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quick links:
Recent Events Updates
Upcoming events page
Join Our Club
We welcome you to join BATOC and come travel with us on the open road in a group of Classic and Vintage Ford Thunderbirds; what an awesome experience – One you don’t want to miss!
BATOC is affiliated with the Classic Thunderbird International Club which allows us to stay connected to other Thunderbird clubs around the world http://www.ctci.org
Guests are welcome to attend our breakfast meeting in person or remote. Our club meets the 2nd Saturday of every month at the Buttercup Restaurant, 660 Ygnacio Valley Rd, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.
We start gathering at about 9:30 and start the meeting at 10:00 or join our meeting remotely (click here)
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President’s Message
May is here and the year is flying by. April was a crazy weather month for being out on the road and enjoying our Thunderbirds or other classic cars.
I am slowly putting the pieces together on my Model A Roadster and I have had some challenges along the way; however, I am getting great tech support from the Diablo A’s Club members. Grayfeather is currently under wraps behind it in the driveway. Hopefully, she will be sharing the space with the Model A as the project wraps up by the end of summer.
Exciting Father and Son Day at the Raceway
John and Thomas Hager attended the Sonoma Raceway Event on April 25 and were the only active BATOC members there and the only Thunderbird in attendance. The boys did three laps around the track and had a super good time! John and Thomas stayed at the event long enough to win the “Best in Class” red ribbon for a pre-1960 car. They also met a lady who had been involved with BATOC back in the 1980’s…
Club Talent Revealed
Our club members have many hidden talents, and James Gibson is no exception. Until recently, he has kept his musical talents hidden (well, to me, at least). James performed with the Gospel Hummingbirds on April 18. Matthew and I were not able to attend, however from all accounts, it was an amazing evening for Rhythm and Gospel music. Thank you, James, for sharing your musical side!
Thunderbird Appreciation Day
This year, on Sunday, May 17, we will be celebrating the most special day of the year by visiting the Sonoma State Park. See details in the flier in the newsletter. In the meantime, here is Setting the stage by Paulette Burnard:
“Imagine we’re lunch guests at General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo’s home. It’s 1852, and we’re all flush with Gold Rush money. A groom takes our horses and carriage to the carriage shed. That same carriage is on the property today — retired indoors and on display in the Swiss Chalet, the estate’s original warehouse, now a museum.
A house servant leads us to the parlor, where we take in the white marble fireplace, crystal chandeliers, lace curtains, and a rosewood concert grand piano — all shipped from Europe. The house itself was prefabricated in New England and reassembled here in the Carpenter Gothic style.
The General appears sporting very wide, thick sideburns. He gestures toward the wall where his story hangs in frames. Military Commissions. Land Grants. His signature on California’s first constitution. Founder of Sonoma. Bear Flag Revolt prisoner. State senator. Mayor.
Follow me outside. The reservoir is only a few yards from the house.”
Sacramento Extravaganza III & Anniversary Party
On June 26-28, 2026 the Sacramento Classic Thunderbird Club (SCTC) is holding their Extravaganza III event at the Lions Gate Hotel, McClellan Park, CA. This year, SCTC has invited BATOC to partner with them in support of the event. BATOC has agreed to support SCTC to help ensure a very successful event, which will include (on Friday) a combined Anniversary Party. We will be Commemorating BATOC’s 68th year and SCTC’s 60th year.
Reservations are still available, so call The Lions Gate Hotel @ 916-640-0835 and mention the Extravaganza III. 40 rooms were allocated for the event.
BATOC will be supporting the Hospitality Room and the Anniversary Party for this event. We are looking for members to assist with events (short sessions) so if you would like to help out, please contact Lisa or me, letting us know what your availability might be. (See detailed list of assignments after the Activities section below.)
This is a great opportunity to develop relationships with our Sacramento Thunderbird SCTC members, friends from other states and outside the USA. I look forward to seeing you all at the event. It is sure to be a lot of Tbird talk and fun times!
The registration for EXIII is still available on line and folks can register and pay for the event online. https://www.sactbird.org/ Extravaganza III Registration Details.pdf
Happy Motoring!
Joe Adams
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BATOC is affiliated with the Classic Thunderbird International Club which allows us to stay connected to other Thunderbird clubs around the world
