MARCH 2008 INSIDE: AHCO ACTIVITIES 2008 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE COVER CAR STORY MORE!
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2008 OFFICERS
Club of Oregon
PRESIDENT
MEMBERSHIP
Jeff Mach 503-364-6789 mach@toast.net
Skip Monaco 503-245-0174 tomsimport@ipinc.net
VICE PRESIDENT
ACTIVITIES
Mark Schneider 503-643-7208 mandmschneider@comcast.net
Tom Monaco 503-245-0174 tomsimport@ipinc.net
SECRETARY
ADVERTISING
Cecilia Magnuson 360-834-0136 magnusons4@comcast.net
Joe Laws 503-636-5817 jflaws@att.net
TREASURER
LIBRARIAN
Linda Adams 541-416-2347 ladams1284@aol.com
John Carter 503-579-6599 jc9821@msn.com
REGALIA
CLUB COORDINATOR
Jaci Koeber & Carole Trenko 503-244-3731 & 503-643-2387 koegeoja@hevanet.com
John Wilson 541-933-2016 johnhealeylane@worldnet.att.net
SUNSHINE PERSON
CLUB ADDRESS
Jan Whittlesey 503-538-8610 jwhitlc@hevanet.com
AHCO Box 875 Marcola, Or. 97454
HNW EDITOR Glen Enright 503-538-8610 britcar69@hevanet.com
Cover Bob Wallace finally has his car up and running and sends a picture along to prove it. Read more about it on page 4,
Contents Random Mumblings • Cover Story • ALFA Track Day • Activities Up-date • Trip to Evergreen Aviation • Minutes from January Meeting • Minutes from February Meeting • British Car Week • March Activity • and much more! Thanks to Bob Wallace, Jeff Mach and Jan Whittlesey for photos
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can't think of too many things to write about this month, probably because that lovely visage accompanying the column last month nearly convinced me to stop writing anymore, just so I would be spared from further fright. But, I'll try to persevere.
Random Mumblings W
e're making progress on re-designing the Club website to give it a new look and better functionality for communicating Club news, events, plans, and whatever else we may dream up. Bob Wallace has produced a great prototype site for us to view and play with. The site is easy to use and will enable us to get much more information to Club members, faster than we've been able to with the current web site or Healey Northwest. Although I don't have a date when it will happen, we hope to soon move that prototype site onto www.healey-oregon.org and put it into regular use. I'll be sure to let everyone know when we do, if you don't visit the site and see it before then.
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t the March membership meeting, I plan to discuss ideas on where we should hold the Healey Rendezvous in 2010. The AHCO has hosted West Coast Meets and Rendezvous events in Eugene (1977), Bend (1979), Medford (1982), Cottage Grove (1984), Welches (1989), Warm Springs (1998), Grants Pass (2001), and Klamath Falls (2005). In addition, we've hosted Northwest Meets in several other locations. Because I either wasn't a Club member or couldn't attend any of those Meets or Rendezvous events, I don't know which locations you or members from the other participating clubs liked - or didn't like. If possible, please give us suggestions for one or more potential hotels, a car show location, and activities and tour locations we could offer. Based on some past Rendezvous events, we'll need about 200 hotel rooms, parking for 150 cars, and catering for up to 400 people at a sitting. Please come to the meeting or contact me with your ideas and help us choose where we'll hold the event in 2010. Thanks, Jeff
My Car
by Bob Wallace
one of the best condition cars he had ever seen. It still took over three years (400 plus hours) to get it finished.
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finally got my Austin Healey 3000 Mk1 (BT7) out of Tom Monaco’s shop. Three years of work and it is beautiful. Thanks to Tom’s son Geno for all of his hard work.
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contacted the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust for a copy of the factory records on the car. It was built on the 20th and 21st of January 1960, and sent to Los Angeles on the 29th. It was originally all Colorado Red, with red trim and a black top. I decided to give it a cream colored cove.
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om had finished rebuilding my 1957 MGA roadster, and recognizing a soft touch when he saw one, mentioned that he had a nice Austin Healey for sale. Since I obviously enjoyed writing Tom checks, I said, “Sure, I’ll buy it”.
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e was correct; it is a nice Healey, even though it was in boxes. The chassis was already done and painted. All he had to do was figure out where the 700 odd pieces went, restore them and put them in their proper place. Some of these pieces were even usable, but many were not. New parts were sourced and ordered – and, of course, needed some modification to actually work. It is a total misconception that a new part will actually work properly as it comes out of the box.
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hile it was being restored, more than one visitor to his shop would look at the shrouds hanging from the rafters and drool, asking if they were for sale. Tom said that this Healey was
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ALFA CLUB ANNOUNCES 2ND ANNUAL RALLY SCHOOL If you have ever thought about entering the Northwest Classic Rally in August each year, but hesitated because you didn’t know “how to rally”, we have a solution!
This is the perfect way for beginners to learn rally basics. We will introduce you to the knowledge you need to have a good time on road rallies, and to apply that knowledge on a rally route after the classroom session.
The Alfa Romeo Owners of Oregon, hosts of the Northwest Classic, would like to invite you to attend their 2nd Annual Rally School on Saturday, March 15. This one-day course includes a classroom session with exercise, and is followed by driving a rally route with an experienced rallyist to discuss and apply course-following skills.
The Alfa Club also hosts a series of road rallies from spring to fall, and these are open to non-club members as well. They’re an excellent way to hone your rally skills and prepare for the Northwest Classic. The first of this series for 2008 is the day after the Rally School, March 16. Join us on March 15 for an introduction to road rallying. Please contact Dave Reich at davidreich@comcast.net or 503.245.5555 to pre-register. (Pre-registration is NOT required, but is much appreciated to help us plan for the needed number of vans and instructors for the demo rally.) We hope to see you there!
Registration at 11:00 a.m., is in the group meeting room at Buster’s Smokehouse Texas Style Barbeque, 11419 SW Pacific Highway, Portland – just off I-5 southbound Exit 294 on Highway 99W. Please arrive by 10:45 a.m. Th class is $10 – preregistration via email to davidreich@comcast.net is encouraged. Everyone is welcome!
LeMans Update
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s of February 1, 2008 the “Healey Meets LeMans” is well on its way. The previous winning team of Hans van de Kerkhof and Rinus Sinke is again accepted. DD300 (this year’s poster car) will be there for sure. Two 100S racecars will duel it out with the bigger six cylinder cars, and another 6-Healey
By Tom Monaco
racecars have signed up already. he Healey population from around the world is also signed up for their weekend of thrills. Over 160 Healeys are coming from France, Germany, England, Belgium and even the USA. Still, with four months to go before the entrée is closed, this is going to be
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the event of a lifetime for the true Healey nut. There’s still time to sign up. Event posters and other regalia have arrived from Holland and are available at www.tomsimport.com (one of the event sponsors). Catch all the action on the web at www.healeymeetslemans.nl
AHCO Activities 2008 AHCO ACTIVITIES AS OF NOW: First there is a correction for Mar. meeting in the instructions. Should read" The
Eastmoreland Golf Club is 1.5 miles to the South. Find 28th street and follow it to the right" There are no meetings scheduled for April or May as no one has stepped forward to host them. May 31st. Jeff and Lisa Brown will do a tour. Details will be announced.
Tom Monaco, Activities Chair
June 14th. Regular meeting in Yacolt,Washington. Great antique train ride, hosted by Doug Auburg. Details will be announced
McMenamins) in Centralia, WA. This will be an overnighter. Details to be announced.
June 29th-July 4th. Conclave (in San Diego). John Wilson is making caravan plans. Please contact him directly if you would like to be included.
Aug. 16th. Gary Jackson will host a meeting at his home in Redmond. This should be considered an overnighter. Details to be announced. Please note this is the 3rd Sat. of the month.
There is no meeting scheduled for July. Feel free to host one!
Aug. 30-31st. ABFM
Aug. 2nd. John and Judy Carter will host a tour to an old bordello (now a
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AHCO Meeting January 2008 CTO: 11:10 by the president. A big "Thank you, Jack and Sheila" for planning the outing to the Food Bank. REPORTS President: Nothing to report. Vice President: No report. Secretary: Not present. Treasurer: Linda Adams gave the report. There was discussion regarding several items in the report. Anyone wishing more details can ask Linda for the report. Advertising: About 2/3 of the current advertisers have paid for the year. The others will receive reminders soon. Regalia: It is time to order club nametags and the title shingles if you need them. There are some regalia items available today. One item available is one of the new jackets. Membership: Renewals are coming in every day or so. Dues are payable January to January. Activities: We will be at the Restoration Shop in McMinnville on February 9th. It is located across the street from the Air Museum. Tom Monaco will draw up a map for publication. The tour will be at 10:30 a.m. and we will have lunch there. The March 8th meeting will be at Portland Powder Coating. The meeting will follow at the East Moreland Golf Club. In April or May we will meet at Haggerty Insurance. Jeff Brown will lead a tour on May 31. The June Tour will be on the Battleground Yacolt & Chelatchie Prairie railroad in Yacolt, Washington. July will be PIR and in August the Carters will lead us on a tour. Tom explained that there would not be a meeting each month if someone does not come through with an offer to lead tours. Charity: The charity auction at the Christmas party was very successful. We netted approximately $3100. There were a lot of very good items donated. It was noted that most of the donated items were brought in before the date of the party, and less items had to go to the oral auction. This made things much smoother for all. Library: Some borrowed videos were
returned today. There was a lengthy discussion regarding new subject matter for videos or DVD's. The advances in technology are catching up with the library. It was noted that extra copies of the Healey Northwest are available. Contact the President if you need an extra one. ABFM: No report. Sunshine Committee: No report. Old Business: none. New business: 1) The editor has had some difficulty with the publication of the HNW magazine. Glen Enright has volunteered to help correct the problem. There was discussion regarding the ability to publish the magazine online by 2009. The website will need some retuning for that to be accomplished. Bob Wallace has volunteered to work on the website. The group feels that it is essential that each Committee chair have access to the format in order to posting their notes. There also needs to be more discussion among club members to decided how member access vs. public access and public areas of the newsletter. How advertising would be handled was also discussed, but more needs to take place. This move, however, does not take the place of an editor. Discussion followed regarding whether or not the editorship should be a compensated position. Also discussed was the cost of publication. The cost of publication should not exceed the member's dues. 2) AHCO Dues were discussed. Our dues are currently in the bottom 10% of the nation. Some people do not feel that we should raise dues when we have sufficient money in the bank. Currently we have enough, but if the costs of publication continue to rise at their current rate, we will be out of money in the short future. There was no further discussion on this subject at this point. 3) Software compatibilities for word processing were discussed. The club may need to purchase some upgraded software in the near future. 4) Discussion of monthly vs. quarterly business meetings was brought. It would give us more time for touring. Nothing
New Rosters Out Now
Skip Monaco,
The Club rosters have gone out to everyone and I'd like to give a shout-out to Glen Enright for creating such a nice looking reference book. Thanks to his talents, the Club has saved a lot of money which would have been spent on printing set-up costs. Thanks Glen!
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Tammy Auburg, Recorder
was decided. 5) Discussion regarding "Most Active Member" award. BOD is having difficulty in assessing the merits of possible candidate. Suggestion was made to return to some type of points system we previous used for activities. It was also suggested to retire the trophy. Nothing was settled. Adjournment: 12:05 p.m. so we could proceed to McMenamins for our lunch.
Gots & Wants: Healey Style FOR SALE: Robbins Convertible Top (Tan) for Austin Healey BJ8 or BJ7. New, never been out of box – $600.00. Robbins Boot (Tan) for Austin Healey BJ8 or BJ7. New, never been out of box – $700.00. Hard Top for Austin Healey 4 seater. Needs new rubber and fasteners. Has wrap around rear Plexiglas window – $1,000.00 OBO. Contact Richard Breeden Phone:(541)923-9751 E-Mail: RSBreeden(a),aol.com
Hush, You Muskies W
ending our way down south 191 from Bozeman to Big Sky Montana, I confess my mind wandered to the lack of cool cars on the road. Freezing and below freezing temps do not bode well for the sighting of cool cars. All around us were BIG cars: F350 extendo cabs, Jeep Laredos (our rental car), Lexus SUVs, and Ram Chargers. Luckily, Hummers are not popular up (and out) there. had just spent a week with 2 college friends in Yellowstone, a trip I recommend for anyone! We went dog sledding (Haw! Gee!), snow shoeing and animal watching. (Some details: We signed up with the Yellowstone Association for a 3 day excursion. Mornings were spent driving in a bus with 10 other folks, stopping as we saw wildlife. ['Stop! I see an elk. No! Never mind, it's a rock.'] Bison, elk [bull and cow],
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he next day we left for Big Sky Resort to try some skiing. Big Sky was the brain child of Chet Huntley of the Huntley Brinkley news team, way back in the 70s. Not 5 miles out of Bozeman, we both cried out, 'Cool cars!!!' Right along the side of the road was the most wonderful 'used' car lot. (I use the term loosely and I'm sure you'll agree as you peruse the photos.) A plaintive voice rose from the driver: 'Do we have time to stop?' I managed to keep the insulting tone from my voice as
Photos and story by Jan Whittlesey
reality, let alone common sense. Almost every car displayed had major dents and corrosion. One old Model T Ford had no engine, no transmission, no interior, only two wheels, no tires, no windshield, to top and the asking price was $3500! Had what there was been pristine (which it certainly wasn’t) the price would still have been too high. When we first drove in, there was a
‘53 Buick two-door with a sold sign on the windshield. It was in very presentable shape, say a 3- or a 4+ (we didn’t look to see if it had an engine, although everything else seemed to be there.) I can’t imagine what the sell-
big horn sheep and wolves were in abundance. The wolves were thoughtful enough to have a kill not 100 feet off the road. We arrived within 2 hours and were treated to bald and golden eagles and ravens feasting on the remains while a coyote slunk closer, waiting his turn. Afternoons we snow shoed and saw an old wolf den, 2 carcasses and numerous tracks in the snow.) len flew in after the Yellowstone sojourn so we could go skiing and, since he did his undergraduate work in Bozeman, see if he could go home again. We found the campus not much changed in forty-some years, but were enthralled by the Museum of the Rockies, a well respected museum which houses LOTS of cool dinosaurs! (Actually just their bones, but still way cool.) We gazed on Big Al the allosaurus and a recreation of a Triceratopslike dinosaur. One of the neatest showed an almost complete T-Rex, which was dug up not far from Bozeman, displayed as found all twisted up on itself.
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I replied, 'Of course!' (It had been my idea to arise early so we could ski that day.) he owner was nice enough to organize the cars in rows with wide aisles. Nothing like car shopping from the comfort of the front seat! (Good thing as it was 24˚.) Some of the cars had itty bitty problems: no engine, enough rust that we were unsure if they would survive a glance, and price tags that were beyond the realm of
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ing price was since the car looked like a car! t was still great fun to look at all the variety that was there. He had cars from the late ‘20s, ‘30s and ‘40s, along with a few newer – not to say – better cars. They ranged from cars like the Model T, to pick ups and he even had an American La France fire truck. Mostly they would have made a great “Abandoned Autos” calendar.
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Adding an Alternator to a Big Healey From the Flat Water Healey Club of Nebraska, taken from their website
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ll internally regulated alternators have the same basic electrical connections. By comparing the descriptions below, it will be easy to change the instructions to suit the alternator you have chosen. If there is any doubt, take this write-up, along with the instructions for your particular car, to an alternator repair shop, and ask the counter man to identify the connections for you. Most places will be glad to oblige you, for a minimal fee, if any. Alternators typically have four external connections to the automobile's electrical system: 1.Ground. This is usually through the case, but some units require a separate connection, usually for the solid state regulator inside the case. If your unit requires a separate ground, run a short wire from the alternator to a convenient point on the engine block, or the chassis. If the connection is required for ground wire as you are using for the output, at least 10 Ga., preferably 8 Ga. 2.Output. This connection carries the charging current from the alternator to the battery, and corresponds to the screw terminal on the back of the GM unit. It connects directly to the battery, usually at the battery connection on the starter solenoid, or to the ammeter, if you car has one. This wire will be either Brown, or Brown with a colored stripe, in a Triumph. 3.Sensing. This wire connects to the battery, either directly, or via some connection in the main battery supply circuit. Typically, it connects to the battery side of the fuse block. Its purpose is to monitor the system voltage, and increases or decreases the charging rate, depending on the system load and/or battery condition. This is a smaller wire than used for the output, and is usually Brown or Brown with a colored stripe. This connections corresponds to terminal 2 on the GM unit. In some cases, this wire is self-contained within the alternator, and there will not be a connection for this function. If
so, just omit, or insulate and tie off, the equivalent wire in the GM instructions. 4.Indicator. This lead receives voltage from the ignition switch, through the charge warning lamp, when the key is turned on, but the engine is not running. This serves two purposes - it gives a visual warning that the alternator is not charging, and provides the initial current to get the unit to charge until it can provide it's own charging current. This wire is almost always Brown/Yellow in a Triumph, and corresponds to terminal 1 on the GM unit. One-Wire Alternators Quite popular among the Street Rod set, the one-wire units are not really suited for our cars. The only advantage is the simplicity of connecting only one wire. This advantage is lost in a Triumph, because of the changes required to the existing wiring to allow the use of a one-wire unit. All the wires required for a three wire unit are in place, and would have to be disabled otherwise. There are two distinct disadvantages to the one-wire: They are more expensive, and the warning lamp function is not operable with them. 10SI Alternator Wiring The 10SI has three terminals (including those with a 1 wire regulator). The large "BATT" terminal that gets connected to your battery positive. (Or Terminal Post if your vehicle is so equipped). And a dual terminal connector. (Repair pig-tails for this connector available at any autoparts store. Or, salvage with alternator if pulling the alternator from a vehicle). The #1 or "R" or Relay Terminal. (Marked with a "1" and "R" on case) This terminal provides a pulsing DC signal that varies with engine rpm. The voltage is half system voltage as measured with a voltmeter. This terminal is used to connect to the dash warning light, or used as a tachometer connection (such as diesel engines that have no ignition system to get a pulse from).
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For the warning light, a lamp is wired in series with a switched voltage source. During normal operation the lamp stays off. If the regulator is damaged, the #1 terminal provides ground, and the warning lamp will light. This terminal is also active on 1 wire regulator equipped 10SI alternators. The #2 or "F" or Field or Sense Terminal. (Marked with a 2 and "F" on case) This terminal is used to excite the 10SI into operation. (3-wire 10SI) It is connected to the battery positive. For simplicity you can connect the #2 connector pigtail directly to the "batt" terminal on the alternator. The terminal is present on 1 wire regulators. Used only for those that require the stock connector to fit snugly. If you are converting from a 3wire 10SI to a 1 wire regulator you can hook up all your stock connectors, and run it as is. However, that's wasted money unless you plan on cleaning out some wiring under your hood. If the 1 wire is for cleaning out wires, you only need to retain the "BAT" wire. The #1 & #2 terminal wires can be eliminated. Don't be surprised to find that the Field (#2) wire only goes a short way into the harness and spliced into the "BAT" wire. The 1 wire regulator comes with a dust plug for the #1 & #2 terminals. a voltage gauge to monitor your charging system. It will definitely give you signs of impending problems. (Bad regulator, failing battery, etc.) If you're looking for a high output unit, keep an eye out for your everyday rebuilt (re-stamped 63amp). In my case, my rebuilt puts out 80amps at high rpm. More than enough for most anyone needs. High output aside, don't expect your alternator to do anything for you at idle speeds. Alternator output increases with rpm, even a 100amp unit won't put out much more than a 63amp unit at 1000rpm.
TOOL TIME The Vise-Grip locking pliers have long been hailed as the most useful tool ever made. This tool has worldwide recognition and is used to take things apart and hold things together from the blistering deserts to the frigid arctic. My first tool was a vice-grip because at seventeen I was told by a mechanic he could not work on my Triumph because “them foreign cars are all metric”. I’ve learned a lot since then and I still have the original vice-grips I bought to work on my first car. I have beat on it with sledge hammers to remove rusted nuts, welded on it while clamping parts and used it to hold my car together so I could make it home in a blizzard. Vise-grip has a special place with me and in my toolbox. Can you imagine how I felt when Bill McKay suggested we drop by the vice-grip outlet store in Dewitt Nebraska on our way to the Porsche Club’s chili feed? To me, this was like visiting the holy grail of tools. I was excited. I had visions of pulling up to a huge building with a manicured lawn, flagpole and a ten-foot
By Joe Kueper of the Flat Waer Healey Club, off their website
vice-grip on a pedestal as a centerpiece in front of tall windows exposing an elaborate show room. As we entered Dewitt, I noticed it was quite small and there were no obvious directional signs to the famous Erwin tool factory. Perhaps we were not taking the main entrance into town. No. We were on Main Street but it looked like a ghost town. Except for Tina’s Tan and Trim and the Go Big Red watering hole,
everything else looked empty. At the end of Main Street we saw a huge pale green building that looked like it had additions haphazardly build on to it over the years. We drove around the building and found the office entrance tucked away on the side. It was closed. After two trips around the building, which filled a block, we asked directions to the outlet store from a man coming out of the loading dock. “Just down Main Street on the right. You can’t
The Oregon 500/500
miss it,” he said. We drove back down Main Street and missed it so we turned around and crept back and noticed a small Irwin Tools sign in the window of one of the closed up buildings. This must be it. Inside we found a 20 by 30 foot room, a counter with a cash register, several dusty steel shelves and some large boxes on the floor. It was as cold as a meat locker and the lady said she got there too late to turn on the heat. The boxes had different types of vice-grips and hand made magic marker signs announce $2.40 each – limit 10 per customer. I filled a cardboard box with an assortment of seven vise-grips and six carbide tipped saw blades. My check out receipt read $31.86. Experience priceless. They take cash or a check - no Visa. So the next time you find yourself in Dewitt with nothing to do on a Sunday 9-12 or a Wednesday 4-6, (that is what the sign says), drop into the Irwin Outlet Store. Oh yeah, and don’t expect anything but a good deal.
The 500/500 is Saturday and Sunday May 31 and June 1. We'll drive 250 increments someplace, stay the night and return. Don't worry, we will avoid any mountains. (Wear and tear, you know.) There will be a route book with specific instructions.
A new car event has hit the Northwest!! The Oregon 500/500. To explain: the first 500 of the title would be the number of kilometers* that will be driven. The second 500 refers to the amount of money (in U.S dollars) that can be spent to purchase the car to be driven the 500 kilometers (*or miles, distance increment to be determined.) To find a car, try Craig's List and type in whatever you want, like a brand and some max $ amount. (see photo above left.)
How much is the entrance fee? $10 unless you can substantiate a claim of poverty in which case it is free. Room and meals will be extra. Who/what is running this event? ie: Whom should I call for further info or an entry form? Cam Sheahan (503) 590-4611 or camsheahan@juno.com
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Healeys Meet the X-15 A Visit to the Evergreen Aviation Museum Restoration Shop
cookies. Colin and June are AHCO Club members and Colin is the director of the restoration shop. He is one of those folks
Photos and story by Jeff Mach
and space related projects they had stored there or underway. And interesting projects they are: among others, a Douglas Sky raider rescued from a boy's camp, a Curtiss-Wright Club Sedan in skeleton form hanging from the rafters and on a wall, a Fairchild PT-19 military trainer (also mostly a skeleton at the moment), a Sputnik in a box waiting to be assembled, and, most impressively, a full-size, technical mock-up X-15. Models, photographs, print articles, and other inspiration on these and past projects also adorned the shop. The operation relies on a crew of 35 volunteers to complete its projects and is complemented by a similar shop in Arizona. Several of the shop's completed projects are on view across the street in the museum.
whom British sports cars don't give enough grief or require enough time, so he supplements it with old airplanes and other machinery. Colin gave us a wonderful tour of the shop, telling us about each of the various aviation
On a surprisingly sunny and pleasant February Saturday morning, a few hardy souls ventured over to McMinnville and most successfully found their way to the Evergreen Aviation Museum's Restoration Shop, tucked away on the back side of a nondescript building, among others in Evergreen Aviation's compound across the road from the museum itself. A few latecomers must not have been able to tell the difference between a rocket body and a very large diameter cylinder. Colin and June Powers, who hosted the event, greeted us with fresh coffee and
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For those of us interested in historical aviation, it was a rare chance to see work underway to save and restore some rare pieces of aviation history before they are put on display - the same reason we like to poke around in people's garages looking over their projects before they're on the road. After, we retired to the Museum cafĂŠ for lunch. Some folks toured the museum and others partook of Evergreen Vineyards wines being offered in the Museum. All in all, a great way to spend a winter's morning, even if we couldn't convince Colin to let us take the X-15 out for a spin
AHCO Meeting February 2008 Call to Order: President Jeff Mach called the meeting to order at 11:00 am in the Evergreen Aviation Museum's restoration shop.
Advertising: No report.
Jeff thanked Colin and June Powers for hosting this month's tour of the Evergreen Aviation Museum's restoration shop and for the coffee and cookies they provided.
Inter-Club Coordinator: John Wilson reported he is seeing few magazines from other Clubs since we have stopped sending printed copies of Healey NW out.
Officer and Committee Reports
Regalia: Carole Trenko reported she had new T-shirts and polo shirts available for sale.
Vice President: Jeff noted that Mark was laid up recovering from back surgery. Secretary: No minutes from the January meeting had been received. Treasurer: Jeff summarized the January 2008 treasury report received from Linda Adams.
Editor: No report, but Jeff noted the February issue and his fine photo in it.
Membership/Charity: Skip provided a summary of membership activities. Few second notices for payment of dues had to be sent out. Everyone should have received his or her updated Club directory in the mail. Library: Nothing to report.
Activities: Tom Monaco discussed upcoming meeting plans and that we were still looking for hosts for May and July events/meetings. If you are willing to host an event/meeting either of those months, please contact Tom.
Sunshine Person: No report. ABFM: Nothing to report. Old Business: Jeff discussed progress the Executive Board has made, working with
The March Activity is scheduled at Portland Powder Coating on March 8th at 10:30 A.M. The tour will last approximately one hour. We will then proceed to Eastmoreland Golf Club for our lunch and meeting. The meeting is scheduled at 1:00 P.M. for those wishing to attend. How To Get There: From the West side of Portland, cross to the East side via the Ross Island bridge. Bear right onto Mcloughlin Blvd.(99E) heading South. Stay in the right lane and take the Holgate exit. Proceed to
S.E. 26th St. and turn right. Take the next possible right onto Schiller and the next possible right into the parking lot. If you are coming in on Hwy. 205, you would take the Powell Blvd. West exit and proceed to 26th. Turn left (south) and go 2.2 miles to Schiller. The address is 4740 S.E. 25th Portland, 97202. The Eastmoreland Golf Club is 1.5 miles to the South. Find 28th St. and follow it to the right. Thank you ladies and gentlemen.
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Respectfully submitted, Jeff Mach President
member Bob Wallace, on developing a new Club website. Bob currently has a prototype site set up at a separate web location and feedback to the prototype has been positive. Jeff also reminded everyone that he would like to have a discussion at the March meeting on recommended locations for the 2010 Healey Rendezvous, which the AHCO will be hosting. Please bring your ideas and information on potential hotel accommodations, car show locations, sightseeing and tour opportunities, and other potential activities. New Business: Club members discussed ideas and potential plans for traveling to the 2008 Conclave in San Diego. Some of the Cascade folks have looked into renting a transporter, which would cost about $1200 per car round trip, if the transporter was filled with 7 cars. Other people are looking at touring down and back. John and Jeff agreed to put a tour idea together for the next issue of Healey NW. The meeting adjourned at 11:30 am.
Honored Guests: John Sprinzel Gerry Coker and others
For Complete info: Go to www.sdhealey.org
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British Car Week 2008
11 Years of Celebrating British Cars
May 31 • June 8
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his years British Car Week will take place during May 31 through June 8. Be sure to mark your 2008 calendars! While you're at it, be sure to notify your British car clubs so they can participate by helping us spread the word about British Car Week and classic British car awareness.
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he exception was Southern California, where he used to live, where on any Saturday or Sunday, he could hang around by the Pacific Coast Highway or Mulholland Drive and watch the traffic go by. He would see one of almost everything in a given hour's time, from Cobras,
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f you're new to British Car Week, here's a little bit of history....
Seldom seen Cars
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he idea came about during the early spring of 1997 after reading an article written by Road & Track columnist, Peter Egan (Side Glances), in the March, 1997 issue or Road & Track Magazine, titled "Seldom seen cars."
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eter writes in his article about his trip to the Dentist's office, which spawned a conversation about cars. While sitting in the Dentist chair with his mouth full of gauze, the doctor commented that he hadn't seen a Porsche 356 on the road in years.
D
uring the remainder of his time in the dentist's chair, Peter couldn't speak, so he had plenty of time to sit with his eyes closed and ponder about that comment. So he asked himself the same question.... "When was the last time you saw a Porsche 356 on the road?"
H
e recalled quite a few at organized car events, vintage races at Elkhart Lake, Mid Ohio, and Monterey, but noted that once he got more than 25 miles away from those landmark events, most of the old cars seemed to evaporate into thin air.
Speedsters, ‘32 high-boy roadsters, to MGAs, TCs, E-Types, and Woodie wagons. Porsche 356 coupes? They were everywhere! Peter continues to tell us in his story that the last time he spotted a 356 Porsche on the road was in 1976.
A
s a response to Mr. Peter Egan's story, birth came to British Car Week during that very same spring of 1997. This very first successful British Car Week began as an earnest attempt to help create interest among enthusiastic British car owners, who would pull together to help generate awareness of older model British cars in their home town environment. Car owners and entire clubs came together to make it a success.
S
ince then, British Car Week has been an ongoing, annual opportunity for all classic car owners to get together with other classic car owners in their community, regardless of geographical origins, and share stories, answer questions, and display their cars among those who rarely get a chance to learn about and appreciate them. Whether it's a church parking lot, town square, local restaurant, pub, park, shopping mall, or car rally, the intent is to get these cars out of their hiding places and into pub-
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lic view.
T
here's no mistaking, historic British cars are a special breed of automobiles that have played an important role of shaping automobile design as we know it today. Even though they have characteristics that are not easily replicated, car manufacturers of today are constantly struggling to create the same kind of excitement that British car designers of the past were able to accomplish so naturally without the use of modern technologies. With each passing year, their history, design features, racing pedigree, and even their idiosyncrasies become increasingly appreciated.
T
his appreciation is especially true for those who experience these cars for the very first time. Once bitten by the British car hobby bug, these newly born enthusiasts begin buying books, magazines, regalia, cars and parts, and anything else they can get their hands on to fulfill their yearning for British car fun. They soon become an integral support that helps keep the hobby thriving for many enjoyable years to come. If these cars are tucked away in a dark corner of a garage, this scenario will never happen.
S
o if you're the owner of a British car, grab your goggles and driving gloves, and be sure to top off your dashpots! It's time to have some fun! If you're not the owner of a British car...maybe it's time you join us!
S
ee you on the road....
Go to www.britishcarweek.org for more information on other British car events.
this little a song
The 2008 edition of this much-anticipated tradition will be held on Saturday, June 21, and it kicks off with an optional social gathering on Friday evening, June 20. Registration for this 15th annual edition of the event is now open. Club membership is not required. The event is limited to 75 entries, and we expect it to fill up once again this year. This all-day, all-paved rally (or tour, if you choose not to "rally") is open to all pre1981 collector vehicles. (Exceptions for vehicles made in 1981 and later are occasionally made. Contact the Rally Master.) Beginning and ending in the Portland area, we begin the day by meeting at the start point - typically a public park - for a continental breakfast. Then, after the Drivers' Meeting, the rally cars begin leaving at oneminute intervals on a classic
Time-Speed-Distance rally over some of the region's best and most scenic rally roads. We break for lunch at a public park, and then go back out for more rallying in the afternoon, returning to the park in the late afternoon for refreshments and awards. Everything is concluded by about 6 p.m. The registration fee includes the continental breakfast, a delicious lunch, refreshments at the end of the day, event shirts for both driver and navigator, a dash plaque, an event poster, the event program, a "goodie bag" (product samples and valuable trinkets!), and for the winners, trophies. The Columbia Gorge Classic features our unique three-class structure that allows everyone - from the expert TSD rallyist to those who wish only to enjoy a nice drive - to participate and enjoy the day: Standard. Participants in this class receive the
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Standard Route Instructions and compete against each other for trophies. All participants with more than minimal TSD rally experience are encouraged to enter this class. The degree of difficulty of this class, on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 1 being extremely easy and 10 being extremely difficult), is estimated to be approximately 3-4.
Touring. Participants in this class receive the Touring Route Instructions and do not compete or receive trophies. This class is designed for people who wish only to drive a scenic rally route in a follow-the-leader format with a lead car doing the navigation, and not be concerned with timing calculations or course-following challenges.
Novice. Participants in this class receive the Novice Route Instructions and compete against each other for trophies. (The novice Route Instructions include more information than those of the Standard class, helping inexperienced rallyists to stay on course; this also makes a great way to learn more about TSD rallying.) Participants with no or very minimal TSD rally experience are encouraged to enter this class. The degree of difficulty of this class is estimated to be approximately 1-2.
For questions about registration, contact Rally Registrar Lou Jaffe at: loujaffe@hotmail.com or 503.296.0937. For questions about the rally itself, including the Rally General Instructions (the rules), contact Rally Master Reid Trummel at: editor reid@hotmail.com or 503.753.3700. For other questions, including how to volunteer to help conduct this great event, contact Rally Manager Ron Hillbury at: ronhillbury@msn.com or 503.348.1307.
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Healey Northwest 21150 Ornduff Road Hillsboro, OR 97123 Return Service Requested
This Month in AHCO History
by Jeff Mach
Thirty Years Ago
Twenty Years Ago
The Club met at President Bill Bolton's house for a tech session on electrical systems. Plans to attend the Southern California Meet in San Diego in May were discussed. In other news, the Club had 63 dues-paying members and nearly $500 in the bank. And, in the Oh-For-The Good-Old-Days Department, Healey Northwest contained the following ad, "1967 Healey 3000, 85,000 miles, factory books, tools, tonneau, excellent running condition, very nice car. Moving, must sell. $5,700." I'll bet that guy is sorry now. Ironically, the ad was still running in Healey Northwest several months later.
Wayne and Sylvia Brown hosted the Club meeting at their home in Salem. The meeting featured tech sessions on troubleshooting and adjusting overdrive systems and transmissions. The meeting was followed by a pizza feed and a showing of videotapes (remember those) and photos from past Club activities.
Ten Years Ago Bob and Roseanne Plotts hosted the Club's March 1998 meeting at their home in Beaverton. Bob presented a personal slideshow of sports car racing in the Pacific Northwest from 1958 through the 1980s and displayed his Innocenti Sprite racer.
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