick Ave in Glenside. Requires electronic registration and payment, pre-registered cars stage at 12 PM. Several Rivieras have already entered the show https://keswickevent.com/
Wheels of Wayne
April 27th, 12:30 PM to 3:00 PM. Eleventh annual car show held at North Wayne & West Ave in Wayne. $25
entry, set up at 10:30, awards at 2:30pm. Rain date is May 4th.
https://radnorpa.myrec.com/info/activities/program_details.aspx?ProgramID=30228
MICHIGAN WEST
Steve Playter # 4955
Grand Rapids, MI
616-456-7833
michiganchapterroa@gmail.com
Several events in our area that you should consider are August 9-12 at Coopersville, Flint’s “Back to the Bricks” on August 19th and Frankenmuth's Auto Fest , Sept. 8-10th. For additional information contact me at lplayter@yahoo.com.
MID-WEST
Kevin Kauppi, Coordinator
4th Annual Mid-West Event
August 17th, 2025, Sunday,10am-2pm, join us for the 4th Annual ROA Car Show at Woody Buick, 5589 Northridge Dr. Gurnee, IL. There is a $10 Registration Fee. Car Cruising music by DJ Rudy K. Great Food Vendors ! For information contact Kevin Kauppi, 224-623-1297, kevinkauppi13@aol.com or Len Woelfel, 630-675-3640, len.woelfel@gmail.com
NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Jose Delgadillo
I’m interested in organizing ROA activities for members in Northern California. Until we get more specific plans we could meet at various Cars and Coffee events, listed below that are held regularly in the South Bay area. I’m going to attend these events with my ‘97 Sandstone Beige Riviera. I’ll be wearing my ROA ball cap. I hope to see fellow members at each event, either with or without their Rivs. If interested contact Jose Delgadillo #4357 at rivguy@att.net
Ronnie’s Morning Get Together every 2nd. Saturday 7-11 am. Starbucks parking lot at
1815 Hillsdale Ave. San Jose.
Peninsula Cars and Coffee every 2nd. Sunday 7-10 am.
Breaker’s Cafe 270 Woodside Rd. Redwood City.
Exotic Cars and Coffee every 3rd. Sunday 8-11 am. Hobby Lobby, 990 Cochrane Plaza, Morgan Hill.
NORTH CAROLINA
Randall D. Crain #5360
2493 Banner Whitehead Rd.
Sophia, NC 27350
(336) 431-3854
ROA5360@aol.com
| North Carolina Event Recap |
|
|
NYC METRO
Darrell Ingold #1237
8 Gerald Drive
Holbrook, NY 11741
631-220-3239
ingolddj@optonline.net
Long Island NY
Buick Show
May 25th, 2025, Sunday, 8am – 2 pm, all Buick/Opel show hosted by Long Island BCA at 3470 Park Ave. Wantagh LI, (train station parking lot) . Trophies at 1pm. Dash plaques to the first 100 cars, rain date June 8th. For info: Marty 516-606-4620 or Marc at 516-205-1064 For more info, visit www.libuickclub.org.
SOUTH AFRICA
Chris Palk ROA#10373
PO Box 1333
Krugersdorp 1740 South Africa
2711-660-1322 (office)
2782-808-3360 (cell)
c_palk@uskonet.com
Click here for a copy of the Buick Nut published by the Buick Club of South Africa (PDF 4MB).
Chris and Helen Palk
Northern California
Long time member Jose Delgadillo in San Jose, is interested in organizing ROA activities for members in his area. He will be contacting members by email, and he can be reached at rivguy@att.net
NORTH TEXAS
Winston McCollum #13242
Sherman, TX
972-762-8391
gtohurstjudge@gmail.com
| North Texas Event Recap |
October 5, 2024, Saturday, 12 pm—4 pm, ten members gathered for the 18th Annual “Rivieras at the Park” at Creekside Park in Archdale. The Rivieras in attendance included four generations including a 1967 GS, 1972, 1989, 1993 and a 1999 Silver Anniversary. Members enjoyed conversations, technical information and a delicious lunch was included.
|
New Coordinator
HOUSTON
Paul Gomberg #16773
713-446-8810
gompaul@mac.com
Montgomery, TX
Paul Gomberg #16773 who lives in Montgomery will be the new Coordinator for the southern part of Texas. Paul will be in touch with local members with information on local events and looks forward to hosting a ROA gathering. Paul can be reached at gompaul@mac.com and 713-446-8810.
Other Interesting Events
BCA Nationals
July 23-26, 2025, The Buick Club of America will hold their annual meet in Concord, NC. For details go to https://2025meet.buickclub.org/
Greenwich Concours d ’Elegance
May 30-June 1, 2025
ROA Member Charlie Vrana is looking for concours quality 1963-73 Rivieras' for the 2025 Greenwich Concours Car Show. All Riviera's will be in a special class.
This show in Greenwich, CT, now in its 29th year is one of the top concours events on the east coast. If interested in being considered contact Charlie Vrana #582, who oversees the Riviera selections. 718-683-0900, or charlie2013challenger@gmail.com
GSCA Nationals
May14-17, 2025, (date to be announced) The 44th annual GSCA nationals will be held at the Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, KY. For details go to https://buickgsca.org.
| Have you contacted your Regional coordinator recently? Now is a good time! They may need help or encouragement to get local activities planned. |
