News 1-05 - TDS-Net

July, 2009
1967 Lotus Elan SE
Next Meetings
July 6th, 2009 7:00 pm at The Weathervane in Bedford
(603) 472-2749
Car of the Month
1967 Lotus Elan SE
by Phil Zarrow
My first acquaintance with the Lotus Elan
was in 1968 when a friend of my dad let
me drive a couple of miles through the
backwoods of NJ. Why he would entrust his pride and joy to a seventeen year
old kid is beyond me, but I was immediately impressed. It would be a very long
time in my driving career that I would ever
pilot something quite as agile as the Elan.
Add to this a dash of adolescent lust for
Diana Rigg of the Avengers (sorry Uma,
Diana was the real Mrs. Peel) and her
Elan.
Fast forward about thirty years. I was
on an airplane en route home from Dallas to Long Beach, CA. It was a crowded
MD-80 on a Friday afternoon but my spirits picked up a bit when the guy next to
me started pulling out car periodicals (a
brother motor-head). Besides good ol’
Road and Track, he had one called “Tiger Paws” that I recognized to be the journal of the Southern California Sunbeam
Tiger Club and one called “Stress
Cracks”. I inquired about the latter and
he informed me that it was the monthly
newsletter of the Lotus West. Cutting to
the chase, he owned two Tigers, two
Elans, a ’68 Mustang and a Dodge Pickup
truck. Needless to say he was unmarried.
He was considering selling one of the
Elans and by the time we landed in Long
Beach, four hours later, we had put together a “deal”. In exchange for a (spare)
SAAB V-4 engine (from my Sonett), some
miscellaneous Austin parts and an old
1275 block (from my Mini) as well as a
Linear Encoder I salvaged from my
company’s scrap pile (I have no idea what
he was going to do with that), and some
cash, I became the proud owner of a 1967
Lotus Elan SE drop-head coupe.
That was the easy part. Now came the
challenge of informing my wife that there
would be (yet) another orphan car in the
driveway when she came home from the
2
hospital. I decided to play the “midlife
crisis” card in that living there, in Southern California, I “needed” a convertible
and this was a car of my dreams. Little
did we know that we would be moving to
New Hampshire a year later. But hey, a
convertible works everywhere. She
eventually acquiesced under the terms
that I do not bring home any more such
project cars (or else: in addition to parts
and insurance, start thinking alimony and
child support). Point taken; though she
did admit to enjoying our outings in the
Elan (when it was running).
Lotus: the epitome of the genius and frugality of Colin Chapman. Peter Eagan,
my favorite auto columnist (Road and
Track) who has had his share of British
sports and race cars, as well as several
Loti, once presented the equation that for
every two hours you drive your Lotus, you
work on it twenty hours. Over the years,
I have rebuilt or replaced just about everything (except the transmission) from
suspension to engine to body parts. Let’s
not even bother talking about the famous
diabolical British engineers, Smith and
Lucas. Ahh, but when you are driving it,
there is nothing like it.
Powered by a feisty Lotus four cylinder,
1500 cc, dual overhead cam, 125 bhp engine nourished by twin DCOE-40s, it is a
masterpiece of Lotus’ racing heritage.
Linked to a four speed (wish it was five)
transmission that shifts in a snickety manner, this 1500 pound (when I’m not in it)
pocket rocket just flies. Of course, you
don’t get in it, you put it on and your posterior is only inches from being one with
the road. Chapman struts (forbearers of
the McPherson strut), disc brakes all
around, mounted to a double-wishbone
frame and encased in a fiberglass body, a
very progressive racecar company takes
a stab at (limited) production cars. The
combination of power, light weight and
low center of gravity makes this the most
agile car I have ever driven (save for,
perhaps, the Lotus Super 7). It is literally
“point and shoot”. Aim it where you want
it to go and it will be there. The Elan can
do circles around my ’85 911 Carrera and
just about anything else it encounters on
the road. It outperforms my ’63 Cooper
S in autocross. Not bad for forty-twoyear-old technology. Both Paul Newman
and Steve McQueen cut their racing teeth
with Elans, mostly in club racing. Jim
Clark owned a few as well.
British auto magazines of the time bear
witness to the rivalry between the Lotus
Elan and the Big (six cylinder) Austin
Healy. Each, no doubt, have their merits
and shortcomings (aside from being English). While the Austin Healy is a wonderful touring car, the Elan is a track car.
The time it takes to put up the top usually
exceeds the duration of the rain storm that
necessitated it. Of course the Elan is
extremely enjoyable on both highway and
especially back roads, but when my friend
Art and I make the annual trek from
Durham, NH to Stowe, VT for the British Invasion, it can be a long ride.
The style still holds up after all these decades. Yes, this is the car Mazda modeled the Miata after. They actually bought
up a slew of Elans from the mid to late
60’s and took it from there. And, in spite
of the fact that the Miata is several magnitudes more reliable than the Lotus, the
Mazda people fought over who got to
keep the Elans.
I love my Elan. My very significant other,
Ellyn, is an excellent driver and appreciative of fine automobile handling. I believe that, of all the cars in my menagerie, the Elan is destined to be her favorite. On that note, as I look outside, the
rain has stopped, the clouds are lifting and
the sun is making an appearance. It is
Lotus Elan weather. Mrs. Peel, we are
needed…..
BCNH
MONARCHY
DIRECTORS
Wade dos Santos
Robert Mitchell
BRITISH CARS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Visit us at www.bcnh.org
Name_______________________________ Spouse______________________
TREASURER
John Giese
NEWSLETTER
John Giese - Irene MacDougall
Address__________________________________________________________
City____________________ State____ Zip________ Phone_______________
E-mail address____________________________________________________
REGALIA
Suzi Polenchar
SECRETARY
Norma Karle
Year, Make, Model of Your Auto(s)___________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
Name of Referring Member_________________________________________
___ Paper Newsletter or ___ electronic copy of the Newsletter
Please send application and $30 annual dues (payable to BCNH) to:
Linda Cagan, 25 West Country Road, Bedford, NH 03110
If possible, please submit a photo and article of your car to be included in
The Boot, Hood & Bonnet - BCNH’s monthly newsletter.
Any photos submitted will be returned.
AC – ALLARD – ALPINE – TVR – DAIMLER – MORRIS
MOTORCYCLES – TRIUMPH – MG - JAGUAR – AUSTIN HEALEY
LAND ROVER – RELIANT SCIMITAR – LOTUS
British Cars of New Hampshire (BCNH) is an organization devoted to
the preservation, restoration and enjoyment of all British automobiles.
BCNH provides to its members and their families British auto-oriented
activities and social events throughout the year. Benefits of the club participation include monthly meetings, rallies, tech sessions, club socials,
car shows and other events.
The club publishes a monthly newsletter, The Boot, Hood & Bonnet.
News of upcoming events, club activities, car show results, technical tips
and articles submitted by members are included in the newsletter. Members also receive a discount on a subscription to the British Marque, a
monthly car club newspaper.
WEBMASTER
Kate Stanley Robinson
MEMBERSHIP COORDINATORS
Linda Cagan
Louis Belanger
TECH SESSIONS COORDINATOR
Wade dos Santos
ADVERTISING COORDINATOR
Linda Cagan
PUBLIC RELATIONS
(open)
INTER-CLUB COORDINATOR
Jeff Abbe
SOCIAL DIRECTORS
Ginger Christiansen
Cheryl Bernstein
Irene MacDougall
CALENDAR COORDINATOR
Norma Karle
SHOW OF DREAMS DIRECTOR
Mike Sweet
A club logo window decal is provided. Additional decals may be purchased.
www.bcnh.org
Meetings are held on the first Monday of each month at the Weathervane
restaurant unless otherwise announced. All members are encouraged to
attend and bring guests.
Contact information on page 4
BCNH invites you to become a member of our active and growing club
by submitting the application above.
3
Director’s Corner
Who’s Job Is It?
A basic tenet in Business School is “If it
not somebody’s job, it’s nobody’s job.” As
a Manager, if there is a task that needs to
be done, you must assign somebody to
do that task.
But we aren’t a “business” – and there
are no “managers” here – there’s just us.
On top of that, our only “product” is fun.
We’re in this to have a good time. It’s
a simple as that.
· Come to Club Meetings and talk to other
Members about your idea
Treasurer’s Report
· Maybe talk to Wade and Me about your
idea – but not necessarily
May 15 to June 15
Club account
· Maybe talk to Social Directors Ginger
$2328.87
and/or Cheryl and/or Irene – but not nec- Start Balance
Newsletter
-$155.32
essarily
Tech session expenses
-$93.90
· Pick a date – and DO IT.
Tech session deposits
$98.90
$30.00
We are all busy people. None of us will Membership
be able to take part in all of the activities 50/50 Raffle
$45.00
that we collectively come up with, but Regalia
$25.00
getting “everybody” to any one End Balance
$2278.55
event is not necessary – as long as
Show of Dreams account
the people that do make it have fun
with their cars and with each other.
So who’s job is it to be sure we have fun?
It seems to me that there is only one possible answer. It is both nobody’s job and
everybody’s job at the same time. Unfortunately, that brings us full circle. If
it’s not somebody’s job there’s a pretty
good chance it won’t get done at all.
The more “events” that we (you) can
schedule, the more opportunities we will
all have to have fun.
So, as Directors, if we can’t “assign”
tasks, what can we do? The only
“power” that we have is the Bully Pulpit
– and this is it. All I can do is ask you to:
Bob
So – you have been “assigned” the task.
DO IT.
Start Balance
Sponser
Vender registration
Car registration
End Balance
$2028.90
$1350.00
$100.00
$207.00
$3685.90
So Saith Director
· Think about the ways that you have most
fun with your car
· Think about how much MORE FUN that
would be if you had others to do it with
you
· Think about how you could get others to
do it with you – maybe using the Club
Newsletter
Disclaimer:
As a matter of policy, British Cars
of New Hampshire does not
endorse any of the businesses that
advertise in this newsletter.
To order your BCNH name badge contact Linda Cagan at:
(603) 472-5212
Contact information
Jeff Abbe
243 Queen Street, Boscawen, NH 03303
Louis Belanger
11 Forest Lane, Litchfield, NH 03052
Cheryl Bernstein
14 Franconia Drive, Nashua, NH 03063
Linda Cagan
25 West County Road, Bedford, NH 03110
Ginger Christiansen 7 Sycamore Lane, Nashua, NH 03063
Wade dos Santos PO Box 840, Manchester, NH 03105
Maggie DuPont
75 Island Pond Road, Derry, NH 03038
John Giese
153 Crooked S Road, Lyndeborough, NH 03082
Norma Karle
22 Partridge Lane, Londonderry, NH 03053
Irene MacDougall 147 Concord Street, Nashua, NH 03064
Robert Mitchell
PO Box 270, Stratam, NH 03885
Suzi Polenchar
19 Shoreline Drive, Hudson, NH 03051
Kate Stanley Robinson
PO Box 235, Chocorua, NH 03817
Mike Sweet
50 High Street, Penacook, NH 03303
4
796-2922
424-7835
882-8682
472-5212
883-0288
623-5209
434-4627
654-2565
437-8931
305-5976
772-1116
598-6494
491-4667
753-9164
mgdurango@yahoo.com
80mgbman@comcast.net
Cherylbern@comcast.net
lcagan@comcast.net
gingchrist@aol.com
wade@grolen.com
grammymag@comcast.net
johgie@tds.net
karle01@comcast.net
limacd@msn.com
RBMit-MM@comcast.net
spolenchar@comcast.net
webmaster@bcnh.org
sweetm@graphicpkg.com
Minutes
The June 2009 meeting of the royal order
of BCNH was gaveled to order at
7:00PM at ye Olde Weathervane pub and
eatery.
The May meeting minutes were accepted
as printed in the newsletter - go figure.
Same with the treasurer’s report.
There were several requests for copies
of the membership list. There was a decision several years ago to not publish it
as part of the newsletter once a year for
security reasons. However, any member
who would like a copy can email me (or
any
other
officer)
at
karle01@comcast.net and I will be happy
to email you the latest copy. If you still
use ye old US Poste please call me at
603-437-8931 and I will pop a copy into
the post box for you. It generally changes
on a monthly basis.
Almost New members in attendance Bob Doherty (probably spelled that wrong
- sorry) who is also the editor of the TParty newsletter.
Speaking of the newsletter, our esteemed
editor John Giese needs articles. I am
sure most of you enjoy those articles on a
monthly basis and like to learn that you
are not alone in your quest to make your
lovely old British car look new and run
better than ever. Well, everyone has a
story and we would like to read those stories. So write them up and send them
along. But, I digress.
The website is coming along nicely thanks
to Kate! Last years Show of Dreams
photos have all been loaded - if you have
photos from previous years and
are swilling or rather willing to share
them
please
send
them
along and we will add them to the site.
Pasty events or
events:
rather
past
Tech session at Bob and JR Cushmans
was held in May. Thank you to Bob
and JR for hosting again this year!!
We had a good turnout of about twenty
or so British cars, the weather was
great and on top of that we had a very
interesting speaker - Norm Campeau.
Norm spoke about metal working and
how to fix the body panels of your cars.
He not only explained the professional
tools but also spoke about how to use the
tools you might actually own to fix your
car. Thank you Norm! And thanks to
Bob for setting it up with Norm. (No
pastys were seen or eaten at this event).
The first Sunday drive of the season took
place the last weekend of May. There
was a very nice drive from the east coast
contingent and they were met in Temple
by the rabble from the Milford area after
some circuitous route. There was a visit
to Parker’s Maple Barn supposedly for a
comfort stop but since I wasn’t
there (and no one is admitting anything) I
don’t know if there were pastys of any
kind seen or consumed. The final stop
was at the Birchwood Inn in Temple for
tea not pastys.
Upcoming events:
Weekend of June 13/14 is the drive to
Sunset Hill House in Sugar Hill, NH - the
height of the Lupine season. If you’ve
never taken that ride and can’t make the
weekend of the 13/14 make sure you take
the drive at a later weekend. The season for Lupine is dependent upon the
weather, and I’m betting that the following weekend or two should be just as spectacular. It’s well worth the ride, and a
trip to Polly’s Pancake Parlor is always a
good choice.
Also the weekend of the 13/14th is the
MGT group’s GOF in Concord, NH. This
is their regular Gathering of the Faithful.
Pop up and join them - they won’t mind.
Also on the 14th is the Brit Bits’ Galaxy
of British Cars show at the Christa
McAuliffe Planetarium. Check their
website for details.
The Sunday drive for June will meet on
June 28th at the Massabesic traffic circle
in Manchester. It is off exit 1 on Route
101. There is a British phone booth on
the circle - that’s the meeting point. They
will be leaving there at 8:00AM going east
to Exeter and the final destination is
Vancouver.
On July 18th is a night game at the Fisher
Cats in Manchester. This is a High Hopes
night and we’ve been allowed special
parking up front at the entrance to advertise our car show - bring your British car
- park up front and enjoy the game and
fireworks for $8 per person. Contact
Norma for details and tickets.
SOD Car show - Mike Sweet gave a
quick update on the show; things are
moving along nicely. The registration
forms are available and the posters will
be available soon. Every member is reminded to supply two items for the raffle
table. You can bring them with you the
day of the show or you can give them to
one of us at the next meeting. We are still
in need of sponsors and we can certainly
use more vendors. Contact Mike or Diana
Stanley for more information. Sunday is
planned to be a display day we’re calling
a Celebration of the European Motorcar.
If you know anyone who has a European
car they would like to display have them
trot it out and bring it up on Sunday! The
next car show meeting is planned for June
20th at the William Tell in Alton. Please
let me know if you plan to attend so that
we can reserve a table(s).
The 50-50 was split. Mike Sweet won
for the first time in seventeen years
(see what happens when you buy a
ticket) and someone else in the back
of the room from me won the other
half. Sorry, didn’t see who it was so
you can’t hit them up for a loan.
Each of them won $23.
The next meeting is July 6th - see
you then.
Norma
5
REGISTRATION FORM
THE 13th ANNUAL BRITISH CARS OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
SHOW OF DREAMS 2009 ALL BRITISH CAR SHOW
Featured Marque – Mini - Mini’s 50th Birthday
To be held on Sat & Sun, August 8th & 9th at The Nick in Wolfeboro, NH
All car show proceeds donated to The High Hopes Foundation of NH
PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY
Name: ______________________________________________________________________________________
Street Address:________________________________________________________________________________
City: ________________________ State: ________ Zip Code:_________________________________________
Home Phone: _________________________ E-Mail Address:_________________________________________
1st Vehicle Year: _______ Make: _______________ Model:____________________________________________
2nd Vehicle Year: _______ Make: _______________ Model:____________________________________________
Car Corral Only: Year:__________Make:__________________Model:__________________________________
Class trophies, Best of Show, Best of Featured Marque, Best Club Participation, Diamond in the Rough
Please note: Car classes may change – we may add additional classes
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
Austin Healey
MG-TC, TD, & TF
MG-A
MG-B (Early Chrome Bumpers 63-69)
MG-B (Late Chrome Bumpers 70-74)
MG-B (Rubber Bumper)
TR2 & TR3
8) TR4 & TR 250
9) TR6 (69-73)
10) TR6 (74-76)
11) TR7 & TR8
12) Spitfire
13) Jag E-Types
14) Jag Sedans
15) Morgans
16) Mini Coopers (59-70)
17) Mini Coopers (71-2000)
18) Mini Coopers (2002-2008)
19) Mini Variants
20) Other: Pre -1960
21) Other: 1960 to Present
22) Midgets & Sprites
ENTRY FEE: Pre-registered $25, Day of Show $35, additional cars by same owner $10
RELEASE STATEMENT: I agree to enter the above car(s) in the 2009 BCNH All British Car Show on Sat & Sun Aug 8th
& 9th, 2009, and I am aware of the hazards inherent with motor vehicle events. I agree to release and hold harmless, BCNH,
its Officers and Members, and The Nick for any liabilities for injuries, damages or loss arising from my participation in this
show or travel to or from same. All cars must have a fire extinguisher. All cars must be driven onto the field.
SIGNATURE: ____________________________________________________
Sunday – Catered breakfast on the show field for
pre- registered participants. $12.00 per person
Make checks payable to BCNH & send BEFORE August 1st
to:BCNH c/o Norma Karle
22 Partridge Lane, Londonderry, NH 03053
DASH PLAQUES & GOODY BAGS WILL BE GIVEN TO
THE FIRST 100 REGISTRANTS
6
1st Car Pre-Reg $25, Show Day $35 = $ ________
Additional Cars @ $10 each = $ ________
Car Carral @ $25 each = $ ________
Sunday Breakfast @ $12 each = $ ________
Total: $ ________
Show of Dreams
Update
Just a few more months away – the show
you’ve all been waiting for – the 13th
Annual British Cars of New Hampshire
Show of Dreams!
Things are moving along at a fast pace,
thanks to the well oiled machine that we
know as the show committee. Trophies
have been ordered, and our next meeting
is at The William Tell Inn in Alton NH,
June 20th at 7pm. Please join us if your
interested in helping out with the show.
We can always use more help! Please
go to: www.thewilliamtellinn.com for directions and the menu. By the way, it’s
GERMAN. How’d that happen?
We’ve received two more sponsor checks:
Fairpoint at $500, and the Tire Guys at
$50.00. If you know of a business that
might like to be a sponsor, don’t be shy.
Ask them.
Please remember that we’d like each club
member to donate two items to the raffle
table (which has become legendary, I
might add). Fun, useful, and weird items
are always welcome.
All the forms and posters have been finalized, and I need to write a press release for Salmon Press; they have eleven
different papers scattered throughout the
state. This is an excellent way to reach
those in the far corners of New Hampshire.
Don’t forget Midnight Madness in
Wolfeboro, and the at-the-gate mini show
at Fisher Cats Stadium as the pre show
heads up to the masses!
Happy Motoring (or wrenching, if it isn’t
running)
Michael D. Sweet
The Nick
Cruise Night
Monday
Burger King Hudson, 219 Lowell Rd,
Hudson NH, 603-889-6487
Tilton Diner, Rt 3 Tilton, 6-8PM, 603286-2204
Manchester Burger King, 737 DW
HighwayExit 9SManchester, NH, 68PM, May 24 - Sept
Fast Eddies, 320 Lafayette
RdHampton, NH, 4-8PM, July 2, Aug
6, Sept 3, 603-926-2314
Nettles Plaza, 379 BroadwaySalem,
NH, 6-8PM, Thru Oct978-815-7502
Tuesday
Arnie’s Place, 164 Loudon RdConcord,
NH, 5-8PM, Thru Oct, 603-228-3225
Golden Rod Drive In, 1681 Candia Rd,
6-8PM, Thru Sept, 603-623-9469
Bobby’s Girl Diner, Rt104New
Hampton, 5PM-Dark, Thru Oct, 603744-8112
Pete’s Scoop, 185 Rockingham
RdDerry, NH, 5:30 - dusk, Until fall,
603-434-6366
Wednesday
Hampstead Station Rest., Rt 111 &
Emerson Ave, Hampstead, 6-8:30PM,
603-329-5501
High Tide Take Out, 239 Henniker
RdHillsboro, NH, Thru Oct, 12603-5334033
AKimballs Restaurant, Rt 124Jaffrey,
NH
6-9PM, June thru Labor Day
Theo’s, 102 Elm StManchester, NH, 68PM, 603-668-8107
Caryn’s Creamery, 75 Rt 13Brookline,
NH, 5 to dusk, 603-249-9005
Scott Wright Auto Body, 122 Epping
RdExeter, NH, 5:30-8:00PM, 978773-2995
Thursday
The Clam King, 791 Second
StManchester, NH, 6-8PM, June 5 –
Oct603-540-3138
Alpine Club of Manchester, 175
Putnam StManchester, NH, 5PM to
Dusk, June 7 till fall, 603-625-8387
Friday
Cruisn at Target, Rt101A, Amherst
St, Nashua, NH, 5PM to Dusk, Til
mid fall
Saturday
Home Depot, 41 Nashua Rd,
Londonderry, NH, 6PM – 8:30PM,
Thru Oct, 603-533-0844
Smart Rods, 72B Old Derry
RdHudson, NH, 5-8PM, June 9, July
7 & 14, Aug 4& 11, 603-598-1915
7
May 31, 2009 - Sunday Ride
Sunday Drives With Wade
I think that Wade not only plans the scenic beauty on our Sunday Drive route but
plans the weather too. Several LBC drivers showed up for breakfast at Joey’s
Diner on May 31, 2009. Beverly and
Cheryl drove down from Meredith and
Laconia in Beverly’s Sunbeam. Suzie
limped in with Pinch and a bruising story
about her fall in her closet and total lack
of sympathy from her dog. Bad dog!
Mommy doesn’t want to play now, she
crying!
We all left the diner and headed over
some country roads through Hollis and
Brookline and arrived in Mason at
Parker’s Maple Barn. The barn was built
in the late 1700’s in Milford, NH. In the
1960’s it was dismantled and moved to
Mason, NH and re-constructed by the
Parkers and became the famous restaurant we all know and love.
A handful of BCNH members joined us
at Parker’s before we headed over hill
and dale and through the woods passing
by Uncle Sam’s boyhood home. Supplier
of beef to the army in 1812 with the
“U.S.” brand on his barrels, Samuel Wil-
son became known as “Uncle Sam” and
the name was adopted as a symbol of the
United States.
From Parkers, our parade of British cars
8
sallied forth until we arrived in
Peterborough to eat lunch. This is where
poor Suzie dropped out of the Sunday
Drive, as did a couple of others. Wade’s
extraordinary gift of providing just the right
English touch to the day was in evidence
as a few raindrops fell. That was our cue
to get back on the road and head for the
Birchwood Inn in Temple, NH. There we
met up with the Eastern Contingent, led
by Bob Mitchell.
We enjoyed a cream tea in the inn’s
lounge surrounded by a beautiful mural
painted by Rufus Porter. The Birchwood
first became an inn in 1775. Although it
has been modernized, its original charm
is still quite evident. To top off this wonderful day we had our thunderstorm, but
it did not greatly disturb our tea.
Ginger Christiansen
Seacoast Contingent
The Seacoast Contingent of the first
BCNH Sunday Ride for the 2009 Season
formed up at the Portsmouth Traffic
Circle at about 10:30 Sunday Morning.
Joining Joyce and me in my 52 MG-TD
was Gordon Grier with his recently restored ’59 Morgan and Marty Burns with
his bright yellow ’71 MG Midget.
Gordon let us know right up front that he
was “on call” for the weekend and could
not get too far out of range, but that he
would like to participate while he could.
Marty also had limited time available –
but didn’t want to miss a chance to “join
the parade” if only for a short while.
Both Gordon and Marty stayed with us
through Exeter and on to Kingston. No
one was there when we drove through
Rogan’s in Exeter – although Mark
Harrison had brought his ’37 Bentley to
the Memorial Day Parade in Stratham the
week before, he was on a plane heading
for a little professional Outreach in Siberia, so he couldn’t make this Ride.
In Kingston, Gordon and Marty had to
leave us, but Bob Dougherty from the MG
“T” Party was there to serve as a replacement. Bob was exercising his
Chrome Bumper MGB that day and not
the right-hand-drive ’52 MG-TD that he
had brought to the Stratham Memorial
Day parade the week before.
Actually, Bob is not even a member of
BCNH, yet. I had met his wife Kim in
the Hannaford Store parking lot on Route
4 in Northwood the week before when I
was driving my TD. Kim pulled up in her
“regular car” with a big smile on her face
and said “We have a TD too.” That was
on Sunday. The following day Bob and
Kim were in Stratham with the car. It
was then that I learned that Bob is the
Editor of the “T-Times” which is the TParty’s newsletter.
When we got to the Birchwood Inn, Bob
exchanged contact information with our
own John Giese so the two editors could
trade good newsletter materials between
the Clubs. Of course Bob suggested that
I join the T-Party (I have) and I suggested
that he join BCNH (he will.) The more
cross-pollenization we can get, the better
it is for all.
ish Cars, British Rain. The two go together don’cha ya’ know.”
Once inside we were ushered into the
“Rufus Porter Room” which is decorated
with one of the several full wall murals
painted by the itinerant painter Rufus
Porter during his sojourn in New England
in 1825-33.
We tucked right in to the proper “Cream
Tea” of Scones with Strawberry Jam and
But I am getting ahead of myself.
Marty headed north from Rick’s Café in
Kingston when Gordon and Bob and I
headed south – but Gordon peeled off
pretty quickly where Rte 111 “kisses” Rte
125 just south of Town and it was just
two MGs (TD and MGB) heading west
on Rte 111.
We did not find any British Cars at the
Bean Towne Coffee House in Hampstead
– nor at the McDonald’s in Windham, so
Bob and Joyce and I continued west to
Nashua. There we met up with our Guide
(we were in the Indian Territories where
a Guide is needed) John Giese. John
knows every back road in the western
part of the state (including the dirt roads)
and he took us for a delightful ride through
some very pretty country.
About half-way from Nashua to Temple,
Jeff & Liz Baker joined our group with
their 1972 TR6. It was a wonderful ride
– right up until we crossed the Town Line
into Temple. At that point we found that
Temple actually celebrates Memorial Day
on – well, of all things - Memorial Day.
We spent several minutes grid-locked as
the celebrants emptied out of the Town
Cemetery and got back into their cars.
And there was reason to get into the cars
‘cause at this point the first few drops of
what was to become a pretty good downpoor started to fall. We barely got to the
Birchwood Inn, a little after 1:30, and got
the cars buttoned up before the rain
started falling in earnest.
Our British hosts at the Inn greeted us
with a whimsical grin and said “Ah, Brit-
Whipped Cream and Hot Tea, of course,
and were just starting to get a little rowdy
when Dave and Liz Herrick arrived as
the advance guard of the Western Contingent. Needless to say, they joined right
in. I’ll leave it to Wade to relate the tale
of their Ride.
By the time Wade arrived with the rest
of the west-of-93 crew, it was raining
pretty hard. Joyce and I had planned to
leave at about 3:00 to get to a dinner engagement in Pittsfield at 5:00 but at 3:00
it was obvious that driving away in an
open TD (one of these days I’ll have to
see if that top actually goes up or not)
was not an appropriate action. But, to
our surprise, by about 3:20 there did seem
to be some hope of clearing and by altering our route to go more north than east
as we left Temple, Joyce an I actually
got to Pittsfield with barely a spatter of
rain along the way.
All in all it really was a very pleasant day
for the first Sunday Ride of the 2009 Season.
To those of you that couldn’t make this
one, we sure hope you’ll be able to make
the next.
Bob Mitchell
9
SUMMER PICNIC ON THE SEACOAST
Judy Pevine (’79 MGB) of Dover invites all BCNH Members to the Seacoast for a picnic at the Great Island Common in
Newcastle. Nothing fancy or heavily organized here, just load your BRITISH CAR with your favorite picnic food and
drink (NO ALCOHOL PLEASE - charcoal grilles are available there for cooking, if you bring the charcoal) and bring any
outdoor toys, like croquet, and beachwear and drive to Newcastle. Route 1B is the only major road on The Island. Follow
it about half-way around until you see the sign for the Great Island Common. It will be on you left if you come in from
Portsmouth, or on your right if you come on The Island at the Wentworth–by-the-Sea hotel.
See http://www.newcastlenh.org/images/stories/Downloads/GREATISLANDCOMMON.pdf
There is a $3.00 per charge at the gate to cover the Town’s cost in maintaining the facility. Ask the attendant at the gate
where the British Car Club is and he/she will point you in the right direction.
Date: Sunday, July 19
Time: 1:00-5:00
Bring a friend – or two – or three
Brit Bits at
McLean Enterprises Inc.
MG • Austin Healey • Triumph •Sunbeam • Jaguar • Morris Minor
Sales & Service • Parts, New & Used • Gifts • Clothing • Accessories
Sales & Service
Ordering
Information
Fax
603 436-1989
800 995-2487
603 433-0001
603 433-0009
Over 30 Fine British Sports Cars in stock
14 Sagamore Road (Rte.1A) Rye. Nh
Check out our Web Site at www.britbits.com
10
The light Went On
by John Giese
Back in 1995 my family and I were living
on a farm in Temple, New Hampshire
while building a house in nearby
Lyndeborough. The shortest route between the two houses was North Road,
which is a dirt road through the woods
that is not maintained during the winter.
Near the Temple end, North Road goes
down a long straight hill and at the bottom of this hill makes a sharp left turn.
Then one day during the winter I was
driving my pickup truck over snow covered North Road and as I started down
the long hill I realized that I was on ice
and that I could not stop. Although the hill
was long, I was not slowing down and it
was ice as far ahead as I could see. I
was in trouble. I thought about the left
turn coming up and realized that there was
no way that I would be able to navigate
the turn. As I continued to slide down the
hill, I started wondering how expensive
this accident was going to be. As I glanced
up I saw the tree that I was sliding towards and there, piled in front of the tree
that I was about to run into, were all of
those tires. Click! The light what on.
The truck hit the tires and stopped with
no damage done.
Brits on the Beach
12th Annual British Car Day at Historic Ocean Grove, NJ on Saturday,
Sept. 19th. Presented by the Positive Earth Driver’s Club. Featured
Marque - Jaguar. Judging by participants choice. Dash plaques for the
first 100 cars. Walk the Ocean
Boardwalk just two blocks from the
show field. Have lunch at one of
Ocean Grove’s many cafés and restaurants. Stroll the Main Avenue
business district and check out the
town’s antique dealers, gift shops,
clothing stores and other businesses.
Tour the area and see the historic
Great Hall, quaint Tent City and the
many Victorian Hotels, Inns and
other buildings. This is the one car
show your wife will want to come
to! The show will go on rain or shine,
contact us or see our web site for
full details.
Phone: 732-477-3878.
One Fall day, as I was driving down this
hill, I saw a couple of tires leaning against
a tree just where the road turns. Now I
must tell you that when it comes to littering I am one of the most rabid critics.
When I saw these two tires my blood
pressure went up. I imaged some idiot
kids who were too lazy or too cheep to
take these tires over to the Wilton recycling center. I am sure that these are the
same people who toss the beer cans and
bottles along our road sides. I was disgusted. Who were these jerks who threw
their trash in the woods?
Email: PEDC@comcast.net
Website: www.pedc.org.
Maybe I should not be so quick to judge
my neighbors. What a resourceful group
they are.
Over the next few weeks, as I traveled
home on North Road, I saw more and
more tires being dumped in front of this
tree, some of them standing up against
the tree; a truly disgusting sight. What an
outrage. These guys must have been tossing these tires out as the rounded the
curve. It was turning into a darn tire dumping ground. I started thinking of ways
that I could catch the bastards. Maybe I
could hide a camera in the woods. Who
were these animals who didn’t care what
their town looked like?
11
An Invitation to Subscribe to
British Marque
CAR CLUB NEWS
We are now a Participating Club of the British Marque Car Club News, a monthly tabloid
newspaper featuring the news of our club and numerous other British car clubs as well.
Members of Participating Clubs can subscribe to the Marque at a discounted subscription
rate. You can use the form below to subscribe and begin receiving 11 issues/year full of
information about British car events, tech tips, special features, parts supplies and
classifieds.
Free Classified Privilege
Each subscriber from Participating Clubs is also entitled to one free non-commercial
classified (up to 20 words) per issue. An additional 15 cents will be charged per word
over the 20 word limit. Photos are also additional, at $7.50 each.
Subscriptions for U.S. Participating Club members are only $14.00/year.
Subscriptions for Canadian club members are only $17.00 (U.S.)/year.
Subscriptions for U.K. and elsewhere overseas are only $22.00 (U.S.)/year.
Regular subscriptions are $22.00 U.S. and $26.00 Canadian, and $31 U.K./year.
Don’t delay ~ Subscribe today!
British Marque Car Club News
c/o Enthusiast Publications, LLC
5 Old Nasonville Road
Harrisville, RI 02830
U.S.A.
PARTICIPATING CLUB SUBSCRITION FORM
Club Name _________________________________________________________
Member Name ______________________________________________________
Address ____________________________________________________________
City ______________________ State/Prov.______ Zip/Post Code ____________
Phone (Optional) (____) _____-_________ Date ___________________________
Attach cheque or money order payable to Enthusiast Publications, LLC
Form and cheque must be received by the 20th of month prior to receive next issue.
12
BCNH Regalia Corner
INVENTORY SALE!!!
CHECK OUT THE SAVINGS!!!
The following is a list of items currently in stock, priced to sell:
ITEM
REG
SALE
1-Cotton Long Sleeve Golf Shirtsize M…color cobblestone w/embroidered crest
$29
$17
1-Munsingwear 100% Flat back Rib V Neck Sweater size-Men’s L…gray w/embroidered crest $47
$30
1-3/4 Sleeve Crew size-Ladies L…black hot pink crest screen print
$18
$13
1-Short Sleeve Golf Shirt size-S…royal blue w/embroidered crest
$20
$15
1-Lee Hooded Zipper Up Front Sweatshirt size-L…grey w/black crest screen print
$30
$20
2-100% Heavyweight Gildan Ultra Cotton Tee
$16
$12
1-Jerzees T-Shirt size-XL…white w/burgundy crest screen print
$15
$5
1-Denier Nylon Duffle Bag (16x9x9) size-XL…grey with embroidered crest
$23
$15
1-Golf Towel size-XL…grey with embroidered crest
$19
$15
2005 SHOW OF DREAMS T-SHIRTS
2 S…yellow
2 M…yellow
5 L...yellow
13 XL…yellow
2 XXL…yellow
$12
$5
size-M…eggplant w/cream crest screen print
size-L…azalea w/dark blue crest screen print
2004 SHOW OF DREAMS T-SHIRTS $donation
8 S...stone
7 M...stone
5 L...stone
1 XL...stone
2003 SHOW OF DREAMS T-SHIRTS $donation
1 L...prairie dust
2001 SHOW OF DREAMS T-SHIRTS $donation
3 XL…sage
4 XXL…sage
Great Gifts for Fathers Days, Birthdays, Just
to Show I Care Days!!!
Contact: Suzi Polenchar
spolenchar@comcast.net
603-598-6484
13
BCNH 2009
Calendar of Events
June
28th Cruising to Amherst / Swap & Sell
Meet, 157 Hollis Rd, Amherst, opens at
dawn.
Queen’s Birthday Party
Cruising Downtown Classic Car Show,
Manchester, NH
July
3rd - 5th Goodwood Festival of Speed,
Chicester, UK
6th Monthly Meeting, Weathervane,
Bedford, NH
11 th Castle in the Clouds Car Show,
Moultonborough, NH 603-476-5900
18th High Hopes day at the Fisher Cats –
Need cars for the mini car show at the
stadium. Contact Norma for tickets - $*
per person. 437-8931. This is a fireworks
night.
26 th Day of Triumph Museum of
Transportation, Brookline, MA
26th Cruising to Amherst / Swap & Sell
Meet, 157 Hollis Rd, Amherst, opens at
dawn.
August
3rd Monthly Meeting, Weathervane,
Bedford, NH
8th- 9th 13th Annual Show of Dreams,
The NICK, Wolfeboro, NH
14 th – 16 th Jaguar Festival of New
England, JANE, Sturbridge, MA, contact
Brenda Soussan 617-953-1457
15th Derry Village Rotary Car Show,
Pinkerton Academy, Derry NH
15 th MG Rover Day, Museum of
Transportation, Brookline, MA
BCNH at the Milford Drive In
22nd – British Motorfest, Saratoga Auto
Museum, Saratoga, NY
28th- 30th VIII British Marque Triathlon,
Jiminy Peak Resort, Hancock, MA
30th Cruising to Amherst / Swap & Sell
Meet, 157 Hollis Rd, Amherst, opens at
dawn.
September
5th – 6th Falmouth Dream Cruise and Car
Show, Falmouth, MA
14
7th Monthly Meeting, Weathervane,
Bedford, NH
18th-20th British Invasion, Stowe VT,
www.britishinvasion.com
26th- 28th British Legends Weekend,
CCBCC
27th Cruising to Amherst / Swap & Sell
Meet, 157 Hollis Rd, Amherst, opens at
dawn.
October
4th Owl’s Head Transportation Museum,
Foreign Car & Vintage Aeroplane Show,
Owl’s Head, ME
5th Monthly Meeting, Weathervane,
Bedford, NH
11th Brit Bits Halloween Rally, Lee, NH
norm@britbits.com
16th VRG at the Glen, Watkins Glen, NY
17th Classic Car Show, Canterbury Shaker
Village, Canterbury, NH
18 th Rally of the Kennebunks,
Kennebunkport,
ME
www.thekennebunksroadrally.com
25th Cruising to Amherst / Swap & Sell
Meet, 157 Hollis Rd, Amherst, opens at
dawn.
November
2nd Monthly Meeting, Weathervane,
Bedford, NH
December
7 th Monthly Meeting, Weathervane,
Bedford, NH
Holiday Party
For Sale
1955 MGTF 1500. This matching
number car with a production date of 5
Jan 55 is one of the last TF’s produced,
production ceased in May of 55. This car
is original condition with most of the
options available, wire wheels, wind
deflectors, road and fog lights tonneau and
dual badge bar horns. The original color
was red but car has been refinished in
ivory with dark red interior. Original top
side curtains show wear but are
serviceable. A new electronic ignition and
fuel pump have been added but old setups
have been boxed and can be reinstalled
for an original restoration if needed. This
car is a good reliable weekender or a great
candidate for a reasonable cost frame-off
restoration. Car can be viewed by
appointment.
Asking $25,000 call Ted at 978-388-9208
or e Mail Unkated@comcast.net
Morgan +8, needs restoration; 95%
complete. The reality: 1/16 scale Bandai
Morgan +8. Kit is about 25 years old, and
is motorized (installed, not hooked up).
Dust it off, glue the parts back on and
live your dream! 5 bucks. Cheaper than
a key fob! Mike Sweet 603.230.5124 or
sweetm@graphicpkg.com
MGB Removable hardtop - This is
an aftermarket unit that is black with a
white interior. Top is in very good
condition, but some weatherstripping
has to be replaced. It’s held on by the
2 clamps along the top windshield rail
and 2 angle brackets mounted just
behind the seats on the side. $200.00.
(603) 883-0288 Gingchrist@aol.com
Free to good home
1. Owners Workshop Manual (softback)
for MGB Roadster & GT Coupe 1962 to
1974 by Haynes
2. SU- Hitachi Carburetors Manual
(softback) by Carbooks, Inc. - Tune,
Adjust, Repair, Rebuild
email me at: Robert.Weller@Bdal.com
1948 MGYA 4 door with large sunroof.
Will sell to club member for $16,500 now.
Not many of these. Active club in UK
has most parts. Uses some MGTD pieces.
No time for this car. No space to store it.
Car in Bedford, NH.
wmann@mannad.com
AA & RAC CAR BADGES
RAC badge is new old stock; comes with
fitting instruction sheet and mounting
hardware. $45.00
AA badge serial number 8A83344 (issued
1957 – 59) VGC $60.00
AA badge serial number 3B34774 (issued
1960 – 61) VGC $60.00
These are not reproductions. Please see
www.oldclaasiccar.co.uk
or
www.theaa.com for additional info on
badge dating.
Mike Sweet (603) 230 – 5124 or
sweetm@graphicpkg.com
7” Lucas Pre-Focus Headlamps,
good shape with bulbs and holders
$40.00 for the pair. Mike 230-5124 or
sweetm@graphicpkg.com
1953 MG TD - Completely restored
in 2000. About 1700 miles since.
Approx 54,600 original miles. In
storage from 1972 until 1998 when I
bought it, so the body and wood were
well preserved –no rot and no rust.
Way too much to list, some highlights:
• Color is Dark green,biscuit interior,
top, tonneau and spare tire cover.
• Most original chrome re-chromed.
• Rewired
• There are some upgrades/mods
made, petronics ignition, 5-speed
trans., Moss rear main seal. Have all
the original pieces and nothing detracts
from the original car.
• Bunch of spares (of course it’s
British) and original parts I replaced.
Runs, drives & looks excellent. Won a
couple of 1st place at British shows.
Willing to consider a trade plus cash
for another British sports car (MGB,
BGT, MGA, Triumph TR3, TR6,
TR4, etc.), or other interesting vehicle
– I’m open. Whatever the trade is – it
must be in very good jump-in and
drive condition.
Contact John Finn, 603-232-1721 or
jfsf@comcast.net
British Motor Corporation AM Radio
No knobs, no idea if it works. Best offer.
call or e-mail Mike, (603) 753 -9164
sweetm@graphicpkg.com
MGA 1500 short block - fresh ground
balanced crank and rods crank .020 and
.030 Bore .020 Block only No head. All
work preformed by Auto machinist
$2,400.00 call 603-652-4717 Ivan.
Marquette DTNA VISION
Owned by a local garage since NEW. I
think one cable got lost as
I never got it from owner.
I never used it because I
have 2 others in my
garage. A real classic tool
priced to move $150.00
or best offer Ivan.
chuck23@metrocast.net
1973 MGB 4-speed with new head.
Good top, fair interior and seats. Needs
new floors. Rockers are solid. $3500 or
BO. Call Ivan at (603) 652-4717.
chuck23@metrocast.net
Wanted
4 Tires for 1959 Morris Minor 1000.
Size:5/5.60x14". Call John 225-6915, or
email jod4019@comcast.net
1953 TD Engine I would appreciate
anyone’s help in finding a 1250cc Engine
to rebuild. Ivan Dore
chuck23@metrocast.net
15
British Cars of New Hampshire
25 West County Road
Bedford, NH 03110
(1955 MG TF for sale, see page 14)