Vol. 23 No. 5 April/May 2003
MOGNW 2003 CALENDAR May 17 Sat Vancouver All-British Field Meet Ken Miles (604) 576-8036 May 20 Tues Southern Pod monthly social at Portland Brewing Heinz Stromquist (503) 224-9576 May 25 Sun BC Vintage Car Races Stu Rulka (604) 538-8470 May 30 Fri Deadline for the June Mogazine Craig Runions (206) 542-7137 June 7-8 Sat-Sun Eastern Washington Caboose Run, DETAILS INSIDE Kay Jones (206) 546-2232 June 14-15 Sat-Sun Victoria Father s Day Picnic, DETAILS INSIDE Ken Douch (250) 642-2114 June 20-22 Fri-Sun Oregon Coast Devil s Punchbowl Weekend Heinz Stromquist (503) 224-9576 July 4-6 Fri-Sun Kelowna Ralley in the Valley N Pod rep July 5-6 Sat-Sun Seattle Vintage Car Races M Pod rep July 12-13 Sat-Sun Portland Vintage Car Races S Pod rep July 26 Sat Bellevue All-British Field Meet M Pod rep July 31-Aug 28 4 weeks Alaska Highway Experience Ken Miles (604) 576-8036 Aug 8-10 Fri-Sun Chipmunk Lodge Mt Rainer Dave Wellington (360) 387-8770 Aug 30 Sat Portland All-British Field Meet S Pod rep Sept 19-21 Fri-Sun Sun Valley Spud Mog Weekend, DETAILS INSIDE Bob Adair (208) 343-3846 Oct 18 Sat Bob Nelson Memorial Fall Tour M Pod rep Nov 2 Sun Ladner to Bellingham Run N Pod rep Dec 6 Sat Midlands Holiday Party M Pod rep TREASURER S REPORT from Bill Button... Beginning balance, 3/1/2003 $9,301 plus dues 720 plus regalia sales 20 less regalia - 359 less March Mogazine - 192 Ending balance, 4/30/2003 $9,490 EDITOR S NOTE: Judy and I have TEMPORARILY moved into a nearby condo while our home is undergoing a 6-month remodel. Mail and phone are forwarded, so no need to change. The Morgan is next door in my neighbor s garage. We filled up two 10x20 mini-storage units. My biggest problem (aside from $$$ s) was giving up high speed DSL internet access for 56k dial up. Arrrgh! NW MOGAZINE is the monthly newsletter of MORGAN OWNER'S GROUP NORTHWEST, a non-profit organization serving the interests of Morgan automobile enthusiasts in the Northwestern United States and Western Canada. Copyright (c) 2003 by MORGAN OWNERS GROUP NORTHWEST. Permission is hereby given to reproduce any portion of this newsletter, except for other identified copyrighted material contained herein, but not for sale or profit, with credit acknowledging the month/year of issue and the author, source or photographer, if stated. Please e-mail material for publication to the Editor at <mognw.cr@verizon.net>, or p-mail a diskette or typed copy to the Editor. PRESIDENT Wayne Harris 825 NW Yamhill St, McMinnville, OR 97128 (503) 472-1911 SECRETARY Pat Miles 15410 Kildare Drive, Surrey, BC V3S 6B9 (604) 576-8036 TREASURER Bill Button 9839-51st Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98136 (206) 935-3616 EDITOR Craig Runions 17759-13th Ave NW, Shoreline, WA 98177 (206) 542-7137 REGALIA Dick Dice 7011 NE Baker Hill Rd, Bainbridge, WA 98110 (206) 855-9628 HISTORIAN Mike Powley 12972 16th Ave, Surrey, BC V4A 1N7 (604) 542-0921 NORTHERN REP Ken Miles 15410 Kildare Drive, Surrey, BC V3S 6B9 (604) 576-8036 MIDLANDS REP Judd Marten 2109-52nd Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116 (206) 937-5391 SOUTHERN REP Heinz Stromquist 2618 SW Fairmount, Portland, OR 97201 (503) 224-9576 Business meetings are held quarterly as published in the above calendar. Social meetings and events are held monthly in the Northern Pod (Vancouver/Victoria), the Midlands Pod (Seattle/Bellevue) and the Southern Pod (Portland/Vancouver) at the times and locations stated in the above calendar. Dues are as stated on the Membership/Dues Form published frequently in this newsletter. Club merchandise can be ordered using the Regalia Order Form published frequently in this newsletter. Limited non-commercial advertising is free to MOGNW club members. Commercial advertising is payable to MOGNW in advance in US$ and is based on suitable electronic or scanner capable ad copy. Business card size $ 5.00 per issue or 3 for $ 12.50 or 12 for $ 50.00 Quarter page $10.00 per issue or 3 for $ 25.00 or 12 for $100.00 Half page $20.00 per issue or 3 for $ 50.00 or 12 for $200.00 Full page $40.00 per issue or 3 for $100.00 or 12 for $400.00
The Bustleback by Wayne Harris, MOGNW President, harris@onlinemac.com The annual MOGNW Banquet was again held at Port Ludlow on February 8, 2003. Those who attended had the opportunity to enjoy wonderful weather, good friends and a great dinner. Before the banquet, Linda and I had the pleasure of hosting a reception for everyone. We were fortunate to have the assistance of Ann and Dick Tilden, who jumped in to help serve appetizers and drinks. Ann was the provider of several of the appetizers. We all had a chance to mingle and visit with old and new friends. I was delighted to be able to serve to MOGNW members, beverages made by members of MOGNW. The MacTarnahan's Ale was from Fred Bowman's Portland Brewing Co, and the '97 Eyrie Chardonnay from David Lett's Eyrie Vineyard. After our reception, we then moved across the drive and down the hall to yet another reception, where more fun was had. Kay Jones did an outstanding job in organizing the entire event. He arranged for the lodging accommodations and all of the banquet details. It was a monumental task. Thank you, Kay. The program portion of the banquet was hosted by Mike Powley with his usual style and wit. Ron Theroux presented me with the gavel and President's plaque and then I was privileged to present the President's Award to Craig Runions for ten years of service as editor of the Mogazine. It seemed there was not a dry eye in the house as Craig accepted the award. An appreciation award was presented to Steve Hutchens for his efforts in creating name tags for every member of MOGNW. Bert McCabe presented the Rough Rider award to Mike Powley for the Barkerville Run. Bill Button received the Press on Regardless award and Hal Irwin was awarded the Eternal Turn Signal award. I presented to Mike Miles and Dick Tilden, a new award, the My Hero Award, for service to your President when his car broke down. Finally, I presented to Past President Ron, a bottle of Ken Wright wine from Yamhill County, Oregon, as a token of appreciation for all he has done for MOGNW during his term of office. During the next year of Morgan driving, keep your eyes and ears open for candidates for these wonderful awards. If you have nominees for any award, send me a note with the details and all will be considered in time for next years banquet. Have Fun! Happy Mogging New members: Bob & Phyllis Fletcher Burt & Mary Hunter 2422 38th Ave. E. 18 W. Main Street Seattle, WA 98112 Mendham, NJ 087945 (206) 328-3838 bobnphyl2@attbi.com caazadors@aol.com 1962 DHC - under restoration 1966 SS COVER PHOTO: Les and June Burkholder s 1969 4/4. Photo by Les. Is this the perfect setting, or what? It just doesn t get any better than this.
Hear Yea! Hear Yea! 5th Annual Caboose Run June 7-8, 2003 If you have yet to do this event you have yet to experience a unique Northwest driving tour, outdoor camping in a fantastic setting, great campfire cooking and mog nogging to the nines. Although it is easy to drive to the starting point at Grand Coulee Dam, most folks have arrived at the starting venue the evening before, i.e., on Friday, June 6. The routes to Grand Coulee from the West Side are via Stevens Pass (Hwy 2), or I-90 to Routes 283 to 17 to 155. (Rallye instructions and directions will be provided in Grand Coulee.) The actual Rallye starts at noonish in Grand Coulee on Saturday, June 7th and ends about 130 miles later at Kay and Theresa Jones fully restored 1904 Northern Pacific Caboose on their 230 acre farm/ timber property on the Little Pend Oreille River. The Rallye route is new and all paved through beautiful backcountry roads. In order not to divert your attention from the views, there will be no tricky questions this year. Expect the usual campfire barbecue dinner, including many beverages, plus a Sunday morning buttermilk pancake breakfast at a contributory offering of $15.00 per Mog Head. Campers are welcome to camp out for as long as they like. If you don¹t wish to camp out, Benny¹s Colville Inn, 15 min. from the Caboose is recommended ($63 - $77 per night - 1-800-680-2517.) Grand Coulee Accommodations - Make Reservations Now. The Columbia River Inn - (509) 633-2100 (best location and choice): $85 (10% less for AAA.) The Coulee House - (509) 633-1101: $66 - $77 The Camping Basics - What to Expect. Your destination is 1106 Bear Creek Road, Colville, WA. The terrain around the Caboose is both meadowy and hilly with lots of pine trees and wild life. The Little Pend Oreille River runs through the property. The Jones fully restored 1904 Northern Pacific wooden caboose is situated near their railroad flat car bridge which crosses the river. The caboose site with picnic tables and very sophisticated NP outhouse is adjacent to a Federal wild life refuge. Trout fishing, hiking, eating, drinking, and chewing the fat is what it is all about. There is no electricity or running water. Jug water will be provided. Tiki torches will light your way to the outhouse. But bring a flashlight anyway. Weather - You know the Northwest - expect anything. The evenings can be cool at about 43 F. or 6 C. You might want to bring your folding chair for sitting in front of the campfire. The days are anywhere between 70 and 85 F. Call Kay Jones at (206) 546-2232 or email him at zconsulting@attbi.com to RSVP and be to be part of the 5th Anniversary celebration.
There is Treasure on the West Coast Road! FATHER S DAY IN VICTORIA, JUNE 13-15 from Ken and Leslie Douch This year we on the island are planning to congregate in Sooke, with a run on Saturday to Port Renfrew. We will meet at the Blue Heron Lodge in Sooke over chili and beans on Friday evening and sort out accommodation for Friday and Saturday nights. The Treasure Hunt starts from the Reddingtons in Shirley at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, and is followed by a BBQ there. We plan a run in convoy, for Sunday morning, to Beacon Hill Park from Sooke for the Father's Day Picnic for those staying locally, and food will be provided for lunch. Light breakfasts will be provided for Saturday and Sunday mornings (or hearty breakfasts at the local cafes if you prefer to buy your own!) Accommodation is available for approximately nine couples, plus camping areas, at $30 per night for two, first come, first served (in Sooke or Shirley), so contact Ken and Lesley Douch at 252-642-2114 (kalsooke@shaw.ca) or Treacy and Lloyd Reddington at 250-646-2288. We would appreciate knowing how many of you are interested, so please contact us before June 1st, 2003 (with a cheque, if you require accommodation). SALTY MIDLANDERS RUN from Judd Marten After a flurry of e-mails, we had a nice group at Salty's in Redondo on Saturday, March 22. From one end of the table, looking down to the other, I saw Editor Craig (soon with a hot rod, Robert Couch-transformed Plus 4!), someone resembling my wife (Midlanders co-rep), Gil Stegen, Bob Fletcher, Hal Meden and Joan Royal, Bill Ward, Kay Jones, Gary Van Hook, Lee Harman. There were rumors (unsubstantiated by your co-reps because we went to Ixtapa, Mexico the next day) that another hardy group of Midlanders were meeting at the same time at Salty's on Alki. Sort of a Midlanders Northe, and a Midlanders Southe! Had a great discussion with Bob Fletcher. Bob acquired a drophead coupe in January, because he thought it would be "fun to have some kind of a project," and now he's in the midst of rebuilding what appears to be an unrestored, original car. His summation: "the engine is the best part of the car," with lots of work to be done in other areas. We assured Bob that any question he has can be answered, in various, contradictory, and unrelated ways, by just about any member of our club! He seemed pleased to have the support of our band. Sort of. Editor Craig had digital pictures of a very hot-looking engine going into his Plus 4, at chez Couch. The specs sound very hearty and robust: custom-machined camshaft, bigger slugs and liners, ported and polished, balanced, higher compression, bigger SU jets and needles, jet-coated header, etc. Upon your faithful co-reps' return from Mexico, I had a voicemail from Robert Couch in which he described a road test by Craig, pulling a hill with power to spare still accelerating in the 90+ range, I believe, and I'm not talking about temperature! I once had a tough time keeping up with our Editor on a Caboose run, before this motor magic was done, and I was in a Plus 8. Watch out. But enough about the club and other people, let's talk about me. I mean my Plus 8, since this car and I are joined at the hip. Anybody out there in MOGNW installed the Libramotive "cross-over" exhaust header or something similar? The opposite banks' exhaust ports are connected, via long primaries, into collectors and then through big bore pipes out the back. The theory is that a V8 is really 4 V-twins, not 2 fours, and therefore the opposing long primaries aid in scavenging and add power. I passed the Lybrands brochure around the table for opinions from technophiles. Received many opinions, no information. Gary Van Hook took one look at the picture and recommended, instead, that I add the other component pictured on the cover (a supercharger) if I were really serious about power. This is the same guy who persists in the story that when pump octane was 100+ he had built up and driven, on the street, a Plus 4 with a 13:1 compression ratio or something. Sounds like maybe he's thinking of his VW Rabbit diesel pickup. While this conversation was going on, poor Bob Fletcher was, I know, wondering (again) exactly what sort of Morgan club he's joined. Drive on!
NORTHERN POD REPORT from Ken Miles The first three months have seen excellent monthly runs with approximately 10 to 13 couples showing up to each event with a mixture of daily drivers and Morgans. Our thanks for planning these events go to Mike and Rosemarie Powley for the Robbie Burns run in January, Steve and Liz Blake for the Hearts and Tarts run in February and Rod and Ann Lafond for the Irish Lament in March. These three runs were great, well planned both with the roads and the pubs and showed that Morgans can be driven all year round. In April, we had two events, the Phoenix Run with Hugh Dickson planning and the Abbottsford Classic car show. Let s continue the success to date and get the beast out of the garage and drive it. Pat and I had the good fortune to attend the Midland s tour of the LeMay collection. What a great day that was! It was just inspiring to look at about 700 different cars in 4 hours and realize that we had only seen about 20% of the collection. My thanks go to the organizers of that event for inviting us to attend. I know it is difficult but more of us in the Northern Pod should try to take advantage of the close proximity of the Midlands Pod and attend some of their events. If you are worried about the border, there are plenty of Morgan owners that would billet you and allow you more time in the states. Think about it, you might even make a new friend and after all you would both have the same interest. Now that spring is upon it is time to get the cars out of the garage, do that spring cleanup and drive the car. Hopefully at upcoming event we will more of you and those that don t attend regularly because the mogs not on the road, bring your daily driver. Midlanders and Wet Tulips from Judd Marten It rained and rained and rained, and then it rained some more. But that didn't stop the Hearty Midlanders! We had a good turnout at the 22nd Annual LaConner Tulip/Daffodil Rallye on Saturday, April 12. Editor Craig was there with his Monster Engined Plus 4, as were Gil and Barb Stegen, Dave Wellington and Gary Van Hook, Tom and Marilyn Henderson (in one beautiful Jaguar), Ken and Pat Miles from the Northern Pod, and no doubt some others who I missed in the downpour (apologies). Marishka and I arrived early with coffee and Krispy Kreme fortifications, and the organizers had things well in hand. There was a mixed bag of MGs (one with a Rover V8, thought it looked familiar), Healeys, Minis, Jags, Corvettes and others. The lying weatherman had predicted partly sunny, and we figured, hey, it's bound to be better, not worse, as we go North, and closer to the rain shadow. The rain commenced just after we arrived, and kept up pretty steady for the rest of the rallye. So much for our fondest hopes, of sunshine and flowers. This was the first longer-term "gimmick" rallye Marishka and I have been on. And we got pretty angry at each other! Not sure what the dynamics are, but the thoughts that go through your head are something like "... how could she think that Midway has anything to do with the Second World War, I'm riding with an idiot... etc." Then of course it turns out "she" or "he" or whoever you are with was right, and you were wrong, and how grateful you are that you kept your mouth shut, and just drove the car. Pretty competitive stuff! I mean IN the cars, not BETWEEN the cars. After the rallye, at a fabulous R and R at Ron Weiskind's country home, Loretta Nelson told me that she and Bob used to do the same thing, and then one day just decided "This is stupid, it is a GIMMICK rallye crying out loud, let's relax and enjoy the drive." And it worked. Many thanks to Ron and Jeannette for opening up their home, and providing great food and drinks for the rallyers, and others, at the post-rallye event. As usual, I try to work a little mechanical stuff into our Midlander Report. For those of you who have newer, "catalyzed" cars, you might want to invest in a "low restriction" aftermarket catalytic converter or converters. I recently did this with the Plus 8, and I think the results bear out the advertising by aftermarket companies that the converters cause more restriction in the exhaust than mufflers, resonators, etc. I did some research and searching, and found that Xtremeflow seemed to have the best products at reasonable cost. (Disclaimer - Not allied with or receiving commissions or finder's fees from this company!) Whatever the weather on April 12, you know in your heart that Spring is here! So check the Mogazine calendar, go to the website, and for you Midlanders, we'll try to give you up to the minute developments on events via e-mail. The main thing is, get that Morgan out of hibernation, wake it up, and drive!
Warning Wire Wheel Rear Brake Drums by Ken Miles I have just discovered what was wrong with my brakes on the Tulip run and thought it might be worth while warning fellow Morgan owners so that they can avoid what was a near disaster. As you know I bought new splines for my wire wheels after I restored the 4/4. They came equipped with positioning bolts to hold the drums in place. These are large bolt heads that look like huge slot screws that I thought were firmly fixed into the splined hub backing plate. Unfortunately they came out sometime and this allowed the drum to be held in place only by the bolts that hold the drum to the spline. These bolts eventually sheered allowing the drum to rotate with the wheel when the brakes were applied. I urge everyone to make sure to check that these positioning bolts are firmly in place (I could not move the ones on my old splines) as they came undone on my car before I even got through one set of brake shoes and must now be somewhere adding to the roadside junk. Luckily no damage was done and I think I can locate some more positioning screws from my supply of used splines (if I can get them out) but it could have resulted in my drums being scored or worse still a serious accident. So please if you have new splines check your positioning bolts or get someone with knowledge to check them for you. The attached picture shows the splined hub immediately after I took the drum off with no positioning bolts and only two sheared off holding bolts. Note I remove the wheels every year and clean and inspect them and a year ago all these bolts were in place with on 8000 miles on the car since then.
THE IRISH LAMENT by Rod Lafond In spite of grey and rainy skies all week, Saturday March 15th dawned with dry warm weather and some sunny patches. A real improvement on the snow we had last year! Our run began with tea and scones at the old Clayburn General Store, where a glowing fire in the old stove welcomed the early arrivals. The fresh berry jam with the Devon cream was only fitting, as Abbotsford is the "Raspberry Capital of Canada". At eleven thirty we were off, for a tour of the hills and dales of the Fraser Valley, seven Morgans strung out behind the leader (that's me in my trusty ' 57 Plus Four four-seater, with a green bowler festooned with shamrocks pinned to the spare, like an Irish beacon for all to follow.) Behind the multi-coloured Morgans, Walter Reynolds followed in his ' 65 non-morgan Austin A60, at a respectful distance, with a couple of daily drivers bringing up the rear. After many a twist and turn and lots of ups and downs, including one dip where the car in front of you seemed to disappear, the final leg along the North Parallel Road included a surprise special section: three kilometres of gravel. No matter how many times I said, "Hey, it was paved when I drove it two weeks ago", not everyone seemed convinced. I think I now know why we call it the Irish "Lament". The Morganeers included Marilyn and Stu Rulka, Judy and Bob McDiarmid, Les and June Burkholder, Ron and Yvonne Theroux, Celia Obrecht and Steve Hutchins, Pat and Ken Miles, Ken Griffin and Heidi Marshal, Walter Reynolds, Mike and Rose Marie Powley and Ann and me. We arrived at the Yorkshire Rose just in time to place our orders for the fine English and Irish Ales on tap. The brews helped wash down the full English breakfasts, fried bread, black pudding and all, or the fish and chips or Yorkshire puddings, depending on your particular persuasion. A good time was had by all. Much discussion followed, and Ken Miles tabled the business of the day, including our plans to make off with the prize money, once again, at the forth-coming autoshow at the Tradex in Abbotsford. Meanwhile, in a separate discussion, there was a debate on what exactly goes into black pudding anyway. There are some things you are better off not knowing!
From: <renato.cingolani@vitembal.com> To: <webmaster@mognw.com> Hello friends! My name is Renato. I am sending this email from Italy, a little far from you! I can not participate to your wonderful tours across the west coast with my 4/4 two seaters MOG, but why do you not come in Italy, Tuscany region, in September for our MOG Day? The presence of one of you would be marvelous. Again two points, is it possible to exchange the car badge of the Italian MOG Club with one of yours? Anyone likes to have a friendly emails with us? Ciao, Renato From: ken miles To: editor In January 2004, there will be a trip to New Zealand known as Morgans Down Under. The dates are Jan 20th leaving Auckland and Feb 28th returning. This driving tour of New Zealand has been organized by Dr. George Proud from England and presently includes 10 couples from the UK and Mel and Tom Henderson and Pat and Ken Miles from MOGNW. We are arranging a 40 ft. container from Vancouver, BC to ship the cars to New Zealand and have space for one more car. If anyone is interested please contact kengmiles@shaw.ca or phone 604-576-8036 within the next month. Regards, Ken FOR SALE - 1962 +4 roadster. Apparently totally rebuilt in the late '90s by a prior owner in CA, I shipped it to Seattle in 1999 and it's been an absolute joy to drive - but now I must sell. Everything works, interior's great, and there are lots of extras (e.g., the original manual autographed by Peter Morgan, and the WA vanity plate "62PLUS4"). I will email pictures to serious buyers. $22,500. Mike Anderson, (800) 346-2674 (work), (425) 646-5490 (home), email hchmca@worldnet.att.net. FOR SALE - set of five 72 spoke 5x15 gray painted wire wheels, excellent condition, 16K miles, wearing original UniRoyals. $500. Tom Henderson <tukatz@msn.com> (253) 589-8698.
Aero 8 Drive and Factory Tour Part 2 touring the Morgan factory. From emog website emails penned by American Chas Wasser on his trip to Malvern last March. Edited and condensed for publication. On Monday March 3, Pete Taylor and I have returned from lunch & a pint at the Blue Bell Pub and are ready to tour the Factory at last. First impression is how much everything has changed in the work bays or staging areas for each step of car production. Lorne and others have sent us photos showing the bright cream colored walls and blue-gray floors of the revised Factory. Not just the new buildings but older existing sections are now in this color scheme. Photos can t adequately show how everything seems much brighter and more spacious now. The tour begins thru the dispatch bay as it always has been since I ve been going to Malvern. This area is probably the least changed in terms of outward appearance, mainly because the first thing your eyes see and fixate on are the two gleaming, multi-colored rows of new Morgan cars. It took my breathe away when I first saw it many years ago and it still does. Now of course these shiny new Morgans include an Aero 8 here and there. On the day we were there, the dispatch bay was completely full. In fact there were new cars sitting outside in the sunshine to give more maneuvering room inside. Richard s new two tone cream and burgundy +8 was one of these. Next up and right next door is the chassis shop. New to the scene are the aluminum space frame tubs for the Aero 8. Right along side are the traditional 4/4 and +8 chassis. Both old style and new style Mogs still get their engines, gearboxes and rear axles added here and become rolling chassis with suspension bits and wheels. While here we noticed two interesting things. The U.S. spec cars now have a triangular brace fitted on each side of the rear chassis rails outboard of the fuel tank. This is for crash protection in side and rear impacts. Second, Pete pointed out the sight of 4.4 BMW engines and Rover 3.9 engines nestled side by side waiting installation. The BMW with its more complex valve gear seems about twice the size of the Rover in overall width and a bit longer as well. Onto the sheetmetal shop. Still a place where the constant tap, tap, tap of the hammer requires earmuffs of all workers. Although most of that comes to bear on the traditional cars. The Aero 8 requires less hand fitting of sheet metal or at least less adjustment with the tin hammers. Noticing the large sheet metal bending brake used to form the bonnet curves for both cars, I asked a worker about the old log section used for hand forming. Not to worry, it s still resting nearby in corner and used for final tweaking and close adjustments in the words of the guy doing the bonnets. The other reassuring thing to see in the sheet metal shop is how much traditional ash frame is added to the Aero 8 aluminum space frame during its construction. Before the external sheet metal goes on, this is really apparent. Another reason why the Aero is both a break in Morgan tradition and a continuation of it. Across the main road thru the Factory complex lies the trim shop. Just where it was on my 1998 visit but with a new lower level addition down the hillside for Aero 8 finishing. But the traditional cars are still the focus of the upper level trim area. Workers busy fitting leather interior trim, hoods and seat assemblies. The smell of glue and fresh leather permeates the air. On the far side of this shop, the ladies are still busy over their sewing machines with many pocketa-pocketa sounds. The cars in process here have the new style hoods being fitted. A hood installer stops his work to demonstrate the new mechanism. A wider mounting flange extends from the rear edge of the windshield frame for better seal. The new top bows are only two in number and can go up while sitting inside the car. Two release catches & buttons just inside the outer corners of the tops header bar engage or release the hood from the windscreen surround. All in all, pretty nifty and big step forward in driver convenience from the old style hood. And it s here while learning about the new hoods that I first meet up with Chester. He s the new trim shop inspector that I mentioned the other day - 45 pounds of him. And he doesn t miss a trick. He actually had to be ordered by his owner, the trim shop foreman, to sit still a moment for our photo to be taken together. He just didn t want to stop making his constant rounds of the shop perimeter for any reason, visitors included. So, after Chester reluctantly agrees to a quick photo, much to the amusement of the sewing machine ladies who tell me no one s ever gotten a photo of Chester before, Pete and I wander on. Near the end of the trim shop car line up we spot our first confirmed view of a new 4/4 Runabout. This one is in Bulldog Blue - could the color be named after Chester? Seeing it with only a few bonnet louvers on the top and its cream gauges reminds me of the early 60 s 4/4 I owned long ago. The new fabric covered seats look comfortable and durable. Quite an impressive bottom of the range entry level Morgan car. I sure hope the US agents get a chance to sell some in America. Just beyond where the 4/4 Runabout is parked lies the new Aero 8 paint, trim and finishing areas. To reach it, you go down about 8 steps or 6 feet below the grade of traditional trim shop. Aero 8s are everywhere - about 11 in all. Since this is the paint shop for Aeros, there are some framed and metal skinned Aero bodies just out of the paint booths as well as racks of wings dry and bonnets doing final curing. Normally visitors aren t allowed to enter the Aero 8 trim area but a Factory technician (this term seems more appropriate for the Aero 8 guys) invites us to come down after answering some questions. (continued on next page)
Factory Tour (continued) First among our questions was Why are two +8s down there with the Aeros? Answer - because if there s a break in Aero 8 paint production, a few +8s are shifted downstairs to be painted in the Aero 8 spray booths. Both traditional and Aero cars receive a water based paint technology now. But apparently the Aero 8s have more coats applied and go thru longer baking/curing cycles. Pete and I are shown the Aero 8 spray booths. Everything is gleaming bright and very high tech looking. I recall that 50 years ago Morgans were coach painted with cans and brushes. And that American car magazine road testers used to joke about myopic guys dripping paint splotches here and there on the new cars. Things can sure change. Before leaving the trim area I meet up with Tony Monk. Tony s the road tester who drives every traditional Morgan on its test drive circuit over Malvern roads since 1977, when he took over this job from Charlie Curtis. Tony looks the same as he did in 1998 and is all smiles. Who wouldn t be if your job was to drive Morgans all day long? He s fettling another Bulldog Blue 4/4 Runabout parked just outside the trim shop doors. Chester must be a good salesman. With this, we ve just about finished our tour. The Factory doesn t allow visitors into the machine shop area, so our intention to get a first hand look at the new nylon bushes and kingpin assemblies goes unfulfilled. There were none uninstalled in the chassis erection shop when we were there and so we missed our one chance. One final stop though - how could I not say hello to an emogger who works at the Factory? Mark Evans was available behind the spares counter and happy to meet up with two fellow emoggers. Like Tony Monk, he certainly had a lot of smiles that day. And I guess that s a good way to leave things with my Factory visit. From what I saw two Mondays ago, the Morgan Works is humming along at a good pace. Every work bay had just all the cars in process that they could accommodate. This crazy world seemed a little saner and more secure on that Monday. The sun was still peaking out here and there from behind some clouds and a fair breeze blowing for our driver home to Deeping St. James. This time the twisty bits and picturesque villages weren t encumbered by any bus drivers with a poor attitude and we made it back about 45 minutes faster than the trip over. Pete had some lake trout to grill for dinner and we got to watch the entertaining if not truthful Right Car, Wrong Car on the television during dessert.
THE PHOENIX RUN by Hugh Dickson Under threatening skies and unseasonably cool weather eight Morgan drivers from the Northern Pod took a near three-hour tour over hill and dale - from one end, to the top and to the other end of Vancouver's hilly North Shore, Sunday, April 6th. Host Hugh Dickson, organizing a Morgan club run for the first time, dubbed it "The Phoenix Run" and explained why as we set out at 10 a.m. Noting this year is his 40th year of ownership of his '58 Morgan 4/4, he said "I'm calling it the Phoenix Run because we're going past the spot where three and a half years ago I almost lost my car when the fuel line broke off the carburetor and the whole engine compartment burst into flames halfway up to Cypress Bowl in the middle of nowhere". He said without a fire extinguisher and the fire fed furiously by gas, he was extremely lucky when two guys in a passing pickup truck stopped, had a bucket and scooped two or three bucketsful of water from a nearby ditch (which could have been dry) and managed to douse the blaze. "All the wiring from the firewall forward, hoses, fan, belt, paint on the hood, cowling and right fender were replaced and the car runs better than ever," he said, adding the headlights no longer flicker like candles at idle at night. Needless to say, every since, he's carried a fire extinguisher, as we all should. Out for the run with Hugh in their Morgans were Les and June Burkholder, Ron and Yvonne Theroux, Ken and Pat Miles, Mike and Rosemarie Powley, Steve and Liz Blake, Hugh Dickson and friend, and Stu and Marilyn Rulka. Club members Walt and Linda Reynolds, who don't own a Morgan yet, came along in their '65 Austin Westminster. Bringing up the rear was Bob and Judy McDiarmid in their daily driver. The run took us east from near the Second Narrows Bridge, along Dollarton Highway, a circuit of the waterfront Cates Park, out to Deep Cove and along the winding narrow Panorama Drive with its cliff-side homes. A U-turn at the end and back, west to Mount Seymour Parkway, then onto the Upper Levels Highway into West Vancouver and up the Cypress Bowl road for the climb to the 3,000-foot-level parking lot. As we climbed we ran into light rain and colder, colder temperatures and nearing the top, a lot of snow on the ground. We parked at the top and went for coffee among the skiers and snowboarders as very fine but melting snow floated down. A skier commented "we've had 60 centimetres of snow in the last two nights". Then it was back down to the Upper Levels Highway, west to Horseshoe Bay, then a circuit of scenic Whytecliff Park where, as usual, a flock of scuba divers were doing their thing. Then we headed east along West Vancouver's Marine Drive, south on 31st Street to the narrow, winding Bellevue Drive, past multi-million dollar waterfront homes, then a tour around Ambleside Park just west of Lions Gate Bridge, finally winding up at the small English-style Park Royal Hotel for a late brunch just after 1 p.m. where we were joined by Larry Sharpe for a drink between soccer games, Doug and Gill Seager in their Morgan and Win and Christine Muehling. Mike Powley presented Les Burkholder with a large battery-powered continually-flashing orange traffic control light for having left his turn signal on the longest during the run. Mike indicated that Les really wanted to win this award as he had several practice attempts being beaten out several times but each time coming back stronger.
Minutes of MOGNW Business Meeting May 3 rd 2003 (edited and condensed for publication) Held at the home of Bill Button, 9839-51st Ave SW, Seattle, WA. Present, Wayne Harris, Ken Miles, Dick Dice, Craig Runions, Bill Button, Pat Miles, Marishka and Judd Martens. Apologies, Mike Powley, Kay Jones, Ron Theroux, and Heinz Stromquist. The meeting started with a welcome by the president with discussion of procedure. Agenda adopted. Minutes - MSP approval of the minutes of the last meeting. Financial report. Button reported 125 paid up members and about 40 members not yet renewed. The final balance in the account is $9749.30. Requested area reps contact those who have not renewed. Northern Pod report. Miles circulated a written report of monthly runs. Discussed the upcoming Vancouver ABFM and requested Pod reps let him know planned attendance for catering. Two new events have been added: run by Walter Reynolds July 12 th and Minter Gardens concours show July 20 th. Midland Report. Marten reported a good turn out for the tulip rally and at Salty's Redondo Beach. Proposed that they meet every third Saturday in the month at Salty's in Redondo Beach at noon for lunch with a run afterwards. Gil Stegen has offered to do the post Bellevue party. Southern Report. In the absence of Stromquist, Harris reported on their regular meetings. Next event will be Devil s Punch Bowl followed by the wine tour and the Portland ABFM hosted by the Tilden s. Heinz is taking registration for those interested in attending. Regalia Report - Dice reported that he is arranging for regalia at the Bellevue ABFM as he will not be there. He arranged for some of the supplies to be taken up to the Vancouver ABFM where he will be in attendance. Circulated report showing active and inactive stock. Inventory is $4915. No plans to purchase any more new regalia this year. Mogazine Report Runions reported that the latest edition is being completed and should be out soon. He has new advertising revenue and the next Mogazine will include the roster. Historian report - Mike Powley was absent but it was noted that he has sent items for the Mogazine. Dick Dice stated that he had back copies of the Mogazine if Mike was interested in them. Old Business. Tables. Discussion about purchase of folding tables for use of regalia at ABFMs. Banquet Suggested that we try LaConnor again and ask Bert McCabe if he will organize it. Dick suggested that we consult the Portland members for their input. Web site There was discussion on the web site report produced by Miles with its recommendations. Craig said he was willing to act as Webmaster liaison and agreed to try to get some of the goals accomplished. New Business New Treasurer A nomination committee for the selection was set up consisting of the president. Button will continue until the new treasurer is found. Wayne will to the executive committee by e-mail. Events Calendar - Ken reported a run for July 12th that is not is the calendar. The Arlington Flyin is removed. SpudMog Button is working on the Seattle to Boise (and back) 2 days each way route. Wayne will work on a Portland to Boise route. Inter group meetings Reps were asked to include other Pod Reps on their e-mail list so that they can promote the meetings. Funding for membership services - Discussion was tabled to the next meeting. Next meeting Decided to defer the September meeting to October or November at the Martens house when the schedule for 2004 and the Budget for 2004 will be discussed. Date to be decided later. Meeting adjourned at 12.00
SPUD MOG 2003 Dear Friends: With a hint from President Ron Theroux last year in the Mogazine, several of us in the outback have taken up the cause and have put together what we believe to be a pretty nifty tour. We recommend you make reservations soon. Please call Dick and Karen Dennis if you are going on this tour. We will need to know how many are planning to participate. Bob Adair (208) 343-3846 Dick and Karen Dennis (208) 384-9263 ITINERARY Thur, Sept 18 th Fri, Sept 19 th Sat, Sept 20 th Sun, Sept 21 st Arrive in Boise Depart early afternoon for Sun Valley by way of Mountain Home, Fairfield, and Bellevue. Evening patio barbeque at Lisa Holley's home. Sometime after breakfast drive north to view Sawtooth Mtns. from Galena Summit. Lunch at Redfish Lake Lodge, then on to scenic Stanley. After a short stop at Stanley, we'll take Hwy 21 ( a Morgan driver s delight) back to Boise through Lowman and Idaho City. Supper together in a nice big private room at Smoky Mountain Pizza & Pasta, just across the street from the Red Lion Inn, where you'll be staying. Breakfast and car wash at Bob Adair's house. Short drive through town to historic railroad depot for annual Wheels of Yesteryear Car Show. Evening patio and backyard barbeque at Dick and Karen Dennis's home, just a stones throw from RR Depot. Special entertainment with live music!! Presentation of Press on Regardless trophy which was originated on this same tour 10 years ago; and Longest Distance won by Lloyd and Treacy Reddington back then. ACCOMMODATIONS Boise for nights of 18th, 20th, and 21st September Red Lion ParkCenter Suites, 424 E. ParkCenter Blvd., Boise, Idaho 83706 $79 Single/double - mention Morgan Owners Group Northwest Jason Tidmore, Sales Manager, (208) 433-5123, tidmore@redlion.com, Sun Valley for the night of 19th September Tyrolean Lodge, $68 Single/double, (800) 333-7912
SOME THOUGHTS AFTER RESTORING MY 1952 PLUS FOUR MORGAN from Bob Adair (Editor s note He s 2 for 2 at the Vancouver and Portland ABFMs for Best Debuting Restoration and/or Best in Show. Pay attention to what follows!) 1. It will take you much longer than you think. 2. Always keep a picture of the finished car in your mind. 3. Do a thorough job. The component you do not take apart and rebuild will most likely be the part that gives you problems first. 4. After each stage of the restoration, enjoy the moment. Admire your workmanship. Have coffee and Oreos. 5. Do not skimp on quality of parts or services. Seek the best. 6. Use original parts, type of materials, and methods. 7. Keep a picture of the finished car in your mind. 8. Do not worry about total cost. Think of it as money well spent. Think of many years you will be driving the car. If you are married, lie to your wife about how much it's costing. 9. If you're unsure of how to do something, don't do it. You'll probably screw it up. Work on another component. Ask those who have some experience. This is called learning. With time it will come to you and you'll be able to do it correctly. 10. Good luck with chromers! Inventory all parts you give them. I went through 3 of them. Even the best of the 3 lost a door handle. 11. Don't believe the painter when he tells you one gallon will be sufficient. Make him have the paint store mix a couple extra quarts. The extra will come in handy later believe me! 12. When you think you are through you are not. There are always some bugs to work out or redo or adjust. 13. All thoughts of the work, frustration, and money spent will vanish when you start to drive your restored Morgan. It's all worth the effort when that picture you've had in your mind becomes a reality. Have some more Oreos!
FELLOW MORGAN FANATIC AT YOUR SERVICE I WILL DONATE 10% OF MY EARNINGS TO THE CHARITY OF YOUR CHOICE SPECIAL OF THE MONTH INSIDE STORAGE FOR THAT EXTRA CAR THAT IS KIND OF IN THE WAY CARS - BOATS - TRAILERS $50-$100 NORTHGATE AREA CALL BRAD GREEN FOR SALE - 1974 MGB-GT. Chromebumpered model. Freshly restored, with all new sheet metal, burgundy on black paint, mechanicals, Rostyle mag wheels, tires, etc. Overdrive. Collector car plate could be transferred to B.C. buyer. Nice little car, needs nothing, just drive it away. US$5500. Why? Got my eye on a Plus-4. Contact Ted Laturnus on (604) 946-5041 Canada.
2003 MEMBERSHIP / DUES FORM Please make checks payable to... MOGNW then mail check and this form to. William Button, MOGNW Treasurer 9839 51st Ave SW Seattle, WA 98136 USA (206) 935-3616 DATE NAME SPOUSE ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP HOME PHONE ( ) WORK PHONE ( ) CELL PHONE ( ) E-MAIL* DO YOU WANT THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER BY POSTAL MAIL OR E-MAIL* (* REQUIRES ACROBAT READER V4.0 OR LATER, FREE OFF ADOBE S WEBSITE ) MORGANS NOW OWNED: 1. YEAR MODEL BODY STYLE COLOR ENGINE SIZE CHASSIS # 2. YEAR MODEL BODY STYLE COLOR ENGINE SIZE CHASSIS # DO ANY OF YOUR MORGANS HAVE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE, SPECIAL EQUIPMENT, INTERESTING SPECIFICATIONS, ETC? 2003 Dues...US $24.00 ($29.00 if postmarked after March 1, 2003) Dues for new members... $2.00 per month for each month remaining in the calendar year including the current month ($22 in February, $14 in June, $6 in October, etc.) Remittance: US $ (Canadian members: you can remit cash or money order payable in US funds ) Have any questions? E-mail inquiries to WILLIAMON@MSN.COM NWMogazine Craig Runions, Editor 17759-13th Ave NW Shoreline, WA 98177 USA FIRST CLASS Caboose Run SpudMog Victoria Rear Drums Irish Lament Restoration Tips Phoenix Flying Wet Tulips Salty Talk