VOLUME 22, NUMBER 5 Nov-Dec 2017

INSIDE THIS ISSUE UPCOMING EVENTS stop on Burnaby Moun- tain of about 15 minutes. Chairman’s Welcome 2 Hearts and Tarts / Valen- London Brighton Run 3 tine's Day Run - Sunday, Cars of Branch members 5 February 11, 2018 Ending at the Rose and Editor’s Message 7 Crown pub, 1203 56th

Langley Hospice Donation 8 Street, Delta BC Start: Welcome to the OECC / Arrival at pub 12:30. Gardenworks at Mande- Rear View Mirror / At The ville Gardens, 4746 Ma- Wheel 9 rine Drive, Burnaby. Please let Steve Blake 10:00 am arrival for know if you will be at- 10:30 departure. tending by February 5,

Drive is about 1 hour 30 2018 [email protected] minutes additional rest

Photo: Lorna Participants in this year’s London Brighton Commemorative Run gather in front of the Town and Country Inn just prior to starting off. This year’s run was a great success with sunny skies prevailing on what was forecast to be a not so nice day. 54 British cars representing 18 different marques took part “Iwith wonder 81 peopleif they’ll sitting take the for Thames lunch asat a the trade Fog in?” and Fiddle Pub in Langley. VCB visits the Vancouver Tesla Dealership (story page 2) Many thanks to Malcolm and Tony for organizing and Alan, Maureen and Bernie for volunteering at the 2017 Run. Story, page 3.

Chairman’s Welcome By Walter Reynolds

Hello Everyone. Well, in case you’ve not heard, I volunteered to do a sec- ond term as Chairman of the VCB. My offer was not refused! With that, we now ‘only’ have 2 vacancies on the Executive Committee, one for Vice- Chair and the other for Regalia Coordinator. I believe that it is important that you know, especially the members who have not spent time on the Executive Committee, that I have put my personal 2018 goals on hold to make sure that the Branch has a Chair. I won’t be available for 2019 be- cause there is a two-consecutive year limit for incumbents of both the Chair position and the Vice-Chair and as I noted earlier, 2018 will be my second term as Chair. And so, it’s time for me to get on with business!

The 2018 Executive Committee consists of:

Chairman: Walter Reynolds Vice-Chairman: Vacant

Immediate Past-Chairman: John McDonald Treasurer: Bernie Miles

Secretary / Roundabout Editor: Steve Hutchens Membership Coordinator: John Chapman

Events Coordinator: Lorna Hoare Webmaster / Communications: Alan Miles Good & Welfare: Audrey & Bart Shaw Regalia Coordinator: Vacant

On December 5 th we had the Branch Christmas Dinner; 32 in attendance. We all had a very enjoya- ble dinner and evening. Lorna give out many door prizes but no doors, as someone quipped.

At the first Executive Committee meeting of the New Year (exact date TBA) I will be asking the Committee (amongst other items of business) to consider:

~ Reducing the number of Executive meetings to 3 per year from the current 4 per year;

~ Picking a different venue for the August Picnic (Stewart Historical Farm) based on feedback provided at the AGM;

~ Establishing the Langley Hospice Society as the society that the VCB supports, till further no- tice, for the annual London to Brighton Commemorative Run’s registration fees donation.

We have no event scheduled for January but members are welcome to organize a run or shop visit for us to attend. In fact, although we have published the 2018 Events Calendar, any member who wants to organize a run or shop visit, or combination of both on a day/date not shown on the Cal- endar should feel free to do so. Please contact Lorna Hoare, Events Coordinator with the plan and she will ensure that it is published to the members. As I write this we are less than three weeks away from Christmas. Linda and I wish you all a Mer- ry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Perhaps you’ll find something under the tree for your classic British car, truck or motorbike! Remember to drive just fast enough to stay ahead of the rust. See you in the New Year.

Walter Reynolds, Chairman, OECC-VCB

VOLUME 22,NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 2 2017 London to Brighton Commemorative Run. By Malcolm Tait Photos by Alan and Mary Lou Miles and Dan Wells

The 2017 “London to Brighton Commemorative Run” was held on the Sunday, November 5 h. The same day as the UK London to Brighton Run – the 121st anniversary of the first such event in 1896. The Tait's motor along in their Rover P6 Weather is always a factor at this time of year which influences the number of participants which has varied from less than 30 to over 60. Two days before the event this year it snowed, this was the earliest that there has been snow in the Van- couver area in the past 30 years. Snow and freezing temperatures were forecast for the day of the run. Luckily the forecasters were wrong. It turned out to be a clear, crisp Fall day – ideal for the drive with spectacular views of the local mountains covered in the first snow of winter. The forecast did not deter the owners of the 54 cars who went on the drive. The two oldest cars were a 1933 Alvis and a 1935 Aston Martin Ulster.

The start point was the Town and Country Inn, Delta, which we have used on several occasions in the past. At the outset, and for the second year, Derek Carr, a member of the Tri- umph Club, appeared in Victorian attire. Derek played the role of Lord Winchilsea who was instrumental in having the red flag requirement abolished in 1878 and the speed limit increased to 14 mph in 1896. “ Lord Winchilsea” reminded the group of these historic events and that the first London to Brighton run in the UK in 1896 was to celebrate the in- creased speed limit. Derek also reported that this year 604 pre-1905 vehicles were registered of which about 400 were expected to make the journey from London to Brighton. Be- cause of the time difference the last of the cars are puttering into Brighton at the time our run commences in BC. To start the run “Lord Winchilsea” then invited VCB Chairman, Wal- Lorna, John and Mary Lou at the ter Reynolds to assist him with the tradition of tearing up the Town and Country Red Flag.

The route took us south with a stop at Blackies Spit Park which has magnificent views of the ocean and mountains. From there along “0” Ave which is the Canada/ US border and then winding our way through back roads way to our destina- tion, the Fox and Fiddle Pub in Langley. There we enjoyed a good lunch and camaraderie. This was the fifth year that the Run has ended here, a testament to the Pub’s popularity.

Derek Carr (aka “Lord Winchilsea”) addresses the crowd

Tom Popovich’s Jensen GT Continued next page…

VOLUME 22,NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 3 Statistics:

- 54 British cars

- 18 British makes represented - most numerous were MG (13) and Jaguar (6).

- 11 British Car Clubs represented

- 20 cars were from VCB members

- 81had lunch at the Fox and Fiddle.

- $600 was donated to the Langley Hospice Society, ($ 535 from registrations plus $65 from (OECC - VCB).

Tony Cox and Malcolm Tait served as the organizing committee. Once again Alan Inglis and Maureen Kirkbride manned the registration desk. This year a second desk was added manned by Bernie Miles which handled the purchase of L to B plates, club regalia and memberships. Keeping registrations separate from other revenues simplified the ac- counting Over the years Walter Reynolds had developed Guidelines for the Organizing Committee with a detailed time-line of what needs doing and when. This is very valuable to the Organizing Committee and it will be passed on to organizers of next year's event.

Statistics: 2016 2017

- British cars 53 54

- British makes represented - 19 18

- Most numerous were:

- MG 11 13

- Jaguar 9 6

- British Car Clubs represented 11 11

- Cars from VCB members 27 20

- Lunch at the Fox and Fiddle. 57 81

- Donated to Charity $ 600 $600

(550 +50) (535 +65)

VOLUME 22,NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 4 Cars of Branch Members and Their Stories til I acquired another car and thought to give the B a rest. The other car was a 1957 Studebaker President By Walter Reynolds which I inherited from my grandfather.

I parked the GT with the plan of restoring it someday. The Cars of Mike McChesney as told by Mike. Then in 1987 I convinced Karlie, my wife, to marry me, accepting that the deal included two classic cars, one In this Roundabout issue we hear about the cars of re- working and one not really there yet. We used the Stu- cent member, Mike McChesney. The story, as written by debaker for our wedding car then I parked it to use a Mike, covers his inherited North American car and his more reliable car as a daily driver (and one with power British cars. Photos are from Mike. steering and brakes for Karlie). Now I had two project cars and I couldn’t resist working on both at the same My first four wheels. time. That might have made sense if I didn’t have a I am not sure when it started. It might have been full time job and a growing family with four kids. Over when I was in high school, before I could drive. In 1969 time Karlie observed that the garage in our happy I was sponsored in the Western Canada Soap Box Der- home was filling with car parts and none seemed to be by (in Mission, BC) by Greenberg and Loptson Motors going back together (no one else has had this problem, a distributor in Coquitlam, BC. right?). Enough was enough and a few years ago Karlie finally recommended that I go seek professional help (I took it to mean for the cars). I started with the MGB and found a shop which put my baby back together leaving me some finishing work that I could manage. As the old British rocker Richard Thompson’s song goes “My MGB GT, she’s a runner now”. The GT has taken me to Reno, Nevada in 2011 for the all-MG meet and to Corvallis, Oregon in 2013 for the MGB meet. In 2014 I went on the Hagerty Spring Thaw (picture below) mystery trip through parts of southern BC, mingling with other classic car enthusi- asts.

The picture above shows me practising my racing form. This may be when I developed a comfort with small cars, British cars. I do remember one guy at school had a Triumph GT6 which I thought was one of the coolest cars I had ever seen.

My first car. I bought my first British car 38 years ago in 1979. A I will confess that I have had to work out some bugs on used 1967 MGB GT. I was saving money to go back to those long trips and was glad to travel with other Brit- University and found that I had also saved enough to ish car enthusiasts to get me going again… more than buy my first car. I couldn’t believe I now owned a for- I care to admit. Knowing people who unselfishly do all eign sports car. It was somewhat like a GT6. It did in their power to help get our wheels rolling down the need a little work, but these are great cars to work on road is so incredibly comforting. A great example of my with some basic understanding of mechanics and I luck was when I broke down on the outskirts of Corval- could do most of what was needed myself. (However if I lis on my way to the MGB meet. Within five minutes of knew where I would be today I would not have having my hood up John Twist (the MG guru) hap- swapped out all those classic hose clamps with clamps pened by in a beautiful MGA and got me going with a from the hardware store…which I have now replaced temporary fix. The next day he spent more time trou- with retro hose clamps). ble shooting and replacing a burnt regulator. There is more to this story which I would be happy to explain at Further forward in time and out of University, the another time. MGB was my faithful (mostly reliable) daily driver un-

VOLUME 22,NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 5 ever, I still enjoy driving Grandfather’s dream car. I’ll have to try camping with it some day!

The Stone

I now had two working cars to enjoy on drives and take to shows, but I still had the urge to fix something (you probably know the feeling; you can also probably see Karlie rolling her eyes). I started looking for another MGB or Studebaker project car. Then I came across the opportunity to acquire an interesting car, a 1967 Princess 4 litre R. A couple were looking for a good home for their own project car. They were A recent photo of the “B”. moving and could not take the car with them. The lady had inherited the car from her father who ordered this My grandfather’s car. special car, new. It was the family car until he stopped driving and parked it in 1980s. The daughter’s dream was to restore the car she fondly remembered from her childhood. She wanted to be able to take it to the ABFM at Van Dusen one day. It was hard for her to let it go but she felt I was worthy of taking proper care of her baby. Among the things she gave me was an origi- nal newspaper clipping and picture from 1967 showing her father proudly receiving his new car. That made it very special for me.

In 1957 Studebaker produced 11,747 Presidents in the US and Canada. 429 were made in Canada. My grand- father ordered his new car from Studebaker Canada and it was one of the 429. The car was shipped across Canada by rail from Ontario to the car dealer in New Westminster where my grandfather watched it being un-crated before proudly driving it home to Coquitlam. It was his dream to buy an Airstream trailer and trav- el with my Grandmother. The Studebaker with its 289 cu in V8 engine would do the job. When I was a kid I When I showed Karlie a picture I took of the Princess remember looking at advertisements for Airstream before I bought it, hoping to capture her interest, her trailers in my Grandfather’s National Geographic mag- reaction was “sure is an ugly princess”. Not what I azines. Unfortunately, my grandfather never did get expected. Then I told her the good news that it comes the trailer but the next best thing was to have the with an ugly sister, parts car, the Black Princess. Un- front seat “Pullman-ized” so that it folded down into a deterred by Karlie’s lack of enthusiasm I brought the bed for camping. My grandparents installed cables Royal Family home. Now, Cinderella went unnoticed along the headliner to hang curtains around the win- until with some scrubbing and the right accessories dows. That is how they went camping. she became the belle of the ball. And we all know what happened next to Cinderella. Karlie’s not seeing it yet. I grew up five houses down from my grandparents and Much work to do. knew the Studebaker from my childhood. I recently had it restored as close as I could to the way my grand- “Stone” is Vanden Plas’ body colour designation for father had it, including clear plastic seat covers over this car. 4 litre R represents 4-Litre Rolls Royce en- the original upholstery (not so nice in hot weather), gine. The Princess 4 litre R was the result of an agree- BCAA sticker in the window and the car dealer script ment between the British Motor Corporation (BMC) on the trunk. If you have ever driven a big, old, heavy, and Rolls-Royce. Austin was targeting the executive / American car, with drum brakes all around, not pow- diplomat market. It was the first time Rolls-Royce had ered, no power steering and incredible thirst for gas one of its engines used in a mass production type car. you sure appreciate our agile little British cars. How- The engine was a version of the six-cylinder Rolls-

VOLUME 22,NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 6 Royce unit used in Rolls-Royce and passenger A big “Thank You” to Mike for taking the time to tell us cars as well military vehicles. about his cars. The “Cars of Branch Members and Their Stories” returns with the next issue of the Round- Princess was Austin’s luxury line. Just under 7,000 about with a ‘guest appearance’ by South Island Vanden Plas 4 litre Rs were made between 1964 and Branch’s Trevor Parker telling us about his cars, espe- 1968. Some may recognize the Princess as a version of cially his A90. I have not come up an Austin A99 Westminster or Wolseley 6/99 with with a schedule of appearances for the remaining 2018 Vanden Plas interior treatment. Sir Leonard Lord, Roundabout issues, but will be approaching ‘volunteers’ BMC’s Chairman, had a chauffeur driven 4 litre R. A 4 soon. In the meantime, if you would like to tell Branch litre R was also built for HM The Queen. Sadly, the members about your British vehicle/s, contact me at marketplace didn’t appreciate the Princess (maybe too [email protected] or on my cell at 604-312-9015. Till many Karlies) and production ended in 1968. Today then, Happy Holiday reading from me and Linda. the model has a strong preservationist following and is represented well in the Vanden Plas Owners Club.

My plan is to tackle this as a preservation project first. Stop the deterioration, make it work, and make it safe. Then someday in the future make it beautiful (enduring a lot of frowns from Karlie until that hap- pens). This is a big project for me and I will learn a lot doing it. I’ll make some mistakes I’m sure. My first big step is getting the engine running. Fingers crossed. Then some day that lady may be able to see her Dad’s dream car at the Vancouver Van Dusen ABFM.

[The two Princess 4 Litre Rs referred to by Mike were owned by an ex-VCB member who had tried, unsuccess- fully to sell the cars to someone in the Branch. As Mike is new to the VCB, it appears that she was, after all, successful in selling the cars to a Branch member. The MG Boo. WDR.]

Editor’s Message

Well the time has come for me to say goodbye as the editor of the Roundabout. It has been a great eight years and I have enjoyed it very much but all good things must come to an end. Have no fear though, I am leaving us all in very capable hands. As many of you already know, Steve Hutchens has agreed to take over the reins. Steve did the job once before having been editor for the eight years previous to my tenure and it was he who showed me the ropes. I’m sure Steve has some exciting new ideas for the Rounda- bout and I, for one, look forward to many more years of our great little newsletter. (Photo: Lorna Hoare) I must thank all of the people who have contributed articles and pictures etc. to the Roundabout over the last eight years. Because of you I have rarely had to resort to “filler” articles (ie: articles not written by Branch members). While I can’t list every person who has given their time to the Roundabout special mention must go to Walter Reynolds, Les Foster, Steve Hutchens and John Chapman for their multiple articles (who can forget John’s “What Was I Thinking” series to name but one).

Thanks and I’ll see you down the road.

Alan

VOLUME 22,NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 7 The London-Brighton Commemorative Run Does Good! VCB Donates $600 to the Langley Hospice

From: Wendy Vetsch [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: December 4, 2017 9:24 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Thank You For Your Recent Donation to Langley Hospice!

Dear Mr. Miles: Thank you, to you and the members of the Old English Car Club of BC, for your thoughtfulness and generous support of the Langley Hospice Society. Your gift will have a direct impact in ensuring palliative and bereavement care and support is available for individuals and families when they need it most. Mr. Walter Reynolds, who forwarded your group’s donation from the London to Brighton Commemorative Run to us, requested that we send you a receipt for the donation for your club records. I have attached the receipt to this message – if you need anything further, please do not hesitate to contact me. Donations to the Langley Hospice Society enable us to provide quality, compassionate care and support for individuals and their fami lies, including: ·training for the volunteers who provide companionship and support for individuals in the hospice residence, 12 hours per day, 7 days per week; vigil support and caregiver respite in the home, hospital, or community care facility; · a growing number of innovative, clientcentred bereavement programs including individual and group grief support programs; anticipa tory, early and ongoing support for children, teens, adults and families; Cooking For One, the Supportive Steps Walking Group; an Infant Loss Support Group, Coffee Groups, a Widows Support Group; and a Loss Support Group for parents who have lost an adult child; and, · grief support and outreach programs in local schools, summer camp and seasonal day camp programs and other activitybased support programs for grieving children and teens. Once again, thank you sincerely for your kindness and generosity. The end of life journey is an incredibly personal one, but that doesn’t mean it must be travelled alone. Your support is both heartwarming and reassuring to those experiencing the loss of a loved one. We are grateful beyond measure; thank you.

Regards,

Wendy Vetsch Administrative Manager Walter presents our Langley Hospice Society $600.00 donation to Shannon Todd-Booth, 20660 48 Avenue Communications and Langley, BC V3A 3L6 Funds Development Man- ager, Langley Hospice So- Phone: 6045301115 ciety Fax: 6045308851 www.langleyhospice.com

(Photo: Mike Speke)

VOLUME 22,NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 8

REAR VIEW MIRROR

I thought it fitting that my last Rear View Mirror picture contain some products of the Rootes Group. Amongst all the mostly American cars is a Sunbeam Minx and a Hillman Minx.. A Mini is also seen on the far right hand side of the shot.

Friends of the Richmond Archives

The Richmond Arts Centre, shown here while sll under construcon, had its official opening on October 3, 1967. It was built following plans proposed in 1958 to provide integrated administrave,recreaonal and cultural facilies in Minoru Park. The centre provided space for arts groups to work and offer classes, space for a public library and museum, a "playhouse theatre", etc. It was around 10,000 square feet in size and cost $186,000 to build. The Arts Centre was re- placed by the present Cultural Centre in 1993. (City of Richmond Archives photo 2004 11)

AT THE WHEEL Treasurer: Bernie Miles Communications Coordinator: Alan Miles [email protected] 604-943-0535 [email protected]—604-272-2145 Membership renewals: mail to 207-4753 Roundabout Editor : Alan Miles Chairperson: Walter Reynolds River Road West, Delta, B.C. V4K 1 R9 [email protected] - 604-272 -2145 [email protected] 604-463-6305 Membership Coordinator: John Chapman Good & Welfare: Bart and Audrey Shaw Vice Chairperson: Ken Miles [email protected] 604-590-3749 [email protected] 604 946-4700 [email protected] 604 576-8036 New memberships and correspondence: Website Editor: Alan Miles Secretary: Steve Hutchens: 7923 144A St., Surrey, B.C. V3S 8C1 [email protected] 604-272-2145 [email protected] 360 733-3568 Event and Meeting Coordinator: Past Chairperson: John McDonald Lorna Hoare [email protected] 604-942-8223 [email protected] - 604-584-2564

VOLUME 22,NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 9