HEALEY
NORTHWEST
Austin-Healey Club of Oregon
May 2000
2
Healey Northwest
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May 2000
Austin-Healey Club of Oregon 2000 Officers President:
Vice President:
Secretary:
Treasurer:
Bob Bollinger 1530 W. 28th Place Eugene, OR 97405 (541) 687-8218 cbrb@aol.com
Jack Jakobsen 3801 Wy’east Road Hood River, OR 97031 (541) 354-3971 & FAX with prior call. jakobsen@gorge.net
Stephanie Hellickson 1618 Avon Way Forest Grove, OR 97116 (503) 357-8969 terryaviator@bigplanet.com
Gary Jackson 3118 Northridge Way Eugene, OR 97408 (541) 343-0117 gary.jackson@ eweb.eugene.or.us
Membership:
Activities:
Editor:
Regalia:
Mary Gross 8217 NE 71st. Street Vancouver, WA 98662 (360) 254-4527 agross9217@aol.com
Allan Gross 8217 NE 71st. Street Vancouver, WA 98662 (360) 254-4527 agross9217@aol.com
Terry Hellickson 1618 Avon Way Forest Grove, OR 97116 (503) 357-8969 terryaviator@bigplanet.com
Betty Hand & JaAnn Hoisington 1520 NE Lincoln Street Hillsboro, OR 97124 (503) 693-9293 nrhand@aol.com
Advertising Mgr.:
Club Cordinator:
Librarian:
Club Address:
Skip Monaco 7710 SW 89th Portland, OR 97223 (503) 245-0174 FAX (503) 472-9953
Bill Bolton 82923 Bear Creek Road Creswell, OR 97426 (541) 895-5576 FAX (541) 895-4029 tricarb@aol.com
Doug Auburg 7215 NE 61st Avenue Vancouver, WA 98661 (360) 694-7769 FAX (360) 694-7998 dauburg@vintagead.com
A-H Club of Oregon 82923 Bear Creek Road Creswell, OR 97426
Club Web Site: http://www.healey-oregon.org May Meeting May 15, 2000
Contents: Club Activities Other Car Events President’s Message Membership Report March Meeting Minutes AHCO on the Oregon Trail Infatuation Tech Tip Tid Bits Trials and Tribulations Ice Fishing Bolt-on Healeys DMH on the AH100 AH100 Specs On The Lighter Side... Classified Ads
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Date: Program: Meet at the Tigard Fred Meyer on
Pacific Hwy at 12:15 p.m. Please call Jerry or Pat at 503-246-7545 if you plan to attend. Meeting: The meeting will be held at the final destination approximately 5 p.m. Dinner: Progressive Dinner Tour. See page 4 for more information and directions....
Cover This months cover was photographed at the Kah-NeTa West Coast Meet. Two winners show their stripes on the green after judging. Photographer unknown.
Thanks for your Help
Bob Bollinger, Allan & Mary Gross, Stephanie Hellickson, Doug Auburg, Pat and Jerry Barron, Kevin and Marie Cowan, Buzz Nelson Healey Northwest
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AHCO Activities Calendar
Healey Northwest © 2000 AHCO
The official publication of the AustinHealey Club of Oregon, Healey Northwest, is published monthly for the benefit of its members. Articles which appear in Healey Northwest express the opinions of the author and do not express the official Austin-Healey Club of Oregon position on any subject unless specifically noted. We do our best to insure accuracy, but can not be responsible for any errors or omission of fact. Contributions are welcome on any subject related to Healeys, Club members, or of general interest to the classic car hobby. Material from Healey Northwest may be reprinted in other publications, provided credit is given to the author and source and reciprocal article use permission is offered by that publication. Please address correspondence to: Healey Northwest Editor Terry Hellickson 1618 Avon Way Forest Grove, OR 97116 (503) 357-8969 e-mail: terryaviator@bigplanet.com AHCO MEMBERSHIPS Membership in the Austin-Healey Club of Oregon is available to anyone with an interest in cars bearing the Healey marque. Individuals need not own a Healey to join nor is membership restricted to any regional, national or continental boundaries. Members are encouraged to participate in all Club activities. Winter activities are normally indoor technical sessions or social events. Summer activities are normally outdoors involving tours and car events. Calendar year memberships are available in person at any meeting or by mail: $25.00 per individual or couple (add $10.00 for international mail). Checks should be made payable to AHCO and sent to the Club Membership Director. DEADLINES The Healey Northwest submittal deadline is the 20th of the preceding month. 4
Healey Northwest
by Allan Gross Editor’s note: Some information or dates may change after originally published. Check the calendar each month for current information.
May 13, 2000 MAY MEETING: Progressive Dinner Meet at the Tigard Fred Meyer on Pacific Hwy at 12:15 p.m. (directions) 1-5 South.. exit #294 Tigard/Newberg go straight approx. 6/10 mi. Fred Meyer on the right. 15 North..exit #249 Barbur Blvd. at first signal turn left then left again this puts you onto Pacific Hwy. follow the above directions to Fred Meyer. We will meet at the S.E. corner of parking lot. Caravan will leave at 12:45. If you miss the group you can call for directions (246-7545) until 1:45. There are several drive-outs planned on this day. We will be visiting several homes. The meeting will be held at the final destination approximately 5 p.m. If you have your “Healey Chairs” please bring them along. Please call Jerry or Pat at 503-246-7545 if you plan to attend. This count will help in planning food and to make sure we don’t leave you behind. Donations are asked for the meal. June 17, 2000 (Third Weekend) This fun Healey weekend is hosted by Ellen Hector in La Grande. Each car will be provided with a copy of the guided tour Bob Hector put together for you last time a meeting was held in La Grande. We have a block of rooms at the Sandman Inn (toll free 1-888-726-2466, local 541-963-3707). Single $52.92, Double $57.24 including tax. Reserve by May 15th and mention the Austin Healey Club of Oregon. No pets at the Sandman. Pets are allowed at The Royal Motor Inn, 541-963-4154. Or make advance reservations for your pet at Countryside Kennels, 541-963-3462 and mention AHCO and Ellen Hector (my dog will be there). Saturday 10:30AM the tour begins in Tygh Valley, (120 miles from Portland) Junction of US197 and OR216, mile post 4 on Hwy 216. Gas should be available in Tygh Valley and is available in Grass Valley, Condon and Heppner. If you don’t want to go on the tour, you can get on I84 and jet down the freeway. La Grande is 265 miles east of Portland on I84. Anyone arriving early in La Continued on page 8.... u
May 2000
Other Car Events Year 2000 Vancouver All British Field Meet May 19 - 20, 2000 Billed as “The Greatest Show on British Wheels, ABFM 2000” is held on Victoria Day weekend at the VanDusen Botanical Garden in Vancouver, B.C., Canada. This 15th annual event is the largest celebration of the British motor car in Canada with over 450 cars on display. Entrants registered by April 15, 2000 are eligible for a drawing to win a trip for two to Britain. Festivities start Friday, May 19, with socializing, dinner and silent auction. Saturday activities include car displays, swap meet, entrants’ choice voting, non-concours judging and awards presentation. For more information and registration forms contact ABFM 2000 by phone at (604) 7366754, FAX at (605) 736-6750 or e-mail at jstewart@westerndriver.com. They also have a web site to look over at www.westerndriver.com. Several AHCO members have attended this event in the past and report it is a good one. This year’s event will be no exception.
ing via I-5, on Saturday, or you can stay over night and enjoy some more great roads on a return run on Sunday. For Entry Form, check our website: www.abfm.com or contact: Arnie Taub at (425) 644-7874 or FAX (425) 747-0205. Pacific Northwest Historic Races July 1 -3, 2000 The Pacific Northwest Historic Races will be held at Seattle International Raceway, Washington. Racing enthusiasts from competitors to spectators will find plenty of excitement to get their blood pumping. With a little planning a pleasant Healey tour could get you there in a good mood.
Zupan’s Historic Races July 7 - 9, 2000 Zupan’s Historic Races will be held Friday through Sunday. Take your Healey to Portland International Raceway for display in the Healey Corral and a chance to 2000 British Car Drivers Week take your car for a parade lap. Don’t miss this one, since May 20 - 28, 2000 the AHCO meeting will be on the field after Saturday’s This annual event is designed to “bring out those British racing. cars”. Mark your calendar with these dates and plan to have your Healey on the road for all your normal driv12th Annual Western Washington ABFM ing activities. For more information, go to: July 21 -22, 2000 members.aol.com/Trmgafun/britishcarweek.html. Held on the grounds of Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, WA, the 12th Annual Western Washington All New England 2000 British Field Meet, Car Show and Swap Meet, begins May 21 - 26, 2000 Presented by Mercedes-Benz USA, this event is a time/ with a Cocktail Party on Friday July 21. This show of speed/distance rally through the gorgeous New England over 500 entrants and 6000 spectators in addition to its springtime. Additionally, there will be half-a-dozen regular Marque Displays will have a special “SALUTE timed events at local tracks. Exotic cars and incredible TO MORGAN”. Call Arnie Taub at (425) 644-7874 or scenery should provide lots of fun. For more informa- enter using their website: www.abfm.com. tion call Vintage Rallies, Inc. at 800-645-6069, FAX 860364-5899 or visit their web site at www.vintagerallies.com.
1st Austin Healey Rendezvous July 24 - 28, 2000 The Austin Healey Rendezvous will be hosted by the Cascade Austin Healey Club in beautiful Ocean Shores, 2nd Annual All British “Run to the Gorge” Washington. Activities will center around the Shilo Inn May 27 - 28, 2000 The Second Annual All British “ Run to the Gorge” will Hotel - Conference Center. Make your plans for the be held over Memorial Day Weekend, departing event that promises to be the “event of the year”. To Puyallup, WA for Hood River Oregon. This event can make your reservation at Shilo Inn call (800) 334-1015. be either a one or two day event. Giving the entrant a For more information contact: Joyce Toms at (360) 876chance to drive some exciting back roads. You will have 8236. Registration forms are available starting on page the option of just enjoying the drive down, and return- 11 of this issue. Continued on page 8... Healey Northwest u May 2000 5
President’s Message
Membership Report
by Bob Bollinger “Hurray, Hurray, The first of May. Top down Healeying starts today”. Well, that’s not quite the way my mother taught me that little ditty but it is more apropos to our group. I don’t know, maybe the original version would fit the AHCO. Despite the April showers we did manage to get 5 Healeys out for the meeting in Oregon City. Thank you again, Gary and Dee, for arranging the tour, allowing us to take over your home for our meetings and putting on a great hamburger BBQ.
by Mary Gross AHCO members celebrating birthdays in the month of May-
2 Randy Stone, Dennis Saxon 4 Brenda Macherione 6 Paul Haller, Joanne Lamvik, Claire Rolfs 8 Cecilia Magnuson, Leland Tauer 9 Rebecca Kelso 11 Kathleen Jensen 14 Del Allen As I mentioned at the meeting, I was disappointed in the 18 Pat Barron, Tom Monaco return of the ballots on the latest voting issue. I will 19 Karen Weldon take some responsibility in this but will also offer 2 sug- 20 Kim Porter gestions to remedy the situation. First, publish the bal- 21 George Koeber, Donna Porter, Mary Shepherd lot on a colored, preaddressed post card inserted in the 22 Bill Massey HNW two issues before the voting meeting. And sec- 28 Donna Brunhaver ond, have the ballot cards available at that meeting for 31 Judy Lambert those who have forgotten or have chosen not to have sent in their ballot by mail. Hopefully this will solve the I know there may be what I hope are a limited number problem. of mistakes in the new roster. If you find something you want corrected via the newsletter, please let me May’s meeting sounds fun with a progressive dinner know. Please add these renewals to your new roster: culminating with meeting at the final dining location. Hope you can all make it. Duane & Mary Denson 20012 Torrey Pines Dr. Bob Oregon City, OR 97043 VP Business Development Editor’s Note: BT7 As many of you already know, Jack Jakobsen recently underwent surgery to remove a brain tumor. Please join Rex & Teri Urban me in wishing Jack a full and speedy recovery. Jack 930 Tamarack St. asked me to print a note of thanks to all his and Shirley Salem, OR 97303 Ann’s friends in AHCO. His note is included below. 503-585-8602 104306.114@compuserve.com My Thanks and Appreciation Mini Motors Classic Coach Works I want to thank all my friends in the AHCO for their AN5, BT7, BJ8 many calls, kind words, cards, prayers and their support for Shirley Ann. Also, a big thank you for the beautiful flowers. Yes, even men like flowers! As most of you know, my operation was very successful and and my recovery has been more rapid than I thought it would be. I can not say enough about the doctors and support staff at OHSU - they are “wizards”. I hope to see you all again real soon. Again, many thanks for the support. Jack 6 Healey Northwest u
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General Membership Meeting April 15, 2000 Minutes by Stephanie Hellickson The meeting was called to order 4:10 p.m. at the home of Gary and Dee Meyer Oregon City. President Bob Bollinger thanked Gary and Dee for the fascinating trip to the Oregon Interpretive Center and for providing the barbecue at their home. Bob reported that Vice President Jack Jakobsen was doing well after surgery last week. A card was circulated for all to sign.
of schedule. Questions arose about the NW Meet as to the dates and location. Alan will look into this.
The minutes of the March meeting were approved as published in the April newsletter.
Regalia, Betty Hand, reported that they are going to order about a dozen of the Authentic Restoration books and asked for a show of hands of those interested. The newest regalia item is a small British flag for $6. The winner of this month’s badge drawing was Alan Gross.
Treasurer, Gary Jackson, reported a beginning balance, for the month of March, of $23,178.96 with a total income of $710.59 most of which was from advertising. Expenses added up to only $50.15 due to some outstanding postage expenses, This gave us an ending balance of $23,839.40. Membership, Mary Gross, thanked Doug Auburg for his help setting up the program for the roster. She reported that the roster is done and will go into the mail on Tuesday. Activities, Alan Gross reported that the May meeting will be hosted by Jerry and Pat Barron and will be a progressive dinner. Pat asked that if people have folding chairs that will fit in their cars to please bring them along. It is imperative that people be at the first meeting spot to get information to the next stop. More information will be available in the May newsletter. Please R.S.V.P. on this one. The June meeting will be a tour to Eastern Oregon to the home of Ellen Hector in La Grande. Alan reminded people that they need to have their hotel reservations made by the 15th of May. For the July meeting , which will be at the Vintage Races, members who want to get into the Healey Corral will need to register in advance through the club. There will be information in the May newsletter regarding this. Tickets will be $25 per car with two people and will include the parade lap an the track.. The deadline is June 1st. The September meeting will be at the All British Field Meet which is the first weekend of the month instead of the second. A motion was made and passed to allow this change Healey Northwest
Editor, Terry Hellickson, brought up the question of website advertising. It has been decided by the executive board that the Editor and Advertising , Skip Monaco, get together and draft a proposal to be presented to the executive board.
Club Coordinator, Bill Bolton, reported that California Healey Week is June 7th - 8th at Big Bear Lake. He has a few registration forms if anyone is going to be in the area and is interested He also reported on a 22000 km odyssey called the Inca Trail in October of 2001 that will start in Rio De Janeiro, cross the Andes and into Peru, then into Chile and on into Argentina and back up. The event is being put on by HERO, Historic Endurance Rallying Organization. Any sort of car is welcome. Barrett - Jackson is going to have an auction in Monaco in May of 2000. Librarian, Doug Auburg, reported that he has been doing some cataloguing of information. 2001 Rendezvous Committee Chairman, Bill Bolton, confirmed that we will be hosting the event and that it is currently planned for Grants Pass. There are 3 or 4 motels under consideration. It will be a low keyed, low budget, fun time, not terribly structured. There will be no banquet, no RC races, no arts and crafts show. There will be a Popular Choice Car Show followed by a catered picnic at the Jeff Healey Memorial in Shroeder Park. There will be two guided and two unguided tours and there will be a rally. There is a group that wants the meet to be over a weekend. A motion was made to leave the event during the week. It was voted on and the result was that it should be left Continued on page 13... u
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Portland Oregon All British Field Meet September 2 -3, 2000 The 24th Annual Portland All British Field Meet on Labor Day weekend, Saturday, September 2, and Sunday, September 3, 2000, will be held at the Portland International Raceway. Over 800 British vehicles of all types are on display on Saturday. This year salutes Minis and Morgans. Activities include popular choice voting, Jaguar concours judging, car club regalia tents, food stands, roving bagpipes and free parking. Additional attractions include a rallye, autocross and free rides on track in sports cars. One and two day passes are available. For more information see our website: www.abfmtdx.com, or call our hotline: 1-503-504-ABFM. Put the ABFM on your ‘must-do’ events calender.
Grande on Saturday is welcome to come to my house. The club meeting is at 5:00PM in the conference room at the Sandman Inn. At 6:30 a no host dinner is at a local restaurant.
Maryhill Loops Hillclimb October 7 - 8, 2000 Sponsored by SOVREN, the Society Of Vintage Racing Enthusiasts, the Maryhill Loops Hillclimb is an adrenaline pumper for competitors and spectators alike. The course follows a section of the Maryhill Loops Road located in south central Washington between Maryhill and Goldendale. Described as a course with, on a scale of 1 to 10, a pucker factor of 12, this should provide any racing enthusiast exciting fall entertainment. Texas 2000 November 12 - 17, 2000 Presented by the Ford Motor Company, this is another Vintage Rallies affiliated event. Enjoy a time/speed/ distance rally in a part of Texas that is anything but hot, flat and boring. This is a laid-back rally through rolling hills, picturesque river canyons, Victorian towns and fallcolored oaks on curvy roads car lovers dream about. This event is open to any pre-1974 sports, racing or GT car, as well as any Ford-powered performance car. More information can be found by calling Vintage Rallies, Inc. at 800-645-6069, FAX 860-364-5899 or visit their web site at www.vintagerallies.com.
Sunday the 18th you are invited to make the loop from La Grande to Halfway, Hells Canyon scenic overlook, Joseph and Wallowa Lake, and back to La Grande. The scenery is spectacular in the Wallowa Mountains and the roads are Healey roads. The trip is 230 miles, will take most of the day and is worth it. Sunday evening we will have a pcinic-party food at Ellen’s. BYOB. I am looking forward to seeing all of you on the 17th of June and hope you are all able to stay and enjoy Sunday the 18th. The Sandman has an indoor pool, so bring your suit! Happy Healeying! July 8, 2000 The July meeting will be held in conjunction with the Historic Races held at Portland International Raceway on July 8 and 9. We must order tickets as a group. Your fee of $25 includes a two-day admission ticket for driver and a guest, car corral pass, a dash plaque and the everpopular parade lap. Additional guest tickets are $10 each. Please send a check made out to AHCO to reach Allan Gross by May 30, 2000. Mail to: Allan Gross 8217 NE 71st Street Vancouver, WA 98662 If necessary, you can call Allan at 360-254-4527 or email him at agross9217@aol.com. Allan’s deadline for group purchase is June 1, 2000. He will send you your tickets and parking passes. There will be NO corral passes distributed on-site.
Caution From Bill Bolton Let’s have a big Healey turnout! BJ7 & 8 owners should be sure to properly secure their convertible tops after folding them down. Under hard August 12, 2000 braking or an abrupt stop an unsecured top can flip for- Hosts: Skip and Tom Monaco-tour (to be announced) ward and strike the driver and/or passenger in the back and BBQ. of the head, resulting in severe injury. If your top is Continued on page 13... folded down, make sure it is also securely tied down. 8 Healey Northwest u May 2000
Austin Healey Club Hits The (Oregon) Trail by Kevin and Marie Cowan rower than our Healey model. I can’t imagine a whole family carrying all of their worldly possessions in that model. They also have a nice display of provisions that the pioneers before us took on their journeys. They even have some pages from diaries, so we can get an idea of what our journey will be like. The Willamette Trades & Craft workshop lets us experience pioneer life with real April 15, 2000 - 12:00 noon - Interpretive Center - meet- activities such as grinding wheat, playing with toys and ing area for the wagon train. Picked up supplies - a looking through 1850’s school books. latte for Marie and a Mocha for Kevin. They had the nerve to charge $3.10 apiece! Can’t argue about the 2:30 - picked up more provisions from the General Supprice when it is the only supply store around. Thank ply Store and Gift Shop. The popular choice seemed to goodness they won’t be charging those sorts of prices be old-fashioned candy sticks at 10cents apiece. What a bargain. Hope we have enough for the road ahead. where we are headed. April 15, 2000 - 11:am Finally finished paying taxes to the United States of America. Decided to take up that offer of a group heading out to the territory of Oregon where each of us will be allotted 320 acres of free land and there are no taxes to pay! Sounds like its well worth the journey for a better life.
12:30 - met the rest of our group at the Gathering Circle. I guess between 20 and 30. Look like a nice bunch of folk. The Sergeant made Marie toss out 1/2 of the Latte, as none was allowed in the orientation meeting . He makes up the rules and we have no choice but to obey if we don’t want to be left behind. Good thing we didn’t take our pet dog on the trip as they are not allowed on the wagon train as they are “nothing but a constant annoyance”; according to the rules & recommendations posted outside the Center.
3:00 - Kevin checked the oil on the wagon and then we prepared to head out. Trailmaster, Gary Meyer gave us some general directions. I noticed we were actually heading out on the Barlow Road Route. I was comforted, realizing this was the recommended route used by all the wagon trains before us. Our tour includes 5 Healey models, 1 Jaguar model (ours) and some other more modern models of wagons.
3:15 - passed by “Fort Redland”. Plenty of daylight left, so we continued on our journey. Then we passed 1:00 - The first part of the orientation was held in the Pohelen Heights. Marie keeps wondering if the infaGeneral Supply Center in Independence, Mo. The pro- mous “Laurel Hill” with its 60% descent is around the prietor gave us a list of recommended supplies for what next bend. Noticed lots of nice farms with plenty of could be a 6 month journey. Of all the supplies, I kept land in between where many families have already wondering how we were going to keep 75 lb. of bacon settled down to start a new life. The trail is in good fresh, much less fit it in our trunk. After all, we will be condition. It is well marked and paved, so there is no traveling across some desolate lands with no refrigera- dust, as promised. tion. Our tour guide also instructed us on how to make a campfire using “buffalo chips” for fuel, as wood may 4:00 - the wagon train reached “Fort Meyer” intact with be very scarce. He recommends we use the very dry no casualties along the way. It appears that we will settle ones, as they are easier to pick up. The term “pot luck” in here for awhile, have a meeting and discuss future plans. I am pleased to discover that, under the directakes on new meaning. tion of Dee Meyer, some of the women have gone ahead 1:45 - part 2 of the presentation was a slide show, com- and had already set up camp before we arrived. It is so plete with fireworks. I think it was titled “Oregon Trail nice to have provisions already prepared after an eventful (and pleasant) journey across the country. They even - the Musical”. already have the campfire going, so the kids don’t have 2:15 - outside I noticed that the wagon they had as a to go out and collect buffalo chips. sample of what people traveled in was shorter and narHealey Northwest
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HOW MY INFATUATION BEGAN by Buzz Nelson When the sports car became popular in the mid 50s I On one occasion I was on a trip in mid-winter to Spowas hooked. I Couldn’t afford to buy a tire but loved all kane. Out in the middle of nowhere in Idaho I got a bad the small fast cars. Spokane was a little out of the way tank of gas...water contamination. It was so cold the for these cars but occassionally I would see a few and heater could not keep me comfortable, so I had to wear my eyes were glued as they went by. In 1958 I was accepted to be a Cadet in the Air Force. Upon graduation in November, 1960, the first check I wrote was for a ‘60 BT7. NOW I could afford to buy one. During my first year as a newly commissioned officer in the Air Force I drove that thing in almost every state, going from training to training. Starting out from Lubbock, Texas, I went to see my sister in Washington D.C. Then back to Texas, on to Spokane, after passing through, of course, Las Vegas and Reno. Then on to a blanket over my lap. Of course the water froze the gas line and I was stranded. Along came a very nice man in a semi-truck. We attached the Healey to the semi- and away we went. Have you ever felt like a toothpick being drug at will? I hung on and luckily we make it to a gas station where we (both the car and I) thawed out.
Little Rock, Arkansas. That’s where the water-skiing picture was taken. I had a ball. I have only one picture of my ‘62 Tri-carb BT7 on the farm in Meridian, Idaho. That’s my wife’s poodle in my lap. When we went to Guam during the Vietnam conflict I had to sell the Tricarb. I always thought of the good times driving up and I am now enjoying a ‘59 BT7, done my way. Most all is down the Lewiston and Whitebird, Idaho hills. It doesn’t standard except the upholstery, alternator and solid state get any better for a Healey. ignition. And radials, which we did not have back then. California Healey Week This event will be held at Big Bear Lake, June 8-11. Contact Bill Bolton for registration information.
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INCA Trail, October, 2001 22,000 km odyssey starting in Rio de Janeiro, crossing the Andes into Peru, on to Chile, into Argentina, then back up to Rio. This event is being organized by HERO (Historic Endurance Rallying Organization). Contact Bill Bolton for more information. May 2000
Tech Tip Tid Bits by Doug Auburg I’ll offer one short tip this month: Check the bolts on your shocks!! ”Mr. Finespanner’s” tech tips column in ”Flash” the newsletter of the Austin Healey Sports & Touring Club recommends that all of the shock mount bolts be checked at the beginning of each year. In talking to Tom Monaco last weekend, he said that in his experience 1 car in 4 has lose shock bolts. When you consider that the front shocks are an integral part of the front suspension and the whole system will calapse if all four bolts were to come loose, you can see how important this advice is.
Technical Trials and Tribulations. . Reprinted from MG Announcer, newsletter of the Columbia Gorge MGA Club submitted by Doug Auburg
(Note: I don’t know if this article refers to local shops and situations or not. Let’s assume “Not”. Regardless, I think the story makes an excellent point, which is: One of the greatest advantages of belonging to a car club is your fellow members and their knowledge. You aren’t ever alone with a problem, if you take out your AHCO Club Directory and call someone and ask for help. I’d suggest that if you don’t know anyone who you think could help, call one of the officers and ask. They should There are four bolts holding each front shock in place. be able to get you started in the right direction, or refer They screw into captive nuts attached to the shock tower. you to someone who can answer your question, or who They are easy to access and check after removing the has experienced your problem and can offer some adwheel. The rear shocks are held in place by two nut/ vice. So, don’t suffer in silence and don’t make a bigbolt assemblies and should be accessable by removing money mistake because you didn’t know any better. The the rear wheels. Final safety reminder: Don’t ever crawl club is here to help. The club is also the sum of its under your car when it’s held up only by a jack. You members. Good Luck!) Doug should always put a set of jackstands under there and make sure the car is securely resting on them before Technical Trials and Tribulations. . venturing parts of your body into the ”squash zone”. A member had a vibration at speed that they correctly diagnosed as a driveline problem. They took it to a shop that quoted one price and doubled it when our member showed up to pickup their driveline. After two weeks and approximately 500 miles the problem re-occurred. This time our member ended up being told that the driveline needed a complete reconstruction for about $230. Our member then made a few phone calls. The bottom line is less than $40 later and about one hour the problem was solved. All within the club! Another member has struggled with a new project, trying, and doing very well to learn about their car. A beautiful car is the result with some “wrong” things done that most members who have owned an MGA would have been able to see and save this member many hours of work and probably some additional money (money that could have been spent on other great additions to the car!).
Healey Northwest
I’ve got more stories that involve major disasters, overlooked details that have probably blown an engine, overheated engines and cost others much more than necessary. Continued on page 12... u May 2000 11
...continued from page 11. Some of our members are unfamiliar with the “reasonable” cost for someone doing their work. Some work members have had a local shop do and were overcharged or at least paid for something that did not relate to their problem. One of the stories I have heard was our member went for the low price (bid) at a garage that some of our members would not recommend. If they had called a few of their “buddies” within the club they would have been encouraged to do it themselves or told what would be a reasonable charge to have the work done correctly. Or the money could have been spent with an experienced mechanic would have saved them money and time. If you would like to learn more about working on your car - call someone. Every member has had their successes and probably a few failures that they can share with you. Last fall I had a problem with a tail lamp assembly that had me beating my head against the wall. I mentioned it to a member and 10 minutes later the problem was taken care of (I put this in as I have had many, many years working on our wonderful steeds and it was reaffirmed that I still have a lot to learn!) Thank you to that member.
Remember that some of our members know who did a great floorboard replacement a few years ago, had their valves reground, had their car completely restored, etc. They would be happy to share their story with you. I am willing, as I am sure others are, to talk you through that valve adjustment you have always wanted to do but have been afraid of and many other projects. When you are comfortable doing it yourself you can help another.
ICE FISHING This Austin Healey owner really wanted to go ice fishing. He’d read many books on the subject and, finally, after getting all the necessary tools together, he made for the nearest frozen lake. After positioning his comfy stool he started to make a circular cut in the ice. Suddenly, from above, a voice boomed, “THERE ARE
NO FISH UNDER THE ICE!!” Startled, the Austin Healey owner moved further down the ice, poured a cup of cappuccino from his Thermos bottle, and began to cut another hole in the ice. Again, the voice bellowed, “THERE ARE NO FISH
UNDER THE ICE!!” The Austin Healey owner, now quite worried, moved way down to the opposite end of the ice, set up his stool and tried again to cut his hole in the ice. The voice boomed once more, even louder, “THERE ARE
NO FISH UNDER THE ICE!!” The Austin Healey owner stopped, looked upward and asked, “Is that you, Lord?”
“NO, THIS IS THE RINK MANAGER!!” The voice replied,
Thanks to Ken Porter and The Oily Rag
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Bolt-on Healeys by Bill Bolton Bill Bolton has been very active in the Austin Healey world for years and is recognized as a true authority on the cars. I recently ordered a set of towing brackets as fitted to the Canadian cars and many of the rally cars. Quality and service are excellent. Here is what Bill has to say. Jim Werner (Bluegrass Austin Healey Club)
...minutes, continued from page 7. during the week. Bill asked for a show of hands as to which month ‘ June, July or August, was preferred. The outcome was a split between July and August. The final choice will depend on what kind of arrangement can be made with the motels.
All British Field Meet Committee, Doug Auburg, reported that the featured marques will be Morris and I have over 100,000 Healey parts in inventory, mostly Morgan. good used, but a large portion of new ones too. I have identified all of them with BMC, Moss and some other Under Old Business, Bob reminded people to get their part numbers so we have cross indexes. registrations in soon for Rendezvous 2000 to be eligible for the drawing. Early registration also helps We call our business Bolt-On Healeys, as our last name the hosting club with the costs of putting this on. is Bolton and Margot Healey suggested that we call our Results of the Charitable Donations ballot was a “no” business Bolt-On. She is always thinking! vote. Unfortunately only 14 ballots were turned in. Bob has suggested that we try a new strategy for We do not produce a catalog nor price listing as it be- ballots. He is having the editor look into having a comes obsolete too soon and is so expensive. Simply separate removable ballot, of a different color, in the tell your members that if they cannot find the part to newsletter that is already addressed and ready to go. email to Tricarb@aol.com, call on 541-895-5576 or fax This would hopefully improve ballot returns. Bob to 541-895-4091 and ask. It helps if the member sup- announced that the decision of the executive board on plies the BMC or Moss part number. the question of Officers and Directors Insurance was that the club would not carry the insurance. We give discounts to Healey Club members so they Homeowners insurance will cover most situations or should identify the Club they belong to. concerned members can take out umbrella policies. Special items we supply include: Lightened flywheels for all the big Healeys. [They re- There was no new business. ally make a difference in performance.] Hardtop rubber seals for the roadster big Healeys. The meeting was adjourned at 4:40 p.m. Hardtop windlace for the big Healeys. ...continued from page 8. Hardtop seals for the Bugeye. Hardtop windlace for the Bugeye. September 2, 2000 (Note: 1st Saturday of the month) Hardtop wingnuts. Meeting to be held in conjunction with the Portland All Several asundry parts for the hardtops. British Field Meet at PIR. Towing brackets for the big Healeys. Cheers, Bill October 14, 2000 Hosts: Gene and Barbara Lambert, Todd and Carrie Schelling. The planned activities include a wine tour. November 11, 2000 Hosts: Kevin and Marie Cowan. Activity to be identified at a later time. December 2 , 2000 (Note: 1st Saturday of the month) A catered Christmas party at the Shriner’s facility in the Wilsonville area. Healey Northwest
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On The Lighter Side... Surgeons Four surgeons are discussing who makes the best patients to operate on. The first surgeon says, “I like to see accountants on my operating table because when you open them up, everything inside is numbered.” The second responds, “Yeah, but you should try electricians!. Everything inside them is color coded.” The third surgeon says, “No, I really think file clerks are the best because everything inside them is in alphabetical order.” The fourth surgeon chimes in with, “You know, I like British car mechanics. Those guys always understand when the job takes longer than you said it would and you have a few parts left over at the end.”
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Classified Ads Classified Ads are free to all paid up members of AHCO, the Austin-Healey Owners Association of BC and the Cascade Austin Healey Club, and $2.00 each to nonmembers. These rates do not apply to commercial ads. Ads normally run three issues unless renewed by the advertiser. O=AHCO, C=Cascade, B=BC. Commercial Ad Rates: Monthly payment: Full page: $30, 1/2 page: $18, 1/4 page: $10, 1/8 page: $6, Business Card: $4. Inside cover (f or b): Full page: $35, 1/2 page: $21, Back cover, 1/2 page: $24. Annual payment in advance w/monthly appearance: Full page: $300, 1/2 page: $180, 1/4 page $100, 1/8 page $60, business card: $40. Inside cover (f or b), full page: $350, 1/2 page: $210. Back cover, 1/2 page: $240. Non-member business classifieds: $5 per month per six lines. Commercial display ads will be rotated between various positions. (Max. sizes: Full: 7.5” x 10”, Half: 7.5” x 5”, Quater: 3.5” x 5”, Eighth: 2-1/8” x 5”, Bus. Card: 2’ x 3.5”.)
Cars for Sale 1959 AH Bug Eye Sprite. Original, very complete car with original 948cc engine. Needs complete restoration. Dean Willoughby (503) 286-4042. (O-12) 1966 AH Sprite. 1275cc engine, runs good. New top, tonneau, usable interior. 165-70/13 radial tires mounted on steel wheels (Mini-lites available). Some rust in usual places. $2700.00. Charles Burke, 503-289-5055. (O-4) 1963 Austin Healey BJ7. Basket case. Fairly complete though a badly rusted frame and instruments out; all or will part out. Also, an extra BJ7 rear shroud in fairly good shape. Esko, 253-813-9842, eskogc@halcyon.com. (O-5) 1961 Austin Healey, 3000 MK II, Series BT7 ( four seater model ), VIN: HBT71 6726. 47,867 miles, primer, major body work done, new chrome, new wiring harness, not running, numerous spare parts, stored for years, $7900.00 Canadian. Contact Wayne Walker, Saskatoon, Sk. Ph. (306) 242-7476, e-mail: wwwalker@sk.sympatico.ca (N-5)
Parts for Sale Heavy Duty Poly Front Suspension Bushings for all Austin Healeys - big and small. Correctly done in black. Competitively priced. Tom Monaco (503) 245-0174. (O-4) Heavy Duty Brake Shoes for all Austin Healey models. Impervious to all oils and fluids. Experience 25% better stopping power - cheap at any price. These can save your nose! Tom Monaco (503) 245-0174. (O-4) Lightened flywheels for big Healey models. They really make a big performance difference. You need one if you want your Healey to perform better in the corners and on the acceleration profile. Only the material not being used is removed. BN1 - BJ7 $120 plus a $40 core charge. BJ8 $140 plus a $60 core charge. Packing and shipping is extra. Bill Bolton (541) 895-5576. (O-6) New Side Curtain Pouches made of felt lined black vinyl from original pattern. $45 ea. John Wilson (541) 933-2016 (O-7) Hardtop windows for BN6/BT7/BN7. These windows are specifically manufactured of the treated polycarbonate material used by the Indy race cars. They don’t fog or scratch like the currently advertised ones do! Fit it and forget it! You won’t need to replace it for years. $260 plus packing and shipping. Bill Bolton (541) 895-5576. (O-2) 18
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HEALEY NORTHWEST Austin Healey Club of Oregon 82923 Bear Creek Road Creswell, OR 97426
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BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE PAID FOREST GROVE, OR PERMIT NO. 51
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