April - Tucson British Car Register

THE TUCSON BRITISH CAR
REGISTER
April 2016
Articles, opinions and
suggestions and ads
printed in the Register
are those of the
author(s) and do not
reflect the official policy
of TBCR, its officers or
members unless duly
noted.
Technical tips are for
informational purposes
only.
Inside
From the Prez
On the Road
Tour des Garages
Calendar
Restoration
Sales
Volume 22, Number 4
From the Prez
The board met again in March. We are progressing with our
“modernization” efforts. The end goal is easier, more accurate
communication, simpler financial transactions, and continuity between
operations and bylaws as we evolve the driving events committee
concept.
This month, Dave Germain gave us a great presentation on our new
Mail Chimp account, strengths and limitations. This will become our new
communication distribution medium.
The board voted to adopt Square as a new financial tool. We will be
able to collect payment through credit/debit cards in person or by email
for dues and other club functions. It also enables us to send actual
invoices to individual members. This should help manage and facilitate
the membership renewal process. Hopefully, it will increase our
membership retention rate, as well as introduce a new measure of
accountability for RSVP events.
We voted to move ahead with cloud storage of club data. This will
enable us to collect all the club information in one place, allowing
easier access and distribution of needed information. We will be using
dropbox.com. I particularly like its ability to make certain data public
and produce a unique URL for accessing it.
We continued the discussion on bylaws amendments. We are not in
a great hurry with this, but moving forward steadily.
We will be holding another meeting in late April. Watch for the
announcement coming to your inbox.
Lastly, I would encourage those of you that eschew email to change
your habits. All members need to ensure that their email address on
record with the club is correct.
Hope to see you on the road!
Kevin
The Register
On the Road
BLAT to Tombstone
Photo above Geo Hahn, others Pete Williams
Saturday Breakfast Run
Drivers’ orders
Page 2 of 10
Lunch at Big Nose Kate’s.
Page 3 of 10
The Register
PRESIDENT Kevin McCue
[email protected]
VICE PRESIDENT Ron Furtak
[email protected]
SECRETARY Sandy O’Harra
[email protected]
On the Road More Breakfast Run
TREASURER Brenda Johnson
[email protected]
NEWSLETTER John Mead
[email protected]
DRIVING EVENTS COMMITTEE
[email protected]
REGALIA Len & Nancy Wheeler
[email protected]
WEB SITE Harold Beekhuizen
[email protected]
The start.
TBCR Mail Address
(Including Regalia Orders)
Tucson British Car Registry
PO Box 35748
Tucson, AZ 85740-5748
TBCR Website
http://www.tucsonbritish.com
Article Photos
By the editor unless
otherwise noted
After breakfast at Cars & Coffee.
The Register
Page 4 of 10
Le Tour des Garages
What a morning! Six stops, cars, lifts, a free engine, an owl, a Lister, an English wheel, an awsome non-English
190SL, pizza, great driving around Tucson and of course the unique company of fellow TBCRers.
\
The Register
Page 5 of 10
Photo by Debbie Leavitt
Photo by Geo Hahn
The Register
Photo above by Debbie Leavitt, others by Geo Hahn
Page 6 of 10
Page 7 of 10
The Register
Garage Tour continued
Many thanks go out to the folks that opened their garages, patios (and bathrooms). We visited
George and Kathleen, who prepared breakfast, then on to Fritz’s garage complex (complete with
observation deck). Next was Mike and his Lister-Corvette, then Bert’s metal fabrication wonders. On to
Doug’s 190SL, Carrera 4S and XKR. And wrapping it all up with lunch at Ben and Megan’s surrounded
by an incomperable collection of British metal and fiberglass.
And special thanks go to Ben for organizing so many successful garage tours, along with countless
driving events over the past ten-plus years. Ben stepped down as driving events coordinator in
January, but wanted to organize this tour and we are delighted he did. Thanks Ben!
Events Calendar
Wednesday April 6
BLAT
10:15am departure from Starbuck’s at Grant & Swan.
90 minute drive thru Gate’s Pass and Southwest side
then to Mercado San Augustin for lunch around noon.
RSVP Pete: [email protected]
Saturday April 9
Breakfast Run
This will be an East-side drive. Watch for details.
Saturday April 16
D-M 50 Car Show
Must be pre-registered. Form is available at:
http://www.tucsonbritish.com/Stuff/DM50-CarShow_2016.pdf
Watch for email announcement of meeting place/time.
Other Upcoming
TBCR Events
Watch for email announcements.
May 28 – June 5
National Drive Your British Car Week
And every Tuesday:
BritCar Café
7:30 – 9:30AM
NE corner of Grant & Swan.
The Register
IdeRestoration
on
Frustration
Page 8 of 10
By Scott Martin
Well, the saga began with the impulsive purchase of a "School Bus Yellow" 1959 Triumph TR3 on August 5th
1999. There immediately followed an "Interesting" trip from Washington, Missouri back home to Tucson. That's
another story, but suffice it to say that when I examined the car the morning after I returned the spare tire I had
to put on "somewhere in Oklahoma" was FLAT. At least it lasted til I got home.
From that point on there has been an extended period of de-construction of the car. Extended because I was
gainfully employed until recently which only allowed weekend work on it. Along the way I got one estimate and
one "No Bid" for the paint and body work. After signing up for the paint and body work the engine got pulled with
the help of friends and the rest was hauled down to the shop in 2010. Later in 2011 the (now rusty) body was
finally separated from the frame and the frame was returned home.
In spite of myself and my work schedule, by early 2013 I had stripped everything from the frame and was
ready to start the strip and paint/powder-coat/re-assembly process. The crew at American Powder-Coating did a
great job on the frame, completing the job in just a couple of weeks.
With the engine, transmission, and rear end having already been rebuilt by Ernie (under my excellent
supervision) in 2013 I was able to get the front and rear suspension installed. Subsequent to that the engine got
mated to the transmission and installed in the frame. Following this, the rear end got its makeover and installed.
Brake and fuel lines have also been fabricated and installed.
Now, as Paul Harvey used to say, for the rest of the story.
The TR3 body has now been sitting (in an undisclosed location) since very early 2012. I had a spare frame
that I took there to hold the body while the bodywork was completed. Progress on the bodywork has been spotty
at best since then. WHEN work is done on it, the quality is outstanding, BUT......
What I have picked up from listening to other LBC owners who have restored their cars is that haphazard work
on getting the bodywork and paint done is endemic to the industry. I personally have tried cajoling, bribery,
veiled threats, and “berative” comparison to try and get work done on my car. I say berative comparison because
on one of my trips there I noticed he was working on repainting a refrigerator which led me to suggest that if he
could work on that then he could work on my car.
Page 9 of 10
The Register
Restoration Frustration continued
All photos by Scott Martin
The frustration continues but at least progress is being made. The pictures show that there is hope. Oh, and if
anyone has any helpful hints about how to help the process along, I'm listening!
_________________________________________________________________________________________
For Sale: 1974 Triumph TR6
Pimento red with black interior, four speed transmission, and
65,600 original miles. Award winning strong number two condition.
Asking $22,900.
Frame off inspection and restoration in 2005 disclosed no rust,
signs of welds, or damage. The frame was blasted, painted, and
undercoated. Re-assembly included installation of numerous new
parts, which are listed in 2005 and 2010 appraisals, copies of which
are available upon request.
The windshield glass, seal, trim strip, and scuttle seal have been
replaced since the 2010 appraisal. A listing of additional new and
extra parts, not included in the appraisals, will also be provided upon
request. Also available is a certified copy of the factory record
concerning the manufacture and shipping of the car.
For additional information and photos, contact Don Whitesell at 520-260-1174 or [email protected].
______________________________________________________________________________
TBCR members may have a
complimentary business
card ad on this page
For info contact the editor:
[email protected]