Vol. 20 No. 7 December 2010 Anniversary Issue January 1991 - December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 THE NORTH AMERICAN MGB REGISTER MGB Driver is the official publication of the North American MGB Register, a non-profit organization dedi- cated to maintaining and expanding interest in Britain’s most popular sports car—the MGB. The opinions expressed within are those of the individual authors and readers are warned that they attempt any mechanical or other modifications described herein, entirely at their own risk. Membership in the North American MGB Register is open to all, with no restrictions. Ownership of an MG is not a condition of membership. NAMGBR Regional Chapters will be pleased to wel- come you to their events. Membership dues are $30 per year. For membership details or further information write to: NORTH AMERICAN MGB REGISTER P.O. Box 55 Whittington, IL 62897-0055 Toll-free hotline: 800-NAMGBR-1 • www.namgbr.org OFFICERS OF THE NAMGBR 6 2 6-4 2 7 1
CHAIRMAN: Richard Liddick PUBLICITY Jeff Taylor 5237 Glen Arm Road COORDINATOR: 1645 NW 23rd St. Glen Arm, MD 21057 Corvallis, OR 97330-1956 (410) 817-6862 541-753-0777 [email protected] [email protected]
VICE-CHAIRMAN: Kim de Bourbon CONVENTION/AGM Tony & Lynne Burgess PO Box 293 COORDINATOR: 318 Hampton Park Del. Water Gap, PA 18327 Westerville, OH 43081 (570) 994-5748 (614) 899-2394 [email protected] (614) 899-2493 fax [email protected] SECRETARY: Denny Elimon 103 Woodcreek Court TECHNICAL John H Twist Mahomet, Ill. 61853 COORDINATOR: 6490 Fulton Street East (217) 649-6925 Ada, MI 49503 (708) 221-6435 - Fax (616) 682 0800 [email protected] johntwist @universitymotorsltd.com TREASURER: Alan Magnuson 7754 South Waco Street Regalia Connie Wyckoff Centennial, CO 80016 Coordinator: 10975 Aspen Trl. (303) 400-8076 Zeeland, MI 49464 [email protected] (616) 748-0580 [email protected] COORDINATORS OF THE NAMGBR WEBSITE Rick Brown EDITOR: Robert Rushing COORDINATOR: 7146 Snowberry Loop MGB Driver 5444 Sutherland Ave. Brooksville, FL 34602 St. Louis, MO 63109 (352) 650-5135 (314) 614-4671 [email protected] [email protected] CONCOURS Bob Gloyd Coordinator: 19692 East Garden Drive ADVERTISING Charles E. de Bourbon Centennial, Colorado 80015 & PRODUCTION PO Box 293 Phone - (303) 263-8189 COORDINATOR Del. Water Gap, PA 18327 [email protected] ART DIRECTOR (570) 460-6370 [email protected] Service Bruce Wyckoff Recommendation 10975 Aspen Trl. EDITORS EMERITUS: Ken Smith Coordinator: Zeeland, Mi 49464 Kim Tonry (616) 748-0580 [email protected] FOR REGISTRAR INFORMATION, PLEASE SEE PAGE 64. The North American MGB Register is affiliated to the MG Car Club of England. The MG Car Club was founded in 1930 and is the original, factory supported, and approved organization for all MGs, with the Club Headquarters situ- ated in Abingdon-on-Thames close by the birthplace of all MGs. The North American MGB Register is a 501C7 “Not-For- Profit Corporation. MGB Driver Magazine ©2010 All rights reserved. Any part of this publication may be reproduced by members and member clubs only, with the expressed credit given to “MGB Driver Magazine” —Editor Robert Rushing. 2 All images in this MGB Driver; ©2010-BGA Studios.com/Charles de Bourbon, unless otherwise noted. MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 The Editor 2005 - Present Chairman’s Chat can’t believe I’ve been doing this Officers, Coordinators, and Registrars of the Register for five years already! Of course, ne of the strengths of the II’ve been a lot luckier than Ken North American MGB Reg- and Kim. The Driver was already well Oister is the fact that we are established by the time I took the a democratically-run organization, reigns and with the new technology run by volunteers. Elected officer available, production is much easier. terms are for two years and there Robert Rushing It also helps that color printing is is a term limit of two terms. The Richard Editor cheaper than in the past and that I Coordinators and Registrars are ap- Liddick MGB Driver have the services of a professional pointed positions that are annually Chairman graphic designer to help me with Kim – you guys are the best! reviewed, but with no set term lim- NAMGBR each issue – Charles de Bourbon. I hope you enjoy this special its. Over the years, several coordina- you see listed have volunteered their I’d like to thank my previous two issue and here’s to another twenty tor positions were created or ceased time and energy to run the Register editors for all the help that they gave years. to exist depending on needs of the Robert – a big thanks to you all! me with this special issue. Ken and organization. All the individuals Richard • Officers •
Chairman On the Covers John Twist (1991-1993) Rick Ingram (1994-1997) Front cover: Plaques from all 20 Robin Weatherall (1998-1999) conventions attended by Roger & Ron Tugwell (2000-2001) Shirley Goebbert – photo by Kim David Deutsch (2002-2005) Tonry Bruce Wyckoff (2006-2009) Richard Liddick (2010-present) Back cover: The two guys who started all this madness about a Mr. and Mrs. Morrell LaRue and their great sports car and the fun times, Vice Chairman National First Place 1969 MGB. friendships, and great places to Bruce Wyckoff (1991-1994) MG Chicagoland Convention, 1991 visit. Richard Miller (1995-1996) Ron Tugwell (1997-1999) Keith Holdsworth (2000) David Deutsch (2001) Nick Pappas (2002-2004) Richard Liddick (2005-2008) Page 32 The Founding Meeting Kim de Bourbon (2009-present)
Page 48 NAMGBR Convention Through the Years Secretary By Tony & Lynne Burgess – NAMGBR AGM & Convention Chairs Jerome Rosenberger (1991-1994) Jai Deagan (1995-1998) Page 52 NAMGBR at Twenty Dee Zimmerman (1999-2005) By Kim Tonry & John Twist Jerome Rosenberger (2006-2008) Denny Elimon (2009-present) Page 58 Birth of Legend By Andrew Roberts, MG Enthusiast Magazine Treasurer Rock Yarrington (1991-1995) Robin Weatherall (1996-1997) The Inside Line Page 65 20 Years ON By David Knowles Eric Kent (1998-2001) Jerry Kohlenstein (2002-2003) Susan Deagan (2004-2006) Alan Magnuson (2007-present) 4 5 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 Officers, Coordinators, and Registrars of the Register
• Coordinators • Editor, MGB Driver Ken Smith (1991-1997) Kim Tonry (1997-2004) Robert Rushing (2005-present) Assistant Editor, MGB Driver Kim Tonry (1997) Robert Rushing (2002-2005) Convention & Annual General Meeting Jeff Powell (1992-1996) Jake & Ann Snyder (1997-2001) Tony & Lynne Burgess (2002-present) 1 Technical Bob Mason (1991-2005) Bob Daniels (1992-2004) Glen Towery (1992-2004) Norman Nock (1994-2004) 9 John Twist (2005-present) Advertising Barby Hill-Smith (1992) Jill Lee-Jones (1993-1994) Ian Pender (1995-1999) James Brucato (2000-2003) Mike Pentecost (2004-2005) 9 Pete Cosmides (2006) Charles de Bourbon (2007-present) Public Relations/Publicity Ken Smith (1991-1995) Richard Liddick (1996-2009) 1 Jeff Taylor (2010-present) Service Recommendation List Ken Blahnik (1993) Steve Brown (1993-1996) Jerome Rosenberger (1997-2003) Bruce Wyckoff (2004-present)
6 7 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
Officers, Coordinators, and Registrars of the Register Regalia Barby Hill-Smith (1991-1992) Edna Carol (1992-1994) Pete Cosmides (1995-1997) Bill Hayes (1998-2000) Michael Robson (2001-2004) Elvin Davis (2005-2010) Connie Wyckoff (2010-present) Publication & Art Direction Charles de Bourbon (2005-present)
Electronic Bulletin Board Dan Zebarah (1991-1993) Tom Biehl (1994-1999) Website 1 Wayne Kube (2000-2002) Rick Brown (2003-present)
Concours Rick Ingram (2000-2005) Paul Hanley (2006-2008) 9 Bob Gloyd (2009-present) Membership Robin Weatherall (1994-1996) Gene Cooper (1997) David Deutsch (1998-2001) 9 Priscilla Blanchard (2002-2003) Used Parts Exchange Marty Boysen (1991) 2 George Sullivan (1992) • Registrars • MGB Caroline Robinson (1991-1993) John Nyhus (1994-1995) Orin Harding (1996-1997) Drew Hastings (1998-2000) Ken Smith (2001-present) Midget Bruce Wyckoff (1991-1996 Bob & D Zimmerman (1997-2009) Robert Swetzer (2010-present) 8 9 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 Officers, Coordinators, and Registrars of the Register
1967 MGB/GT Special Gregg Purvis (1991-1998) Ron Tugwell (1999-2002) Ken Smith (2003-present) 1974 1/2 MGB Steve Harding (1991-2007) Ken Smith (2008) Scott Perry (2009-present) MGB LE Judy Estrada (1991-1992) Ron Tugwell (1994-2005) Ken Smith (2006-present) MG 1100/1300 1 Thomas Gaylord (1991-2002) Scott Williams (2003-2007) Bill Fox (2008-present) MGB V8 Curt Downing (1991-1993) 9 Kurt Schley (1994-2000) Don Rausch (2001) Dan Masters (2002-2009) Mike Grieco (2010-present) Pull Handle 9 Will Zehring (1996) Bill Barge (1997-present) 100,000+ Mile Phillip Morgan (1996-1998) 3 Jai Deagan (1999-present) Original Owner Pete Cosmides (1997-2004) Bill Hawkins (2005-present) Hammer & Tongs Phil Smith (2001-present) Next Gen James Woolf (2009-present)
10 11 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 Vice Chairman’s Report bought my first MGB 32 years ago. Doesn’t seem possible that so Imuch time has gone by, yet there are so many outstanding memories connected to the Bs I’ve owned that the years just can’t be denied. Interestingly, there are two Kim de Bourbon distinct chapters to my history with Vice chairman MGBs. The first 11 years pre-date the NAMGBR existence of North American MGB Register, when I drove MGBs just and it never occurred to me to take because they were a fun, affordable a picture of it. I drove it every day – used car that I took a liking to. The rain, sun, snow, sleet or whatever. second chapter began after a 10-year Having a hard top helped. lapse, when the 1966 B I drive today I drove that ’66 for two years emerged like Cinderella after a long before missing a turn on a dark and Sleeping Beauty restoration. stormy summer night and run- So, on the occasion of NAMG- ning into a farmer’s field. I don’t 1 BR’s 20th anniversary, I thought it remember what the damage was. I appropriate to reflect back on my just remember spending the night bifurcated history with the car. sleeping under the tonneau cover My first car was a 1966 road- among the cows. ster with 40,000 miles on it, which Less than a month later, I I bought off a Pennsylvania MG bought 1969 MGB, a very nice car 9 dealer’s lot in 1978. I was just 22 that I had fixed up and painted. I years old, and my boyfriend thought drove the heck out of for three years, it would make a nice car for me. I until some drunk driver plowed into didn’t have a clue – I don’t think I it while it was parked, shortening it even drove it around the block be- by three inches. Still sticking with fore handing over a check for $695 MGs, I next picked up a ratty but re- 9 for that car. liable 1972 B that I intended to drive I still remember the thrill of sit- only until I could find a solid early ting way down low and pulling out car, which I much preferred. on the road after buying that first I ended up driving the ratty ’72 B. (That thrill was short-lived – 15 for six years, although I never got miles down the road, the car quit. attached to it. I did find a ’66 for 4 I had totally ignored the words “AS restoration, but before the project IS” on the receipt.) really got going at the shop, I took a Another year went by before new job out of state … and the resto- that car got back on the road, but by ration project languished. Eventu- then I had learned two important ally, after buying a house on top of lessons: Don’t keep company with a a big hill in Connecticut, I sold the guy who tells you what kind of car ’72 in favor of a more winter-worthy to buy but doesn’t know how to buy Subaru, and the restoration of the it, and do find a mechanic who loves ’66 became pretty much “out of the car as much as you do. sight, out of mind.” I have no photos of this first In 1997 – some 14 years after car. MGBs were still being sold new leaving the ’66 project behind – I got at the time, and as much as I en- a job offer back in Pennsylvania, joyed mine, it was just my car, only an hour from where I used 12 13 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
1
Vice Chairman’s Report to live. Now, with more money com- So, soon after getting an MGB ing in from the new job and within back into my driveway, I discovered 9 visiting range of the restoration there was a whole world of MG own- shop, I got “MGB Fever” again, and ers. I found a local club, and started started working with the shop to get knowing the fun of shows and this car on the road. rallies. I joined the North American Finally, on July 21, 2000, I was MGB Register, and soon discovered back in the driver’s seat of a “brand that a national event was held each 9 new” 1966 MGB, and the second year. Since 2001, I haven’t missed chapter of my life with MGBs began one of them. when I climbed in behind that over- Travels by caravan to far-flung sized “banjo” steering wheel and NAMGBR shows are among my took a whiff of that indescribably most special memories of my life. distinctive British car smell. I can still call up, in my mind, the 5 The fun and feel of the car flies that filled our windshields and hadn’t changed. But what had grilles in Arkansas on the way back changed, for me and a lot of you from MG 2002 in Dallas. And the other long-time MGB owners, was outrageous parking lot parties in St. that in our middle age, the car had Louis at MG 2003. And the sweet become a treasured classic. While I thrill of driving cross-country in still drive the car almost every day the MGB to Olympia, Wash., for MG from April to November, it no longer 2005. is “just a car.” It has become some- MGB ownership. There’s noth- thing special, a hobby that is fun to ing quite like it. learn about and share with others of Happy birthday, North Ameri- a like mind. can MGB Register! Kim
14 15 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 From the Treasurer appy 20th Anniversary NAMGBR! This special edi- Htion of the MGB Driver is a walk down memory lane. Take this opportunity to reminisce about an historic meeting in a Michigan Alan garage where MGB, Midget, and Magnuson 1100/1300 enthusiasts came togeth- Treasurer er to organize the Register. Enjoy NAMGBR pictures and stories from NAMGBR’s past. as well as his technical instruction The founding of NAMGBR par- through articles, calls, emails, and allels the MG Car Club of England, Rolling Tech Sessions. Yes, he does which was founded in October occasionally take off his hat. 1930. Our hardy group of English Thanks to Rick Ingram for sports car enthusiasts discovered the his leadership in NAMGBR and joys of top down motoring when the North American Council of MGs had running boards! NAMGBR MG Registers. Rick and the other 1 is proud to be affiliated with the MG members of the MG Council have Car Club of England as a Register. provided communication between With the success of the MG the Registers and reminded us that marque around the world, who we are a family, all related through would have thought in the 1960s or our love for MG cars. Tony & Lynne 70s that MG production in Abing- Burgess have coordinated quality 9 don would cease on October 22, NAMGBR and MG Council events 1980. Who would have realized that keep us coming back for more. that North America would not see a Jerome Rosenberger has been production MG built for our market a touchstone of support for me since 1980? as Treasurer. His participation in Looking back over the past Register leadership roles from the 9 twenty years of MG activities in December 1990 formation meeting North America, more has changed to today, Jerome has provided the than just hairstyles and the lines Executive team with the perspec- on our faces. I think of people who tive on why and how a decision was have been energetic participants in made as well as being the active MG activities, particularly in their curator of the NAMGBR archives. 6 support of NAMGBR. Most impor- Ken and Barby Smith traveled tantly, I tip my hat to each NAMGBR all over North America to British car member and your local Club for events. Ken always had an applica- your support of our MG hobby. tion at the ready should you express Through your local support across that you owned an MGB, Midget, the continent, our membership has or 1100/1300. He is still registering grown to over 2000. Enthusiastic MGBs and is always excited to find members and Clubs have showcased interesting tidbits of information to all regions of North America for share with the membership. NAMGBR conventions and regional Bruce Wyckoff is another meets from the east to the west person who has participated since coasts and from north to south. the founding in a number of ways. John Twist provided his Thanks to him for his B Positive leadership as our first Chairman remarks as Chairman and for 16 17 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
Treasurer’s Report his Service Coordinator leadership can All MG Register convention. For in the preparation of the Mutual Aid twenty years, members of NAMGBR Directories for many years. throughout North America have Writing, editing, photographs, shared the road with their MG Reg- and design layout of the MGB Driver ister friends in the MMM, T, A, and has been the passion of several C Registers. The event is a marvelous folks including Ken Smith and Kim opportunity for MG car enthusiasts Tonry. Kudos to Robert Rushing, of every register to join together for MGB Driver Editor, and Charles de a week of unique events as well as Bourbon, Advertising Coordinator, viewing some of the most breathtak- for their extraordinary efforts in ing scenery in America. this 20th Anniversary Edition MGB MG is the Marque of Friendship. Driver. Make new friends, but keep the old. You should plan to attend One is silver and the other’s gold. MG2011 in Reno, Nevada, for a week of fun and octane related festivities. Safety Fast! Alan 1 This will be our fourth North Ameri- The Editor 1997 - 2004 t’s been thirty years since MGs 9 stopped being imported into INorth America. Ten years after that regrettable day, a group of dedicated enthusiasts gathered and founded the North American MGB Register as an expression of 9 their devotion to these beloved cars Kim Tonry and those that maintain and enjoy Editor them. Twenty years later the Regis- MGB Driver ter continues to offer solid support served the Register and the marque to the community of MG owners. with distinction. I am awed to have Whether in the pages of MGB Driver, been privileged to work with many 7 on the web, or at a more personal of them. And I am very proud that I level, at conventions or the events can call so many of them friends. of the NAMGBR affiliated chapters, I first heard of the Register via the Register offers communication the excited proclamations of one and support. Since our tenth an- of its founding members. I sent off niversary observances in 2000, the that first years dues and that invest- Register has only grown stronger. ment has paid me back many times The founders’ belief that over. It’s pleasant and rewarding to democratic succession would best look back at where we’ve been and serve to continually strengthen what the Register has accomplished and renew the Register has proven in its twenty years. But it’s even itself. We have been truly blessed more exciting to look forward to with a succession of talented and where we will go. dedicated individuals who have Kim 18 19 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 Secretary’s Report
rom a very low-key gathering in Michigan twenty years ago, Fwhen dedicated MG enthusi- asts and owners met to discuss the formation of a new organization Denny Elimon for MGB enthusiasts, the North Secretary American MGB Register was born. NAMGBR For twenty years, the organization has served to link owners, provide a four, zero prefix first year members support organization, and a wealth we are very pleased to announce of technical advice. Over those years that we still have forty-eight mem- we have formed an affiliation with bers still active, (we have listed them ninety- two local clubs, registered in this issue) as of our last check. We thousands of MGs, provided a have maintained records on every means for fantastic conventions member registered from our begin- 1 and friendly gatherings, and most ning. Members joining in 2010 now importantly provided members a have a prefix of 20. means to keep the MG alive. While we recognize these first Looking back on our history, it year founding members, we want is important to look at our organi- to also thank all our members both zation foundation – especially our past and present for their contin- 9 “first year” founding members that ued support. Many of our current got the organization started. We do active members have been with us this at the risk of missing some very for years, some starting from year dedicated members or volunteers two all the way to now year twenty – over the years. If you are one of Thank You! those missed, please accept our apol- As a member-run organization, 9 ogy. At the start, it was determined it is our challenge to continue our that first year members be assigned organization for others to enjoy a designation membership number over the next twenty years. Never for record keeping purposes start- miss an opportunity to introduce ing with a zero prefix, thus our first a young man or woman to the fun member was 0-101. As you view this and excitement of MG ownership. 8 anniversary special edition, many of Your actions as an owner will ensure the listed members will be featured our continued success and keep the or mentioned throughout. Many MG name alive! have served in various volunteer I hope you enjoy this Twenty- and elected positions over the years. year Anniversary look back at the Numerous other volunteers over North American MGB Register and the years have also served in both meeting out first year members. The officer and volunteer positions for current officers, coordinators, and our organization. Their contribu- registrars wish you a Happy Anni- tions have ensured our success and versary. growth. Denny Of the two hundred and thirty-
20 21 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 The Editor 1991 - 1997 s I drove away from John Twist’s shop that bitterly cold Aday of the inaugural meet- ing, as a founding member (#103) of the North American MGB Register, I was very conscious of our stated mission to provide a member-driven organization with integrity and Ken Smith open to all. I had also been charged Editor with producing a brand new maga- MGB Driver zine for the Register, which would mails in those days! I think the most inform and entertain, and provide dramatic moment came during the communication between members. 1994 Northridge earthquake where Thus was born the MGB Driver the whole of the input for the next whose title said exactly what we issue was lost! were about, “Driving MGBs”! The One major addition to the edi- format was designed to fit in the torial staff in 1992 was Jill Lee Jones MGB’s glove box and we strived for of Ideal Images who came on board 1 something a little different from and knocked my ideas into shape, other MGB publications available at but I also received unlimited sup- the time. I also decided that to avoid port from many sources and friends, an apparent conflict of interest both in the US and the UK and I with my work situation for a major can’t thank them enough for their supplier, I would adopt, as editor, contributions in the early years of 9 take the pseudonym of “Marcham the magazine. I also need to thank Rhoade” (which was taken from the my long-suffering spouse Barby Marcham Road that ran past the MG who put up with my late hours and Factory in Abingdon!) computer reclusiveness, throughout The first issue was produced in the period of my editorship. January and entailed getting people In the fall of 1997 after over 40 9 on board to lay the magazine out, issues of the Driver, I handed the one of whom was Robert Goldman, baton off to Kim Tonry and now we now Vice President of Moss Motors! have a much more sophisticated Robert struggled manfully with my publication under the helm of Rob- notes and photographs to put them ert Rushing and Chas de Bourbon. in some semblance of order, but 9 eventually we managed to get issues Ken out on time. We instituted the MGB Quiz, had lots of technical advice Ken at the first meeting. from our founding chairman John H. Twist, and printed much history on the MGB including a series of period MGB press adverts. We also serialized “Aspects of Abingdon.” The Driver was difficult to produce at times as I was traveling nationwide on behalf of my em- ployer, and was away from my home base for six months of the year – and of course, there were no e- 22 23 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
2 NAMGBR Inaugural Meeting • December 1990 0 0 0
24 25 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
2 Phil Richer, Ron Embling Kens Smith, John Twist 0 0 1
26 27 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
CONSTITUTION of THE NORTH AMERICAN MGB REGISTER
I. NAME: A. The organization shall be know as The North American MGB Register, hereafter referred to as “The Register”.
II. OFFICIAL PUBLICATION: A. The “MGB Driver” shall be the official publication of The Register.
III. OBJECTIVES: A. To maintain and expand interest in Britain’s most popular sports car - the 2 MGB. B. To provide a social charter for the mutual enjoyment of driving the MGB by holding local and national meetings and effecting a social interchange of contact between members across North America and Overseas. 0 C. To provide through The Register’s bimonthly publication, the “MGB Driver”, informative technical advice, historical and archival information on all aspects of own- ing the MGB or a derivative. In addition, sub-groups will be established for the modern MG Midget and the front wheel drive MG’s such as the 0 1100/1300. D. To maintain a register of eligible cars indicating history and other relevant details.
BY-LAWS of 2 THE NORTH AMERICAN MGB REGISTER I. ADMINISTRATION:
A. The Club Council.
1. The Council will consist of one delegate from each certified chapter and delegates at large elected from each region.
2. The Council shall have the power to: a. Elect the Executive Committee. b. Adapt and amend The Register By-Laws. c. Form guidelines within which the Executive Committee may act. d. Call Special General Meetings. e. Remove from office any or all Executive Committee members with a 2/3 majority vote. 28 29 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 Loyal Members for 20 Years The following members have been members since “Year Zero” of the North American MGB Register.
0-101 John Twist Ada, Michigan 0-102 Jerome Rosenberger Benton, Illinois 0-103 Ken & Barbara Smith Goleta, California 0-106 Jeff & Sharon Powell Melrose Park, Illinois 0-109 Bruce & Connie Wyckoff Zeeland, Michigan 0-110 Curt & Cathy Downing Cheshire, Connecticut 0-116 Harry Brown Grand Rapids, Michigan 0-121 Gene & Becky Cooper Prior Lake, Minnesota 0-126 Peter Coy Rocky Hill, Connecticut 0-127 Keith Holdsworth Markham, Ontario 0-134 Rick Ingram Saint Joseph, Illinois 0-136 Jai Deagan Eaton Rapids, Michigan 0-141 Kenneth Mull Woodbridge, Connecticut 0-142 Cedric Kam West Roxbury, Massachusetts 2 0-143 Jim Morley Fairfield, Connecticut 0-144 Michael & Marilyn Thomason Mobile, Alabama 0-146 Gerald & Maryann Berry Templeton, California 0-150 Richard Miller Clinton, New Jersey 0-151 George & Enid Schmitt Elkhart, Indiana 0-156 Gordy Jack Wheat Ridge, Colorado 0-158 Frank Krajewski West Kingston, Rhode Island 0 0-160 Peter Cosmides Moorestown, New Jersey 0-162 Daniel Kangley Sioux Falls, South Dakota 0-165 Priscilla & Paul Needle West Bloomfield, Michigan 0-167 Morell LaRue Choctaw, Oklahoma 0-168 Ron & Jerri Jarosz Lugoff, South Carolina 0-176 Don Peery Edmond, Oklahoma 0 0-182 William Sapp Gramling, South Carolina 0-183 Dave & Rita Houser Brooksville, Florida 0-184 Michael Ash Eastville, Virginia 0-185 Don Harmer Atlanta, Georgia 0-190 Reinout Vogt Prospect Heights, Illinois 0-192 MJ Marshall Marietta, Georgia 0-195 Robert Anson Portsmouth, Rhode Island 3 0-196 Thomas Gaylord Atlanta, Georgia 0-198 Larry Daniels Wheaton, Illinois 0-200 Ernie Lindsay Mazon, Illinois 0-203 Lee & Liz Niner Creamery, Pennsylvania 0-204 Robert Carter Concord, North Carolina 0-207 Basil O’Connor Sparta, New Jersey 0-208 Ralph & Anne Vrana Strongsville, Ohio 0-212 Roger & Shirley Goebbert Huntley, Illinois 0-215 Bert Blanchard Marietta, Georgia 0-220 Patricia Chapman & Chuck Gilmer Gowen, Michigan 0-223 Martin Schulze Oakland, New Jersey 0-226 David Tulos Grand Rapids, Michigan 0-229 Steve & Debbie Harding Norristown, Pennsylvania 0-234 Marla & David Zebarah Brownstown Twp, Michigan
30 31 The Founding Meeting t was 1990. The production Images by Dennis Trowbridge first MGB Driver was only 40 line at Abingdon had been pages in February/March 1991, Ishut down for ten years. but they were pages packed with There had been false starts and MG information and stories and might-be’s on the MG produc- of considerable quality. Found- tion front and the MG name ing Editor Marcham Rhoade’s had reappeared in Europe but stated intention was to make the had not re-crossed the Atlantic. Driver “…above all, a ‘good read’; The most welcomed news on something you will want to pick these shores was the reappear- out first from your mail box after ance two years before of new wading through the junk mail MGB bodyshells made on the and the bills!” original tooling. But there still The Driver originally was remained a dedicated following inserted into its envelope, ad- of MG enthusiasts in Canada dressed and postage applied by and the U.S. Just as frustrating Secretary Jerome Rosenberger at as the lack of new MGs coming his “Octagon Farm” home. But in was the lack of responsive- as the membership grew, this ness from those running the was switched to a mailing house main continent-wide MGB in early 1994. and Midget organization that Phil Richer, Ron Embling, Sharon Powell, Dick Knudson, Patrick Amarena (partial), Rock Yarrington, Jeff Powell. The first technical column existed then. No elections had from newly appointed Techni- been held and none appeared cal Coordinator Bob Mason to be forthcoming. Calls for improve- This state of affairs led to the Oc- The inaugural meeting of the appeared in Driver issue number 2 ment in the club magazine were sim- tober 22, 1990 (the tenth anniversary fledgling organization was held in (Chairman John Twist fielded the Tech ply rebuffed. Questions as to how the of Abingdon’s closing) announcement John Twist’s famed MG service facili- Topics in Issue 1). “club’s” finances were allocated were of the intent to form a new continent- ties in Grand Rapid’s, Michigan on a The Register embraced innova- dismissed with a rejoinder that they wide organization for enthusiasts of cold, dark December 1990 weekend. tions right off the bat like getting an only had to disclose that information the MGB, Midget and 1100/1300s. An MG enthusiasts from across the conti- 800 toll-free number and offering to the Internal Revenue Service and organization that would be run by nent and even from Great Britain were event insurance to affiliated Chapters. they were not interested in revealing and for its members. That would be in attendance. The North American Issue #2 (April/May 1991) of the how much of the club’s income might openly and democratically operated MGB Register emerged from that meet- Driver bore the just-received news be falling into the pockets of the en- with regularly scheduled elections and ing. that the MG Car Club of England had trenched officers. officers who would be accountable to Within two months, the voice of designated NAMGBR the officially the membership. the new Register was unveiled. That
Ken Smith, John Twist, Jerome Rosenberger (partial) Becky Cooper, Gene Cooper, Keith Holdsworth MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
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0 Jerome Rosenberger, Keith Holdsworth, David Haywood (obscured), Bruce Wyckoff, Chris Roberts. accepted MGB register for North announcing their intent to sign America. on members and chapters of their The First Register Regional intended MG Car Club-North 0 Event was hosted by the Emerald America. The initiative was quickly Necklace MG Register in Northern withdrawn in the face of vigorous Ohio, the Spring Warmup May protests from the existing North 18-19, 1991. The MG Car Club of American Registers and local clubs. Toronto hosted the first Annual The North American MG Council Convention the following year in was formed at MG ‘92 in Peterbor- 4 Peterborough, Ontario. Don Hayter, ough in response to the MGCC-NA a former Chief Engineer of the MG miscue and serves as a forum for Car Company was the featured communication and coordination guest and dinner speaker. among the registers. One year after the inaugural The first Service Recommenda- meeting, the Register had over 1000 tion List and Membership List was members and 23 affiliated Chapters. published in the spring of 1993. At the 1994 AGM in Atlanta, it was This listing of member recom- announced that we now had mem- mendations of MG service facilities bers in all 50 states. continent-wide has become one of 1992 brought controversy the premium benefits of Register and concerns over the intentions membership. This handy book, of the English MG Car Club when which will fit in the glovebox, offers they opened an office in Texas and peace of mind on long MG treks started contacting local clubs with its listings of service facili- 34 35 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
An overview of the meeting that took place in John Twist’s MG garage, Grand Rapids, MI. 2 ties and members. MGs making a parade lap of the hal- 1996 saw the fulfillment of the lowed Indianapolis Motor Speedway dream of a combined all register and lining up in the infield. At the meet. In conjunction with the front of the field was a Cavalcade of North American MMM Register, MGs featuring nearly every model the New England MGT Register, the variant of MG ever marketed in 0 North American MGA Register, the North America. And the success of American MGC Register, over 1200 the event lead to this year’s follow- MGs converged on Indianapolis, up with all the Registers once again Indiana for the largest MG meet combining their conventions in St. yet held on this continent. The Paul, Minnesota. highlight of a stellar event was the This is only a brief recitation of 0 incredible sight of over a thousand the highlights of the Register’s first 5
Dennis Trowbridge Jim Udkler 36 37 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
Jerome Rosenberger, Keith Holdsworth, David Haywood
ten years. May there be many more. Being introduced to Don Hayter in Some of our Officers and Coor- 1992; Ken Costello in 1993; Geoff 2 dinators from the last ten years were Allen in 1994; Lawrie Alexander kind enough to offer the following in 1995; Anders Clausager in 1996; memories and observations — Dennis Gage in 1998; and numer- ous other “MG personalities” over Rick Ingram the years. Losing enthusiasts such Chairman 1993-1997 as “Damit Dick” Criswell. Driving 0 my MG to each annual convention; the memories of these road trips will What events of the past ten always be with me. Actually being years of NAMGBR history stand thanked by a Register member for out to me? Missing the planning driving my MG in the Michigan meeting in Michigan in 1990 due Endurance Runs– proving that a to work responsibilities. Making 0 well-maintained MG actually CAN countless friends (and only handful BE TRUSTED out on the open road. of enemies) from around the globe. Talking with Burt Levy. Being ap- 6 David Moser amd Harry Brown
38 39 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
proached to run for a Register office in 1993. Being able to assist in the planning of Indy ’96. Observ- ing the “pride of ownership” in the eyes of young MG enthusiasts such as Candice Cole, James French, and Jeremy Holdsworth. Having to look up the meaning of the word, “spurious”. The support my family and I have received from MG enthusiasts across the nation in times of poor health and natural catastrophes. The memories of the good times had at the Annual Gen- eral Meetings held in Indianapolis, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Las Vegas, and Chicago. The good times and good memories of Regis- ter events far outweigh the bad ones for me. And I know that there will 2 be many more memories in store for Ken Smith listening to discussions at hand. me, my wife Jean, and our MG(s) as tending were Dick Knudson, Ron long as the enthusiasm I’ve grown Embling, Phil Richer, David Hey- accustomed to enjoying with the wood, Keith Holdsworth, Jerome members of NAMGBR prospers. Rosenberger, Jai Deagan, Jim Pesta, Happy Anniversary, NAMGBR! Larry Rupp, myself and around 0 another thirty enthusiasts in all. A Ken Smith working plan was agreed and found- ing members left confident that we The First Ten Years! It was a dark were on the verge of something big. and stormy night!—not really—but Minimal advertising followed 0 I recall that it was bitterly cold and and enthusiasts disillusioned with dark that December day back in the then, current organization 1990 when a group of MGB and serving MGB owners took the new Midget enthusiasts, disillusioned club to their hearts and soon made by an apparent disregard of their it the leading democratic MGB club wishes for a democratic MGB as- in North America. Affiliation to the 7 sociation, decided to form a new MG Car Club and the MG Owners organization. The North American Club in the UK followed and a toll- MGB Register. This followed a press free hot line was another first for the release on October 22nd 1990, ten Register, as was insurance cover- years to the day after the MG Fac- age for local chapter events. The tory closed, advising of the im- number of local chapters quickly pending formation of the Register. grew until today the Register boasts Held in the workshop of founding no fewer than Our very first Annual Chairman John H Twist’s University Convention was held in Peterbor- Motors premises, December 1st and ough, Canada during 1992 and over 2nd saw the policies laid down and the past ten years these happenings the constitution set for what proved have grown in size, complexity and to be the fastest growing MGB orga- popularity. Register officials took a nization in North America. leading part in staging the giant Notables among those at- MG ‘96 event held at the In- 40 41 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
2 Bruce Wyckoff, Martin Boysen, Christopher Roberts: Russ Casolari. dianapolis Speedway and each and every one of our Conventions has been staged by local members with- out reliance on any other parallel event to carry the show! We are hon- 0 ored to have as Honorary Members Don Hayter and Geoff Allen, both of whom were closely associated with the MG Factory, and Ken Costello, father of the MGB V8, and regular contact has been maintained with 0 the MGCC MGB Register back in England. However, an abortive and ill-advised attempt by the MG Car Club to form a North American arm of the parent club was strenuously resisted by the NAMGBR and other 8 major MG Clubs in the States, and eventually foundered. So, twenty years after the last MG rolled off the Abingdon produc- tion lines, we look forward to the next ten years, financially stable and with a growing membership of the greatest bunch of MG enthusi- asts in the world! The MGB Driver Founding Edi- tor Marcham Rhoade published the very first issue just two months after the inaugural meeting in Feb/Mar 1991. A sparse 36 pages, glove-box Ken Nelson size, put together under some 42 43 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 Jai Deagan Secretary – 1994-1997
December 1 and 2, 1990, 614 Eastern S.E., Grand Rapids, Michi- gan, 30-40 MG enthusiasts gath- ered in the shop of John Twist. The purpose of this meeting was the formation of a new MG club, the North American MGB Register. It was an brisk time (the heat in the old shop was less than adequate), it was an tumultuous time (several clubs, here and abroad were compet- ing), it was an exciting time (many of us had been charter members of clubs before, but this was something bigger). Jai Deagan 1990 We seemed to have a common constraints. Would people send in goal—enjoy the MG. We all seemed 2 to have a little different idea of how money for the new organization? Who would we get to print the mag- this was should be done. We were, azine? Who would write articles for and still are, committed to the the Driver? However, it soon became idea of preserving the marque and apparent that this is what members helping owners to enjoy their MGs. wanted and the magazine grew in Many things have happened since 0 that fateful weekend in 1990. New strength and size. We evened up the six issues for the first year by MGs roll of the assembly line, we publishing a unique color edition of have gained some new friends and the Driver for Nov/Dec 1991. By Jan/ lost some old ones, but most of all, Feb 1992 we were up to 50 pages and we have had fun. the magazine boasted a glossy front Ten years seems like a long time 0 ago. As I recall, I only had two MGs and rear cover! Since then over 60 issues have then, now I have five. My wife and been produced and our staff of writ- I attended our first UML Summer ers has seen some famous names Party in August of 1986. I think pass through the pages of the Driver. there were just about 300 cars in John Sprinzel, Syd Beer, David attendance. In 1996 we joined over 9 1,000 other enthusiasts in India- Knowles, Don Hayter, Geoff Allen and others, have, through their napolis to celebrate the marque, the words enhanced the popularity of “marque of friendship.” We have the magazine. Our Tech advisors are traveled from coast to coast and without peer and Bob Mason has north to south and even made a pil- set the standard for consistency in grimage to Abingdon and the Magic advising members with technical Midget Pub. questions. Of course, we also pay Thank you to John, Ken, tribute to our founding Chairman, Jerome, Rock and Bruce for your ef- John H. Twist for his invaluable forts in the early years. We certainly counsel and advice. have enjoyed the first twenty years and look forward to the next.
44 45 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
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46 47 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 NAMGBR Conventions Through the Years By Tony & Lynne Burgess – NAMGBR AGM and Convention Chairs
MG 1992
MG 1996 – Indianapolis, Indiana: The First All-Register MG Event. Activities included tours of the Ropke Military Museum, Conner Prairie Historical Center, tours of Indianapolis – including dinner at the Zoo, and MG 1992 – Peterborough, Ontario: Hosted by the MG Car Club of of course, a lap on the famous Indianapolis 500 Speedway. About 1,300 MGs Toronto. This was first NAMGBR convention. The show included a number of attended this event. activities including a pub night, several driving tours, and the car show. One of the rallies included a “Figure 8” concept where cars set off in two different MG 1997 – Buffalo, New York: Hosted by the Buffalo Octagon Associa- directions from the “center of the eight”, then returned to that location, only tion. Some very nice tours around the Buffalo area as well as bus tours to some to set off later on the other loop in the “8”. One tour took us on a boat cruise historic locations and buildings in downtown Buffalo and to Niagara Falls. around Peterborough and we visited the Lift Lock, which raises boats on a water elevator 65’ to the next level of the Trent Waterway – very impressive to MG 1998 – Hagerstown, Maryland: Hosted by MGs of Baltimore. see boats on this elevator. Over 300 MGs attended this show with special guest long-time MG Factory employee Brian Moylan. A popular attraction at this show was the track day MG 1993 - St. Louis, instruction at Summit Point Raceway – including skidpad training and an Missouri: Hosted by the autocross! MG Club of St. Louis. It was our second conven- MG 1999 – Vancouver, MG 2000 – Cleveland, Ohio: Host- tion, but the first to have British Columbia: Hosted ed by the Emerald Necklace MG Register, concours voting. There by the Canadian Classic it is NAMGBR’s largest show so far with members from 29 separate MG Club in Vancouver. about 450 cars. Rallies through the very affiliated chapters in at- This event was based on the scenic Emerald Necklace MetroParks then tendance. Special guest campus of the University of down into the industrial flats of Cleve- was Ken Costello, the British Columbia, a gorgeous land. The boat trip down the Cuyahoga River on The Goodtime III saw one of the Barbeque time at MG 1993 St. Louis. originator of the MGB V8. setting overlooking the city of Vancouver. We stayed in deckhands go overboard during docking the campus dorms which process. Since show participants don’t MG 1995 - Lake Tahoe, were quite nice and like an like long banquets, the awards ceremony
Hosted by the MG 1994 – Washington DC: apartment. One of the tours was held in the parking lot after the ban- California: Hosted by the MG Car Club-Wash- Sacramento MG Club. This included a trip to Whistler quet. Friday night’s rain forced alternate ington DC Centre. Over 400 cars was our first west coast show. Mountain which was breath- plans so the Rocker Cover Races were were in attendance as was special It was held at the historic Cal- taking. The car show site held the hotel corridor. Saturday’s Car guest Geoff Allen, who worked at Neva Hotel on the shores of overlooking the water was Show was held in the shaded parking lot the MG factory for over 30 years. Lake Tahoe. It was a beautiful really nice. of Burke Lakefront Airport, overlooking show with a 100-mile gim- Also there was Rouche Bentley of downtown Cleveland, and next door mick rally and a visit to the the MG Owners Club who brought to the Science Center and the Rock and National Car Museum as just over his MG RV8. The EPA re- Roll Hall of Fame which allowed folks some of the highlights. quired special water collection for to tour the museums as a break from the hotel car wash area! kicking tires. 48 49 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MG 2006 – Gatlinburg, Tennessee: This was the third MG 2001 – St. Paul, Minneso- All-Register MG event co-hosted by the North American Council ta: This was the Second All-Register of MG Registers and the East Tennessee MG Drivers Club. The MG co-hosted by the North Ameri- rolling hills scenery was great and plenty to do for everyone who can Council of MG Registers, Min- attended. The car show was located about 20 miles out of town nesota MG Group and the Minnesota since that was only one of a few locations large and flat enough to MG-T Club. This Event was held at hold that many cars. The Rocker Cover races had to finish during the Minnesota State Fairgrounds the afternoon’s “spring shower” since there were 45 cars entered. which people really loved. The Fair- About 1,100 MGs attended this event. grounds offered tree lined streets and small “park-like” areas where folks could gather. There were a number of MG 2007 – Sonoma, activities at the Fairgrounds as well as California: Hosted by the MG Owners Club of North- a number of driving tours in the area. MG 2004 Parsippany, New Jersey About 850 MGs attended this event. ern California. As you might expect, there were terrific MG 2004 – Parsippany, drives and tours through this New Jersey: Hosted by the MG part of the country, north of Car Club-Central Jersey Centre. San Francisco. The coastal Some very nice historic drives tour along Highway 1 started through Revolutionary America with heavy fog, but ending in and a Circle Line boat tour of sunshine. The Wine Country Manhattan. A special guest was tour took you to many of the Mike Cook, former PR Director well-known wineries in the for British Leyland. Napa area. The car show was MG 2002 Dallas, Texas held right on the grounds of Adventures of MG 2007 the hotel and next to the golf MG 2002 – Dallas, Texas: course – a really nice setting. The Texas MG Register hosted a very MG 2008 – Valley Forge, nice event located between Dallas Pennsylvania: Hosted by the Phila- and Fort Worth with lots to do with delphia MG Club. There was a great a true “western” theme. Some nice turn out for this show with scenic driving tours around the area as drives set up for the surrounding well as a Texas Ho-down and BBQ. Amish country west of Philadelphia. MG 2010 – Belleville, The high point for many was the pre- Ontario: The second con- miere of the movie Sherman’s Way vention hosted by the MG MG 2003 - St. Louis, Mis- by special guest Craig Saavedra, the MG 2005 Olympia, Washington Car Club of Toronto. There souri: The second event hosted director of the film. were beautiful driving tours by the MG Club of St. Louis. around the peninsula which Some really nice driving tours MG 2005 – Olympia, included wine and beer tours. as well as events downtown at Washington: Hosted by the MG 2009 – Breckenridge, There was a welcome BBQ on “The Arch”. The Club sponsored MG Car Club, Northwest Centre. Colorado: Hosted by the MG Car the lawn of the hotel and a a “gastronomic” bus tour around Another beautiful Northwest Club-Rocky Mountain Centre. A great pub night following a really St. Louis highlighting some of the location in Olympia overlook- location in the Rockies with spectacu- interesting tour of the Royal unique food and historic spots in ing the State Capitol. The trip lar drives through the mountains. Canadian Air Force Museum. St. Louis. Saturday’s car show was through Mt. St. Helen’s blast One evening’s dinner was held at an The car show on Saturday was held in a nice park next to Creve zone was interesting as was the old gold mine with a tour of the mine held on the grounds of the Coeur Lake. climb to see Spirit Lake. The Club before dinner. There were donkeys hotel overlooking the Bay. also hosted one of the evening at the mine and they would take the dinners on an Indian Reserva- food of your plate during dinner if tion. you didn’t pay attention. 50 51 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 and he was kind enough to “All clubs, whether run offer the following memories and by paid staff or by volunteers, observations of the twenty years of encounter difficulties. Membership the Register. waxes and wanes; good people come John Twist: “It was never my and go; newsletter editors eventu- intention to start yet another MG ally burn out. By the late 1980s, the organization. The American organi- original national MGB organization zation of MG owners, factionalized was at a low point. The leaders of the along model lines, seemed opposite organization were not receptive to of the true nature of MG ownership. suggestions, the magazine was poor The MG Car Club got it right with quality, and many of the original their slogan, “MG – The Marque of good people, the volunteers, had Friendship.” The fact that many MG drifted away. We held a meeting enthusiasts owned more than one with the leadership. Attending were NAMGBR at Twenty model and the resounding success Gene Cooper, Harry Brown, Peter of the many University Motors Robinson, my late wife, Caroline Summer Parties at which all MGs Robinson, myself – and perhaps By Kim Tonry & John Twist enthusiasts of the MGB, Midget, were welcome made me realize that some others. I did search my note- and 1100/1300s. An organization instead of many independently books, my “source documents,” for all 1990. MG sports cars had that would be run by and for its operating national MG organiza- this information, but my scribblings ceased rolling off the produc- members; that would be openly tions, there should, instead, be one are scant. The tone of the meeting tion lines of MG’s Abingdon, and democratically operated with F large organization with a common was set at the outset when the leader England plant ten years before. regularly scheduled elections and newsletter and one very large an- of the existing MGB club told us that The name lived on in Europe on officers who would be accountable nual event. It is an understatement they would listen to our complaints the sporty versions of a few British to the membership. to state that my vision was not and our suggestions, but that noth- Leyland coupes, but these had not The inaugural meeting of the shared by the leaders of the several ing would change. We came away re-crossed the Atlantic. But there fledgling organization was held national organizations! To me, the temporarily dismayed. We wrote the still remained a dedicated following in John Twist’s famed MG service function of the organizations was to club, officially, and asked the leaders of MG enthusiasts in Canada and facilities in Grand Rapids, Michigan, provide a good program through a to step down so that a more energet- the U.S. Just as frustrating as the on a cold, dark December weekend. good newsletter, through competent ic team could take the helm and lift lack of new MGs coming in was the MG enthusiasts from across the technical assistance, and through the organization from its doldrums lack of responsiveness from those continent and even from Great Brit- large and well-run national and and turn it into a large, exciting, running the stagnating continent- ain were in attendance. The North regional meetings. vibrant, and responsible club for wide MGB and Midget organization American MGB Reg- MGB owners. As they legally owned that existed then. ister emerged from This state of affairs led to the that meeting. October 22, 1990 (the tenth an- I spoke with niversary of Abingdon’s closing) John Twist announcement of the intent to form a new continent- wide organiza- tion for
Christopher Roberts, Barby Smith, Edna Rosenberger Gene Cooper, Phil Richer, Ron Embling 52 53 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 newsletter; the various coordi- several years ago; Ken was nators… the newsletter editor for years; “A wonderful set of photos still Caroline was the registrar (as she exists from that first meeting, shot had been for the original MGB club). by Dennis Trowbridge of the Chica- Dick Knudson stepped down as goland club. Some show the partici- chairman of the New England MG T pants in passionate debate; some Register several years ago. Ron Em- show others with their eyes nearly bling sold both his Britbooks busi- closed during the more mundane ness and MG Magazine. Phil Richer deliberations. was a participant in an ill-fated “In our enthusiasm, we were all attempt by the MGCC England to certain the membership would sky- take over the MG clubs in the USA rocket to 10,000 and that the origi- by storm (from which came the first nal club would fold. The NAMGBR all register meet – MG International membership continues to hover in – Indy 96, but that is another story!) the range of 2000 and the original and passed away about 15 years ago organization continues on. from ALS. Ken Nelson My attempts to combine was just recognized all the clubs under by NAMGAR for the mantle of the his unflagging MGCC met with years of sup- great resis- port in their John Twist, Dick Knudson, Ron Embling tance. Little organization. attempt has Ken Smith been made has retired the club, they were unwilling to give for the USA; Knudson and Embling since I with- from Moss it up. The die was cast. were there to advise and to keep us drew from Motors and “The call went out among the focused on MGBs; Nelson warned club politics continues to disaffected MGB owners and club us away from complexity with the in the late ‘90s write for the leaders that we would form a new acronym “KISS” (Keep it Simple, to bring the newsletter. club. The site for our meeting was Stupid!). Rock Yarrington, an MGB national clubs Dennis Trow- my own shop, University Motors, in enthusiast from the greater Chicago any closer bridge passed Grand Rapids. This call raised quite area allowed that he was a CPA together – the away several a stir. Phil Richer, overseas director engendering his election as the first all register meets years ago. Jerome of the MG Car Club England made treasurer. notwithstanding. continues to work for plans to attend. “Throughout the weekend, we “The local clubs, Engel Imports/Terry’s “Dick Knudson, chairman of wrangled with the national struc- once separated by mod- Jaguar from his home in the New England MG T Register, ture, the club membership process, els, now nearly all welcome all MG downstate Illinois. Rock Yarrington along with Ron Embling of Brit- the newsletter, and the annual models if not, in fact, all British. suffers from a debilitating illness. books and MG Magazine, drove conventions, plus the legal and fis- The massive MG club meets which David Haywood keeps a low MG out from Oneonta, New York. Ken cal responsibilities. Over all of our at one time drew hundreds upon profile. Rick Ingram, attending Nelson, representing NAMGAR, discussions, the focus was “How can hundreds of MGs and thousands of from the Prairie Octagon Associa- was there. David Haywood, North we best serve the MGB owner.” The enthusiasts have been diluted by the tion, became the second chairman American representative of the basis of the structure was demo- astonishing number of car meets and is now the director of the MG MGCC attended from Toronto, cratic. We spent time on defining an everywhere. It seems that every Council. My dear wife Caroline resplendent in MGCC jewelry. Club affiliated local club and how they church, every volunteer organiza- died in January; and I continue on, leaders from Michigan to Texas were could vote; we enacted a structure to tion, every school hosts some sort of offering technical assistance for the present. Leading the group were give those who were not a member car meet now. Gosh, even my barber MG owners. It is so very pleasing to Ken Smith, Jerome Rosenberger, and of a local club the ability to vote; we hosted a car show! know that I, in part, aided in the for- myself. Richer wanted us to align spent time with the name and how “I was the chairman for the first mation of this very successful MG with the MG Car Club and spoke we might pronounce the abbrevia- term; Jerome was the first secretary organization – the North American of a new umbrella organization tion; how to assign membership and then stepped back in again, MGB Register.” the MGCC had in the works numbers; the content of the 54 55 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 The “John Thornley Nineteen Conventions
Spirit of MG” Award By Bruce Wyckoff and Counting here is only a handful of members who have been to every single he John Thornley Spirit of MG Award is NAMGBR’s highest honor. It is NAMGBR convention, driving their MG from sea to shining sea (well, bestowed at the Annual Convention each year to a person(s) embodying Tsometimes they had to fly, but they’ve still been there). Attending the Tthe spirit and enthusiasm that is the hallmark of the MG marque. annual conventions has been what I considered one of the highlights of the The award is named in honor of John Thornley who, in 1930, became year since Connie and I began going back in 1992. the first Secretary of the MG Car Club, and, having so much enthusiasm for the marque, became an employee of the MG Car Company at Abingdon in At MG 2002, the tenth convention, we started thinking about those 1931. Over the years, John worked his way up to General Manager (1952- of us who had attended all them to that date. As you can see by the picture, 1969) and always remained a true MG enthusiast. It was under his leadership there were sixteen people with “perfect attendance” at that time. that the MG TD, MG TF, MGA, Midget, MGB, etc, came into being. The award itself is a framed original oil painting by Dennis Wharf fea- Larry & Barbara Henle turing the first works MGB/GT – LBL 591E – to compete in an international Roger & Shirley Goebbert event in Sebring, Florida. The painting was a gift from the MG Car Club’s Ken & Barbara Smith MGB Register and was presented by John Watson, of Abingdon, England, to the North American MGB Register at MG 96 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Don & Bobbie Peery The decision was made to use the painting as an annual traveling award Connie & Bruce Wyckoff to be given, on loan, to the current recipient with the understanding that it Jai & Sue Deagan is their responsibility to have the print at the next year’s annual convention Rick & Jean Ingram to be presented to the next recipient. At that time, a plaque with a reproduc- Len & Debi Fortin tion of the painting is given to the previous year’s recipient of this honor to keep. Each year, the NAMGBR executive board, with the input from coordi- In the picture posted in the MGB nators, registrars, and members, chooses the award recipient. Driver from September/October 2005 (page 30), the number was And the winners are… down to 11 people
1996 – Jerome Rosenberger Benton, Illinois Larry & Barbara Henle 1997 – Kim Tonry Downers Grove, Illinois Roger & Shirley Goebbert 1998 – Don Bridger Jonesboro, Arkansas Don Peery 1999 – Tom Boscarino Asheville, North Carolina Connie & Bruce Wyckoff 2000 – Lynne and Tony Burgess Westerville, Ohio Jai & Sue Deagan 2001 – Wayne Kube Plano, Texas Rick & Jean Ingram 2002 – Leo and Debbie Fortin Geely, Ontario Canada 2003 – The Looft Family Wilmington, Ohio As of MG 2010 in Belleville, we are down to just eight people. You’ll no- 2004 – Rick Ingram St Joseph, Illinois tice that Don Perry has an asterisk. Well, that’s because he and his MG were just thirty miles from Breckenridge for MG 2009 when he had an emergency 2005 – Don Perry Edmond, Oklahoma that caused him to be unable to attend at the last minute, but since he was so 2006 – Ken Smith Goleta, California close and made such a huge effort to be there, it has been counted by special 2007 – Charles & Kim de Bourbon Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania decree of the Chairman: 2008 – John Twist Ada, Michigan 2009 – Larry and Barb Henle Marshall, Minnesota Roger & Shirley Goebbert 2010 – Richard and Carol Brown Bloomington, Illinois Larry & Barbara Henle Bruce & Connie Wyckoff Jai Deagan Don Peery * 56 57 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
Scale models of prototype MGBs-AD023, left and Frua styled MGB, right.
At this point it is well worth but this somewhat striking car met considering the changing face of with little approval and the project MG sportscar production at Abi- was scrapped. First MGB Prototype - EX214 ndon. From the 1930’s until the Both these two potential MGA outbreak of war in 1939, MG produc- replacements had started on the Birth of a Legend: tion had always been low volume. premise of a separate chassis and It was only with the post-war TC body, but the increasingly high vol- (10,000) and the TD (30,000) that umes of sports car production made Don Hayter’s Story relatively high volumes became a this a time consuming and costly For any car to have remained in fact of life at Abingdon. The MGA process. On the other hand, the idea By Andrew Roberts production for eighteen years and introduced in 1956 was to expand of a monocoque production sports MG Enthusiast Magazine to be resurrected some eleven years the sports car market vastly – as with car had the initial disadvantages of Reprinted from the Sept/Oct 1992 after its apparent demise, has to he over 100,000 cars made, it brought high initial tooling costs, although MGB Driver unique in the motoring world and sports car motoring to a growing the online production economies it speaks volumes for the ‘rightness’ section of the market. would be very great. Both, MG Gen- s many of our members know, of the MGB concept, its design and At the same time there was also eral Manager John Thornley and Don Hayter, MG’s former translation into manufacture, some volume sports car production from Syd Enever, were convinced that if AChief Engineer was our fea- three decades ago. The credit for the Triumph, Austin-Healey, Jaguar, and volumes for the new MG sports car tured keynote speaker at MG 1992 MGB has to go to MG’s then Chief Sunbeam, and the inevitable result were to exceed those of the MGA, and was our special guest at MG Engineer, Syd Enever whose team was that many of the new breed of separate chassis construction would 2006. Here, Don, the North Ameri- had been augmented by two indi- sports car drivers, particularly in the be a severe limiting factor, and it was can MGB Register’s first Honorary viduals who were to play fundamen- United States, were looking for high- therefore decided that monocoque Member, talks to Andrew Roberts of tal roles in the MGB story. First of er standards and accommodation construction would be adopted. MG Enthusiast Magazine, about the these was the late Roy Brocklehurst, than those afforded by traditional One enormous advantage early days of the MGB. who had originally joined Abingdon models with their firm ride, detach- was that because of his previous In 1981, after the Abingdon fac- as a design apprentice in 1947 and able side screens, and relatively experience at Pressed Steel where tory had built its last MGB, British who was ultimately to succeed Syd cramped and sparse interiors. his career had begun, Don Hayter Leyland’s press advertising for the as Chief Engineer on his retirement It was against this background was well used to this method of Limited Edition model described in 1971. that Abingdon was closely examin- construction. It was Syd Enever’s it as “the most loved, most famous The other key player in the ing the alternatives for the MGA pairing of Roy Brocklehurst on the sportscar that has ever been built. evolution of the MGB was of course replacement and Don Hayter was chassis design and Don Hayter on This, some 18 years and 512,880 Don Hayter who would also become involved with the EX205/1 project the body side, that was to be so vehicles later than the first MGB, MG’s Chief Engineer, and the last car which, revised under his pencil instrumental in making the new launched to the public in 1962. one! Joining MG in 1956 under Syd became the full size mock up. He MG s sports car a success from the Astonishingly, that an eighteen Enever, he was immediately put to recalls, “The coupe was a bit like a moment it was launched. year model run should have been work on projects for the MGA Twin war horse in full armor, with curves In these days of so much com- just eight variants, since the MGB Cam as well as the styling of the Le in all the right places, but still not puter aided design, when so much of was expected to have been replaced Mans MGA coupe, for which he un- quite right.” Preceding this had the preliminary work in the design sometime in 1970. So, for once, the doubtedly drew on his experience been a prototype of a Frua-styled sector is speeded up, it is interesting copywriter’s hyperbole was justi- at Aston Martin where he worked roadster on an MGA 1500 chassis to discover how quickly the MGB fied. 58 prior to joining MG. 59 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 project, which was allocated the number EX214/1, reached fruition. In 1959, drawing on the lines of EX181, MG’s last record breaker, Don put pen to paper indicating the likely form of MG’s new sports car. Unlike the preceding project this was always conceived as an open car and as he recalls it was one of those projects which seemed right from the start. “I drew everything to quarter scale and straight away passed it to MG’s model maker, Harry Herring, who produced the model within six weeks. That was Don Hayter sharing his experiences designing the MGA and MGB to a standing room only in the Summer of 1959 and I was crowd at MG 2006 Gatlinburg, Tennessee. able to design it from the stand- car some three inches shorter than in production terms. Had the IRS point that it had to be an easy car the MGA! route been adopted, the spare wheel to get into production, and here Much of the early development would have had to be leaned against my experience with Aston Martin work on the prototype centered the rear bulkhead with the gas tank and Pressed Steel was to be very around the rear suspension. Don behind. With the greater length important. Once the finished Don Hayter attended MG 2006 in Gatlinburg, Hayter recalls, “Syd Enever wanted a the spare wheel could now lie flat model had been approved at Tennessee. Here after giving a “tech session”. softer suspension than the MGA, so on the boot floor, while the petrol Abingdon, John Thonley took it trailing arm with Panhard rod and tank was to assume its traditional to BMC at Longbridge where it was engine in the hands of unsympa- thetic drivers undoubtedly put paid coil spring was the way to go, Roy under-slung position. The second immediately passed and allocated Brocklehurst put in many hours of prototype MGB incorporated these the project number ADO23. Then to this idea. Finally there was a proposal development on this set-up. Hun- changes and the 1800cc engine a full size mock up was prepared dreds of miles of road testing were was fitted, the first prototype was and BMC’s top brass approved the for a two liter, in line, four cylinder engine, developed from the BMC completed but the testers did not scrapped but the surviving photo- project.” like the tendency of the car to steer graphs show just how close it was What is clearly astonishing C-Series Six, the body of EX 214 hav- ing been designed to accommodate itself from the back. Put very simply, to the production version. Interest- about EX 21411 was that it was the car did not feel as ‘forgiving’ as ingly enough, Don recalls there was ‘right’ from the very start. The this power unit. It was, however the further development of the four-cyl- the MGA, and this was the death none of the press hype and ‘scoops’ first 1/4 scale model was virtually knell for the IRS system. Interest- regarding the possible introduction identical to the prototype and the inder B-Series unit, this time with a capacity of 1798cc that was to power ingly a MGA with an independent of the new MGB. The prototypes subsequent production MGBs, quite rear end was not proceeded with and the preproduction versions, unlike many projects where the the MGB – with the exception of the V8 and MGC derivatives – through- either. As far as the front suspension which totaled eight, were regularly initial proposal changes substan- was concerned, this was virtually driven on the roads around Abing- tially before it reaches production. out its production life. In terms of interior space, identical with the MGA, which in don and were also tested at the For the MGA replacement there had turn first saw use in the MG TF.” MlRA track at Nuneaton. “The press been consideration given to the V4 the MGB was as different from its predecessor as chalk and cheese. In So despite the advanced rear respected our secrecy and embar- prototype engine being developed suspension ideas, the MGB was to goes then” said Don, “However just by BMC. Prototypes had been-made the MGA the cockpit area could best be described as ‘intimate’, but in the retain a cart sprung system like its before the launch a French photog- with both cast iron and alloy blocks, MGA predecessor, however Roy rapher visited Abingdon complete but the substantial investment ‘B’ there was now a definite sense of space. The cockpit length was Brocklehurst modified this with with a distractingly attractive girl required for the development of the longer spring leaves, and inclined assistant, seeking to obtain scoop new power unit were such that it increased from 32 1/2’’ to 49 3/4”, while the width increased by no less them to promote slight understeer. pictures of the new MG – that par- was abandoned. There was a further Unfortunately, this meant the ticular ploy did not work either!” proposal to fit the car with the MGA than five and a half inches from 45” to 51 1/2”. Yet such was the packag- overall length of the MGB had to The attention to detail on Twin Cam unit although the reli- be increased by one inch, although the MGB project applied to every ability record of this particular ing achieved by Syd Enever and his team that the result was a there were to be substantial gains aspect of the car, not just its 60 61 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 mechanical specification, and the roadster with the top u p
the seating design was a case in – the very narrow depth wind- From the book, point. Jimmy O’Neil was involved screen. “This was dictated by the with the seating from the outset, Appendix J Regulations for sportscar
and developed the first one piece racing and why it has been referred cushion mouldings manufactured to as beetle browed”, Don explains, “Limited Edition” by Aeropreen Products of High Wy- “We also carried out a considerable comb in Buckinghamshire. These amount of research into the sump were a substantial innovation in baffles in the engine –because of the driver and pas- effects of hard
senger comfort, cornering, par- by Ken Smith the MGB being ticularly if the one of the first car was being cars to befitted driven in compe- with them. The tition. It was also combination of always intended these and the that, for light- Pirelli Webbing ness, the MGB underframe should have an was to continue aluminum bon- throughout net, doors, and the production trunk lid, but life of the car, ultimately only and anyone the aluminum who has driven bonnet saw its long distances way onto the in an MGB production Bs Don Hayter, second from the left, “PR” photo for the 500,000 MGB LE will testify to and then just the soundness for a short time. was priced at £834.6.3d inclusive of less other changes were made to the of the combi- Again, we were purchase tax. So was launched a 110 B during its life including the fitting nation. Don concerned about MPH sports car that was to set new of black polyurethane bumpers to Hayter recalls heavy-handed standards of road holding, per- comply with U.S. regulations. The that a consider- owners and formance, comfort, and all round whole question of compliance with able amount of mechanics. reliability, which over half a million these increasingly stringent require- on-the-road The early first owners would enjoy. However, ments prompts Don to recall how research Sebring Don takes great pains to point out MG and other European manufac- was carried “. . .the MGB-GT, still regarded MGBs that the launch of the MGB was only turers worked together with the out to de- were in the start of a continuous develop- American authorities on the fram- termine the as one of the most classic body fact very ment program which ran right ing of the regulations. Roy Brock- optimum shapes of all time . . .” standard, through until the two-liter 0-series, lehurst became an increasingly set up for it was engine change program was aborted regular trans-Atlantic commuter on the seats. As onlv later towards the end of the model’s life. behalf of MG at this time! he points that the The MGB GT, still regarded as one of Perhaps the final word on out, “The compe- the most classic body shapes of all the MGB should be Don Hayter’s crush rate of the car seat cushions tition cars made extensive use of time appeared in 1965, was followed comments on Syd Enever. “He was is crucial for driver and passenger alloy panels, which I organized with by the MGC in 1967, and the MGB the best self-taught engineer ever, comfort, and has to be in phase with Pressed steel.” GT V8 in 1973. and someone who always made the car’s suspension.” The first MGBs were completed On the MGB itself, overdrive you think. He knew precisely what Abingdon always intended that in May 1962, the initial 500 des- was added as an option in 1963, he wanted with the MG – getting the new MGB would be capable of tined for the vital North American a five bearing crankshaft engine the exhaust note right is a classic modifications for competition use, export sportscar market. The substituting the original three bear- example – and the enormous success and this explains one of the most public launch was at the 1962 ing crank in 1964, and the Salisbury and popularity of the MGB is the oft heard complaints regarding London Motor Show where it rear axle fitted in 1967. Count- best possible tribute to him.” 62 63 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 Registrars of the NAMGBR 20 Years On . . . MGB Limited Edition Registrar Hammer & Tongs Registrar By David Knowles two decades before the millennium, 1967 MGB/GT Special Registrar Phil Smith author MG: The Untold Story and MGB it was still not that uncommon to Ken Smith 5 Willow Lane see MGBs and Midgets in use as P.O. Box 8645, Goleta, CA 93117 Farmington, CT 06032 t hardly seems possible that the daily drivers, their pilots often seen (805) 683-2906 • [email protected] (860) 674 1179 spring of 2011 marks twenty years as eccentric bulwarks against the Isince the first issue of MGB Driver bland and boring progeny of most Midget Registrar New Generation Registrar landed on my doormat. That two contemporary carmakers. Col. Robert Swetzer James Woolf house moves ago MG had been ab- P.O. Box 1145 [email protected] and just as my sent from Red Rock, AZ 85245 older daughter ar- the North (520) 904-3768 rived in the world American [email protected] (she is now study- market for ing at University a decade by 1974½ MGB Registrar – I’ll leave you 1991 and if Scott Perry to guess which the marque 538 Hooper Ave one – living just had risen Simi Valley, CA 93065 behind the site like Lazarus [email protected] of the old Morris in some Garages!). markets, the MGB V8 Registrar When Modified Registrar products I knew that bearing the Mike Grieco one of the key badge were 2402 Sylvan Ave. lovers behind little like the Wilmington, Delaware, 19805 the NAMGBR’s sports cars Phone: 302-998-4514 new glove-box that most ad- E-mail: [email protected] sized maga- herents of the zine was my octagon faith Pull-Handle MGB Registrar good friend remembered Bill Barge “Marcham with affec- 930 N. 350 E., Angola, IN 46703 Rhoade”, I tion. Indeed, (260) 665-6476 knew that we the project [email protected] would be in to repackage for a regular MG 1100/1300 Registrar Austin sedans good read. and hatch- Bill Fox The man backs with MG 998 Northwestern Ave with a bot- badges was just Fairview Heights, IL 62208 tomless box of [email protected] coming to an MG trivia never disappointed with end in that same year. his fascinating revelations, much of 100,000 Mile Registrar Two years before, the canny it culled from obscure sources and Japanese carmaker Mazda had Jai Deagan the remainder often gleaned first 11825 Columbia Highway stolen MG’s mojo with the magic hand over a glass of Old Speckled Miata, and all that MG fans in the Eaton Rapids, MI 48827 Hen from an old Abingdonian. [email protected] New World could dream of were Of course, the passage of time free-range Heritage bodyshells is like a lens and we can look back and perhaps a magical confluence Original Owner Registrar to the MG world of 20 years back in Bill Hawkins between a lotto win and a well- myopic wonder. 1991 was just elev- thumbed copy of the Moss Motors 2301 Kendricks Court en years after the death of the old Raleigh, NC 27613 catalogue. The MGB-derived MG car factory whose products brought RV8 sports car was still a year away (919) 676-8888 sports car lovers such joy. In the [email protected] from launch, and the all-new 64 65 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010 MGB Driver • Anniversary Issue • December 2010
MGF mid-engined baby Ferrari decision was really cost based, MGB Production Statistics three years beyond that, but both but for me it added a little extra By Caroline Robinson, University Motors would remain frustratingly irrel- something!). evant for the US and Canadian fans The magazine has always of ‘the sports car that America loved had enough to interest every MG first’. lover – and it nicely linked owners’ Back in 1991, there were some day-to-day experiences, trials and great classic car magazines and a few tribulations with invaluable advice that specialised in MG; publishing and fascinating titbits from history. a magazine Contributions from John and then as now, Caroline was a risky Twist and business and the afore- not every mentioned bank man- “Marcham ager would Rhoade” look kindly (and his upon the oil- close confi- stained pages dante Ken of the would- Smith) be MG were publisher’s among the prospectus. highlights In ventures for me, of this kind, but gems you need a popped up ‘USP’, which all the time, is not a making the computer arrival of port with each succes- a lisp but sive issue an a ‘Unique event to be Selling savoured. Point’. Despite The the passing MGB Driver of edito- had two: rial batons firstly, the from one people enthusiast to behind another, the knew their tar- premise and get audience intimately and it was promises have remained consistent, publishing ‘for the people by the and the MGB Driver of today still people’ in a way that President Lin- fulfils a vital role in our regular MG coln might have appreciated, had reading fix. Will there ever be a new he been an MG fan. The second USP MG sports car as loved as the MGB? was the distinctive size: about the Who knows – but at least we can same size as an MG driver’s hand- continue to enjoy the ones we’ve book (obviously no coincidence!) got and the camaraderie of our fel- and in those days, rather gloriously low enthusiasts – and keep reading and artistically printed wholly in about them in the MGB Driver. black and white (I’m sure the Happy Birthday! 66 67 Below, Cecil Kimber created MG Brand. Below, created Kimber Cecil Above, William Morris, owner of MG. of Above, Morris, owner William
NORTH AMERICAN MGB REGISTER P.O. BOX 55 PRST STD The early factory where the inspiration inspiration the where factory early The U.S. POSTAGE and the passion for MG was born. for passion the and Whittington, IL 62897-0055 Address Service Requested PAID PADUCAH, KY PERMIT #154