REGISTER. Drive Time THE TUCSON BRITISH CAR

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1 THE TUCSON BRITISH CAR REGISTER October 2015 Volume 21, Number 10 Articles, opinions and suggestions printed in the Register are those of the author(s) and do not reflect the official policy of TBCR or its officers or members unless duly noted. Technical tips are for informational purposes only. In this issue: Drive Time On the Road Events Calendar More Cars The President Squeeks Member Chat Offered for Sale Address for Mail and Regalia: Tucson British Car Register P.O. Box Tucson, AZ See us at: Drive Time Later this week we ll enter probably the best season to drive our British cars. It just doesn t matter, whether they re old ones or new ones. It s either that wonderful early morning light with cool temperatures or bright sunny noontime drives in the country to a fine lunch (or Sonoran hot dog!). I was recently contacted by a long time member who loves his car but just doesn t trust it too far from home. What we ve learned these past 10+ years, as TBCR has matured into a driver s club is that the more you drive the car the more reliable it gets. What better way to get more comfortable with your car and its potential emergencies that to drive it on a club event. You ll be with likeminded souls many of which know these cars better than most shops in Tucson (or Arizona). If you drive with the group you ll be in good hands for either that on the road quick fix or the discussion of a slight problem over a good breakfast. The bottom line is: drive with us, gain confidence then head out on your own when you have time. Many of you noticed that I ve asked for some TBCR volunteers to cover some of the events that I have schedules on the 2 nd and 4 th Saturdays and the 1 st Wednesday of each month. I have to say that the response was underwhelming. So the best I can do as driving events coordinator is set up a self-start event, send you a map to print and arrange places to eat at the end of the drive that have no RSVPs or calling ahead. As many of you know, I get involved 2-3 times a year with long distance drives (1400+ miles) and some shows out of Tucson. I also travel to car shows once in a while that take me away on the weeks that events are planned. So, I hope that many of you will still appear on time with maps in hand (and maybe a spare for some poor soul that forgot theirs), start PROMPTLY and remember it s not a race. Continued next page

2 The Register Page 2 of 10 PRESIDENT Jim Abbott jim@scigraphics.net VICE PRESIDENT Kevin McCue kevin@themccuesonline.net SECRETARY Sandy O Harra asemo0@comcast.net TREASURER Brenda Johnson redsportscars@earthlink.net NEWSLETTER John Mead Tucsonbritish@gmail.com DRIVING EVENTS Ben Cohen RCT2BNC@aol.com REGALIA Len & Nancy Wheeler lenscats@comcast.net WEB SITE Harold Beekhuizen harold_beekhuizen@msn.com Drive Time continued There are some memorable events coming your way before the end of the year, so mark your calendars: October 31 JCSA Jaguar Concours St. Phillips Plaza 9:00 AM 1:00 PM November 7 Cowboy Cookout at the Tanque Verde Guest Ranch. 6:00 PM. Buffet dinner for $20 per person, but you need to get your check and reservation to the TBCR P.O. before November 4. November 28 annual Sonoran Hot Dog Run and time to pay your dues for 2016 December 6 Holiday Dinner (see below) December 12 annual Mystery Run to breakfast January 9 annual TBCR meeting/breakfast run 2016 le Tour des Garages maybe something new maybe not we ll just wait and see Enjoy the drives and see you on the road. BEN Cowboy Cookout 6PM Saturday November 7 At Tanque Verde Guest Ranch $20 per Person if received by Nov. 4 Send your check to TBCR Today! SAVE THE DATE The TBCR Holiday Dinner Returns! 1PM Sunday December 6 At Colt s Taste of Texas Watch your inbox or check the November Register for details

3 Page 3 of 10 On the Road The Register The Saturday Breakfast Run cruised NW and landed at Grumpy s at Ina and Shannon. The conditions were perfect, with about a dozen cars participating. The only problem was a faulty boot latch on Geo s Jaguar.Didn t ask about the bonnet.

4 The Register Page 4 of 10 Events Calendar Wednesday October 4 BLAT (TBD) Saturday October 10 2 nd Saturday Breakfast Run Saturday, October 17 Rotary Car Show Saturday, October 26 Cruise & Schmooze 11:30 AM Starbucks 405 E Wetmore Lunch at the Mercado Saturday, October 31 JCSA Jaguar Concours 9 AM - 1 PM St Phillips Plaza Wednesday November 4 BLAT (TBD) Saturday November 7 Cowboy Cookout 6 PM to 8 PM Tanque Verde Guest Ranch Saturday November 14 Saturday November 28 2 nd Saturday Breakfast Run Casino del Sol (route TBD) Annual Sonoran Hotdog Run Sunday December 6 TBCR Holiday Dinner 1 PM Colt s Taste of Texas Saturday December 12 Annual Mystery Run Every Tuesday BritCar Café 7:30 9:30a

5 Page 5 of 10 The Register More Cars Cars Under the Stars well sun when these pictures were taken. This car show was held at Rillito Raceway Park. TBCR members included Hank with his TR6, new members Paul and Dorothy and their MGB and Walt showing off his MGTD. This car was last seen still in restoration on a trailer at Tour de Garages. Walt said he had just gotten the TD on the road.

6 The President Squeeks The Register Page 6 of 10 What life lessons have I learned from driving an old car (or motorbike, the lessons are the same)? Patience is a virtue. Or so they say. We as drivers of old cars know this and practice it as best we can when waiting for FedEx to deliver a sorely needed part. Do we hide behind the mailbox and throw stones when he doesn t stop at our house?? No, we wave and smile! Maybe it ll come tomorrow. Once burned, twice shy. No way!! How many times have we nearly burned the garage down by wrenching on a carb without disconnecting the battery? This is particularly exciting when you get actual flames. BIG flames. Birds of a feather flock together. Of course this is true with cars and motorbikes. Especially if one of us thinks he is faster (better driver, etc.) than all the rest. Our dear late friend Herby was the world s best example of this. If it won t go, get a bigger hammer. This only works some of the time. Like when a knock-off-hub is rusted on. You can soak it for another six months or you can get a bigger you know what I mean. Similar to this is, if it won t go, force it. This one pertains more to assembly than disassembly. A good example is trying to get a bearing to go in a hole that s too small. It looks like it should go. Honesty is the best policy. It was running when I parked it, or Now honey, I m buying it as an investment. Self explanatory. Nobody left behind. What happened to Jim? Oh, don t worry, he ll catch up! And finally, When in doubt, make it stout. Many years ago I had a friend who designed an ocean going catamaran. It looked like a winner on paper. Then he started adding bling. Gold plated faucets. Laminated teak decking. 200 hp inboard Chrysler Marine for emergencies Watt Bose stereo with 36 inch woofers. Leaded stained glass portholes. Twenty hand rubbed coats of Marine Varnish. Etc. Etc. Etc. When he launched it we were all there to watch. It settled into the marina with about 3 inches of freeboard. He sold it. That s enough squeeking for now. Jim

7 Page 7 of 10 The Register Member Chat by Jeff Simpson Our member chats usually involve cars and parts of cars and stories about cars, but this device and Jeff s passion so captivated me that I thought it deserved equal billing with any four-wheeled classic. Editor. This is a photo of my "Steam Punk" distributor and ignition test set up. Hard to see in the photo, but it allows me to test the whole system from distributor to the spark plugs. Using the machine, I can plot out the advance curve of the distributor, both mechanical and vacuum, and actually watch the spark plugs firing. It's a big help, being able to test the whole system all together. Something I've seen which surprised me, is how much steadier and consistent the electronic systems are as compared to the old points. Jeff. Revising and Extending Recognize the film? See Marc Koenig s excellent History of the Sunbeam Alpine (Sept Register) for the answer.

8 The Register Page 8 of 10 And More Cars Some more pics from the summer s Hacienda del Sol BLAT, plus a couple of.. Hillmans!

9 Page 9 of 10 Offered for Sale Sanda O Brien is selling the following cars. The Register Jaguar E-Type XKE 1973 Series III, 5.3L Raymond O Brien s car Mileage: 41,170; concourse condition; JDHR Certification; Same owner for 20 years; invited to Boston Cup, 2014 Invited to Bristol, RI Concourse, 2015; featured in Jaguar Club Calendar and Ballroom Exhibit at JCNA national meeting, Boston 2014; Best In Show award at JANE Concours Plus many other awards. Major service in 2015 by Brookline Jaguar (Mass); all maintenance records available going back 20 years; manuals, charts, diagrams, plus all awards go with car. Price: $110,000 (car located in Boston) 1979 MGB Sanda can be contacted at sanda.obrien@nemoves.com (617) Sanda says I'm regretfully selling my MG. The Rodster told me to be sure to let my fellow Brit Boys know. I think you all know it's due to my health issues. Car is located in Tucson and is under a car cover and parked beneath a car port, gasoline has been treated and car is ready to roll. About the car: Rust free, no leaks, doesn t smoke, runs strong at 85mph. Rostyle wheels with stainless trim rings and MG center caps. Has a roll bar and a professional power kill switch. New stereo system with Bluetooth and ipod connection. Has owner s manual, service records, plus extra MG books. Car is titled in AZ. Odometer reads or so. Has original emission control parts that can be put back on the car. Seats are tan; conv top is black with a zip out rear window; luggage rack. Price $7,500

10 TBCR members may have a complimentary business card ad on this page For info contact the editor: tucsonbritish@gmail.com