Vintage

Viewpoint

Vintage MG Car Club

Vol. 42 No 7

July 2008

NOTICE – NOTICE - NOTICE

There will not be a meeting in July! The next regular meeting will be held on Wednesday, August 13, at the Pizza Joynt, 39 W. North Avenue, Northlake, IL, 8 p.m. – 708-562-5334

Bits and Pieces

Shine the MG Light

By Jennifer Smith President

During the June meeting there was a constant buzz of activity as Bill Cole handed out the newest addition to the club’s regalia collection. Of course, with a flashlight in one hand he was collecting a hot green sawbuck with the other – they still are green aren’t they?

The July 9 meeting of the VMGCC was cancelled due to the conflict with the GOF, so we will see everyone again at The Pizza Joynt on Wednesday, August 13. If the weather is nice, remember to drive those MGs to the meeting. We would like to welcome our newest members, Leigh and Joanne Clark. They have just recently purchased a 1950 MG TD, and they hosted a garage visit at their home on Saturday, June 28 (see page 5). As new owners, they have a lot of questions, so be sure to help them out with any reference material, personal knowledge, or websites that would provide them with some answers to those MG questions.

This superb flashlight has proven to be quite popular, so much so that it was decided to order another batch. Don’t delay. Contact Regalia Chairman, Lou Louchios, to place your order, or, better yet, come to the next meeting to purchase your very own VMGCC LED flashlight for only $10.00. You need one for every car you own.

By the time you read this, Rey Navarro will have headed up the Fourth of July Parade and gettogether in Riverside. See the Riverside website (http://www.riverside-illinois.com).for past photos. The weather was supposed to be nice for the holiday, so hopefully we had a big representation of MGs there. Also coming up is the President’s Picnic. This event is still sort of up in the air, I heard from Doug Clark, and he is still trying to coordinate with Larry Claypool of the Corvair Club (www.ccecorvair.com) to get some space for our MGs at their Orphan Auto Picnic in Aurora on August 17 or August 24 (rain date); more details as they become available. 1

Trivia: Bendix Woods is now a County Park but it was originally owned by Studebaker. They built a test track for themselves. It was a large tract of land upon which they planted a huge number of trees in addition to the track. So many trees were planted that if the land were viewed from an airplane the trees would spell S-T-U-D-E-B-A-K-E-R. Still does, I am informed.

Mr. Toad’s Stool By Larry Carlson MR TOAD’S new home is about a 45 second drive to some of the most scenic and smooth county roads anywhere. It is a pleasure to put the hood down and drive, as Chuck Berry says, with ”… no particular place to go”. Already we have discovered some interesting, if not cute, places.

TCs in Germany By Greg Hoeft Editor

But this column is devoted to the car shows MR TOAD has attended. It should be said that Hoosiers love their Fords, Chevys, Mopars, Harleys and monster trucks. So when we arrived at a car show in Chesterton drove through a parking lot loaded with American iron. MR TOAD was neither intimidated nor shy: his stiff upper lip and unfailing British aplomb served him well as he smartly nestled in between a gorgeous ’67 Mustang and a ’72 Corvette.

Recently I traveled to Europe on business. To take advantage of the lowest possible airfare I was scheduled for an overnight layover in Frankfurt. Since I had the afternoon and evening free on what was the “longest day” of the year, I telephoned a fellow TC owner who lives in the area. My friend Madhu is a transplant from India and has been living in Germany for the past 30 or so years. Since he lives only a hop, skip and jump from the hotel where I was staying, he quickly picked me up and away we went to visit with David, another TC owner. David is a U.S. transplant to the Frankfurt area. He has a nicely restored 1947 cream TC that he keeps in his garage alongside his TD and early (’56 or ’57) Corvette.

While chatting with the Mustang and Corvette owners of both of them admitted, with a certain amount of pride and nostalgia, that their first car was an MG, and how much they regretted ever selling the MG. What a surprise! Due to the overwhelming numbers of muscle cars, many people simply kept walking as they viewed and judged the cars except when the saw MR TOAD. Almost everyone stopped and stared. “George, what is this?” “I dunno, Ethel, some English car, I suppose. Let’s ask the guy sitting there.” Most of the over-40 crowd recognized the MG logo but the teen-agers did not have a clue. “What is this?” “It’s an MG.” “What is that?” This led to a car history lesson to which, I am pleased to report, most of the teens patiently listened.

Off we went, David and me in his TC, to collect Madhu’s 1946 green TC. In the two TCs we then toured the countryside around Frankfurt. The drive was idyllic, with gentle hills, narrow curving roads and passages through small towns with the classic half timbered architecture of Germany. Then, to my surprise, we headed up a narrow street and there, parked in a driveway, was yet another TC. I was introduced to Klaus and his wife Karen, a wonderful couple. They insisted we come in for “Kafee und Kucken.” Klaus and Karen have been to a New England T Register GOF and to a Gathering in Perth, Australia. Klaus seems to know just about every T series notable in the world but has never used a computer. Klaus’ real hobby is restoring early German manufactured Mopeds. He doesn’t sell them, only restores them and adds them to his collection, which is extensive. His TC was something he had always dreamed of owning after

In the end, MR TOAD won two trophies: BEST FOREIGN and MOST EXOTIC. How cool is that? Later in June we traveled to Bendix Woods for an all British show put on by the Michiana Brits. It was a sunny, warm day and we parked on grass! About 40 cars participated.

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seeing TCs being driven by U.S. and English soldiers when he was a child. David had to head back home, so, along with Klaus and Karen, Madhu and I drove with two TCs to Bad Nauheim to see the “Elvis” house. Elvis Presley rented the house, located at Goethestrasse 14, while serving with the U.S. Third Armored Division in Friedburg, Germany from 1958 to1960, Every August the town of Bad Nauheim holds a festival to celebrate Elvis. It’s a big deal. Then, a late evening meal at a local restaurant with MG friends really made me feel at home. The world is big but yet so small.

Klaus’ Red TC

Madhu’s 1946 TC

Half Timbered Buildings

The Elvis House

David’s 1947 TC 3

Members were also reminded of the Illinois St. Andrews Car Show and Highland Games in Oakbrook, an all-British car show scheduled for June 14th.

Minutes of the Meeting of the Vintage MG Car Club of Chicago June 11, 2008

Greg Hoeft volunteered to get the VMGCC membership roster up-to-date and published, hopefully prior to the August meeting.

President Jennifer Smith called the meeting to order at 8:10 p.m. Twenty-three members were in attendance; 24 if we include Jeff Powell who arrived just after we adjourned. But hey Jeff, it’s always good to see you – even only briefly.

Bill Cole noted that he still has five VMGCC flashlights left after last meeting’s sales rush. It was moved that he order some more as regalia items. NEW BUSINESS

The new members who enrolled in May, Leigh and Joanne Clark, announced they have purchased a TD.

Given that a number of our members are planning on attending the GOF July 10 -13, a motion was made, seconded, and passed to cancel the scheduled club meeting July 9th.

Minutes of the previous meeting were approved by motion.

Greg Hoeft noted that Peter Egan’s “Side Glances” column in the July issue of Road & Track has an interesting reference to an old story entitled “The Red Car,” featuring a red MG-TC. In his column, Peter recounts a recent visit with Al Moss, and Peter notes that he has always wanted a TC. Wise man, with great taste in sports cars, that Peter Egan.

Treasurer Ric Maitzen reported the treasury balance. OLD BUSINESS Again, Bill Cole suggested it might be appropriate to donate the proceeds from the cars donated by the late John Fee to some worthy charity. A motion was made, seconded, and passed to have the Board meet and bring recommendations back to the club.

Bob Hanselman volunteered to organize a fall tour. Tom Moore discussed the racing taking place at Blackhawk Farms, and recommended members check this out. Call Tom for details.

The joint VMGCC/Chicagoland MG Car Club newsletter published in June drew considerable discussion. Overall, it seemed to be well-received and Greg Hoeft is to be commended on his efforts helping put this together. Jerry Cihak found the typestyle a little hard to read, and Tom Moore raised concerns that we need to be careful we don’t lose our club’s individuality. No decision was made on future joint issues.

TECHNICAL TOPICS Bill Latham reported that he got his top (the NOS one with the strangely diseased window) repaired at a local upholstery shop. As it goes in our hobby, he said the cost of the repair plus the cost of the NOS top, probably exceeded the cost of a new top.

Members reported that the Spring Tour to Baraboo went well, with much to see including the Al Ringling Theatre, Faire on the Square, Circus World, and the International Crane Foundation. Our thanks to Ric and Nancy Maitzen for planning and putting this event together. Well done!

Glen Grossklags is looking for a late TD distributor. Bob Hanselman described an auxiliary storage box he has designed and built that creates additional storage space under the floor behind the seat in his MG.

Bob Hanselman reported that the “Chicago Kruze” drew more than 800 cars this year.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:15 p.m. Members were reminded of this year’s GOF Central in Auburn, Indiana July 10 - 13. The event includes a banquet at the world-class Auburn-CordDuesenburg Museum.

Respectfully submitted, Win Gould Secretary

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VMGCC Garage Visit hosted by Leigh and Joanne Clark By Jennifer Smith Leigh and Joanne Clark are the proud new owners of a 1950 MG TD. They are the newest members of our Vintage MG Car Club, and they graciously hosted a garage visit at their home in Orland Park on Saturday, June 28. There were about 10 people in attendance, and there was plenty of food, drink, MG talk, and MG rides. Their car has been restored previously and is mechanically sound and will prove to be a great driver; Leigh may even enter it in some shows. Joanne has always wanted an MG TD and now she has finally got one. The car is painted cream with a black interior, so be on the lookout for Leigh and Joanne in their TD. We hope to see them driving it to our monthly meetings and other MG functions. From all of your fellow members: A big welcome to the club of MG owners, and thanks for hosting a wonderful garage visit!

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VMGCC Qty.

Item Price Lapel Pin 1" 6.00 Key Ring 1" 6.00 Stick Pin 1" 6.00 Charm 3/4" 5.00 Tie Tack 3/4" 5.00 Lapel Pin 3/4" 5.00 Name Tag 10.00 Decal-transfer 1.00 Car Badge 25.00 Patch, sew-on 5.00 Cap (black or tan) 12.00 2005 GOF Lapel Pin 2.00 2005 GOF Dash Plaque 1.00 VMGCC Flashlight 10.00 Postage Total

REGALIA Send Regalia order to: Lou Louchios 3101 West Frontage Rd. Rolling Meadows, IL 60008

Amount

Orders may be picked up at regular business meetings with no postage charge. Contact Lou first. e-mail: [email protected]

phone: 847 397-0623

First Name ________________________

Last Name

3.00

Name:

________________________

Address:

Phone:

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND RENEWALL Dues and registration $25.00 per year Make your check payable to: Vintage MG Car Club Mail your payment to:

Bill Dobeus – Membership 1556 Tara Lane Lake Forest, IL 60045

Include the following with your dues. We will use this information to update our membership directory Name:___________________________________ Spouse or Partner:_________________________________________ Address:___________________________________________

Home Phone:______________________________

Street:_____________________________________________

Business Phone: ____________________________

City:_______________________________________________

Email: _____________________________________

State and Zip:_______________________________________ Please list your MGs, including Model and Year: _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Last Chance

For further information contact:

Kathy Kubick, Meet Chairman 7915 W. Stinemeyer Rd. New Palestine, IN 46163 kkubick67 @gmail.com www.geocities.com/hoosiermgs/gof2008.html

MG Summer Party “The Octagon 08/08/08” The Summer Party will be held this year on the weekend of August 8 th , 2008. This is an almost perfect date and we shall celebrate accordingly. This year will include the Car show, Vendors, Banquet, and for the first time ever John Twist will be conducting a Tune up Session Friday afternoon at the hotel. Please mark your calendars and check www.universitymotorsltd.com for updates. We look forward to hosting another great party and hope all can come!

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British Car Union presents BRITISH CAR FESTIVAL September 7, 2008 Moraine Valley Community College Palos Hills, Illinois

Sponsored by the British Car Union, a not-for-profit organization of a dozen Chicago area British car clubs, this Festival is the 21st annual gathering of British car enthusiasts. The Festival features one of the finest displays of British cars in the USA. Where else will you see classic British cars ranging in age from 1928 to present, Austin, Austin-Healey, Bentley, DeLorean, Triumph, MG, Lotus, Morris, Morgan, Jaguar, Jensen-Healey, Mini-Cooper, Sunbeam, Aston Martin, Daimler, Cortina, Land-Rover, Riley, Rolls-Royce, TVR and others you've only read about. There will be registration and display of British Motorcycles. Tight turns, long drives on summer nights, even the distinctive aroma of an aging British car interior; all these things are part of the mystique of British motoring. The Festival reflects all that and more. It's about seeing British cars, talking to their owners, meeting fellow enthusiasts, finding out about spare parts, getting information about the car you'd like to own and hearing about the club representing your favorite car. It is an opportunity to recall the days when British car drivers waved and honked as they passed on the road. To pre-register, download the British Car Festival Registration Form from www.britishcarunion.com . And don’t forget the:

Donald M. Healey Rally Saturday, September 6, 2008

in conjunction with the British Car Union 2008 British Car Festival!

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Officers and Directors – 2008 President: Jennifer Smith, Vice President Doug Clark, Secretary: Win Gould, Treasurer: Ric Maitzen Board of Directors: Jerry Cihak, Brian Dubin, Glenn Grossklags Newsletter: Greg Hoeft- Editor, Lou Louchios- Distribution Website: www.vintagemgchicago.com

Upcoming Events: July 10 – GOF Central August 8 – University Motors Summer Party August 13 – Regular Meeting August 17 – President’s Picnic?

Vintage MG Car Club c/o Editor 1814 Illinois Road Northbrook, IL 60062

First Class Mail

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