Official Newsletter of the Austin-Healey Club of Southern Ontario
"Prez Sez" THE FALLING LEAVES.... I am not sure that the leaves going past my window the other evening were really falling. They were being driven by 70kph winds and driving rain! Still our roof stayed on this year. Fall windup is in the books for another year and for those that missed it, they missed a great time. All in all a very pleasant weekend, skillfully put together by Mark & Heather Doust, David Underhill & Marilyn Halbot under somewhat trying circumstances. Many thanks are due to them for a job well done. Our next event coming up as I write this, is the Run for the Leaves on Oct 2nd (or 3rd), details of which were sent to everyone by e-mail. Every year the Quebec Club provides cars and drivers for the drivers' parade at the Canadian Grand Prix. This is a huge event and some of our club members (including yours truly) have taken part in this event in the past. Our club has been offered a place in the 2011 event in June and we are auctioning off this weekend to members. Winning will give you a good seat for qualifying, participation in the parade around the track and the same seat for the race. If you are interested in submitting a bid, please contact myself or any member of the executive. The final bids will be taken at the Christmas meeting on Dec 08. The opening bid is $500.00. No need to remind you that the November meeting brings our elections, so, if you have never held an office, or have and would like to do it again, please make this year the time to step up, put your name forward and have a say in the way your club is run. All candidates should make their interest known to V.P.Mark Doust as soon as possible. Driving isn't quite done for this year, so‌.
GET INTO YOUR HEALEY AND SEE WHAT YOU GET OUT OF IT!! Bob Yule
OCTOBER 2010
Inside Prez Sez . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg 1 View From The Navigator's Seat . . . . . . .Pg 1 Salmon BBQ . . . . . . . . . . . Pg 2-3 Fall Wind Up . . . . . . . . . . Pg 4-5 Advertisers . . . . . . . . .Pg 6-7 Bronte . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pg 8-9 Lewis MacKenzie . . . Pg 9-10
View From the Navigator's Seat
Advertisers . . . . . . . . .Pg 11
We started off our 2010 AH year with a cold and blustery day in April at Ancaster Flea Market - but from there on this driving season has been just wonderful. We finally had the summer we totally missed last year and that's probably why our events were so well attended this year. Our Wine Tour was a great success with a lovely sunny day for our drive through the spectacular Niagara area. The 'Maritime Tour' which took us almost 4000 miles through Eastern Canada 'lucked out' with great weather also. Now if we can just get one more wonderful weather day for the "Run For The Leaves" on Oct. 2nd. we will be truly thankful. All in all a fantastic Healey Summer! Happy Healeying!
Guest Notice . . . . . . . . Pg 12 2010 Events Calendar . Pg 12
Visit our web site
www.ahcso.com
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SOMETHING FISHY GOING ON ! Saturday August 28 and a group of hungry Healey people are gathered in Milton, ready to take a directed drive to Laurie and Diane Wilford's home some 76 miles down the road. For the ninth year in a row, they are anxious to see if Laurie has again been successful on his latest fishing trip, or if they are going to have to eat hamburger. Seventeen cars left the designated start point, all Big Healeys and Bug-Eyes and made their way through some beautiful countryside, passing farms and small towns and only occasionally having to cross a busy road of any significance. It was hard to believe that these quiet, mostly rural areas existed so close to some major metropolitan centers. The car drivers and passengers made their own way to the end of the tour, with a few rest (ice cream) stops and by the time they had all cluttered the Wilford's driveway and most of the street, the crowd had swelled to about fiftyfive people. There was much anticipation and it all proved worthwhile, as Laurie had once again outdone himself and provided a feast of Pacific Salmon that left no-one wanting. The afternoon and evening passed far too quickly, as old and new friends visited and generally enjoyed themselves and all too soon it was time for everyone to say their goodbyes. Once again we thank Laurie and Diane for hosting this event, we thank DMH for building the cars that bring us all together for these good times and we thank the Salmon for showing up. Bob Yule Page 2 / THE RESONATOR
SALMON BBQ 2010
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FALL WIND UP 2010 The select few who attended the Fall Wind Up recently, were treated to an exceptional weekend of wonderful roads to drive, the company of great friends and terrific entertainment. After meeting at the obligatory Tim Horton's in Milton the group set off for a drive over some great winding roads around Halton Hills, took in a parade through Acton and wound up for lunch, (quite appropriately I thought) at the Mad Hatter in Orangeville. After filling up with food and drink, we set forth again on some even twistier, up and down roads around the Forks of the Credit and Caledon Hills, stopping for ice cream etc in Belfountain. These Healey roads eventually brought us to the Stage West Hotel in Mississauga where we were able to relax a little before heading for dinner and entertainment in the hotel theatre. We then managed to maintain the Healey Club tradition and demolish the buffet before settling back for the performance on stage. This was a little different but quite entertaining and consisted of a murder mystery that was solved by the audience, not necessarily with the same outcome every night. Heading back to our suites, we spent the remainder of the evening with good company doing what Healey people do best. Having fun! Sunday morning arrived mostly uninvited and after a good breakfast, we headed for Bronte Creek Park and the largest one day all British car show in North America. The field was already filling up when we arrived so we took our places along with all the other Healey's in a long impressive line. By 11am there were over 1000 British cars displayed and by all accounts, the total approached 1200. The weather cooperated with a beautiful warm sunny day and many old friendships were maintained and new ones made. The judging was, as usual, by popular choice and many of our Club members took home plaques to remind them of their visit. This was a wonderful and quite different Fall Wind Up that was organized by Mark & Heather Doust, David & Marilyn Holbot and it all went off without a hitch. We owe them a very warm thank you for all their hard work and innovation.
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FALL WIND UP 2010
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To advertise please call Anna Orr at 905-930-8899 or E-mail: healeygal@cogeco.ca
RATES* Full Page $400 1/2 Page $210 1/4 Page $105 Business Card $45 *per year (6 issues)
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Visit our Web Site at:
www.ahcso.com
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BRONTE 2010
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BRONTE WINNERS Austin Healey 100, MK1
D 57 D 411 D 426
1 2 3
Graham Secord (AHC) Phil & Anna Atrill Martin Jansen (AHC)
Austin Healey 3000
C 383 C 26 C 74
1 2 3
Norboert Lefebvre Bill Richards Carl Jadeski (AHC)
Austin Healey Sprite
F 216 F 244 F 404
1 2 3
Brian Young Ed Kesik (AHC) Martyn Ridley (AHC)
MAJOR-GENERAL LEWIS MACKENZIE’S FIRST CAR - A HEALEY! Retired Major-General Lewis MacKenzie says there’s only one word to describe his single-minded desire for his first set of wheels: “Freedom.” “All through high school, all through university, either walking everywhere or building up enough courage to ask my mother to approach my father — if I could have the car on the weekend — it was strictly [about] freedom.” “It was constantly on my mind — wherever I walked and a car would go by — that’s what I thought of.” When he was 20, he was instantly smitten with sports cars when he and a buddy attended a motor race at Harewood Acres near Jarvis, Ont., in 1960. “I saw this race and, quite frankly, my life changed forever. I quit university and joined the army — to get a sports car.” Although MacKenzie had been an officer cadet, quitting university to become commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Queen’s Own Rifles meant he lost his accumulated seniority. But he did gain a military paycheque. Soon after, as a young officer stationed in Germany, he was able to buy his dream car — a new “British White” 1962 AustinHealey MK II — for $2,625. “Healeys were always my first choice; I wanted a Healey for some reason — I liked the sound of the straight six and the exhaust system it had.” “It was sort of a macho thing — it was a guy’s car. You know, MGA — a bit girlie; Alfa Romeo — a bit girlie; Porsche was really an enhanced Volkswagen in those days, whereas a Healey — it was probably the sound and the look.” The sound was one thing; the drive quite another.
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“It slid all over the road. You thought you were going so-o-o fast when, in fact, you weren’t. It was just that the handling wasn’t particularly good.” The car’s handling wasn’t its only downside. British sports cars were notoriously troublesome and the Healey was no different. MacKenzie’s particular model had carburetors that overflowed and leaked fuel, running down onto the exhaust system. Driving through the Alps with the dramatic changes in elevation, MacKenzie realized just how big a problem he had on his hands. “I looked in my rear-view mirror and I had this sheet of flame following me and I immediately knew what it was as I smelled the fuel.” MacKenzie managed to quell the flames and get to a garage in Monaco. Alive. In another incident, his fuel pump broke and he drove 500 miles manually working the pump with his finger — difficult in any situation but miraculous on the Autobahn. MacKenzie says mechanics at the British Motor Co. shop in London were flabbergasted. “They said, ‘We don’t believe you.’ (But) they gave me a new fuel pump.” If necessity is the mother of invention, the Healey served MacKenzie well. He became an adept mechanic, mastering skills that have enriched a lifetime passion for sports cars and motor racing. At the time, though, the Healey aided more immediate passions (as well as a quick getaway). “My friend and I went into a camping ground in Nice and we met a couple of girls and we’re in their tent, making out, when they advise us that their boyfriends are coming back.” Quickly packing their gear, MacKenzie and his buddy jumped into a white Healey and roared away. “My friend is sitting in the passenger seat and all of our stuff is packed in the kit in the back and I realize — it’s not my Healey! It’s another one!” Luckily, they found their Healey nearby and made it back to the base in one piece. Fit and focused, MacKenzie is still very much the dashing and forthright commander he was when he wore the blue beret of the UN peacekeeper almost two decades ago. He laughs recalling many of his youthful exploits travelling though Europe and says that, ultimately, his love for the Healey came down to “sex appeal and performance.” MacKenzie says that in his day it was “sports cars, sports cars, sports cars.” “If you went through any officer’s mess in the Canadian infantry in those days, the parking lot was full of sports cars. If you go there today they’re all trucks.” And what became of the Healey? After a couple of years stationed in Germany, MacKenzie was transferred to a peacekeeping mission in the Middle East. He sold the car to a fellow officer but had to borrow it back during his final week. “Every second day I would drive down to pick up the mail for the soldiers and on the third day of that last week in Germany, a trailer jackknifed in front of me coming up to the base. I was either going to go under and decapitate myself [so] I went off, hit a tree and virtually wrote the car off uninsured.” His posting to Egypt became a godsend. With the extra $150 a month he earned for being on a UN mission, it only took him two years to pay off the bill for the smashed Healey. Lewis MacKenzie currently races for Mortimer Racing in the Formula Ford series; his car number is 70. He says of his sport: “Where else can a 70-year-old compete with teenagers?” Toronto Star - Courtesy of Yvonne Marton
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Hey Gang! Great news. You asked for it‌ you got it. Your club and marquee logos are available in store! After more than 30 years of seeing you at the automotive events and shows, I'm happy to announce that we've opened our retail store. Visit us and take a look at the fashions and products we have to offer. Feel free to browse, buy off the rack or have your logo put on the garment of your choice. We carry, shirts, jackets, fleece, shorts, trousers, caps, visors, bags, pins, fobs, signs, flags, mugs, watches‌ to mention a few things. Visit us at: KDC 33 King Street West Dundas, Ontario 905-627-9066 Tuesday - Saturday 10:30 a.m - 5:30 p.m. We are closed Sundays, Mondays, Statutory and Civic holidays. You can still order on line at: kchevalier@logoranger.com or call us at 1.888.250.4917 (toll free). See ya there! Kim Chevalier (aka Kimbo)
NOVEMBER PUB NIGHT IS ELECTION NIGHT If you would like to stand for a position or would like to nominate someone please contact: Mark Doust, VP at phone # (416) 779-0967 or by email: mark@abarth.ca THE RESONATOR / Page 11
OCTOBER PUB NIGHT GUEST Many of us were very fortunate, that when we were working we got "benefits" through a group plan that our employer had at a low rate. When we retired or left their employment these benefits were lost. There could be cases where some of our members never had these benefits from day one. Some people believe that once you get to 65 the social plans of the government health plan looks after you.......sorry to burst your balloon. Dental is one area, YOU is on your own, fillings cleaning, xray etc can put a hefty bite into your wallet. The list goes on! So what if we were offered a "group benefit plan" for the members of AHCSO. At this pub night October 13 a representative has agreed to come and hopefully answer your questions about having a plan for our members. So please come with your thoughts. Ian Allison
“RUN FOR THE LEAVES” - HEALEY EVENT We are planning a fall run for the leaves on Saturday, October 2nd (Rain date Sunday, October 3rd). We will be meeting in Orangeville and going north from there to Flesherton, through the Beaver Valley, to Thornbury, and Meaford. We will stop for lunch somewhere, plus other short stops at look outs. If you are interested, please get back to me. If I don’t hear from you, I will take you off my list for further emails about the run. Hope to see lots of cars out! Cheers, Mark
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2010 OCTOBER 2
RUN FOR THE LEAVES - Call Mark @ 416-779-0967
OCTOBER 13
PUB NIGHT - MILTON
NOVEMBER 10
PUB NIGHT - MILTON
DECEMBER 8
CHRISTMAS PUB NIGHT- MILTON
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