Part II

2016 BMCCF Kick-Off Party
Our gracious hosts for this year’s Kick-Off:
AutoWorks
Lynn Wilson, Carl Wilson & Dorothy Wilson
What a PARTY - great hosts, wonderful food, new and old
friends, safety education, cars - cars and more cars, and our
own talented “Rusty Bumpers”.
BMCCF THANKS YOU
Lots of guests - this year, our host Carl
Wilson, invited another car club - the “Grand
Strand British Car Club” - what a really nice
group of fellow British auto enthusiasts - nine
couple attended from Myrtle Beach. I’m sure
we’ll see them again, at least I hope so.
We had picture perfect weather and we all love
the smell of dripping oil, lively motor car
exchanges and just really nice friends to spend
the day with.
Carl knows about safety and the hazards of
working around gasoline, so he invited a guest
speaker to help us avoid the dangers of
working on our cars. It was so interesting and
he shared some of his horror stories. Yes, he
has been there also. Members of the audience
shared some of their own mishaps. Sparky
said a few words on dealing with a burn - first
hand (so to speak).
We had everything from works in progress to
concourse beauties. AutioWorks brought this
golden baby back to life. Howard Bollinger is
no stranger to undertaking large projects and
this one has a long family history. He had
pictures from the 60’s showing how awesome
this car was in it’s youth.You go Howard...
Our Events Coordinator - Eric Robinson having a
little refreshment. He’s a true Britt, loves cars, is an
accomplished actor, organizes our activities and “yes”
he loves to enjoy himself on occasion. Did you know
last year he organized a Club trip to England. He also
may be madly insane - he volunteered to be a sort of
permanent Car Show Chairman and act as Events
Chairman both at the same time.
Our Host, Carl
wondering when he’s going to finish his next project.
The President of Grand Strand British Car Club >>>
Our Madame Secretary Pam McMahon enjoying a refreshment
and living life large. She is one amazing person, besides
performing her duties as secretary, she has been in a number of
movies as an extra. She is extra special to us and we are so
grateful to our members that step up and undertake the many
responsibilities that come along with having a successful Club. We
welcome everyone’s participation.
Our own “Rusty Bumpers” - it’s really a family matter - two husbands and wives
- ALL Club members Larry Snider, Ray Berndt, Ron & Beth Foster, JoAnne Foster, Jeff & Paula
Starling, Judy Mebane, Ed Dominelli
If you double click you can hear and see the band perform (hopefully).
Spider: Alfa Romeo’s turns 50
Hemmings Daily - Kurt Ernst
The Pininfarina-designed two-seat
roadster debuted by Alfa Romeo in 1966
was not the company’s first attempt at
building a Spider, but it was by far its most
successful. Even today, over two decades
after the last new Alfa Romeo Spider
model was offered on these shores, the
car remains the brand’s most-recognized
product, thanks in part to its starring role in
the 1967 blockbuster, The Graduate. As
Italian semi-exotics go, the Spider is an
attainable dream car, and in 2016, the Giulia-based Alfa Romeo Spider
celebrates its golden anniversary.
The term “spider” (always with an “i” and not a “y” when speaking of Italian cars)
refers to any lightweight sporting roadster, but its evolution goes farther back
than the automobile. Originally, a “spyder phaeton” was a lightweight and opentop horse carriage, built with two or four wheels, and the name logically carried
over to the automobile in the early days of the 20th century. While Alfa certainly
produced such vehicles in the prewar years, its Giulietta Spider was the first Alfa
Romeo marketed with the Spider name, debuting in 1955.
In 1962, Alfa Romeo debuted the Giulia (known as the 105-series), which
replaced the 101-series Giulietta. Ultimately, the Spider would migrate to this
platform, but more commercially desirable sedan and wagon variants were
introduced first. Design partner Pininfarina went back to concept cars for the new
Spider’s styling, choosing elements from the 1956 Super Flow, the 1957 Super
Flow 2, the 1959 Tre S, and the 1961 Giulietta Spider Speciale Aerodinamica
(which came closest in appearance to the production variant).
It would take another four years for Alfa Romeo to introduce the new Spider,
which first appeared in March of 1966 at the Geneva Motor Show. Oddly enough,
it debuted without an official name, referred to as the “Spider 1600” for the size of
the four-cylinder engine beneath its sloping hood. A contest was announced to
choose the name of the new Alfa, and in July of 1966 the car became the Alfa
Romeo Duetto Spider (at least temporarily).
On paper, the new Duetto
Spider had much to offer. Its
all-alloy engine featured
steel cylinder liners for
durability, and its doubleoverhead cam design and
hemispherical heads spoke
to Alfa’s racing past. At a
time when four-speed
transmissions were the
norm, the Duetto Spider
came with a five-speed, and
four-wheel disc brakes were
standard instead of the
typical front-disc, rear-drum arrangement. All this came at a price, however, and
in certain markets (Britain, for example), the Alfa was more expensive than the
Lotus Elan and less than 100 pounds (then, $280) cheaper than a Jaguar E-type.
In America, its $3,950 sticker price made it $1,343 more expensive than an MGB
and $1,051 more than a Triumph TR4A.
Though pricing certainly impacted initial sales, it was the car’s styling that proved
most controversial. Even Italians panned the lines of the Duetto Spider, referring
to it as “osso di sepia,” or “cuttlefish bone,” a jab at its boattail rear styling. As
Chris Rees points out in Original Alfa Romeo Spider, Road & Track called its
shape, “a contrived design with meaningless styling gimmicks,” while Motor Sport
was even more blunt, calling the Alfa “scarcely pretty.” It’s ironic, perhaps, that
the original cars, which lasted until the Kamm tail debuted in 1969, now carry the
highest price tags.
In America, the Duetto Spider disappeared for 1968, unable to meet U.S.
emission control regulations with its dual-carburetor setup. In 1969, the Spider
reappeared on these shores without the Duetto name (which had been dropped
worldwide due to trademark conflicts), but equipped with Spica fuel injection and
a larger, 1,779-cc four-cylinder engine. Instead of promoting this as a 1.8-lter,
Alfa Romeo instead opted to refer to it as a 1,750; as Terry Shea points out in the
May 2015 issue of Hemmings Sports & Exotic Car, this was done as a nod to the
company’s prewar 6C 1750, which proved dominant in prewar European racing.
The Kamm tail appeared for the 1970 model year, and as bumper regulations
grew more complex, the distinctive Alfa Romeo grille became little more than a
secondary styling element. The engine upsized again in 1972, to 1,962 cc, where
it would remain for the rest of the Spider’s production. When the Giulia platform
was phased out in 1976, the Spider was supposed to die with it, but the proposed
Alfetta-based replacement never
materialized. Instead, the Spider
stayed the course on its old
platform, soldiering on until the
1993 model year, though a
limited number were produced for
sold in the United States in 1994,
Alfa Romeo’s last year in the U.S.
until the exotic 8C debuted in
2008.
The Mazda Miata-based Fiat
Spider that will debut in 2016 was
originally intended to be a new
Alfa Romeo Spider, but perhaps
it’s best to remember the roadster
that was instead of the multinational product that might have been. For a
generation of Americans that were introduced to the joys (and pitfalls) of Italian
sports cars by the Alfa Romeo Spider, there’s no denying that it left a lasting
impression.
Yes, we know it’s not British, but some members
own pizza cars in our Club
Video: Ride along with Charlie in
his barn find MGB
Hagerty UK employee Charlie Patterson's 1972
MGB was in quite a dilapidated state when he
discovered it in a barn, covered in straw. He
eventually acquired it and turned it into a family
project, restoring it with his father. Click here to
take a cruise with Charlie on a picturesque
English lane.
Compliments of Hagerty
From LBCar Co. Tech Tips
Our Tech Tip this issues tip is from Bob Howard. Thanks Bob ($20.00 will
be credited to your LBCarCo account) Please contact us ASAP for further
info.
Home Made Bezel Removal Tool
A tool to remove bezels from indicator lights, made by filing away part of a
T connector
for 1/2 inch copper water tube, leaving teeth to fit into the slots of the bezel.
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Practical Classics Guide to
Triumph Stag
Posted on January 26, 2016 by Staff in Classic Cars, Highlights, Library,
Triumph - (This is for our Eric)
The Triumph Stag combines classic car style with on the road fun. The noise, the
looks, the effortlessness… it’s an intoxicating driver’s car and has been
underrated for years. Now Practical Classics magazine has released their
“Complete Guide to the Triumph Stag“.
Quoting their announcement, “lavishly illustrated, this volume collects a wealth of
historical, technical and personal insight from the pages of Practical Classics
magazine, including the full Stag story: from drawing board to production, an
exclusive foreword by ex-Standard Triumph Development Engineer, Dennis
Barbet and rally legend Russell Brookes’ personal take on the Stag at the limit.”
Buying & Owning
Practical Classics gets to the truth about the much-maligned Stag V8. Complete
with tips and guidance for project buyers and budding restorers alike, we’ll tell
you how to buy a good one without getting your fingers burnt.
Restoring & Maintaining
Epic tales, myths and legends. Readers’ rebuild tales of woe and wonder.
Service guides and maintenance tutorials to keeping your cherished Stag in tiptop order.
Driving & Enjoying
The story of the Stag told from beginning to end with period adverts, anecdotes,
and interviews. Followed by road tests and comparisons that lift the lid on what
this British icon means to the classic car enthusiast.
For more information, a preview, or to order, check out the Classic Cars For
Sale website.
Chimney Rock Hill Climb
Posted on January 13, 2016 by Michael Carnell in Classic Cars, Highlights,
Racing and Competition
Our video this week is a great period piece celebrating the Chimney Rock
Hillclimb which ran in North Carolina for approximately four decades.
The Chimney Rock Hillclimb was the most legendary hillclimb in the South.
Held in Chimney Rock, North Carolina, it was a rite of spring for both
drivers and spectators. Beginning in 1956 when sports cars and sports car
racing was still in its infancy, the climb challenged Triumphs, Jaguars, MG’s
and their drivers to a high-speed rollercoaster ride that scared even the
most fearless. With two miles of hairpins and switchbacks and trees for
guard rails, it was an event to behold. Sadly the challenge to the mountain
came to an end as a result of “changing times”. In 1995 “the Rock” fell
asleep again.
Chimney Rock Circa 1960 video
Compliments of YouTube
OLD CAR MOVIES
From Bruce Allcorn
NOTE: You will never see an email like
this,
keep it in your document file and
watch the many old car movies, this
is a classic ...
IF YOU ARE A CAR BUFF
THIS IS EXTRAORDINARY...YOU WILL SPEND HOURS GOING OVER
THIS... NO MATTER WHAT BRAND OF CAR YOU ENJOYED, IT'S
REFERENCED IN THIS LINE UP.
(Enjoy, click on the video camera next to
each item to view.). May not work on
iPads, iPhones, etc.
http://www.tvraaca.org/oldmovies.htm#movie
Sent to us by David Ward
Sobering thoughts about our life.The last wishes of Alexander the Great........
On his death bed, Alexander summoned his army generals and
told them his three ultimate wishes:
1. The best doctors should carry his coffin ..
2. The wealth he has accumulated (money, gold, precious stones)
should be scattered along the procession to the cemetery ....
3. His hands should be let loose, so they hang outside the coffin for
all to see !
One of his generals who was surprised by these unusual requests
asked Alexander to explain.
Here is what Alexander the Great had to say:
1. I want the best doctors to carry my coffin to demonstrate that
in the face of death, even the best doctors in the world have no
power to heal ."
2. "I want the road to be covered with my treasure so that
everybody sees that material wealth acquired on earth, will stay
on earth.."
3. I want my hands to swing in the wind, so that people
understand that we come to this world empty handed and we
leave this world empty handed after the most precious treasure
of all is exhausted, and that is: TIME.
We do not take to our grave any material wealth. TIME is our most
precious treasure because it is LIMITED. We can produce more
wealth, but we cannot produce more time.
When we give someone our time, we actually give a portion of our life
that we will never take back . Our time is our life !
The best present that you can give to your family and friends is your
TIME.
May God grant YOU plenty of TIME, to share with all.
BMCCF Stuffs from YOU:
BMCCF
Classified
Ads
Nothing this month.
BMCCF Classified Information:
BMCCF Regalia - Ralph Jannelli - 704.351.0864
http://www.fourth-gear-ltd.com
BMCCF NAME TAGS
Official BMCCF name tags are required at all events or when
you are representing the club.
Originally ordered name tags are now available from John Moore
$5.50 Pin Clasp $8.00 Magnet Clasp
AUTOWORKS, INC. Foreign & Domestic Auto Specialists
We service all types of vehicles From 1950’s to Present Day
Emissions Testing, Front end alignment A/C repair
Carl Wilson (910) 791-5074
202 Antilles Ct. ( In Dutch Square industrial park )
Wilmington, NC 28405
Free Advice to BMCCF Members
That’s All Folks
Thank You
For your contributions to this
newsletter