3 November, 2013) Text by Walter Reynolds Photos by Alan Miles

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 Nov-Dec 2013

INSIDE THIS ISSUE UPCOMING EVENTS classroom in Douglas College, New Easidrivin’ In the Green Mountain Jan 7, 2014 Wax and polish demo Westminster 7pm (address and other State 4 to be held at Jellybean Autocrafters details to follow when available) 2013 Portland ABFM 6 #205-14770 64 Ave, Surrey at 7 pm April 1, 2014 Tech talk, garage tour John Clarke Tour 7 Feb. 4, 2014 Talk and slide show by at Octagon Motors, 1538 Venables Dickens Sweets Run 10 Steve Hutchins at Douglas College, St., Vancouver, B.C. at 7:00pm New Member Profile 11 New West at 7:00pm (address and There will be a discussion on fluids Branch AGM 12 further details to follow when avail- and oils etc. suitable for use in older Rear View Mirror 13 able) March 4, 2014 Tech talk and cars Welcome to OECC / The Boot / At demo by Canadian Carburettor the Wheel 14 owner Darcy Brown to be held in a

2013 London to Brighton Commemorative Run (3 November, 2013) Text by Walter Reynolds Photos by Alan Miles

Being on the 2013 London to Brighton Commemorative Run organizing committee, it’s hard to not be smug about both the weather and turnout for this year’s Run.

The Committee this year included Steve Hutchens, Bart Shaw, Richard Taylor and me. We had just two and a half months to come up with all that was experienced on Sunday, November 3rd. Start point was the Delta Towne & Country Inn who let us set up our Registration Desk in the hotel lobby. Destination was the Fox & Fiddle Pub and Restaurant on the Langley Bypass via a stop at the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary.

As always, the weather played an upfront-role in the “What-to-worry-about-today” department. We knew that good weather usually means a healthy attendance whereas poor weather will cut into the numbers. What do we tell the restaurant? Well, the start number was 80 which, the Sunday before the Run was reduced to 60, based on the weather forecast and because the restau- “Chief Banana” Walter addresses the masses rant needed a more accurate number. As such, the restaurant scheduled staff to serve 60. Prior to leaving we had to phone the restaurant to tell them the (good for us, not so good for them) news that we were almost up to 80 people for lunch. Bring them on in, they said…. The sta- tistics when the first car departed were: 52 cars registered (50 British); 78 people signed up for lunch. Nice!

Alan and Maureen Inglis did an outstanding job on the Registration Desk. This was Alan’s first Registration Desk stint and Maureen’s very first exposure to the old British car group. She tells me that everyone was very polite!

Following the Driver’s Meeting at which Steve provided background information on the Run and the U.K. Lon- don to Brighton event, including the 604 cars registered, and the Earl of Winchester (aka Bart) gave information on the Reifel Bird Sanctuary and the South Delta Food Bank.

The Earl also gave the Route Sheets to the departing vehicles. I was “Chief Banana” wearing the Grand Mar- shall’s yellow shirt and our Rover led the cars out of the Hotel’s parking lot.

We were rolling right along until we hit the bridge onto Westham Island: It was open! Now when a bridge is open, one expects a pretty big boat to go through. Not so today. The boat which opened the bridge was a cabin cruiser which could have only been a bit too tall to get under the unopened bridge. We had a 5 minute delay, so not too bad.

Surprise number two was the full parking lot at the Bird Sanctuary. We all had to park at the side of the road, outside of the parking lot. 50 British cars parked at the side of the road was quite a sight. The Parking Lot Atten- dant didn’t see it that way, even though we were parked in an approved parking area. She wanted us out sooner than the 30 minutes that we were going to be there. “You’re creating a traffic jam” she suggested. So? Off we all went. Out the window also went the Grand Marshall’s job of leading the cars. Not to worry. Gratifying to me and Linda was the fact that the cars ahead of us (at least those that we could see) were all going in the correct direction, so the instructions were working. I did hear a tale at the restaurant that one car took a left turn when a right turn was required and the next 7 or 8 cars followed. I understand that they corrected their meander and caught up.

The route was through a mixture of rural roads and urban streets, with the majority on rural roads. The route was designed by Richard Taylor and Bart Shaw and all the comments I heard were in favour of the results. More than one person even said there were roads that they’d never been on before. Well done Richard and Bart.

For those who are statistically inclined:

1. British Car Makes represented and the 2. British Car Clubs represented and the number of examples: number of members in attendance:

Triumph: 10 Old English Car Club: 21

Jaguar: 8 Unlisted: 9

M.G.: 7 BC Triumph Register: 7 Bentley: 4 Langley Area Mostly British: 7

Rover: 4 Fraser Valley British Motor Club: 5

Mini: 3 Rover Car Club of Canada: 3

TVR: 3 Rolls Royce Bentley Club: 3 Morgan: 2 Jag/MG: 2

Rolls Royce: 2 TVR Club: 2

Sunbeam 2 Aston Martin Owner’s Club: 1

Aston Martin: 1 Lotus Car Club of BC: 1

Austin Healey 1

Ford: 1 N.B. Some registrants belong to more than one club. Lotus: 1

Talbot: 1

3. Number of registrations: 4. People (per Registration Sheets):

~ Average over event’s 18 years: 44 ~ Average over event’s 18 years: 53

~ 2013: 52 ~ 2013: 82, 78 at restaurant ~ Highest: 91 in 2000 ~ Highest: 98 in 2000

~ Lowest: 25 in 2007, 2008 and 2012 ~ Lowest: 31 in 2007

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 2

Included in the Route instructions were two questions: one regarding the number of roundabouts encountered and the second related to the number of vehicle overpasses the route passed under or over. Answers were col- lected at the restaurant. Of the 12 responses received, 4 were correct. These were put into a hat (Bart’s) and the winner’s name drawn. Winners were Alan and Mary Lou Miles. The prizes were donated by Bart and Audrey Shaw. Thank you.

At the September 2013 Branch meeting, the membership voted to have a registration fee of $5.00 and that all registration money be donated to a local food bank. The Committee chose the South Delta Food Bank. The total funds from registrations totaled $260.00, and this will be paid to that Food Bank. All in all, the 2013 Run was an outstanding success. Next year’s committee has a real target to aim for.

Ps - I've had an email from the Fox & Fiddle who tell me that actually 83 people sat for the London to Brighton lunch on Sunday.

At the Reifel Bird Sanctuary (above) and the Fox and Fiddle Pub (below)

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 3 Easidrivin’ in the Green Mountain State Text and photos by Alan Miles

Mary Lou and I recently had the pleasure of visiting the fine state of Vermont, the “Green Mountain State”. Part of our week long holiday was spent as guests of our friends Ernie and Melanie who live in a charming farmhouse just outside the town of Pittsford.

I first met Ernie on the internet discussion group for Hillman cars on Yahoo.com. Ernie and I both owned a Hillman Minx equipped with the rare Easidrive automatic transmission (for those of you unfamiliar with this type of transmission a description can be found in my article, Easidrivin’ in the Mar/Apr 2007 issue of the Roundabout). We then met in person in 2007 and 2009 at the Hillmans on Holidays events in Streetsborough, Ohio. Mary Lou and I didn’t take a car to these events (bit of a long drive in a Hillman!) but we were fortunate enough to be chauffeured around by Ernie and Melanie, among others. I was also able to drive Ernie’s Easidrive Minx which was a real treat. Ernie and Melanie then came out to visit us a few years ago but unfortunately I had sold the Hillman by then so I could not return the favour. He did, however, get to drive my Alpine and Ernie’s Easidrive Minx poses in front of the MGB GT. house with the fall colours as a backdrop

So, this October we finally decided to take them up on their offer of a visit. We flew to Montreal, rented a car and drove down to Pittsford, about a three and a half hour journey. Unfortunately it was night time so we were un- able to see the lovely fall colours until we awoke the next morning at Ernie and Melanie’s place. Over the next three days we were treated to a wonderful tour of Vermont in a different classic car each day, for Ernie is not just the proud owner of a Hillman Minx but also a stable of other vintage, mostly British, automobiles. I figure the term “stable” is even more appropriate here because Ernie does actually keep three of his six classics in his barn.

First up on day one of touring was a 1914 Ford Model T touring car with standard 3000cc 4 cylinder 20hp engine and 2 speed planetary transmission. It was great that the weather really co-operated and made driving around in this open car so enjoyable (it did have a roof but no windows). I was really impressed with how well this car ran and especially how it motored up steep hills in low gear never giving up the ghost. This was a real classy way to see the beautiful fall colours of New England. Day two saw us cruising around in the Hillman which was great fun to drive again (I didn’t drive the Model T although Ernie did offer, looked too complicated for me). Ernie and his brother have recently done some electrical detective work on the Easidrive system and the car actually drives and shifts as Rootes intended it to do. If you know the history of this transmission the signifi- cance of this will be apparent to you. Without going into details both of our Hillmans never shifted properly from low to intermediate gear so it was great to actually drive one that did!

The next day Melanie was busy so Ernie took Mary Lou and I out in his 1963 Austin 850 (Mini). Ernie was not happy with the standard 850cc unit in this car so he went to the auto Melanie and Mary Lou pose with the 1914 Model T. junkyard with tape measure in hand and came (Ernie and Sophie (the dog) in the background)

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 4 home with a 1993 Suzuki Swift 3 cylinder 993cc engine mated to a 5 speed transmission. Now the purists in the crowd may not approve but having driven this car I must say I was impressed. It was probably my favorite car of Ernie’s to drive.

Clockwise above: Mini and Hillman in the barn, Bug Eye Sprite, Mark II Jag , fall colours

On our final day we decided to go modern and take Melanie’s Prius on our tour but not before Ernie took me out for a drive in his 1960 Austin Healey Bug Eye Sprite. Ernie has had this car for many years and like the Mini he has transplanted a more modern engine into it to great effect. This car has received a 1982 Datsun B-210 1400cc engine and a 5 speed gearbox. This was another fun car to drive and like the Mini kept up to modern traffic with no problems.

In addition to the aforementioned cars Ernie also has two more classics in his cellar workshop (“where the magic happens”) awaiting restoration: a 1963 Jaguar MK II and a 1957 Morris Minor (made in Dur- ban, South Africa) that is right hand drive and has no heater.

In closing I must say I wouldn’t The fleet (Photo by Ernie) hesitate to recommend the fine state of Vermont for a visit (claim to fame: home to the only state capital to not have a McDonalds!). Of course you might not have the good fortune to travel its wonderful country roads in such a fine array of vintage automobiles. Unless, of course, you have the good fortune to have a couple of friends like Ernie and Melanie.

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 5 A Visit to the 2013 Portland ABFM ECAIP or VanDusen I have to admit that, upon re- viewing my photos, there really was an awesome cross Text and photos by Les Foster section of British vehicles. There was some unusual stuff! True, there were row upon row of the popular Calla and I visited the 2013 Portland All British Field sports cars- almost an overwhelming number in fact. Meet which was held over the Labour Day Weekend in Just when we’d had seen our one thousandth (or so it September. Not just another pretty car show, the felt) MG or Triumph, though, up would pop some Portland event is multi-faceted with something for al- really rare or strange car or some gem of preservation most everyone. Friday evening saw a Noggin and Nat- that made us say “wow!”. This is not meant to deni- ter held for entrants but it was the Saturday events grate those marques with large and loyal followings, that we took in. The whole thing is held on the very it’s just that after years of viewing cars on display we large grounds of the Portland International Raceway have come to crave the different and I have, as many of (just across the Columbia River from Vancouver, you know, a predilection for the orphans and cast-offs Washington, where we found accommodation at a of the motoring world. “Each to his own”, as they say! much more reasonable rate than Portland). We covered the rows methodically and then penetrated We arrived just before the 10 A.M. opening time for the treed area where we found a swap meet and ven- the public and found parking just outside the gates to dors set up. I was delighted to find an owners hand- be free and easy. We paid $10 each to enter but $20 book for the 8 and 10 H.P. Fords including the 10cwt. would have got us a weekend pass covering the Sunday van (like my Thames) amongst a literature vendor’s events, too. It was a brilliant, sunny day- perfect wares. It was one that I didn’t have and was a surplus weather for a Brit car weekend! The car display is copy from the Library of Congress which lent the 1939 held in a grassy park located between the south side of publication a certain cache. the track and Columbia Slough. There is ample room for cars on the open field and still more amongst the shade trees closer to the track. These shade trees blessedly house picnic tables and proved to be a welcome respite from the hot sun. Around the fringes of the field and in the pit area are food trucks and perma- nent stands ready to fill you with the best fast food money can buy. Vendors of various car culture items can be found as well. It’s rather like an American country fair with British cars!

Something a bit different, a late 50’s Hillman Husky

Having made this honourable find, and sitting down to a picnic on one of the tables under the trees, we were revitalized and decided to explore the pits. As this is a race track primarily, the pit area is substantial. It was really exciting to wander around, unrestrictedly, and see racing cars from the 50’s through the 70’s being tuned and tweaked in preparation for the SOVREN and JCNCA sanctioned races. It was like being back Calla checks out some fine apparel trackside in the day at Westwood and it brought back stirring memories. There was every level from weekend tink- To fill the ample field was a very ample compliment of erer to big-dollar operations but everyone was friendly cars- more than 800! This years theme was a salute to and inviting. Minis, both old and new. Needless to say, there was We stood at the track fence and watched the Giant Sla- every permutation of the marque present. While I lom which was entertaining. It included a fast but might be tempted to state that there were fewer of the weirdly-silent run by an electric Mini! “ordinary” British cars present than one might see at

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 6 The John Clarke Tour Text and photos by Les Foster

The Vancouver Coast Branch’s October Meeting was a tour of John Clarke’s collection and workshop in Bur- naby. It turned out to be much more than your usual tour of vehicles and ranks as one of our best venues ever! John is a Burnaby boy and, it seems, one of deep loy- alties. He’s stayed true to his neighbourhood, friends, family and, very significantly, to his cars. Many of his vehicles have long and personal histories and have been treasured for decades. After some initial milling about in John’s rambling An MGA gets some “tweaking” in the pits assembly of garages and shops (there were actually more of them than we saw!), he gathered us into one Next, it was up to the grandstands at the track to which housed a gorgeous but heavily damaged E-Type watch the Columbia Classic, a series of run-off races of Jag on the hoist, two MGA’s on the floor and the shell about 20 laps each that built up to a final contest. Once of an MGB hanging from the rafters to begin the tour. again we were transported to that age of castor oil, live John started out slowly, describing how he came to axles, and carburetors. There were, of course, the IRS, own his first car, a 1952 Buick Riviera Hardtop (one of rear engine, Lotuses, Porsches and such, too. The only six ever built). A show car, this Buick had evocative smells and the high-pitched whine of revving passed from the hands of a wealthy oilman to one of engines was wondrous and we found ourselves cheering John’s Burnaby neighbours for whom he cut the grass on our favourites reprising classic battles between Brit- and gardened to make spending money as a teenager. ish products and those “foreign cars”! Widowed, the neighbour wished to sell the huge car to There was much more that we could have seen or done John whom she was quite fond of. A deal was struck including adventure rides put on by the Pacific Coast with John’s father to buy the car at the very favour- Rover Club (as in Land-Rover), an Arts & Crafts event able price of $400 in anticipation of John becoming old by the Oregon Mini Society, slot cars, and auto cross. enough to drive it in a year or so. Equipped with four Awards at 4 o’clock were followed by a BBQ Dinner at individual hot water heaters under the seats, rear 4:30. Before that, though, we were on our way, content wheel sanders, silent vacuum power windows and an with the day’s experiences and the happy memories of impressive engine, it was some car! It had some appe- an earlier age that they evoked. A great day at a great tite, too, and John would soon need a thriftier vehicle event! for university. We had limited ourselves to one day but the ABFM went on all day Sunday as well with a JCNA Slalom, off -site Rover Club expedition, a rally, car sale and more. We’d recommend the weekend to everyone who loves cars!

John begins the tour in one of his many garages, this one home to an E-Type, two MGA’s and an MGB roadster

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 7 Warming to his subject, John told us of how his great- Northwest Regional Champion. As John tells it, weeks uncle happened to be a personal friend of Fred Deeley, transpired before someone in ICBC referred him to the the iconic BMC dealer on Broadway in Vancouver. Specialty Vehicle division of the corporation. When he One day he took his nephew to meet Fred and asked did get to talk to them he had high hopes but soon the great man to look after John when the time came learned that no ICBC-approved shop would touch this for him to buy another car. So, a couple of years after kind of older classic. Apparently the system is geared that fateful meeting, John found himself perusing the to modern high-end sports cars like Lambos, etc. The used sports cars at Deeleys. Amazingly, despite the old cars are too risky for these shops to touch at passage of time, Mr. Deeley not only remembered John ICBC’s rates and limitations. Conversely, ICBC won’t but addressed him by name! It was now 1963 and the pay the same rate for these old classics to be repaired choice came down to a 1951 Jaguar XK120C with no as they will for newer cars. The result is that the top and competition heads or a more sedate but practi- owner is, as John says, “basically on his own”. He’s cal ’57 MGA. The MGA won out but not before a more spent countless hours trying to co-ordinate it’s repair than thorough over-the-weekend test of the Jag! At and find parts on his own without help from the in- one point he was pursued down Seymour St. in Van- surer. The car is presently having it’s shell straight- couver by a well-known sports car shop owner who ened (finally!). John may look into alternate insurers wanted to see the Jag and ended up buying it from after this saga concludes. “Be very cautious” about Fred Deeleys. John still has that MGA and drives it your coverage, he warns! regularly. Somewhat concerned about the MGB shell that dan- Next in the garage was his concours MGA, a California gling above my head, I asked John about it. He reas- car restored to such a high caliber that it was invited sured me that it was perfectly safe and said that it’s to the Pebble Beach show. This car also has a very his latest project car- a very early MGB indeed, being personal connection. He bought it with his father after built in 1962. It’s receiving the usual level of Clarke offering $400 to a fellow who had been willing to ac- attention and will no doubt be a thing of beauty when cept only $200 as a trade-in. John’s Dad put up half. it’s done. John could not stop himself from pulling It is a great sadness to him that his Dad suffered Alz- open a number of neatly-arranged drawers at the back heimer’s before he could complete the restoration with of the garage to tempt us with beautifully restored and him. He did, at least, get to take him for a ride in it gleaming components and sub-assemblies that he when it was completed, bringing a big smile to his fa- works on in his “spare” time. ther’s face. It is a lovely machine but one that he Working our way from that garage to the other big drives not trailers. John likes to describe the reaction shop, John told us the story of the big ’67 Ford Galaxy of some U.S. competitors who wrote it off as a “trailer parked in the driveway. His parents wanted a new queen” or “cheque book restoration”. At one event tow car for their trailer and asked him to scout out a John’s wife came to his defence, coolly telling a sore prospect. John went to Dave Buck Ford and immedi- loser that John had done everything himself and drove ately fell in lust with the flashy Galaxy displayed on a it there! turntable in the showroom. This brought us to an important point about John’s Reasoning, not incorrectly, that it would have more cars and the man himself. We could have been for- than sufficient power for the job (not to mention cha- given for assuming that these vehicles involved great risma) he arranged its purchase on his parents behalf! amounts of money and high-end restoration shops- It’s still in the family, now John’s pride and joy. He’s they certainly looked the part. The truth is less glam- an avid member of the Galaxy Club and often holds orous but infinitely more profound. John did virtually technical seminars for them at his place. all the restoration himself, including (in most cases) Probably my favourite, though, was a magnificent the painting. John is clearly a very gifted person who white 1961 Jaguar Mk. IX which John restored not has combined his natural aptitudes with hard work long ago. It is gorgeous and sports an original leather and drive to create some truly impressive results. His interior in great condition. Sticking one’s head level of craftsmanship and knowledge is outstanding. through a side window is instant aroma therapy! Continuing the tour, we were shown the mangled 1969 Grace, pace, and space- these were cars that could hit E-Type. Badly rear-ended by a motorcycle on the Sea- 60 in around 11 seconds, be pushed to 115 mph, coddle to-Sky Highway, the Jag has serious damage to its you in leather and wood while wrapping it all up in a rear body. It was a traumatic event, involving serious body of such sumptuous curves that it brings tears to injury to the biker but John, a former lifeguard, helped your eyes (and all with automatic drive). keep the injured man stable until help arrived. ICBC, There are other cars, too- a 1980 Corvette with the it seems, has been less helpful to John. Despite having rare L82 engine option, a ’74 MGB driver etc. Asked what should have been complete coverage it has be- which car he likes best, John replied, “whichever one come something of a nightmare to get the car fixed. I’m driving at the time”. He does love his cars. The Jag, restored by John of course, is a former JCNA

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 8 The night wrapped up with “something completely different” as Monty Python would say. Before he retired from teaching, John and his classes constructed a scale model tractor with back hoe and front end loader. So? Well this one drives, has onboard hydraulics, and is radio control. It even has steps for the imaginary little driver that he’d convinced his students was being brought in to operate it! Let’s not overlook the flash- ing amber beacon, either. He says that he built it for his grandchildren but, well….

John’s beautiful 1961 Jaguar Mk IX

Usually that would wrap up your average garage tour but John had more surprises in store for us. Retiring to his other garage/shop we took seats amongst the impressive array of machine tools and waited expec- tantly for whatever was to come next. John is a tech teacher by trade so speaking in front of a seated audi- ence is old hat to him. He put on a very interesting and humorous power point presentation of some of the creations of his very good friend, Andy Smith, now a resident of North Vancouver and the designer of the Batmobile and many of the James Bond cars. John sometimes gets to enjoy a peak at some of these creations before the unwashed see them in the movies! It’s a mark of the man that he has the trust of as distin- guished a designer and interesting a fellow as Andy. Long-time friends are important and John’s buddy and fellow car guy, Chris Venning was present to help make the night a success as was one of his former students, Tony Reynolds (Walter’s son).

John demonstrates his scale model tractor with front end loader and backhoe

Future plans include finishing existing projects, a few new ones including a scale dump truck with trailer to haul his tractor (all radio control, of course), a renewed interest in woodworking, his ongoing Brahma trailer lock business, etc. etc. It tires me just to imagine it! It was a great evening, John Clark, teacher, engineer, restorer, woodworker, inventor, businessman, car nut, and nice guy! Thanks!

The gang gathers for John’s presentation

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 9 farm converted into a museum and showrooms. Dickens Sweets Run 2013 Granny and Grumpa have several barns and out build- Text and photos by Alan Miles ings all crammed with memorabilia, antiques and even a few old cars. Everything from doll collections and vintage salt and pepper shakers to old vintage chain- saws and outboard motors was on display in the cav- ernous old barns.

This year’s run to Dickens Sweets, once again organ- ized by John and Lorna Hoare, took place on Saturday Oct. 5 th . The weather report had been threatening rain all week but when Saturday rolled around it turned Pat, Bill and Bart pose in front of one of the barns out to be a very nice day for a drive, some cloud with lots of sunny breaks and not a drop of rain. After about an hour or so at Granny and Grumpa’s we headed off for a great drive through Vedder Crossing and into Chilliwack where we stopped at the Dickens Museum and Tea Shop for lunch. It was a great place to end a fabulous run and although there was a bit of a delay in getting our food served (they were very busy that day) it was very tasty when it did finally arrive. Also, the tea was exceptional (Yorkshire Tea) although I guess one should expect no less from a British tea shop! As well as having the British museum and the tea shop Dickens also has British groceries and a large selection of British sweets for sale. Dickens is a great place for a visit if you’re in the neighbourhood and feel like a taste of the old country, so to speak.

Special thanks to John and Lorna for organizing the run and leading the way, and to all who attended. Mary Lou and Linda (with Daisy) at Granny and Grumpa’s

We all met at the Guilford Centre Shopping Mall at 10:00am and departed shortly thereafter. Eight cars participated in the run. The route that John and Lorna had originally planned had to be altered slightly as road construction had hampered their dry run a few days prior. Apparently the new route we took was a more straightforward run than they had originally planned but I would be hard pressed to see how it could have been improved on. After leaving the mall we made our way though Surrey, Langley and Abbots- ford sticking to the back roads and enjoying the rural scenery of the Fraser Valley. In Abbotsford we made a stop at Granny and Grumpa’s Antiques, a former dairy Lunch at the Dickens Tea Shop

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 10

New Member Profile: Christine Green (Hoy)

1976 Spitfire 1500 Russet Brown/ Tan Interior 67,485 original miles

Hello all,

I go by Chris mostly, I think only my mother called me Christine when she was angry!! I do however; have the long form on my business cards now, as many in my field initially think I am a male.

I experienced supreme lust and jealousy at one of my 1975 Semiahmoo grad- mates sporting a brand new yellow Spitfire. I bought my first in 1976 at the Langley Triumph dealer on Fraser Hwy just west of Preston Chev Olds. She was my pride and joy for some 50,000 miles. I sold her around 1980. I found three yellowed snapshots of her, one of which I have included.

After the passage of almost 35 years including marriage, three children, building the dream home, divorce, and a new career I have my second! I refer to her as my first child that I gave up for adoption. During a casual browse through the Internet, I came across an interesting one in Calgary. I im- mediately contacted the seller and began the long distance purchasing process.

During the due diligence period, I attended the ABFM last May, which just happened to be coinciding with all this. I spent much time in the Spitfire pit and met a few owners who kindly spent some time relating their knowledge and restorative experience with me. (I was the one in black and white, with hounds tooth raincoat and black rubber ga- loshes; I read that British costume was encouraged!) Chris’ first Spitfire, bought new in 1976

With a pre purchase inspection and some 11 hours of shop time at Automann in Calgary (mostly to do with the ignition and a new key). Malcolm drove her (yes she runs) to the transport depot and she has now arrived in Vancouver. I have seen her twice; delivery is now scheduled to my garage!

I recently spent a day in White Rock, checking out my old neighbourhood, the house that is still there and spent a couple hours with Dick Frankish. He was a great source of information and a parts gold mine. He started his remaining 74 so I could remember how they are supposed to sound. He was kind enough to open her bonnet and talk me through the engine again, which gave me some much needed confi- dence for the project I have in front of me. New Spitfire : same year and colour as the first one. Now delivered and ready Everyone needs a reason it seems to move into this phase of for restoration life. A vehicle restoration. Typically I keep myself busy with the more familiar household renovations.

Well, this is my justification….did you notice? My second Spitfire is the same year, gorgeous Russet Brown /Tan Interior as my first!! How’s that for romance??

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 11 2013 Vancouver Coast Branch A.G.M It was then time for the election of the executive of the branch for 2014. Steve Hutchens then took over the pro- Submitted by John Chapman ceedings.

Venue: Rainbow Station, Burnaby. 5 th November 2013. Chairperson: Gerry Parkinson offered his services for a second year. There was no opposition. He was voted in The meeting was held at Rainbow Station with 26 mem- unanimously. bers present. Gerry Parkinson, Chairperson, started the proceedings at 7:35 pm by introducing four new members Vice Chair: John McDonald offered to continue in this who stood up and introduced themselves and their cars. position. There was no opposition. He was voted in unanimously. First was Randy Sandu, a lecturer at BCIT, who owns a 1969 E-Type Jaguar. Randy quickly explained the resto- Secretary: John Chapman offered to continue in the posi- ration courses that he teaches at the college campus on tion for a fourth year. There was on opposition. He was Saturdays. So, anyone interested in learning how to voted in unanimously. maintain and restore an old car should check out the web- Treasurer: Colin Crabbe decided to step down after four site at BCIT. It sounded very interesting. years of service. Bernie Miles offered to stand. There was Sage Rich has a 1979 MGB roadster and thinks she could no opposition and he was voted in unanimously. have a steering problem. During the evening John Clarke On behalf of the branch, Gerry thanked the members of and Chris Venning helped her out. the executive who are volunteers and not elected. All have Tom Popovich has a rare 1976 Jensen GT which he decided to continue in their positions: brought up from the States and is working on. Alan Miles: Roundabout Editor, Branch website Editor Don Voegele, a Washington Volvo club member has two and Communications person., Lorna Hoare: Events Or- Volvo 122S wagons but also has interests in old English ganiser, Steve Hutchens: Regalia and David Ballantine: cars. Wellness.

We then had a quick report from our Treasurer, Colin At 8:15 Steve Diggins began his presentation on uphol- Crabbe, who stated that we have approximately $3,500 in stery. He covered the history of upholstery from the early the bank which has remained constant over the last cou- day craftsmen to 60’s & 70’s mass production. He also ple of years. However, because of the increase in annual gave us an insight into methods of seat cover making and fees to the main club to cover costs, he suggested that the chatted about head linings, Connelly leather and leather executive should consider increasing the branch annual dying. His presentation ended at 9 o’clock. dues for 2015.

John Chapman, Membership Secretary, stated that we currently had 84 paid up members. Gerry quickly added that members should now think about renewing for next year (2014) and pay $20 as opposed to waiting until after January 1 st and have to pay $25.

Walter Reynolds , who headed up the London to Brighton Commemorative Run Committee this year, gave a report of the events of the day that took place on Sunny Sunday 3rd November. There were 53 cars that registered and took part in the event. 21 of which were O.E.C.C members and the rest were from various other English Car clubs. The evening then finished with members sorting through 78 people turned up at the restaurant at the end of the old car magazines that some members had brought along run in Langley. Of the $405 raised, $260 was “profit” to unload. which will be donated to the South Delta Food bank. Gerry thanked Walter for heading up the committee for the run and also had a special mention and thanks to Alan Inglis and his Wife, Maureen, for manning the registration table at the start. We forgave him for turning up in a Porsche Boxster and not his Bug Eye Sprite. A motion was then made by Bart Shaw to increase the food bank donation to $300 using branch funds. This was sec- onded, and voted on. The motion was passed.

Steve Hutchens, Regalia, then ran through a list of regalia which is available and in stock at our branch.

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 12 REAR VIEW MIRROR

Steve Hutchens sends in the following e-mail and picture: “I'm scanning old Mogazines into searchable pdf files for mognw.com and came across an ad for the Vancouver ABFM in the April 1986 MOGNW newsletter (not yet named the Mogazine). It was at Van Dusen, May 2-4, 1986, and the contacts are Steve Diggins and Doug Lupton. A copy is attached. Note the picture of the Aus- tin 7. “

Walter Reynolds sends in the two historical pictures below. The photos are part of a mural in the A&W Restaurant at 128th and Lougheed Highway. Amongst the cars shown is a 1950’s Austin.

Thanks to Steve and Walter for these images. If anyone else has any old vintage pictures of British cars and/or memorabilia from around the lower mainland (or the province for that matter) I would be more than happy to publish them in the Roundabout. –Ed.

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 6 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 13

WELCOME TO THE OECC !

Tom Popovich and Hedy Taldo —Coquitlam, B.C. —1976 Jensen Healey GT Christine Green —Vancouver, B.C. —1976 Triumph Spitfire

THE BOOT

The Parkinson family dominates The Boot this time around with pictures of Mike and Kelly’s wedding day on the right. All four of the Park- inson’s British vehicles were pressed into service for the drive from the ceremony to the re- ception. Kelly and Mike are seen driving off in Dad’s ‘67 MGB GT with the obligatory “Just Married” sign on back plus the newlyweds pose with their own 1976 TR6. Below Gerry is seen picking up his next project, a 1969 MGC GT in Calgary during the last week of November. This GT is a very solid, low mileage car that will be undergoing a complete restoration. Should be a beauty when done (love the colour!)

AT THE WHEEL New memberships and correspondence: Roundabout Editor : Alan Miles Chairperson : Gerry Parkinson 7923 144A St., Surrey, B.C. V3S 8C1 [email protected] - 604-272 -2145 [email protected] 604-943-3824 Immediate Past Chairperson : Good & Welfare : David Ballantine Vice-Chairperson: John McDonald Steve Diggins 604-294-6031 2 [email protected] - 604-980-4120 [email protected] 604-942-8223 Event and Meeting Coordinator : Website Editor: Alan Miles Treasurer : Colin Crabbe Lorna Hoare [email protected] 604-272-2145 [email protected] - 604-590-621 [email protected] - 604-584-2564 Membership renewals: 56-9088 Holt Road, Communications Coordinator : Alan Miles Surrey, B.C. V3V 4H3 [email protected]—604-272-2145 Membership Secretary : John Chapman [email protected] 604-590-3749

VOLUME 18, NUMBER 5 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 14