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• At the Wheel ..................... 2
• Autojumble: Cars & Parts For
Sale & Wanted .................. 8
• Car Show Celebration ....... 6
• ECAIP ................................ 1
• Ladner-Bellingham Run ... 10
• OECC Christmas Dinner .... 9
• OECC Picnic ...................... 2
• Rover Run #1 .................... 4
• Triumph Challenge ............. 4
• Wings & Wheels 2004 ....... 2
September &October 2004
Volume 9, Issue 5
Don’t Forget:
November 2: 7 PM Meeting,Location TBA
November 7: Ladner-BellinghamRun (see page 10)
Friday, December 3: AnnualChristmas Dinner & Awards
OECC Websites:
Vancouver Coast :members.shaw.ca/oeccvancouver/
South Island (Victoria):www.oecc.ca/sib.htm
Central Island (Nanaaimo):members.shaw.ca/cioeccNorth Island (Comox):
oecc-comox.com/Northern Interior(Prince George):
www.twobits.org/nibac/OECC&R Society:
www.oecc.ca/
Best Calendar Online:www.vancouverminiclub.ca
Next RoundaboutDEADLINE:
November 20
$20 Dues are Due 12/31/04; $25 after that; Renew NOW!
Les Hetherington Awarded the OECC&R Oxo Cup
Continued on page 3
In This Issue
Overseas Dispatch
10th Annual ECAIPLes Foster
This was an English Car Affair without aPark! A labour dispute involving federal gov-ernment employees at the Fort Rodd HillNational Historic Site, ECAIP’s usual venue,forced the OECC South Island Branch orga-nizers to come up with a new location onrather short notice. They not only succeededin relocating the event but came up with aspot that will no doubt give pause for thoughtwhen next year’s planning is under way.
The good people at the B.C. Aviation Mu-seum in Sidney were kind enough to offertheir facility for the show. With a large grassyfield for the cars, easy access, a backdrop ofvintage aircraft, and handy facilities andconcessions, it was custom-made for theevent! Both parties benefited, with the Mu-seum recording one of its best-ever days.Visitors were channeled through the Museumentrance where admission was by donation.For Vancouver Coast Branch members, thecloser proximity to the Swartz Bay ferry ter-minal was an added bonus, shortening thetime spent dicing with highway trafficgreatly.
I attended with Vice-Chair Fred Bennett,arriving in a Brand-X after Steve Diggins,our pilot-to-be, was unable to revive his ail-ing Austin in time. I think this year’sVancouver Coast Branch attendance wasprobably the largest to date at ECAIP. Someyears ago, only two or three members werein attendance but word has spread of thiswonderful fall fair; its “just-across-the-wa-ter” location this time likely helped encour-age mainland dwellers to venture forth.
Besides Fred and I, Les and CarolHetherington (’89 Jaguar V-12), Bart andAudrey Shaw (’66 Triumph TR4-A - does Bartcount as two?), Dom and Settimia Cirillo (’74MGB), brother Itallo (’60 Vauxhall Victor), Pauland Kelly Beenham (’60 Vauxhall Velox -OECC car of the month), Bence McIntyre andHelen (’74 MG Midget), Patrick Jones andElaine Lafontaine, and Joe Carroll (’67 MGB-GT) were all there. (I hope that I haven’tleft anyone out.)
The healthy attendance stood us in good
stead when the “Italian Job” contest came up.This consisted of passing a load of “gold bricks”(2x4 wood blocks - apparently the OECC bullionsupply is low this year) in human-chain fashionto a table (representing a Mini from the famousmovie). Luckily we had several real Italians onhand and acquitted ourselves quite well in thisevent! We were also happy to meet ex-VCB mem-bers Doug and Judy Unia, now enthusiastic Cen-tral Island Branch supporters, showing their pris-tine ’77 Jag XJ-C.
The show sported the great mix of Britishvehicles which has become the trademark ofECAIP. There was everything from a modern Den-nis double-decker bus to a tiny 1937 Fiat Topolino(yes, it was British). The featured marque for the10th Anniversary was, fittingly, Rolls-Royce, andsome remarkable examples were displayed arounda vintage Douglas A-26 Invader water bomber. Ofcourse I delighted in the commercials – a Bedfordvan, Austin Gypsy, Austin Countryman, AustinA35 van and a Morris Minor pickup. In fact, see-
ing them was a huge recharge to my resolve to getmy Thames going. While its “new’ engine is cur-rently being rebuilt, it is mobile and licensed and
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Chairperson: Gerry Parkinson 604-943-3824or [email protected]
Vice-Chair: Fred Bennett 604-939-1773 orFax: 604-939-1753
Treasurer: Elaine Lafontaine 604-591-3332 [email protected] - Membership renewals:
#73-8190 King George Highway, Surrey, BC V3W 5B7Secretary: Dennis Nelson 604-599-9032 or
[email protected] - New memberships andcorrespondence: 10932 Scarborough Drive,
Delta, BC V4C 7X1Events Coordinator: Steve Diggins 604-294-6031
Phone Committee Chief: Walter Reynolds604-465-6350 or [email protected]
Roundabout Editor: Steve Hutchens 360-733-3568or [email protected] - Articles & ads:
2090 N Shore Road, Bellingham, WA 98226-7864Roundabout Printing & Distribution: Richard Taylor
604-298-9347 or [email protected]
Library Resources: Ivan Fisher 604-270-1096Good & Welfare: David Ballantine 604-980-4120
At the Wheel
It’s time to renew your membership! Dues are $20 throughDecember 31. Save $5 and renew now, because dues are$25 with the start of the new year. Mail renewals to Elaineand new memberships to Dennis (addresses in the nextcolumn). While you’re at it, please update your membershipinformation for the OECC Roster, including cars owned!
OECC Dues are Due 12/31!Elaine Lafontaine and Dennis Nelson
About 30 attended our picnicat Elgin Park Crescent Beach.Good food, OK weather; allhad a good time! Chef Itallocooked corn and potatoes foreveryone; each group cookedtheir own meat. Bocci ballgames (see below), organisedby Walter and LindaReynolds, provided great fun.
OECC Picnic August 29Chris Walker
In last month's Roundabout Chris Walker's photos fromthe August 15th Pitt Meadows "Wings & Wheels 2004" Showwere published along with a short summary of the Show.Here's the long version:
This is the second year that the Reynolds' have beeninvolved, but the first year where the entire event has beenorganized by yours truly, with Linda looking after the "officework" at the Registration Tent on Show day. 2004 was thefirst year where we (the Open House Organizing Commit-tee) tried to have classic cars parked with airplanes on thesame era. This part of the Show would be on the operatingside of the Airport, in the taxiway. As show day came closer,previously committed planes dropped out and the “Park witha Plane” part of the show became one where we assignedregistered cars (drivers had to specially register their car ifthey wanted to park with a plane) to remaining airplanesbased on the looks of the vehicle compared with the planesavailable, that is, sporty planes with sporty cars; "cute" carswith "cute" planes, etc. On the actual day, though, eventhis morphed into something different for most of the cars.It became a "park with whatever plane you want" event.Evenso, all went well - I think. We had ten cars parked withairplanes, and five of those were British. These includedOECC members Chris and Dave Walker's Austin SevenChummy, Itallo Cirillo's Vauxhall Victor, and StephenEgerton's Allard Palm Beach.
The remaining cars were parked on the south, non-op-erational part of the airport, in the same parking lot weused last year. In the parking lot, there were 52 vehicles ,including a 1950s International Harvester flat bed one-tontruck, the New Westminster antique fire truck, the Mundie'sTowing 1950s tow truck and OECC members Steve Diggins(Austin Cambridge), Alan Miles (Sunbeam Rapier convert-ible), and our Cambridge and Rover 2000. Club memberswho visited the show included Fred Bennett and RichardTaylor.
As I was short of judges, I roped Steve Diggins in to dosome judging. He did such a fine job, I will put him down tobe a judge next year (but don't tell him though).
By the end of the day, ten trophies had been awarded,including the Mayor's Award (presented by Pitt MeadowsMayor, Don MacLean) and the RCMP Award (presented byInspector Janice Armstrong of the Pitt Meadows/Maple RidgeRCMP Detachment). In addition, 29 draw prizes were givenout to show participants.
While the entire open house event had a problem with alack of volunteers, we were lucky with the Wings & Wheelsbecause many friends and neighbours came out to help andmake the day a good one. Next year's date hasn't been setyet, but I will be sure to let everyone know (probably morethan once).
Thanks to all the OECC members who supported Wings& Wheels 2004 by bringing out their cars or stopping by fora visit.
The Full Story!
Wings & Wheels 2004Walter Reynolds
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Italo Cirillo withaward presented
to the Old EnglishCar Club for theclub entry in the
New WestminsterShow and Shine.It is a beautiful
trophy and one to be very proud of. He will bring itto the club picnic for everyone to see.
had I realized earlier the short distanceinvolved, I might have fixed its originalmotor’s broken head stud and trundledover to the show. Dreams are an impor-tant part of these events!
There are always many vehicles atECAIP that are not often seen on the main-land and this year was no exception. Brit-ish vehicles were even more popular onthe Island it seems and many rare exampleshave survived. Probably the most unique
vehicle this year was a fascinating 1937FIAT Topolino. It was displayed near theentrance gate and proved to be a magnetfor bemused enthusiasts. Apparently builton license by Vickers Aircraft to escapepunitive import duties, it had a plate de-claring it to be a FIAT of Britain, Wembley,product and giving the usual advice forowners on acceptable British lubricants,etc. It was completely original, never re-stored, and oozing that patina of age thatmakes such a vehicle priceless. Righthand drive, trafficators, and a few Brit-ish components cemented the connection.It was bought in England by the presentowner’s grandfather in 1939. His enthu-siastic descendants say he was an aero-nautical engineer with passion for “dif-ferent” cars, owning a Bugatti for a time,as well. The only nonstandard item onthe car was an aircraft ammeter fitted byhim and in service ever since. Naturallythe Cirillo clan fell in love with it at firstsight. Itallo was especially smitten but,alas, this rare beauty is not for sale.
Of great interest, too, and especiallyto Fred Bennett, were vintage motor
cycles. Being a vin-tage biker, in moreways than one, hewas able to knowl-edgeably commenton the display. A1951 Velocette withan unusual pressed
steel frame was, he allowed, regarded asa “noddy” (Brit for “nerdy”) bike. Alsopresent was a 1944 BSA ex-military bikeout of Singapore where it had been a side-car taxi. Like the Topolino it wore a proudpatina of age and experience. Sadly itssidecar did not ac-company it to itsnew home inVictoria. Interest-ing, too, was theBSA folding “para-trooper” bicycle
which Joe Carroll informed me was morelikely to have been carried ashore by Cana-dian troops wading in to Juno Beach onD-Day.
We toured row upon row of lovely carsunder dry skies and comfortable tempera-tures chatting with owners and guests.The strains of bagpipes, Celtic folk songs,the whirl of Irish and Scottish dancersand the like all melded under the big skyof the airfield and the occasional overflightof a vintage aircraft, into a kind of revelry
that only the truly obsessed can fully ap-preciate!
When satiated with vintage wheels wemoved inside the Aviation Museum to viewthe fascinating collection of vintage wingsand historic artifacts. A fully restoredBolingbroke bomber, Tiger Moth and DHCChipmunks trainers, Avro Anson andNoorduyn Norseman, et al…. Engines: Mer-lin, Wasp, Allison… replicas and originals,famous flyers, Pat Bay base in WWII…andmuch more, all a stroll away from a fieldof British vehicles! We were even allowedinto the restoration area where a T-33 jet
is being restored beside a tiny Auster. Thestaff said that they had been too efficient.All their projects are finished or nearly soand one fellow had been reduced to delv-ing into the tow tractor’s starter!
Award presentations and specialthanks to the Aviation Museum, sponsors,performers, and participants wound up theevent. Noted Victoria-based auto journal-ist, Bill Vance, once again presented hisFirst Choice in British Motoring Award.This year’s proud recipient was South Is-land member John Gordon for his gorgeousJaguar XK 120 DHC. The South IslandBranch Chairman’s Choice Award wentto Stephen Clark and his AC Ace. Ex-VCBmember Les Garbutt scooped the preregis-tration draw, which was good for a stay atthe Bellhouse Inn on Galiano Island.
It was almost 4 PM when Fred and Iwalked to the gate. I looked back towardsthe airfield and there sat the ’37 Singersaloon and its contemporary, the Morris8, all alone. “Time Machines” I thought to
myself. Time machines indeed. As hasbecome the tradition for some us, we hast-ily repaired to the 5 o’clock Super Ferrywith its Pacific Buffet and happily stuffedourselves as the spectacular sceneryslipped by and the great day’s joys wererecounted.
And what of next year? Time will tell.As much as I thoroughly enjoyed the newvenue this year, Fort Rodd Hill’s magicalmix of fall foliage, sun-splashed sea andpalpable history beckons me back. Whatdo you think?
Continued from page 1
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What was to be “Follow That Cambridge Run #6” became“Reynolds Rover Run #1” when we (Walter & Linda) boughtthe 1968 Rover 2000. On the morning of Sunday, July 25th 15brave souls showed up in 8 vehicles (7 Brits and one dailydriver) for a romp through Pitt Meadows and MapleRidge. Participating were yours truly and Linda (Rover 2000),Itallo Cirillo (Vauxhall Victor), Elaine LaFontaine and Pat Jones(Wolsley 6/99), Bence & Helen McIntyre (MG Midget), Jim &Erma Cave (Metropolitan), Mike and Barbara Smith (Rolls Royce Silver Spirit), Louise & Hal (friends of Bence in theirJaguar XJS) and Ken Griffin and daughter, Heidi, in Ken’s dailydriver (was supposed to have his Morgan in attendance).
We drove through Pitt Meadows to the Grant Narrows Re-
gional Park (at south end of Pitt Lake) and had a walk throughthe park looking at the wild life and the adventures of folktrying to launch boats from trailers without themselves fallingin. After the Park, we drove to Swan-e-Set Golf and CountryClub for a photo op by the Club’s sign (see photo). I had toget special permission to park the cars in front of the sign andwas allowed only 10 minutes for posing and picture taking. Poor Mike Smith - I’d parked him too close to Elaine’s Wolsleyto make sure he wasn’t blocking traffic, but there wasn’t enoughroom for him to get out of the Rolls. Someone suggested thatwe go into the Club House for a drink and leave him in hiscar........ After Swan-e-Set, we drove the back roads of PittMeadows into Maple Ridge and had a break at Whonnock Laketo look over this small but secluded lake. Leaving the lake wedrove the Dewdney Trunk Road into Mission and headed southon Wilson Street beside Stave River back into Maple Ridge forlunch and beer at the Shake Pub.
After lunch, everyone went their own way and the Roverroamed back into Pitt Meadows and home. A good turnoutwith a broad variety of cars parading around on a sunny day.
Rover Run #1Walter Reynolds
Triumph Challenge Run Oct. 3Chris Walker
Editor’s note to someone who sent me anarticle for this issue of the Roundabout and
doesn’t see their article (unfortunately, I don’tremember who): Somehow I lost your article
when my Zip drive died last week. (Lastmonth my hard drive crashed - that’s enough
serious computer trouble for a while!) Iapologize. If you will send it again, along
with any pictures, I’ll run it in the next issue!
This year’s Challenge brought out a total of 20 cars. Wehad fabulous weather and a great route through Tsawwassenand Ladner. The Triumph Club won for the most cars, butonly by one! We had a nice lunch at Robb’s Fish & Chips.
Several prizes were awarded. The Triumph Club won themost prizes although our very own Walter and LindaReynold‘s won the “slowest award” in their Rover. But, to behonest, they were not the last as another car showed up aswe were all about to leave the restaurant. The last car? Noneother than Richard and Gil. They got lost somewhere alongthe route!
It was a fun event and we look forward to next year!
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With July 5th celebratingthe 50th Anniversary of Rock‘n’ Roll, I found the timingnow perfect for submittingan article based on a pastvacation experience. Severalyears ago, I mentioned to mywife, Andrea, that I wantedto celebrate my milestone40th birthday as uneventfullyas possible. While going tobed the night before, she in-formed me that she hadsomething planned requir-ing us to arise somewhatearly the following morning.
The next morning, whileblindfolded, I was led to awaiting taxi and whiskedaway. Removing the blind-fold, I was bewildered at thesite of International Termi-nal at YVR. Andrea informedme that she planned a littlegetaway trip and had madeall the necessary arrange-ments including requestingvacation time from my em-ployer. The site of packedsuitcases being removedfrom the trunk of the taxileft me even more dumb-founded, not to mention alittle uncomfortable with thethought of some responsi-bilities that I was now leav-ing at home. We made it asfar as the security x-raymachine, where I was in-formed that our final desti-nation was Las Vegas. Stillthinking that I was dream-ing, we boarded the planeand were on our way.
After arriving, Andrea in-formed me of nearby pointsof interest including anearby hotel featuring a cardisplay. I was impressed andsomewhat surprised thatAndrea, not being an auto-mobile enthusiast, wouldsomehow know of such acollection. Not being a gam-bler, I was glad to be re-minded of the Imperial Pal-ace and looked forward toenjoyably passing sometime there.
An hour or so later cameanother big surprise with aknock on our hotel roomdoor. My parents, in-lawsand brother made a dramaticentrance having decided tojoin in the birthday celebra-tion on the invitation of my
wife. Their short vacationwas a welcome reprise fromdreary fall weather being ex-perienced in different partsof the country. Being awarethat my father-in-law, John,had visited the Imperial Pal-ace several times before, itwas now becoming very clearto me as to how my wife hadknown about such a car col-lection.
The next day I embarkedfor the Imperial with fellowautomobile enthusiastsJohn and my brother Greg.The Imperial Palace Auto-mobile Collection once con-tained the fabled Harrah’scar collection. Now, yearslater, this col lection ofnearly 80 automobiles con-sists of all different models
and makes. The focus is carsonce owned by previousheads of state and celebri-ties. As an example, a 1982customized Range Roverused by the Pope during aprevious visit to NorthAmerica. The vehicle had anextension allowed the Popeto be safely seen during of-
ficial ceremonies and pa-rades. Like the bulk of carspresent, it was for sale al-though I’m not sure whowould be in the market forsuch a vehicle. My opinionwas that while still worthseeing, the collection re-sembled more of a glorifiedcollector used car lot. Somecars were in “daily driver”condition.
English cars on displayfeatured a selection of Rolls-Royces including CzarNicholas II’s 1914 Rolls-Royce. Others included a1931 Bentley 8 Litre MurphyConvertible Victoria, a Sun-beam Tiger, and several Jag-uar E-Types. My favourite carwas a rare and fabulous MGSA with body by specialistcoachbuilder Tick-ford.
My favourite area wasthe Duesenberg Gallerywhich paid tribute to theunequalled meticulouscraftsmanship of the past.The twelve or so exquisiteautomobiles were totallyemblematic of a rich bygonelife-style enjoyed by few, butwere now on display for manyto appreciate. Elvis Presley’s1929 Duesenberg J DerhamPhaeton was part of the dis-play. Other exquisite and soevocative marquees fromthat era included Pierce Ar-row, Packard, and Delahaye.
Like most of what LasVegas has to offer, I foundthe automobiles here (espe-cially the previously celeb-rity-owned) to be overdoneand a little over the top, notto mention their askingprice.
After several days of funand sun, Andrea asked if theOECC had any upcomingclub events. Curiously Iasked why. Andrea’s nextsurprise … we were continu-ing on to Los Angeles (sansfamily members), and there-fore would miss any upcom-ing club events. Sadly, I in-formed her that I would bemissing the Ladner toBellingham Run (we missedthe year before while on va-cation). She consoled me bysaying, “I checked and thePetersen Museum is open onSundays.” Andrea hadthought of everything!
Several days later, whiledriving through USA’s car-culture mecca LA and Holly-wood, I happened to see aMorris Minor parked at anapparent auto repair facility.I also noticed a mid-60sCadillac convertible and a70s Mercedes 450SL beingserviced. With Morris Mi-nors not being that common,I decided to park and have alook. I was quite curious asto what kind of facility wouldservice this range of cars.While looking at the Minor,the owner emerged from thefacility. Mentioning that Iwas a fellow Minor owner, westruck up a conversationabout English cars. The fel-low, an aspiring actor, alsohad a MG A that was his dailydriver. I asked if both carswere serviced there. Theowner went on to inform methat his Minor was actuallythere to “audition” for anupcoming “role” in one of theAustin Powers films.
A great way to celebrate!
My Car Show CelebrationRichard Fishman
6
As it turned out, I wasstanding in front of Holly-wood Picture Cars, an outfitthat has been renting andsourcing cars for movies, TVand commercials since the1970s. The Minor ownerwent on to say that the ap-proximately 40 vehicles in-side belonged to the shopowner who also had 40 to 50other vehicles stored else-where. The Minor ownerpointed to shop owner ScottBoses, who was doing somework on the SL. A quick in-troduction was in order stat-ing that I was a fellow en-thusiast and Minor owner.Scott went into his officeand spoke on the phonewith a production company,working out details for anupcoming Kraft Foods com-mercial. He combed throughan impressive array of filescontaining information ap-parently on thousands ofvehicles suitable and avail-able for such work. Beingbusy on a Friday afternoon,Scott gave me the green lightto explore.
The facility was cavern-ous, having been once usedas a manufacturing plant.There were rows of cars fromvarious eras including Brit-ish icons such as E-types,an MG A, MG B, one nicelyrestored Austin taxi, and aSeries I Land Rover. To roundout any movie locationscene, the selection in-cluded a Hillman Husky anda Jaguar Mk2 3.8 plus sev-eral Austin A40s. Other com-pulsory period cars rangedfrom 1950s Americana in-cluded a 1959 pink Cadillac,a French icon Citroen 2CV,several muscle cars as wellas various police and mili-tary vehicles, plus a selec-tion of motorcycles. Rarecars ranged from a Skodaconvertible to a BentleyMark VI Drophead Coupewith Body by Park Ward. Asmall section of speciallycreated, one-off vehiclesbest described as futuristi-cally themed fiberglass de-signs on wheels were alsopresent in the event thatyou might need such a propfor your next production.Numerous signs and otherautomobilia were in sightbut nothing like the vastcollection that was recentlyseen at our club’s July meet-ing at Earls Tucker’s Tin
Farm. Scott had a number ofpersonal photos around ofhimself and some of hiscars. Several photos in-cluded Scott and some Hol-lywood types including actorMichael Landon. I couldn’thelp but notice a personalconnection here and uponleaving I posed the questionto Scott, “What came first,the love of cars or the busi-ness?” Without hesitatingScott replied with a large en-thusiastic smile “The love ofcars.”
That night back at ourhotel, having been spurnedby the car bug once again, Iplaced a call to Venice, CA,local and Morris Minor guruRick Feibusch. Rick, who isalso a big BMC fan and untilrecently British Car Maga-zine columnist (now ClassicMotorsports magazine), con-firmed Scott’s story regard-ing the “Austin Powers” film.Rick had helped wranglesome cars needed and heand his Minor convertiblemade a very brief drive by inthe movie. I mentioned toRick that I was planning avisit to the Petersen Mu-seum and he asked if I wasa rock ‘n’ roll fan.
On Sunday, my always-supportive wife dropped meoff outside the Petersen Au-tomobile Museum located incentral Los Angeles with mepondering the question,“How long do you think youneed here?” This wasn’t aneasy question to answer forsomeone anxiously antici-pating yet not knowing whattreasures lay inside.
Founding publisher ofHot Rod Magazine, Robert E.Petersen, has created ThePetersen Automotive Mu-seum. The museum featuresmore than 200 rare and clas-sic cars, trucks, sports carsand motorcycles. As it turnsout, the timing couldn’t havebeen better. (Rick’s ques-tion now came back to me….)I found myself entering the“Cars & Guitars of Rock ‘n’Roll” exhibit. The carculture’s cyclical boom canbe traced back at least to the50s. The new music of thatera, rock ‘n’ roll, celebratedthe automobile. The “Cars &Guitars Rock ‘n’ Roll” tiedtogether the thread (or inthis case guitar string),bringing the cultures and in-fluence of rock ‘n’ roll to cars
and vice-versa. Today, mu-sic, memorabilia and cars ofthe era remain strong.
Rock ‘n’ roll’s first record-ing, on July 5, 1954, may beattributed to Elvis Presley’srecording at Sun Studios,where Presley first combinedblues with rockabilly in thesong “That’s All Right.” Somemusic experts document“Rocket 88” as the first rock‘n’ roll hit. “Rocket 88,” arhythm and blues song from1951, was claimed by rock ‘n’roll pioneer and producer,Sam Phillips, owner of SunRecords (who discoveredElvis Presley) as “the firstrock and roll song.” Therecord was credited to JackieBrenston and His DeltaCats, but actually written byIke Turner about the joys ofowning a Oldsmobile Rocket88. This became a prototypefor hundreds of other rock ‘n’roll records in musical style,not to mention its lyrics inwhich an automobile servesas a metaphor for romanticprowess.
Over his lifetime, Presleyowned hundreds of cars, infact over 100 Cadillacs alone.Perhaps it was Elvis’ earlydays, before fame, whileworking at a small town ser-vice station pumping gasthat fuelled his love of cars.(Pun intended!). Presley’sautomobiles included sev-eral Rolls-Royces, aMulliner-Park Ward-bodiedPhantom V limo, one of afew hundred made, similar
to that owned by theBeatles, and a SilverShadow. Presley’s infamousFord Pantera, complete witha bullet hole in the steeringwheel and floorboard wasfeatured. Presley had angrilyshot the car when it repeat-edly hadn’t started. Appar-ently a new battery was theremedy.
As the progression ofRock ‘n’ Roll music contin-ued so did the influence ofthe automobile. One onlyhas to look at George Lucas’coming of age film, AmericanGraffiti as a reference. Earlyrock ‘n’ roll pioneer, ChuckBerry’s “You Can’t Catch Me”in 1957, was based on a fastcar. At the end, we find outthe car is named Maybellene,referring to one of Berry’shits. Many groups from the60s, including the BeachBoys, Jan and Dean, andmany groups since, continueto include cars in theirmusic’s lyrics, album coversand more recently music vid-eos. The Beach Boys hits onthe title track album “LittleDeuce Coupe” include, “I GetAround,” plus “Our Car Club”and “Shut Down.” Later,“Mustang Sally” was a hit forWilson Pickett and more re-cently, Bruce Springsteen’srecordings include “PinkCadillac” and “Racing in theStreet.”
In some cases, the ac-tual guitars played duringthese recordings were ondisplay along with other
7
music memorabilia includ-ing Jimi Hendrix’s FenderStratocaster. Several cus-tom guitars and cars evenhad matching paint jobs. Anumber of cars that playedan integral part of these re-cordings (or were photo-graphed on album covers)were part of the exhibit aswell. More recent additionsto my personal music collec-tion include B.B. King andEric Clapton’s “Riding withthe King.” The CD featuresboth legends on the coverwith Clapton driving King ina Cadillac convertible (seepage 7). The exhibit featuredboth musicians’ guitars fromthe title track. Cars on loanwere from Cher, RandyNewman, Eric Clapton, ZZTop’s Billy F. Gibbons plusothers. British musicianseager to put their rides ondisplay were Elton John withhis 1949 Delahaye and RodStewart with a 1983 Ferrari400i convertible (convertedfrom coupe).
The museum had createda display paying homage toJan & Dean’s “Dead Man’sCurve.” This song’s lyrics fea-tured streets and roads fromthe LA area. The lyrics weredisplayed behind the twocars portrayed in the song.
The verses continue, butI’ll save that for another day.
The Corvette Stingray ondisplay had belonged to thelate Roy Orbison and wasnow on loan from his widow.The Jag, though the ownerwasn’t credited in the dis-play, was a fine example.Several of Orbison’s guitarswere featured. Having drivenalong Mullholand Drive sev-eral days earlier, I now founda closer connection to thesong.
Several English vehicleswere on display, includingFrank Zappa’s 1973 Rolls-Royce Shadow and sonDweezil’s 1980 Aston-Mar-tin Volante Convertible. Al-though I am not a fan of ei-ther musician, I can say that
I am a fan of the Volante!Dweezil, an apparently ar-dent car enthusiast who de-signed a guitar amplifier forthe Peavey Company. The“Wiggy” amp, shaped like acar dashboard, comes com-plete with dials and controlsresembling a dash. As anexample, the volume controlgoes from 0–100 MPH ratherthan 0-10. Both of Zappa’sguitars were present as well.
Transporting myself backin time, I next found myselflooking at many cars frommy youth while entering themuseum’s Hollywood Gal-lery. Prolific designer of tele-vision and movie cars,George Barris, has createdmany stylish, wild and fancycars from the Chitty ChittyBang Bang movie car to morerecently the Delorean from“Back to the Future.”
By the 1960s, televisionwas booming and myfavourite car from that erais the Batmobile. Barristransformed a 1955 LincolnFutura concept car into theworld’s most famous car atthe t ime. Of the f iveBatmobiles made for the TVseries, the original residesin Barris’s garage and not inthe Batcave . These days,Barris finds himself with a
modern Rolls and JaguarXK8 as his daily drivers.Other Barris creationspresent included the GreenHornet’s crime fighting lim-ousine, the “Black Beauty”and the “Go Speed Racer” car-toon star and ultimate driv-ing machine, “The Mach 5.”
During that time period,I sometimes found myselfwatching these shows whilevisiting my cousin, Norman,who was a dozen or so yearsolder than I. Norman, a se-rious and accomplishedmodel builder and one timehobby store owner, had inhis possession many ofthese car models. Startingin the late 1950s Revellmade plastic model kits ofBarris cars. Not wanting to
part with the “Black Beauty”or “Batmobile,” Norman gen-erously gave me a modelthat he built of the “MunsterKoach” from television’s “TheMunsters.” Although theKoach was just a glorifiedhot rod, I cherished themodel having made the linkto the TV series. Now yearslater, I found myself next tothis car and others includ-ing the “Monkeey Mobile.”This vehicle provided trans-portation for the zany rock‘n’ roll group, The Monkees ledby Britain’s Davy Jones.One of the VolkswagenBeetles, a movie star in itsown right, “Herbie the LoveBug,” was also there. Per-haps these TV and movievehicles kindled my longtimeromance with cars?
The rest of the museumdepicts the integral part thatautomobiles played in mod-ern life and pop culture in-cluding sections of LA lifethrough dioramas with localpictorial icons. On the firstfloor, the Petersen exhibitincludes the old cars as wellas the times those vehicleswere built and used in. Thehistorical displays featureda Duesenberg automobileshowroom complete withDeco era furnishings, hotrod garage, the first stripmall, and a 1950s diner.Other themed galleries wereequally as nice including themotorcycle gallery with 1948Vincent H.R.D. and a 1953Norton Manx. The wholemuseum presentation was
fantastic with great lighting,creativity and courteousstaff. The museum’s well-stocked gift shop was defi-nitely worth the time.
On this particular day, Icould hear the roar of V8scoming from the top level ofthe museum’s parkade. AShelby car show was beingheld honouring all kinds ofvehicles designed by legend-ary car designer and formerLe Mans winner, CarrollShelby. Always a fan of theCobra, I was thrilled to findso many Cobras in one lo-cation. I spotted one Cobrawith very rare factory hard-top and found myself talk-ing to the original owner,Hank Williams (not thesinger), who informed methat the top was orderedwhen he purchased the car.Hank is one of ONLY sevenoriginal Cobra owners. Hewent on to say that Shelbyhad met him a few years ear-lier while showing the carand had requested the carcontinue being shown withthe hardtop. Well, it’s hardto argue with the Cobra’s de-signer! Several Sunbeam Ti-gers and an Alpine with FordV6 conversion, “family cous-ins” through their Ford en-gines, “crashed the party” aswell.
Now, whenever I find my-self listening to “Riding withthe King,” my memory is filledwith the sights and soundsof that fabulous vacation.
I was cruisin’ in my Stingray late one night,When an XKE pulled up on the rightHe rolled down the window of his shiny new Jag,And challenged me then and there to a dragI said “You’re on buddy — my mill’s running fine,Let’s come off the line now at Sunset and VineBut I’ll go you one better, if you’ve got the nerve,Let’s race all the way — to Dead Man’s Curve”
Cars For Sale
8
Discounts for Members!
Present your specialMember Discount Card
for a Commercial Discountat any Lordco location.
Ask for a discount card atany OECC meeting.
AutojumbleFree English Car Ads!
GUIDELINES:
1) Please submit ads by the 20th ofNovember for the next Roundabout.2) Ads will be run for one issue unlessyou notify the editor.
1949 Austin A40 Devon: Perfect condition.40,000 miles.Completely re-stored. Incorrectpark lights andnon-original (butvery well done)vinyl interior.Black paint. Estatesale; $8,000 OBO.
Car in Merritt. Mike Jackson 250-378-5900W,250-378-5860H or [email protected] Austin A-40: 4 door sedan with sunroof,very good running condition 1978 Acadian 4cylinder motor, 1986 Chevette transmission. Newgas tank, muffler, tail pipe and chrome extender.Blueguard custom car cover. Interior has baby
blue button tuftedcrushed velvetseats. The floorand header arecarpeted in blue,the door panelsare velvet withcarpet kicks. Ex-terior two-tone
blue. Panasonic AM/FM car stereo with 8 trackand power antenna. Chrome redone. 4" whitewall tires, 600 X 16; new shocks and rebuiltbrake cylinders. Car in Port [email protected].
1951 Jaguar MkII: Engine #1166-7, manual trans-mission. Bumperand grille insidecar. Excellentparts car; estatesale $1500.0 Carin Edmonton.
Bob@[email protected] or 780-499-4307.1957 Austin A55 Cambridge MK1: 4 door se-dan. Alberta car, now BC plated, recent certifi-cation, 49,000 miles, 4 cyl, 4 speed manual. Ev-erything original; new tires, exhaust, brakes.Light blue, blue leatherette. Bowser. $2,950. Mike250-757-8850.1958 A95 & 1962 A110 Austin Westminsters:Lost storage, must sell soon. Both solid with mini-mal rust, good interiors, all trim in good conditionand no body damage. There is one rebuilt 2700engine with .020 oversize piston, rebuilt headwith new valves etc. The 1958 has an auto-matic transmission and the 1962 has a 3 speedwith manual overdrive. All interior knobs, etc. arethere. The 1958 has registration papers, the 62does not. Asking $700 for both, a real deal forsomeone wanting to restore a Westminster. Larry, 604-948-5067.1962 Triumph TR4: White with black interior.
Runs great, no accidents. 2 covers, garage kept.New brakes; needs clutch, wheels and minorbody work. $9,800 OBO. Steve, 604-682-7848.1965 Austin A60 Cambridge: Six awardswon in the past 18 months. Automatic. 35,000original miles. Excellent condition. New hoses.Original plastic seat covers still on seats. Partial
body repaint.C o l l e c t o rplated. Thirdowner sellingto purchaseanother oldcar. Offers to
$5,400. Walter, [email protected] or604-465-6350.1966 and 1967 Cortinas: The 1966 is a alpinagreen GT. Some body damage and needs anengine rebuild. The 1967 is black cherry a GT indrivable condition. Many ’60s and 70s Englishcar magazines, spares and an original work-shop manual. $US500. OBO. Cars in RoslynHeights, New York. Len Bird, 516 484-2684 [email protected] Austin 1800: 64000 miles, original
unrestored car,safety inspectiondone ($1200).Black with red in-terior. Car in goodcondition. $2,800OBO. ClarkeWilliamson, 250-
743-7966 or [email protected] Triumph GT6: Sound body, rebuilt engine.new brakes, cooling system, exhaust, frontsprings, steering rack, ignition, U-joints, tires,battery, fuel pump, fuel sender. $6,500 OBO. Ri-chard Scoffom, 250 714 4786.1970 Triumph Stag. Soft, hardtop and original
V8. RHD, manualwith overdrive; en-gine in pieces,tranny and driv-etrain out of car.Great blue body.Stored dry. Manu-
als. Selling at cost. Jurgen, 604-737-8065 [email protected] Daimler Sovereign: 86,000 miles. One of111 LHD models made. Chrome framed side win-dows, wing mirrors on the fenders, slim chrome
bumpers, raisedchrome doorhandles. Silverpearl body withblack top. Blackvinyl sliding roof,tinted windows.Blue leather inte-rior, wood dash-
board. 4.2 engine rebuilt with twin SU carbs.300 hp. Moving at end of [email protected] or 250-884-0432.
1972 RoverTC2000: RHD,red with black in-terior. Collectorplates, lots ofnew parts. Pic-tures available.$4,150 OBO.
John, [email protected] or 604-533-1257.
1973 Austin Marina Deluxe Coupé: Two-door1.8L automatic. 66,700 miles. Black tulip colour,unrestored. Collector plates; records available.$2,000. 250-474-4355.1974 Austin Marina 4-Door Sedan: 1.8L au-tomatic. 51,400 original miles. Damask red, origi-nal interior, exterior repainted. Collector Plates.$2,000. 250-474-4355.1976 Triumph TR6: Red with tan interior. Newtop, paint, suspension and CD player. Looks great.$8,500 OBO. Steve, 250-213-3587 [email protected] Mk 1V Spitfire: Hard top, soft top andtonneau cover. Needs some work. Victoria. Mike,[email protected] or 250-978-0043(leave message).1977 Austin Marina: Original metallic-look bluebody with black cloth interior. 4-door automatic,63,000 miles, rebuilt head. New tires, battery, rearbrakes, master cylinder. Good runner. 1800ccBMC motor. The family man’s MG B. Worth $1,750.Open to offers. Ian, Victoria, 250-384-2910 [email protected] Midget: Rubber bumpers, off-white body.One owner since new. 60,000 km; new top. Runswell. Car in Victoria, but not BC registered.Valerie, 250-727-9751.1978 Triumph Spitfire: See car atwww.seenn.com/spitf ire.htm. $3,[email protected], 250-391-1864 or 250-383-5452.1980 Triumph Spitfire: $4,000 OBO. Garth,250-756-2406 or [email protected] Talbot: Two-door; frame and sus-pension parts have been powder coated, bodywork is done, New tires on painted wheels. Carneeds assembly, engine overall and interior re-furbishing. Price negotiable. Eric, 250-248-4806.Vauxhall Vivas: Free to a good home. BillWheeler, Strawberry Vale Nursery, 1376 BlueRidge, Victoria.
Cars Wanted
1973 Series 1 Jaguar XJ6: Running condition.$1500. [email protected] or older Triumph TR6: Good conditionmechanically and cosmetically, reliable car, pricerange $6,000 to $11,000. Josh,[email protected] or 250-642-4656.MG A frame: Brian, [email protected] Used Tires: Two Kelly Springfield,185SR15 and two Uniroyal P195/75/R15. Lots oftread on all four. $20 each OBO. Brian, 604-599-0733.
9
Red Circle Friday, December 3!
Join us on December 3 for the Annual Christmas Dinner &Awards Night, an OECC tradition! This will be a fun evening,full of good company, prizes and awards. Over the years ourBranch Christmas Dinner has been an opportunity for members tojoin together, enjoying the season and each other’s company. Inaddition, it has become the event at which the efforts of indi-vidual members over the past year are recognized. One signifi-cant presentation is the Bovril Award. This goes to the memberseen to most demonstrate the club spirit.
Traditionally, the Annual Dinner has been held on the first Tues-day of December. This year a change! In an effort to make iteasier for members to attend (and possibly get up the next morn-ing), the dinner will be held on Friday, December 3. The venu willagain be the sumptuous Roma Hall in Queensborough; the menuwill provide a choice of chicken or baron of beef and all heaccompanyments. All this for a modest charge.
As we need to provide numbers attending to the caterers priorto the dinner, preregistration will be the name of the game. In
You are invited to attend theVancouver Coast Branch, Old English Car Club
Annual Christmas DinnerFriday, December 3, 2004
Roma Hall
940 Ewen Avenue
New Westminster, BC
---
Happy Hour 6:00 PM
Dinner 7:00 PM
Cash Bar & Espresso Coffee
---
Dinner Includes:
¼ Chicken or Baron of Beef
Antipasta
Pasta
Vegetables
Coffee
All for only $25!
Name: _______________________________________________________ Phone: _____________________
Address: ___________________________________________________________________________________
the next few weeks you will receive a registration form in themail for completion and return with your cheque.
So, please red circle Friday, December 3! Family and friends arewelcome. For more information, call Fred Bennett, 604-939-1773.
Mail by Nov. 21 to assure delivery by Friday, Nov. 26 (the deadline for receipt of reservations).
Clip this form or send the following information to: OECC, #73-8190 King George Highway, Surrey, BC V3W 5B7
@ $25.00 __________
Total: __________
Dinner Choices (p lease ind icate the number o f each):
_____ ¼ Chicken _____ Baron o f Beef
The Vancouver Coast Branch of the Old English Car Club of British Columbia invites you to the
9th Annual Ladner-Bellingham All British RunSunday, November 7, 2004
Packet Pickup & Late Registrat ion: 8:00-8:45; Dr iver ’s Meet ing: 8:45; F irst Car Out: 9:00Start: Trenant Park Square Shopping Centre, 5200 Ladner Trunk Rd (Hwy 10), Ladner, BC
The first Ladner-Bellingham All British Run, organized by OECC’s Roy Wilkins, commemorated the 100th anniversary of the 1896Motor Car Tour to Brighton. The Tour celebrated the passage of the “Red Flag Act,” raising the speed limit from 4 m.p.h. to 14 m.p.h.and brought great joy to automobile enthusiasts. The event soon became known as the London to Brighton Run and the 108th is onNovember 7, 2004. We celebrate the 108th anniversary of the first Motor Car Tour to Brighton with a 62 mile run (close to London-Brighton). As we gather early on the morning of the November 7, the oldest and slowest of the cars on the London-Brighton will befinishing their traditional journey in Brighton. The Ladner-Bellingham Run has become one of the major British automobile events in thePacific Northwest with as many as 90 cars participating.
There are two important parts of our Run. The first is the joy of the drive. We all enjoy getting our British cars out for a drive andour scenic backroads route will allow driver and navigator to enjoy the drive even as they enjoy the relative comfort of their “modern”English cars. Imagine the challenge of the cars of 1896, negotiating approximately the same distance, often in the rain! On our runyou will see everything from Austin 7 Chummys to both new and old Minis and Jaguars, with numerous Triumphs, Rovers, Wolseleys,Austins, MGs, Morgans, Austin-Healeys, Sunbeams, Morris, and others representing the classics of British automobile history.
The other important part of our Run is the camaraderie of other English car enthusiasts. There will be three opportunities tosocialize. The first is at the start; come early to allow time for a cup of coffee and to chat with friends old and new. The second willbe the convenient R&R stop at the half way point where we will regroup and everyone can refresh and socialize. The third opportu-nity is over lunch at the Sensa Restaurant on Squalicum Harbor in Bellingham where we think you will truly enjoy the dining experi-ence. You have a choice of three lunch items (see below) and can linger over lunch as you enjoy the view of the Squalicum Marina.
Pre-register now to enjoy the drive and guarantee lunch at the Sensa! Day-of-event registrations will be welcome, but lunch cannot be guaranteed.
Cut and mail your pre-registration to OECC, 3492 Pandora, Vancouver, BC V5K 1W8Mail by October 25 to assure delivery by the deadline. Registrations must be RECEIVED by October 29!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Ladner-Bellingham All British Run 2004 Pre-registration
Pre-registrationdeadline
October 29!
The last majorBritish Run
in 2004!
Driver’s Name:____________________________________________________________________________________________Address:__________________________________________________________________________________________________Phone: _______________ Email: ____________________________________________________________________________Automobile: ___________________________________ Club Affiliation: ____________________________________________
Appropriate documentation is important for border crossing in a timely fashion. A passport, even if expired, is acceptable.Canadians can also use a citizenship card and one other proof of identification. Americans can also use a driver’s license andbirth certificate or voter registration card. Cars start departing promptly at 9:00 in order to minimize the time crossing theborder. Get your documentation ready now so you’ll be ready on November 7! Visit our website for more information on
border crossing, the route, and the Sensa Restaurant: http://members.shaw.ca/oeccvancouver
OECC Members (any branch):Basic Registration (car, driver and passengers)Optional Permanent Ladner-Bellingham Plate (includes Basic Registration; generally for members who arefirst-time registrants and do not have a Permanent Plate)
Non-Members:Basic Registration (driver and passengers, car and temporary LBRun Plate)
Optional Lunch Reservations (3 choices of Artisan Pasta Fettuccine; indicate the number of each): ___ Kobe Beef Ragout Fettuccine ___ Grilled Chicken Fettuccine ___ Vegetable Mixed Grill Fettuccine(price does not include beverage; a cash bar with several beers on tap will be available)(U.S. residents: multiply Total by .80 and send a check for US$)
$2.00
$20.00
$10.00
@ $20.00
__________
__________
__________
__________
Total: __________
