Abingdon Rough Rider Review June 2010 Vol. LII(52) no. 6 President Terry Sanders Vice President - Activities Director Secty/Treas/Newsletter Editor- Eminence Gris Jeff Stobbe Linda Chalmers Allan Chalmers Bill Traill Sunday, June 13 Tour around Mt Diablo With Syd and Judy Saperstein We will meet at the Alamo Plaza at 9:30 for a cuppa and whatever, leaving there at 10 or whenever, ending at the Casa de Saperstein in Alamo perhaps three hours later for a weenie roast. There will be a test of navigation or some form of aggro for the navigator. We will need an rsvp by June 7 to either Syd or Judy Tcsyd@sbcglobal.net or judsap@sbcglobal.net To get to the Alamo Plaza take Stone Valley Rd. west off 680 and turn into the Plaza in 2/10 of a mile July Event is the GoF at Big Bear, July 13-16. For those not going perhaps we will have an alternate tour on the 18 th stay tuned Web site www.abingdonroughriders.org
Coming Events (italics for non-arr events) May 29 - Jun. 6 British Car Week get out and drive your LBC Jun. 5 Hayward Field Meet, Cal State East Bay, Mini Owners of America-SF June 13 Tour around Mt Diablo with Syd & Judy Saperstein in charge July 12 16 GoF in Big Bear CA application has been in the last two newsletters or is on the web site August 1 Capitola run could be Aptos instead this is another version of the Sausage Run more later September? Bolinas Susan Frank will welcome us, at a date to be decided, to The Barn British Car Day Brisbane may be cancelled this year stay tuned October 1/2/3 Conclave The Narrow Gauge Inn on Hwy 41 above Oakhurst and four miles from the Mariposa gate to Yosemite write-up attached and on the web site November? A tour of Sonoma with a stop at Dick & Rochelle Nyquist s barn of cars December? Holiday Party at the Swackhamer s in San Jose more to come
Nevada City Weekend Bill Traill, Joe & Pat Marcotte, and Barry & Sue Swackhamer met in Milpitas for the drive to Nevada City, picking up Norman Tuck and Terry & Cindy Sanders along the way. We saw red (red-winged blackbirds) and listened to meadowlarks on the way to Locke. We ate lunch in Ione before joining Hwy 49 to make our way to Nevada City via Placerville, Coloma and Auburn. We could not have asked for a better day. The hills were still green and covered with wildflowers. The trip was uneventful except for a few lost and recovered side windows. But we were tired and quite happy to arrive at the National Hotel parking lot, only to discover Ed & Karen Pohle and Bill & Sally Tantau waiting for us. We agreed to adjourn to the hotel bar where Terry Horlick found us. When it comes to touring, it always helps to have a local guide. We could not have had better than Terry & Terri Horlick. They led us on a great tour using many great MG roads unfamiliar to us. We visited an unrestored house designed by Julia Morgan, two covered bridges as well as several former gold rush towns. However, the highlight of the tour had to be the frightening twisty descent to an operating power plant and the strenuous drive back out again(which didn t seem as bad as going down). The spectacular pink dogwoods and the undesirable, flammable scotch broom provided lots of color. Much thanks to Terry & Terri. Sunday the weather changed. The Bay Area group returned by a quicker if not shorter route. We were fortunate to be caught in only a few minor showers. However, the Tantaus and Pohles were not so lucky because it was snowing as they crested the Sierra pass on their way home. All arrived home safely Sharing the road
Meeting our Virginia ARR Folk Linda and I went off to the east coast for a family event and decided to end in Washington to see the sights. Well, we were just north of four of our members and thought we might do a meeting of the eastern contingent. It was also a chance to see my old blue grey TC, now in the hands of Don and Suzi Scheu. We drove out of DC and picked up Bill Kendall, who was a Californian years ago and spent most of his career with the state dept. running boards back. It is in the shop of a real car guy, Paul, who has lots of fine old relics lying around. We headed then to Williamsburg for a short visit with Phil and Cindy May. We told a few tall stories, had some lunch then broke for the next stop. Bill Kendall, shop owner Paul,? and Don Cindy & Phil, Linda and Bill Because of a family event, they couldn t accompany us but got us pointed in the right direction to get us over to the shop where Don is having some work done on our car. Conclave Update Feels good! Thus far we have 26 people signed up for the Conclave. Don t forget to reserve. ( The cheaper rooms are all taken). Those signed up are: Sanders, shempp, Marcotte, Crandall, Storms, Chalmers, Pohle, Tuck, Traill and new members Brian and Jane Sonner! And from the TCMG: It was a bit of déjà vu all over again sitting in the car. Don is going to repaint all over Jaguar indigo and do a few other fixes, including putting the Glass, Roth, Simon, Einhorn I will be asking for money along about July.
54 th Annual ARR / TCMG Conclave October 1-2-3 2010 At the Narrow Gauge Inn in Fish Camp, near the Mariposa Gate to Yosemite Reservations need to be made through Allan - allanchalmers@yahoo.com or Linda - lichalmers@yahoo.com (or call 415 566 9796) There are 26 rooms priced from $133.20 to 166.50 including 11% tax. These are the fall rates. The meal is described on the next page and is $60 per person. This is a served, not buffet dinner and the Inn is noted for their food. Please let us know what price level room you would like and also what entrée. We will ask for payment by August 1, but please let us know by June 1 if you are planning on coming and what type room. Also indicate if you are interested in the Narrow Gauge train ride. We will take room requests on a first come basis and might have to adjust room assignments and rates based on availability, so act with some haste! Please don t reserve through the Inn we are taking the monies and paying the Inn Please check the narrow gauge inn web site www.narrowgaugeinn.com and the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad www.ymsprr.com
ARR / TCMG 53 rd Annual Conclave Oct 1-3 Narrow Gauge Inn, Fish Camp Saturday Night Menu FIRST COURSE: advance) MAIN COURSE: DESSERT: Fresh Garden Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette or Soup Du Jour (One chosen in Choice of: Prime Rib with Garlic Mashed Potatoes Chicken Marsala with Garlic Mashed Potatoes Fresh Salmon with Rice Pilaf Pasta Provencal (vegetarian) Lamb Shank with Garlic Mashed Potatoes Entrees include: Seasonal Vegetables Sourdough and Wheat Bread, Butter and Oliveri Sauce Choice of Coffee, Teas, Milk or Soft Drink Cheesecake with Raspberry topping Room #s Room details # Guests Total w/11% tax 25 King, A/C, Private Bathroom Tub/Shower, Private Deck, by swimming pool (2 max) $166.50 26 King, A/C, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Mountain View (2 max) $166.50. 27 King, A/C, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Mountain View (2 max) $166.50. 28 King, A/C, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Mountain View (2 max) $166.50. 29 King, A/C, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Mountain View (2 max) $166.50. 30 King, A/C, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Mountain View (2 max) $166.50. 31 King, A/C, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Mountain View (2 max) $166.50. 32! Queen, Daybed w/trundle, AC, Private Bathroom Tub/Shower, VCR Balcony with Forest View, Below Restaurant, may hear noise! (4 max) $166.50. 33 King, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Shared Balcony Mountain View (2 max) $166.50. 34 Queen, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Shared Balcony Mountain View (2 max) $133.20. 35 Queen, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Shared Balcony Mountain View (2 max) $133.20. 36 Queen, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Shared Balcony Mountain View (2 max) $133.20. 37 Queen, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Shared Balcony Mountain View (2 max) $133.20. 38! King, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Shared Balcony Mountain View (2 max) $166.50!Near Refrigeration, may hear noise! 39! King, Daybed w/trundle, Fan, Rollaway Private Shower Bathroom, Shared Balcony. Mountain View.!Under Restaurant, may hear noise!(5 maximum w/rollaway) $166.50 40 King, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Forest View (2 max) $166.50. 41 Queen, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Forest View (2 max) $155.40. 42 Queen, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Forest View (2 max) $155.40 43 King, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Forest View (2 max) $166.50. 44 2 Doubles, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Forest View (4 max) $155.40. 45 2 Doubles, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Forest View (4 max) $155.40. 46 2 Doubles, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Forest View (4 max) $155.40. 47 2 Doubles, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Forest View (4 max) $155.40. 48 2 Doubles, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Forest View (4 max) $155.40. 49 King, Daybed w/trundle, A/C, 2 Private Bathrooms (one with Shower, one with claw foot bathtub) Small Refrigerator, secluded balcony with Forest View. (5 maximum, w/rollaway) $216.45. 51 King, Fan, Private Shower Bathroom, Balcony with Forest View (2 max) $166.50 Guests may make individual reservations to arrive earlier than October 1, 2010 or extend their stay beyond October 2, 2010. Reservations will be on room availability only.
A car from the past Danica Remy emailed me with the following from Left Coast Classics.com Extreme frame off restoration Solid California MG We have a superb 1948 MGTC for sale. This is by far the most stunning MG we have ever seen here at Left Coast Classics! With over $80,000 spent and less than 400 miles since its completion, this wonderful TC is ready to take anywhere! The paint is smooth as glass, the leather soft and supple, the undercarriage is just as immaculate as the rest. No corners were cut on this exhaustive restoration and it truly shows. If you are a serious collector who wants an amazing car built better than new, look no further. The current owner purchased this TC in 1966 from Lucien Remy, founder of the Abingdon Rough Riders who bought it from Howard Auto Co. in Belmont, CA. The car has sported the name "Byron" for over 50 years. Soon after purchasing, the current owner began an extensive frame-off restoration. The car has been driven about 200-300 miles per year since and has been maintained all the while. Features comfortable leather interior and a wonderful handmade walnut steering wheel This beautiful 1948 MGTC was sold new in Santa Monica, California. The car looks nice, runs well and is always garaged here in sunny, dry California. She was originally British Racing Green. Everything works great on the car, the crankshaft was recently replaced as well as the pistons, it has a TD Mk II head and 1-1/4" SU's. This is a rust-free, California MGTC with great history and a lot of documentation! Danica is bummed because it doesn t look like she will ever get her father s car back been sold already and too rich for her blood. I would note though that the $80,000 restoration didn t include a driving light! And why would someone spend that kind of money then sell it after 400 miles? The former owner, Dave Thomasson, was a member of the ARR for several years, but we only saw him once.
Replacing the TC Wire Harness: Things to Consider Wire harnesses are confusing and there are choices from different vendors. Color codes, wire configurations, early, late, home, export, EXU, etc. Here are some quick points to help simplify. 1. Color code (early or late): Decide which category your car fits in. If you look at the TC Instruction Manual ( Brown Book ) the early charts are wrong. This causes immediate confusion if you get an early harness and then try to wire it according to the Brown Book. To explain further and provide the correct wire diagram from the early cars go to: www.fromtheframeup.com look under: Product Tech Tips / Electrical. Also, there is the ongoing debate as to when the color codes changed but it is generally accepted as 1948, around TC6640. (Contact me if you know for sure.) Therefore, recommend you always wire your car with the proper color coded harness, early or late. 2. Home vs export model: Original wiring harness for the home model had 1 single and 1 double headlight filament. The export cars had both headlights double filament. Depending on the country of export the original harnesses may have had the horn and fog reversed as well as the D lamp reversed on the left. The point here is that know what you want for your car. Most harnesses made today will have both headlamps dual filament and most will also have dual tail lights. Just be aware of these options and ask the question to ensure you get the configuration you want. This is also where you can start getting into some of the custom features if you need something nonfactory. 3. Flashers: This option is available for those who want to add turn signals. (Probably a good idea for today s driving.) Just tell your supplier you want flashers. This means in addition to the stock harness there will be wires added to accommodate turn signals for the car. The harness will have 8 leads going under the dash to be used on a flasher unit. The easiest solution for controlling is to use the TD type 8 post flasher unit, however there are other Radio Shack type options. You will also need a turn signal switch with a mini-harness to go from the switch to the flasher unit. Normally, double dual filament D lamps will suffice, but wiring can be included to add additional turn signals higher on the top of the gas tank. 4. EXU: The TC EXU harness is similar to the flasher harness discussed above. However, it is unique in itself due to special EXU configuration of having the horns under the bonnet, no horn or fog on the front, and turn signals on the top of the gas tank. All EXU s will be late color coded. 5. Dash Harness: Don't forget about the dash harness. This harness should match color codes to the main harness, i.e. don't mix a late dash harness with an early main harness. There is a slight variance whether you have a 30 light or dual map light. Be aware and follow the wiring diagram. 6. Type of Wire: Original wiring had a lacquer braided cover. Today, cheaper plastic covered wires are offered, in addition to the original type braided wire. Know what you are buying. 7. Conduits: Not all suppliers offer all the conduits. It is very difficult to add a main harness conduit after the harness is built. Also, if you buy a less expensive harness that does not have the front headlamp conduits and then have to purchase them afterwards and install, what have you saved? Ask about the conduits. There are 4 total on the TC. Summary: Decide what you need for your car. Then tell the supplier. If a stock harness works then ok. If you are asking for something nonstock, that's ok too because the harness can be made to fit your needs. Overall, the most important thing is to not shortcut on the wiring of the car. Cheaper is not always better and could mean you now have a harness inferior to those installed by the factory. Then you are asking for trouble. For more specific thoughts to your car, I am always glad to help and talk through the many options. Doug Pelton, 602-690-4927 or doug@fromtheframeup.com
The Current state of the Bob Moore TC The Crackerjack team has just about exhausted itself. The car runs well except for a charging problem and a leak or two. It is now awaiting installation of upholstery by Jim Silva. The car will be for sale at that point. It is virtually a new car, Dwane Carlson, our late member and good pal, having pretty well replaced every worn part, redone all the bright work, rebuilt engine, trans and installed 4.62 high speed rear end gears. He is currently sorting out the N type. Seems to be weak spark. Don had real problems with the magneto on the N as I remember. Whizzing along one moment, the next dead as a doornail! But when it runs it is very lively, with the lightweight body. Terry Horlick found this on askmen.com Top 10: All-Time British Cars This will be a really fine car for someone. The price will be quite reasonable for the amount of money put into it. The Moores have sold their place in Vacaville and have moved down to Austin TX where their daughter lives. Their son is in Houston. We ll certainly miss them here. New Members Bob Anderson and Dick Gronet were at the Marin Concours and reported that a TC was entered and Bob told the owner about our club. Bob was so persuasive that Arthur Mindle has joined. Way to go Bob! Please welcome: Arthur and Jean Mindle 3536 Westminster Court Napa, CA 94558 a.mindle@sbcglobal.net No pictures from the Concours and no results, but we hope they were successful No.1 - MG TC You have to wonder what the state of sports cars would be today without the 1945-1950 MG TC. On its own, frankly, it was nothing spectacular.(ed.note: says you!) However, MGs were nothing like the typical cars across the pond, so they became a hit with American GIs abroad. Some brought the little TCs home after World War II, while others quickly bought them as dealers sprang up. Regardless, the acceptance of the unconventional car within such a carcentric culture is likely to be a major factor in what followed here and around the world. John Wright, who bought Don Wasserman s N type, is also a TC owner and has joined our august ranks. John & Linda Wright 1640 River Road Upper Black Eddy. PA 18972 Mogfrog1@aol.com John has a few other cars, including a Morgan, hence the email address.
From our illustrious past: (Rhoda, Frank and Pat have left us, but the rest soldier on. Except Leslie has been replaced with Mary!)