First Annual British Car Week 1997

My 1979 Triumph Spitfire has patiently endured a 4 year on and off restoration, complete with several changes in location and funding. She finally got back on her tires this spring. Our first official drive (not including the shakedown cruises around the block) was a top-down solo drive to my in-laws. En route a Honda Accord, with a older "gentleman?" hung about 4 feet from my bumper for about 2-3 miles on a two lane road, weaving out occasionally into the oncoming lane (no passing zone). At the next light he pulled into the left turn lane, looked over and smiled, reving his engine. The light changed, traffic started moving and as we roll forward he chirps his front wheels, shoots through the light, and cuts me off!! At the next turn-off, he makes a u-turn and heads back the way he came. Crazy? Curious? Middle age crisis? I'd like to think it was envy. You know..." I always wanted a sports car, but my Honda has a sunroof..."

[email protected] (The Zahns)

I recently finished rebuilding a 57 TR3 (small mouth grille). My dad bought the car new in 57 at McGinniis Motors in Willow Grove Pa. He and my mother, and their scotty dog, drove it twice on trips to Pikes Peak and later to the Grand Canyon. The car then sat idle in the garage from 1963 to 1976 except for one weekend when me and my buddies took it joy riding without dad's knowledge. In 76, I rehabilitated the car doing minor stuff like rebuilding calipers and sprucing it up. I drove it for one summer, then it went back into suspended animation. It sat in my garage from 1976 until December 1998 when I was once overcome by a burning desire to spend all my spare money and all my sapre time breathing life back into the old Triumph.

In about seven months, and with the help of Moss Motors, the old horse looks and runs better than it did when dad had it. It is the original colors - white with red interior, white top and side curtains. The o-dometer stopped counting the miles in 1963, but I have only driven it about 1000k. It is very sharp. Believe it or not I had no idea that there were so many Tr enthusiasts in the area until I began wandering around the internet. Thats when I found Delaware Valley Triumph LTD. I joined but haven't gotten to a meeting yet. I drive my car all around the neighborhood and to New Hope once in awhile hoping to see another TR on the road.

I will use the car all week begining May 18 ( providing it doesn't rain) My baby doesn't like the rain. So much for rambling on.

Anyone in the vicinity of Warminster/Hatboro/Doylestown want to drop a line, I'm [email protected]

I have always admired gutsy looking British Roadsters. At the time of my graduation from high school in 1969 the apple of my eye was the new TR6. What a car, the styling, the raw exhaust note, the redline tires , the ultimate sex apeal. WOW!!

But back to the real world, working to put myself through college left little money for the finer things in life. I had to content myself with the 10 year American beast which provided dependable, but boring transportation. Years passed until 1990, the lust to have a TR6 continued in my heart. ALAS, an oppotunity arose when a 1973, in good condition, was available. I jumped at the chance. After all those years of looking and wishing; finally at my command, a Triumph and a TR6 to boot. After several years of sheer pleasure, the urge to expand my pleasure once again overcame all the "logical reasons" why I didn't need another Triumph. I purchased a 1980 TR8. WOW!!! What a car. It is hard to believe that two autos which are so different can feed the same human needs ( not to mention the additional creature comforts of A/C and Power Steering). Let it be said that I continue to enjoy driving both Triumphs, with the only problem being which one should I drive this time???

To celebrate the 2ND annual British Car Week, I plan to drive my cars every day of the week. In addition I have organized a Covered Bridge and Mountain Road Tour through Northern Frederick County Maryland.. In attendance will be two TR8's, three TR6's, a Triumph Stag and an MGA. Should be quite a pleasing site to see this group of cars zigging and zagging up the mountain roads.

Thanks for the opportunity to discuss one of my favorite subjects.

Tony Cofer
Walkersville, MD
[email protected]

To do my part for British Car Week, I put some of my new parts on my car, fixed the noise coming from the front end (loose caliper), and took off for a run around the neighborhood. I shot past a neighbor who I don't see much of anymore and waved. When my glorious run was completed, I pulled into the driveway, and my neighbor, an elderly gentleman, came strolling up to me and the car. He asked me if it was an MG, and I assured him that it was - a 1974 MGB. He told me that when he came home after the war, he bought a TD, and met his wife in it. He looked at the car lovingly, and asked me if I would take him for a drive in it. Hell, I said, you can drive'er if you want!

Keep in mind that this car has no inspection, plates, or lights, but he took me and the 'B through some local backroads. The top was down, and he loved it - there were two BIG smiles during the 20-mile jaunt. I was actually surprised at how well he handled the car through the turns, downshifting and gunning the throttle to break the back-end loose! He told me all about the red TD, how he loved it, and how he fell in love with British cars during his tour of duty in the British Isles. When the drive was finished he thanked me profusely and wished me luck on my day's work. You just can't ask for more from a car. The events of today make every penny I spend on this car worthwhile.

Michael S. Lishego
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Speedway/3706/

A Big Drive For A little Car Part I

Hi everybody,

My name is Greg Kaufman, I am editor of Austin-Healey Magazine published by the Austin-Healey Club USA.

Austin-Healey Club USA

Two of the clubs' officers, President Reid Trummel and Membership Director Mark Allen, have struck out on the road in a 1979 MG Midget in honor of British Car Week. They are also doing me a huge favor by driving my newly acquired MG, a graduation gift for my daughter, from Maryland to California with the goal of reaching home by 5/21. They spent most of today preparing the car for the journey (sun-tan lotion, ice chest... the important stuff) and hit the road this afternoon. Reid reports the car is in great shape with plenty of pick-up and shifts like a dream. Of course there was the prerequisite breakdown that certifies any true British car as authentic, but no big deal.

At about 150 miles the car began to suffer from fuel starvation and stopped running. Reid and Mark had the car towed to a gas station where further inspection on the rack revealed a deteriorated rubber section of fuel line and clogged fuel filter. An hour later and $19.00 poorer the guys were back on the road with all systems go. They got as far as West Virginia tonight and Mark tells me they will start very early tomorrow to make up for some lost time.

Looking forward to getting their report tomorrow night. Drive safe guys.

Greg Kaugman [email protected]
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A Big Drive For A little Car Part II

Hi Everyone,

Well, Reid and Mark are continuing to do their part for British Car Week big time as they continue their cross-country drive to deliver my MG Midget. Mark tells me the bug count on the windshield, excuse me, windscreen is up by 35 percent. Today was pretty uneventful except for a slight fuel boiling problem when going uphill in 90 degree weather. The guys found a perfect fix however. After lunch they bummed some tinfoil from the waitress and wrapped it around the fuel line next to the fuel pump. That appeared to do the trick. I love high-tech fixes! Reid tells me the car purred at 65 MPH with no vibration and they covered 5 states, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa for a total of 657 miles. He said the weather was clear and beautiful with rolling hills and farmland for scenery. A true cruise through America's Heartland. Mark says it looks like they may hit a little thunder activity tomorrow as they head for Wyoming, their next target state, so the top will go up. They are preparing for tomorrow's drive by feasting on "The Worlds Greatest Nachos" according to the restaurant and Guinness beer tonight. I guess that's okay, I haven't heard of lightning striking a Porta-san yet.

On a closing note, Reid and Mark wish to extend their thanks and gratitude, as do I, for all the offers of support, lodging, good wishes, and in one instance beer, along the way. I pass along your messages in my nightly telephone conversations with them. These generous offers only verify my belief that sports car owners, whatever the marque are truly a breed apart, kindred spirits in Castrol and unpredictable adventure.

Until tomorrow night, keep it safe.

Greg Kaugman [email protected]
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A Big Drive For A little Car Part III

Hi Everyone,

The mighty Midget is a little closer to home tonight resting in Wyoming. Reid and Mark report the car is running great and today's drive was pretty uneventful...if you consider driving through a tornado watch area and crossing 3 states for a total of 725 miles uneventful. The guys left Iowa this morning with the top down, weather hot and clear. The radio kept reporting tornado watches for the area they were heading but there were no clouds or indications of bad weather. By the time they reached Nebraska they noticed some clouds but no big deal. They pulled over to put the top up and Reid reports within a few minutes of returning to the highway the sky turned very dark and the first hail stone struck. A few more minutes passed and the sky let loose with a thick curtain of hail, the radio squaked out the tornado watch and it turns out they were within a 200 mile window of that area.

Mark tells me he was trying to gaze through the hail curtain looking for signs of Dorothy, Toto or an overpass to park under just in case. Fortunately this passed quickly and it appears they were just on the edge of the storm front. Mark says he feels safer now the dangerous weather is behind them and is looking forward to getting to the San Francisco bay area this Thursday. I agreed, I'll take living in an area with 13 major geographical faults with the potential for an 8.5 earthquake any day over the the possibility of hail damage to a beloved sports car.

Target state for tomorrow is Nevada. (Remember guys, the casinos don't take trade-ins or bottle caps).

Until tomorrow night, keep it safe.

Greg Kaugman [email protected]
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A Big Drive For A little Car Part IV......The Final Chapter

Herewith the final despatch in the story of the cross-country trip in an MG Midget with pilots Reid Trummel and Mark Allen at the controls....

They made it! Reid and Mark rolled into California Thursday afternoon after covering 2,900 miles in the 1979 MG Midget, originating in Washington DC and concluding in Castro Valley, California. Wednesday they covered 657 miles, leaving Cheyenne, Wyoming, and arriving at Elko, Nevada. Another trouble-free day in a proud product of British Leyland! Another dinner of nachos and spirits refueled our adventurers, and Thursday morning they set off on the final leg on the trip. Thursday was an easy day, covering only 520 miles, but was punctuated by the first and only snow flakes, completing the set of weather conditions encountered during the trip: rain, hail, snow, and blazing sun.

Only one other LBC was observed during the journey: a Spitfire on I-80 on Day 3. Only one serious malfunction occurred: a fuel starvation problem on Day 1. Two days were passed with the top down ("the hood lowered"). Fortunately, the top was up when hail struck on Day 4. Lunches consisted of Wendy's, McDonald's, McDonald's, and McDonald's. Dinners consisted of nachos and adult beverages. Fuel was always at least 91 octane (as per the owner's handbook). The Midget ran great, holding 70 mph without a fuss. Opening the heater valve lowered the running temp dramatically, and there were no further fuel boiling problems.

The look on my Daughters face when she saw her graduation present reminds me of the excitement factor LBC's still hold. Here's to another generation discovering the magic of these cars.

Bottom line: Drive British cars. That's why we bought 'em, and why we love 'em.

Postscript: Reid is planning to drive a 1956 Austin-Healey 100M from northern California to northern Idaho, taking three days for the trip, beginning next Tuesday. Just drive 'em.

Greg Kaugman [email protected]

OK, here�s my drive your British car week story. For weeks now my car has been of the road. Two trips for my vacuum booster to be repaired and it still doesn�t work right. In between times pulling it off, run out of town to do work for client. Return home and remount it, NG. Take trip to Vegas for trade show. I come home to find house is being painted and high pressure wash has leaked through roof onto cars. Throw fit at contractor. Spend all day Saturday wondering why I�m not outside driving car. (I�m in northern CA and the weather is FINALLY getting nice.) Sunday morning, decide it�s too far to drive to Dixon for swap meet. Rationalize by telling self I need money to buy a house. Try working on client�s project, but make mistake of opening curtains and see gorgeous blue sky. Decide to take BJ8 out for a spin, plug manifold vacuum booster connection and assume standing on pedal will work as alternative. Take quick spin around local streets to be sure above assumption is correct. Drive down Freeway to Palo Alto to eat. (Red Lobster, food�s good, service so so.) Cruise farther south on El Camino Real to Los Altos (Another nice CA town where nobody but Editor Gary can afford to live) Realize this is the weekend for Art and Wine festival.

Now I find the cash machine and restock the wallet. Hit festival, buy a few things for future gifts. Sneeze head off from all the pollen in the air. Head LBC back north towards home. Turn off freeway and get about one mile from home. Spot bright red LBC in mirror. MG midget pulls along side at next light. Exchange a few words. Light changes and I turn onto my street. So does MG!

That�s my tale. Went all day only to see another LBC that�s a block from my house. Oh well, maybe everyone starts their week on Monday instead.

Cheers

Bill Katz [email protected]
Foster City, CA
http://www.handsonresearch.com/healey

I went to check out the BCW page following this posting and I was pleased to see you posted the story of my summer adventure as a youth. Here's a few of my more recent experiences in my latest Bugeye. Hope you'll enjoy them.

I recently got my latest Sprite on the road a couple months ago, although due to the rainy weather this year I've only driven it a few times. However, each time out provides an interesting situation. The first time I took the car out was around midnight on a Wednesday night. It was a solitary night in January, where the weather had taken a break from the usual "El Nino" rain. Despite the hour, I couldn't resist the opportunity to go for a short test run. Before long, my trip around the block quickly turned into a trip the couple miles to the Pacific Ocean. As I sat at the stop sign at the edge of Golden Gate Park, I was waiting for the single approaching car to pass, when I began to suspect that this was no ordinary car. Yes, it was a Police car. Even though he didn't have a stop sign, he slowed down and then stopped at the intersection and waited for me to go in front of him. I'm thinking, "Great, my first time out and I'm going to get busted for something."

Although I felt confident this car was completely street legal(this car is a former vintage racer), I suspected they would want to know what the hell I was doing driving a sportscar with no top, a serious rollbar and racing numbers on the doors and hood at 12:30 AM. So with little other choice, I confidently pulled out onto the Great Highway and held me breath as I waited for the "red lights" to come on. To my surprise, within ten seconds he passed me and headed up he hill towards the Cliff House. "That's a good sign!" I thought beathing a sigh of relief. I don't think I stopped grinning all the way home.

On another occasion a few weeks later, I decided to take a drive over to Golden Gate Park. I wanted to take a few pictures to post on my web site so I took along my camera and my seven year old son. Although he is much more of a wing and rail guy, he really enjoys going out in the Bugeye. I think he imagines himself in a jet figter or a race car as he positions himself between the roll bar brace and the seat, buckles himself into the race harness and tries to sit tall enough to see out the windshield. Our destination would be Ocean Beach, where the restored windmill sits just across the road from the beach and the surf. I figured this would make a good backdrop for some photos. It was a windy, but beautiful day and lots of people were out enjoying the weather on this rare sunny Sunday. As we drove through the Park, I noticed, bicylists, roller-bladers, pedestrians, and other motorists taking notice as we cruised along, some waving as we drove by.The last time I drove a Bugeye, most people didn't really take a second glance, so this was a pleasant surprise. After finding a perfect little spot to park where I could take some photos without other cars being in the background, we got out of the car. I walked to a spot in front of the car to start taking photos. In the time it had taken me to walk a few paces from the car, I turned around only to find that around a dozen people, young and old. had gathered around the car. You could see the nostalgia in the older observers and a snese of puzzlement in the younger ones. I had to wait several minutes for the crowd to dissipate before I could begin shooting. There was even a woman, who I believe was a Japanese tourist, who took several pictures of her own.

On another occasion driving in the neighborhood with my son, a group of kids in their late teens or early twenties raced up along of us on the right side of the car, "Hey Mister" a couple of them shouted "That's the coolest car we've ever seen, what kind of car is that?" "An Austin-Healey" I shouted back. Seeing their puzzled look, I added "It an English car" With a look of admiration and bewilderment in their eyes I imagined them saying to themselves "Where's England?" My son being very astonished at all the attention we were receiving while we tooled along in this little car turned to me and said "I'm very proud of you Dad." I think he'll have this moment to remember for a long time, I know I will.

If the weather holds this week, I'll try to get in an official BCW drive.

Gerard Chateauvieux
[email protected]

British Car Week? Pshaww. How about British car life?Two and a half years ago I decided to give up the safety net. I traded my 1987 Nissan Maxima for a 1988 Range Rover classic. I had owned a Landrover before and had fallen into the addiction. Shortly after this event I purchased a 1973 Series III Landrover for my son to drive and a 1958 Series I to restore. My Range Rover takes my wife and me to work every day and is always ready if we want to do something or go somewhere different, whether there is a road or not. The Range Rover has proven to be just as reliable as the Nissan and the series of Detroit iron I have owned previously and it has the added advantage of being almost unstoppable in any kind of road conditions.

On the days we have schedule conflicts I use the Series III which has proven to be just as reliable. This is the same Landrover in which my son performed an aerobatic routine. Actually in diving the maneuver is termed a triple gainer. The new Buick which hit him received over $2500 in damage and had to be hauled to the body shop on a flatbed. We reinflated a tire, changed a bent wheel, refilled the crankcase and drove the Rover home. No one was injured.

When I get some straightening and painting done on the body, put a few comfort and convenience items on the old crock it will be joining it's owner in the Army and I'll just have to finish the Series I if I want transport. Once the Series I is out of the garage and all the kids are finally out of the hose I'll be ready to commence a really primo restoration of my Austin Healey.

God, I hope I never run out of British cars or the energy to enjoy them.

This week we will be traveling to California to see our oldest son graduate from college.

Bill Lawrence
Albuquerque, New Mexico
[email protected]

Arriving home from work, I rapidly changed clothes and jumped into the Spitfire. Manual choke on, turned the starter. The faithful convertible cranked on the first time, and settled into a high idle. Flipped the lights on (mandatory safety feature), and buckled the seat belt. Pumping the clutch twice, I slipped it into reverse, and backed it out of the garage. Down the street, and out of the neighborhood to the road, keeping it low in the revs until properly warmed. Took a left, down a particularly curvy road, toward some high speed well-banked corners. Shut the choke off, now properly up to running temperature. The car was running perfectly, responding to every shift, the exhaust note breaking the pre-twilight silence.

Up and around the fast sweepers, the car digging in and not complaining a bit. Top down as always, I downshifted to third, and then to second, in preparation for a stop sign. Turning right, I looked down and noticed it was getting low on fuel. Ran it down the highway to the nearest service station, and topped it off. Had a nice chat with the high-school student working there. He pointed out his pride and joy - a new Jeep TJ ragtop. Having been there and done that, I pointed to my blue baby. Said our good-byes, and headed back out to the highway. Crossed the highway, and hit another twisty road that runs near the local county airport. Turned onto a very twisty section of road that runs right by the end of the runway, signal lights blinking, guiding in an unseen bird from above. Just as I passed the end, I saw it coming. Jammed the brakes and slid off into the rough dirt shoulder, and shut off the engine and lights.

Above me, not 50 feet, was a Cessna 172, engine purring as it glided in to land. The moon shone off it's wings as it floated by. Enjoyed the peace and quiet for a few minutes, the crickets breaking the silence. Then, another plane - this time a corporate Jet - streaked by just above. From this vantage point, I could make out all the details from the landing planes. Coming back down to reality, I cranked up the Spit, and dropped the clutch. Tail wagging, I squealed back onto the tarmac and down the other side of the road, spun around, and headed back home. Turned back into my neighborhood, rounded the corner, and my very own perimeter lights were on, framing the driveway and guiding my Triumph and I back to our own hanger. All in all, another successful and thoroughly enjoyable ride in an LBC. Makes you just want to sit back and say, Welcome to British Car Week, 1998!!

(The kids on the bikes asked if the Spit was a 'corvette or a mustang? I'm still working on them :P)

Chip Mautz
Dacula, GA
'71 Triumph Spitfire MKIV
[email protected]

I remembered that it's British Car Week, just forgot where else to send this post. I'm also not on the main list where I used to get all kinds of good info, and a ton of off topic crap. I haven't seen much reporting on the Week on the Spridgets page, but here's my report for what it's worth.

Thursday night in La Mesa, CA. was "Back to the Fifties," a weekly cruise-in type of event where the merchants take up all the parking spots on the main drag through town and allow hot rods, old cars, restored old cars and trucks, and even foreign stuff to show off. On this strip of cruise way is an "All Things Bright and British" shop where the owner has encouraged British Car Owners to park on Thursday evenings. Two MG Clubs, (the San Diego MG Club and the San Diego MG T Register) put their heads together and descended upon the Cruise-In, and lo and behold a TON of other LBC's showed up too! I'm sure I'm forgetting some, and I'm sure that I may have missed seeing a few, but we had LBC owners/visitors in the neighborhood of:

1 MGYA
2 TD's
2 MGA's
1 MGB-GT
3 MGB's
1 Morris Estate Wagon (Woody)
1 TR4-A
1 XKE (highly modified)
3 Sunbeam Alpine's
1 Tiger
1 TVR Tasmin
3 Cobra replicas (do those count)
1 Frogeye Sprite

Unlike the Hot- Rod group, all of the LBC's that I observed, were drivers and not museum/show pieces. There were no cutesie little kid dolls with their backs to you and arms crossed over their faces like they were crying, or large stuffed animals standing behind the steering wheel in the LBC's either. It was GREAT having this large a turn out and the owner of the shop is trying to get us to park a couple of cars at his shop every Thursday. The clubs have decided to do it again as a joint effort in August. The shop owner says he'll stay open past his normal closing time if we have a couple cars parked out front. I know he had customers thru there that normally wouldn't have walked in because he'd be closed.

To everyone else....Get them out on the road....even if you just park them when you get there.

Cheers,
Tom Zylla [email protected]
San Diego, CA
'60 Frogeye Sprite

Okay drivers, here goes for today, tops down, 90o forcast, so down Rt #1 to Fredericksburg, south on Rt 17 thru all the old very small towns of Northern Neck, maybe lunch at Lloyds in Tappahannock, then across the Rappahhock bridge to Windmill Point, this may be a better place for lunch, this is where the water gets wide and very pretty, then back up Rt # 3 = thru. Montross, and maybe Colonial Beach, all of these places are very small and quite enchanting, also G.W. birth place. Colonial beach is my first beer, first try at gambling, and first time for pinicillin & blu-ointment, long-long time ago, then 205 to King George and home, sound fun, sound interesting, anyone along the way join in. This should be about 250 miles, I guess thats a BCW day.
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Well I drove the route I had planned on, stopped at Lowerys in Tappahannock and could not get in for lunch, went 50 more miles down the road to "Wind Mill Point" closed until this coming weekend, drove to Kilmarnonock to a place called "Lees", recommended by the local police as the best. I know none of you are going to beleive this but here was my lunch = small salad,2 very nice pork chops (fried), string beans, and home made mashed potatoes, 2 slices of home made bread, home made ice tea (free refills) = ready = $6.50 = thats it 6.50 = this made my whole week not just my day, left then drove home, 6 1/2 hours about 250 miles and 93o, and all country all the way, Lets have BCW at least twice a year, its fun and Cheap. Golly Andy (Mace) I hope you get out this weekend !!

Fred Thomas [email protected]