History of the Western Reserve Region Cadillac LaSalle Club

In February, 1991, Richard Ross sent a survey to all national Cadillac LaSalle Club (CLC) members in the 216 area code (approximately 130 members)which includes all of northeast Ohio, known prior to Ohio statehood as the Western Reserve. Present day, this area includes the Greater Cleveland area, where the club organization is based,Akron/Canton area, Youngstown, and all the towns and villages in Ohio roughly north of I-70 and east of I-71. Sixty percent of those responding were very interested in the formation of a local region. After tabulation of the survey responses and the particular interests of the members, an organizational dinner meeting was held on April 6th at the Cable Cove Restaurant in Canton. Those attending were Richard Ross, James Miller, Jack Basom, Carl Schorr, Roger & DeLoryes Hicks, Jack Schoonover, Jeff Domer, and Ed & Gerry Dornbirer. Joe Rossin and Lewis Topalsky (both now deceased) also attended this first meeting. At the meeting, Richard Ross was elected President. Others holding office during this first year included Carl Schorr, V.P./Treasurer and DeLoryes Hicks, Secretary. Jack Basom, Len Berman, and Roger Hicks were Directors.

A car show was scheduled for May 5, 1991 at the Ledges, a park setting in the Cuyahoga Valley Recreation area. There were 24 Cadillacs and three LaSalles present. Many were not national club members, but attended because of an ad placed in The Plain Dealer. Our first newsletter, The Western Reserve Reporter, was issued in June, 1991. Following two more shows, club members motored to the CLC Grand National held in Cincinnati where we presented, and were accepted, as a provisional region. The year 1991 ended with 31 members representing 75 Cadillacs and two LaSalles.

On May 16, 1992, the club held its first spring car show at Crestmont Cadillac in Beachwood. This spring show, which is now held at Central Cadillac, is our most popular event, drawing new members every year. In July, 1994, the club sponsored a Mini-National car show in Marietta, Ohio, with cars joining us from the surrounding area as well as from members from the Buckeye Region of southern Ohio and the Lake St. Clair Region of Michigan. We continue to add new and varied activities to our calendar each year. Our club now has 91 members with 132 Cadillacs and six LaSalles and is recognized as a full-fledged region of the national Cadillac LaSalle Club.

Cadillac or LaSalle ownership is not a prerequisite to membership, only an interest in Cadillacs or LaSalles, and the ability to have fun and enjoy cars, whether they be antiques, classics, pre-war, post-war, or modern. And while most of our members have cars they keep polished and dust-free, a number of cars are daily drivers of the wash and shine variety.

In addition to the club sponsored social events and car shows, the club also supports area charities, car museums, and automobile associations. This past year CLC-WRR has made contributions to Make-a-Wish Foundation, Crawford Auto Museum, and the Cadillac Museum.

We are always looking for new members who bring new ideas and suggestions.

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