Fully Subscribed: the Ron Tonkin Collection

Journal of the Jaguar Owner’s Club of Oregon, 1641 SW Multnomah Blvd., Portland, OR 97219
Fully Subscribed: the
Ron Tonkin Collection
By Reginald Flatt-Tyre - correspondent
LIKE “FANTASY FOOTBALL” – FOR PETROL HEADS
The Ron Tonkin Car Collection
March, 2012
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Ron Tonkin Collection in March
1
Griot’s Garage – get all the details
1
From the Wheelhouse
2
ZDDP for old-timers
6
Real Steel Review
7
Jerry’s Car Show
Calendar
8
12
JOCO’s Activity chairman, Rick Martin, and the
Board of Directors actively solicit your input for
events that you, the JOCO member, would like to
attend now or in the future. Would you like a JOCO
day at next year’s Portland Auto Show, or a two or
three day driving event? Perhaps you know of a
unique collection, a scenic drive, viewpoint, and
restaurant. Let us hear about it and share it with the
club as an event. Call a Board member, come to a
Board meeting, call, or send an e-mail. Remember,
this is your club! £
April Event: Get all the details - Drive up to Griot’s Garage
By Rick Martin – JOCO Activities Chairman
their indispensable three-inch random orbital polisher and
a half-dozen replacement pads for your six-inch polishing
machine, for example.
JOCO members (and other interested
Our tech session will include product demonstrations
parties) will assemble in the parking lot at Hooters on north
and an interactive “Q and A” to ensure you will get the
Portland’s Hayden Island (Jantzen Beach) at 7:30 AM
most out of your time and the effort put in on your car (and
Saturday, April 21st, 2012.
the products you use).
Driver’s instructions will be disseminated at 7:55 AM;
If you are not familiar with their products
departure at 8:00 AM sharp. Gas for your car and caffeine
(www.griotsgarage.com), you will want to look at their
for you – if you missed your first cup of coffee at this early
new Caranuba paste wax ($59.95) and their “detailing
hour – are close by (Chevron and Starbucks – premium fuel
vacuum” for just under seventy-five bucks.
on both levels!).
Call Rick Martin 503.292.8212 or 503.297.2463 or Carl
Enroute time to Tacoma should allow everyone a few
Foleen at 503.778.0969 (or e-mail Carl:
minutes to unwind from the drive before the 10 AM start
[email protected] and [email protected]). Griot’s
time. Get an early preview of the car collection, perhaps.
logo © Griot’s Garage. £
Be sure to bring an empty shopping bag and your check
book – you can pick up a season (or two) of car care
Have you paid your 2012 JOCO Dues? It’s not too late
products for interior and exterior car care. Don’t forget
Page 2
The Cat Fancier
From the Wheel House
by Dick Ackroyd
Ahoy, from somewhere on the Columbia River!
As I write this, I’m waiting for a ship in the rain and wind
down in Longview. It’s quite cold, and the wind makes it
seem even more so. All I have to do is turn the heat up a little
more up here in the wheelhouse.... hmm, where's that pesky
control knob.
Last month, our new website came on line. If you haven't
yet seen it, take some time and check it out. Lots of new stuff
– especially the layout and graphics. Now you, dear
members, will be able to post things such as Jaguar or club
pictures from events, etc. Also, navigating thru the site will
be much easier; good things come to those who wait
patiently.
The tech session at Steve’s Auto Restoration was one
worth attending. Lots of "works in progress": various Fords
as well as a '37 Chevy coupé almost finished and ready for
delivery, well into the six figure cost of admission. Also in
attendance, was a Thames (English Ford variant) being made
into a panel delivery. The only non-redeeming feature was its
Chevy engine. (snore) Fords should be powered with Ford
engines! (Amen! – ed.) Afterwards, we had a "noggin and
natter" at the McMenamin’s a few blocks down the street.
This month's event will take us to Ron Tonkin’s private car
collection. as mentioned in last month's C.F., attendance is
limited to 32 people, so contact Carl Foleen, or Rick Martin
in advance to check availability. We’ll find suitable
sustenance for our "après" activity. As has been mentioned
before, if you have an event that you think would be fun and
interesting, please contact our in-house, on call, gemologist
Rick Martin, who will be happy to discuss times and places
with you; he might even discuss Jaguars (!).
I see my ship and its running lights coming through the
wind and the wet, in a hurry to dock so its cargo can be
loaded, destined for the Far East, about 15 days sail across
the Pacific. As soon as it's put away, I’ll have another one
coming in behind it. No rest for the wicked as they say!
Till next time,
Dick A.
Special note: The Ron Tonkin event is fully subscribed.
Legal Stuff
The Cat Fancier is a publication of the Jaguar
Owner’s Club of Oregon, 1641 SW Multnomah
Blvd., Portland, OR 97219. All images and
descriptions herein are copyright Jaguar
Owner’s Club of Oregon or the respective
company/organization. Except for use in The
Jaguar Journal, or a sister JCNA club
publication, no item, image, or description
herein may be reproduced in any form without
expressed written permission.
NOTICE:
JOCO Board Meetings are held the second
Thursday of every month unless otherwise
noted JOCO events are in Bold face type on the
Club Calendar other Jaguar club and local
events of interest are in regular typeface.
Find us on the Internet: www.joco.org.
YOU are welcome to submit ideas/comments to
the JOCO board. Please submit articles / photos
to the editor by e-mail
Disclaimer: Any technical information
published here is without claim for accuracy,
and is to be used with caution unless and until
verified by another source as true and accurate.
Any information published is intended to be for
educational purposes and not for use by the
reader for at-home repair and/or maintenance.
JOCO recommends that our readers use the
services of a well-qualified mechanic/shop for
any and all service to your motorcar.
JOCO Gets Steamed and Takes a
Round-house Punch: Our May event will
be a tour of the SP&S 4449 and the UP
X-700 steam locomotives. Dates TBA.
Watch your Cat Fancier for more details.
Keep your calendar handy!
The Cat Fancier
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President: Dick Ackroyd
503.691.2526
e-mail: [email protected]
Vice President: Dan Simons
503.256.1750
e-mail: [email protected]
JCNA Rep. – Jan Whittlesey:
503.538.8610
e-mail: [email protected]
Regalia: Elaine Frank-Myers
503.524.6400
e-mail: [email protected]
Treasurer &Roster: Barbara Grayson
503.246.8477
e-mail: [email protected]
Secretary: Janet Stephens
503.678.7788
e-mail: [email protected]
Advertising Manager & Activities Chairman:
Rick Martin
503.292.8212 or 503.297.2463
Membership: Judith Hinamon
503.646.1288
e-mail: [email protected]
ABFM Liaisons: Cam Sheahan
503.925.8106
e-mail: [email protected] and
Judith Hinamon (contacts: see membership info)
Cat Fancier Editor: Carl A. Foleen
503.778.0969
e-mail: [email protected] & [email protected]
Graphics: Glen Enright
503.538.8610
e-mail: [email protected]
JCNA Chief Judge: Cam Sheahan
503.590.4611
e-mail: [email protected]
JCNA Concours Chair:
Cam Sheahan
Historian:
Open Position
Welcome New Members
Page 4
The Cat Fancier
The Cat Fancier
Changes are coming to JOCO.
Come to the next Board meeting,
Thursday, March 8h, 7 PM at Don
Myers house (11356 SW Ironwood
Lp. Tigard, OR) to see what’s
happening. Members are welcome,
and encouraged to attend.
Page 6
The Cat Fancier
1973 Red S3 XK-E V-12
89,000 miles, good condition
$29,500 OBO.
Contact Judith Hinamon
503-646-1288 or e-mail
[email protected]
ZDDP: Your Friend in the Old Engine Lube Biz*
Today's popular oils are not as good for our old cars as those of years gone by. The challenge of making motor
vehicles less harmful to the environment has caused the industry to make many improvements, a few of which affect our
old cars in a detrimental but not necessarily dangerous way. Most of us will remember the re-formulation of motor fuels
some years ago, which still continues today. More recently it was found necessary to modify the lubricating oils. The
20W-50 oils of years ago were probably the best oil for our cars in the temperate climate we enjoy in the Northwest year
'round. The viscosity rating is one great feature but the manufacturers were forced to remove a major wear-reducing
ingredient from the formula to make the oil meet the new requirements. That ingredient is called Zinc
Dialkyldithiophosphate, and it had been adopted way back in the late fifties. Fortunately for all of us the abbreviation
used is ZDDP! This additive is particularly effective in reducing wear when heavily loaded surfaces are rubbed together.
One can imagine all kinds of opportunities for ZDDP to do its good work in our engines I but none is, more important
than the relationship between the cams haft and the flat tappets or cam followers. Many failures of new cam’s land
followers in classic cars have been documented when modern formula oils have been used. In older engines the
components appear to have a residual coating of the good stuff from years of use of old formulation oils, however it is
not known how long the residual effects will last.
For those looking into the availability of old-formula 20W-50 oils, there are two products available made by
manufacturers that have been in the business since the early days of motoring. Castrol Classic 20W-50 is sold by the
Octagon Group on Venables Street in Vancouver, and it is packaged in Imperial one gallon cans. The other product is
Kendall GT-1 20W-50, sold by United Petroleum Products at 3373 Norland Avenue in Burnaby in US quart (946 ml)
plastic bottles. You can safely use these products in the engine, gear box and over-drive of your MG/Jaguar and
anywhere a manufacturer recommends engine oil. If you ever are having difficulty finding oil containing ZDDP a good
place to try is a motorcycle shop. Finally, some of you are probably wondering how modern car cams survive. Well,
some time ago they all seem to have changed to low friction roller cam followers. Caution; none of the above article
refers to modern vehicles; always follow the car makers recommendations. If you have any queries, contact me.
* Reprinted from an article in Nov. / Dec. Classical Gas published by the Canadian XK Register.
Protect your investment in that freshly rebuilt race engine or your runabout MGB. Penn Grade 1 offers engine oils with high levels of zinc and
phosphorus. All of their oils, including break-in and assembly lubes, are 100-percent made in the U.S.A. MSRP: About $70.00 for a case of 12 quarts
Info: (814) 368-1340 penngradel.com
The Cat Fancier
So what do you do on a Saturday morning when you
can’t go to Cars and Coffee at the Rilasi Tea and Coffee
shop? Go to a Tech Session, that’s what.
JOCO members caught a break on Saturday, Feb. 11,
2012 and the weather cooperated wonderfully for the day’s
event.
Steve Frisbee’s shop is located in southeast Portland, in
the “no-man’s land” between Gresham and Portland. This
was emphasized upon arrival by the sounds of small arms
fire from what seemed to be the apartment complex across
the street. Since there were no sirens closing in from all
points of the compass, it seemed prudent to conclude that
where ever the rounds were striking were away from the
shop. Besides, a cursory examination of the other cars
parked in the lot indicated no bullet holes extant, so in we
went for a pre-tour cup of coffee.
This was a well-attended event, and it quickly became
evident that we were in the company of members of the
Touring Club of Oregon (TCO) and their guests. How
refreshing, a “two birds with one stone” approach. And it
appears that there is at least some “dual membership”
between JOCO and TCO. So, a quick “shout out” is in
order to some folks I recognized as members of the Alfa
Romeo Owner’s Club or Oregon (AROO), and what
apparently are members of Rose City Corvette Club.
A quick glance around confirmed this shop is “for real.”
Awards of all kinds from all over the country adorned the
walls of the lobby.
The event got underway promptly at 10 AM, and
(inevitably) there were a few late arrivals that were shoehorned into the lobby of the shop, as Steve Frisbee
introduced himself and a couple of long-time employees
who would act as “tour guides” for the assembled
multitude.
Article by Inspektor Trousseau; photos by F. Stop Fitzgerald, staph photg
Introductions and preambles over, a few of us (those
already in the hallway that leads to the various work
areas), ambled up the stairs to the styling studio where
artist’s sketches are made that will capture the client’s
concept of what he/she wants their particular custom
project to look like (to quantify a vision into a less abstract
form, if you will). Interestingly, the renderings are either
pencil or pen-and-ink. No CAD here, just good, oldfashioned hand work from start to finish.
The group that had started on the “main floor” had a bit
of a head start, but since the “design room” guide was
Steve Frisbee himself, it wasn’t too hard to get caught up
on what we had missed and continue on through the shop.
The most interesting projects by far were the handfabricated hotrod with the “Woodlite” styled headlights
(with up-to-the-minute HID lighting, of course and a very
special custom-made hidden neon light that will be the
“parking light” portion of the lighting – ultra custom and
one-of-a-kind in their own right).
The other project was a combination retro-styled
“Bonneville Racer” styled hotrod from the “boom days” of
hot rodding in the late ‘50’s and most of the ‘60’s. All will
be electric powered. One is a street-rod and is a
“demonstrator.” The second will be a full-on racing car
with two of what are reputed to be the most powerful
electric motors currently produced for an automobile. The
third is a retro ‘50’s styled crew-cab truck that will be the
transporter. The custom-fabricated crew cab is so large it
uses standard pickup truck doors for both rear cab entries.
This will also be an electric vehicle, though for its overthe-road work it will have to be a hybrid design.
There was a 1948 Thames to fill out the British vehicle
requirement. It, too, is undergoing extensive
customization. There won’t be much left of the original
truck, but with a small-block Chevy V8 it will “haul” like
nobody’s business when the project is complete. One
Page 8
question: Wouldn’t it be better to have an engine with the
distributor further away from the firewall?
The group had “run of the house” to look closely at the
various projects, and wonder why there was not a winning
lottery ticket between us so each of us could take a dive
into the deep end of this pool. >Alas< Everywhere one
looks quality is the rule, not the exception. (Now, if they
The Cat Fancier
certainly started out auspiciously enough), and headed on
toward whatever the rest of the weekend held. £
By Carl A. Foleen, Editor, the Cat Fancier
could perform similar “miracles” on one old broken down
correspondent. The welding & hammering may be a bit of
a strain, however…)
Most in attendance agreed that there was at least one
“special project” they would like to bring to this shop to
bring to fruition.
All too soon, it was time to wrap up the shop tour and
let our hosts get back to the things they normally do on a
day off. However we would be remiss in not extending a
huge “Thank You!” for everyone at Real Steel that took
the time to open their shop and share part of their weekend with us. We were thrilled to be there. Thank you, also,
to Rick Martin for putting together a “solid” event (to use
a “hip” term from days gone by).
For those that had the time, an informal group of TCO
and JOCO members drove a few blocks over to
McMenamin’s Highland Pub at 182nd & Powell for some
sustenance (and maybe a refill of electrolytes) before the
day got too much older.
From
there
the
remaind
er of the
group
wished
each
other a
pleasant
weeken
d (it had
Each year at Gresham’s Mount Hood Community
College (MHCC), Ford Motor Company and AAA cosponsor a state-wide competition for high school
Automotive Technology students.
Eligible student teams are invited to take a series of
tests; written and practical. The top ten teams (two
students / team) are then invited to this statewide
competition at MHCC for a final “show down” that
determines which team will earn an expense-paid trip to a
similar national competition held in June at a Ford facility
in Dearborn, Michigan. (Special note: last year, the Vale,
Oregon team won all the marbles in Dearborn.)
In Oregon, the top three places receive some very nice
prizes. Not just trophies, but tools and other practical
items, which have been donated by some of the
competition’s sponsors.
For several years now, Jerry Lyons (an Automotive
Technology instructor at MHCC, and coordinator for the
event in Oregon) has asked me to bring about 15 “exotic
cars” – and their owners – to his “Show and Shine” on
registration evening. Members of the Multnomah Hot Rod
Council (who also volunteer at this event) also display
their cars. The
“exotic cars”
are always a
huge hit with
the students,
their teachers,
and families.
Sometimes it’s
the student’s
first time “up
close” with a classic or exotic car (like Glen Enright’s XK
150).
This year Jerry is once again asking the “exotic car
community” to bring some of their favorite car(s) to
MHCC on Thursday, May 17th, and Friday, May 18th,
2012. Those that bring a car (and their co-pilots) receive
dinner on Thursday, and lunch on Friday (if you can come
both days). Please let me know if you would like to come,
or if you want more details about the event. Thank you
from the bottom of my heart. £
The Cat Fancier
Page 10
The car in the photo above is the “street” version of the
classic Bonneville racer retro-styled car. The one with
only one electric motor. The speed record attempt car
(identical to the one above) will have two electric motors.
Just say “Charge It”…. Note how sturdy the build jig is.
The Cat Fancier
The Cat Fancier
“Been There, Done That”
by Bill Orth – Reprinted from The Prancing Horse issue
#181
We regularly hear harrowing tales about how people’s
lives are turned upside down when someone steals their
identity and starts pilfering assets. Most of us exercise
reasonable caution by shredding account statements and
other sensitive material, but people that ply this craft can
be very resourceful. The brighter ones find ways to gleen
sensitive information which honest people might never
suspect. First of all the Target. Whose credit access would
they rather steal – a single mom living in an apartment or
someone with a Ferrari (or other exotic car – ed.) in the
garage? So how do they find the Ferrari owner, get invited
to case the house, and then get told when no one will be
home? Easy – they look at the car ads.
Successful people, usually cautious about regardint their
personal and professional accounts have been known to get
lax where their hobbies are concerned, thinking they’re
among peers. We all know how important it is to maintain
service records for our Ferrari’s (and other collector cars –
ed.) At resale time, they are a major part of the due
dilligence. For years dealers have asked for those records,
when trading in exotic cars, so they can more effectively
retail them. Owners who choose to market their cars
privately know to gather up the receipts and records so
they can answer serious prospect’s questions too. For may
years, when I would cull through the records of trade-ins, I
was amazed at how often credit card receipts were still
stapled to the invoice – invoices that also had the owner’s
name, address, and phone numbers written across the top.
And that was back when the entire card number was
imprinted! Most responsible dealerships now destroy the
card receipts and often obliterate the names and numbers
before sharing the car’s history with prospects., but not all
do.
Whoever actually buys the car in question will want
those records intact (and the risk is small at that point). So
a safer process before a sale is to photocopy the
documents and black out identity info before sending the
data to an incoming caller who could be anybody.
Nefarious types, however, quickly learn that calling
private sellers gets around the basic level of security. First,
simply responding to “For Sale” gets the (usually) wealthy
owner’s contact info. From there it’s a simple matter for a
glib talker to feign interest in the car to get the seller’s
hopes up and defenses down . Bating the hook further, the
pseudo-buyer may ask the account number he’ll send his
deposit to after he has looked over some service work
receipts – a request the inexperienced seller is expecting.
Someone thus beguiled is likely to feel trust in a fellow
enthusiast and quickly send uncensored data. Well, you
can figure out what happens next.
Even before electronic identity theft became possible,
the Bad Guys knew how to pirate your assets. Many
publicatins – even local newspaper calassifieds – gave the
contact information for invoduals trying to sell exensive
cars. A phone call woud arange a visit to “see the car,” but
what they were really looking at was the home’s opulence,
security system , and family habits , so they could simpl y
come back at a nd plunder later. Stolen exotic cars are
particularly hard to sell, so that’s not what the crooks are
after. They want to get into the house, scoop up the pawn
fodder and snoop through your desk! You’d be amazed at
he information an unguarded 30 minute conversation will
divulge. “I’m glad you like it, but I can’t show the car to
your mechanic next week because we’re all leaving
Sunday for Hawaii, and we’ll be gone for ten days.”
Again, you can figure out what happens next.
Moral? If you wish to sell a valuable car, consider
leaving it on consignment with a trusted dealer or
independent broker. The small percentage they retain will
assure your family’s security and, quite likely, they’ll be a
more effective sales person than you are, anyway. I used to
tell people that advertising their Ferrari (or other exotic –
ed.) personally was like setting the woods on fire because
it would drive all of the squirrels right to their house.
Today, we should be less concerned about penniless joy
riders, and more worried about the foxes that will smell the
smoke, too.
Page 12
The Cat Fancier
MARCH: 10th Ron Tonkin Collection When: 10 to Noon. Lunch afterwards. Meet at SE 6th & Ankeny
Arrive by 9:45 AM. Special Note: 32 guests ONLY – Sign up early RSVP to Rick Martin 503-292-8212 or 503297-2463, or Carl Foleen 503-778-0969 or e-mail [email protected] and [email protected]
April 10th Drive-out & Tech Session: Griot’s Garage. Car pool/drive to Tacoma, WA. Details to follow
May: Tentative – Visit the SP&S 4449 steam locomotive. Tentative date: Saturday, May 5th.
June 2nd & 3rd Oregon 500 / 500 Rally
June 16th: Tentative – Red Ridge Farms, Lafayette, OR
June 29, 30, 31: Oregon Coast Exotic Car Show –Salishan Lodge Resort & Spa. Registration: $40.
www.ocecs.com / www.oregoncoastexoticcarshow.com For more details contact Rick Martin or Carl Foleen.
July: Tentative – JOCO Picnic & Slalom
July 27th – 29th – Jaguars on the Island, Victoria, BC
August: Tentative – Brunch at Camp 18 & drive to Garibaldi – ride the steam train to Rockaway & back.
Aug. 11th Seattle Jaguar Concours – New LeMay Museum, Seattle, WA.
SEPT: A B F M! Labor Day weekend.
Sept. 14th – 16th The Oregon Car Show – Bend, OR. (Formerly Sunriver Festival of Cars)
October:
November:
December: Christmas Cruise & Brunch on the Willamette Star (Portland Spirit). Cruise, dine, talk
with friends. We’ll need to sign up