Pacific Tiger Club

Pacific Tiger Club Newsletter December 2010/January 2011

Rootes of the Pacific Northwest will be running the hill climb so we have some In this issue: locals to root (OK I had to work for that one) President’s report… page 1 for. This event looks like a natural for the club. Calendar of Events… page 2&3 We have the opportunity to have a three day weekend event, much like a Sunbeam Next PTC Meeting… page 7 Northwest, without much work on our part. Put Tech Tip… page 9&10 the dates on your calendar and we will plan to have a big contingent of PTC members at Maryhill next Fall. More details will be in Common Rootes following newsletters.

Sunbeam is the featured marque. We have Craig Burlingame led the few of us that learned that Sunbeam will be the featured braved the elements on the Last Dash tour in marque at the Maryhill Hill Climb next fall. October. I thank Craig for continuing to do this Dates are October 2 & 3, 2010. Each year they even with the relatively light turnout. I feature a special marque and this is our year. remember one year where I was huddled under All Sunbeams, and for that matter all Rootes the hand dryer in the rest room trying to get cars, are welcome. There is a car show at the warm. This year was far better, with mild Maryhill Museum on Saturday, and the hill weather, nice roads and good companions. We climb is on Sunday. The whole weekend is a finished in Black Diamond at the bakery with a party. For those that haven’t been there, fine dinner. Three Tigers, two Hillmans, and Maryhill is in the Goldendale area, and is best one regular car turned out. Not a single Alpine known for its replica Stonehenge. I suspect that to be found; not our usual mix of vehicles for our own Starke Shelby and Rodger Flescher this type event. The tour was in honor of Pacific Tiger Club Newsletter Dec‘10/Jan’11 Craig’s late wife, Nancy, and was a fitting 17711 – 10th Ave. NW tribute to Nancy, who left us way too young. Shoreline, WA 98177 You had to be there to understand, but if the 206-533-1187 music from Deliverance had been playing [email protected] during part of the tour, it would not have been inappropriate. Treasurer: Bob Bennion 37904 Fawn Rd NE. Our holiday party will be the next official club Hansville, WA 98340 activity. I hope that you will come out for this. 360-638-1992 I know those of us that were at the September [email protected] BBQ had a great time, and isn’t that why we all joined PTC? Look elsewhere in the newsletter for the details for the holiday party. The hosts Chairpersons expend a lot of effort for our party, so let’s show them that we care. Activities: Larry & Eileen Ingersoll 29206 61st Ave S Again, I talked about it last month, but my goal Auburn, WA 98001 for the coming year is to get us out driving our 253-946-0762 cars more often. I told you that every year I set [email protected] the trip odometer of my Tiger. Well, in 2009 I am already well past my mileage in 2008. I Membership: Budd Bennion hope that 2010 will be even higher. 14720 30th NE Seattle, WA 98155 We have a few events already planned for 206-364-8478 2010. Know of something not on our list? [email protected] Then simply let us know. We recognize that not everyone can make every event, but our Historian: Brett Simpson goal is to give you enough events not to be 10005 SE 267th St. ashamed of the yearly mileage on your Rootes Kent, WA 98031 vehicle. 253-859-5096 [email protected] See you on the road.

Kevin Jewell Are you buying, selling or trading? Email us at [email protected] 2009-2010 Executive and Officers

President: Kevin Jewell 12120 – 202nd Ave. SE Woodinville, WA 98077-5639 CALENDAR OF EVENTS 425-885-0103 [email protected] December 2009 VP/Newsletter Kathryn Fitzgerald/Mike Clark Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 4723 Woodside Place 1 2 3 4 5 West Vancouver, BC V7S 2X5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 [email protected]

Secretary: Jim Clark

2 Pacific Tiger Club Newsletter Dec‘10/Jan’11

13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Feb, 1996: Dave Dunn is president and Anita 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Dunn is secretary. Are they related? Once again PTC is looking forward to sponsoring 27 28 29 30 31 Sunbeam Northwest. This year it will be in Centralia. The Bennion brothers are the main January 2009 planners. Dave puts out the plea for a concours Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat chair. The host hotel is the Travelodge at the 1 2 ridiculous cost of $48/night. Larry Atkisson has

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 a tech tip in the newsletter regarding the Tiger electrical system. There is some implication 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 that the electrical system was a bit primitive, although the switch to an alternator was 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 promoted. PTC Mtg 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 Feb 2001: Newsletter is actually for both January and February. The meeting is hosted at 31 President Budd Bennion’s garage. PTC hosted an evening with Tiger GT-2 racer and Solo II National Champion Barry Schoenberger at the February 2009 125th Street Grill. Dick Sanders continues to submit his “Fill ‘er Up column. Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11 12 13 FALL TOUR 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Some photos of the fall tour, organized by Craig Burlingame; 21 22 23 24 25 26 27

Laps from the Past

The intent of this column is to report on what the club was doing in past years. Is it no surprise that not much has changed, after all we are a car club.

Feb, 1991: Event chair Brian Doan reports that PTC is the sponsor the Sunbeam Northwest this year. Brian also gave us a follow up the Leavenworth rally planned by Ken and Vicky Neiman with Dick Sanders. Eight cars from PYC participated last fall including Norm Stone from Canada and Bill and Sharon Smith from Oregon.

PTC Holiday Party

Our thanks go to Max & Kathryn Pahmeier for once again hosting the annual PTC holiday party on Dec 12. They have the perfect host house, with a large kitchen & dining area, as it seems we as a culture seem to congregate in those areas. Hollie Sanders led our white elephant exchange. It is always amazing to see that some of our “Don’t Wants” can be coveted by someone else. For all his efforts on the past SUNI events, Dick Sanders presented Max with a framed Amtrak poster that just happened to feature a Sunbeam. Perhaps only coincidently, Sunbeam was named passenger train that operated between Houston and Dallas from 1925 to 1955, by the Texas and New Orleans Railroad. Some years ago, I remember being in a railroad memorabilia store in Leavenworth and picking up a Sunbeam script for my PTC jacket.

5 Pacific Tiger Club Newsletter Dec‘10/Jan’11 SAPHIRE IN THE ROUGH

All of the features of a Tiger that make it so thrilling to drive also contribute to the rarity of finding one unmolested and unmodified. So much power in such a small package with no shortage of add-on mods together with bias ply tires makes it rare to see a Tiger in all its original wares! Thankfully there are still a few of these around.

As I sat on my couch one Saturday morning in January of 1991, the phone rang and it was Larry Atkisson. He had phoned to tell me something about my '65 Tiger that was in the early stages of restoration in his garage. As our conversation progressed he mentioned that he had received a call from an Allan Bryant who had a '66 Tiger and was interested in possibly selling it. Larry went on to say the car sounded very original, he thought he knew the car from seeing it quite awhile ago but he wasn't sure if it was the same one. At any rate he wondered if I knew anyone who would be interested and if I did he would give them Allan's phone PTC Newsletter - by E-Mail? number. I said I didn’t but I would keep my ears open. As I hung up the phone I began to Do you wish you got your newsletter earlier? recall two very original Tigers that for various Well, we can solve that very easily. If you are reasons I hadn't purchased and for that I had willing to receive your newsletter via email, we always kicked myself. I called Larry back and can probably save at least a week in the time it said I knew someone interested in the original takes for you to get the newsletter. That week Tiger - me! is what it takes us to print the newsletter, collate, and mail. Sound good? Simply I reached Allan the next day and struck up a confirm with our newsletter editors your friendly conversation with him. He explained current email address to ([email protected]). to me that he was the original owner and had Not only will you get the info earlier, but you bought the car with his business partner as a will help the club control our costs. Don’t weekend driver. The two of them had owned a forget that if you didn’t get the email reminders restaurant together named, The Fishbowl. The about the fall tour organized by Craig car had only traveled 43,000 miles since new Burlingame, that you should also forward your and was mostly driven around town and a new email address to couple of times to California for vacation. His [email protected] and partner had recently passed away and he was [email protected]. getting married, for the first time, and was going to be traveling in a motor home, not a Remember that we promise not to spam you, Tiger. He felt the time had come for the car to we only want to be sure you get the club pass on to someone who would spend the time notices…Kevin necessary to maintain and enjoy the car. He was concerned that the car would go to 6 Pacific Tiger Club Newsletter Dec‘10/Jan’11 someone who knew and appreciated these rare brochure along with most of the service beasts. I assured him I didn't have any interest records. He also had kept a number of the in modifying or molesting an original Tiger. I expired yearly registration certificates. In made arrangements to meet him during my addition they had installed a Craig radio in lunch hour the next day. 1976 and the owners’ manual and receipt were also in the file along with the keys that locked When I arrived at Allan's home, the BRG Tiger the radio into a mounting bracket (the radio was sitting in the driveway as Al was wiping it could be removed from the car and would run down from giving it a fresh wash. I introduced on batteries! great for picnics). Obviously, they myself and proceeded around the car. It didn't had taken great care of their, "weekend toy", take long to see just how original this car was! and had all their receipts to prove it. Before we Original paint, original soft top, original wood left, Al asked if he could take the Tiger around steering wheel, original upholstery, original the block one last time. I'm sure he wanted to spare tire! Under the hood found more be alone to say his goodbye's as this car had authenticity. All original hoses, air cleaner and obviously contained many fond memories for element (dirty of course), intake manifold, him. carburetor, distributor, oil filter assembly, radiator, generator, exhaust manifolds (with It was a clear and cold winter day, as I drove bolt keepers) it was very apparent that the home there was a hard pull to the right and the engine had not been out of the car. I couldn't car was all over the road. During the test drive believe my eyes; this was truly an original car. we hadn't driven on the highway. At first I I had prepared myself for another one of those, thought the road was slick but soon realized "all original," complete disasters and needless that was not the cause. I began to think I had to say was quite impressed and excited. Allan bought a lemon, or lime in this case. After I didn't know what price he wanted for the car, settled down I remembered there were still he said he needed to do a little research first Firestone 500 bias ply tires on! This explained and would get back to me with a number. the, "all over the road" handling. The hard pull Three or four days went by with no call from hopefully was just the alignment. Allan, the anticipation was growing intensely. Had he forgotten me or had he sold the car to After transferring the title, the first stop was the someone else? A few days seemed like weeks. tire store. I put some new rubber on, had the I wasn't going to relax if I didn't call him. front end aligned which cured all the problems. When I reached Allan he hadn't had time to do The car winds out so smooth, the gear changes any research yet but wouldn't sell to anyone are like butter and it has that smell. It's hard to without talking to me first. I at least got some explain, but it has the smell that these cars had comfort for awhile. Al finally called me and when new. I don't know if it is from the jute we struck a deal, without much negotiation. I backing on the carpets or what. felt his price was fair considering the originality of the car. Thanks to: Dave Dunn

Anita and I arrived on the weekend to complete the transaction. Allan had pulled out his file on Next PTC meeting: Sunday, January 17 at the car and showed me the original registration 12:00 -2:00. We’ll present the Boards’ plans certificate. They had bought the car on April 4, for 2010 with Turkey Chili and Cornbread and 1967 for a total of $3,690 from Koler Motors. maybe a tech session. It will be at the Jewell (…the local dealer in Seattle at the time) In the home at 12120 202nd Ave NE, Woodinville, folder I found the original sales brochure, the WA 98077 original warranty book and owners handbook, a Lucas, "World Service Organization 1966" 7 Pacific Tiger Club Newsletter Dec‘10/Jan’11 circulation. Unlike many old tapes, the transfer Fill ‘er Up! quality here is exceptional. By: Dick Sanders Fans of the pre-Audax-bodied line of A couple of months ago I wrote about the 19 Sunbeams will cheer the arrival of a new book known current and former PTC members devoted solely to their cars. Sunbeam-Talbot who’d attended Seattle’s Queen Anne High and Alpines in Detail – 1938-57, by Anders School. Make it an even 20, apologies to Beryl Ditley Clausager, is now available for pre-order Carpenter, whom I really should have at Amazon.com for $37.99+frt. remembered. Beryl and husband Rob recently moved to Spain for a year. A Sunbeam Tiger just showed up on a piece of modern national advertising. No, not the rear Auction Action: The long-planned LeMay auto overhead photo of the couple riding in a Tiger, museum, to be built next to the Tacoma Dome, which has been used in magazine ads over the is inching closer to reality. A fall auction of past three years to sell everything from surplus cars in their collection raised $1.1 insurance to credit unions to GPS devices. A million towards their goal. Three Rootes new art poster from Amtrak, advertising their vehicles were on the block. A restorable ’48 auto carrier service between Washington, DC Phase II Minx went for $3,744 and a decent- and Orlando, Florida, features a vivid red Tiger condition ’65 Series IV Alpine fetched $5,850. in the foreground. I wrote to the well-known Top dollar was paid for a very straight 1938 artist, Michael Schwab, asking why he chose Humber Pullman, long a part of LeMay’s the Tiger for the subject. Schwab replied: Parkland, Wash. estate display, at $22,230. I was originally asked to portray a ‘generic’ Xmas ideas - Looking for a 2010 calendar, sports car for the AMTRAK ‘Auto Train’ ad featuring 12 of your favorite Rootes-mobiles? campaign a couple of years ago. A good one is available at Lulu.com. Quality photographs throughout, including one of PTC In addition to the fact that I am a Tiger fan, I member Craig Burlingame’s Mk VIII Minx thought a Tiger would be obscure and convertible. unrecognizable - so I used my friend’s car as the model. Last summer, three rare Rootes 16mm films went up for auction on eBay. All from 1959, I revised a few bumper details to make it more they each promoted a separate car in Rootes’ generic . . . but, I obviously didn’t fool you line-up: the Hillman Minx, Sunbeam Rapier, guys! and the all-new Sunbeam Alpine. The three films, in good or very good condition, sold for a There were originally two backgrounds: total of around $700. The films could easily Washington DC architecture and Florida palm have been stashed away in a private collection trees. and never seen again except to a select few. Instead, the buyer, who is an enthusiast of We would be willing to print and ship unique, “orphan cars,” digitized the films and is now fine art quality, signed 12 x 16” prints of either making DVD’s available through his company version on archival art paper for you and your website at www.torq-o.com. Though the Alpine group for $125 each. introduction film is available on a VHS Sincerely, compilation tape from Sunbeam Specialties, the Michael. Minx and Rapier promos have long been out of

8 Pacific Tiger Club Newsletter Dec‘10/Jan’11 MICHAEL SCHWAB STUDIO ADDRESS AND EMAIL? HELP US KEEP 415/ 257-5792 OUR RECORDS UP TO DATE AND SEND http://www.michaelschwab.com YOUR CHANGES TO BUDD OR THE EDITOR. Good-quality posters on thick stock are also available through Amtrak’s website: Do you have an interesting tech tip to http://store.amtrak.com/ share with the readers? We are always interested in any submissions. We want to hear from you! Share your stories with the PTC members. We are always interested in any submissions.

Renewing your membership? Members are asked to observe their renewal dates on each month’s address label. The date indicates when your dues are due to continue receiving the PTC Newsletter. Please send all membership correspondence to Budd at: 14720 30th NE, Seattle, WA. 98155 (206)364-8478 or via email: [email protected]. Annual Membership fee $32.00 US/35.00 Foreign for foreign members. Canadian Funds Payment to PTC We ask each Canadian member to calculate the current exchange rate into US funds. Example: dues today $35.00USD=38.50 CAD (based on 10% exchange rate) Make payment payable to Pacific Tiger Club and we will process via our bank. Exchange rates are constantly changing. For assistance you may use the following website: http://www.xe.com

We need your help! If you know of any Rob Carpenter sent us a this gorgeous photo Sunbeam Events, please contact your with Mt. Rainier in the back ground as he was Activities Co-coordinator and we’ll get it in out for a drive. the newsletter. Want to avoid mail delays? Receive your next issue of the PTC Newsletter emailed to you on-line. Contact us at [email protected] with your email address We want to hear your great stories! Do you have a great story to share? Send us the details with your photos. Let us know!

DO WE HAVE YOUR CURRENT 9 Pacific Tiger Club Newsletter Dec‘10/Jan’11 sunglasses, reduce the amount of light emitted from the bulb, making it dimmer Blue lights on some cars are H.I.D. (High Intensity Discharge), which is an arc lamp, deriving its light from an arc jumping from one electrode to the other, inside a quartz glass tube filled with xenon gas and metallic salts. Most bulbs are incandescent lights and have a thin, wound filament that heats up and glows inside a bulb or sealed beam, filled with various gasses. H.I.D. is 3 to 4 times brighter than iodine and draws less power (wattage) than incandescent lamps… www.headwinds.com

Thanks to Bob Bennion

“Aging” Some people Profile your car! try to turn back their odometers. not me! We would like to have a profile of your car, even I want people to know 'why' if everyone knows who you are. Please email your I look this way. profile to Mike & Kathryn. New to the PTC, Let I've traveled a long way us know the details, as we would like to do a feature article on your car! and some of the roads weren't paved. Vintage Racing TECH TIP 2010 SOVERN EVENT CALENDAR “ Photo metrics” combined with candlepower determine the lamp's performance (luminosity). Photo metrics is Yet to be posted. how light is distributed and candlepower is the amount of light emitted from the bulb. Photo metrics is determined All vintage events sponsored by SOVREN. by flutes behind the lens or mirrors on the reflector. More info for these and other NW vintage Distributed light patterns can go from a pencil beam to a events can be found at: http://www.sovren.org/ wide flood. A smooth parabolic reflector with a clear lens produces a pencil beam. A fluted lens produces a flood We want to hear your great stories! Do you light due to prisms on the inside .of the lamp that bend or have a great story to share? Send us the refract the light. Refracted light is yellowed, reducing the details with your photos. Let us know! light's brightness. Modern-technology lamps have clear lenses with Want to avoid mail delays? Receive your mirrored reflectors. This produces a dense light pattern next issue of the PTC Newsletter emailed to with whiter light that reaches farther down the road than you on-line. Contact us at [email protected] a fluted lens lamp. 114 bulbs come in Halogen (Iodine) with your email address or Xenon (an inert gas). Xenon is about 30 percent brighter than iodine. Some bulbs have diachronic mirrors FOR SALE: (colors) to change the wavelength of light, making the road more visible. Others have blue filters to make them look like H.I.D. (mentioned below). Filters, like

10 Pacific Tiger Club Newsletter Dec‘10/Jan’11 1963 Sunbeam Alpine - $14,500.00 (Clackamas, OR.) 1963 Sunbeam Alpine (English) car. Orange / Sunset Red color with matching aluminum hardtop. Chrome wire wheels and a SS luggage rack make this car a real show stopper. A great runner and touring unit with a 1725, 4 cylinder engine with 32-36 Weber carburetor, 105 amp chrome alternator, 5 blade light gage cooling fan. 4 speed with Overdrive.

Like new steering joints and wheel bearings. New exhaust system, oil cooler and all running gear has less than 10,000 miles since new overhaul. Tires are in good condition and all electrics work, even has an optional back up light. All glass is in very good condition, the Plexiglas in the hard top has some scratches. It has a professional built roll bar mounted into the lower frame. The hard top is removable, and has a like new soft top stored inside. . Serious interest only please! Cash speaks. Please call for an appointment. I can send a CD with video and photos. 503-698-7549

1966 SUNBEAM TIGER MARK 1A Upgrades and changes made since 2005 Serial# B382002277 JAL # 662297 purchase: Color Code 86 Current Color – Forest Green Top loader transmission rebuilt and gearing Engine # 7172B19KC (260 Cubic Mostly changed from close ratio to wide ratio - High Stock) TAQ # 0641, Issued May 2007 volume oil pump - New radiator with 6 bladed Description and Features: fan - Headers and old Edelbrock style medium Former California Car, previously owned in the riser manifold, ceramic coated - New Centre Los Angeles area. Original factory hardtop, Force clutch and pilot bearing - New Pertronix black. Black leather interior. 15” Panasport ignition with 8mm ignition wires - Rebuild of wheels with 2 BF Goodrich G-Force Sport brake servo and install steel braided lines - New 195/50R15 “V” speed tires (Front) 2 BF remote oil filter assembly with steel braided Goodrich “G-Force Sport 205/50R15 “V” hoses - Miscellaneous new rubber seal, speed tires (Rear) purchased June 2006, less grommets etc. Work was completed in 2007. than 1000 miles. Gas tanks and pipes removed, cleaned and coated, July 2006. 2” exhaust system with Magniflow mufflers installed in 2007. New Carter fuel pump installed, 2007. New wood dash board with cubby door - New cubby box - New wiring harness and cleanup of wiring under hood - Wiring redone to original specs - Cleaning of all gauges including painting of 11 Pacific Tiger Club Newsletter Dec‘10/Jan’11 needles - New soft top hardware. Work REGALIA completed in 2008 Hats, Hats, Hats… We got ‘em! $15.00 +2.50 ALSO - BIG TEX 70 CAR HAULER for shipping, all have the "Pacific Tiger Club" Logo on the front, some have Tiger or Alpine 7,000 lb - 2006 Car hauler Model # 70CH-16. on the side and some have no added logo on the Purchase price July 2006 - $3225.00 Cdn. side. Make all forms of payment to "Pacific Asking price - $2400 US includes all tie downs Tiger Club" and mail to Budd Bennion, 14720 and straps. 30th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98155-7512. Asking price for both the car and the trailer (outfitted for the car) $39,500.00US Tiger purchased without the trailer, asking $38,000US

Contact: Bob Seifert, [email protected] Telephone: 1 250 629-3184 Pender Island, B.C.

Buddy and his wife Edna went to the state fair every year, and every year Buddy would say, “Edna, I'd like to ride in that helicopter.” Edna always replied, “I know Buddy, but that helicopter ride is fifty bucks and fifty bucks is fifty bucks.” One year Buddy and Edna went to the fair and Buddy said, “Edna, I'm 85 years, old if I don't ride that helicopter I might never get another chance.” To this, Edna replied, “Buddy that helicopter ride is fifty bucks and fifty bucks is fifty bucks.” The pilot overheard the couple and said, “Folks I'll make you a deal, I'll take the both of you for a ride, if you can stay quiet for the entire ride and don't say a word I won't charge you a penny! But, if you say one word its fifty dollars.” Buddy and Edna agreed and up they went. Save postage by picking up regalia at club meeting Fleece jackets $30 + postage $4 The pilot did all kinds of fancy manoeuvres, but Polo shirts- Lady's = $20 + postage $3 not a word was heard. He did his daredevil Men’s = $15 + postage $3 tricks over and over again, but still not a word. When they landed, the pilot turned to Buddy and said, “By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn't, I'm impressed!” Buddy replied, “Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Edna fell out, but you know "fifty bucks is fifty bucks!' Thanks to Bob Bennion

Next Meeting: Jan 17th Pacific Tiger Club 37624 Vista Key Drive NE Hansville, WA 98340