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January 2009 - Combined Newsletter Chicagoland &Vintage MG Club’s P.O. Box 455 Addison, IL 60101 Affiliated` Affiliated Affiliated Affiliated CMGC Next Meeting – January 19, 2009 Vintage Next Meeting –January 14, 2009 FIRST CLASS MAIL Vintage Viewpoint Volume 43 Number 1 Check out the Vintage news at www.vintagemgchicago.com DRIVELINE January 2009 Visit us at www.chicagolandmgclub.com
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Page 1: Chicagoland &Vintage MG Club’s Vintage Viewpoint

January 2009 - Combined Newsletter

Chicagoland &Vintage MG Club’s P.O. Box 455 Addison, IL 60101

Affiliated` Affiliated Affiliated Affiliated

CMGC Next Meeting – January 19, 2009 Vintage Next Meeting –January 14, 2009

FIRST CLASS MAIL

Vintage Viewpoint Volume 43 Number 1

Check out the Vintage news at www.vintagemgchicago.com

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DRIVELINE

January 2009

Visit us at www.chicagolandmgclub.com

Page 2: Chicagoland &Vintage MG Club’s Vintage Viewpoint

President Jim Evans

630-858-8192 [email protected]

Vice-President Dave Peterson 630-584-3661

[email protected]

Secretary Victor L’Heureux

847-516-3093 [email protected]

Treasurer

Reinout Vogt 847-342-9804

[email protected]

Editor Bill Reece

630-816-1195 [email protected]

Classifieds David Lieb

847-588-8016 [email protected]

Regalia

David L. Ransom 708-452-7312

[email protected]

Librarian Bill & Deb Mennell

630-393-1514 [email protected]

Driving Events

Seth Jones 847-869-7474

[email protected]

Tech Coordinator Dave “Cowboy” Bralich

630-289-7915 [email protected]

Webmaster

Barney Gaylord 630-505-0866

[email protected]

The Natter ‘n’ Noggin is held the second Tuesday of each month at alternating lo-cations. Please check the Driveline or club website for the current location. The talk-ing, eating and drinking starts about 7:30 p.m. Come and stay as long as you can.

The Monthly Club Meeting is held on the third Monday of each month (except no meeting in December). The meetings are from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m. at MACK’S GOLDEN PHEAS-ANT in Elmhurst.

The Club welcomes all MG enthusiasts to call on its gatherings. Please call any person listed above for more information. The Driveline is published by the Chicagoland MG Club. It is the sole property of the Chica-goland MG Club. Reprinting of its contents is allowed by members and other car clubs with credit for original source. Please keep in mind that the technical advice and opinions offered are those of their authors and do not necessarily represent those of the club as a whole. Modi-fications and procedures presented may violate state or federal laws. They might not even work. The Driveline and the Chicagoland MG Club will not be liable for any consequences.

Send all Driveline Newsletter contributions to:[email protected] Deadline for submissions is Saturday after the monthly membership meeting

Chicagoland MG Club P.O. Box 455 Addison, IL 60101 www.chicagolandmgclub.com Monthly members’ web password: ChicagoMGclubs

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The holiday season on Regent Street, London England. Hey is that an MG in front of the double-decker bus? Photo courtesy of freefoto.com

CMGC and Vintage Club Events CMGC January 2009 13 Natter ‘n’ Noggin 7:30 PM, Country Side Saloon 19 Club Meeting at Mack’s Golden Pheasant 8:00 PM 23-25 13th Annual Amtrak Road Trip February 2009 8 CMGC Driving Events Meeting, Mack’s Golden Pheas. 10 Natter ‘n’ Noggin, 7:30 PM 16 Annual Business / Awards Meeting at Mack’s Golden

Pheasant 8:00 PM 22 CMGC 13th Annual British Swap Meet and Autojum ble, DuPage County Fairgrounds March 2009 10 Natter ‘n’ Noggin, 7:30 PM 16 Club Meeting at Mack’s Golden Pheasant 8:00 PM April 2009 7 Natter ‘n’ Noggin, 7:30 PM 20 Club Meeting at Mack’s Golden Pheasant 8:00 PM

Vintage Club January 2009 14 VMGCC meeting at the Pizza Joynt 8:00 PM February 2009 11 VMGCC meeting at the Pizza Joynt 8:00 PM 22 British Swap Meet and Autojumble, DuPage County

Fairgrounds, 8:00 AM-3:00 PM March 2009 11 VMGCC meeting at the Pizza Joynt 8:00 PM April 2009 8 VMGCC meeting at the Pizza Joynt 8:00 PM May 2009 13 VMGCC meeting at the Pizza Joynt 8:00 PM

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Chicago MG Holiday Party, December 6th, Elmcrest Banquets

Page 3: Chicagoland &Vintage MG Club’s Vintage Viewpoint

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Non-Member 1978 MGB We just redid the brakes and have the parts to redo the left front, just not enough time for me or my hus-band to tinker with it any more. 74,068 original miles. It does need some TLC. We are asking $4000.00 OBO.Jenny and Don, 815-234-2855, Or Don's Cell 815-535-4330. Byron, IL. Member 1974 MG Midget Red with black interior. Rebuilt front and rear suspensions, new clutch, starter, carpet, conv. top and much more. Floors are solid with no rust. Car has been repainted @ 6 yrs ago. Has couple of small spots where paint is bubbling. Drivers seat has a tear in the seat bottom. Strong running 1275cc engine. This is a very presentable car with shiny paint. I will sell this car before winter. $4500 OBO Jason Klemm, [email protected]. Yorkville, IL. Former-Member 1951 MG TD Older restoration. Green w/ black interior. Needs brake work, runs well. $9,000 Geoff Morse, [email protected]. 630-717-6648.

AMGBA-Member 1974 MGB-GT solid rolling shell, no drivetrain or interior, no title, $1495.00/obo. 1966 MG Midget with 1100cc engine (runs), needs body repairs, good open Illinois title, $1295.00/obo. 1972 MG Midget round arch model, no engine, no title, good solid body, missing passenger seat, good top. $1195.00/obo. 1975 MGB roadster, rubber bumper model, no drivetrain, good top & interior, some rust on fenders but good solid body, good open Indiana title, extra windshield. $1195.00/obo. Combination 1972 MGB GT rusty but complete parts car with good open Indiana title with a solid repaired ready for paint MGB empty rolling shell. $2900.00/obo. Cars are in NW Indiana. Pictures of any or all of these cars available upon request. Tony Azcona, [email protected]. 219-718-7335. Member 1977 Sandglow MGB Well maintained original 1977 MGB with 53,000 miles, original sandglow paint, overdrive, and repair history since new. Price reduced to $5,500.00 Ellis Brenner, [email protected]. San Francisco, CA. Non-Member Early 1965 Pullhandle MGB In very good condition and has been stored indoors. Many new improvements. In-cludes many extra parts. $6500.00 obo. John Breidenbach. 847-343-8845 MG-TABC Club Member 1939 MG TB British Racing Green exterior, beige interior, only 379 cars ever built, TB0576, 11043 miles, older restoration, runs and drives excellent. Asking $30,000 Zilvinas Ramasauskas. 630-699-7907. Lemont, IL MG-TABC Club Member 1955 MG TF Extremely nice car, older restoration, very low mileage, all numbers matching car, TF9722, engine XPEG3529. Of 3700 built, only 700 imported to USA. Most powerful of MG T Series roadsters. Clear title, superb mechani-cly, perfect interior,no rust or dents, some small exterior paint chips Asking $21,000 Zilvinas Ramasauskas. 630-699-7907. Le-mont, IL VMGCC Member '53 MGTD Body Tub and '53 MGTD Frame, Contact Brian Donnelly 708-389-5581 Member Do-It-Youself MGA MGA Restoration project. What I have is about 2 1/2 MGA's. I will be building an MGA this winter. I have a perfect frame and a complete car. I'll be taking the suspension parts from the parts car and putting them on my frame. So, what I have for sale will be a complete MGA body shell, an extra frame, and the driveline. I'm looking for $1500 for the remaining parts, but will need someone willing to work with me in getting the parts. I'm willing to deliver as parts become available. If anyone is interested, email or call to discuss this further. Tom Raddatz, [email protected]. 773-617-2001. Non-Member 1976 MG Midget Currently has a rebuilt 1275 engine and ribcase trans. Comes with original 1500 and gearbox, plus spare 1275 needing rebuild. Chrome wire wheels. Many spare parts including NEW OEM hood. Way too much to list here. You will need to trailer it. NEW LOWER price of just $900! Mike Salyers, [email protected]. 773-774-5501. 1800 5 main engine Includes header and weber sidedraft carb. Make offer. Pair of seats black, 2 minor flaws, Free to good home. 4 wire wheels rough, Free to good home. 2 5 main blocks Free to good home. Many other parts, some free, the rest cheap! 40-gallon parts washer, flux core welder, make offer. Jim Dades, [email protected], 847-675-1559 days, 847-679-2746 eves.

MGB Rubber Bumpers from a 1980. The rear is in very good cond and the front is just OK with a few marks. Free to good home Jeff Cashman, [email protected], 630-904-7644. Local pick-up only in Naperville, IL.

Spridget Hard Top and Wheels I have 4 steel wheels, one oddball, three matching for free. Come and pick up in Zionsville IN. I also have a hardtop that came with my car when I purchased it. I chose not to fit it to the finished car and now would like to sell it. It was on a 69 Spridget, I am assuming it will fit Mk4 sprite and Mk3 Midgets. It may also fit others, but I make no assurances of this. Good shape, needs new seals and cleaning up. Small crack on inside skin, not on outside. $300.00 Matt Swan, [email protected], Zionsville, IN

Be sure to check out the club website for pictures and additional items, www.chicagolandmgclub.com/classifieds/

Classified Advertisements The Steering Column Left Hand Drive from our President

Safety Fast, -- Jim Evans

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We are certainly poised on the brink of an interesting year for the car hobby. A year ago, the publicity machines were heating up with the widely trumpeted 100th anniversary of both the Ford Model T and the founding of General Motors. Lots of praise for both of them in the popular press, lots of stories about the wisdom of their early leaders. This year may mark the end of GM as we know it, and a new role for Ford in the American automotive world. General Motors was structured around the then innovative idea of providing a family of cars that provided a “step up” for loyal buyers as they moved through life and prospered. You know, get a Chevy when you graduated from college, move up to a Pontiac with the first good job, then an Olds when seniority was yours, and perhaps later a Buick or Cadillac. Worked great as long as people could move up in life and prosper; hard to do that when the economy is in free fall. Ford and Chrysler tried the same idea with Edsel and DeSoto but never really pulled it off as well as GM. Maybe that ap-proach to the market has run its course. Interestingly enough, the actual history of the automotive industry is filled with more bankruptcies, mergers, reorganizations, and top-executive-musical-chairs than the modern computer or telecommunica-tions or banking industries. And it all worked out. Probably will again. On the overseas front, it seems that the strange mar-riage of multiple Chinese partners with an English bride may actually bring forth a fruitful union. Apparently, MG is back in the showrooms in England. Not forecasted to come to Amer-ica, but who knows? Given all the bizarre twists in this tale over the last few years, we may even have a dealer next to Mack’s by the end of the year. The financial industry debacle ricocheted onto the col-lector car market at full velocity in the last few months of 2008. Many of the cars that you see in collector car showrooms are financed (i.e. “floorplanned”), and many of the sales are made on credit. Sales in these dealerships have dropped tremen-dously. Collector car auction activity has also declined: one company recently described the 50% sell-thru level of their auction as a “triumph in today’s uncertain economy”. Yeah, right: just like saying that having only one leg blown off by an IED in Iraq is a “triumph in today’s uncertain battlefield envi-ronment”. Of particular interest will be the outcome of the Ari-zona auctions this month. Barrett-Jackson, et al, have set the pace in the collector car industry for many years. BJ instituted a “no reserve” policy a few years ago, to strong resistance in the industry because the seller has to accept the last bid even if it is way below his expectations. Let’s see if they can still get sell-ers to go along with that this year – my guess is “no”. But whether or not you participate in the speculative side of the hobby, the results of these auctions eventually trickle down to influence your insurance policy and the prices you pay for local cars. On the domestic front, gas prices have dropped quite a bit. Last year’s high prices may have curbed some of the enthu-

siasm for attending long distance MG events. This year’s NAMBGR convention in Colorado will probably be well worth attending just for the chance to see many cars from distant areas – might not happen again for a while. And don’t forget the NAMGAR, GOF and University Motors events also on the cal-endar. All these events will probably be well attended this year, so this may be the time to attend one. Remember: every dollar not spent on gas means another dollar available for a beer at the hospitality tent! And on the local front, our club is poised for a suc-cessful year. We have a good crew of experienced people on hand to make positive contributions to club activities in all ar-eas. We will be looking into financial management issues, event configuration, scheduling and more. Your input is always important so feel free to make your thoughts about club activi-ties known to any of the officers at any time. So we will all be watching GM, MG, BJ, BP and the like – and wishing them the best in these uncertain times. And if you have a crystal ball or other some means to predict the future of the car hobby area, please step forward and share it with the rest of us – we would all like to know what to expect next!

Club Elections Even though this year’s election was uncontested, it is no less important than any other year. First off we’d like to thank our out-going Vice-President Dean Swanson for all of his time, hard work and dedication to the club. Dave Peterson is welcomed in as our new Vice-President. Jim Evans continues to serve as club President, Re-inout Vogt is Treasurer and Victor L’Heureux is Secretary. We tried a new form of election ballots this year. I’d be very interested in any feedback from the members on the ballots and the mailing envelope that contained the dues enve-lope, ballot and Driveline. A thank you goes out to Dave “Cowboy” Bralich for once again serving as our election offi-cial. Thanks,

-- Bill Reece

New Members The officers and members of the Chicagoland MG Club extend a cordial “MG Welcome” to these new members who have joined our club in recent months. We wish each and every one of you “Safety Fast” and hope you will avail yourself to as many club activities as you can.

Arnold Komp Joliet IL 1961 MGA 1600 Donald Brauch Roselle IL 1968 brg Midget John Giometti Naperville IL 1953 cream MGTD Tom Holzman Elgin IL 1980 white MGB

Note: To any member whose name does not appear above, your application may have missed our deadline. If you don’t see your name next month, call our Membership Chair, Victor L’Heureux at (847) 516-3592 to verify.

Page 4: Chicagoland &Vintage MG Club’s Vintage Viewpoint

Meeting Minutes-May December 2008

Library Muse Here’s hoping that everyone had a joyous holiday and wishing all a happy new year. Now comes the hard part of the season, paying off those credit cards. If you can’t sleep at night worrying about how to pay those Christmas bills, I have the solution. The all-new 2008 (yes ’08) edition of the Illinois Ve-hicle Code. I guarantee reading this will cure the worst case of insomnia. Expanded from 544 to 613 pages, plus an additional 200 or so pages of indexes, it does contain everything you need to know about vehicle laws in our fine state. For something a little lighter, we also have a biogra-phy of Ken Miles, plus the materials we mentioned back in No-vember.

Ken Miles By Art Evans 2004, softbound, 124 pages, B&W photos

Ken Miles was known as ‘Mr. MG’ back in the 50s, winning in an MG special he designed and constructed. He then moved on to Porsches, Cobras, and Ford GTs. “Evans has created a biological scrapbook. Interspaced with the author’s own writing are period magazine and newspa-per articles plus remembrances written by some of those who knew Miles well, including his employer and close friend, Car-roll Shelby. “The book starts off with a complete chronology from birth to death and ends with the eulogy delivered by the au-thor’s father and a never-before assembled record on Miles’ races” -Wilbur

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Natter ‘N Noggin - Let’s Give It Another Go!

Let's Try That One More Time (January 13, 2009) The final search in 2008 was scheduled for December 9th. Maybe you remember, we had something a little different stop in mind, but boy, did it snow hard that night. There were just 5 of us, more or less locals or members on the way home from work. So, lets try it one more time and go to the same cool place. It is kind of an experiment. No Irish Pub, no micro- brewery, no yuppie bar, no gourmet quiche, no flavored cafe lattes, no stone pizza oven and no wood burning grill. Just a plain old and simple neighborhood bar with really great home made Pizza, friendly service, inexpensive brews, ample parking and several TV screens to follow your favorite game. We think you'll like it. This is more like a low-key local establish-ment. Coming from the South on I-294 you take exit Demp-ster East, go for about a 1/4 of a mile and turn North on Potter. After another 1/4 of a mile turn West on Ballard and the Coun-try Side Saloon is on the left side of the road. From the North it is exit Golf, go East and after about 1/4 of a mile turn South on Potter. After about 1/2 mile turn West on Ballard and you'll find the saloon on the left side. The place is quite large and we have no formal reser-vations. Let's just go on the right side of the bar when you enter. We can hang out at the bar or grab a couple small tables so that we can mix and talk to all MG friends. And make sure that you get your own tab when you order food and/or drinks.

Country Side Saloon 2501 E Ballard Rd Des Plaines, IL 60016 (847) 827-5577

If you have any questions, please call Reinout Vogt 847 342 9804 You can now visit the w e b s i t e f o r t h e C o u n t r y s i d e S a l o o n a t www.countrysidesaloon.com/

The general interest was towards the Ford Museum, the very first of the Amtrak Road Trip destinations. However, the Detroit Auto Show, also known as the North American International Auto Show, will still be running at Cobo Hall in central Detroit in case anyone

would like to get some of the very last of the Big Three promotional literature. The details: Depart Union Station, Chicago (CHI) 6:00 P.M. on January 23, 2009 arriving Dearborn, Michigan (DER) at 11:59 P.M. on the 354 Wolverine Depart Dearborn, Michigan (DER) at 12:13 P.M. on January 25, 2009 arriving Union Station, Chicago (CHI) at 4:41 P.M. on the 353 Wolverine John Schroeder wished to pass along the following ticket information update: There is an AMTRAK promotion for a com-panion ticket at ½ price. It is saves about $17 over AAA/AARP price. You have to book on the phone and ask for Promotion Code H777. I just rebooked our trip and the total was $87 instead of $104.40. There is limited availability. You have to purchase and travel between 11/1/08 and 3/14/09. It should work for anyone who wants to join us. The arrival in Dearborn will be after the hotel shuttle is over for the evening, but the taxi ride is only a few dollars when shared. Make your reservations at the Best Western Greenfield Inn in Dearborn at 1-800-342-1600. The reservation code is

Amtrak Road Trip January 23 - 25, 2009

Continued on page 5

Cars Wanted 1930’s—1960’s Jaguar XK, XKE, MGA, MG-T series, Austin Healey, Mercedes-SL's, Porsche 356-911, Triumph Tr-3-4-250, Alfa-Romeo, Morgan also Other European classics and exotic cars. Any condition, any location. Serious Buyer, will pay the most.

Also paying generous finders fees

Steve’s British Connection 630-553-9023 www.stevesbritishconnection.com [email protected]

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Miles – Miles - Miles We need your miles!

Did you drive you car this last year? Did you note the starting mileage? If you did, then send your total mileage to R ick Rausch (630 -852-2568) emai l : [email protected] by the end of January. He’ll refe-ree the totals and pronounce the winner of the 2008Tour-ist Trophy at this year’s Members Dinner.

The Milwaukee & Great Lakes MG Motorcar Group

MGMGMG is pleased to host GoF Central

once again The 31st edition of The Gather-

ing of the Faithful will be held September 14-17, 2009 in Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Our host hotel is the Blue Harbor Resort & Conference Center. This 183 suite, nautical themed resort is located on Lake Michigan’s shoreline and also boasts a 54,000 sq. ft. indoor entertainment area and water park. With all of its amenities, it’s sure to please everyone. Our theme this year will have a nauti-cal/navigator bent so keep that in mind when planning your attire. Program details will be included in the confir-mation packets sent after you register. Hotel Information: Blue Harbor Resort 725 Blue Harbor Drive Sheboygan, WI 920-452-2900 www.blueharborresort.com

Run of House Suite: $129 (the hotel will place you in the appropriate type of suite based on occupancy) Tax is ad-ditional and is currently 13% • All rooms have a patio or balcony. Reservations may be made by calling 866-701-2583 by August 14, 2009 and referencing GoF Central. We will be reducing our room block on July 14 to avoid paying for unused rooms – don’t miss out on our room rate! MGMGMG 5621 S 116th Street Hales Corners WI 53130 GoF Info: Bob 414-529-4426 [email protected] More information and registration forms can be downloaded from www.mg3club.org

At our December meeting I read a letter from past president Larry Carlson. He had sent me a copy of The British Marque newspaper. It is a very nice publication and one that I had not seen before. Recently I received a regular promotional e-mail from Jeff Zorn of The Little British Car Company. Jeff and the LBCarCo have been supporting the VMGCC as a mem-ber and advertiser in our newsletter for many years. In the email I noticed the following: " Read All About It - Subscribe Today at LBCarCo Savings to the British Marque Newspaper" The announcement goes on to extol the advantages of this tab-loid and makes the offer of a subscription through LBCarCo for only $14 for a full year of 11 issues. If you're interested, you can find out more at the Little British Car Company web site www.LBCarCo.com - look on the Specials/Gifts pages. There are a lot of items listed, so be patient and look for the offer.

The British Marque Newspaper By Greg Hoeft

A Rare Barn Find Jerry Cihak sent in a note about a rare Bugatti

supercar left to gather dust in an English garage for half a century that could fetch millions when it goes under the hammer next month. Many of the "barn find" tales turn out to be hoaxes in the end but this one seems to be real. The story goes that Harold Carr, a surgeon, apparently abandoned the rare Bugatti in his lock-up in northeastern Newcastle after buying it in the 1950s.

When the reclusive Carr died in 2007, his nephew found the Type 57S Atalante when he cleared out the garage and was amazed to learn that just 17 of the model were ever made. This story comes from the January 1 edition of Yahoo News. You can find it at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090101/ts_afp/britainautoauctionoffbeat_090101195011

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-- Bill Reece

Monthly Garage Keeping Dues are Due Club dues cycle on the calendar year for all members, so get your payment in if your haven’t already. If you joined the club in the last few months of 2008, your payment at that time cov-ers you for the 2009 calendar year. If you are uncertain of your particular status and dues obligation, please contact the club Secretary, Victor L’Heureux at [email protected] All British Car Swap Meet & Autojumble Plans for this event are moving ahead. This will be the 13th year that our club has conducted this popular event and all members are encouraged to attend. The Swap Meet will be held on February 22 at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton, IL. Club members who volunteer to assist in set up, ticket taking, and clean up will all receive free admission to the Swap. You can sign up at the club meeting in January and Feb-ruary, or contact Jim Evans (630-858-8192) for a work assign-ment. Annual Awards and Business Meeting We will conduct our annual business meeting (required of all Illinois not-for-profit corporations) at our February club meet-ing. This is your opportunity to question the club officers about club topics, put forth suggestions or criticisms, and get full re-ports on all club management activities such as membership, banking, newsletter, etc. We will also distribute the annual club achievement awards at this meeting.

Combined Newsletter We are very proud to present a second combined newsletter between CMGC and the Vintage MG Car Club of Chicago. Greg and I tried to take your suggestions from our previous combined issue last June. With things being kind of slow for our respective January issues we decided that a combined issue right after the holiday party was the way to go. Once again we are very interested in your perspective in this effort. Please pass along any suggestions, comments and yes, even criticisms to your club editor. We hope that all of you enjoy this edition as much as Greg and I enjoyed creating it.. Thank you for all the support from both clubs.

[email protected]

[email protected]

-- Greg Hoeft

Thanksgiving at the Rock Thursday, November 27, 2008

Within sight of the Museum of Science and Industry and just a little west of Lake Shore Drive is a small rock placed in a park in 1995 that commemorates the 100th anniversary of the first automobile race in the United States. That commemo-ration was a large affair with quite a few automobiles from ap-proximately 1900 and reinacted the route to Wilmette and back.

This was the 13th informal commemoration of that 100th anniversary. This year’s attendees from our Club included Mark and Kyle Gannon in a MGA MKII Deluxe, Bob Hansel-man and his guest from California in a MGTD, Barney Gaylord with his MGA, Doug Clark with his MGTF and us with our MGBGT. And the roadsters were driven there with the tops down, for the most part. There were about fifty other cars in-cluding street rods, three Lamborghinis, a Ferrari, restored and modified cars from the 1950’s, a lowered early model Chevy pickup and even a Panoz. The original race in 1895 was run with foot-deep snow and several of us commiserated over the number of past events when we had to take the batteries out of the cameras to warm them inside our coats, but the weather this year was extremely mild compared to some years and the cam-era batteries worked perfectly. Bill Wildt of Motorsports Unlimited was there filming in front of the Rock. He reminded his viewers of the importance of the original 1895 race and carefully interviewed everyone who was willing to be taped. In keeping with the past Thanksgiving at the Rock events, we went to Stages on 31st Street for an early lunch be-fore heading back home.

-- Jake and Ann Snyder

“Chicagoland MG Club” for the $86 per night rate (only $2 per night more than last year). The hotel will shuttle us to and from the Ford Museum at no extra charge. Entrance to the Henry Ford Museum is $14. The hotel has a swimming pool, lounge, restaurant and several miles of automotive art on the corridor walls. Questions: Ann or Jake Snyder at 847-295-2753.

Amtrak Road Trip (continued)

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Chicago MG Holiday Party 2008 For me the Holiday Season doesn't start on the Friday

following Thanksgiving. Work related obligations don't let me get into Christmas and the Season Spirit until the first weekend in December. Is there a better way to start the Holiday Season than a great evening with 80 MG friends, the Chicagoland MG Club Christmas Party? And so far nothing changed this year. But on December 6th many things were different. Most impor-tantly because I was one of the organizers, along with Diana Gonzales, who also belongs to the Vintage MG Car Club of Chicago and the Chicagoland MG Club, we turned the evening into the Chicago MG Holiday Party.

Yes indeed, after many years the two MG clubs in Chicago joined forces again for a real MG Holiday Party. The weather cooperated, something that we haven't enjoyed the last couple of years. Therefore we had no traffic related last minute cancellations. And we had more reservations than ever. In total 81 people from the Vintage MG Car Club of Chicago and the Chicagoland MG Club came to the Elmcrest Banquets in Elm-wood Park. The program for the evening follows a more or less similar pattern every year. And that's exactly why I personally like the event so much. The bar opened at 6:30 and everybody enjoyed seeing so many old and new faces in the spirit of the Holiday Season. It is always great to welcome the members that somehow didn't make it to a lot of activities this past season, or

members who moved out of town are only able to join us once in a while. It was actually so nice that the owner of the estab-lishment had to come out and help the waiting staff to get us seated so that they could start serving the food.

After the dinner, Jim Evans and Win Gould, President Elect of the Vintage group spent a few words to welcome all of the guests. And soon it was time for the Abingdon Players and the Singing Magnettes. This spontaneously casted troupe has no time to practice and there is no specific theater or musical ex-perience required. Jim and Lois Evans carefully select the cast while sipping on their cocktails before dinner starts. And they always find the greatest actors and singers among the members and guests. This year, Gene and Becky Cooper (members since the very early beginnings, who flew in from Minneapolis to celebrate with their home town club) played the main roles in The Lucas Zone, a special rendition of the Wizard of Oz. Jim also picks a few supporting actors and the Singing Magnettes do a quick practice run in the ladies room with Lois. The result is always outstanding and this year the musical was very much enjoyed by all.

We also had the usual grab bag raffle and door prizes, donated by the two organizing MG clubs, Triple C, Classic MG Magazine, University Motors, and Victoria British. And with a great team of assistants to pick and deliver the prizes it wasn't boring or took too much time. After the formal festivities a few groups, who were lucky enough to have a designated driver, were able to meet for a couple of drinks at TJ's Halftime, a small sports bar right down the street from the banquet place. And as always, at the end of the evening I was fully engaged in the Holiday Season. I was ready to go shopping the next morn-ing while still thinking about another great MG holiday eve-ning.

Thanks to Diana for being the co-organizer, David Ransom for working with the banquet facility, The Abingdon Players and the Singing Magnettes for the entertainment and, Shirley and Henneke for making the raffles run so smoothly.

Left: Gene and Becky star as Mary and John in the “Lucas Zone”

The entire entertainment cast

A few drinks at TJ’s after the Holiday Party

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The annual Christmas Dinner, held in conjunction with the Chicagoland MG Club December 6th, was a rous-ing success. Approximately 80 MG enthusiasts and spouses braved marginal weather (though to our knowl-edge none arrived in MG’s) to gather at Elmcrest Ban-quets to celebrate the coming holidays. The world fa-mous Abingdon players (including our own Rey Navarro) and the Singing Magnettes entertained us with a musical tribute to overcoming the curse of Lucas. Just about eve-ryone left with a gift thanks to donations by the clubs and sponsors, and all enjoyed this opportunity to mingle with other MG enthusiasts and celebrate the Christmas season.

The world famous “Abingdon Players”, The Curse of Lucas

Christmas Party By Winn Gould, VMGCC President

Meeting Program Topics We don't have all of the details worked out for our 2009 meeting programs yet but here are the topics planned so far:

January: viewing 1950s LeMans video February: viewing 1950s LeMans video March: ideas for getting our cars out of storage in prepa-ration for the driving season April: possible guest speaker from car upholstery shop or British car vendor May: possible guest speaker from British car vendor or car upholstery shop June: part one of our annual parking lot "show & tell" (weather permitting) July: part two of our annual parking lot "show & tell" (weather permitting) August.: "Members night" tech session(s) September: no meeting (?); GOF Central that week October: detailed recap of GOF Central November: MG T-Type & Pre-War model & memora-bilia show December: viewing 1950s LeMans video

If you have any other ideas or contributions please let me know by sending an email to [email protected] Safety Fast! By Doug Clark, Vice President

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND RENEWAL

Dues and registration $25.00 per year Make your check payable to: Vintage MG Car Club

Mail your payment to: Bill Dobeus – Membership

1556 Tara Lane Lake Forest, IL 60045

Include the following with your dues. We will use this information to update our membership directory Name:___________________________________Spouse or Partner: __________________________________ Address:___________________________________________ Home Phone:___________________________ Street:_____________________________________________ Business Phone: ________________________ City:_______________________________________________ Email:_________________________________ State and Zip:_______________________________________ Please list your MGs, including Model and Year: __________________________________________________

Page 7: Chicagoland &Vintage MG Club’s Vintage Viewpoint

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Minutes of the Meeting of the Vintage MG Car Club of Chicago

December 10, 2008 There was a delay in opening the meeting but our imme-diate past president Jennifer Smith walked through the door and was promptly appointed president pro tem for the evening. Jennifer called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. The minutes of the November meeting were cor-rected by our Librarian Ric Maitzen to read that the book "The Red Car," noted in a recent Peter Egan “Side glances” piece in Road & Track, was and has been in our library as opposed to "is now in our library" as the min-utes stated. On a voice vote, the minutes were accepted as corrected. In our haste to get the business portion of the meeting over with as soon as possible, and since the club's Secretary position is still open, there were no offi-cial minutes taken. So I started to scribble some notes so that we would have a record of the December meeting. A Financial Report was circulated by Treasurer Ric Maitzen and approved by the members present. Old Business Ric Maitzen offered the club's thanks to Bill and Scotty Cole for hosting the Guy Fawkes party last October. All in attendance had a great time roasting that rascal once again. Reinout Vogt reported that there were 81 attendees at the combined Holiday Party with the Chicagoland MG Car Club. The VMGCC was represented by 15 members, some of whom are members of both clubs. It was re-ported that the Abingdon Players and Singing Magnettes were fantastic. A round of applause was forthcoming in appreciation of the party organizers, and compliments went to Diana and Oscar Gonzales for organizing the VMGCC participation. Don Ross donated a copy of the TC Instruction Manual for inclusion in our library. Don acquired it with the hope of adding a TC to his garage some day. That day has never come. Rick Rausch surprised us with the presentation of the 2007 club Tourist Trophy. This award is normally pre-sented at our Members' Dinner (or Founders' Dinner, or whatever we call it now), except we didn't have one this year. Since this was our last meeting of 2008, Rick thought it appropriate to present it now. The runner up was Rick himself with 54 miles. That's right: 54 miles because no one else turned in any miles. The top traveler for 2007 was Jerry Risner in his TF1500 with 2,765

miles. Rick asks that we get our driving miles for the 2008 year to him before the Member's Dinner and to re-member that miles on the back of a tow truck do not count. Email your miles to [email protected] Bob Hanselman reported that the Thanksgiving day Cruise to the Rock was well attended. The Ferrari club had about 25 cars, four or five participants from the Chi-cagoland MG Car Club and one from the VMGCC. Frank Diaz pointed out that former member Bill Witt rec-reated the celebrated First Automobile Race as a tour for the club in 1976. Perhaps we can do it again. New Business Glenn Grossklags stated that the free publication "Gear Head" has the CMGCC listed but not the VMGCC. We should try to get the VMGCC listed. Greg Hoeft read a letter from former president Larry Carl-son stating that he has joined the Michiana Brits British Car Enthusiasts club and as a perk receives the British Marque Car Club News publication. We noted that the CMGCC is listed as a Participating Club but not the VMGCC. Reinout Volk said he didn't know anything about the CMGCC's participation and, as CMGCC treas-urer, he would know if the CMGCC were a Participating Club. Carl Vogel suggested that we use e-mail communication to a greater extent. Jerry Risner wanted to know what e-mail is. I guess we won't use e-mail exclusively. Ric Maitzen reported that the Chicagoland MG Car Club Swap Meet is February 22. He asked if we should reserve one or two tables. No decision was made. (Ed Note: a round of e-mail communication after the meeting resulted in a decision that we will reserve two tables, one for club promotion and one for selling the remaining inventory of parts.) Staffing of the tables will be discussed at the January meeting. Brian Donnelly (a VMGCC Charter Member) stated that his '53 TD is being restored after a long rest. He has a TD body tub and a TD frame for sale. Rick Rausch made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 8:40 p.m. We spent the next two hours laughing our tail pipes off watching Phil Jarvis' 8mm productions. For the few of us who hadn't seen them before, these antique gems were absolutely fantastic. Well done, and thanks, Phil, for dusting them off and sharing them once again. Respectfully submitted, Greg Hoeft, Member at Large

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The VMGCC began when a small group of enthusiasts decided that the only way to keep alive the joys of motoring in classic MGs was to band to-gether for mutual benefit. In 1966 the Vintage MG Car Club was chartered as an Illinois non-profit cor-poration. Since then, it has been an active club spon-soring Rallies, Technical Sessions, Excursions, Pa-rades, Brunches and Weekend Runs, and friendly family get-togethers. The club is dedicated to the preservation of pre-'56 MGs, whether they are running, in scattered pieces awaiting resurrection, dented or gleamingly restored. Many members have "newer" MGs as well. Club dues are $25 annually. Club regalia items are available and the VINTAGE VIEWPOINT is published monthly to keep members abreast of Club activities and schedules. Meeting Information: The Vintage MG Car Club of Chicago meets at 8:00 PM on the second Wednesday of each month at the Pizza Joynt, 39 West North Avenue, Northlake, Illinois. The Pizza joint is located about one mile east of I-294 on North Avenue (south-side of the street) in front of the Home Depot store.

Club Officers: President: Winn Gould Vice-President: Doug Clark Treasurer: Ric Maitzen Secretary: Vacant Directors: Brian Dubin Glenn Grossklags Jerry Cihak Editor: Greg Hoeft Distribution & Regalia: Lou Louchios Membership: Bill Dobeus The Club welcomes all Vintage MG enthusiasts to attend its gatherings. Please contact Bill Dobeus ([email protected]) for additional information.

Vintage MG Car Club 1814 Illinois Road Northbrook, IL 60101

Website: www.vintagemgchicago.com

From The Off Side By Win Gould, President

Planning for 2009

First of all, my appreciation to all the mem-bership for their confidence in electing me president of the club for the coming year. I promise to do my best to meet the challenge, and hopefully make a solid contribution to our organization. The curse of Lucas has kept me from partici-pating with my MG in driving events to the extent I would have liked over the past couple of years. Now, however, thanks to Don Gottlinger’s magic touch, I have a freshly rebuilt engine; the Lucas curse has been defeated (at least for the moment), and with a lot of good advice from many club mem-bers, I’ll be on the road with the old TC full force next summer. It is my hope that we can have a season full of activities that can be enjoyed by all – tours, the September GOF in Wisconsin, good technical ad-vice, the fellowship of solid meetings with stimulat-ing programs, and many other opportunities to get together. I’d like to see events scheduled far in ad-vance, with some new folks helping plan and organ-ize the events. The more members we can get in-volved, the better our programs will be. There are lots of other things we can do to energize our club. Let me know your ideas. I’ll take all the help I can get.

2009 Membership Dues are due! The deadline was December 31

It's that time of year again! All members are asked to pay their annual club dues of $25.

Don’t delay – pay up today. Send your check to Membership Chairman:

Bill Dobeus 1556 Tara Lane Lake Forest, IL 60045

Better yet, fill out the membership/renewal applica-tion on page nine and send it along with your check so that we can update the club roster with your cur-rent information and email address


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