GoF West 2014 San Diego, California

Transcription

1 Abingdon Rough Rider Review August 2014 Vol. LVI no. 8 President - Brian Sonner Vice President - Terry Sanders Activities Director Howard Shempp Secty/Treas/Newsletter Editor- Allan Chalmers Eminence Gris Bill Traill Web Master Rick Storms Aug 25-29, 2014 GoF West 2014 San Diego, California Is anyone going from the Bay Area? Let me know, so I can coordinate with others I am still on the fence about going. No other event is planned for August. Anybody want to volunteer? September 21 A Sonoma County tour, more next month Please note the instructions for the Conclave herein! Our web site An advisory from our webmaster For those receiving the web version, remember, you can contact your esteemed officers by clicking the About Us link and clicking on the name of the officer. This protects us from malefactors! On the Events page, each month's event includes three icons. One is to the host, one is a link to a Google map that shows the starting point of the run, and finally, one to show weather conditions. Rick If you d like to drop the printed version and read this on the web site let your editor know

2 Coming Events August GoF in San Diego (could be we should have a run for those not going to GoF? Volunteers?) September 21 - note: this date was changed from the 14 th due to your leader s unavailability Sonoma County tour hosted by the Chalmers October th Annual Conclave ARR / TCMG in Sonora (CA, not Mexico!) November 8 Dinner in San Francisco or? Linda Chalmers/ Cindy Weiss December 14/15 Holiday Party Healdsburg at the Taylor s Other Events September 13,14 - British Fall Classic, Morgan Hill Missive from the desk of your president. We had a great turnout at the South Coast Berry Picking Event. This year they had the full range of berry types. The weather along the coast was fantastic. We left San Francisco in fog and it cleared up to be clear and very comfortable. The weather forecast was for 100+ temperatures in the Sacramento Valley for the day: so, I decided to drive the 70B instead of Nelson. My personal rule is that temperatures below 30 or above 95 degrees are just not comfortable. The reaction to the 70B among a certain element of the attendees was less that I had expected. One of our members actually accused your president of being a wimp for driving a modern car. I was shocked. I have recovered from the insubordinate comments but want the record to note that it was 103 in Vacaville as we passed through and 100 at my house when we got home at 5pm. As you know from the website, there is no ARR event scheduled for August because GoFWest will be in San Diego August It does not appear that there will be many attending from our group. Those who do attend should pay close attention to all of the routing events because we will be helping with the GoFWest in Rohnert Park. The Sacramento Valley MG Car Club will be hosting. They have asked for assistance with some of the planning and execution of the event. Since Rohnert Park is so close to us, I would expect that our attendance next year would be significant. Norman Tuck has updated his website and it is worth a wander through. Simply, amazing. Brian

3 Berry Picking Whilst your editor was lazing about on Kauai, Norman Tuck and Brenda, with assist from Bill Traill, led a tour down the coast for some berry picking. Second annual perhaps? Attending also were Brian & Jane Sonner, Eric Baker, the Marcottes, Dan Shockey and Thuy. Lots of pies were undoubtedly consumed

4 Have you noticed how many MG badge bars are adorned by St. Christopher medallions? What is the purpose or reason? It is because Christopher is the patron saint of travelers. Typically a Christopher medal depicts the saint carrying a child. This image arises from a legend that has him tasked with carrying travelers across a stream to keep them safe. One child grew immensely heavy as they crossed. When St. Christopher (SC) asked why, the child explained that he was Jesus Christ, carrying the world. And just to prove his identity, the child turned Christopher s staff in to a fertile palm tree. The legend has since captured the imagination of believers, who have used Christopher s image to keep them and their loved ones safe, especially during travels. And oh by the way, the name Christopher means Christ-bearer. Medallions with St. Christopher s name and image are commonly worn as pendants, especially by travelers. Also, miniature statues are frequently displayed in automobiles. (Hung on the mirror). Spanish medals and holy cards often have a phrase which translates to: If you trust St. Christopher, you won t die in an accident. Maybe this is why St, Christopher rides proudly on the MG badge bars. TC8533 Shiftright Special (currently being rejuvenated by From The Frame Up), had 4 SC badges as detailed in Road and Track, April One is primary and 3 are back-ups. However, new owner Larry Pate was disappointed to find only 2 of the 4 badges remained when he purchased the car. Luckily, 1 was found during the disassembly. It had separated from the badge body and fell and lodged between the valance and the front license plate. So it will be restored and returned to the bar for display. However, the 4 th SC remains missing and the hunt is on for a replacement to return the Shiftright Special to its original glory. We need your help. If anyone can identify the missing SC badge, or know a source, or help to locate one please let me know. And for those without St. Christopher adorning their car, you may want to find one. There are many beautiful variations that can be found through various vendors on the internet. Remember, St Christopher is the patron saint of travelers and may well keep you from having an accident. Doug Pelton, doug@fromtheframeup.com SC #2 from the left is missing, can you help? Badge bar before disassembly

5 St. Christopher found behind license plate Shiftright Special SC s waiting for #4 to be found If you know of a similar badge, let me know and I ll pass the info on to Doug Terry Sanders retires Terry finished up 25 years (the one on the left gives him 10 more) as editor of the Sorry Safari newsletter. I guess that leaves me as the most ancient scribe locally

6 The Jersey Isle TC Saga Success! The TC in San Carlos that Norman Tuck and I checked out, has arrived on the Isle of Jersey, intact. John Constantine, the new owner, writes: I ve attached our latest newsletter, so you can see that the car arrived safely. I now know what the mystery switch is for. When you turn on the ignition, both fuel pumps operate, if you flick the switch the SU pump stops. I have already had to change the needle valves as the old ones don t like our petrol (gas). Also the little paint bubble by the tank sender has started to leak. I put all this trouble down to our unleaded petrol. We still don t have methanol though but it is only a matter of time. I have changed the tyres as a matter of common sense. The wheels are going to have the spokes adjusted to get them to run true. Needless to say we are delighted with the car.

7 MG Featured at 2014 U.S. Vintage Grand Prix July 25, 2014 by Sports Car Digest Pete Thelander, of the TC Motoring Guild in his 1934 MG-NE at Watkins Glen The cars of MG will be the honored marque at the 2014 U.S. Vintage Grand Prix Watkins Glen, scheduled for September 5-7 at Watkins Glen International in Watkins Glen, New York. MG Vintage racers have designated this event as their Focus Event for 2014, according to the Sportscar Vintage Racing Association (SVRA), which sanctions this event each year. The MG shares a rich history with Watkins Glen and 2014 marks a big year for the marque with multiple event anniversaries. This year is the 55th anniversary of the first full MG races held at The Glen in 1959 and Some of the cars from these historic races will be present at this year s U.S. Vintage Grand Prix also marks the 60th anniversary of the Collier Brothers Memorial Trophy Race, celebrating 60 years of Collier Cup MG races. And lastly, this year will also be the 50th anniversary of the New England MG-T Register. We featured MG as our marque back in 2003 and it was a historic event with over 700 entries, a record number, stated Michael Printup, President of Watkins Glen International. We are hoping for the same type of support during their 55th anniversary run! Founded in the 1920s by Cecil Kimber, MGs were produced by The MG Car Company Limited, and were best known for their two-seat open sports cars. After World War II, MGs grew in popularity in the US as the entry level sports car for most young sports car enthusiasts. After its inception in the 1920s, the MG marque was in continuous use for over 50 years, with the exception of World War II.

8 The th Annual Conclave Oct 3-5 The Annual Abingdon Rough Riders/TC Motoring Guild Conclave this year will be set in the exciting, historic area of Sonora, CA, October 3rd through 5th, Time is getting closer for our annual romp in the mountains. The town of Sonora awaits with something for everyone. Wonderful restaurants and shops for those who do not want to drive much. Many roads and adventures with stops at wineries and limestone caverns for the more adventurous. Mining towns to walk the streets the miners walked 150 years ago. All within a few miles of this little town. Friday we will have our welcome cocktail party at the Gunn House. Bring your libation of choice and any food items to add to the party. It will be poolside at the hotel. Saturday, enjoy a wonderful breakfast with many selections including a gluten free choice if necessary. Saturday, there will be maps provided with some of the local highlights for your driving enjoyment. Saturday night there will be a banquet at the Sonora Inn in the Rose Room. Dinner options will be a Pork Tenderloin, Chicken (not sure about the prep at this time) and a vegetarian option of a Portobello Mushroom over risotto. The price will be $34 per person, and please make your selection when you send in your payment so we can let the kitchen prepare for our group. Wine is available for purchase, or if you want to bring you own, there will be no corkage fee. For those staying at the Gunn House, and that will be most of you, please include $50 per room to repay the ARR treasury since we paid the deposit on all the rooms to hold the hotel reservation in the spring. There are a couple who are in the Sonora Inn. You are welcome to walk up the block and a half to the Gunn House for breakfast both mornings. There will be no charge and the breakfasts are much better than those available at the Sonora Inn. Also, you are welcome to park at the Gunn House since the parking is more secure. Please send your checks and menu selections to Allan Chalmers, th Ave, San Francisco, CA Deadline for payment is September 15th. Looking forward to seeing everyone for some fun times. Thanks, Howard Shempp. I sent out an with a link to the British TV show, For the Love of Cars, and its segment in Los Angeles with the TC Motoring Guild. Hope you all got it. Please note, in this screen shot, your humble editor, second from right, flanked by Ron Simon and Richard Loe of TCMG. Linda is also there, on the left, along with members Jim and Norma Crandall. That s Don McLish s surfboarded car. Miscellaneous page

9 Thousands of MGs descend on Silverstone for 90th anniversary More than 15,000 visitors piled into the Silverstone circuit on June to mark 90 years since the first MG went on sale, with the headline act being a timeline of the firm's cars, which was valued at 3m. Following MG's Chinese resurgence, it was expected that the emphasis of the timeline would be on newer models and concept cars, but the star of the show was undoubtedly 'Old Number One'. The first competition MG broke cover at the 1925 Lands End Trial and was based on a "Bullnose" Morris Cowley chassis, while power was delivered by a 1548cc Hotchkiss engine. Though it stood in beautifully restored condition, its gleaming paintwork hides a chequered past: it was used to haul a pig food trailer before being discovered in a Manchester scrapyard in 1932 by an MG employee, who subsequently returned it to the factory. The car was on loan from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Collection at Gaydon. Visitors travelled far and wide to attend the event, none more so than an intrepid group of enthusiasts from China, who drove more than 12,500 miles through 13 countries in order to arrive at Longbridge for a commemorative presentation before making their way to Silverstone.

10 Steve Schrieberg writes: Hi all, I recently saw a screwball comedy on TCM. It starred Red Skelton, Arlene Dahl, Ann Miller & Leon Ames & a TC. The movie was released in Most of you probably know this movie but 1st time I ever saw it. Arlene Dahl drove the car most of the movie & Leon Ames drove it towards the end of the movie. The TC got a lot of on camera time throughout the movie. It would be interesting to trace that TC & find out where it is now. Your editor responds: Price on Ebay is a little steep, but maybe I should buy a copy to pass around. Another movie with a prominent TC is Trouble in the Glen, from 1954, Where Forrest Tucker drives around the Scottish Highlands in a TC. This just in 80 year old MG runs again! The three dipsticks plus one - are successful in bringing TATerry s NA back to life. It had mixed its oil with water and the expert dipsticks determined that it has a really shaved head giving a 185 compression reading, causing the leakage. A new, quite thick, gasket was made in Thailand (!!!) and applied and after solving a few minor leaks, it sprang to life. Compression now or - The engine is a six cylinder, overhead cam, 1286 cc model, with the infamous vertical generator driving from the crankshaft to the camshaft often a source of elimination of electrical generation, due to copious quantities of oil flowing down past the inadequate sealing. Torquing down the head is a treat, using a crows-foot wrench due to the cam gear getting in the way of the head bolts. Terry supervises, I photograph The crows-foot operation. Terry is afraid to look

11 The real workers Rick Storms and Norman Tuck Huzzah it runs!! Spotted on Terry s wall: and out front of the Warehome: New owner of TA s TA Terry Sanders has passed proprietorship of the TA to his son Andrew. Always good to keep these things in the family. My son Craig called last night, while out with my former 356 Porsche. A question about the non-linear gas gauge and whether he was running out. At least it has one. And a reserve tank. Member Businesses Support your TC vendors! Sure Fit Seat Covers Jim Silva (510) E 14th St, San Leandro, CA 94578

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