[Date]

Volume 41, Issue 8 August 2014

Activities Report – August 2014 Howdy, MG family. It’s me again. We managed to get a nice break in the weather for our July Drive-out/Rallye/Meeting in Beaverdam. Thanks again to Alan and Beckey for hosting us. I hear from those that participated, the rallye was fun and challenging. While others were following clues to find their way to lunch at Watson’s, I shared the Sheetz parking lot with several others, following clues to resuscitate an uncooperative Bug-eye. No names please – I’ll leave that to the writer for this adventure. Suffice it to say that Robin’s technical expertise and a random supply of parts got us back on the road in time to share some really good BBQ. In case you missed out on this one, we have been invited back again in 2015, so keep an eye on a much later edition of The Dipstick for dates and details. Upcoming events include our August 5th meeting at the VB home of Carmen and Paul Thiergardt. Immediately prior to that we have the opportunity to support the local National Night Out event by participating in their parade. Line-up is at 5:30, parade kick-off is at 6:00, and we can easily be at the meeting in time for the traditional kicking of tyres. Details on NNO and this event are hidden elsewhere in The Dipstick. Please let me know if you are interested so I can give a headcount to the organizers. Otherwise, I’ll see you at Thiergardt’s. The following weekend (Sunday, 8/10) is our Summer Tech Session at the Freeh’s home in Chesapeake. I know of several projects that are in order. Even without projects, hanging out under the trees and telling stories is quite pleasant. I hope you will join us. Now back to The Dipstick for details on the next event. On Saturday, August 23rd we head for the Shore (Eastern Shore) for the 6th annual Dead on the Vine concert at Chatham Vineyards in Machipongo. Join us for an evening of food (catered dinner), music (Grateful Dead cover band), wine (wine) and fun. Deadline to sign up is at the 8/5 meeting. Caravans are being organized for travel to Watkins Glen in early September. If you are heading up there for the Grand Prix Festival and are looking for someone to keep you from getting you lost, let me know. I can hook you up with some experienced guides. Car show season is upon us. Locally, we have Wounded Wheels (9/6) in Norfolk, Classics on the Green (9/13-14) in New Kent, Wings and Wheels (9/27) in Pungo and the British Car Festival (10/3-4) in Waynesboro. You’ll find URLs in the calendar that will lead you to info on each of these shows. And finally, Sunday, November 16th is our annual drive to the Barksdale Theatre in Hanover. This year’s performance will be Neil Simon’s They’re Playing Our Song. This will be a full-day trip out of Tidewater, with lunch on the road, an afternoon at the theatre and an evening drive home. We still have a few seats available for the show, but we have to commit by 10/7. Tickets are $30 each. Please let me know if you are interested. Since I’ve already covered “finally”, I’ll add a PS: Our September 3rd meeting is back at Ocean View Fishing Pier. Dinner will be on the top deck at 6:30, followed by sunset at 7:31 and our usual monthly meeting at 8:00. Until we meet again on the 5th, enjoy the ride! Tad

 

 

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Nunc cursus magna quis 

In this month’s issue of The Dipstick… 

    August Activities Report………………………………………………….1 2014 Activities Schedule………………………………………………….2 Marque Time …………………………………………………..................2 July Meeting Minutes………..………………………………………….…3 Membership Update……….……………………………………………...4 Swedish “Veterans”..…………………………………………………….…4 MG 2014 Report…………………….…………………………………….…6 

    Ashland, Here We Come!….………………………………………….…8     August Meeting Map…………………………………….….back cover 

 

TMGC Officers 

President    Stephen LaPaugh    593‐5927 Vice President   Robert Perrone    574‐3233 Secretary    Bruce Easley      570‐2042 Treasurer    Jim Villers      481‐6398 Editors     Kathy & Mark Davidoski       499‐4647 Membership    Bill Yoshida      554‐0402 Webmaster    Mike Haag      mikehmg@cox.net Regalia     David Kinsey      233‐0029  

Dipstick Calendar August 2014 

  

Aug. 5 ‐  National Night Out – VA Beach Parade, 5:30 pm (before club meeting), Providence Rd @ College Park Blvd (see this issue of The Dipstick for details)  Aug. 5 ‐  Tuesday ‐ Club Meeting – Virginia Beach, Hosted by Carmen and Paul   Aug. 10 – Sunday – Summer Tech Session – Chesapeake, Hosted by Jim and Linda Freeh  Aug. 23 ‐ Dead on the Vine – Machinpongo, VA (see this issue of The Dipstick for details)  Sep. 3 – Wednesday ‐ Club Meeting – Ocean View Fishing Pier, Dinner at 6:30, Meeting at 8:00  Sep. 5‐7 – Grand Prix Festival of Watkins Glen, Featured Marque – MG  Sep. 6 ‐ Wounded Wheels Car Show – Norfolk, Fantom Works, 2400 Hampton Blvd, www.WoundedWheels.org  Sep. 13‐14  ‐ Classics on the Green – New Kent Winery www.ClassicsontheGreen.com   Sep. 19 – 22 TMGC Fall Tour ‐ Raid on Harpers Ferry  Sep. 27 – AACA‐Tidewater “Wings and Wheels” Local.aaca.org/tidewater  Oct. 3‐4 – SVBCC British Car Festival – Waynesboro www.svbcc.net   Oct. 7 – Tuesday ‐ Club Meeting – Virginia Beach, Hosted by Bill and Renee   

Marque Time Thanks again to Alan and Beckey Watson for hosting the 

July meeting! It was a great drive and with one wrong turn on the rally we did pretty well!  First Lady Mitzi is quite a navigator! Travel on the interstate was kept to a minimum, which is always good! Onto MG progress, which is slow at the moment. The studs on the manifold are proving stubborn. A call to Moss Technical Support and Frank confirmed my suspicions on the front exhaust mount. More fabrication required. Our next meeting time is Aug. 10, hosted by Paul & Carmen. Once you get your fill of fine food and friends mark your calendar for our next tech session Aug. 10, hosted by Jim & Linda.  

  Safety Fast!Steve 

 

 

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July Meeting Minutes (by Bruce Easley; photo from Terry Bond)

The July meeting of the illustrious Tidewater MG Classics Car Club was a Rally! The attending

members met either in Norfolk or in Williamsburg, then traveled to the home of Beckey and Alan Watson inbeautiful downtown Beaverdam, VA on July 12. “Official” mileage from tripmeister Carter was 270 miles,with a group total of 3,240 miles.The routes set up by both Tad and Alan were great, with lots of S-curvesand back-road scenery. Thanks guys! You made this meeting very special.

Only one mishap – Robert Perrone’sBugeye Sprite didn’t want to start again after a pit stop along theway. After a significant amount of troubleshooting, Robert found that the points were not actuating properly.Luckily, another attendee had a set with them. Robert expressed “Thanks!” to Robin’s Mobile RoadsideAssistance, and was back on the road.

The Watsons had arranged a great Rally challenge for the attendees, with Brit-style directions andobservation questions along the route to their home fromthe last pit stop. That’ll keep your attention going! Startyour engines and let the games begin! The winners werethe team of Michele Peters and Russ Ripp, who won acoveted Ashland beer mug plus a bag of world-famousHanover tomatoes. Robert Perrone won the “BreakdownPrize” which was a bottle of “Old Engine Oil” ale.Robert will do anything (even fake a set of bad points) tobe a Winner.

When we all reconvened at the Watsons, themeeting was opened by the President. In response to hisrequest for any new members to ‘fess up’, Steve McKeestated that he and his wife Kathy had recently joined,with their ’74 Midget. At present, the car is notcompletely assembled, but the body work is in progress.

Minutes from the June meeting were approved. Tad Carter mentioned upcoming events, including aTech Session at the Freehs, the “National Night Out” parade on the same date as our August meeting, andothers. See his full update elsewhere in this issue.

The Veep, Robert Perrone, gave the membership meeting in the absence of Bill Yoshida. We endedour year on 30 June with 115 paid memberships, 206 individuals, and 176 cars. 2015 dues are now due – getyours in if not already paid! The club lost three memberships, as the following people have moved or areunable to attend meetings: Mike and Gina Christian, Tom and Carol Grigsby, and Robin and Olive Watson.

Jim Villers reported on the financial status of the club. He described recent details, but the bottom lineis that there was $1175.90 in the treasury as of the meeting, and renewed memberships thus far make anadditional $540.00.

In Marque Tyme, Susan Bond asked for information regarding windshield wiper function. Hers workon high, but not in low. Anyone else had this issue? Is it in the switch? Another attendee noted that MossMotors in Petersburg is open on Saturday during the summer. Be aware – they cannot process gift cards atthe store on Saturday.

Regalia – none. There was some discussion as to what options for this might be considered forregalia and raffles going forward. The “50/50” raffles could be brought back, or a raffle where we donate partto charity could be considered. If any member wants to volunteer ideas or time, please contact PresidentSteve LaPaugh.

Old business – none. New business – Don and Rose Ladd sent their regrets at missing the meeting, but they are attending a

family reunion in Kentucky. Meeting adjourned! Some members drove home individually, some drove as a group, taking route 30

to West Point to avoid I-95, then onward to various abodes. Great weather, great routes, great fellowship.

 

 

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2014 August Dipstick- Membership

2014 Memberships:The 2014 year ended on 30 June with 115 paid memberships and 206 individuals in the club. 2015 Memberships:As of 21 July we have 68 paid memberships and 6 more “Promises to Renew”. Ihave sent two e-mails to members that have not yet paid their 2015 dues. I will send out additional delinquency notices in August and September. If you believe you receive one in error, please contact me for resolution. Also, if you have decided to NOT renew your membership for 2015 let me know so I can remove your name from the roster and the e-mail list. I was notified by the following that they will not be renewing membership for 2015: Mike and Gina Christian, Tom & Carol Grigsby, Robin and Olive Watson. New Memberships:None during July or to date in August. Cars & Types: 172 of the following types of MGs: MGA A-Coupe MGB B-GT MGC C-GT TC TD TF Midget

26 2 81 16 1 2 8 20 4 12 Other/Various MGs – 7 (1-Cooper MG/ 2-VA/ 1-YB/ 1-ZB/ 2 ELVA Courier) Dues: I turned over $540.00 in checks to Jim Villers on 12 July. Jim also received an additional $40 in membership checks that day. I currently hold $340 in dues checks for turnover to Jim.

Swedish “Veterans” By Mike Haag 

    During our Baltic cruise in May, one of the ports of call was a weekend in Stockholm, Sweden.  At the end of our tour on Saturday afternoon, our guide mentioned there would be a “veteran” car rally on Sunday in the Djurgarden area of Stockholm, near the VASA and Nordic museums where we had been earlier in the day.   

Since Sunday was an “open” day with nothing planned, and since the weather was beautiful, Denise and I decided to check it out.  We took a local city bus Sunday morning, arriving near the Nordic museum area around 11AM.   We soon spotted some folks selling programs for the rally event.  I bought one, and even though it was all in Swedish, it has lots of good pictures and ads.   

I started talking to one of the men there (thankfully his English was perfect) and asked if there was a car show after the rally where we could see the cars.  He said yes, but it was in a park about 2 miles (or did he say kilometers?) away.  However, he said that part of the route was through some city streets and we could see the cars as they drove by about 2 blocks from where we were.  We thanked him and headed over to find a great vantage spot for viewing.    

MGA

 

 

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Soon the lead car came into view, followed by about 200 others!  All sorts of cars, with a lot of American muscle cars from the 60’s and 70’s, along with antique American cars from the 50’s back to Model T’s.   There were many British classics, including quite a few MGs.  We cheered on each MG as it passed by, Denise in her “Safety Fast” T‐shirt and me in my TMGC ball cap (See some accompanying pictures of Swedish MGs, if Mark has space).   

There were a lot of European classics as well, some of which I had only read about in magazines, like Auto Union, DKW, and Borgward.   A few WWII military vehicles and antique motorcycles helped to round out the wide assortment of vehicles passing by, all within 10‐15 feet from us.   

Many of the vehicles had drivers and passengers dressed in period garb.  Some vehicles had whole families inside, with Dad at the wheel, Mom in the passenger seat, and kids in the back.  I had heard that there is a large classic car following in Sweden, and this certainly proved that.   

What a wonderful bonus this was to our cruise!  The chance to share in the universal love of classic cars on a gorgeous spring day in one of the most beautiful cities in the world was a memorable event we will treasure for many years. 

MGTD  MGTF 

M‐type 

 

 

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MG 2014 French Lick IndianaBy Craig & Joyce Cummings 

 For us this trip was not about seeing 300+ MGs, it was about the destination and meeting new 

people.  On day 1, in the middle of a 400‐mile trek, the alternator light came on, so we stopped at a NAPA repair facility. The output of the alternator was 14.2 volts, so we soldiered on. At the end of the first day wemet up with a very friendly group of folks from the Carolinas and points south. We spent our first night in Abingdon, Virginia of all places. I borrowed a portable volt gage from one of our companions and Joyce monitored it until we reached French Lick.   

Day 2 found us in the Cumberland Gap National Historic Park. Here we learned a lot about Daniel Boone and his treks throughout the region.We departed Danville, Kentucky on the morning of the third day.  As you would expect we were on the bourbon trail stopping first at the 4 Roses distillery.  Neither of us are bourbon drinkers so we were just along for the ride.  

After lunch we were about 50 miles from French Lick and one of the MGB’s water pump died. An AAA roll back took him the rest of the way to the hotel. Saturday brought out all of the MGB water pump experts, a new pump and enough tools to build an entire car. We supplied a Black Box of wine, which did not make it back to the room. 

On the fifth day I installed my new spare alternator that I had packed along with a complete distributor, water pump and a ton of other spares.  I had everything I needed except a ½” deep well socket. A text message to our traveling group soon produced the needed tool, along with a lending hand or two.  Nothing attracts a crowd faster than opening a bonnet in a covered garage filled with MGs and their owners. Alternator changed, light out. 

Joyce took a ride on a steam powered train while I took a few bugs off of the front of our C GT. We ate most of our meals in the hotel since the food onlyseemed to get betterwith each meal.  Just staying in that hotel made the trip worthwhile. It was absolutely beautiful inside and out. 

The car show was staged on the terraced part of the hotel grounds by the railroad station. Since NAMGBR has set up a new registry for the MGC, we were parked on the grass above the rest of the cars in the parking lot. It was much cooler where we were. 

  A view of the show field. 

The Dipstick is the official publication of Tidewater MG Classics (TMGC), preserving 

and running MGs since the Nixon administration.  For more information, 

please contact the editors at (757) 831‐4196.

What a hotel! 

 

 

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We took 3rd place among the  MGC‐GT class. We were happy with that! 

So with trophy in hand we bid farewell to our new and old friends and headed back to Williamsburg. We stayed in Bristol, Virginia that night. Next morning was breakfast at Starbucks and back on the highway. We got almost to the first exit and strange noises started. We coasted off the exit and into a Shell station. After a brief attempt at restarting, we notified AAA of our location. So our last 350 miles were on a rollback AAA truck. 

The next morning I discovered the source of the noise, a rod had come out from under the rocker. Other than the unfortunate ending, we both thought the trip to MG2014 was well worth it. So we are preparing for MG2015 at Niagara Falls for next year.  

The source of some strange noises. 

 

 

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ASHLAND Here We Come!Submitted by Terry Bond; photos by Jim Villers, Susan and TerryBond 

 Saturday morning, July 12th (one day after national Classic Car day) a group of TMGCC members 

ventured north from the usual starting point (Lake Wright) to Alan and Becky Watson’s for a different‐than‐usual venue for our monthly meeting.   We’d been promised a scrumptious feast following a short scavenger hunt in the Beaverdam area, finishing at the Watson’s back yard. It was earlier than it should have been on a Saturday, but brave MG  lovers don’t pay attention to those things when there  is open road ahead, and the promise of food at the end of the trail.   

The trip was uneventful, although the usual traffic slow‐down on 64 towards Williamsburg was a little  frustrating  (briefly).      At  least  it  was  still  fairly  cool  and  pleasant.      We  turned  off  towards Williamsburg for a quick rendezvous at a McDonalds to pick up the Easleys and also PJ & Faith Peterson with their very interesting custom MGB.  If you’ve never seen this car before, you’ll marvel at the many custom features and the amazing bodywork.  Packed under the bonnet is a V8 engine that should scare most modern muscle cars.           

                    (continued next page) 

 On the road to Ashland

 

 

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We motored  on  to  the  usual  stop  at  the  Sheetz  station  near  Ashland  and met  up  with  the Watsons.    It was great to see Robin again.     The day was getting warmer (no, that’s hotter!) so we took shelter under a shade tree while Alan went over the directions and rules (rules?) of the event that would wind its way through Ashland and vicinity, ending at the picnic he and Becky had arranged for us.  

Now I always knew that Robin was a heck of a mechanic (and great personal friend of Joe Lucas) but this time he pulled out all the stops.  Robert Perrone’sBugEye wouldn’t start (it had been giving him fits  all morning with  stumbling  at  idle).   While most  of  us motored  on,  trying  to  find  answers  to  the questions given us  (while  trying  to stay on  route), a  few stayed behind  to help get  the BugEye moving again.    It was completely  frustrating until Robin pulled  the points out and discovered quite oddly,  they would not close!   Points normally don’t OPEN but we’ve never see a set  that was sticking  in  the open position and not even closing properly.  Robin just happened to have a set of points “in stock” so after a while, problem finally diagnosed, everyone was rolling along again.   

(We  can’t  really  blame  Lucas  because  those  faulty  points  had  no marking  on  them. No  Lucas, NAPA,  or  even  “Made  in China.”   Guess  they were  so  crummy  nobody wanted  to  put  their  name  on them!) 

So, after  trying  to  figure out how many bridges we crossed  (how do you define a bridge?), and how many yellow  jackets we crossed, we  landed at our destination.   The soft grass, cool(er) shade, and cold drinks were most welcome.  A round of applause provided suitable welcome for those who remained behind to perform the repairs on Robert’s car.   

The quiz victors were Russ and Michele, who managed to stay on the right roads while observing not only the directions, but all the things we never knew existed along the way. The food was great, the meeting was short, and the  ice‐cream dessert was most welcome.     We welcomed new members Steve and Cathy Aki in the process.  It was their very first meeting.       

(continued next page) 

A bevy of visiting MGs in Beaverdam

 

 

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After visiting a while, we were on the road again, hopeful the cool air of an early evening wouldmake the trip home pleasant.  Some went the quick way (interstate) while Susan and I along with Russ andnavigator Michelle followed us to the Jamestown Ferry.   

It was a great day – 270 miles worth from Lake Wright and back again.   We had fun  in the sun  inAshland and it was a nice way to celebrate National Classic Car Day, even if it was a day late (ok, we used aLucas calendar)! 

 Enjoying the outing were: 

Cathy and Steve Aki (new members ‐ 1st meeting) Jayne and Bruce Easley 

Eric Fee Mitzi and Steve LaPaugh 

Robert Perrone with Caroline Remeika Michele Peters 

Faith and PJ Peterson Russ Ripp 

Lesley and John Terschak (411 miles total!) Bob Vann 

Betty and Jim Villers Beckey, Robin and Alan Watson 

Susan and Terry Bond            Tad Carter 

Our cheery hosts, Beckey and Alan

Watson’s magic elixir 

 

 

 

 

Tidewater MG Classics 

C/O Kathy & Mark Davidoski 

4705 Little John Road 

Virginia Beach, VA  23455 

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