July - August - rroc

July - August 2010
Page 1
Volume 38 Issue 4
CHAIR’S RUMINATION
LOU AND I SEND OUR REGARDS to all our long-term, not so long-term,
and new members. It is exciting to see the level of participation in the meets
that we have been having.
Valerie & Lou Suter
We have new reason to be proud of our club. At the national meet in Toronto,
Ted Struck was presented the McFarlane Trophy for the best newsletter
published by an RROC club NATIONALLY! Over the years, each editor of the
newsletter has made their own signature improvements. Our current editor, Ted,
has now managed to achieve perfection and received this prestigious award. We
celebrate his deserved recognition and the pride this award brings to our region.
Lou and I spent some time in Florida at the end of May. We have had some
overcast days in San Diego. Trust me. They are better than hot air, hot gulf water, and high humidity. We did
have the chance to hunt for prehistoric sharks teeth in Lou’s hometown. You just take a sifter into the surf, and
if you’re lucky you will find them as you sift through the sand. Our luck was meager, but there’s always next
time.
In July, we had a fun and informative meet at the garage of Bill and Alice Habeger. On display was their
wonderful 1931 Phantom I. You will remember that this car took “Best of Show” at last year’s British Car Day.
We heard a very informative talk from Cy Conrad about how he instructs judges to judge the cars that have
been entered in competition. Cy served as head judge at the La Jolla Concours this year and has been judging
cars for years. Following his talk, Bill and Alice treated the club to a wonderful BBQ. We had a great time
socializing and checking out some great cars in the parking lot.
Our August meet was held at STN Studios in Carlsbad. We enjoyed watching video clips of movies that have
been shot in San Diego. We also saw a clip of some video that had been shot by our director for the day. We
received explanation on the new equipment and methods being used by film makers today. The crew then
shot a video to advertise an up-and-coming song that will show on YouTube. John Ellison’s 1967 Rolls Royce
State Laundaulette was used as part of the photo shoot. This car was used by the Queen of England and is
one of only five cars that were built to that specification. Lou and I were allowed to sink into the marvelous
leather in the back seat and then have the motorized seat elevator move us up and down to be most visible to
our subjects. I also was able to hold the special handrail so I could stand comfortably to wave to those same
subjects. (So much for being Chair of RROC – I want to be Queen!)
Please respond to Klaus Reichardt, our activity chairman, on the survey he e-mailed asking for the type of events
you most enjoy. Lou and I sent separate responses, as we differed in some of our preferences. We want to give
you the type of events that you find enjoyable. Also, new members: please contact Larry Davis about getting a
name badge. We want to greet you by name, and our memories aren’t what they once were.
We look forward to seeing you at our upcoming meets. What a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon—
greeting old friends, making new ones,
Valerie Suter
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mark, model, names logos and emblems. All are used by the RROC and the Silver Coast News under license.
Legal: The Silver Coast News is published by and for the San Diego Region of the Rolls Royce Owners’ Club, Inc., a non-profit corporationn. All information furnished is provided by the membership of the
Club for use by the members only. Articles reflect the opinions of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the Region policies, not do the editors or publishers, who assume no liability for any information
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Private Party Advertising Policy: Advertisements for Rolls-Royce/Bentley vehicles, want ads, parts, lost and found, or information will be published for members at no charge, typically in a business cardsized format. For car sales include chassis number and asking price. Photos will be published free if supplied in digital JPG, TIFF or Print Quality PDF formats. Film photos will be scanned and published at a
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Submitting Infomation to the Editor: The Silver Coast News (SCN) is published bi-monthly during the last half of the even-numbered months. Meet write-ups and meet photos should be submitted
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July - August 2010
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Volume 38 Issue 4
BOARD
The
Silver Coast News
Newsletter of the San Diego Region of the Rolls-Royce Owners’ Club
Chair - Valerie Suter
619.224.0523
[email protected]
Vice Chair - Rob Webb
619.435.8738
[email protected]
Page 2
Calendar of Events
Page 3
July 10, 2010 Meet
Page 4
Garage Barbecue, Social & Lecture
Treasurer - Terry Luallin
619.222.6558
[email protected]
Secretary - Al Whitley
619.758.9888
[email protected]
Chair’s Rumination
July Meet - Page 4
Region Business Matters
Page 7
RREC 20hp Register Rally Report
Page 8
Technical Topix - Pre-War Report
Page 14
Technical Topix - Don’t Leave Home Without It
Page 15
Activities - Klaus Reichardt
760.644.7443
[email protected]
Share Your Story
Page 16
August 8, 2010 Meet
Page 18
Awards - Tom Scheil
Lights - Camera - Action
949.380.8568
[email protected]
Judging - Bill Habeger
760.644.7443
[email protected]
Membership - Larry Davis
619.303.3350
[email protected]
Technical Topix - Details, Details, Details (Part 2)
Page 20
Travelling with my Grey Poupon
Page 22
August Meet - Page 18
CALENDAR
Pre War - Rob Webb
619.435.8738
[email protected]
Public Relations - Tom Wright
858.488.4462
[email protected]
Technical - Shane Kimsey
949.235.5476
[email protected]
September 12, 2010
Stone Brewing Company Tour & Car Clinic
October 16, 2010
British Car Day
Tom Wright
SCN Editor - Ted Struck
619.275.6440
[email protected]
Novmber 13, 2010
Wine Tasting
Past Chair - Dennis Eickhoff
317.422.8320
[email protected]
December 12, 2010
Annual Party and Banquet
Cover Photo:
1921 RR Springfield Silver Ghost
102NE
Owned by Doug & Carole Gates
Photographer:
Ted Struck
July - August 2010
Klaus Reichardt
Ted Struck
Valerie & Lou Suter
Meet host contact numbers can be found in the San Diego Region RROC Directory
Page 3
Volume 38 Issue 4
Just shortly before 10:15 AM we pulled into
the parking area of the Habeger’s “garage” and
counted 14 Rolls Royce’s and 8 Bentley’s in
all sizes, shapes and colors. What a welcome
sight to start off the day. We couldn’t wait
to take a closer look at all these great motor
cars. As we inspected the vast array of PMC’s,
we renewed old friendships met many of the
newer members. Fifty Five members and
guests attended this club event, just a great
turnout.
The Habegers had their impressive car
collection displayed outside of the “garage”
and the pride of their fleet was displayed inside
the “garage”, a fully restored and magnificent
1931 Rolls Royce Phantom I... what a beauty!
The “garage” was spotless with an assortment
of Rolls Royce and classic automobile
memorabilia punctuating the walls. Round
tables with chairs were spread throughout the
premises to accommodate all the guests. What
a great environment to hold a club event and
barbecue.
At 10:45 am, the Chair of the San Diego
Region,Valerie Suter, called the meeting to
order and then introduced our hosts and
San Diego Region members, Bill and Alice
Habeger. Bill addressed the members and
thanked them for attending and provided some
anecdotal comments about his “garage” and
car collection.
July - August 2010
Marilyn Mulloy and Joyce and William Bartfield
BARBECUE
AND
JULY 10, 2010 MEET CAR COLLECTION
FOR THOSE OF US LIVING CLOSE TO
THE COAST, the sun has been mysteriously
absent for the past week due to the heavy
marine layer. As my wife Lori and I were
pulling out of the driveway in our Bentley
Azure heading to the San Diego Region’s
Barbecue hosted by Bill and Alice Habeger,
we remarked....”where’s the sun?” About half
way to the Barbecue the sun finally broke
through just as if the Habeger’s had spoken
to the powers that be and made suitable
arrangements for just a spectacular weather
day.
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Volume 38 Issue 4
Bill then introduced today’s guest speaker, Dr. Cy
Conrad, a Rolls Royce and Bentley enthusiast for
most of his adult life. Dr. Conrad has served as
Chief Judge at many concours automobile events
in Southern California. Dr. Conrad detailed
the humble beginnings of how car shows and
concours events began in the United States and
continued discussing what is involved in judging
prized motor cars at these events. Everyone
thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Conrad’s discussion
which was immediately followed by an audience
question and answer session.
Dr. Cy Conrad
Lois and Darwin Lumley
Once Dr. Conrad finished his presentation, everyone
made a beeline for the chuck wagon barbecue to
chow down on a wide array of delicacies and “fixin’s”
such as grilled hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken,
cowboy beans, potato salads, desserts and drinks.
The food was just great and felt just like a real
Texas Barbeque. What a treat! We were all very
appreciative of the hard work and preparation by Bill
and Alice Habeger. They both just outdid themselves.
A great time was had by one and all.
Jennifer and Gordon Wangers
Photos by: Klaus Reichardt, Ted Struck and Al Whitley
Meet Hosts
July - August 2010
Page 5
Written by
Alice & Bill Habeger
Robert S. Risberg
Volume 38 Issue 4
Bill Habeger and family friends
Region members and guests attending included Dan & Marilyn Pattee, 2004 Bentley Continental GTC; Arthur Hammons &
Virginia Foster, 2006 RR Phantom; Larry Davis & Joan Bowes; Frank & Sana Hamad, 1989 RR Silver Spur; Rick Rosiejka, 1976
RR Silver Shadow LWB; Tom Wright & guest Debbie Cobb, 1959 RR Silver Cloud I; Ted Struck & Al Whitley, 1997 Bentley
Turbo RL; Bob Nost & Mark Christiansen, 2005 Bentley Arnage R; John Ellison, 1991 Bentley Continental DHC; Ken & Ann
Smith, 1965 RR Silver Cloud III; Gordon & Jennifer Wangers, 1936 RR Phantom III Barker Coupe; Lou and Valerie Suter,
1986 RR Silver Spur; Rob & Ivonne Webb, 1938 Derby Bentley 4-1/4 Litre; George Howard & Regene Braun, 1965 RR
Silver Cloud III; Terry Luallin, 1979 RR Silver Shadow II; Tom & Renee Scheil, 1968 RR Silver Shadow; Darwin & Lois Lumley,
1960 Bentley S2 LWB; Douglas & Carole Gates, 1921 RR Silver Ghost; William & Joyce Bartfield, 2000 Bentley Arnage;
Don & Carol Mackay, 1990 Bentley Continental DHC; Robert & Lori Risberg, 1996 Bentley Azure; Dr Cy Conrad, 1989 RR
Corniche II DHC; Klaus Reichardt with guests Chris & Dawn Erickson and Tyrone & Liz Flower, 1981 RR Corniche DHC;
Drew George with guests Kevin & Hana Beatty.
July - August 2010
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Volume 38 Issue 4
SD RROC BUSINESS MATTERS
July - August 2010
Page 7
Volume 38 Issue 4
PYRENEES
AND THE
SPAIN
20 HP REGISTER RALLY
“GREAT MOTORING JOY” is a very
appropriate name for GMJ12 our 1926,
20hp Rolls-Royce. What a great joy it is to
participate in the Rolls-Royce Enthusiasts
Club, 20hp Register tours. The Rally we
were on May 9-24 was great fun. I am
starting to write in the last couple of
hours of our sailing in “Mont-Aven” the
Brittany Ferry that is bringing us back from
Santander, Spain to Portsmouth, England.
Rob, my sister Elisa James, and I flew to
London Heathrow to go to Staplehurst,
Kent to reunite with “Great Motoring Joy.”
We started our journey driving west to
visit Winchester where we spent the night.
The next day we continued west to Exeter,
both cities famous for their magnificent
Gothic cathedrals and charming medieval
city centres. Then we drove south
to Plymouth with great anticipation,
looking forward to seeing friends.
These last two weeks went so fast, starting
at the port of Plymouth in the southwest
of England where we gathered with
forty six other people in 23 automobiles:
thirteen 20hps, five 20/25s, a 1935 Bentley
3½ liter, and the rest were post war cars
that belong to members who could not
bring their 20hp. These ranged from a
Rob and Ivonne Webb and Great Motoring Joy, GMJ12
Bentley Mark VI to a RR Silver Spirit. We
have known more than half of the people
since the first Rally to Spain and Portugal
we attended in the year 2000. That year, we joined the rally in a rental car, and Keith Jay, the Registrar at
the time, told us to park our car in the hotel lot and that people would offer us rides. So we did. We
became so impressed by their kindness and knowledge of their automobiles and the help they give each
other that soon thereafter we decided to acquire GMJ12 so that we could belong to the 20hp Register.
On Sunday May 9th, we lined up at the port and drove our automobiles on to the Brittany ferry at 16:30.
These are state-of-the-art French ships that hold over two hundred cars and over a thousand people. At
19:30 our welcome dinner in the restaurant was delightfully French, and we renewed our friendships and
made new acquaintances. Monday May 10th, we arrived in Santander at 13:00, the aqua color Cantabrian
Sea sparkled. Velvety green patchwork of the coastal mountains complemented the elegant Avenida de
Castilla, a grand boulevard with early 20th century buildings on one side, bordered by spacious walks
adorned by gardens and beaux arts monuments on the bay side. This made an ideal setting for the
automobiles we were driving. Leaving the city we took the scenic country roads, which our leader,
20hp Registrar Tom Jones, had outlined in the maps he prepared for us. The expected pleasure of being
in Northern Spain became a reality for us: cows, horses, sheep and their spring additions roaming in
green pastures, old stone bridges, terracotta tile roofed villages with church steeples reminiscent of our
July - August 2010
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Volume 38 Issue 4
beloved Hispanic mountain towns and villages of
the Americas.
We spent our first night in the town of Limpias,
Cantabria in the Spanish run Parador, Eguilior
Palace, and its new wing surrounded by gardens and
woods. The Art Deco salon was the venue for the
welcome reception, followed by an exquisite dinner
with delightful wines that was enjoyed by all. Our
Spanish friends Daniel and Carmen Burgoa whom
we had not seen since 2002 drove an hour and a
half from Bilbao to see us and join us for dinner
that evening!
Tuesday May 11, we drove to Laguardia in Pais Vasco.
From there we went thru the Rioja region and its
extensive vineyards which reminded us of Napa
and other California vineyards. Forty-five miles
per hour is the speed that Great Motoring Joy and
most 20hps like, allowing us to take in the scenery
and the winding, up and down roads. We spent two
nights at the Hotel Villa de Laguardia, a short walk
from the historic fortress village centre, where we
admired the façade of the church of Santa Maria de
los Reyes, walked in narrow cobblestone streets
under which exist tunnels and warehouses, and
where the new Town Hall is four hundred years
old!. One of the two days that we toured in La
Rioja we visited the private Wine Museum of the
“Vivanco Dynasty“. Rob, Elisa and I missed the last
guided tour and were told to go on our own. We
started to do so, and soon after we noticed a group
being led by a very knowledgeable gentleman. He
informed us that Mr.Vivanco Sr. and his wife had been researching and collecting museum quality artifacts and art
works related to wine for decades. He spared no effort building this fabulous museum. The wife is an artist who
created and supervised the construction of the exhibits.
The visit began with displays representing prehistoric times, showing that the cultivation of grapes started between
the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in Mesopotamia, where wine production was a secret, reserved for pagan rituals. In
Biblical times this knowledge was acquired and wine was used for religious services. Then the Greek continued with
their pagan festivities with Dionysus and Bacchus, and their bacchanals. Then the Romans followed and introduced
it to the rest of their colonies; this is when the different little kingdoms of what is now Spain, started vineyards and
production of wines. It turned out to be that our host/guide was a Vivanco’s executive who was giving a tour to
colleagues from other wineries. The display continued showing the different eras, methods, equipment, and labs,
to the current gigantic tanks. This winery is proud to continue with some of their ancient methods of waiting to
harvest the grapes at their peak, which requires knowledge and patience. The grapes are then hand selected from
narrow channel conveyors, by women; crushed and then the fermentation is carefully monitored. It was interesting
to hear that their Vintners go to University of California, Davis. It was emphasized that women by tradition have
and are still involved in the harvesting and especially in the selection of grapes. La Rioja region has the ideal climatic
July - August 2010
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Volume 38 Issue 4
zones with soil, diverse ocean and mountain breezes to permit the production of the best quality wines. While
in the Hotel Villa de Laguardia, we participated in a “Wine Tasting,” where we learned the ABC’s of Spanish wines
while enjoying native cheese, ham, olives, etc.
May 13th, on the way to Jaca, we visited Estella with its Romanesque Church, cloister-Royal Cemetery. While
there, we met three pilgrims who were walking from Barcelona on their way to Santiago de Compostela. The
hotel in Jaca where we stayed four nights, was below the 10th century town. Several of us enjoyed visiting the
Romanesque Cathedral and Diocesan Museum in the old quarter. While in Jaca, Lourdes Burgoa, daughter of
Carmen and Daniel whom we saw in Limpias, and her three beautiful and well behaved children met us at Sunday
mass at the cathedral; her husband could not come because he had to stay with his father in Pamplona. After
mass, we visited the 14th century restored fortress where the boys could play before visiting a fascinating History
of War Museum consisting of 36 dioramas with 1:10th scale lead soldiers and their weapons from the Egyptian
Pharaohs to present times. After lunch in a nice old restaurant, we walked down to the Hotel so that our friends
could go for a ride in Great Motoring Joy, and what a joy it was for them. Lourdes liked the RR mascot. Rob told
her it is called “The Spirit of Ecstasy” and she replied, “She is a very sexy lady!”
July - August 2010
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Volume 38 Issue 4
On Monday May 17, we drove to Bielsa in the Pyrenees, this drive and the next five days were a real test for our
automobiles and drivers: steep climbs, up and down narrow roads and long tunnels, unexpected encounters with
big truck and maintenance equipment. The main roads are well maintained. It is a pleasure to drive in this part of
the world, watching our beautiful automobiles conquer this demanding territory.
Thrilling precipices!; for us coming out of a dark narrow tunnel a shocking encounter with a huge snow plow, that
did not give us room to move…
Some unbelievable sights: turquoise and limpid blue rivers like the river Cinca; lagoons and reservoirs that confirm
the belief that there was not even the slightest pollution. Because the tunnel to France was under repairs there
was no traffic coming from the rest of Europe to Aragon, which turned out to be a good thing for us. We had the
roads to ourselves for our excursions to ancient villages and towns and to Ordesa and other National Parks.
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao
July - August 2010
Photos by: Rob and Ivonne Webb and RREC Friends
We spent the most peaceful five nights and part of days at the Parador of Monte Perdido, which means “Lost
Mountain,’’ it is about nine miles from the little town of Bielsa from where one climbs on the right side of the
rivulet that became the pristine river that we saw when we passed Ainsa. Climbing to Monte Perdido at 4,300
feet, was one extraordinary experience that will be
engraved in our memories forever! Perfect spring
scenery as we drove up in this narrow Pineta valley
through woods, meadows, pastures with sheep
and the lovable Pyrenean cows delivering their
calves. As we kept approaching these massive snow
peaks they got bigger and bigger, the sky was blue,
the mountain peaks illuminated with warm sun
rays and soft rosy clouds completed the sight, and
when we thought we could touch the snow, the
Parador appears. We were not dreaming! We were
about the last ones to arrive, what a sight! All our
beloved automobiles were parked with their backs
to the fence towards the narrow meadow, where
the Cinca river is just a singing creek below the
towering mountains, with the sparkling mantle of
the snow as the backdrop, facing the hotel… several
tour members looking at this incredible sight, this is
what we call Happiness!
Page 11
We visited the ancient little town of Ainsa twice,
this was the Capital of Sobrarbe in the 11th century.
Its restored castle commands an impressive 360
degree view of the Cinca river valley and its
surroundings. The Cinca is the headwater of the
Ebro river. Ainsa was a sleepy place until 1987
when people realized they had a treasure of a town
and decided that the cattle should no longer sleep
in the ground floor of their houses, so they made
arrangements to keep them in the fields. Then
they started hostelries, artisan craft shops, and
other businesses on the ground floor. The large
main square is surrounded by several centuries old
Volume 38 Issue 4
handsome, most of them stone, buildings with tile roofs, the most distinguished being the Town Hall. A few yards
away in the corner is a jewel of a Romanesque little church with its belfry with nice sounding bells that attracted
us. Ainsa heritage is connected with the history of the Kingdom of Aragon which expelled the moors centuries
before the rest of Spain. When Fernando de Aragon formed the alliance with Isabel de Castilla, they unified the
Kingdom of Spain in the 15th Century.
We toured round Valle de Anso with its spectacular scenery and castle. In the Sierras we visited San Juan de la
Pena, a monastery which started in the cave of the rocks that had a spring to sustain their lives. This cave has a
delicate hand-hewn Romanesque cloister and chapel with exquisite biblical motifs. The monks had to move their
monastery to a warmer open space where they could cultivate the land to be able to take care of the needy and
the sick.
Friday May 21st, a free day to rest, pack for departure the next day, and to get ready for the Mascot competition
at 6 p.m. I asked Rob to take us to Bielsa, as Elisa wanted to go to find an internet place while I went to a
hairdresser. About half way from
our hotel, GMJ12 experienced a
failure to proceed. My sister and I
were walking towards the Parador
when Angie and Simon Slaffer, our
friends from Jersey, were going
towards the village in their 1928
GWL18. They stopped and asked
what happened, and we said we
were walking to the Parador to
ask for help. They offered us a ride
telling us that we were at least
four miles from the Hotel. Angie
remarked that the men were
standing outside and would be glad
to have something to do. I will let
Rob write a technical article about
this.
The imagination that people have
to decorate the mascots for the
competition is incredible. Some
were very amusing, some clever.
Linda and Tom Jones 1929 GXL29
won with Linda’s creation of the
high white snow slope of Monte
Perdido and the Lady skiing down.
After the competition we had a
festive evening: Aperitifs at 8 PM,
a scrumptious Gala Dinner with
the refinement of the best Spanish
cuisine, and superb wines.
July - August 2010
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Volume 38 Issue 4
Saturday June 22, on the drive to Olite we chose a less mountainous route to head west, saying farewell to
northern Spain. It was a rather nostalgic trip, going thru old towns and villages that resemble the old places of
my native Ecuador. We stopped in the hot afternoon at the Monastery de la Oliva, a Cistercian oasis with a lovely
gothic church and cloister.
Then we headed northwest to Olite. The magnificent ‘’Parador de Olite’’ was our hotel, which occupies part of
a majestic palace-castle that dates back to the 15th century and has been declared a National Monument. The
communal areas and some of the bedrooms are within the palace-castle itself. The castle was badly damaged in
earlier wars, and restored to original in the 1930s. The town was founded by the Romans, and today medieval
streets connect plazas, churches and convents. The setting of this unique hotel in its traditional park-plaza was a
lovely place for our automobiles.
On Sunday May 23, we continued west to Bilbao where Mario Hernaez, RROC member and RREC Spanish Section
secretary welcomed us. Mario had made arrangements for our convoy to park in a secure convenient place
a block across the River and the grand avenue
from the Guggenheim Museum. After visiting the
stunning Guggenheim Museum designed by Frank
Gehry, we returned to the Parador in Limpias
where we spent our first and the last night in Spain.
Monday the 24th we drove along the marvelous
Cantabrian Coast to Santander to return to
Portsmouth, England.
This 84 year old Lady GMJ12 was driven over 1,600
miles round trip from Staplehurst, Kent to the
Spanish Pyrenees Rally and back.
Rob and I thank: David Else and Graham Moore for
doing a professional job repairing and reinstalling
the float of the AutoVac, David Else for providing
the oil filter and ordering a new float, Graham
Bennett for providing the AutoVac gaskets, Phil
Baron for lending an oil filter wrench, Tom Jones
for buying the oil and bringing it back, Mark Tidy for
changing the contaminated oil and filter, and other
members for advice and support.
We are grateful to Tom and
Linda Jones for all the efforts
of organizing and leading this
outstanding Rally, continuing
the tradition started by Keith
Jay and Louis Hunter.
Written by
We are looking forward to
next year’s 20hp Register
Rally!
Ivonne Ortiz Webb
July - August 2010
Page 13
Volume 38 Issue 4
Graham Moore and David Else came to our rescue. It
took them about three minutes to isolate the problem to
the AutoVac. Whipped off the top and found the float full
of petrol. The next two hours were taken up with drilling
an additional hole in the top and draining the petrol, drying
the float out in the sun, painting the three splits and our
drilled hole with “leak fix“, a fuel-resistant two part epoxy,
and replacing the float back in the AutoVac.
We then returned GMJ12 to the hotel parking lot under
its own power and changed the oil and filter to get the
petrol out of the oil. The sinking float had caused petrol to
go directly into the exhaust manifold and out the tail pipe,
into the crankcase, but not much through the carburetor.
One of our rally friends had new AutoVac gaskets; another
had a new oil filter; another had the oil filter wrench; and
another put on his overalls, crawled under and drained the
oil.
Photos by: Ivonne Ortiz Webb
PRE-WAR TECHNICAL REPORT
TECHNICAL TOPIX
FUEL SYSTEM: Most pre-war British automobiles
after Silver Ghosts, have an AutoVac, a fuel pump driven
by engine vacuum. During the RREC 20hp Register Rally
to Spain we discovered the float in the AutoVac had sunk
when GMJ12 “failed to proceed.” Luckily it happened on a
day with nothing scheduled and all our expert mechanics
on the rally were kicking tires. In hindsight I think this had
been a slow thing, as GMJ12 was putting fuel out the tail
pipe and lots of petrol into the crankcase. Also petrol was
seeping out of the gasketless valve cover on to the spark
plugs - dangerous and flammable. Finally the float sank and
cut off the fuel completely, thus causing failure to proceed.
You never know when these things are going to occur.
Unless you have rebuilt the entire car, there is no knowing
what is going to happen with an 84 year old vehicle. The
cause of the sinking float was probably age related work,
hardening of improperly annealed brass solder joints in the
84 year old float. We returned to the home garage without
further problems. A new float was installed while the car
was garaged for eleven days between rallies. The oil was
drained and the filter changed again before the next rally.
The mechanic said, yes, there still was a bit of petrol in the
oil sump.
Written by
Thank goodness we were travelling with the 20hp Register.
The knowledge, expertise, and generosity within the group
again showed us what we have appreciated since we have
been travelling with the Register since 2000. Thank you all.
We hope to be with you in 2011.
July - August 2010
Page 14
Rob Webb
Volume 38 Issue 4
After the basics are out of the way, I put together a tool bag containing my carburetor wrench so I can
open the bowls and deal with any float issues. Bring a wide assortment of wrench and screwdriver sizes,
and don’t forget a hammer or rubber mallet. Hammers work well on a stuck fuel pump or a clogged fuel
filter. Don’t forget a tire gauge; I have bias ply tires on two of my cars and find that correct tire pressure
is the key to a good ride… a few pounds one way or the other make a big difference. Also, don’t forget
to take a few replacement light bulbs for the headlights and taillights, as they seem to fail as soon as you
are out of the driveway.
Then comes the more strange stuff: first, a few pairs of the cheapest as possible pantyhose. They can be
used as a fan belt to limp to safety. Next, zip ties, as these work for an unbelievable number of things,
and I actually prefer them to pantyhose. You can usually get these much tighter than pantyhose and they
seem to last longer as well. A two-gallon fuel can, as I can’t tell you the number of times I have used
this for gas and other things, from water for a parking lot car wash to mixing water and antifreeze for a
leaking radiator. The last, and, I think, one of the most important, is a battery charger. For some reason,
charging systems seem to fail with regularity on a long journey. You can buy a
Written by
battery on the road and charge one while using the other. I have limped home 300400+ miles this way.
This is a good list of things to take, but I will tell you that no matter how much I
seem to take with me the one thing I leave back on the workbench will be the one
thing I wish I had on my journey. It might sound scary to take your Rolls or Bentley
for a 1,000 or more mile journey but I think the reward and the just-plain-fun-ofit out weigh any complaint I have had. Now if you happen to see my Blue Sliver
Cloud on the side of Highway 101, pull over, lend a hand, and make a new friend.
July - August 2010
Page 15
Shane Kimsey
Volume 38 Issue 4
DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT
First, of course, you must service your car, have all the fluids changed, and give everything a once-over
several weeks before you leave. Then buy several quarts of oil and a jug or two of coolant. I always bring
a bottle of brake fluid and some transmission fluid. If you have an older car with Bijur lubrication, be sure
to take oil for it. In a 1,000-mile trip you will need to use it about 10 times.
TECHNICAL TOPIX
CLASSIC CAR “MUST HAVE” TRUNK KIT: As I type this, I am beginning to prepare for my
annual trip up to the car Mecca of the world, Pebble Beach. I have been driving my classics up there for
maybe the last ten years, and I highly recommend this experience to anyone. There is something special
about going to all of the events in a classic car. That being said, I have naturally had some great trips as
well as some that I would rather not speak of. There was one trip where I recall being stuck by the side
of the road more often than anyone should be. As a result, over the years, I have put together a musthave trunk kit for any long journey in a classic car.
experience I ever had was when the key was broken off, but that was more my fault than the valet’s because my
key was very old and already cracked where the shaft met the head. It’s a good idea to check the keys on your
old cars or you may easily break off the key in the lock yourself. Most of my valet experiences are more on the
amusing side.
Valet parking can be a good test of the condition of your car as well. If you have to explain a half dozen things that
don’t work as they should, it’s about time you spend some quality time in your garage or at the shop. With my
Cloud, I just have to point out that the shift pattern is different from contemporary cars (ND32R) and how to turn
off the lights, which needs to be done before removing the key.
I first began to notice the unusual treatment one can get with a Rolls-Royce when I left my Silver Cloud for valet
parking at George’s at The Cove, a restaurant on Prospect in La Jolla that has a grand total of two parking spaces
for staging cars. At the end of a long lunch in the crowded restaurant we found the car had not moved one inch!
Photos by: Tom Wright
YOUR PMC
AND
TALES ABOUT YOU
SHARE YOUR STORY
VALET PARKING: I’ve been asked if I allow my car to be parked by a valet. Generally I do. The only bad
Once in Santa Barbara I went to a birthday party at the Four Seasons Biltmore, the swankiest hotel in town. I
arrived to find the hotel had a minuscule turnaround. The attendant sprinted across the loop and greeted me with
a hearty, “Welcome back!” I had never been there in my life, and I doubt the car had been there either. I asked
for directions to the room with the party and left the car in his care. Roughly five hours later I returned to find
the car still there. They must have gone to quite an effort maneuvering cars around in their tiny turnaround with
my Cloud taking up a significant portion of the available space. When I arrived, the attendant was helping an older
couple into their car, which took 10 or 20 seconds. Then he sprinted across the turnaround to fetch my Rolls and
drive it half way around the tiny loop to where I was standing. All told I was there well under a minute before
being offered my car. He said sincerely, “I’m sorry you had to wait so long.”
Speaking of waiting, there was the time at the Hotel Del “Toys for Tots” party. At the time, this party was HUGE.
(It may well still be.) I was married then, and I used to joke that Jeanne’s words to live by were, “Never merely do
what you can overdo.” In anticipation of the event, she called a friend who worked at the Del as a bartender and
had him call the head of valet parking. He greeted us personally when we arrived. This time, our car was actually
parked in the valet lot rather than kept at the front door, which would have been next to impossible given the
size of the party. When it came time to leave, we found there was an enormous line waiting at the valet for their
cars. Our situation was complicated by the fact that the valet manager had not given us a claim check. I had only
just had time to take in the scene and start to wonder if the claim check was going to be an issue when our Rolls
magically appeared. Some of our friends had been waiting in line for God knows how long, so we were treated to
friendly boos and cat-calls as we got in and drove off.
One holiday season, Nordstrom’s had a promotional Christmas cassette available for a nominal price. They
were out of stock, but they said they would get me one from another store. A few days later they called on a
July - August 2010
Page 16
Volume 38 Issue 4
day I happened to drive the Cloud to work. I innocently drove up to the store (the one in UTC) and found near chaos.
What seemed to be high school students had been hired to valet park for everyone for free. It was not optional. To my
consternation, this kid appeared wanting to park my car for me. I was trying to suggest that I would only be a minute and
maybe they should leave the car where it was, but the kid was having none of it. Then the woman in charge appeared (all
of about 20 years old) and announced imperiously, “I’ll take care of this.” So I went in and bought my tape. When I came
out I saw this gigantic (7’ by 10’) board I hadn’t noticed on the way in that had tickets and people’s keys hanging on hooks.
I was staring at the size of this in wonderment when a teenage gal appeared and asked for my ticket. I said I hadn’t been
given a ticket. “You lost your ticket!?!” she said, horrified. Just when I thought things might get difficult, the woman in charge
reappeared and said, “Right this way.” My car had not been moved. As such, it wasn’t in the right position to leave the
parking lot. But much to my embarrassment, the entire operation – dropping off cars, fetching cars, and reuniting drivers
with their cars – was brought to a complete stop by this woman so I could turn around and leave. And I couldn’t even give
her a tip as none was allowed.
I have my car to use, and that includes valet parking. That valet parking can come with hidden amusements makes it that
much better!
Written by
Tom Wright
[Our Chairlady suggests that we publish an article featuring a member and his/her favorite story of
their PMC in each newsletter. Please volunteer to share your story for a future next issue! Ed.]
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July - August 2010
Page 17
Volume 38 Issue 4
LGHTS - CAMERA - ACTION
AUGUST 8, 2010 MEET
WE MET AT 9:30 for this most interesting event
at STN Studios in Carlsbad. As always, our fancy
cars decorated the parking lot. After coffee, we
entered the sound stage and were welcomed by
Valerie Suter who organized the event. Then Ted
Struck was honored with the McFarlane Trophy.
This prestigious national award is given to the editor
of the best regional newsletter and was announced
at the conclusion of the 2010 National Meet in
Toronto in July of this year. Regional recognition
was also given to Pat and Sig Hofland, past editors,
who helped bring our newsletter to its current
award winning best. Larry Davis then thanked
Valerie for all her work in organizing this meet.
John Ellison had personally driven his Rolls Royce
Phantom V onto the sound stage. This car is called
July - August 2010
Page 18
Renee and Tom Scheil
Sig Hofland, Robert Risbe
Volume 38 Issue 4
erg and friend
Bill Olds and guest
July - August 2010
a State Landaulette, because it was only sold to
heads of state. Five were made and two of them
were left hand drive. The remaining four are in
museums or private collections. The car was first
purchased by the Romanian government and they
returned it to Rolls Royce after only two months,
due to public image concerns. A gentleman by
the name of Dr. Heath subsequently purchased it
directly from Rolls Royce and shipped it to the
US. At the request of the British government,
Dr. Heath arranged for Queen Elizabeth to use
the car in Bermuda in the mid 1970’s, and again
in the Cayman Islands a few years later. He also
lent it to Princess Grace of Monaco when she
came home for a visit to the United States. John
purchased it recently, a wonderful addition to his
large collection.
Page 19
Volume 38 Issue 4
Next we watched a music video being filmed in and in front of the
Landaulette. The star was pop rhythm and blues singer/songwriter, Jordan
Hall. Max Albert, the director, and Alex Loucas, the producer, explained the
film experience as it progressed. At one point John Ellison became an actor
in the movie as he sat behind the wheel of the Landaulette to portray a
chauffeur. We will soon have the opportunity to view the finished product
on YouTube.
Following the production, we had a delicious lunch in a private room at TGI
Fridays. Our thanks go to Valerie and Lou Suter for arranging an unusually
fascinating and enjoyable meet.
Joan Boles, Larry Davis, Arthur Hammons and Virginia Foster
July - August 2010
Page 20
Photos by: Klaus Reichardt, Ted Struck, Lou Suter and Al Whitley
[ Editor’s Note: The link for the YouTube video, J Hall - “Running” Official Video HD, is:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjZfKTL4Ihc ]
Region members and
guests attending this meet
included George Howard
& Regine Braun, 1965 RR
Silver Cloud III; Ted Struck
& Al Whitley, 1997 Bentley
Turbo RL; Bob Nost &
Mark Christiansen, 2005
Bentley Arnage RL; Tom
& Renee Scheil, 1968 RR
Silver Shadow; Eric Hyde
& David Azcona, 1993
RR Silver Spur II; Robert
& Warren Risberg, 1996
Bentley Azure;Vivian Biely,
1988 RR Silver Spirit; Sig
& Pat Hofland, 1989 RR
Silver Spur; Larry Davis &
Joan Bowes; John Ellison,
Jr., 1967 RR Phantom V
State Landaulette; Tom
Wright, 1959 RR Silver
Cloud; Terry & Meryl
Luallin, 1979 RR Silver
Shadow II; Robert Hunter,
1996 RR Silver Dawn;
Rob & Ivonne Webb, 1958
Bentley S1; Karl Fackler,
1987 Bentley Eight; Don
& Carol Mackay, 1990
Bentley Continental DHC;
William & Joyce Bartfield,
2000 Bentley Arnage;
Dan Pattee & Marilyn
Volume 38 Issue 4
Mulloy, 2004 Bentley Continental GTC; Klaus
Reichardt, 1981 RR Corniche DHC, Virginia
Foster & Arthur Hammons, 2006 RR Phantom
and meet hosts, Lou and Valerie Suter, 1986
RR Silver Spur. Non-member guests include
George & Terry Klein, Bill Olds, 1983 RR Silver
Spirit; Francisco & Anne Valades, 1956 RR Silver
Wraith Limousine; Buzz & Helen Kinnaird,
Patricia Wise, Chuck Shedd and Kelly Mikules.
July - August 2010
Page 21
Meet Hosts
Written by
Valerie & Lou Suter
Virginia Foster
Volume 38 Issue 4
DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS
[Editor’s Note:
This article is Part 2 of a 4-part article covering the topic of
cleaning, preserving and making your PMC presentable.]
TECHNICAL TOPIX
PART 2 OF 4
Clay bar sets are available at all local auto parts stores.
When clay-cleaning a surface, I usually do a 10” x10” or
20” x 20” area.You use the spray that comes with the
clay bar in that area, then while wet, use the clay and
thoroughly move about that area in straight or circular
motions. Just make sure to cover the whole sprayed area
and surface. No hard rubbing is required but you’ll be able
to feel which surface is still in need of the bar. Then use
a dedicated microfiber rag and wipe clean and dry. Right
there you will see and feel the shine, in contrast to the
other areas that haven’t been done. That will keep you
going! Assuming that I now have half the bonnet done, I
use the car wax to wax the just now finished clayed area.
Here again, use circular motions and assure the whole area
is covered. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to dry and
then with another dedicated wax removal rag, wipe it off
in circular motions (the old “wax on, wax off” technique!).
Having this half of he bonnet done and perhaps being
called away or distracted, you’ll know which area is
finished. I sometimes take 3 to 5 sessions with the car, but
each time I stop, I know which areas have been done.
Wax also keeps your license plates and light lenses clean
and shiny.
After waxing and surveying your work, you may discover
wax residues in certain areas and cracks. Use a wet rag
or Q-tip to get into the nooks, or use an old toothbrush
to brush these spots out. If you get wax on rubber areas
while waxing, clean those off right away with a wet rag.
Doing so avoids dried wax on rubber and bleaching of
the rubber parts. Or better yet, use a small straight edge
item/tool to cover the seal or rubber parts while you wax
in that area.
I’ve discovered the clay bar works wonderfully on
chromed surfaces and even window glass; it leaves those
areas very smooth as well.
Now that the exterior surfaces of the car are done, you
will not only be proud, but probably sore! But it is all
worth it.
July - August 2010
Page 22
Volume 38 Issue 4
Next the door frames and door metal surfaces. Here again, survey first and use dirty rags
to get the last grime out from the nooks, plus the undersides of the door frames where
there may be years of accumulated grime. You may also find some unknown rough or rust
spots there. Wet-wipe along the door seals to get those clean. After wet cleaning all those
areas, dry them off and clay/wax as much as you like or can. Of course, except for the
rubber door seals!
Written by
Once done with the doors, I usually use oil/grease or WD40 (as appropriate) on the door
locks and hinges.
Sana and Frank Hamad
July - August 2010
Page 23
Volume 38 Issue 4
Klaus Reichardt
RROC + GREY POUPON
Last thing on the outside are the bumpers and rubber seals around the glass or other areas.
Here I actually usually use a liquid furniture oil polish with some silicone in it, put it sparingly
on a rag and run along the seals/gaskets. This leaves them nice and shiny. Bumpers can be
done the same way, but use even strokes; otherwise they may look “painted”.
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July - August 2010
Page 24
Volume 38 Issue 4