BRITISH SPORTS CARS ALASKA British Sports Cars Alaska Limited is the club for owners of all British sports cars including Austin Healey, Caterham, Jaguar, Jensen Healey, Lotus, Marcos, MG, Mini, Morgan, Sunbeam, & Triumph June 1, 2016 This issue: Eklutna Run > Autocross > Portage Lake > Coming Activities > Periodical News > Facebook > Member News > Buy/sell/trade > Calendar If you have renewed your membership already, thank you. If you haven’t paid dues for 2016, you probably won’t receive the next newsletter… Please check the attached roster. Thanks.
Transcript
BRITISH SPORTS CARS ALASKA British Sports Cars Alaska Limited is the club for owners of all British sports cars including Austin Healey, Caterham, Jaguar, Jensen Healey, Lotus, Marcos, MG, Mini, Morgan, Sunbeam, & Triumph June 1, 2016
This issue: Eklutna Run > Autocross > Portage Lake > Coming Activities > Periodical News > Facebook > Member News > Buy/sell/trade > Calendar
If you have renewed your membership already, thank you. If you haven’t paid dues for 2016, you probably won’t receive the next newsletter… Please check the attached roster. Thanks.
British Sports Cars Alaska, June 1, 2016 Page 2
Eklutna Run Ken Morton
On Saturday, May 14, we departed from Fred Meyer in Eagle River for Eklutna Lake. There were ten cars: four Triumphs, belonging to Dean (TR8,) Ken & Dolly (TR6,) Norm (Spitfire,) and Leonard (TR4;) the three Jaguars of Johnson & Terry (E-Type,) John (V12 E-Type,) and Dave (XK8;) plus Martin’s MG Midget, Travis & Jacqueline’s vintage Mini, and Rick’s Marcos. Doug and his TR6 joined us for the pre-drive chat, but previous obligations kept him from completing the drive.
Rick led us on some back streets and roads through Chugiak that most of us had never been on, and probably couldn’t find again if our lives depended on it. It was sunny and warm, a great day for a roadster.
Photos: Ken Morton, Rick Harding
On the cover: Stopping for ice cream
Rick sent the above photo with the following note: “On our drive up to Eklutna Lake, I took all of us across the small one lane bridge that crosses over Peters Creek. I grabbed my cell phone and set it on the camera mode so I could attempt to take a picture of the group crossing over the bridge. I steered the Marcos with my knees, stuck the cell phone camera up through the sunroof, made sure it was pointed the correct direction, and then started tapping the camera to see if I might get lucky enough to actually hit the shutter button as I could not see it at all. I had no idea if I even hit that button or not. Attached is the only picture I captured from that attempt which shows Norm Leuthold in his Spitfire, and the rest of the gang behind him, crossing over the bridge.” Nice effort Rick! The drive went off without a hitch; no one got lost, no one broke down. The bonnets went up on a couple of cars when we reached the lake after the long climb, but it was just a pre-emptive move to prevent any problems with heat building up before restarting.
British Sports Cars Alaska, June 1, 2016 Page 3
Eklutna was a busy place, with everyone trying to take advantage of the nice weather. People were unloading kayaks and canoes, mountain bikes and strollers, backpacks and babies. The parking lots were full, and after monopolizing the loading zone for a few minutes of photography, we moved on to Rochelle’s Ice Cream Store for refreshments.
Autocross Aaron Butterer
The snow has melted and it is time for our cars to emerge from their annual hibernation. Spring has passed and we have determined that all our repairs have (hopefully) worked. Now that they are sorted we can drive. And what better way to drive them than with a little friendly competition. That’s right it is once again autocross season. For those of you who don’t know, autocross is a timed run through a course set up in a local parking lot and delineated by pylons (traffic cones). Cars run one at a time and speeds rarely top 50 mph. Events are put on by the Porsche Club of Alaska, the Alaska Sports Car Club, and the Arctic chapter of the Sports Car Club of America. Cars of all types participate in these events from early 80s Honda Civics to brand new Porsches. Last season there was even an MGB out there. These courses favor nimbleness and agility over outright horsepower and straight line speed.
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Some of the fastest times are usually put down by Mini Coopers (still counts as British right?). The first event of the season was May 1st at Bartlett High School. BSCA was represented by members Aaron Butterer and James O’Malley.
The next event will be held at Bartlett High School on June 4th and 5th. Saturday’s event will be the Patti McNeff Memorial Fun Day from 10:30 am to 2:00 pm, which is a practice/fun day. You can come and try it out for one run (or more) at a leisurely pace and see if it is something you may be interested.
If your car isn’t running or you don’t \want to subject your car to that, I will be giving rides in the Lotus to anyone who asks. Sunday will be a full autocross day, with timing & scoring and plenty of competition. So if you are curious about autocross, like watching cars stretch their legs, or just want to go for a ride in a Lotus, come down to Bartlett and check it out. If you have any questions, you can e-mail me at [email protected].
Portage Lake
A last minute drive down Turnagain Arm for the Memorial Day weekend was organized via the Facebook page.
“Small group today but great ride… to Portage! Thanks to all that came, Travis, Dean, Aaron and Dwight.” - Elaine & Wolfgang
“And that BOOM of Thunder all across anchorage just let me know we made it back from the cruise just in time!!” - Travis
Photos: Elaine & Wolfgang Junge, Travis DeMoss
British Sports Cars Alaska is the monthly newsletter of British Sports Cars Alaska Limited.
British Sports Cars Alaska Limited is the club for owners and enthusiasts of all British sports cars. BSCA is an affiliated chapter of the North American MGA Register.
Coming activities: June 11, Saturday, Loussac Library BSCA Concours d’Elegance 10 AM – 4 PM
Featuring Austin Healey and Jensen Healey
June 25 & 26, Alaska Scottish Highland Games Alaska State Fairgrounds, Palmer. The
Alaska Games will host the IHGF World Heavy Events Championships this year. BSCA is the only car club invited to show at this British Isles-flavored event.
If you plan to participate in the Anchorage parade, please email Dean at [email protected] The parade officials require drivers’ names, license #'s (vehicle and driver's), and proof of insurance.
August 7, Jay Ofsthun Memorial Show & Shine, Anchorage Parks Blocks
Plan to get there early to get a space. It fills up fast, and we can’t save room for late arrivals.
BSCA Shop Day to be rescheduled The BSCA Shop Day at Dave and Tane’ Bathke’s was postponed due to Dave’s father’s health. The Kool Kruz was also postponed, due to rain. We hope both events will be rescheduled.
See calendar for additional events On some Saturday in September, we’ll meet at the Carrs parking lot in Eagle River, drive to the Eagle River Nature Center, then to Dean’s house for an end of season BBQ. The date is TBD based on fall foliage and clear skies.
Outside Events: National, Regional, & International
MGs in the Dolomites 18th - 25th September 2016 Arabba & Sillian, Italy Paul C Resch 1-661-645-5266 [email protected]
MG 2016 June 13th-17th 2016, Louisville, Kentucky. MG2016 is the fifth gathering hosted by the North American Council of MG Registers. https://namgbr.org/events/all-register-mg2016/
VTR 2016 2016 Vintage Triumph Register Convention, October 3 through 7. Lake Texoma, north of Dallas/Ft Worth. http://vtr2016.org/
Periodical News MGA! If you missed Matthew Fox’s story of George Buhite’s “Lost & Found” MGA, it’s reprinted in the May/June edition of the North American MGA Register magazine, MGA!. Also in this issue is a brief explanation of performing initial settings on twin SU carburetors. www.namgar.com
Classic & Sports Car
Classic & Sports Car magazine’s May 2916 cover story is entitled “Return of the Silent Sports Car,” and is a profile of the V12 Jaguar E-Type. The V12 is sometimes criticized as not being true to the spirit of the original E-Type, but C&SC makes a case for the V12 possibly being the best E-Type ever. www.classicandsportscar.com
Sports Car Digest
Sports Car Digest, “The Sports, Racing and Vintage Car Journal” is an on-line magazine covering the vintage car scene worldwide, with articles and photo galleries on vintage racing, concours, rallies, and auctions. Though they tend to favor German and Italian cars, the May 2 article on the 2016 “Flying Scotsman Rally” features lots of great old British cars such as this 1937 Riley Lynx Sprite. Find Sports Car Digest at: http://www.sportscardigest.com/
BSCA on Facebook We’ve had a Facebook presence since last year, thanks largely to BSCA member-in-exile Ben Compton. New member Travis DeMoss is helping out with notices of upcoming events. Travis recently posted a great Go Pro video filmed from his Mini during the Eklutna Lake cruise.
My TR8 came out of the paint shop in April, just hours before I had to put it in the garage and fly back to Anchorage. I was in Oregon again last week to put the car together, but the closer I looked, the more problems I found with the paint. Pretty disappointing. The new paint was buffed through to the primer, old paint cracks were showing through the new, there was primer overspray on top of the green paint and overspray on the alloy wheels. So the TR8 is back in the paint shop for some remedial work. Hoping I’ll be able to reassemble it in August.
Last month I reported on my experiences with a 2007 XK Jaguar, generously loaned to me by my niece and her husband while my TR was in the paint shop. The third day the dashboard display continuously scrolled through an endless list of dire warnings: “Parking brake fault, Transmission fault, Low fuel, Low oil pressure, Low coolant, Brake rotor fault…” I took it to the shop in Eugene that had previously maintained the car. They recharged the battery and cleared the fault codes from the car’s seven computers. Everything seemed fine until the next day when it did it again. After a second shop visit, I returned the car to its owners. It did the same thing to them. They took it to a Jaguar specialist in Portland. When the problem recurred, they were sent to the dealer, who also couldn’t solve it. The dealer consulted with the factory rep, and the saga continues… There is definitely something to be said for the simplicity of an MG or a Triumph.
- Ken Morton
Need a project?
While driving around Chugiak one day in May, Martin Walters spied this Morris Minor pickup in a boneyard. “Today I was out in my Midget, cruising the streets of Chugiak. I stopped at the Chevron station and was approached by a guy about parts that he had for sale. He also has a 1960 Morris Mini truck that he would like to get rid of. He is moving to Texas so he is a motivated seller. He also has 4-door Cadillac and an older truck on a modern chassis. Let me know if you are interested.” Martin’s contact information is on the member roster.
Mini storage needed
Travis DeMoss is being deployed and needs storage for his Mini from July until January. If you can help him out, contact him at: [email protected]
“I have some bittersweet news - my family and I recently learned that we will be moving from Anchorage. We are heading back to Calgary, Alberta, as my wife has a tremendous opportunity with her Canadian employer. We will miss Alaska as we have loved our time here, but we are excited to be closer to family and friends again. I am looking at my options for taking my MGA to Calgary and right now I'm leaning towards buying an enclosed trailer and towing it, and going through the importation process myself. Thanks for your warm welcome into the BSCA. I had hoped to become more involved but I will have to picture those future drives down Turnagain Arm from a distance.” Matthew Fox
Best wishes and many thanks to Matthew!
Out for a ride
“Out for a ride Friday that didn't end so well. It started so innocently... A drive the long way around
Potter Marsh to run a few errands. After Costco, a stop at AutoZone to get a part for the Toyota. And squish, out of nowhere, import car rivalry!!! The Sunbeam demands equal time and blows a clutch slave cylinder seal and makes scene in the parking lot, and quite a mess.... Sorry AutoZone.... Fill, bleed, fill.... Nope - it's pissed and wants lots of attention. Well it didn't anticipate that I consider a clutch optional equipment and can start and grind the gears all the way back home clutchless and then push it back in to the dark garage of shame. Now, back to finish the errands so we can fly out to the lake in the morning.” Ky Holland
Buy/sell/trade: cars & parts
1952 MGTD
This is not a kit car, but a 1970 California hot rod of a 1952 MG TD. The powertrain is Ford, but the body is original metal and wood. The engine appears to be a racing version of the Ford Pinto 4 cylinder. Front disk brakes, 4 speed synchromesh transmission, and drum break rear end are also Ford. The conversion was well done, and appears to be reversible. Reportedly, it was done by an aircraft mechanic. The car runs well, looks great, and is fun to drive. The top is serviceable. The tonneau cover needs snaps, and the side covers need recovering. $13,500 Please call for an appointment to drive the car, and put it up on my lift for inspection: 907 223-5831, Jay Skaggs
MGB Wire Wheels Two wire wheels (not
chrome rims) for an MGB roadster, 1963-1966, free to good home. Rolfe Buzzell, 907-903-9192.
British Sports Cars Alaska, June 1, 2016 Page 10
MGTD
Charlie Laurence, BSCA member-in-exile, Oklahoma, writes: “I have finally decided to sell the MG. This is the 1952 MG-TD that founded British Sports Cars Alaska in 1998. My earliest information on the car had it purchased from a fellow in Seattle in 1980. I bought it in 1981 and have owned it ever since. In 1983, the engine was completely rebuilt after we spun a rod bearing. The clutch was replaced at that time also. In 1988 I shipped it to Seattle and kept it on the West Coast to use as a vacation car, mostly in California. We kept it on the West Coast until 1997 when we decided to bring it back to Alaska for some extended maintenance. It was July of that year that I decided to make the drive up the Alcan which took 4½ days. It never skipped a beat until the last day when I burned a valve due to cheap Alcan gas. I limped in on 3 cylinders and a quick valve job put it back on the road. It was the following year that I put an ad in the paper for anyone interested in forming a British Sports Car club and BSCA was born. Over the 34 years I owned it, it has never left me stranded. Current mileage is 88,200 amounting to 12,000 miles in 34 years due in part to summer driving only in Alaska. Virtually every mechanical system has been rebuilt and it is a good strong runner. That having been said, the body is a bit rough as it has not been touched in those 34 years. I am asking $12,000 for it and can assist with shipping arrangements.” Charlie can be reached at: [email protected]
1978 MGB
This was Tom Manson’s beloved green roadster, and Ursula would like to sell it to a good home. You can reach Ursula at 907-301-1950.
Triumph TR4A radiator Used, but serviceable. It came out of a running car and I didn't want to send it to the scrap yard. $50 or best offer. The radiator is at Rick's. Richard Black, 907-250-5864 [email protected]
BSCA Grill Badges We are still gauging interest in having more BSCA grill badges made. The cost would be about $40 each, with a minimum run of 25 pieces. Nearly half that run is spoken for; we would need a few more people interested, and would have to collect payment from all those before we could afford to place an order. If you are interested, please email Ken at [email protected]
