AHCM

President: John Davidson Vice-President: Ted Moorby Treasurer: Helmut Friedrich Secretary: Jim Jackson Past-President: Roger Morcilla AHCA Delegate: Elaine Davidson

Newsletter Editors: Ann Blonski & Mark Rogers annnmark AT mymts.net Webmasters: Ed Driver edriver AT sasktel.net Roger Morcilla roger01 AT mts.net

Volume 25 Number 12 www.ahcm.ca November 2014

A Time of Transition It’s a cold November morning and the small

snowflakes are falling. I would think that most of us have put our cars up on blacks in some weather-proof building somewhere, to be kept safe until spring arrives.

Now is the time to “help the neighbour” (or car club member) with their “resto project” to help pass the time. Our winters are long and cold, but look around and there is lots to do.

I have yet to move my Bugeye and summer driver VW truck into storage, but hope to do so soon (this week) and it will be one more thing off my list. My summer, like most, was busy. I found less time to drive the Bugeye than I would have liked, but the time I did was enjoyable; it gives me something else to look forward to come spring.

I lost a companion this week. It was just a truck, but it was my first “new” (and only) vehicle that I bought 31 years ago. I just started my first full-time job and knew what I wanted: that 1984 Nissan 4x4 up on display at Gladstone Datsun. I would

drive by it many times on a weekend night while cruising Portage Avenue in my ’69 Road Runner.

It was nearly trouble-free for all those years. It had some rust issues, but I got that under control by spraying motor oil in all the cracks and crevices. It stopped rusting, just like the oily underside of our LBC’s. I had many good times in that truck from camping in the mountains to helping friends move.

It had been a number of years since I drove it regularly and it was sad to see it sit – it was time to pass it on. The new owner has visions of big wheels and a lift kit. I just hope he gets it back on the road and can enjoy it like I had for so many years.

It kinda’ sounds familiar compared to our little British cars. The goal to restore and drive

something different and what you like. It was a truck, now it’s a classic that you don’t see on the road anymore. Here’s hoping all goes well.

Our 26th

annual Christmas dinner (our club started our first

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dinner in our first year in 1989) is coming up at the beginning of next month – Friday, December 5th at Rembrandt’s near Lockport. Do plan to attend as the meals have always been great along with great company of fellow club members and spouses (plus the always fun gift exchange).

On a final note, Ann and I have ”put our notice in” to pass the newsletter editor job onto some other club member(s) after the December issue. Please let club executive know if you’re interesting in giving it a whirl – we can help with the transition.

Did You Know ?

- Jean Caron

While on the Healey List today a question was asked: "......I was trying to set my carburetors today and the Service Manual tells me to turn the crew one flat, what does this mean?"

Well we have all read this before while working on our British cars, here is the correct answer, given by Michael Salter of the Southern Ontario Club. "

"one flat" refers to one sixth of a turn on a hexagon headed screw." Having said that, many of the screws that relate to the adjustment of your carburetors now have round head, it makes it a little more difficult then.

Floor Cleaning Day at

Graeme’s Garage

- Jim Jackson

Wednesday October 22nd was floor cleaning day at Graeme's garage. Every even marginally mobile LBC had to go outside to make way for the annual floor power wash. Not as much fun as wrenching, but very necessary. The first few hours got us well started until storm clouds approached. Panic set in for those cars with no doors, tops or, in my case, paint.

Very quickly we finished 1/4 of the shop near the door and drove, pushed and lifted the cars at risk safely over the threshold just as the little raindrops turned into an hour's torrent. A Fire Drill in reverse!

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Elephant in the Room

- Ted Moorby, Volunteer Vice President

Manitobans are known for their propensity to save and horde. This in part explains the current AHCM bank balance of approximately $6,400. When our Treasurer Helmut reports this at the meetings he gives it to us in two amounts [checking and savings amounts] so it doesn’t sound so big.

This amount has continued to grow over the years mainly because of revenues from club dues and revenues from Rendezvous’ we have hosted. The original reason for charging members dues was to cover postage costs which, because of the internet, we no longer have.

In my opinion I believe that our $6,400 bank balance is far in excess of what the club needs to operate and that we should be trying to maintain a balance of around $2,000. If we kept the balance in this range we would still be able to take advantage of any exceptional costs or purchases and be able to supply our next Rendezvous with the traditional $1,000 seed money. Even the $1000 seed money is more of a show of commitment as opposed to a necessity due to the fact that the committees are able to collect money through early registration. Another quick note is that all of our Rendezvous’ have made significant profits for all the participating clubs and to my knowledge no Rendezvous has ever lost money.

If the majority of members are in agreement with the notion that we have too much money than the question is how do we fix it?

One idea is to make charitable donations. This can be somewhat controversial because most people, including Cynthia and I, have personal preferences when it comes to whom we should support. Personally the reason I have been paying dues to the club is in hopes that these monies would be used for the enjoyment of the group and betterment of our LBC hobby.

Another way to spend money is to buy tools. To a certain extent the TDC has done some of this but again it is tricky to find tools that most of us don’t already have and that will benefit the majority of members.

We could in fact lower or waive entirely club

dues for a certain time period.

My favorite way is to support club events. I like the fact that we buy the wine for the Xmas party. How much did it cost Lowden’s in food and drink to host the last meeting? Maybe we should give a set amount to anyone who hosts a meeting to cover their cost or make their own personal donation to charity. The TDC has agreed to reimburse me the $150 it cost to host the ‘Guinness’ rally this year. We could help support the Mini Club who with only 12 members spends $500 dollars each year to put on the Show and Shine at the Forks [which is the single biggest British Car event in Manitoba [except for Rendezvous] each year].

Hopefully this article [along with Jean Caron’s article that appeared in last month’s newsletter reflecting on the past and thinking about the future of our club] will inspire some thought and conversation at our next meeting.

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Another Tech Tip: Special

Lighting Issue

- Jean Caron

If any Club member is thinking about modernizing the lighting on their British cars, the Austin-Healey Club USA has dedicated 8 pages of their July/August 2014 issue to just that. It is a very informative article that describe how to do it and even where to purchase the suitable bulbs.

If you want to know more about it you can contact me or very likely any other members from our Club that is a member of the Austin-Healey Club USA, such as Ed Driver, Henley Cunnington, Steve Thompson or Derek Wilson.

Christmas Home Tours:

November 22nd & 23rd

- Val Arklie

Celebrate the Christmas season with Habitat for Humanity and Pineridge Hollow. Get inspired as you wander through 5 beautifully decorated homes (completed by a partnership of the home owners and Pineridge Hollow). Return to Pineridge Hollow for some more inspiration and holiday shopping.

Visit www.habitatspringfield.ca for more information.

Tickets are $40 and all proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity Springfield Branch.

Club 25th Anniversary T-Shirts

Still some left… Christmas is around the corner… contact John Davidson to purchase.

A Rendezvous Regular

Sue Joppa, wife of Leroy from the Wisconsin Austin-Healey Club and regular attendee of the annual Rendezvous, is going through some serious health issues at this time. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers at this time.

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One Car, One Owner

- Jodi Bolger (forwarded by her brother and verified on the world wide web)

The man in the photo is Allan Swift of West Hartford, CT and the car he posed with was his 1928 Rolls Royce Phantom I, which he bought new and drove for close to 77 years. This according to a January 30, 2006 press release by the Springfield Museum in Massachusetts.

When Swift died at the age of 102 in October of 2005 it was his wish that someone take over the legacy of this classic car and maintain it in running condition. This took some planning and thanks to the efforts of a network of antique car collectors Swift and the Springfield Museum organization began negotiations in 2002 to return the Rolls to the city where it was built. In the 1920's the British based Roll Royce company had a plant in Springfield, MA where 2,944 vehicles were produced.

Two months prior to his death, Swift donated $1,000,000 to the Springfield Museums to purchase the Verizon Building in Springfield so that it could be remodeled into a new history museum for the community. The museum opened in 2006 and proudly displays Swift's Rolls Royce along with a collection of other cars and Indian motorcycles.

In 1994 Swift was presented a crystal Spirit of Ecstasy award by Rolls-Royce Motors for holding the record of the longest ownership of one of their automobiles.

This man owned & drove the same car for 82 YEARS. Can you imagine even having the same car for 82 years?

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 that was purchased new. Just thought you'd like to see it.

It was donated to a Springfield museum after his death. It has 1,070,000 miles on it, still runs like a Swiss watch, dead silent at any speed and is in perfect cosmetic condition (82 years) . That's approximately 13,048 miles per year (1087 per month) and again 1,070,000 miles not kilometers!!

That's British engineering of a bygone era. I don't think they make them like this anymore.

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November 2014

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November 2014

2014 Calendar of Events

DATE TIME EVENT DETAILS

Monday, Nov 3rd 7:30pm Club Meeting Graeme and Joyce Lowden's

Wednesday’s ? a.m. Tech Time Graeme and Joyce Lowden's, contact Graeme for more details

Thursday’s 7:00pm Tech Time Jean Caron’s, contact Jean for more details

Friday, December 5th 6:00pm Cocktails 7:00pm Dinner

Christmas Dinner Party

Rembrandt's in Lockport RSVP your attendance & menu choice to Graeme Lowden by

November 22nd

Rembrandt’s Dinner Entrée Choices:

Cashew, Fig, Brioche and Mozza Stuffed Chicken Breast

Finished with a Cranberry Cream Sauce

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Herb Marinated 8oz Angus Sirloin

Topped with Crispy Fried Hickory Onion and a Jack Daniels Demi

**Prepared Medium for all**

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Lemon Glazed Tuna

Finished with Pineapple Mango Salsa

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Slow Roasted AAA Prime Rib

Served Au Jus ($4.00 upcharge)