CAPE COD BRITISH CAR CLUB LTD. JANUARY 2009 FOUNDED

Transcription

CAPE COD BRITISH CAR CLUB LTD.
JANUARY 2009
the official newsletter of the Cape Cod British Car Club, Ltd
By Brian Nickerson
Late fall weather has been
good to us for club events. It
does make you apprehensive
when rain falls the night before,
as it has for just about every
event in October and
No v e m b e r t h i s y e a r. B u t ,
Sunday, November 16, turned
out to be terrific.
No t
cloudless skies, but at least topdown weather, as long as you
were bundled properly.
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
R i c h Fi n l a y s t a r te d t h i s
charity event a year after the
club’s first official meeting. It
was November 2001. It came
on the heels of a very successful
first British Legends Weekend
and it wa s our first charity
event. The idea back then was
for everyone who came on the
run to bring a present.
Everyone liked the idea and it
has become ver y popular. A
slight change took place with
the scares about the chemicals
in toys a few years ago so our
chosen charity – Independence
House in Hyannis – asked us to
provide gift cards so that
parents would have a better
handle on what their children
were getting and, sometimes,
eating. A number of years ago,
Rick Johnson joined Rich and
the two have been an excellent
tag team for this very special
club event.
This year, it was one of the
most popular e vents of the
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JANUARY 2009
CALENDAR
Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 7pm - CCBCC Monthly Meeting - at the British Beer Company, Rt 6A, E. Sandwich, MA with Hors dÒeuvres!
Saturday February 21, 2009 – CCBCC Annual Winterfest - is at the Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor, 180
Water Street, Plymouth, MA 02360. Everyone had such a great time last year at the Radisson, we are working on a
repeat of the fun, games and general silliness. Keep your eyes on the web site for further details.
calendar year. We had over 30
cars participate and nearly 70
people. Not including some
non-participants and nonmembers
who
made
contributions. The following
day, Dan McGovern delivered
over $1200 of gift cards, checks
and raffle proceeds to
Independence House. This was
a record amount and I am very
sure Independence House is
very pleased.
We a l l m e t a t He r i t a g e
Museum in Sandwich, thanks to
the efforts of Mike Dallaire
w h o s i t s o n t h e M u s e u m’s
antique car committee. A
number of us got there early
b e c a u s e He m m i n g s Mo to r
Ne ws wa s planning to do a
story on our club’s entry-level
sports cars. More on that in a
companion article. Thanks so
much to the Heritage folks and
especially Michelle Wilkins,
who was the beaming face of
the museum and the provider of
coffee, and Steve Hatch, the
Assistant Curator, who brought
out a spectacular 1912 Packard
town car that is part of the
museum’s collection.
We r o l l e d o u t o f t h e
Museum’s grounds at a little
after noon with 30 plus cars in
trail, Rick Johnson in the lead.
The Hemmings van stayed with
us awhile. It stopped and took
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
photos of us all driving by and
then they packed their stuff
and turned the van north back
to their Bennington Vermont
home. We continued along
historic Route 6A, with a few
side trips and climbed Scargo
Hi l l i n D e n n i s , o n e o f t h e
highest points on Cape Cod
with a tower providing a
commanding view.
After a lot of goofing
around, climbing the tower,
y e l l i n g d o w n l i ke k i d s a n d
taking a group photo, Rick led
us down the hill and into West
Dennis where we crowded into
O’Shea’s Pub. Rich Finlay tells
me that he had told O’Shea’s to
be expecting between 30 and
4 0 . Ho w e v e r, c l o s e t o 7 0
showed up and you could
certainly tell that the staff was
really hustling.
We had some great grub and
the Guinness tap was in
co n s t a n t o p e r a t i o n . Ke v i n
Thompson presided as rafflemaster. A lot of great people
contributed some great stuff for
the raffle, including single-malt
scotch, car stuff, cigars and a
lot of home-made goodies.
John & Emily Kelly won a huge
box of Congo bars and you
could see John going around the
room and creating a lot of
smiling faces that had Congo
bar crumbs next to their smiles.
Much thanks to so many
people. The folks who came, of
course, and who were ver y
generous. Rich Finlay and Rick
Johnson must be very pleased
that their event has grown the
way it has. Thanks to them.
Some folks in the background –
some already mentioned –
include Ellen Riboldi who
helped Mike Dallaire & Rick
Johnson with graphics. Nonattendee contributors include
Bob Barbieri, Kate and Nate
Cavacco, and Plymouth
WaterSport. Lastly, Hemmings
Motor News who provided a
number of raffle items and a lot
of excitement at the beginning
of the day.
MEMBER PROFILE –
VINCE TAMBURO –
BOTH OF THEM
By Brian Nickerson
A year or so ago, a few of us
started getting messages that
our good friend Vince Tamburo’s
(CCBCC Member #137, 1970
Au s t i n M i n i ) a t t r a c t i o n t o
British cars wa sn’t a recent
thing. The first inkling I got of
this was a mention in Hemmings
Sports & Exotic Car magazine
about a Vince Tamburo who
raced Sunbeam Alpines for the
Rootes Group back in the 1950s
and 1960s. Of course, if our
Vince was named Joe Smith, we
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JANUARY 2009
would never have made a
connection. As it turns out, our
Vince is his son and there is no
coincidence regarding the
names.
From the beginning, going to
races for Vince was as natural as
peanut butter and jelly for most
kids. Vince’s dad was racing
Sunbeams before Vince wa s
born and the famil y – Dad,
Mom, Grandmom, sometimes
the dog and five children
traveled the racing circuit every
weekend.
Following this somewhat
unusual member profile piece,
there is an ar ticle by Ste ve
Silverstein that Steve has given
permission to reprint here. For
those of you who went to the
Legends car show a few weeks
ago in Buzzards Bay, you will
certainly remember the raceready Sunbeam that was on the
show field. That car was Steve’s
and he won the class award for
his car.
Vince’s Mini
Vince and Steve have known
e ach other for a fe w years.
“Steve had communicated with
my Dad for years in Steve’s
effort to expand the history of
Sunbeams in the US and,
especially, the racing side of the
car.”, Vince told me. “However,
the first time I met Steve in
person was at the Legends
show.”
Vince grew up in Baltimore,
so a lot of the races he went to
as a kid were in that area.
Vi n c e ’s
Dad
owned
a
constr uction company so he
only could race on the
weekends. “Dad never really
made any money on the racing.
The tab was picked up by the
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
Vince’s and Steve Silverstein at the 2008 BLW
Rootes Group and there may
have been the occasional
freebie, but no money. We had
lots of trophies and silver
platters, though.”
Although most of the racing
took place in and around
Maryland, the family sometimes
traveled to Watkins Glen in
New York, Lime Rock Ct , and
Sebring Fla. “My Dad always
PAGE 3
there.
That
mountain was
either cold or
hot and never
anything
in
between.”
During the week
b e t we e n r a ce s ,
Vi n c e ’s
Dad
parked the race
car right on the
s t r e e t l i ke a n y
other car in the
neighborhood.
w a s n’t
Vince and his parents “ It
registered, but
towed the race car on an open
that didn’t stop Dad from using
trailer behind a 1950s Ford
it to r un errands. We kids
station wagon. With five kids
always rushed to the car when
and the need to bring parts and
Dad went out for something.
racing stuff, there was no room
He would only let only one of us
for luggage except on the roof
go with him, so it was quite a
rack. One time, the luggage
jumble of kids trying to get in
wasn’t as secure as it could have
the passenger side. He had a
been and I remember my Mom
tonneau on that side so
and Dad running down the New
sometimes you’d get in and find
Jersey Turnpike to retrieve all
a brother or sister already under
the clothes that had flown out
the tonneau.”
of the suitcase.” Vince says
“Dad and his racing buddies
what he remembers most about
formed
an informal club called
Watkins Glen were the “bitterly
cold” cabins they stayed in for “Cretini Volante” that is loosely
translated as Flying Fools. Each
the night.
of the guys had a sticker of the
By the time Vince was old
club’s logo pasted to their cars as
enough to appreciate the racing
kind of a joke. My brother uses
aspect of this life, his Dad had
that sticker on the car he races
quit the racing circuit. So,
now. Also, the number 44 that
Vince’s memories tend to be not
dad used for all those years is
directly related to racing. “I
now being used by my brother
remember when my Dad was
who races in spec Miata class.
racing at Marlboro (MD) I was
A couple of years ago my
busy playing with my toy cars
brother was racing at Watkins
underneath the bleachers. At
Glen and we stood on the
the
Cumberland
(MD)
podium where Dad had received
racetrack, the place to watch the
his championship trophy
race was up on the side of a
decades before and that is where
mountain. We had this Coca
we spread his ashes.”
Cola cooler we had to lug up the
mountain each time we went
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
JANUARY 2009
The
Presidents
Boot
By Bob Vogel,
President
Well, at long last the British Legends Car Show has happened. It obviously takes a lot of
people to set up and plan the show,
especially in a new setting and
with a changing date. However
the number of volunteers needed
on the day of the show is staggering. This month I'd like to thank
those who worked at the show by
putting their name in print, in
random order: Jack & Sandi Rosen,
June Daley, Charlie Frink, Doug
Dexter, Steve Harris, Emile Bergeron, Paul Jacobson, Pam Dallaire,
Berta Rousseau, Chuck Reddington, Mary Hunter, Don Fletcher,
Paul Hinchcliffe, Rick Poole, Mike
Dallaire, Chuck Reddington Jr.,
Bill Scott, Darcy Hunter, Roger
Courchesne, Ellen Riboldi, Dennis
Luttrell, Jodi Fletcher, Les Frank,
Dave MacEachern, Kate Murphy,
Bruce Turner, Rich Finlay, Bob
Trigo, Charlie Bohm, Mike Daley,
Marty Schiff, Brian Nickerson,
Rick Johnson, Kevin Thompson
and the Falmouth Band Parents.
I'm sure there are others - let me
know. Oh, yeah, special thanks to
the Barnstable County Sheriff ’s
office for the use of the large tents.
I would also like to correct an
error in the awarding of prizes in
class T. Doug Dexter took 2nd for
his Austin, and Steve Manwell 3rd
for his Rover. A round of applause
please!
Bob Vogel
President, Cape Cod
British Car Club
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JANUARY 2009
1960 G-Production National Champion
Vi n ce Ta m b u ro
By Steve Silverstein
From the beginning the Alpine has fought against the stigma of not being a
“real” sports car. This impression even continues today amongst fellow Brit
car owners. Almost immediately after its introduction it was labeled by the
press as “the British Thunderbird”. As such, the Alpine was never held in high
regard as a potential competition car. However, in 1960 Vince Tamburo, a
part-time salesman working for Berger Motors wrote to Rootes proposing
they provide him with an Alpine to race for the upcoming season. Vince,
with race experience in an MGTD and a TR-3, must have presented a very
convincing pitch because John Panks, Rootes Managing Director in the US,
“Found on Vince’s helmet the saying translates to, “flying fools!”
agreed. Incredibly, Vince would proceed to accumulate 68 points with 4
wins and 3 second place finishes, culminating in winning the G-production
National Championship in the SCCA.
As our story begins it is October 1959. The Rootes Group has just introduced
a brand new sports car which has features revolutionary for this sports car
price category; features which we take for granted today. With details such
as roll-up windows, wide opening doors, and a top that actually sealed,
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
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JANUARY 2009
Vi n ce Ta m b u ro
the Alpine was far above the standard comfort levels of its competitors the
Triumphs and MGs. Unfortunately, these features only served to emphasize
the non-sporting image, hence the nickname, “the British Thunderbird”.
During the first full year of racing the SCCA classified the Alpine in G-Production. The governing body would base this decision on a number of factors
but it was really based on potential performance versus engine capacity.
The Series I Alpine had a 1492 cc three main bearing engine and in race trim
weighed about 2000 pounds. It was heavier than the rest of the class which
included Fiat-Abarths, Alfa Romeo spiders and other small bore production
cars, but the engine size was slightly larger, too. As for modifications, the
production car specifications were very strict, only allowing for minimal
changes beyond simple tuning. Compared to today’s specifications the
engines were virtually stock. Within the engine you were limited to balancing, polishing of combustion chambers, and cleaning (not enlarging) of the
ports. A new cam grind was allowed as were suspension modifications, but
the choices were limited. It was really just a choice of shocks and tires.
Early in the spring of 1960 Vince and one of his sons, Frank, went to Manhat-
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
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JANUARY 2009
Vi n ce Ta m b u ro
tan to collect a Moonstone White Alpine from Rootes’ U.S. headquarters on
Madison Avenue. Frank recalls they met John Panks and Phil Smith, the
head mechanic, in the garage where the new Alpine was waiting next to
Panks’ personal 1921 Sunbeam Grand Prix car. The plan was tow it back to
the Tamburo’s home in Maryland. Vince immediately lifted up Frank and his
friend, then only 9 years old, placed them in the roadster. It was quite an
image of the two boys in the Alpine, already in race trim, being flat-towed
down Broadway on a Friday night!
The first race of the season was held at Marlboro in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Marlboro was a fairly short, tight 1.7 mile track, but very challenging.
For perspective, consider that at the time, the big-bore track record was just
a fraction faster than the small-bore record. Additionally, the course ran
counter-clockwise versus the normal practice of running clockwise. Vince,
always racing under #44, started off the season with an impressive 2nd
place.
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
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JANUARY 2009
Vi n c e Ta m b u ro
Even more amazing, Vince proceeded to win the next two races. The first
one, held at Virginia International Raceway, was known as a long momentum course. It was ideally suited for the Alpine’s performance capabilities.
It was a tight race but Vince beat D. Erlbeck in an Alfa Guiletta for first place
honors in G-Production. The next race was at Cumberland, Maryland, an
airport course that had been well established as an event that was hard on
the cars. After Cumberland was Bridgehampton where Vince took 2nd. As
an interesting side note, John Panks ran his GP Sunbeam in the VSCCA event
held that weekend. Panks frequently would attend the National events at
Bridgehampton.
Then on to Lime Rock which was a relatively new track,
and one of the first dedicated road courses.
Vince related a story of how Rootes had provided competition Dunlop tires,
which apparently weren’t as competitive as the tires he had been racing. At
Lime Rock he could do no better than 5th place. Next on the schedule was
Montgomery, NY. Again, Vince could only do as well as 4th place. At Louisville Vince would do much better, finishing 2nd to Don Sesslar, an Alpine
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
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JANUARY 2009
Vi n ce Ta m b u ro
driver who in later years would dominate F-Production in the mid-West.
It was at the final two races of the year that Vince would seal the championship. At Thompson, Vince would take first and at Watkins Glen Vince won
yet again. These were two vastly different tracks, but Vince proved the
Alpine could do well not only on a tight course but on a long momentum
track like Watkins Glen.
With the championship won it was Rootes’ first major success racing in the
U.S. John Panks, Managing Director of Rootes, Inc. in New York, must have
been thrilled with the results. Up to that point, the press had been awfully
hard on the Alpine as a “sports car”. Of course, when Rootes was looking to
build the team to go to Sebring in 1961, Vince was at the top of the list.
Sebring in 1961 was the first long distance international event for Rootes
since before the war. In the mid-fifties the previous Alpine (Talbot) model
had done very well in rally conditions but never raced in distance road-racing events. Vince was paired with L. (Ed) Wilson for the Sebring 12 hour
event. From recently discovered pictures taken at Sebring it appears Vince’s
#44 SCCA Alpine is sitting in the pits. One could speculate that Vince had
brought the car to use as a “bench mark” to compare the three Rootes
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
PAGE 9
JANUARY 2009
Vi n ce Ta m b u ro
entries. Another interesting detail from the ‘61 race, again recently discovered from old photos, was that Vince and Ed’s car was prepared differently
than the two right-hand drive cars raced by the other two team cars. Could
Vince’s left-hand drive Alpine been prepared in the U.S. instead of England
like the other two Alpines? It is hard to say but unfortunately Vince and Ed
had issues with the car early on. Officially, it was listed as engine problems
but not much else is noted in the records. Overall, the Rootes team did
fairly well at Sebring, with the other two Alpines finishing, they quickly realized they lost the class race in the pits due to lengthy pit stops.
After Sebring, Vince’s racing cut back considerably - family and business taking precedence over racing. In fact, the only post-Sebring race Vince mentioned was Cumberland in 1961. He drove a poorly prepared Alpine - the
seat came loose in the race - but still managed to finish 4th. Looking back,
Vince not only proved to be an outstanding driver but took an unknown
Co py r i g ht, 2 0 0 7 , Steve n S i l ve r s te i n .
N o d e t a i l s m ay b e re p ro d u ce d w i t h o u t
permission
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
and untested sports car and turned it into a success at the track - back in a
time when production race cars really were “production”.
PAGE 10
THE WESSEX WAYS
By Paul Hinchcliffe
In August 2008, Sue & I went
to England for three weeks to
visit our daughter, Heather, (who
married a Brit) to stay in their
newly acquired 17th centur y
w e a v e r ’s c o t t a g e i n Fr o m e ,
Somerset and experience their
daily life..
Using the internet, I found
and contacted a British car club,
the Wessex Vehicle Preservation
Club. that was to meet while we
where there some 35
miles from Frome. Their
monthly
meetings are on the
2nd Tuesday of each
month and they
meet in the side
room of a pub, with
plenty of beer
flowing – I knew I
wo u l d b e r i g h t a t
home. Chairman, Richard Price,
invited me to attend their
monthly!
WVPC at large to feel free to
contact and visit the CCBCC any
time the occasion should arise!
In return, Richard presented
me with a very nice WVPC tshirt! This immediately
prompted me to reply, “I guess
this means that I should give you
the shirt off my back”, and I
proceeded to disrobe my shirt
a n d u n d e r l y i n g B LW 2 0 0 6
CCBCC t-shirt, providing it “hot
off my back” to the Chairman. The WVPC subsequently noted
in their September
n e w s l e t t e r, a p t l y
named the Wessex
Ways “that the ladies
present began to
think Paul was the
warm up act and that
the Chippendales
would be next on! Sorry ladies no such
luck!”
All in all, the WVPC made
me feel most welcome - they
clearly enjoy their cars as well as
On August 12th, the Wessex one another’s company! What a
Ve h i c l e Pr e s e r v a t i o n C l u b w o n d e r f u l c l u b o f p e o p l e ! extended a warm British welcome Visiting them at their monthly
to me, with Richard inviting me meeting was clearly one of the
to join him at the head table. most memorable and fun events
You can imagine my surprise, as I of the trip!
sat with my pint of ale, to see Cheers! Paul
Richard with a bottle of Bud
• p h o t o A - T h e W V P C C ha i r m a n
which he quickly explained as
enjoying a Bud
being an “import”. The meeting
• photo B - Addressing the club, with
kicked off with a good old social
shirt on.
hour of notter and naggin (and
• photo C - Presenting CCBCC plaque w/
pints of beer) followed by agenda
car badge to Chairman.
items that included raffle tickets
• photo D - In process of disrobing, shirt
for a number of items.
removed with CCBCC t-shirt on.
At t h e p r o p e r t i m e , I
presented the WVPC with a
CCBCC plaque with car badge to
co m m e m o r a te t h e v i s i t a n d
extended an invitation to the
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
JANUARY 2009
A
B
C
D
E
F
• photo E - proceeding to give CCBCC tshirt “hot off my back” to Chairman.
• photo F - With the WVPC gift t-shirt
on
PAGE 11
JANUARY 2009
Martha’s Vineyard Weekend Escape
by Brian Nickerson
For some crazy reason, the
four times we have escaped to
the Vineyard the first weekend
in November we have had great
weather. It seems every other
event CCBCC has, rain is our
friend and companion, so to
speak. Last year, we broke the
tradition of MV in November.
We went to beautiful Newport
RI instead and got a hurricane.
Well, the gods must have
b e e n h a p p y. O o o p s , t h e
readers in the bible belt
probably didn’t like that last
sentence. Oh, well, I guess I’m
destined to burn. Anyhow, we
had terrific weather this year
from our first bite of breakfast
at Betsy’s Diner in Falmouth
on Saturday morning to our
ride home in sunshine Sunday
afternoon.
We had about 20 cars join
the group as we assembled at
t h e Ta s h m o o O v e r l o o k o n
State Road after we arrived on
the island. One or more of
t h e Vi n e y a r d e r s h a d
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
r e co m m e n d e d M i d d l e Ro a d
instead of our planned route
“up island” and I am pretty
sure we all will treasure that
Vermont-like view down that
long, verdant pasture with the
Atlantic Ocean commanding
the
horizon
beyond.
Spectacular.
We stopped at the harbor
and beach in Menemsha for a
group photo and then headed
further
west
through
Lobsterville for a stop at Gay
Head L i g h t . Vi s i b i l i t y w a s
unlimited for the entire
weekend and we could see as
far as the horizon would let us.
Our trip back took us along
the moors of Aquinnah and
then along the Oceanside
sheep ranches in Chilmark
until we crossed the island to
swing by the two lighthouses
t h a t g u a r d t h e e n t r a n ce to
Vineyard Haven, West Chop
and East Chop. Because the
island is very quiet in
N o v e m b e r, t h e r e w a s
virtually no
traffic and when we arrived in
Oak Bluffs for lunch, the
empty parking area along the
harbor allowed us to park our
20 cars in line for an
impromptu show for passing
cars and pedestrians.
Mar y and I lunched with
B r i t i s h Ma r q u e p u b l i s h e r s
Bruce and Faith and then took
them for a walking tour of Oak
Bluffs, through the historic,
Vi c t o r i a n
Methodist
Ca m p g r o u n d a n d a l o n g t h e
p r o m e n a d e o f Vi c t o r i a n
mansions that line the park
overlooking Vineyard Sound.
After a leisurely time in Oak
Bluffs, we lit the fires in our
cars and headed further east to
our destination hotel in
Edgartown, making a side trip
a l o n g A t l a n t i c Av e n u e i n
Katama.
PAGE 12
In t h e p a s t , we h a v e
stayed in Vineyard Ha ven,
but this year we stayed at the
Kelley House on the harbor
and dead center in downtown
Edgartown.
It w a s a
somewhat untested choice,
but we couldn’t have been
more pleased. Everyone truly
enjoyed the enthusiastic staff,
the soaring reception area
and the wonderful rooms at
t h i s g e m o f a 1 9 t h ce n t u r y
hotel. Parking was convenient
and so were the pubs.
Dennis Sokol was Master of
Ceremonies for Saturday night.
Dennis had arranged an
evening at Sharkey’s Cantina in
Edgartown. For those with
short memories, sharks have
been a Vineyard tradition since
at least the island became
famous as the location for the
legendar y film, Jaws. Also,
there is a controversial shark
tournament held on the island
that gets international
The group lined-up at Oaks Bluff
coverage. Dennis had arranged
for a large area of the
restaurant for us and a special
menu. In addition, he had,
w i t h t h e c l u b’s f i n a n c i a l
indulgence, purchased two
piñatas and all the stuff to fill
them. Dennis says, “The
piñatas didn't break open as
planned, and the contents had
to be delivered by cesarean
section.” A few of the items
we r e a b i t u n u s u a l f o r t h i s
crowd but some of them
t u r n e d i n to w a te r b a l l o o n s
that, thankfully, did not get
out of hand. Berta Rousseau
Enjoying dinner at Sharkey’s
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
JANUARY 2009
had
arranged
for
transportation and we can all
think her for keeping us on the
right side of the law that
evening. After returning to the
hotel, some of us toddled off
to bed. Others headed a few
d o o r s u p t h e s t r e e t to t h e
Mews, a favorite pub of Mike
Dallaire and, now, a favorite
for a whole lot more club
members. A few of us stood
outside chatting and smoking
cigars. Ken Harling brought
some ver y special bourbon
along for the trip and a few of
us sampled that as well as some
great chocolates – Blessed
Chocolates, Ken cal ls them
because they are made at a
Trappist convent. Even with
all the partying, it was a quiet
night and the next morning
ever yone commented on the
comfortable beds at the Kelley
House.
Or was it the
anesthesia that came in bottles
the night before.
Sunday morning arrived
with cooler temperatures than
Saturday, but with cloudless
skies. Breakfast at the hotel
was enjoyed in the reception
area and a number of stories of
S a t u r d a y ’s a d v e n t u r e s w e r e
shared. Although a few of the
cars were not performing up to
their best, there were no
PAGE 13
loop hike.
On our way
back,
we
met Bessie’s
concerned
owners who
we
had
called on
the number
o n B e s s i e ’s
c o l l a r.
A
ver y happy
reunion for
all. On the
ride back,
El Bandito Berta and her trusty sidekick, Pablo w e p i c k e d
up a few of
casualties.
A b o u t m i d - our members and continued to
morning, everyone started the Vineyard Haven. We grabbed
c h e c ko u t d a n ce a n d g r o u p s an early ferry home and Mary
headed off for their Sunday a n d I e x t e n d e d o u r g r e a t
plans. Our group included Bill weekend with a drive along
& Mar y Scott, John & Geri Fa l m o u t h ’ s s h o r e l i n e a n d ,
Graham, and Mike Oliva. We eventually, home.
headed up island a gain and
Dennis & Karen Sokol
enjoyed the views from Middle coordinated a group going over
Road again before we arrived to Chappaquiddick Island to
a t t h e M e n e m s h a H i l l s t o u r t h e M y To i J a p a n e s e
Reser vation for a hike. We G a r d e n . Jo i n i n g h i m w e r e
hiked up Prospect Hill. At 310 Faith Lamphrey & Bruce Vild,
feet, it is the highest point on Mike & Pam Dallaire, and Don
the Cape and islands and the & Jodi Fletcher. “We also did
v i e w w a s u n l i m i t e d a n d some beachcombing down at
spectacular. We could easily the shoreline,” Dennis said.
s e e a l l t h e w a y t o R h o d e Afterwards, Dennis and Karen
Island. Continuing beyond, we got called by a group of our
were joined by a 6 month old gang that were at the ferry and
Golden Labrador puppy named who told Dennis that there
Bessie who, after a few minutes might be room on an earlier
s e e m i n g t o b e l o s t a n d sailing. Dennis relates, “Of
concerned, settled down and course by the time that I got
b e c a m e o u r h a p p y h i k i n g there, I was at the end of the
companion.
line. They got on. I did not.
The shoreline in this area
of
the
island
is
uncharacteristically rocky and
steep.
We e n j o y e d t h e
shoreline for awhile and made
our return on the continuing
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
However, in typical Cape Cod
British Car Club style and
grace, they did line up at the
rail and wave goodbye as the
ferr y pulled away from the
dock.”
JANUARY 2009
We d o k n o w o f o n e
c a s u a l t y. C h a r l i e & Ka r e n
Bohm snagged the exhaust
system of their Austin Healey
Sprite on the ferr y ramp as
they exited the ferry in Woods
Hole. I guess the only silver
lining in the incident is that it
happened at the end of the trip
rather than the beginning.
NEW MEMBERS
It has been awhile since we
listed any new members. Back
in May, my research tells me.
As expected, the club has
grown some more. Last count,
we were up to 333 members.
You’ve heard it before, but
t h a t ’s a b o u t 1 0 t i m e s t h e
number we expected when this
rag tag operation got started in
2000. A belated welcome to
our newest lunatics.
Emile & Laura Bergeron 1974 TR6
Don & Molly Foster 1963 Austin Healey 3000;
1965 Jaguar S-Type
Louis C. Bryant Jr. –
1999 Jaguar XK-8
Fred Caruso & Donna Keith –
1971 TR6
David Colasurdo
Kenneth & Cynthia Jones –
2000 Jaguar XJ8
Roger & Mary Bowker 1959 Austin Healey 3000
John & Kathleen Connors –
1952 MGTD
Bruce Vild & Faith Lamprey –
1967 Austin 850 Mini; 1980 MGB;
2002 MINI Cooper S;
2002 MINI Cooper
PAGE 14
Joseph Andrade
Bryan Williams
Christine Bassett &
Carey Alexander 1952 MGTD; 1971 MGB
Richard & Nancy Plaster –
1952 MGTD
Kevin Rupert
Jimmy & Linda Dishner –
1959 MGA
Ben & Dawn Newell –
1962 MGA
Karl & Patricia Jernberg –
1968 XKE; 1986 Panther-Ka&ista,
1960 MGA
Chuck & Heidi Redington –
1960 Austin Healey 3000
Joseph & JoAnna Sabatino –
1951 MGTD
Bob & Margaret Sheehan –
1971 TR-6
Ski & Marie Raymond – 1951
MGTD Mk II
Jerry & Kit Boucher –
1974 MGB
William Santos &
Sharon Bernard 1976 TR-6
Steven & Pam Howitt 1974 TR-6
Rick Presbrey 1976 Triumph Spitfire,
1954 Jaguar XK120
Stanley & Barbara Genega –
1978 MGB
HEMMINGS COMES TO CAPE COD
By Brian Nickerson
OK, maybe not all of you
have a subscription to
Hemmings Motor News and
m a y b e y o u d o n’t h a v e a
s u b s c r i p t i o n t o He m m i n g s
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
Sports and Exotic Car
magazine. But you’ve heard of
it, right? If your answer is no,
what the heck have you been
doing in the old car hobby with
your head in the sand? OK,
let’s assume you have heard of
it and no more slams.
I started my subscription
to HMN in the mid-1990s
when I owned a 1949 Cadillac.
For those of you who don’t
subscribe, HMN is a monthly
magazine about the size of a
small city’s phone book. If you
ha ve your Cape Cod phone
book nearby, look at it. The
monthly HMN is about ¾ that
size.
Big!
HMN was
invaluable for my so-called
restoration of the Cadil lac.
Virtually every part, except for
a few swap meets, also
advertised in HMN, was from
a HMN advertiser. In early
1999, I decided it was time to
add a Triumph Spitfire to my
one car collection. I found the
ad that was placed by John and
Shelley Cunningham for their
1974 Spitfire and they were
located in relatively close
Warwick, RI. I called the day
HMN came in the mailbox, got
Shelley on the phone and set
up a meeting that night. I
bought it on the spot at the
p r i c e t h e y a s ke d a n d t h e y
delivered it to my thenWorcester address in a new,
enclosed trailer about a week
later. The Cunningham’s car
sold before their issue of
HMN had arrived.
The
Spitfire I bought then is
essentially the same car today.
In almost 10 years, I have done
very little to it. My Spitfire’s
name is, appropriately, Shelley,
JANUARY 2009
because it was her car. Since
then and after we started
C C B C C , J o h n & S h e l l e y,
already friends, joined CCBCC
and won a first place award at
an early Legends weekend for
their Jaguar Model 420. They
have since moved to Florida
near Don & Nancy Hull, who
are also good friends of the
Cunninghams.
OK, too much information,
but that’s the histor y of my
Spitfire and friendships as a
result of HMN. Also, in 2000,
my Spitfire was on the front
page photo section of one of
their issues and I got a HMN
hat as a result. A few years
a go, Hemmings star ted
publishing Spor ts & Exotic
Cars magazine. I signed up
r i g h t a w a y.
It ’s a g r e a t
magazine.
A few weeks prior to our
Fr e e z i n’ Fu n c h a r i t y e v e n t ,
He m m i n g s c o n t a c t e d R i c h
Finlay and Rick Johnson about
coming down to our event and
doing a stor y about “entr ylevel” sports cars. As I
understand it, the criteria was
an engine with about 1500 cc
or less and a selling price for
one in good condition of less
than $10,000. So, on the
morning of November 16, I
took my Spitfire up early to
the Freezin’ Fun event because
Spitfire was one of the models
Hemmings had targeted. As I
was the only Spitfire driver,
mine was selected. Also
joining me were Bob Trigo in
his Austin Mini, Mike Daley in
his MG Midget and Rick
Johnson in one of his many
Austin Healey Bugeye Sprites.
PAGE 15
You would figure that these
car guys from Hemminsg would
have shown up in something
exceedingly exotic, right? How
about a Honda minivan. Oh,
we l l . In s i d e we r e D a v i d
LaChance and Mark McCourt,
names familiar to us Hemmings
subscribers.
I just figured there would
be a photo shot of the outside
of the cars. My Spitfire was
still pretty clean on the outside
from Legends weekend, so I
didn’t do anything to it except
brush off the dust. If I had
known how many photos would
be taken from every angle and
every interior, I think I would
have done a better job of
cleaning. Too late, but Dave
and Mark were just fine with
it. Heck, we’re not talking
m i l l i o n b u c k Fe r r a r i s h e r e
anyhow.
JANUARY 2009
The photo shoot took
a b o u t a n h o u r o r s o . We
moved the cars around for
various photo angles using the
Herita ge Museum stone
antique car barn as the
backdrop and then for a group
shot. It was a fun time and
maybe a piece of histor y?
Look for the ar ticle in the
Februar y issue of Hemmings
Sports and Exotic Car.
Cocktails & Social Hour starts at 6PM!
Radisson Hotel Plymouth Harbor, 180 Water Street, Plymouth, MA 02360, where we get
to celebrate the fruits of our labours, the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat!
We will also be having:
- an auction (fund raiser) bring some items to donate - they can be anything!
- a Yankee Swap, for those who wish to participate, minimum $10 on a wrapped gift
and go home with something of comparable value - always a fun time!
Dining - all meals will be served. Each Entree includes House Salad, Rolls & Butter,
Roasted Rosemary Potato, Medley of Fresh Garden Vegetables, Chocolate Cake, Freshly
Brewed Coffees & Assorted Teas. A cash bar will be open from 6pm 'till midnight. Entrees
cost $25 per person attending.
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
PAGE 16
BUSINESS CLASSIFIEDS
For the club newsletter that we maintain on line and, occasionally, have
available at meetings, we will be including a listing of members who have
businesses or professions to serve the British automobile owner. Listings will be kept simple and will be in order of the member’s club number. If you have a business that relates to British automobiles, please
send an email to [email protected]
Member 1: KEVIN THOMPSON
Used Triumph Parts
31 STANHOPE RD
E. FALMOUTH, MA 02536
508-540-7401 [email protected]
Member 2: ROBERT GREENE
Cape Cod Powder Coating
22 BRIGGS RD
BOURNE, MA 02532
Member 10: ARTHUR CALFEE
Classic Car Automotive Insurance
336 GIFFORD STREET (HOMEPORT)
FALMOUTH, MA 02540-2967
(800) 479-2601 [email protected]
Member 26: DOUG DEXTER
Austin Engine Repair and Rebuild
25 TARRAGON DRIVE
EAST SANDWICH, MA 02537
Member 31: SCOTT McNAMARA
SPORTS IMPORTS OF CAPE COD
PO Box 137
NORTH FALMOUTH, MA 02556
Member 60: SAM SMITH
BRIT BITS – British Car Sales & Service
14 SAGAMORE ROAD
RYE, NH 03870
Member 63: GARYSIMON & HARRYGNONG
BRITISH BEER COMPANY
2294 STATE RD, 2ND FLR
PLYMOUTH, MA 02360
508-833-9590 www.britishbeer.com
Member 76: BILL PUTMAN, JR
B&B and Car Museum
288 SCUDDER AVENUE
HYANNISPORT, MA 02647
508-775-3439 bi&[email protected]
Member 106: JOHN ERIC LITTLE
Little Foreign Car Garage
2 HUETTNER ROAD
WOODS HOLE, MA 02543
508-540-7897
JANUARY 2009
Member 170: JOHN SANDS
Birkin of Cape Cop
PO BOX 73
CATAUMET, MA 02534
Member 174: MICHAEL DALLAIRE
Automotive Photography and Graphic Art
15 WEEKS POND DR
FORESTDALE, MA 02644
Member 304: RICHARD WALTERS
Automotive Repairs
PO BOX 1027
E ORLEANS, MA 02643
Member 316: JEFF ZORN
Little British Car Co, Ltd. / Vintage Motors, Ltd.
29311 ARANEL
FARMINGTON HILLS, MI 48334-2815
Member 343: PETER BACHAND
Kustom & Restoration
65 LACOMBE ST, UNIT 13
MARLBOROUGH, MA
01752
Member 392: ERIK NYGAARD
Her Majesty's Auto Service
2264 GAR Highway
Swansea, MA 02777
508-379-9789...http://www.hermajestysservice.com
Member 416: GREG COWELL
Walter's Quick Lube
84 MAIN STREET
W. YARMOUTH, MA 02673
508-778-2522 gcowe&@globalbusinessexchange.com
Member 421: MATT RIBIS
All Marque Restorative British Car Repair Service
19 VILLAGE BROOK ROAD
SOUTH YARMOUTH, MA 02664
Member 432: STACE AMES
A to Z Towing
406 WAREHAM STREET
MIDDLEBORO, MA 02346
508-946-9570 www.atoztowing.net
Member 442: DAVID COLASURDO
Auto Broker - Repairs & Restoration
27 SPINNAKER DRIVE
WEST MASHPEE MA 02649
508 539 3155 [email protected]
Member 131: DUANE MERSEREAU
Power Sports Clothing
PO BOX 354
HUMAROCK, MA 02047
866-477-4700
FOUNDED AUGUST 2000
PAGE 17

CAPE COD BRITISH CAR CLUB LTD. JANUARY 2009 FOUNDED

Transcription

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