VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 July–Aug 2010 INSIDE THIS ISSUE UPCOMING EVENTS EDITOR’S BIT AGM Tour: Aug. 12th to Aug. 15th As usual, many thanks to all who Project Mini part II 4 wrote and submitted articles for Member’s Cars 6 Filberg Show : Aug.15th this issue including our regulars, Vancouver Moment 9 Rally In The Valley: Aug. 21st Walter, Les and Steve H, without Portland ABFM: Sept. 4th whom there wouldn’t be much of a Cars in Egypt 10 Roundabout. Also a special thank Historic Races 11 VCB Meeting: Sept.7th, Ocean you to John Chapman who’s work Hey Jude 12 Park Village Pub, 12822 16th Ave- has not graced these pages in a nue, Surrey (6:30 for dinner) while, we look forward to the final Louis Brier Show 12 chapter of “What Was I Thinking?” Meeting Minutes 13 ECAIP (Fort Rodd Hill Show): Sept. seeing as the Imp is nearing com- Autojumble 14 12th pletion. Welcome To OECC 14 Whistler All British Run: Sept. 18th

After meeting the members of the rest of the group we MY SECRET LIFE were off once again bound for Kamloops via Lytton, Spence‟s Bridge and Logan Lake. Early on in the morning By John Chapman the sun came out which made our cruise into the Okanagan very pleasant. Normally when I go on a run with the club I‟m on my own. Well when Brits „Round B.C. came up this year my wife Emma‟s first amazement was the small town of Yale. Mary-Jane thought that it would be a good idea that one of Maybe, town is too grandeur a description. A hundred the kids should go on the drive to keep me company. Espe- years ago, Yale was a bustling town of over 10,000 inhabi- cially as their schools had just broken up for the summer tants. Now, there are less than 200. It consists of a couple and they would probably be sitting around watching TV or of run down motels, a couple shops, a garage and a few playing computer games. Well, like their mom, they have other businesses mostly all looking the worst for wear. Her no interest in old English cars let alone driving for 4 hrs a comment was “oh my, do people really live here”? It was a day in an old Morgan with the roof little shock to her, being a city girl at down. Mary-Jane‟s remarks are that heart. For me, I love old buildings and it is “very primitive and it messes my the history that goes with them. Yale hair up”. was to be the first of many such quiet little places that we would either So it was mentioned at the dinner ta- drive through or stop and visit that ble one night that one of them should had a grand history from the pioneer- come on the trip with me. The idea ing days. Several times throughout was met with a resounding “oh no, are the trip I would torment her with you kidding?” Mary-Jane assured ideas that her mother and I would them that it was not a joke and that retire early, move to Yale and take she wanted a volunteer. There was a her with us. deathly hush as they both looked down at their plate of food. I found We spent an enjoyable day and a cou- this extremely amusing and when I ple of nights with the Kamloops laughed they both looked up with a branch. We had a fantastic tour of the smile and one of them said “oh it is a area on Sunday and met some of the joke”. But sadly, no, it wasn‟t. They local members with their cars. On the decided to draw straws to see who Monday morning we set off for Wil- should go on the trip. Whoever drew liams Lake a little later than everyone the shortest straw was the winner. My son, Alex won the else due to Alan and Mary-Lou Miles‟ black Sunbeam not competition by drawing the shortest straw, so unfortu- behaving. Emma and I were just moral support while nately for my daughter Emma, she had to go. Now, imag- Gerry Parkinson and Alan fixed it. Once the offending fuel ine, a twelve year old girl trapped with a bunch of oldies line was fixed we were off. We stopped for fuel and to fix driving equally boring old cars for a whole week which that Sunbeam again, this time corroded fuse contacts. We would probably seem to her like an eternity. also stopped roughly half way, at Green Lake for lunch but that was cut short due to rain. The rain was quite persis- So it was off at 7:30 am on a very cold and cloudy Saturday tent but we wrapped up in our coats and drove through it. morning. We drove up to Harrison with the top down to join the rest of the group. It was very cold and it rained a On arriving at Williams Lake nearly all participants little but it could not have been that bad because Emma cleaned their cars and displayed them outside the very actually fell asleep on the way. I wonder if that‟s a first, impressive information Center for an informal show and falling asleep in an open top Morgan while it‟s raining? By shine to promote the old English car movement. Ok, Ok. I the time we had reached Harrison Hot Springs the rain was the only one who didn‟t clean their car. I just hate had stopped, the skies started to clear and Emma had cleaning cars knowing that it will get dirty again within a woken up. hour of driving. Well the rain cut the show a little short so

we all retired to the Pub next to the Motel for food and started to climb in altitude the skies grew darker and the liquid refreshment. A good time was had by all. temperature started to drop. It wasn‟t much fun with an open top when it started to rain so Emma and I agreed The next day (Tuesday) we were up earlier than normal that it would be sensible to put the roof on. By this time, and packed the car. By this time I had discovered that Emma had become very helpful with packing, unpacking, Emma was a much happier person if she started the day arranging the motel rooms with our coats and bags and off with a Tim Hortons iced cappuccino and a toasted ba- helping with the tonneau cover. So the hood went on the gel. So from then on throughout the trip we would start Morgan in record time. When we left the pee stop between the day with Tim Hortons for her little treat. That morn- Prince George and McBride the only car not to have the ing we were going to visit the Loran C Tower transmitting roof on was Ric McDonald in his Morgan. What a hero. It station about 45 min drive outside of town. We were sup- was fortunate that we did put the roof up because later on posed to leave at 9:30 but that black Sunbeam refused to in the day the rain came down with a vengeance. We start. Well, we all got our morning exercise by pushing it stopped for lunch in McBride, a pretty little town sur- up and down the parking lot about 4 or 5 times. Finally it rounded by mountains. According to Emma, it must be a fired up and we were off on a very scenic drive through the two horse town as it was bigger than some of the places countryside to the Loran station. Not going to go into any that we had been through. After lunch we drove off to Val- detail about the station but it was a very interesting visit mont and again, just before arriving, the rain fell in tor- and the two guys there were very hospitable. Especially rents which curtailed our plan to see mount Robson first when that damned black Sunbeam wouldn‟t start. AGAIN. before booking into the Motel. Seriously though the guys at the station traced the fault to the Alternator, helped get the car started and arranged for an Auto Electrician to look at it in Williams Lake. We drove down to The Auto Electrician who diagnosed the fault and a couple of hours later we were back on our way with the Sunbeam finally fixed for the rest of the trip.

Enjoying some birthday cake and ice cream on Can- ada Day in Valemount

Personal disaster: Valemount doesn‟t have a Tim Hortons. What to do? Well, we managed to survive. We spent Can- ada Day in Valemount and went to the super fireworks That “damned” black Sunbeam strikes again! display in the evening. I won‟t go into detail of Canada Day as I‟m sure someone else‟s report will. On the drive to Prince George it rained and Emma fell asleep again. She fell asleep in that Morgan a total of five Friday morning saw us leave for Merritt. This time the times during the whole trip which amazed me. The meal in weather was kind to us and the drive was very pleasant Prince George was a bit scary. The Chinese restaurant and scenic. served up a meal which consisted of almost crimson red sweet and sour pork, chicken and shrimp in a bright yel- Unfortunately, Saturday was our last day on the trip. The low batter. I‟d never seen those colours before on a plate of route was to take us along 5A to Princeton and then onto food. Up North maybe they have nuclear ovens instead of Hope. Now, as I said before, I have an interest in the his- microwaves? The good news was that there was plenty of tory of the Pioneers and the Gold Rush era. So I planned it and it tasted ok. It was strange though, when the staff that Emma and I would detour along the old Coalmont were trying to get people to take the leftover prawns home road to visit the old towns of Tulameen and Coalmont. and everyone was declining the offer. The prawns are usu- Three other cars decided to do the same route with us: ally always the first to be eaten. Aren‟t they? Alan and Mary-Lou Miles in the Sunbeam which was now behaving well, Gerry and Anita Parkinson in the superbly Wednesday: After our now ritual of going to Tm Hortons kept M.G.B G.T, and Roy and Susan Pullen in there for breakfast we set out for Valemount via McBride. As we equally well kept Rover 2000 TC. Part way down the Coal-

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 2 mont road the tarmac turned to gravel but still very driv- there was large car show along the main street. We had a able. This lasted for about 40km or so but was well worth quick look over the mostly American iron. American cars the effort as the scenery was excellent. On arriving in Tu- don‟t normally interest me but, I must admit there were a lameen I was a little disappointed. It had now become a couple there that I would not mind owning. I have an af- vacation retreat for city people centered around Otter fection for the late fifties – early sixties fins and chrome. Lake. There wasn‟t much evidence left of the grand old Emma and I had a quick bite to eat and we were off once days of the gold rush of the late 1800‟s. All that was re- again. This time for home. By this time Emma was getting maining was a small museum. a bit homesick for Ziggy, her little dog. She hadn‟t cuddled So we had a quick look around him for almost a week. The two and pressed on to Coalmont. hour journey home wasn‟t so much a journey but a pleasure Coalmont is a sleepy little town as the road around the moun- with a population of a few hun- tains and through Manning dred people. It still has half a park is great to drive in an old dozen or so buildings dating sports car. from the early 1900‟s when it was first established as a sup- We were enthusiastically ply town to the Blakeburn coal- greeted at home by little Ziggy mine on the south side of the who obviously missed us as he Tulameen river. The buildings went crazy wagging his tail, include the very large Hotel, jumped into the car and onto which is now run down and Emma‟s lap. He never left only the bar is open at certain Emma alone until she went to times during the day to serve bed that night. the few inhabitants and the Dinner In Merritt The highlight of the trip for me occasional traveler. Other was most definitely the beauti- buildings that remain from the ful drive from Merritt to Hope old days include the Meat Shop via Coalmont and Princeton. (now closed), the General Store Visiting the old town of Coal- (also closed) and the Post Office mont and then meeting Bob which closed in the 70‟s, was Sterne was the icing on the moved across the road where it cake. Emma‟s highlight? Tim now serves as the office for a Hortons iced cappuccino with a small three unit themed Motel toasted bagel for breakfast. We which has recently opened. We both enjoyed the trip as I‟m pulled up outside the Hotel and sure everyone did. We surely started looking around and tak- live in a beautiful Province, so ing pictures of the old buildings people, get out in those old cars when, out from the Motel office and visit some mountains, riv- came a man in search of the ers, lakes, hills and forests. I owner of the Morgan. He intro- now have a list of places to go duced himself to me as Bob back to so that I can spend a bit Sterne. It was a very familiar Meeting Bob Sterne in Coalmont more time exploring and taking name to me as a Morgan enthu- in the scenery and history. I am siast in the North West. Bob is the son of the late great extremely grateful to Rob and Elaine Brodie of the Central G.B. Sterne, Morgan dealer for the West Coast and victori- Island branch for spending so much time and effort put- ous racing driver. Bob now owns the new themed Motel ting the trip together. A fantastic job. with his wife Diane. He took us into his workshop and showed us his Morgan memorabilia from the days when he Oh, and the title of this piece? “My secret Life”. Well, after and his father GB ran the Dealership and raced Morgan‟s the trip, Emma was on facebook talking to her friends who very successfully around the tracks of the Northwest and she hadn‟t seen for a week about what she had been doing West Coast. Bob showed us around his newly built Motel, during that time. My wife always checks up on what the gave us a short history of his Great Grandfather Beatty kids are up to on the computer for security reasons. One of who was famous for windmills and farm equipment. Bob Emma‟s entries was “I spent a week with my Dad driving has a Beatty windmill set up in his back yard. He also around B.C in his old car with some of his friends in old gave us a brief history of Coalmont and the surrounding cars. We didn‟t know he had any friends”. area. All in all, a very engaging visit and a wonderful sur- prise for me to meet Bob, a very interesting and person- able person in his own right. Reluctantly, we left Coalmont (Photos by Emma Chapman and Alan and Mary Lou for Princeton, some twenty minutes away. In Princeton Miles)

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 3 PROJECT MINI - PART TWO: THE TRIP HOME lenging turns indicated that didn‟t fit reality on the ground. The dreaded sound of an engine running out of gas By Steve Hutchens came just as we passed a church‟s parking lot so we steered in. Mike had provided us with a one-gallon can of

gas as an emergency reserve, and we were most grateful On Monday, March 29th we headed west from Tulsa for his foresight. With gas back in the tank we proceeded through western Oklahoma‟s rolling, scrub oak hills. All toward our target station only to find that it, too, was was going well as made our first gas stop in Stillwater. I- closed. Though frustrated and losing confidence in our 75, just west of town, took us south to Oklahoma City and Garmin, we gave it a third chance and chose a station with I-40. We were learning small idiosyncrasies of our Mini, an address on a recognized highway. It was over three but nothing was daunting. Adjusting to the Mini‟s small miles away but we arrived there safely. gas tank and frequent need for fuel was the biggest chal- Farmington, New Mexico, a long, skinny community in lenge as the further west we went the fewer the gas sta- northwestern corner of the state, was our destination for tions. the second night. We arose early on the third day with the One unknown was how far we could travel daily in the intent of making it to Salt Lake City, Utah that evening. Mini without incurring unnecessary stress or becoming All was going well as we travelled the secondary highways exhausted. Our travel pattern in a “normal” car is to cover of this scenic part of the country, but Celia noticed omi- between 400 and 500 miles per day. We discovered imme- nous looking clouds that could indicate rain or possibly diately that travel went best when we planned our fuel even snow given the altitude of the area. We detoured west stops ahead of time. Then something unusual happened: a into northeastern Arizona to avoid the clouds, pausing as car passing us paused and took a picture of the Mini. This we approached our junction with Hwy 191 to take a photo turned out to be our first experience with people who were of our odometer as it turned over 10,000 miles. As it read apparently fascinated with the photogenic little car. Before 9999.7 I pulled to the shoulder and proceeded slowly as it we would arrive back home it would happen dozens of turned 9999.8, then 9999.9, then … nothing. I drove on times. The most disconcerting was on the evening of our slowly, but nothing happened to the odometer. Dead. Our first day on the road when, pushing our daily distance Mini‟s first malfunction, but then, after all it is British and limit, we approached Tucumcari, New Mexico, after dark. the instru- A car pulled alongside and paused then there was a bril- ments are liant flash. I thought something had happened to the Mini, by Smiths. but it was only the flash of an overenthusiastic photogra- You take it pher getting his or her photo of this strange little car. all in stride. The second day we headed on west on I-40. We stopped at Cline‟s Corners, a tourist stop at a junction where we Lunch in turned north toward Santa Fe to enjoy a brief bit of this Blanding, fascinating historic city. We were getting acquainted with Utah, was our Garmin GPS and it gave us a route and arrival time memorable, consistent with lunch. Leaving Santa Fe, we noticed our with two of gas gauge was very low and queried our Garmin for the best nearby gas stations. We were glad when it told us that the sandwiches Stopping for lunch in Blanding, Utah nearest ever so we station was took a picture. Moab, Utah, was just up the road and we barely a saw a few off-road Jeep-type vehicles as we neared town. mile away. Then more and more. Then dozens, yea hundreds. It Navigating turned out that this was the weekend for Moab‟s annual Santa Fe‟s off-road festival and the town was full of off-road vehicles ancient and their enthusiasts. It was fascinating to see them and streets their varied configurations. As we continued on north to- through a ward Salt Lake City we saw dozens more, some on trailers residential and others being driven, heading toward Moab. I have no neighbor- idea where they were going to stay as the town was al- hood ready full. proved The gas stop in Green River, Utah, on I-70, resulted in well-suited three photographers snapping photos of the Mini and an to the interesting conversation with a guy who went to school in Mini‟s size, but as we approached our intended fuel stop the UK for a while and once owned a Mini that he still had we soon found that it had been closed for decades. Check- fond memories of. ing the Garmin again, the next closest station was only another mile or so. Narrow, twisting streets made for ox Leaving I-70 just west of Green River, we headed toward carts were a challenge for GPS, and there were a few chal- Soldier Summit (7,477 feet). We were running behind our

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 4 anticipated schedule. As we gained edge as it directed us to turn left at elevation the temperature began to the first intersection and informed fall and the sun dipped behind us that we had 14 miles to go. Hold- mountain peaks from time to time. ing our breath, we turned left to- Clouds rolled in and our conversa- ward downtown and counted off tion turned to road conditions we every passing mile. When the dis- might anticipate. Mist turned to tance got under ten miles the GPS light rain and a lump formed in started counting in tenths of a mile my throat as the tension mounted and I announced each tenth as it as we well-remembered how impo- passed. I was driving twenty to tent our Mini was on even the twenty five mph with an extremely lightest of snow. Light rain turned light foot and stop lights were nego- Great photo opp. in N.E. Arizona to snow flakes, but the road was tiated as gently as possible. We warm enough that they weren‟t never sensed loss of traction, but sticking. Nonetheless, we realized we were in a precarious took no chances. As we neared our motel, the GPS gave us position as there were no facilities between us and Span- a left turn just at the left turn arrow came on. We made ish Fork, Utah, which was 38 miles away. We hit Soldier the left, then a right a few blocks later, and then we Summit at almost exactly 6:00 with the temperature con- turned into our motel. Against the front door was a sign tinuing to fall, snow accumulating on the sides of the road, stating “Parking Lot Full.” As I muttered something about and the sun not far from setting. We had no idea what the having a reservation I noticed one vacant parking spot in road was like between us and Spanish Fork, but we could- the first row near the motel office. I turned in, turned the n‟t help but imagine being stranded there for no telling Mini off, breathed a sigh of relief, and we slumped in my how long. We had some relief five or six miles from the seat as I noticed the snow accumulating on the windows of summit, but the snow didn‟t turn to rain for quite a few the other cars in the parking lot. more miles. By the time we got to Spanish Fork we were really ready for a supper stop and the Burger King that Two days of doing genealogy research in the Family His- was convenient was just fine - at this point we just needed tory Library provided a relief to the tension of the road. to stop. We realized that if we had been an hour later we We walked everywhere we wanted to go downtown, and would undoubtedly have encountered freezing conditions enjoyed our stay immensely. All too soon, however, it was and been stranded. Saturday morning and time to head for home. Our plan was to drive north from Salt Lake City on I-15 to I-84, We didn‟t linger over our meal because it was almost dark then take I-84 to I-90 to I-5 and home. Celia was packing and Salt Lake City was still 52 miles away. The junction as I checked out of the motel. I took a look at the rear tires with I-15 was just west of Spanish Fork and signs for Salt on the Mini and there was still some tread left but I knew Lake City were a relief. A relief, that is, until light rain that snow on the road was to be avoided at all cost. Going turned to light snow, day turned to night, and the traffic back to our room, I suggested to Celia that we check road got much heavier. The roads were still too warm for the conditions on I-84. A few minutes searching on the Inter- snow to stick, but it continued and we found ourselves in net gave the verdict: “Ice and snow patches on passes; the midst of four lanes of cars heading north at 45 to 50 chains or all-season tires recommended.” Undaunted, mph with decreasing visibility. Our GPS programmed for Celia suggested driving west from Salt Lake City toward our motel in downtown Salt Lake City and we counted off Reno on I-80 but an Internet search of that route gave the every mile. Miles seemed to take forever to pass and ten- identical answer. The only route home remaining without sion filled the little car as our senses were on edge to de- buying new tires started out away from home, south on I- tect the first sign of loss of traction. Thoughts of getting off 15 to Las Vegas then west on I-40 to Los Angeles before of I-15 grew as conditions worsened but we were in the turning north. It was quite a bit further, but there was no wrong lane to exit. I found an opening and carefully ma- chance of snow and I knew that we could buy 10” tires in neuvered to the right lane just in time to see that the lane California. We packed up and headed south. was a forced exit. At this point I didn‟t even care. We eased off of I-15 with relief as driving at those speeds with poor visibility and uncertain traction was nerve wracking to say the least.

But now that we were off of I-15 what? I‟d been in Salt Lake City several times and knew enough about the layout of the city to know that we were almost straight south of our motel. We passed two or three motels and discussed whether to stop and get a room. The roads were still only wet with no accumulation and traffic on the city streets was light. I recognized State Street as a major north/south thoroughfare and took some comfort in at least having an idea where we were. The GPS confirmed my scant knowl- Salt Lake City

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 5 Cars of Branch Members and their Stories

By Walter Reynolds “I‟ve given the Roundabout readers information on the car and the Interceptor marque through past issues of the newsletter, so today I will stick with stories of things that The Jensen Interceptor of David Bal- have happened with the car. The stories relate to some of the little episodes with the car and should be taken for lantine their entertainment value only, and not as an indication of

any lack of reliability on the car‟s part. In fact, the things that I relate here have, with one exception, not stopped me NOTE: David‟s Jensen Interceptor is the second Intercep- from driving the Interceptor home. tor model made by Jensen. The first model was made from 1949 to 1957 and was based on a modified Austin chassis. “The car has a 440 cubic inch Dodge engine in it which It was powered by an Austin straight-six 3993 c.c. A135 make sourcing engine parts a relatively easy exercise, engine. The style of David‟s Interceptor was produced from plus, it allows me to buy many components from places 1966 to 1976, the year that Jensen closed its doors. (See like Auto Parts Plus, Lordco, etc. sidebar following David‟s interview regarding the two In- terceptor models.) “We (Margaret and me) had taken the Interceptor on a trip to Port Hardy. Margaret was shopping and I was with The Roundabout has published David‟s articles on both the the car in the Mall parking lot. Without warning, steam Jensen marque (March-April, 2009 and September- started rising from under the bonnet. I was then sur- October, 2009) and his car in particular (September- rounded by men wanting to help me find what the problem October, 2005, based on an August 26, 2005 Vancouver was. It turns out that the relay for the two electric cooling Sun article), so the interview with him which follows deals fans had quit. Once I‟d stopped the car the coolant boiled mainly with anecdotes and experiences with the car dur- over. I asked if anyone had any wire, which was willingly ing the 17 years that he has owned it. produced. I „hot wired‟ the fans directly to the battery and this way, it worked all the time. When I stopped the car, I had to physically undo the wire from the battery, and then re-connect it when I wanted to get the car going. The owner of the B&B where we were staying gave me a 120 volt light switch which I put into my „hot wire‟ circuit so when I stopped, I just had to flip the switch to turn off the fan. This „work-around‟ solution lasted all through the re- mainder of the trip until I was able to replace the failed relay.

“When we bought the car, it had been sitting in a ware- house for 12 years. The owner had only started the engine every so often, but had not driven the car. For all that standing still, the only things that had to be replaced were the lifter seals. They all had hardened and failed which allowed oil to escape into the exhaust. The oil that wasn‟t burned ended up coating the rear of the car. Once the seals David & Margaret with Interceptor. David photo. were replaced, the oil problem went away.

“We were on a drive in the rain and Margaret started complaining that water was getting in and getting her feet “Our car is a 1974 Jensen Interceptor which, at present, wet. On close inspection I found the water was leaking in has 69,000 original miles „on the clock‟. We bought the car from around the windshield seal. A trip to Canadian Tire 17 years ago in September 1994 and the car remains for some black windshield rubber sealant and a squirt of mainly original, even down to the working 8-Track tape the sealant around the windshield rubber cured the leak. player! Parts not original are both sills, the passenger-side The seal remains good to this day. floor pan, and the starter motor, which had to be replaced. “The car‟s windshield is made by Royal Doulton in Eng- “At Van Dusen, two years after I bought the car from the land – that‟s right, the china ware and figurine maker. second owner (I am owner number three), the original The corners of the windshield are starting to fog, but I owner showed up with his 9 year old son and I let them sit don‟t want to replace it because of the originality of the in the car so the original owner could indulge his memo- windshield (not to forget the cost of a replacement Royal ries. Doulton windshield, that is, if any are available).

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 6 bonnet. Thankfully this put out the fire so there was noth- ing for the Fire Fighters to do once they arrived. They told me that what I had done was correct because had I lifted the bonnet, I could have made the fire worst, and possibly injured myself. While no firm cause of the fire was found, it was possible a short in a relay. Fire damage was limited to the starter relay, bonnet insulation, minor wiring and air conditioner hoses. At the time the repairs were being made, the air conditioner gas was changed from R12 to R134 because it was illegal to recharge with R12. This was the one time I was not able to drive the car home from a trip.

Royal Dalton Logo on windshield. David photo.

“After attending a wedding in the Fraser Valley the Inter- ceptor‟s lights wouldn‟t work. On the car, the headlight flasher is on the steering column. To get us home I had to hold the flasher in its “on” position until we got into our driveway. This made one-hand steering the only way to get home.

“The 2008 OECC AGM was held in Vancouver‟s Queen Elizabeth Park. That day we were reminded about how much rain can fall in this area. On conclusion of the meet- ing we (a friend and me) were leaving in the Interceptor when one of the windshield wiper blades flew off while Rear window of the Ballantine Interceptor. David driving on 12th Avenue in Vancouver. Luckily, my friend photo. found the wiper blade which I fitted back onto the wiper “I was with a group of other Jensen owners on a trip in arm and we carried on home without more incidents. the States when a radiator hose blew. One of my fellow “Margaret had been driving the car one day with my drivers had a hose which we put onto the car, but no one daughter as passenger. When they got home, they both had any water to refill the radiator. As it happened, we complained of crackling coming from the rear of the car were stopped beside a water-filled ditch. After several interior. As they were showing me where the sound was trips into the ditch to get water, the radiator was filled coming from, the rear window „imploded‟, sending glass and off we went. As a testimony to the ruggedness of the bits everywhere. No doubt an ICBC claim. Because there Dodge engine, that water worked without any problems are no Canadian sources for the rear window of the Inter- until I returned home at which point, I flushed out the ceptor, and because ICBC won‟t pay for parts from the cooling system and reloaded with proper coolant. States, I „contracted‟ with Speedy Auto Glass for them to “In 2009 I drove the Interceptor to Carson City for the do the paperwork while I arrange for the replacement 2009 Annual Jensen „gathering‟. It was a 2,000 mile round glass and installation. I sourced a new-in-crate rear win- trip on my own for which I was awarded the „Longest Dis- dow in Snohomish, WA at a Jensen Interceptor repair tance Travelled‟ trophy. The car ran without problems. shop. I drove the car down there, sans rear window, and The visit was memorable for there were three Interceptors only had to wait four hours while the window was in- there with consecutive serial numbers (mine, one from stalled. Then I drove back into Canada with the window in Vancouver and the third from San Diego The photo below place. (I had been given the go-around on the Canadian shows the three cars, in the order of their serial number: side of the border on the way down, but that‟s another 2210/9271, red, Brian Rudy, ex-OECC; 2210/9272, green, story for another day.) At Speedy, they told me that for Bruce, San Diego; 2210/9273, white, mine. The red car and them to install the rear window, it would have probably the white car were sold by Classic and Thoroughbred Cars taken at least 8 hours. In case you are wondering, the win- of North Vancouver (no longer in business). The red car dow implosion was caused by the window heater connec- was once owned by the owner off Kits Cameras and is cur- tors shorting which in turn generated heat beyond the rently a Vancouver car. window‟s capacity to handle. (Speedy‟s total bill to ICBC was $3,100 Cdn.) “During the 17 years we‟ve owned the car it‟s won ap- proximately 16 awards. I‟ve never been tempted to sell it. “There was a small fire in the car while I was parked in Mind you, if someone was willing to pay me what the car is North Vancouver. I was out of the car when white smoke valued at……. started coming out of the engine compartment. I got the fire extinguisher and squirted it through the louvers in the

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 7 “I take the car to shows and show and shines and often get A big ‘Thank You’ to David for sharing some of his asked what it is, „It‟s a Jensen‟, „Who makes Jensen?‟ ‘Interceptor experiences’. Next time, we will hear from Bill „Jensen makes Jensen‟, „Oh!‟ Grant about his Brit auto collection. For the November- December Roundabout, Steve Hutchins will talk about his collection. Beyond the November-December 2010 issue, there are no Cars of Members interviews as yet, so call me if you want to share your British car (or vehicle) stories. Or, I will call you!

Jensen Interceptor Sidebar

By Walter Reynolds

Three Interceptors at Carson City, 2009. David photo.

“The 8-Track still works and I found a machine that al- lows me to record over music that is on the tapes. That way, I can listen to current music using old 8-Track cas- settes. I also have an audio cassette insert for playing old regular-sized cassettes, plus have an insert for the insert which allows me to plug in and play an MP3 player. So I can play current music from current devises without losing the originality of the dashboard 8-Track player. 1949 - 1957 Jensen Interceptor EMAP Automotive “In 2008 I had the sills replaced, plus later had the floor photo. pan replaced on the passenger side. The work was done by Peter Marshall Autobody Ltd (1525 Welch Street, North Vancouver. 604-988-2799) and they did an excellent job. Jensen launched the first of its Interceptor range in I‟ve recommended them to several people since having the 1949. The car started production as a two-door work done. drophead mounted on a modified Austin chassis, but later became available as a four door saloon. Its main “On the way to Van Dusen this year, I was behind a police purpose was as a grand tourer. Its looks were not to Crown Victoria Interceptor ghost car. At the lights at Oak everyone‟s taste and, indeed its frontal aspect was Street, I pulled up along side the driver (who had his win- rather peculiar, with an oval-shaped grille, bug-eye dow down) and called over to him that I liked my Intercep- headlights perched above it and an air intake in the tor more than his. In a broad Birmingham accent the po- front of the bonnet. lice officer replied that he did too. When I asked him what size engine he had, I was able to tell him that my engine was bigger than his, at which point he asked if I wanted to Thanks to its immense external proportions, the Jen- drag. I politely declined because my turn off was coming sen was well known for passenger comfort, with its up!” bench front seat, folding front seat backs to provide good access for rear-seat passengers, and a generous amount of rear legroom.

Power came from Austin‟s straight-six 3993 cc (242 cu in) A135 engine, enabling the streamlined but some- what slab-sided Interceptor to reach speeds of 100 mph (161 km/h).

A hardtop version made its appearance in 1951, with a full fabric-covered roof. Overdrive became standard from 1952, and the bonnet was lowered in 1953. Pro- duction ended in 1957 with a production total of 88. David and his Interceptor, July 5, 2010. Walter photo.

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 8 Vancouver Moment

By Les Foster

Scattered around our city in sometimes unlikely spots are

reminders of past glories in the age of English cars. On a warm spring day, Calla and I discovered such a place.

Deep in the heart of Kitsilano, land of Birkenstocks and bicycles, is a monument to one of the icons of British cars in Vancouver.

Thomas Horace Plimley opened his British car dealership th on 4 Avenue in 1936. Horace, as he was known, was the eldest son of Thomas Plimley who parlayed a bicycle The Ballantine Beauty, Van Dusen 2008. David business founded in 1893 in Victoria into one of the prov- photo. ince‟s first and largest car dealerships. Horace‟s mother was the first woman to drive a car in Victoria. It was

from this distinguished lineage that Horace Plimley The second version of the Jensen Interceptor (as sprung. He worked for Thomas Plimley Limited before shown above), was made from 1966 to 1976. The new beginning his own operation on the mainland. Interceptor‟s sleek grand-tourer body was designed by Italian stylists Touring. Early examples were actually made in Italy, while tooling was installed at Jensen‟s West Bromwich factory. Distinctive features include its huge curvy glass rear screen, macho V8 engine and ex- clusive price tag. New, the Interceptor was considera-

bly dearer than many Ferraris.

The FF (Ferguson Formula) version which ran from 1966 to 1971, was famed for being the world‟s first four- wheel drive production car, using a transmission devel- oped by Harry Ferguson of tractor fame. Combined with Dunlop‟s Maxeret aircraft-inspired anti-lock brak- ing system, the car was known as being one of the fast- est yet safest cars on the road. The FF can be identified

from other Interceptors by its twin air intakes behind the front wheels and its slightly longer wheelbase. Tucked away in the inner courtyard of a fairly recently th built edifice at the corner of 4 and Yew is a plaque cele- brating the “musician and business pioneer whose family The Interceptor was available as a hatchback coupe, a operated an automobile dealership on this site for over rare convertible (only 267 were made) and a rather odd- forty years”. A studious-looking man holding a violin is looking notchback coupe, while the FF only came with depicted. Perhaps, given the location, the car connection a glass opening hatch. has been down-played in favour of Horace‟s notable tal-

ent and passion for music. No mention is made of Basil Plymley, who took the reins of the company in 1957 and The Mk II from 1969 had a revised front, while the Mk ran it skillfully until 1986, one of a rare breed of third III from 1971 gained cast alloy wheels. The SP, from generation B.C. businessmen. Plimleys closed in 1991 1971 to 1973 had a massive 7.2 litre (440 cu in) engine after a span of 98 years in of business. and louvers in the bonnet (as does David’s car, W). Pro- duction ended in 1976 with a production total of 6727. The building‟s only other homage to one of the great families of provincial enterprise and the automobile in- dustry are some decidedly un-British looking plastic fake wire wheel covers adorning the front of the building be- Source: The Encyclopedia of Classic Cars by David tween the first and second stories. If only the architect Lillywhite, 2003. had thought to get in touch with the O.E.C.C. we might see some nicely preserved chromed ornaments sporting the Morris „M‟ or such!

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 9 Cars in Egypt By Carl Knorr

There are a lot old cars still in daily use in Egypt. Many of them are used as taxis in Cairo. I rode in a Fiat that was a 1960's model but was probably made in Egypt sometime in the late 1970's. The owner said that it is about 35 years old. It was held together with pieces of wire, the transmission protested loudly every time the driver changed gears but that it functioned daily in the Cairo traffic was a tribute to the skill of Egyptian mechanics. Cars are routinely repaired on the street, in the dust and dirt. I saw one Lada getting a complete engine overhaul in the middle of an intersection

Hillman used as storage shed for Stand selling horns in downtown Morris Isis with home made grill the horn stand Cairo

Most of the older cars are Fiats and Peugeots.. Fiats were and some still are made there under license.The newer cars are mainly made in the far east. There are practically no British cars on the road, the only ones I saw were two Minis. I did see a few old English cars parked by the side of the road and they looked like they have been there quite some time. One fifties Hillman was used as a storage shed for a stand that sold car accessories, mainly horns. Horns are critical to driving in Egypt, they are used constantly instead of turn signals and it seems just for the fun of it. Some cars have horns that sound exactly like police cars, when you hear one you look to see where the police are but it is probably just an old beat up Lada driven by some young guy. A lot of cars look like they had been repaired many times but very few cars smoke. From the condition of pistons and other used parts I saw and the conditions they are being repaired in it looks like a miracle. I did not manage to find out what the secret is. English Ford painted as Cairo taxi. Obviously has not had a fare for a while. .

Jaguar Mk VII parked near Nile next to 1950's Pontiac and Mor- ris Isis. All looked like they have not turned a wheel for quite some Street with small used car parts stores in Cairo time.

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 10 Historic Races, Mission, B.C.

Dennis Nelson sent the following report and pictures in from the Vintage Racing Club of B.C.’s Historic Races event which was held at Mission Racetrack on July 17th.

There was a smaller number of entries this year, and a smaller crowd, but still some of the best entertainment around for $15. Great new elevated viewing area, where one can see almost the whole track.

English Car Corral Section The other English car section in the Collector Car Corral. A lot of cars took 3 laps around the track at lunch, just to see how hard it is to corner at speed, on the flat.

This TR3 beat the two big Healeys. Handles a lot better than mine on those tight corners A Triumph GT6 on the track

How long have you ever owned a car ???

Mr. Allen Swift (Springfield, MA.) received this 1928 Rolls- Royce Piccadilly P1 Roadster from his father, brand new - as a graduation gift in 1928. He drove it up until his death last year.....at the age of 102 !!! He was the oldest living owner of a car from new. He donated it to a Springfield museum after his death.

It has 170,000 miles on it, still runs like a Swiss watch, dead silent at any speed and is in perfect cosmetic condi- tion. (82 years)

(Submitted by Walter Reynolds)

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 11 do in order to restore the structural integrity of the cab Hey Jude… and box. While certainly not impossible, the project was fast becoming somewhat unrealistic for me under the best By Les Foster of conditions.

Hey Jude don’t make it bad. The little truck is very rare and very interesting- wonder- fully well-built, modern in its day, powerful and quite Take a sad song and make it better. –The Beatles, 1968 unique. It could easily have been upgraded in perform- Jude, my 1950 Standard Vanguard pickup named by me ance given its close ties to its Triumph sports car family in supplication to the patron saint of desperate causes, members. I had acquired a Laycock de Normanville over- has moved on. Last year I wrote “that even if that Van- drive unit with that in mind. guard pickup never sees the road again, it has already I had many hours of enjoyment researching, travelling, given me far more than a few meeting new people, hanging out hundred dollars worth of joy!” with my friends, reading, planning I stick by that statement. My and just plain dreaming for every friend, Gerry, likes to remind dollar that I actually spent. So, it is me that this is a hobby and only with a small pang of sadness the value of a project should that I waved it goodbye recently. be measured in the fun it The ABFM at Vandusen in May generated even if it never gave me an opportunity to scout out reaches completion, at least a possible new home for the truck. on your watch. A good atti- After putting the word out, it was tude, I think, and one I‟m former OECC member Jim Cave more than willing to embrace and his buddy Jean Marcotte that under the circumstances. came to my rescue. I try not to view Ah yes, “The Circumstances”- Jim as The Grim Reaper (he is not right or wrong, for better or quite tall or slim enough for the for worse, I have begun a new role) and he has said that he hopes chapter of my life and some of the things accumulated to pass the Vanguard on to a restorer friend or a club look- along my earlier way must go. The Vanguard is chief ing for a project. I‟m just grateful that he was crazy amongst these. My hand-picked team of highly-skilled enough to get it off my lot (and out Gerry‟s garage)! experts and advisors had already come to the dim conclu- Will it ever run down the road again, happy people in its sion that this was going to be a very challenging (read cab and perhaps a restored Triumph bike in the box? I frighteningly difficult) restoration. The efforts of previous hope so. It is a beautiful little truck and it deserves to live owners had served mostly to leave virtually no reference on. Like the Beatles sang, “take a sad song and make it points for the extensive welding and reconstruction left to better”.

On June 13, some of our members enjoyed doing a bit of community service by showing their cars at the Louis Brier Hospital in Vancouver. Thanks to Dave Ballantine, Bart Shaw, John and Lorna Hoare, Steve and Sheila Morris and Rhonda Gale for bringing their cars, and also to Italo, who came carless (due to a car problem!!) The residents were very pleased at the mini show and we were pleased with the juice, cookies, tea and sandwiches (plus a small honorar- ium) they provided. Thanks to those involved, Lorna.

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 12 Minutes of the Vancouver 06/07/2010 held at Sky Train Maintenance Yard Branch of the Old English

Car Club of BC After tours of two Shops and the Sky Train Control room led by Terry Little Steve Hutchens called the meeting to

order at 8:50 pm with 27 members in attendance.

01 /06/ 2010 Held at Canadian Museum of The first item of discussion was the Picnic to be held on Flight Sunday July 11th at HMC Discovery in Stanley Park. De- tails of the arrangements were discussed and posters were passed out.

The meeting was called to order by Stephen Hutchens at Lorna Hoare read out a letter of apology from the manager the Canadian Museum of Flight at roughly 7:15 pm with of the Canadian Museum of Flight for his forgetting our 26 members in attendance. The tour of the facility did not tour arrangements last month. He advised he would, if we happen because museum manager failed to show up. rescheduled our tour waive the fees and included 10 fam- First item on the agenda was upcoming events with the ily passes which were handed out to those interested. th club picnic at HMCS Discover on July 11 , 2010 the first Lorna Hoare read out a second letter this from the Louis item to be discussed. Concerns were expressed regards to Brier Home & Hospital as a thank you to our members attendance given the length of time we have the site who took cars to their facility for residents to see on Sun- booked i.e. from 10:00 am until 8:00 pm that it maybe a day June 13th. The facility gave a $50 honorarium to the cause for disappointing attendance in the past in that club and expressed the hope that we would be willing to members may have assumed they were expected to attend return again next year. for the whole period. It was decided to hold the event from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm with the barbecue itself happening Steve Hutchens discussed regalia sales say he had sold shortly after noon. It is hoped this well help attendance. out everything he had with him during „Brits Around BC‟. A new item, a vest, was introduced with Sue Parker get- Ken Miles discussed the tour associated with the OECC ting the first one. AGM in Comox leaving Horseshoe Bay ferry terminal on Thursday morning before the event. The AGM hosted by New members Rob and Karen MacDonald were intro- the Comox Valley Branch of the OECC promises to be a duced; they own a 2007 Lotus Elise. They received a very special event that members will enjoy. warm welcome but there was a bit of teasing about the definition of an „old‟ English Car. Rob & Karen were Bence McIntyre introduced a motion to the effect that the guests who had joined “Brits Around BC” for a couple of London-to-Brighton Commemorative Run start in the days, but enjoying it they stayed for the whole tour and Guildford area to coincide with another club‟s run that decided to join the club. collected toys from participants for a good cause. Walter Reynolds suggested that such a change was within the The Secretary reported that there were only 6 dues re- control of Italo Cirillo who is the chair of the committee maining outstanding, that Bart Shaw had been very help- this year. It seemed to satisfy everyone. ful in collecting outstanding dues and that these members had all received written notice of their outstanding dues. rd The possibility of having a club run on the 3 Sunday of He also reported that he expected to have Lordco discount every month was discussed as it would give a more social cards for the next meeting as he had learned where their event for the membership particularly, it was hoped, for head office was and been given a contact there. spouses (of members) who might not be as interested in our business meetings. Italo Cirillo advised that he had spoken with the manage- ment of the Roma Hall for our Christmas Party and stated Steve Hutchens made a few pitches for regalia and sold that their cost would be $40/person plus a cash tip. several items. Lorna Hoare mentioned that she would get quotes from Lorna Hoare mentioned that the next meeting was at the both the Elephant & Castle and the Delta Country Inn Skytrain maintenance yard July 6th at 7 pm. Bence invited everyone to join Italo and him at the Marine Pub for The possibility of a 50/50 draw to raise money for some conversation and a drink before heading home. charity was discussed, but the idea was left open. The business of the evening being completed the meeting was ad- As the rain seemed to be gathering in intensity the meet- journed at 9:30 pm. ing was adjourned about 8:15 pm with about half of those in attendance intending to retire to a pub to enjoy some comradeship.

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 13 1960 Austin Cambridge original condition, in need of full AUTOJUMBLE restoration, located in Edmonton. Contact Peter for more info English Cars & Parts and pictures at [email protected] For Sale and Wanted 1954/1955 Hillman Californian two door hardtop, all to- See more ads at gether but needs total restoration, open to offers. Contact Ron oecc.ca/vcb Hoffos 604-576-8967 [email protected] under the Autojumble menu 1970 Triumph Stag Convertible, was show car, new

chrome and interior, great body, 5spd, O/D, RHD. Parting 1949 MG TC. RHD. Good original (unrestored) condition. out, $1.00 and up. Jurgen: 604-737-8065 jpet- Running. Tools to go with [email protected] it. A pile of The Sacred Octagon MG magazines (1976-1994) and other MG magazines, all in boxes, go with it. $19,900.00 Contact John Welcome To OECC at 604 584 2564. More photos are on our Rob and Karen MacDonald website. Pitt meadows, B.C. 1976 Triumph TR6. 2007 Lotus Elise One owner for the last 20 years, 104,000 miles, mechanically perfect, all bills avail- able, new tires, collec- tor plates. ICBC agreed value: $15,000.00. $13,000.00 obo. Peter Henderson 604-682-8290

1964 Austin Healey 3000 Mk.II BJ7, new paint (Healey Blue and white), stainless exhaust, 72 spoke chrome wheels, $36,000.00 Contact Barry at 604-943-5399 or [email protected]

20 issues of Collector’s Car magazine 1979—1981. This short lived, excellent publication was supported by Lord Montagu. Wilkinsons was selling for $12.00 an issue. Dave Jaxon $7.00 an issue obo. Call Mike Stout at 604-531-3328 Vancouver, B.C. 1962 Hillman Minx 4 door saloon, auto, 1592cc 2000 Jaguar XK8 Convertible ohv engine, excellent near original condition, approx. 34,000 mi. (believed to be accurate), near new radial tires, brakes redone in „07, new timing chain. $5,500.00 obo Contact for more details: Alan at 604-272-2145 or [email protected]

Lesney Dinky Toys from the 1960’s: Bedford Duple Luxury Coach,, No.21, Rolls Royce Silver Cloud, No. 44, Matchbox series red double-decker bus, Austin A50, No.36, 1 ton Trojan Van with Brooke Bond Tea written on the side, No. 47, Morris Minor 1000, No. 46, Ford Anglia, No. 7 $15.00 ea. 604-910-7244

VOLUME 15, NUMBER 4 THE ROUNDABOUT PAGE 14