THE NEWSLETTER OF THE FRASER VALLEY BRITISH MOTOR CLUB * MAY, 2012 * VOLUME 18 * ISSUE NO. 5 *

1962 AUSTIN HEALEY SPRITE MK II

THIS WAS A “MODERNIZED” VERSION OF THE FAMOUS “BUGEYE” SPRITE – IT HAD A TRUNK

LID. IT HAD THE SAME ENGINE (948CC W/TWIN H1 SU CARBS) AND TRANSMISSION (4-SPEED, 3-SYNCHRO), SNAP-IN SIDE CURTAINS AND DRUM BRAKES ALL AROUND. THIS ONE HAS THE COMMON DISC BRAKE UPGRADE AND A 1340CC “A”-SERIES ENGINE – VERY FAST!!

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President’s Message – May, 2012

I called my friend Stephen Way from Kamloops the other day. Just one of those times when it pops into your head that it’s time to do something and the timing turns out to be fortuitous. Stephen was driving past Chilliwack when I called, heading home to Kamloops. He had been unsuccessful in getting a wire wheel repaired in Vancouver. I just happen to have a spare wire wheel, and as it turned out, I had it with me at the time and as a result Stephen and his E type will make it to the ABFM this year. Stephen, some of you will remember from the Hougen picnic, has the mate to my E type, only in right hand drive form. At last year’s picnic, he met the second owner of

his car, which eventually led to him tracking down the original owner. As a consequence of that meeting, the original owner as well as the second owner, third owner and current owner will be getting together at the ABFM on Saturday, along with the car. The car has an interesting history, ending up in Vancouver after travelling all over Europe. Check out next month’s Hooter for an in depth story.

Seems when things go right, they go very right, conversely when things go wrong, they really go wrong. Which brings us to the April Hooter. For the first time, we were not able to print hard copies in time for the April meeting. Electronic copies were sent out twice. Some of you received your copy and others didn’t. We apologize for any inconvenience and we believe we are back on track. We all love our Hooter.

Congratulations to Rob and Della on their chili cook off win. All three chilis were delicious and it was a tough call

for the judges. Thanks to Harv and Shirley for putting it all together. LARRY

EEEEDITOR’S CORNERDITOR’S CORNERDITOR’S CORNERDITOR’S CORNER SO MUCH FOR TRYING SOMETHING NEW!! WE DID A LARGER EDITION

OF THE HOOTER FOR APRIL, WITH EXTRA COVERAGE OF ST. GEORGE’S DAY, TO MAKE UP FOR NOT GETTING IT INTO PRINT BUT IT APPEARS

WE HAD DISTRIBUTION PROBLEMS!! WE’LL TRY TO AVOID THAT IN THE

FUTURE. IF YOU DIDN’T RECEIVE YOUR APRIL HOOTER, E-MAIL ME DIRECTLY AT boswell12@shaw.ca

IN THIS ISSUE:

• MATTERS OF MOMENT – Current and recent past issues of import………P. 3

• TUNNELS ‘N TULIPS RUN – The weather was great, and we had one heck of a turnout!!…….P. 4

• AUSTIN HEALEY “MILLE MIGLIA” – Here’s one that most LBC people haven’t heard of – even those

who have owned them!!............P. 9

• TOM PUGH WRITES – “CHARLES - Part 1” Those lucky CRAP guys, where do they find this stuff??

.……………P. 12 • MYSTERY CAR – The answer to last month’s, and a new one for this month…………..P. 14

Club Executive & Club Chat – P.15 Regalia & Pricing – P. 15

Coming Events – P. 16 Classifieds – P. 16-18

INTERNET ISSUES: Don’t forget to check out our website (www.britishcarclub.ca)

ANYONE WISHING TO CONTRIBUTE ARTICLES, PLEASE E-MAIL IN “MS WORD” TO boswell12@shaw.ca, OR

PASS ALONG TYPED HARD COPY.

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• AN APPRECIATION – ROBIN CRAIG WOULD LIKE TO THANK DOUG LINLEY FOR HIS EFFORTS WAY BEYOND WHAT WAS EXPECTED. WITHOUT DOUG STEPPING UP AND REPAIRING A PROBLEM WITH HIS CAR, ROBIN WOULD HAVE MISSED THE TULIP RUN COMPLETELY!!

• MINTER GARDENS TIME!! THE MINTER GARDENS CAR SHOW IS FAST APPROACHING!! THE DATE IS JULY 15, 2012. ONCE AGAIN, WE NEED VOLUNTEERS TO HELP PARK THE ENTRY CARS, ETC. THERE WILL BE SIGN-UP SHEETS AT THE MAY AND JUNE CLUB MEETINGS – AS USUAL, WE NEED ALL THE HELP WE CAN GET ON SHOW DAY!! IF YOU CAN HELP BUT WON’T BE AT THE MEETING(S), EMAIL HARV AT mcculloughh@shaw.ca • FROM HENRY SPEER – MOST OF YOU REMEMBER HENRY, OUR FORMER

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY. BACK IN MARCH, HE SENT OUT THIS E-MAIL: “Hello all, thank you for all your e-mails. I am doing well. I now reside at Glenwood Care Center, 1458 Glenwood Drive, Agassiz, BC V0M 1A3 Room #28. My new phone No. is 604-491-3649. You may have to call twice in a row so I have time to get to the phone. I’m out of my room for meals at 12 noon till around 12:30 and 5pm till 5:30. Other than that I’m here and always appreciate visitors, or phone calls! I do manage to get out once or twice a week on the planned day trips or with friends who can assist me in and out of the car. My Parkinsons has progressed and I have difficulty using my legs now so I am mostly in my wheelchair. I never dreamed I’d get tired of sitting on my backside all day! I am still adapting to my new lifestyle that has changed immensely over the last few years. Overall I’m in good spirits and coping well with life. I correspond by e-mail with Sharon and Rachel and also they come out to visit once or twice a year, and Michael lives close by so I see him regularly. They are all doing well, Rachel has just got married and moved into a beautiful country home with her husband. Sharon is leaving Christchurch and moving to Australia with Brence her boyfriend of many years to expand her business and get away from all the earthquakes and mayhem of New Zealand. Michael is also doing well with his small business ventures. I appreciate you all keeping in contact and hope to talk with you all more in the future. Please feel free to call, e-mail, or stop in for coffee anytime.” HENRY henryspeer@hotmail.com

Ed. Note: Michael, Henry’s son, has listed Henry’s MGA project car for sale – see the Classifieds on Page 17.

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F.V.B.M.C.

MAY 6, 2012

A TOTAL OF 14 CARS SHOWED UP AT THE TIM HORTON’S ON LICKMAN ROAD, WITH EVERYBODY OFF, NOSE-TO-TAIL, AROUND 10:30 AM. THE WEATHER WAS PERFECT, A

BIT OF A SURPRISE FOR THIS TIME OF YEAR BUT A VERY PLEASANT ONE. OTHER PLEASANT SURPRISES WERE ELLENORE AND GERRY IN THEIR ROVER, AND DENNIS & ANDREA (MGB) WITH ROBIN & SOPHIA (SPITFIRE). ELLENORE SHOWED SOME OF HER

HANDIWORK IN THE FORM OF HER REAR-SEAT PASSENGERS (SEE NEXT PAGE)!!

“THE PLAN” WAS ORIGINALLY TO HEAD FOR THE QUINTETTE (OTHELLO) TUNNELS VIA SEABIRD ISLAND, THEN LUNCH IN HOPE. “THE PLAN” CHANGED A FEW TIMES ALONG THE WAY, BUT WE INITIALLY MADE OUR WAY THROUGH SARDIS TO EAST

CHILLIWACK, THEN UP ACROSS ROSEBANK ISLAND AND OVER THE AGONY-ROSEDALE BRIDGE TO THE HAIG HIGHWAY. WE ARRIVED AT THE GAS STOP ON THE SEABIRD

ISLAND I.R., AND TOOK THE PARALLEL ROAD BACK WEST, WHERE WE WERE ABLE TO STOP AND VIEW A FEW(!!) TULIPS STILL IN THE FIELDS. THESE ARE PRODUCED BY

CHILLIWACK NURSERY GROWERS WHO LEASE THE LAND FROM THE FIRST NATIONS.

FROM THERE, IT WAS DECIDED THAT WE WOULD DRIVE INTO HOPE AND EAT, THEN THOSE WHO WANTED COULD PROCEED TO THE TUNNELS. MOST OF THE GROUP ATE

5AT ROLLO’S, A WELL KNOWN CLUB STOP IN HOPE. MARLYNE AND I LEFT FOR HOME

AFTER, AND I DON’T KNOW IF ANYONE WENT TO THE TUNNELS (WHICH WERE APPARENTLY CLOSED ANYWAY), BUT IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DRIVE BACK ALONG THE LOUGHEED HIGHWAY THROUGH MISSION. ASIDE FROM THE USUAL NOISY CROWDS

OF HARLEYS, WHICH THIS WEATHER SEEMS TO BRING OUT IN FORCE (OFTEN CREATING THEIR OWN LANES AS THEY DRIVE), WE ACTUALLY SAW SEVERAL OTHER

BRIT CARS WHICH WEREN’T PART OF OUR GROUP!!

ELLENORE’S HANDIWORK

HARV & SHIRLEY’S “S”-TYPE, MIKE & PAT’S ROVER

BEAUTIFUL TR6!!

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BENCE & HELEN’S MIDGET

AT THE TULIP FIELDS

FOLLOWING ROBIN’S SPITFIRE

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“TIPTOE THROUGH THE TULIPS….”

THE WHOLE GANG

NOW…WHAT WOULD CAUSE A DOZEN BRIT CARS TO STOP IN ONE PLACE…..

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THE ROAD TEST ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES IS FROM THE 1959 EDITION OF ROAD & TRACK MAGAZINE’S “ROAD TEST ANNUAL”, WHICH COVERED VEHICLES TESTED BY THE MAGAZINE IN THE

PREVIOUS YEAR, 1958. AS SUCH, I HAVE DECIDED TO DEDICATE IT TO DOUG LINLEY, WHO, ALONG WITH MANY OTHER 100-6 “6-PORT” OWNERS, PROBABLY DIDN’T EVEN KNOW HIS CAR

WAS ONCE KNOWN AS A “MILLE MIGLIA”.

AAAHH – A BATHROOM!!

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March’s Mystery Car was a 1947 JAGUAR 1½ LITRE “MK IV”

ESSENTIALLY A CONTINUATION OF THE PRE-WAR SS JAGUAR SALOON, THE “MK IV” WAS NOT CALLED SUCH UNTIL AFTER THE INTRODUCTION OF THE FACTORY-NAMED MK V IN 1948.

THE 65 BHP FOUR-CYLINDER ENGINE WAS SOURCED FROM THE STANDARD MOTOR CO. (THE JAGUAR “XK” TWIN-CAM ENGINE DID NOT APPEAR UNTIL THE XK120 IN LATE 1947). IT HAD A SINGLE CARBURETTOR, WHICH GAVE THE CAR LESS THAN SPARKLING PERFORMANCE. HOWEVER, THE “MK IV” WAS ALSO AVAILABLE WITH 2½ AND 3½ LITRE

ENGINES, SIX-CYLINDER TWIN CARB VERSIONS OF CONSIDE RABLY MORE EXCITING CAPABILITY. THIS CAR IS AVAILABLE FROM KENNIS CARS IN THE NETHE RLANDS; ASKING PRICE €35,500.

THIS MONTH’S MYSTERY CAR

A REALLY RARE BIRD, BUT BRITISH, WITH A FAMOUS NAME, AND A GREAT STORY BEHIND ITS DEVELOPMENT!!

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EXECUTIVE PRESIDENT: LARRY PAYEUR VICE-PRESIDENT: HARV MCCULLOUGH SECRETARY: IVAN ANTAK TREASURER: JOHN SUGDEN MEMBERSHIP: SHIRLEY MCCULLOUGH

APPOINTED POSITIONS

NEWSLETTER EDITOR: GLENN LATHROP LIBRARIAN: TOM PUGH SCRAPBOOK: LAURIE RAE COMMUNICATIONS/

HISTORIAN: JERRY PARKHILL EVENTS COORDINATOR: BOB STEWART REGALIA: SUE PARKHILL DOOR PRIZE: MIKE MIDDLETON CLUB ASSETS MANAGER: GEORGE BULL

Club Membership Mailing Address: JOHN SUGDEN, Treasurer, 45401 Wells Road, Chilliwack, B.C. V2R 1H3 Club General Correspondence Mailing Address: FVBMC, c/o ATA, 44146 Luckakuck Way,

Chilliwack, B.C. V2R 4A7 Club Website: www.britishcarclub.ca Club E-mail Address: fvbmc@live.ca Highway Hooter E-mail Address: boswell12@shaw.ca

PLEASE NOTE: MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE DUE AS OF JAN UARY 1ST. New Members are most welcome! Annual dues are $20.00; and $30.00 for family (2 votes!!). Make cheques payable to FVBMC, and mail to John Sugden, 45401 Wells Road, Chilliwack, B.C. V2R 1H3.

• If you would like to plan a ‘Monthly Run’ or have any good suggestions for one, contact Bob Stewart at (604)

795-5054, or e-mail annmarie64@shaw.ca.

• Despite last month, some hard copies of the newsletter will be available at our general meetings for the next while. Any contributions you may wish to make to the ‘Hooter’ are welcomed and much appreciated.

CLUB REGALIA PRICE LIST 2012 • New T-Shirts (FVBMC Crest)…….$20.00 • Gatsby Hat,Stone Colour, w/Club Pin…..$22.00 • Older T-Shirts (FVBMC Crest)…..$15.00 • Baseball Hat (FVBMC Crest), Gray oilskin….$10.00

• Previous Picnic T-Shirts • Visors (Pink, Dk.Green,Lime,Lt.Blue)……$10.00 (’06,’08,09)………………$10.00 • Men’s & Ladies Hoodies (FVBMC Crest)…..$50.00 • New Golf Shirts (FVBMC Crest)….$34.00 • Men’s Hoodies (FVBMC Crest)……..$50.00 (Forest Green & Sport Gray) • Men’s & Ladies Vests (FVBMC Crest)…..$44.00

• Older Gray Golf Shirts (FVBMC Crest) $25.00 • Licence Plate Frames (FVBMC Lettering)…..$20.00

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MAY 19TH 2012 VANCOUVER ALL BRITISH FIELD MEET, VAN DUSEN BO TANICAL

GARDENS, 37TH & OAK, VANCOUVER . Tribute to Lotus cars, MGB & Norton motorcycles. Register at www.westerndriver.com/abfm See Page 26.

20TH 2012 ALL BRITISH RUN, VANCOUVER TO WHISTLER . Info at

www.westerndriver.com/?page_id=1240 26th-JUN 3rd BRITISH CAR APPRECIATION WEEK (Formerly “Drive Your British Car Week”) WATCH FOR EVENTS!! JUNE 2ND SOVEREIGN MOTORS IS HOLDING A FIRST ANNUAL JAGUAR S WAP MEET!! For Details Contact Rick Stevenson rick@sovereignmotors.ca or (604)687-2146 3RD FRASER VALLEY BRITISH MOTOR CLUBANNUAL FUN RUN – Meet at McDONALD

PARK, NO. 4 ROAD, ABBOTSFORD, BY 10:00AM. Our Club Scribe, Ivan, and his equally devious wife have put together something scary and probably unprecedented – I hear the route instructions are in Klingon. When it’s all over, the survivors will meet somewhere to chow down and receive their sentences.

8TH-10TH MG CAR CLUB CALGARY BRITISH CAR & BIKE SHOW WEEKEND , Radium

Resort, Radium Hot Springs, B.C. www.calgarymgclub.org See Page 27. 15TH FRASER VALLEY BRITISH MOTOR CLUB MONTHLY MEETING, ATA Clubhouse,

44146 Luckakuck Way, Chilliwack 17TH BEACON HILL FATHER’S DAY PICNIC, VICTORIA – Details Next Month 23RD-24TH VINTAGE RACING CLUB OF B.C. “REVS” RACE # 3 – Mission Motorsport Park 24TH-JUL 5TH “BRITS AROUND BC” RUN, Details at www.oecc.ca/events.htm JULY 15TH 10TH ANNUAL MINTER GARDENS CLASSIC CAR SHOW. Sponsored by….US, your

FVBMC!! Here’s your chance to step up and help out – volunteer for parking cars or whatever – there are many areas where we need help. Oh, and don’t forget to enter your car, if it qualifies!! Contact Harv at mcculloughh@shaw.ca

REMINDER:

Please inform the editor if there are any errors or omissions in the above; or if you have any info on events that other members might be interested in that are not listed.

CLASSIFIEDS Cars & Parts FOR SALE & WANTED:

• FOR SALE: 1980 TRIUMPH TR7 – New leather interior, excellent mechanics & rust free body,

Russet brown. 2-litre, 5 speed. $4,000. OBO. Call Anders for details (604) 341-7424.**

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or Gerry at (604) 792-6502, leave message if not there.* • WANTED: FOR TR8 - set of good useable seats in tan corduroy fabric, fuel injection 3.5L V8

airbox assembly; along with any other bits you might have and we might take a liking to!

Contact the C.R.A.P. BOYS via Tom Pugh, e-mail @ t.pugh@telus.net Also 1974 TRIUMPH SPITFIRE parts, too many to list.

• FOR SALE: JAGUAR XJ6/12 AND XJS parts for sale. Exhaust/ fuel tanks/ heads/ V12 motor rebuilt, most body parts from 2 available donor cars, starters etc. Call for details- Doug at (604)

859-6354.

• FOR SALE: 1964 SPRITE with fiberglass “bugeye” front end, 1098cc motor, everything else

pretty much stock. Car hasn’t moved in 20 years. Contact Craig Ross at (604)880-6670.

• FOR SALE: MINI PARTS FREE TO A GOOD HOME: 1 Bonnet (Hood); 2 Crankshafts machined & wrapped, undersize not known; 1 cylinder head, w/valves & springs; 4 used brake drums; 1 pair front brake assemblies; 2 Premier U-joints, new, still boxed; 1 e-brake cable; 2 radiators, condition unknown; 1 heater shroud (Doug Linley has the core – steal it from him); 2 front

bumper overriders; 1 manifold. Call Bob Stewart @ (604) 795-5054 • FOR SALE: 1977 SERIES II JAGUAR XJ6: Silver Birch over navy, 113,000 miles, good overall

condition, recent service, new rad hoses, rebuilt carbs, good tyres, collector plates. Must see.

$1,000 OBO or trade for British bike. Car is located in Abbotsford. Gary (778)552-2121 after May 28.

• FOR SALE: HENRY SPEER’S PROJECT CAR – 1957 MGA 1600: Completely restored rolling

chassis, new everything - stainless exhaust, fuel tank, brakes, suspension bushes, etc. Engine rebuilt, carbs rebuilt, all interior bits primed and ready for paint. Body and interior is all that is

left to do. Many new parts included as well as most of a second car. Great project – those of us who have seen the car can attest as to how meticulous Henry is!! Asking $4,000 for everything.

Call Mike for details and to view – (604) 793-3262

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JAGUAR XJS

AN EXQUISITE CORROSION FREE

CALIFORNIA JAGUAR XJS THAT WAS IMPORTED TO CANADA IN 2008. IT WAS OWNED BY THE SAME GENTLEMAN SINCE 1996. IT HAS NEVER SEEN SNOW OR SALT, AND HAS SEEN MORE WATER BEING CLEANED AND BABIED THAN BY

BEING DRIVEN IN THE RAIN. YOU MAY WANT TO NOTE THAT THIS IS THE 4.0 LITRE SIX, NOT THE V12, AND THAT IT HAS 155,000 KMS. ON IT. MOST WERE DRIVEN IN THE I-5 CORRIDOR BECAUSE THE OWNER SOLD, OF ALL THINGS, MORTUARY SUPPLIES. HE DIED AT 84 AND HIS DAUGHTER SOLD ME THE CAR. IT HAS NEW FALKEN 912 TIRES, NEW WINDSHIELD, THE PAINT HAS BEEN FRESHLY DETAILED, THE CLOTH TOP WAS ONE YEAR OLD WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, THE FRON SEATS AND CONSOLE COVER WERE RE-UPHOLSTERED THREE YEARS AGO AND, LIKE THE REAR SEATS, ARE AS NEW. IT HAS AN ALPINE STEREO WITH SIX STACKER CD PLAYER AND COMES WITH A TONNEAU COVER AND CAR COVER. THIS CAR MUST BE SOLD – I NEED THE ROOM FOR ANOTHER PROJECT AND CANNOT ENVISION PARKING IT OUTSIDE. THE ASKING PRICE OF $16,500.00 IS NEGOTIABLE.**

CONTACT AL AT (250) 558-5026 OR BY E-MAIL AT daaugie@shaw.ca

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