the ragtop - hill country triumph club · group trips were organized for all night ... together the...

The RAGTOP 1 August 2004

Monthly Newsletter of the HILL COUNTRY TRIUMPH CLUB

The RAGTOPVolume 17, Issue 8, August 2004

www.hillcountrytriumphclub.org

Triumph Familyby Bob Skewis, President

The Ocean View

I grew up on the Texas Coast — specifically,Corpus Christi. My family has always been

into hunting and fishing, but hunting is aseasonal thing and fishing can be practiced allyear long (as our ice fishing brothers in thenorthern states can attest to). By the age of16 when many of you were just beginning topractice the art of Triumph Mechanics, I wasusing my license and the family ’55 ChevyBelAire to pull a boat to the Laguna Madre(Mother Lagoon). Of course, I had learned atthe knee of my father and older brother thefine points of handling a boat and how toaccomplish minor repairs. Anyway, in an agewhere kids were allowed the freedom to roamwithout their parents knowing where theywere, who they were with and what they weredoing all day — a whole new world was openedto me. Group trips were organized for all nighttrips to the land cut where generatorshummed into the night and we filled ice chests

with spotted trout that were attracted to thelight and the shrimp we offered up on a hook.We had camp outs on the back side of PadreIsland and waded the shallow lagoon withlanterns and barbed spears or “gigs” that weused to harvest stringers full of flounder. Iremember it being safer in the water than inthe mosquito infested camp site!

But, of all the ways we fished the one thatheld the most fascination was offshore fishing.Now, most visitors to the area would not thinkof traversing the depths of the Gulf of Mexicowithout a substantial amount of flotationmaterial beneath their feet. For better orworse, we were comfortable enough with the14 foot aluminum v-hull Lone Star boat and18hp Evinrude that we used what we had.Besides, we would have had a harder timelaunching a heavier boat through the surf likethat. Did I mention we dropped the boat onthe beach and while one guy walked it into thewaves, the other warmed up the engine andmotioned for his team member to throw a legover the side and scramble in? Timing waseverything and one had to watch the wavescarefully and gun the engine just right to flyover the cresting breaker and slam to thetrough between that one and the next. Two ofthose and you were free to breathe again.Once you were free of the surf you were reallypumped up at the thrill of “cheating death”again and you turned the bow of the boat tohead for the nearest offshore oil platform,anchored shrimp boat or massive ocean tanker.These were the structures that attracted the

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OfficersPresidentBob [email protected]

Vice-PresidentJohn [email protected]

TreasurerEarl [email protected]

Secretary, MembershipNel [email protected]

Ragtop EditorCarol [email protected]

Dan Julien, [email protected]

Fix-it DayMike [email protected]

The Hill Country Triumph Club, the 50th Chapter of theVintage Triumph Register (VTR), was founded in 1990 to bringtogether the owners of Triumph automobiles in the CentralTexas area surrounding Austin. In 1991, the membership de-cided to include other British car fans as associates due to lackof other clubs in our area that represent some of the othermarques. As owners and lovers of our unique types of cars, wehave a special kinship, which draws us together. Membership isopen to anyone who is a British car enthusiast, with or withouta car.

Annual dues are just $15.00 per family group or address peryear. See the membership form on the back page. We havedinner meetings on the 2nd Tuesday of each month and at leastone other event each month. We encourage you to join andsupport us, even if you don’t drive your car regularly. We alsooffer technical assistance if needed. One goal of the club is tohelp its members keep their cars on the road. Please call one ofthe club officers listed in the newsletter for more informationabout club benefits and spread the word about our club toothers.

The RAGTOP is published monthly by the Hill Country Tri-umph Club. Material within may be freely reproduced provid-ing Ragtop and the authors are credited. Any and all newslettercontributions are welcome. Deadline for submissions is fourdays prior to the end of each month. Submissions may be sentto:

Carol Pennington105 Etta PlaceAustin, TX 78753

or E-mailed to [email protected]. Photos or image files like.gif or .jpg are always welcome. Any disk sent will be forwardedto our cryptology department and interpreted to the best of ourability using the latest state-of-the-art Lucas computer system.Older technologies such as bar napkin, toilet paper, or shoptowels are also accepted. Whatever the medium, we want tohear from you!

Classified ads are free to current members and will run forthree months unless otherwise instructed. Other ad rates are asfollows:

Non member classified .................................... $5.00 for 3 monthsBusiness cards ................................................... $50.00 per yearHalf page ............................................................ $100.00 per yearFull Page ............................................................. $200.00 per year

Advertise your business here for great results while support-ing your club and hobby at the same time. What a deal!


�As many of you know our club buys TRIUMPHWORLD Magazine in bulk and sells them to ourmembers at cost. Not so recent changes in thePound to Dollar exchange rate has�made it necessaryto raise the price from $4.50 per issue to $5.00.The magazine is Bi-Monthly and we try to keep therecords annually. �I will need to collect $30.00 fromanyone wanting to continue the program. We havehad 2 subscribers move out of state recently. Weare currently getting 15 issues but I need to cutback to only those people who want them.� So, if youwant to continue please let me know via email([email protected]�) or just let me know atthe next meeting. You can pay the�$30.00 by checkor cash and there is no rush.�The following people have received the first issue(June/July) at the $5.00 price:Andy BrunerBob BakerBob KramerCarol PenningtonBob SkewisDan JulienMike McPhail�Others who were on the list or who have boughtspares, If you are on this list please let me knowwhether you would like to subscribe or not. I have15 issues coming in and only 7 takers at this point.You can call me at 512-657-8526 or email me at theabove address.Don CouchPhil TaylorRon HarrisonEd GowettRalph HerterWarren ColeAl JohnsonFil ValderramaTom HarrisonKathy Smelker�Lastly, if you aren't on either of these lists andwould like to get TRIUMPH WORLD, let me know. Ihave back issue spares to sell and the August/September issue will be available at the Augustmeeting.�Thanks,Bob Kramer

by Carol Pennington

Our July meeting, held at a la Carrera,attracted 17 members in 7 cars. What agreat turn-out! It was Harry Taggart’sfirst meeting. Bob Skewis brought a co-worker and new member, Bill Waller, whoowns a ‘66 Spitfire in the restoration pro-cess.

Our fearless leader told us that the clublogo is available for monogramming on yourown shirt. It is held in a computer and allyou have to do is take your shirt, hat,gloves, boxers, shoes, etc. to:

Monograms TodaySimon Bedoya1738 W. Anderson LaneAustin451-2871451-5003

There is no minimum and price is figured onsize of monogram. A 3” log is approximately$15.00.

Bob Kramer updated us on Triumph World.See article to the right.

August is our Annual Blood drive month.See page 6 for details. If you can’t donateblood, be sure to make it to the B.B.Q.


The International Triumph Challengeby Bob Kramer

Bob’s TR4 in paddock Bob on VIR grid

The “Fireball” Who is that masked man?

Snook Ambromore pics on page 7


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small fish that attracted the big fish thatattracted the fisherman.

I mention all of this because I spent the lastweekend of July as I usually do. My brother

and I along with a couple offriends made our annualpilgrimage to the open sea.Our transportation may be alittle bigger now and themotor a lot bigger, but thethrill is the same. Of course,we pass through the shipchannel now instead of the

rigorous surf (a few nods are made to thepassing of the years). Few things can compareto pulling up to a well 30 miles out in the Gulfand staring down into the water that is themost beautiful shade of blue and watching thefish swimming around the huge supportingstructure 30 feetbelow the surfaceof the water.Looking up, the topof the platformlooms a hundredfeet above you andyou realize that thepart below thesurface is twice that. We spent two daysworking the fish and came back with kingmackerel, barracuda and mahi-mahi to besavored at home. We ate, drank, debatedpolitics and swapped lies the whole time. Andwhen it was all over, we vowed to do it againnext year!

Annual events are wonderful things – as amatter of fact, we have one coming up thismonth. On August 21st, we are having our “it’stoo hot to drive” Blood DriveBlood DriveBlood DriveBlood DriveBlood Drive. Please read theinformation on page 6 and join us to helpothers and get together once again to eat,drink, talk about cars and maybe swap a coupleof lies. I’ll see you there!I’ll see you there!I’ll see you there!I’ll see you there!I’ll see you there!

3rd Annual Texas Classic Car Show3rd Annual Texas Classic Car Show3rd Annual Texas Classic Car Show3rd Annual Texas Classic Car Show3rd Annual Texas Classic Car Showto be held September 11 at Rudy's CountryStore and Bar-B-Que, 11570 Research Blvd.,benefiting the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.�(Rain date is September 25.)�

There will be an auction associated with thisyear's TCCS for a one owner 1961 CadillacFleetwood with less than 36,000 miles. Allproceeds from the auction will go to the Make-A-Wish Foundation®.

The second annual Texas Classic Car Show wasa resounding success, raising over $14,000 forthe Make-A-Wish Foundation® of Central andSouth Texas. There were 254 vehicles at theshow representing a wide variety of years,makes and models.

Registration form and details are on their website:�http://www.texasccs.com�Heard�they've never had any Triumphs.�Thereis an award for club participation. Sounds like adare... Sounds like we should take them up on it.


Join us onAugust 21st for our

Third Annual “Blood Drive”Third Annual “Blood Drive”Third Annual “Blood Drive”Third Annual “Blood Drive”Third Annual “Blood Drive”It is usually too hot to drive very far in the month of August,

so this is the month we traditionally reserve forhelping our community. We will meet at the

Central Texas Regional Blood Center4300 North Lamar

at 10:30 a.m. and will leave approximately one hour later

to take a short drive out to the Lake Travis home of

Bob and Barbara Kramerwhere we will relax, eat and swim to recharge our batteries.

The Kramers will provide the burgers and fixin’s.All we need to bring is our drinks, a side dish or desert,All we need to bring is our drinks, a side dish or desert,All we need to bring is our drinks, a side dish or desert,All we need to bring is our drinks, a side dish or desert,All we need to bring is our drinks, a side dish or desert,

your swimsuit, a towel and any flotation device you have.your swimsuit, a towel and any flotation device you have.your swimsuit, a towel and any flotation device you have.your swimsuit, a towel and any flotation device you have.your swimsuit, a towel and any flotation device you have.Everyone is welcome to participate in either or both

activities, NO PRESSURE NO PRESSURE NO PRESSURE NO PRESSURE NO PRESSURE -- you can even meet us at theBlood Center to caravan out to the Kramer’s home.

Let Bob Skewis know how you plan to participate so we canplan accordingly . . . email at [email protected]@[email protected]@[email protected] or call 892-4068.892-4068.892-4068.892-4068.892-4068.

To reach the Kramer house, drive out Anderson Mill road toVolente Beach Waterpark (about 8 miles from 183) and turn right on Lime Creek Rd.

Follow Lime Creek around hairpin turn and look for Sherman Street on the left.Turn down Sherman and follow it straight past the no outlet sign on the right.

Turn right on Bernard Street and go 1/4 mile to a paved driveway with an old rusty gate.You’re there . . . 8006 Bernard Street . . . if you get lost, call 250-9498.


Group B Group B

Group B Rob Dardano

Murderers Row

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Hill Country Triumph Club2004 Events

Close to the event, call the Hotline for additional information 512.703.6553

Hill Country Triumph Club Shirts, Sweatshirts, and Hats are always available!Shirts are 100% combed cotton pique tri-color pullover “JERZEE” golf shirts. Sweatshirts are 95% “Lee”hooded sweatshirts with a muff pocket. Shirts and sweatshirts have the HCTC logo embroidered on thefront. Shirts and sweatshirts are $25.00 and hats are $15.00. Buy yours at the next meeting or event!

AUGUST 2004

6 Putt-Putt, Burnet Road 6PM-close6-7 TRF Summer Party, Indiana County, PA CANCELLED10 Hill Country Triumph Club Meeting. 7PM. The Filling Station on Barton Springs

Road, between Congress Ave. and S. Lamar, across from the Palmer Events Center.21 Blood Drive and B.B.Q. 10:30AM. See page 6 for details.

SEPTEMBER 2004

11 Texas Classic Car Show. See page 5 for details.14 Hill Country Triumph Club Meeting. 7PM.25-26 All British Car Day, SpringHill Suites, Old Settlers Park, Round Rock. Visit

http://www.txabcd.org for details and registration form.30-Oct. 4 Triumphfest, Lake Tahoe, CA Sponsored by Triumph Travelers. Visit

http://www.triumphtravelers.org for additional information.

OCTOBER 2004

2 The State Fair of Texas All British Parade to the Fairgrounds !!!The theme this year is The British Invasion. A celebration and salutation to allthings British featuring the Jaguar Marque. More info to come.

12 Hill Country Triumph Club Meeting. 7PM.

NOVEMBER 2004

9 Hill Country Triumph Club Meeting. 7PM.

DECEMBER 2004

TBA Tour of Lights


For Sale: 1975 TR6 - Metalic Maroon-Purplewith black interior and top. Mechanicallyrestored, magnificent body – the automobile isactually beautiful to behold. Excellent car withgorgeous rims, tires and additional detailswhich indicate a reverence for the automobile'sheritage. The car has been meticulously garagekept and preserved in excellent condition.Drive daily or show: $9,000. Jeff La Force cell(512) 659-5512, toll free (866) “laforce” or e-mail [email protected] [email protected]. 6/04

Graham Davies

BEST of BRITISH

Austin, TX(512) 926-1182

Restoration, Service, Tuning of Austin Healy,MG, Triumph, Mini Cooper S

76 Spitfire

It is red, with new convertible top (black), has a redhardtop.The gentleman who owned it before me reupholsteredthe seats, added new carpet and has been newlypainted. I am able to use it every day. Have hadprofessional mechanic work on it.Since September:Carb Rebuilt (as they no longer sell new ones)New master cylinderNew starterFront wheels bearing repacked/replacednew muffler/tailpipe repair.New tiresCar really runs well.Heater works.New stereo systemRear axle and bearing replacedw/a little over 48,000 miles

Have been using it daily, it runs great. It’s a real lookerand being a teen from the 70’s get a real kick with thelooks and questions and reminiscing. That’s fun.Unfortunately, I also have 3 large dogs and must finda larger vehicle.

I am asking $8500 negotiable. Kathy Konegni, 817-498-1981 (h), 412-394-8079 (c),[email protected]. 7/04

For Sale, 1974 TR-6. Immaculately re-stored. Great driver. Needsabsolutely nothing. $15,000.00. ContactGriff at (210)651-4293 or atE-mail [email protected]. 5/04

1962 TR4, CVAR #11, Raced with CVAR,SVRA, RMVR and VARAC . ConsistentCVAR performer/DP points champion.Fresh 87MM engine for 2004, ready to race.Close ratio 4 speed with Overdrive, custom4.10 Southwick Rear axle Panasport wheelswith 205-60-15 Dunlop’s.$11,875.00 NegotiableBob Kramer [email protected]

RACE CAR


Hill Country Triumph Club1105 N. Canyonwood Dr.Dripping Springs, TX 78620Address Correction Requested

The next meeting will be August 10The next meeting will be August 10The next meeting will be August 10The next meeting will be August 10The next meeting will be August 10ththththth, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7PMPMPMPMPM,,,,, at The Filling Station. at The Filling Station. at The Filling Station. at The Filling Station. at The Filling Station.See page 8 for directions.See page 8 for directions.See page 8 for directions.See page 8 for directions.See page 8 for directions.

If you have July 04 here, it’s DUES time.

Name:

Address:

City/State: Zip:

Home Phone:

Work Phone:

E-mail address:

Car Make: Model: Year: Color:

Car Make: Model: Year: Color:

Please circle which method you would like the newsletter delivered: E-mail Snail Mail

See page 2 in the newsletter for membership details.

Membership ApplicationMembership ApplicationMembership ApplicationMembership ApplicationMembership Application

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