tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88450563490625803572024-02-07T01:17:10.009-05:00MG Drive for CURERaising money for pediatric cancer research by driving a 59 year-old English sports car, reflecting 79 year-old cottage engineering, across the U.S.A. on the 2011 Rallye to Reno. Follow along as a 1953 MG TD (fondly known as "Morris") and I confront the inevitable challenges of legendary British reliability, Skinners Union, and Lucas the Prince of Darkness on U.S. Route 50, known as "the loneliest road in America."johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-61863493374063514662011-06-30T11:59:00.001-04:002011-07-01T14:00:17.835-04:00Morris Makes It Home<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4vHtdM7DaJteJWwFiNdp_q090jc9d4rZwzq7NKRePbJ1PSv-S_h51tj-u2tSzQdHYdqXfjAuM9pUPAq8mzA8_Fry6gnVQMuBmvAcqSppthzM2Wvwht8m2gmvXdDu_QfSgf2Z9x71nQiQ/s1600/IMG_2802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn4vHtdM7DaJteJWwFiNdp_q090jc9d4rZwzq7NKRePbJ1PSv-S_h51tj-u2tSzQdHYdqXfjAuM9pUPAq8mzA8_Fry6gnVQMuBmvAcqSppthzM2Wvwht8m2gmvXdDu_QfSgf2Z9x71nQiQ/s320/IMG_2802.JPG" width="320" /></a>Having completed the Rallye to Reno leaving my companion in Dodge City, I flew back to Detroit on Friday, June 16th. With neither the TD here to diagnose nor the disassembled MG Midget race car motor available to work on, "retirement" became a challenge within a few hours. Sensing an opportunity, Carol and I decided to trailer a load of beds and furniture to our son, Lukas and spend a week with him and his partner, Cara, on their organic farm in the upper Hudson River valley. This solved the "retirement problem" as farm work begins about 5:30 AM and does not end until about 8:00 PM, Monday through Sunday-- makes no never-mind. Chain sawing tree limbs and trying to diagnose a couple of problems on their big green John Deere 2750 was the "rest break." The rest of the time was spent on all fours out in the field either hand weeding, thinning vegetables, or transplanting seedlings for the late season crops of squash, beets, tomatoes. Then the phone rang. Saved by the bell!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Cara at Quincy Farm, Easton, NY</td></tr>
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Jenny from Sancrest Specialized Transportation was informing me that on Monday the 27th I could expect delivery of my "parcel." My back and knees thanked her and we hurried home, arriving late Sunday night after a 14-hour haul. The next day, a friendly young fellow from Milan, MI pulled his Dodge diesel and trailer into the Chelsea High School parking lot and we unloaded Morris and the little CombiCamper trailer I had been pulling. The car started right up, ran perfectly...except for that loud metallic valve train sound. And bugs.<br />
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2,800 miles worth of dead bugs!<br />
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So, the <i><b>MG Drive for CURE</b> </i>is completed. What started as a singular adventure became an exercise in the unexpected, a chance to meet a lot of kind and generous people, and <b>a unique opportunity to experience better </b><i><b>luck</b></i><b> than I could ever have imagined having. </b><br />
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I set out to drive a 59-year old British car across the country, had to replace a few parts that succumbed to 106-degree Kansas heat-- and actually <i>had</i> those parts packed as spares, was confronted with a problematic engine sound in the far reaches of western Kansas, and chose to leave the car behind rather than risk a catastrophic failure crossing the Rockies or the Nevada desert.<br />
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<i><b>Luck?? </b></i>You bet!<br />
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Between Louisville, Kentucky and the Rocky Mountains in Colorado I am acquainted with exactly one person-- a man I have only known from a car-related internet community called "Spridgets at Team.net." Jim Johnson, a retired meteorologist, long-distance motorcyclist, and MG car guy, lives exactly six blocks from the hotel parking lot where I decided part ways with Morris. He not only gave me the keys to his truck so I wouldn't be stranded, he managed to get Morris stored in a Dodge City Civil Defense tornado shelter for as long as I needed. "Safest place in Dodge City," he quipped, "Two-foot thick concrete all the way around." One rally participant from New Jersey is in the limousine business and provided me the name of a transport company he uses out of Missouri. Another, Steve Rybicki, informed me he owns a trucking company in Springport, MI, about 50 miles from my home, and could try to help out. I call that a pretty fortunate day in Dodge City!<br />
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It's good when you can notice apparently good karma unfolding. And that day in Dodge City was my opportunity.<br />
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Then Dick Lunney from Charlotte, SC, editor of <i>Classic MG Magazine</i>, offered me his passenger seat to Grand Junction where his wife was flying in. Then PJ Lenihan from Winston-Salem, NC gave me his keys to have fun until <i>his</i> wife showed up by plane in Reno. Then George Kress and his red MGA from Pittsburgh took me in and later Jerry Morris from Owego, NY and Vincent Louie from California. None of these people knew me from Adam. But all extended a friendly hand.<br />
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Finally, the <i><b>MG Drive for CURE</b></i> was envisioned as a way to inspire the generosity of others for a cause I feel strongly about. It far exceeded my expectations in that regard and I am forever grateful to the friends, relatives, corporate sponsors and total strangers who chose to make charitable contributions to the <i>CURE Childhood Cancer</i> organization by way of the FirstGiving site <a href="http://www.tinyurl.com/mgdrive">www.tinyurl.com/mgdrive</a>.<br />
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Over $5,000 has been donated and I'm thrilled to have been a catalyst for this cause. Thank you so very much! <br />
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Now, I understand old US Rte 6 is mostly 2-lane from Massachusetts to California. Where <i>did</i> I leave the keys to my '63 VW Beetle?<br />
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John Deikis<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Back in Chelsea...at last!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Car haulers were not designed for Little British Cars</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCml6dG8EScGvlTC8YgNJI7aLFuJWmRmNPqZzutC48NjNFFrmyrAPk1_zDJc3fv0ygb2ifSc85ZHIUKgFqx0AS2sF_Li6JPfvEs0ez-45wwnNXMpTjBzHZOQbVKhLfSM1p1XaQ4ZHFwtkl/s1600/IMG_2998.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCml6dG8EScGvlTC8YgNJI7aLFuJWmRmNPqZzutC48NjNFFrmyrAPk1_zDJc3fv0ygb2ifSc85ZHIUKgFqx0AS2sF_Li6JPfvEs0ez-45wwnNXMpTjBzHZOQbVKhLfSM1p1XaQ4ZHFwtkl/s320/IMG_2998.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They gave their lives so others might party<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morris will ride again!<br />
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</tbody></table>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-63919757534893138492011-06-17T01:34:00.036-04:002011-07-01T11:57:54.325-04:00Splendor in the Grass<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLKDrSlXYoIJlMmcC9BUafqq979dT52Y2XUr19u2vI6Ta3nAMr0JU7FSZKbq5Pyk7US9eylP8Ia7we9Gwd_45uQg8cYCaFgWnbAOS4OYpPv0eo5IcX0CUTTgr53LddBYDm63WoblDmQsf/s1600/IMG_2933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcdiGnvgscPZAUZukrJJtj_2ApIkQ89FxT06xJhdWD-osXAZB6L9gcEuoWQHi60s5Hti_38t0ftc2c4cboFlZ3pFrSgIrH-0MO1WEgXv79B4Y2txCQbIDOas8SWKCLTfjWy9SyPSGKhCc/s1600/IMG_2895.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKcdiGnvgscPZAUZukrJJtj_2ApIkQ89FxT06xJhdWD-osXAZB6L9gcEuoWQHi60s5Hti_38t0ftc2c4cboFlZ3pFrSgIrH-0MO1WEgXv79B4Y2txCQbIDOas8SWKCLTfjWy9SyPSGKhCc/s200/IMG_2895.JPG" width="200" /></a>Thursday, June 16th, on a beautiful grassy hillside park near the University of Nevada, each of the MG Registers displayed examples of their cars-- over 600 in all. The earliest MG cars being shown were several 1929 M-type MG Midgets, diminutive cloth-bodied runabouts with hopped-up Morris engines. Through the early 1930's, MG produced sophisticated 4 and 6-cylinder overhead cam-engined cars, some with shaft-driven superchargers. Specialized race cars were produced as well as roadsters, coupes, touring cars and sedans for the general market. Although "traditional" MG cars ceased production in 1980, Rover-manufactured MG cars were sold around the world beginning in the 1990's and these were represented in Reno with the V8-powered MG-R and a mid-engined Canadian MG-F of more recent vintage.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1993 MG RV8 based on the MGB and produced in the UK by Rover Group</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mid-engined MGF powered by Rover</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I'm not all that interested in car shows, especially when they represent only one marque often looking quite the same save for color, but I enjoy seeing unusual examples of MG history and style. For instance, retired art professor Michael Jacobsen displayed his 1934 N-type "special" Magnette 6-cylinder race car which was built by his father from a rare German-export example and from two wrecked N-types donors. The late Mr. Jacobsen Sr. raced this car in the early post-war period at many historic venues in southern California. Michael now campaigns this car in vintage race events and his son plans to do the same. They've even talked of a grandson taking over eventual custody of this historic family heirloom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWglTfdNv2cGbPVzFl04NjbTZCN9w483RA78n6Fc-7lkHKGo3kJMSMtk5BDmT-wIRGO7xL31ylhS0H73gRy3kQOYluXnUv24t9U3JqYZm2VHaDMS3oisq1UvK1C_yuwxVzTn0ygVeqBDrG/s1600/IMG_2889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWglTfdNv2cGbPVzFl04NjbTZCN9w483RA78n6Fc-7lkHKGo3kJMSMtk5BDmT-wIRGO7xL31ylhS0H73gRy3kQOYluXnUv24t9U3JqYZm2VHaDMS3oisq1UvK1C_yuwxVzTn0ygVeqBDrG/s400/IMG_2889.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prof. Jacobsen with his family's N-type racer destined for the 4th generation</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFG_7aRZSuYd8F3sV09DN5gze6C-zt53i1fHfkLZhWXcFvOpBkJnCUq-a_I9_HU6ffFK-Vl19c4K_kMgCMxS2S-08Vv4yMbpnW1LRD3S1sIhWpJxAfqRrDS1OviCzHfII2Aw4BzE5JlQ8W/s1600/IMG_2886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFG_7aRZSuYd8F3sV09DN5gze6C-zt53i1fHfkLZhWXcFvOpBkJnCUq-a_I9_HU6ffFK-Vl19c4K_kMgCMxS2S-08Vv4yMbpnW1LRD3S1sIhWpJxAfqRrDS1OviCzHfII2Aw4BzE5JlQ8W/s320/IMG_2886.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horn, headlamps, full road-equipped</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgaFW1-WsmM57dvhi86yux1jqUoLi5oadAiPYV78-j76wiPtV8SHMOtYjaIHl0Tia_6zg7dqCZ2-MV2tNibUw-snX-nibzeGqGcO7_KdeX2EGuoOGmXvtbMVtvzFLoMfcp0NHCWVjYPYa/s1600/IMG_2887.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfgaFW1-WsmM57dvhi86yux1jqUoLi5oadAiPYV78-j76wiPtV8SHMOtYjaIHl0Tia_6zg7dqCZ2-MV2tNibUw-snX-nibzeGqGcO7_KdeX2EGuoOGmXvtbMVtvzFLoMfcp0NHCWVjYPYa/s320/IMG_2887.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1930's aircraft-type suspension: crude but effective</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYWtrbNXkDRIv-ytXSGbadrAls3xGZepkn2ZiOG-uJBJkY1Au_Ygso1G6YV3X6zTNLWAqT97l7ut2oEOlASzj9BHrOOoNLIxjjdYpPkx1ig9ALo7u8sleNFcciiJ_gzjKbJ35Arh-Mh0c/s1600/IMG_2888.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTYWtrbNXkDRIv-ytXSGbadrAls3xGZepkn2ZiOG-uJBJkY1Au_Ygso1G6YV3X6zTNLWAqT97l7ut2oEOlASzj9BHrOOoNLIxjjdYpPkx1ig9ALo7u8sleNFcciiJ_gzjKbJ35Arh-Mh0c/s400/IMG_2888.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tachometer, fire extinguisher, lunch box-- ready to race!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Unlike today's corporately mass-produced multinational automobiles, MG reflects an era when workers from one small town walked or rode their bicycles to "the works" that may have employed their fathers, uncles, and brothers, and assembled cars on conveyor lines pushed by hand over bricked and cobbled floors dating from the turn of the century. Arguably, this contributed to the ultimate demise of the British auto industry, but it is the well-spring of passion and commitment that owners feel today. When there are so many cars of the same heritage, it is easy to lose sight of how special each of these MG cars are to their custodians. Sometimes the registration tags serve as a reminder. </span></div></td></tr>
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Certainly the time and craft devoted to the early cars from the 1930's is evident, but even the newer cars are often subject to "frame-up" restorations at costs far exceeding the market value of the simple cars themselves. Even in its heyday, MG was a car for the enthusiast rather than aristocrat. Yet it always added an artful, sculptural aesthetic that far exceeded its modest pretensions. It is this quality of industrial design that makes a display of MGs on a lawn a singular pleasure to enjoy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSXPte8K9Kq1tw86dzJH3ob51t7Cc1oWMcYPs37F0ZbW2h_-WaCu_Aw3ni9jBilZxUQuJMVKSsdkAQwArJqITROAuWtf7GXSuTlnRLz_KPsE2qa-COsoyW0KX60J__fi-OG5P3b2Dsaz2/s1600/IMG_2935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcSXPte8K9Kq1tw86dzJH3ob51t7Cc1oWMcYPs37F0ZbW2h_-WaCu_Aw3ni9jBilZxUQuJMVKSsdkAQwArJqITROAuWtf7GXSuTlnRLz_KPsE2qa-COsoyW0KX60J__fi-OG5P3b2Dsaz2/s640/IMG_2935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Supercharged MG J2 roadster in front of a stately MG WA 4-door</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgcTjVKm9pOBB0gxFOYsM_BEexgRV-hzZ0gkl7EBNZkhKKZvHV1Qwmp4WZfnOVjNC36AHkuXexC2jReLhVI2Rw8q-5yQcN1jD5xkIeV7ueVxVu5mYk0klzcxg-qvA3bJVNlM4PDZfYJJa/s1600/IMG_2878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgcTjVKm9pOBB0gxFOYsM_BEexgRV-hzZ0gkl7EBNZkhKKZvHV1Qwmp4WZfnOVjNC36AHkuXexC2jReLhVI2Rw8q-5yQcN1jD5xkIeV7ueVxVu5mYk0klzcxg-qvA3bJVNlM4PDZfYJJa/s400/IMG_2878.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDWo0cTOn5x4S0Q8hx04Bwcj3IKmnqIEjXbkPmngizRgfalDVJIMOjGJzyGuF6t7P76nrCWnlpAM3kWlgasITKa4_ltmHK3NE5jDH4ABxmYHtUSUuP_sg56v9jWiF0FVHRhGbaWrD_ln2/s1600/IMG_2885.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjDWo0cTOn5x4S0Q8hx04Bwcj3IKmnqIEjXbkPmngizRgfalDVJIMOjGJzyGuF6t7P76nrCWnlpAM3kWlgasITKa4_ltmHK3NE5jDH4ABxmYHtUSUuP_sg56v9jWiF0FVHRhGbaWrD_ln2/s320/IMG_2885.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">British-mandated sound diffuser from the 1930's</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrgcTjVKm9pOBB0gxFOYsM_BEexgRV-hzZ0gkl7EBNZkhKKZvHV1Qwmp4WZfnOVjNC36AHkuXexC2jReLhVI2Rw8q-5yQcN1jD5xkIeV7ueVxVu5mYk0klzcxg-qvA3bJVNlM4PDZfYJJa/s1600/IMG_2878.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: right;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgLRzpt9GghAjMwnvoIj7Mq1UhlUa4knBiqfB_elhaME9L2PQdEuyxVdipJRLajAETPkpYIar7sB0fg94EiHgtZHO1XBHk1krz7q_T6_1iFW9meTvCNF3ZXUBj9nYhaVdaOGCgIGvJpUI/s1600/IMG_2890.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdgLRzpt9GghAjMwnvoIj7Mq1UhlUa4knBiqfB_elhaME9L2PQdEuyxVdipJRLajAETPkpYIar7sB0fg94EiHgtZHO1XBHk1krz7q_T6_1iFW9meTvCNF3ZXUBj9nYhaVdaOGCgIGvJpUI/s400/IMG_2890.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instrument panel: 1953 Arnolt-MG with Bertone bodywork</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Factory-built MGA racer, late 1950's</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavwphyphenhyphenoFxQoB0XVvQb_Q5V8teCmgKUUv3ekpTIJG6Y-YUp-54xPT5pfXKHlgXSM_ZHpLrSQyB9JbVVM_iq5uUxtLErmTIb3UIwgI9oW6cDMIGACRaCxfNO18LME-OIslbQGjq6yCP_Okf/s1600/00000005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhavwphyphenhyphenoFxQoB0XVvQb_Q5V8teCmgKUUv3ekpTIJG6Y-YUp-54xPT5pfXKHlgXSM_ZHpLrSQyB9JbVVM_iq5uUxtLErmTIb3UIwgI9oW6cDMIGACRaCxfNO18LME-OIslbQGjq6yCP_Okf/s320/00000005.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MG slogan from a 1950's promotional film</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2TECpG5ly-DKhb7Sq_eA4BfN3GxX3LlNOHnj1KNjc7xbobRvPOXcUYXwODRJ4pWUhDJjbMAFrynQPuUVZBxrvGZD9OePw_tiSeIKNCm7UJO89eMspuoX1LiMSoDU8BfENeEaPPNfLqqP/s1600/SafetyFast.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="107" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2TECpG5ly-DKhb7Sq_eA4BfN3GxX3LlNOHnj1KNjc7xbobRvPOXcUYXwODRJ4pWUhDJjbMAFrynQPuUVZBxrvGZD9OePw_tiSeIKNCm7UJO89eMspuoX1LiMSoDU8BfENeEaPPNfLqqP/s400/SafetyFast.gif" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MG slogan from a 1970's promotional pamphlet</td></tr>
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</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-9871689416132421962011-06-15T19:25:00.016-04:002011-07-01T01:44:15.184-04:00MG INTERNATIONAL 2011<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Like Shriners, software marketers, volunteer fireman, and bowling fans, "motorheads" have their gatherings and conventions. <i>MG International</i> is organized every five years by the North American Council of MG Registers and is aimed at bringing together the very different people who are attracted to various corners and edges of the MG hobby.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_HcnNpBTiTn_Paf0BPI0ElcW9L2LCC6LPgI2mbhd8h6svaGGKEXrDdX1X2fRvpjZqLXcnonpoltQYKUxfXmA0ntSv6bkh3M8gYfJYCrL02sElBaYg6iLASbka46-WO_t-JePn4-0l3nx/s1600/IMG_2892.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs_HcnNpBTiTn_Paf0BPI0ElcW9L2LCC6LPgI2mbhd8h6svaGGKEXrDdX1X2fRvpjZqLXcnonpoltQYKUxfXmA0ntSv6bkh3M8gYfJYCrL02sElBaYg6iLASbka46-WO_t-JePn4-0l3nx/s320/IMG_2892.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MG N-type 4-seater</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The <i>Triple M Register</i> (for Midget, Magna and Magnette) caters to the serious restorers and collectors of the crown jewels of the MG world: the diminutive and highly sophisticated overhead camshaft sports racers of the early 1930's known as giant killers on the tracks of the European continent in the years between the World Wars. Also included are the large and elegant sedans-- or<i> saloons</i> to the English-- which reflected a very different thrust in MG's marketing effort.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6CU3_Na4w2GMEFKgp0vA77ruAoW-jCP9GmMTmBD5tswJjLHP6X5KV3fItqpzbA9QmjKks79QrJKO-H6CSa5ZP4dWFFNMUFDr1MjgIeYVnI85m2pSxAk7YhsukIOmJb7bFkaZNIMuIbwU/s1600/IMG_2938.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU6CU3_Na4w2GMEFKgp0vA77ruAoW-jCP9GmMTmBD5tswJjLHP6X5KV3fItqpzbA9QmjKks79QrJKO-H6CSa5ZP4dWFFNMUFDr1MjgIeYVnI85m2pSxAk7YhsukIOmJb7bFkaZNIMuIbwU/s400/IMG_2938.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bonnet detail-- MG SA</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigel Johnsfolly seeking attention</td></tr>
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The <i>New England MG T Register</i> and its affiliated regional groups and chapters reflects the interests of owners of the "World War 2-era" MG cars which suffered corporate "rationalization" following the formation of the Nuffield Organization by Sir William Morris and, in the post-war years, the British Motor Corporation (BMC). These are the T-series MG sports cars from TA through TF (<i>"the sports car America loved first"</i>) and the four-seater family variants, the YT touring car and YA/YB 4-doors. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsrfzMiq-BNj8-lUm8YGej1ZshBcVGPRdLjO2orhnd6KZNVoqAvQxB_Ig4CBuK6pDJmkbvGXl7H5eCeAbtJmYhZ7hIm89IDOuZELcTYALAYaMkB6iUCBzH3PdXMisdGmJsHzPTavZDNkH/s1600/1952MGYBSaloon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRsrfzMiq-BNj8-lUm8YGej1ZshBcVGPRdLjO2orhnd6KZNVoqAvQxB_Ig4CBuK6pDJmkbvGXl7H5eCeAbtJmYhZ7hIm89IDOuZELcTYALAYaMkB6iUCBzH3PdXMisdGmJsHzPTavZDNkH/s400/1952MGYBSaloon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px; padding-top: 4px; text-align: center;">1952 MG YB Saloon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvju7FrVjvCs9dzKqQcKUWqvSJOUFJ1hs4SF6OmJ-hnantlpLC8knRBbRQCqlpnu7nzGP0dzUdMEWDU-FoCkgOlrBVcHQTczLGjhX4lbhJMTIAjLgmDkdhURZ0xCIMMuyoHfW1rUm7SHMb/s1600/IMG_2869.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvju7FrVjvCs9dzKqQcKUWqvSJOUFJ1hs4SF6OmJ-hnantlpLC8knRBbRQCqlpnu7nzGP0dzUdMEWDU-FoCkgOlrBVcHQTczLGjhX4lbhJMTIAjLgmDkdhURZ0xCIMMuyoHfW1rUm7SHMb/s200/IMG_2869.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MGA EX186 Factory racer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The <i>North American MGA Register</i> (NAMGAR) is the home for the first "envelope body" MG. This is the car the MG wanted to introduce in 1953 but were blocked by corporate veto in favor of the just-introduced Austin-powered Austin-Healey 100. Several post-war race cars based on the MG TD chassis are recognizable as the MGA shape and at it's release in 1955 the "<i>A</i>" became the sensation of the low-priced sports car world. Sedan variants, the ZA and ZB, are also prized by collectors today.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_ocjvdfUOdgFrqfUhUGaFUmT0fz1A9Fsl8J9oNBucZff9AhHKrwo2HZakgToAMF4CTLS12g_dcs05aldyxfXfsahLjiCauEsQHkdsKyXCQEfG74rfabSbt1CxI4l5fxVLrQHzL_9t6dH/s1600/MG+ZB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3_ocjvdfUOdgFrqfUhUGaFUmT0fz1A9Fsl8J9oNBucZff9AhHKrwo2HZakgToAMF4CTLS12g_dcs05aldyxfXfsahLjiCauEsQHkdsKyXCQEfG74rfabSbt1CxI4l5fxVLrQHzL_9t6dH/s640/MG+ZB.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1957 MG ZB Magnette "Varitone" Saloon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZy5wIX3znMVspx27_2JAz7TQBYxaulMG5v_tr4hOgcE2C1yejT7PNn2_khn1Y5gcf0EgwXKg9hMcISTr41qZliZLCM8657nheGBFLQ4sH4-KTcYyzHoMB6fFCix6SHsRgTTyyIh54KVe/s1600/Cl_MG_MGB_Car_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZy5wIX3znMVspx27_2JAz7TQBYxaulMG5v_tr4hOgcE2C1yejT7PNn2_khn1Y5gcf0EgwXKg9hMcISTr41qZliZLCM8657nheGBFLQ4sH4-KTcYyzHoMB6fFCix6SHsRgTTyyIh54KVe/s320/Cl_MG_MGB_Car_4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">1973 MGB GT V8-- Buick/Rover-powered</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The MGB was introduced in 1962 and was the first MG with roll-up windows, reasonable heat, and a space for dealer-installation of a radio. Except for questionably compromised efforts to meet U.S. emissions and crash standards, the MGB was sold virtually unchanged until 1980 and included a 6-cylinder variant, the MGC, and a V8 GT car which was never sold in the American market. The <i>North American MGB Register</i> and the <i>MGC Register</i> represent owners of these cars as well as the "modern Midget," the entry-level sportster now known as the "Spridget," and the practical MG 1100/1300 variant of the Issigonis-designed Mini.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LJdMN0F9rp-Zo4-nZl57IvSthX8rtNkRtxCplekT7dEcRjDz6JAJX-sm0jqmTOxsnT0fCDqa3-oEnbzTjmIp8cJSFWhJLGO6GQGdwsTWu0q7R9hLvN2exZoUb1GOxgWGNpnfTqUxqa0o/s1600/Beaver+Run+Sebring+look.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7LJdMN0F9rp-Zo4-nZl57IvSthX8rtNkRtxCplekT7dEcRjDz6JAJX-sm0jqmTOxsnT0fCDqa3-oEnbzTjmIp8cJSFWhJLGO6GQGdwsTWu0q7R9hLvN2exZoUb1GOxgWGNpnfTqUxqa0o/s400/Beaver+Run+Sebring+look.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nigel Johnsfolly racing his "works tribute" MG Midget...and apparently in the lead!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Like most conventions, MG gatherings have meetings, educational sessions, vendor displays, banquets, cookouts, and socializing. They also frequently include a <i>gymkhana</i> or slow speed obstacle course event, a local challenge rally that covers a specified course on back roads and demands exacting adherence to time, speed, observations, or gimmick questions, and a "track event" where drivers can spend an afternoon learning the high speed handling characteristics of their cars.<br />
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I had the opportunity to participate in a gymkhana using Segway mobility devices-- a first for me. I also entered the local road rally through the historic mining town of Virginia City where I was invited to drive San Franciscan Vincent Louie's 1952 MG while he graciously navigated.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3H6wi-3ke72cJ1hzPB18dsDYFvgecQZ7_R1oNe-Khb2WBwVEkDXQIV3bb7X5lcilMQQLqFuEBvn56YYPHq1pfDMp_HVLZyr7VDZ0P8yCNdeQW2O-W0pSY0JS8uj8Fve_GNxryFVQRPFe/s1600/IMG_2867.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3H6wi-3ke72cJ1hzPB18dsDYFvgecQZ7_R1oNe-Khb2WBwVEkDXQIV3bb7X5lcilMQQLqFuEBvn56YYPHq1pfDMp_HVLZyr7VDZ0P8yCNdeQW2O-W0pSY0JS8uj8Fve_GNxryFVQRPFe/s640/IMG_2867.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With antiquated drum brakes, getting down is often more interesting than the drive up.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-58924314565842101022011-06-14T19:10:00.001-04:002011-07-01T00:47:32.954-04:00Finally Reno<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_q8vPigStnUl2KC-aZIK-q8XWRfTT2xAQ-hP_yDT8B37vNlwIuMqg2MhFEIQh61YVRq39JnplwKIcCQlGwcHRLxlIg25scmfWIkopRAt9aKnfE2WI2FxpZaTcYo-9G89Ebp1WS7MkoB9G/s1600/IMG_2851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_q8vPigStnUl2KC-aZIK-q8XWRfTT2xAQ-hP_yDT8B37vNlwIuMqg2MhFEIQh61YVRq39JnplwKIcCQlGwcHRLxlIg25scmfWIkopRAt9aKnfE2WI2FxpZaTcYo-9G89Ebp1WS7MkoB9G/s400/IMG_2851.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>Sunday, June 12th, having truly enjoyed the "Loneliest Road in America" following the old Pony Express trail across Nevada, we arrived in Carson City. Those Rallye to Reno participants who were roughly on schedule gathered at the local high school parking lot, met by others who had traveled from the Northwest and from California on their own rally route. From here, we all caravaned the last 30 miles to Reno, entering "The Biggest Little City in the World" down its main drag, Virginia Ave. As we passed under the famous Reno arch in the center of town, the entire entourage was captured on video and by local news outlets.<br />
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The <i>MG International 2011</i> headquarters was to be the Silver Legacy Casino Hotel right downtown and the organizers had arranged for special roped off parking for all MGs in the hotel's parking structure. The traffic jam pulling up the ramps was a sight-- little supercharged overhead cam MGs from the 1930's with motors smaller than today's motorcycles alternating with hot rodded MGB V8 conversions sporting Ford Cobra power. Over 1,000 cars were expected for the week's planned MG activities and everyone was excited to check in, unpack, and begin sampling product at Brew Brothers Brewpub off the Silver Legacy's concourse. I guess some may have also looked forward to casino stuff, but gambling has never been a draw for me. I found the sight of so many people of apparently modest means feeding money into slot machines a bit sad, but then again little British cars may seem a peculiar pastime to others.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1p_4FzAnEaoYXxYgdF59A_kEXklF4QG_kGTvUS1nvRukYoA-L3mWaTAB1P8bc84gGrCCVVt-xEU5pQ9VDcDjLD4Rbb_D8pfspIQiJcN2j-mh4373VSv9OVtpxaSG2WaH3oGuZyYTAiw9/s1600/Rallye+participants.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1p_4FzAnEaoYXxYgdF59A_kEXklF4QG_kGTvUS1nvRukYoA-L3mWaTAB1P8bc84gGrCCVVt-xEU5pQ9VDcDjLD4Rbb_D8pfspIQiJcN2j-mh4373VSv9OVtpxaSG2WaH3oGuZyYTAiw9/s640/Rallye+participants.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-12040530269954940182011-06-13T22:00:00.001-04:002011-07-01T00:46:34.626-04:00What Happens in Nevada Stays in NevadaDespite it's moniker as "The Loneliest Road in America," I found Rte 50 from Ely to Fallon to be one of the most magnificent stretches of scenery covered in this journey. When you ever so slowly cross the immense valleys, you are always looking ahead at snow-covered peaks, and as you crest repeated high passes, another huge valley stretches out beneath you at the end of a corkscrew of roadway. At times the low areas had unexplainable lakes, at others just dry salt or sand, as though the water had evaporated. <br />
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In July,1986, <i>Life Magazine</i> said U.S. 50 west of Ely was 287 miles of road with not a single attraction or point of interest and they recommended drivers have "survival skills" to travel the route. Sensing an opportunity to market their area, local Nevadans started to issue "The Official Highway 50 Survival Guide" to challenge travelers to learn for themselves. A sort of passport, you are encouraged to stop in the historic mining towns along the way and get the booklet stamped. This of course gets you to walk around a bit, buy a sandwich or a coffee or a trinket of some kind, but also gives you a chance to see up close the trail covered by the famous riders of the Pony Express as well as the Overland Stage. <br />
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We drove from Ely, home of the early Nevada Northern Railway, to Eureka with its picturesque courthouse and opera, to Austin and the abandoned tower of the Stokes Castle built by a long-departed silver mining baron, to Fallon and on to Carson City. There we met up with a contingent of MG cars from the Reno area and caravanned the final 28 miles in the "The Biggest Small City in America." Our parade under the Reno arch was filmed for a documentary movie and created quite the traffic jam in the center of town. I had again switched cars and was now in a 1962 MGA driven from Pittsburgh by George Kress. Life is good!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Main St., Eureka, NV</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lodging stop for the Overland Stage, Austin, NV.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNh4lnYaF74DOLGxSQXJ6NmpcSknOxzkG4fdlN8TvjfXKysURdny2HA5f4LOb6pdcRnjeDPDjneva7rrxoGiKUlVqtJ4tgnTbIWLGwYNfpLH7vWAz4R_ouPHE1oiQKlSW7jVhdwzdXYQA/s1600/Lost+in+thought.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigNh4lnYaF74DOLGxSQXJ6NmpcSknOxzkG4fdlN8TvjfXKysURdny2HA5f4LOb6pdcRnjeDPDjneva7rrxoGiKUlVqtJ4tgnTbIWLGwYNfpLH7vWAz4R_ouPHE1oiQKlSW7jVhdwzdXYQA/s1600/Lost+in+thought.jpg" t8="true" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting our Survival Guides validated in Austin, NV --Dick Lunney, Jerry Foster, and a solitary Nigel Johnsfolly, Overland Hotel.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmke8Yajbv5GPOwB0c0dSV9n7ZhAOEV4Jcl8PqtNITRFB8jprzJaqctJsuLzf1z2cxpTyCxFhETibYw6JRO2zFU0GW1eG9rGTG-RxYGyJd94KdaLL7A8DCyTsIJ2NUzv3Vi2ISuXwSs3Hx/s1600/The+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmke8Yajbv5GPOwB0c0dSV9n7ZhAOEV4Jcl8PqtNITRFB8jprzJaqctJsuLzf1z2cxpTyCxFhETibYw6JRO2zFU0GW1eG9rGTG-RxYGyJd94KdaLL7A8DCyTsIJ2NUzv3Vi2ISuXwSs3Hx/s400/The+bar.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning <i>divertimento</i> Nevada-style</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTIPrMi3YCle7ELjlCv7PjgRP1NJWPpnyUSCCc1LDr7MIeIswCYzzjzGh38SwSzyBkmOwG4ZtRfWoXY35POgx5i-Pps9Tvq4fqnGMvCPiTSVY_kKEViJRuIOs66cdHoJTdc12jdQVn2WT/s1600/Bartender+%2526+Brothel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnTIPrMi3YCle7ELjlCv7PjgRP1NJWPpnyUSCCc1LDr7MIeIswCYzzjzGh38SwSzyBkmOwG4ZtRfWoXY35POgx5i-Pps9Tvq4fqnGMvCPiTSVY_kKEViJRuIOs66cdHoJTdc12jdQVn2WT/s400/Bartender+%2526+Brothel.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Welcome to Nevada, boys.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5ZDxm7qRsoWFU2CzPxo-byWC-JHKauBN0NNFBkXH3kjg9QQJS_yQxdl9j0w8OypOYoBLWzu1KPjyTO9Z2Y1WAbjVPXDu8vqVKTy2W8S3iL2di0WKgJDFiS7V0ssGCmfsJ3zY8PD0288q/s1600/James+Wolfe+and+dick+Lunney.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE5ZDxm7qRsoWFU2CzPxo-byWC-JHKauBN0NNFBkXH3kjg9QQJS_yQxdl9j0w8OypOYoBLWzu1KPjyTO9Z2Y1WAbjVPXDu8vqVKTy2W8S3iL2di0WKgJDFiS7V0ssGCmfsJ3zY8PD0288q/s400/James+Wolfe+and+dick+Lunney.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">James Wolfe and Dick Lunney, two ends of the MG community in Reno</td></tr>
</tbody></table>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-65253773992432704832011-06-12T01:07:00.013-04:002011-06-13T10:25:55.170-04:00Utah Salt Lakes<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKRjglOf4ThTAOc7RPpRuZK5Ppt8CiC4M1IhgD7FrMECXcrwJlyN0mGL9MyIpi4TRW1MlLM8gsVGDfsHwgXwEdx8t-obVVEiHtaL_-xkd663o6kj_FdUeEwG8N1T326Rv8L2osFdfIcWv/s1600/5822477229_675336cf82.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMKRjglOf4ThTAOc7RPpRuZK5Ppt8CiC4M1IhgD7FrMECXcrwJlyN0mGL9MyIpi4TRW1MlLM8gsVGDfsHwgXwEdx8t-obVVEiHtaL_-xkd663o6kj_FdUeEwG8N1T326Rv8L2osFdfIcWv/s320/5822477229_675336cf82.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Utah's beauty</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Crossed the state of Utah today, this time driving P.J. Lenihan's V6 MGB while he navigated, played with his new thumbdrive-reading radio, and told stories to keep me alert. 114 MPH was easily achieved when challenged by wise guys like former racer, Lloyd Faust, from New Mexico, although we generally cruised at 65 to enjoy the scenery and more easily converse with the elk. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQJ0X68C2Ux2iKyLQbIC5NiF75p5k37gFzHwumvIkNKA7Q07TaHP0M6acE69VdmLIOpQUUHDFU6FkaMe2-nuRhOAue-g8mOMtdloCTOikIgqBskhadkSp6ypPaxOVKh16h6lbEB8dBv0j/s1600/5822473399_04249e9c75.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMQJ0X68C2Ux2iKyLQbIC5NiF75p5k37gFzHwumvIkNKA7Q07TaHP0M6acE69VdmLIOpQUUHDFU6FkaMe2-nuRhOAue-g8mOMtdloCTOikIgqBskhadkSp6ypPaxOVKh16h6lbEB8dBv0j/s200/5822473399_04249e9c75.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a></div>Arrived in Ely, NV a few hours ago, bedroom to the Bonneville Salt Flats...and little else. Tomorrow, the old Pony Express trail across the Nevada desert to Carson City and a parade entry into Reno at 5:00 pm.johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-64146054257226690432011-06-11T00:42:00.003-04:002011-06-24T18:14:12.713-04:00There's No Replacement for Displacement<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_jgQ2L6VZf3TilDnxsCODkHCZoPoU4GnOjbR1yDNP1aqr-wm3f2oBwez4CCTAZTTVQ3AWAV380Dxyw-vVjSqjWZU0Iltvr5eHglKyvqZM4JVLbprA19OQNFVBohwXKqoZQc6tZmFsoCr/s1600/5822467771_48d87971a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3_jgQ2L6VZf3TilDnxsCODkHCZoPoU4GnOjbR1yDNP1aqr-wm3f2oBwez4CCTAZTTVQ3AWAV380Dxyw-vVjSqjWZU0Iltvr5eHglKyvqZM4JVLbprA19OQNFVBohwXKqoZQc6tZmFsoCr/s400/5822467771_48d87971a7.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></div>Crossed the Rockies today by way of Monument Pass and were greeted in Montrose, CO by the local classic car club with a surprise rest stop. Apparently, one of their members had recently heard of the Rallye to Reno passing through their small town. They organized their club awning and banner at a corner parking lot and parked a bright red MGB-V8 conversion on a small rise right at the corner to get our attention as we passed down the main street. Coolers of water, soda and iced tea, along with home baked cookies and blondies, made us feel welcomed to the western slope. It was a work day afternoon and they had a dozen old cars there, including some MGs, a 20's Buick, and a '55 Chevy. Unexpected hospitality from strangers who just wanted to say "welcome!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PJ Lenihan and hitchhiker</td></tr>
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I navigated for P.J. Lenihan today in his MGB GT with the Camaro 3.6 liter V6 motor. Perfect combination for pulling steep mountain passes. Compared to the 4-cylinder MGA and MGB traveling with us, P.J. never needed to even touch the shifter to power around slower cars. Given the nice V6s that were available in Europe, it's too bad British Leyland never tried to use that compact and sturdy design in the later Bs.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7y2JdfhyphenhyphenZiYW6grFMvtRU_VdIzkJj-CSiXtbW4qZgJ9ZgapqM_snhzlqu86_G4mPM936vcMvF-GqhBiHAROG2mOi7l1lOewgSz5Pjyd-LS8xIwS1z9CVvtmtsUlEWYJU7WOOd9zfSVux/s1600/5823034644_6987124ef8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio7y2JdfhyphenhyphenZiYW6grFMvtRU_VdIzkJj-CSiXtbW4qZgJ9ZgapqM_snhzlqu86_G4mPM936vcMvF-GqhBiHAROG2mOi7l1lOewgSz5Pjyd-LS8xIwS1z9CVvtmtsUlEWYJU7WOOd9zfSVux/s640/5823034644_6987124ef8.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jerry Foster, Owego, NY...1957 MGA, high plains of eastern Colorado</td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNiGzG25ATs7r36UCpg6YopnNTtxDwnR8UPtE9wXmrkJs3ZTEtsQHEhW9EvmosrUHEJneCco7s43q94uEP14vjYyiwSrDs-Rt4CkwuwWiFLwfQCNUD_dW6ZLwG8dxJ3tRSKKuLumMLyK-7/s1600/IMG_2811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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Tomorrow, we cross into Utah and what has been called the "American Sahara." I'll ride with P.J. again, especially since he fitted his GT with an A/C unit before leaving South Carolina. It's amazing what you can do with enough horsepower.johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-18681467800021610232011-06-09T22:00:00.002-04:002011-06-20T10:10:57.143-04:00Dodge City Showdown<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">An early morning start from Kansas City allowed a small group of rallyists, including former MGTD racer from Canada Bob Mills, to swing by the Overland Park race track outside of Topeka for some laps around this wonderful circuit. </div> <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuY3-tkSlay38YY16gxTELQw6Nb3uwZ47lMypRrFbRv6iDQ7M-djdkkbXyY1LPFJ6pEJ3eanl1dzWXQVzeQRaqVcg7PVzWDdwWVDmWmCoY3Wf6Ny-XYz5-2cITwFcMlloji__sX_u-dBL/s1600/Kent+Prather+in+Kansas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOuY3-tkSlay38YY16gxTELQw6Nb3uwZ47lMypRrFbRv6iDQ7M-djdkkbXyY1LPFJ6pEJ3eanl1dzWXQVzeQRaqVcg7PVzWDdwWVDmWmCoY3Wf6Ny-XYz5-2cITwFcMlloji__sX_u-dBL/s400/Kent+Prather+in+Kansas.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kent Prather in Kansas<br />
More pictures of his shop below</td></tr>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then off for coffee, donuts and general car talk with past national SCCA champion Kent Prather at his farm west of Lawrence. Kent has repeatedly spanked the likes of much newer and supposedly more advanced race cars in the SCCA RunOffs, all while sitting behind the wheel of his 1962 MGA. He's now moved this car to the vintage arena and is building and supporting efforts with a much-modified Mazda Miata in the GTL class.</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The drive through western Kansas turned out to be a real test of machines and several cars succumbed to the intense heat and sun. Morris never exceeded 85 degrees C on the gauge, despite a 65 mph pace. Eventually, we did suffer an ignition coil failure which limited speeds to 45 mph, even less with the strong westerly head wind. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6QBc30SzUVQCqOJkYohZt8Ho6yB0gtoT6q0qeN4DMxCU3PNRs4I0dz6gIkAqxDRbEKhV_WPywixl-cMH_FBtirTnjF55BUjH4kdUNleUShvA_n_CmLq8TPrinbhfLHErf9MoWnf8li4s/s1600/Lunch+in+Kansas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii6QBc30SzUVQCqOJkYohZt8Ho6yB0gtoT6q0qeN4DMxCU3PNRs4I0dz6gIkAqxDRbEKhV_WPywixl-cMH_FBtirTnjF55BUjH4kdUNleUShvA_n_CmLq8TPrinbhfLHErf9MoWnf8li4s/s320/Lunch+in+Kansas.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch in Kansas</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Carrying a spare, I was able to make a roadside swap with the help and support of several other rally car drivers who pulled over to assist. Next to act up was the recently rebuilt SU fuel pump-- also a spare on hand. But in the parking lot of the Dodge House Hotel on Wyatt Earpe Blvd., the MG developed a disconcerting metallic knock from the upper part of the motor. Several very knowledgeable heads worked to diagnose and problem solve until about midnight when the consensus was that it would not be wise to try to push over the mountains risking a catastrophic failure. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iARJdX7AopjqVQZAYOk2FhorVYNtdw4y2YY9H9weZkR-HwNPcdTiZl2d3gitHwDndclgmuVhp-9G2bJvU_rhJyMyl_g79MhM7hnyU0NA7Ucmd2ua9cB1ZZR2VT5C8tCMoibsLwBuoZtx/s1600/Dead+in+Dodge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iARJdX7AopjqVQZAYOk2FhorVYNtdw4y2YY9H9weZkR-HwNPcdTiZl2d3gitHwDndclgmuVhp-9G2bJvU_rhJyMyl_g79MhM7hnyU0NA7Ucmd2ua9cB1ZZR2VT5C8tCMoibsLwBuoZtx/s640/Dead+in+Dodge.jpg" t8="true" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morris, on his own in Dodge City, KS. Good try, buddy!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Morris threw in the towel not far from the OK Corral, within sight of legendary Boot Hill. there in Dodge City, left in the hands of long-time Internet group acquaintance and recent friend, Jim Johnson. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlmjTl20KsY0YzRuanEB8NHfrSpfbLura_r2ycRBkuAKkv_PPFMbyHKbh8QsDfT8_d5ne7NMwXU8wt30Ksnh5j5g0p-qw2lk7zNUIIdPd8q_EtrtxhyphenhyphenAHAZTQ4EA-sKZh05tGB3iKwNFm/s1600/Switching+cars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlmjTl20KsY0YzRuanEB8NHfrSpfbLura_r2ycRBkuAKkv_PPFMbyHKbh8QsDfT8_d5ne7NMwXU8wt30Ksnh5j5g0p-qw2lk7zNUIIdPd8q_EtrtxhyphenhyphenAHAZTQ4EA-sKZh05tGB3iKwNFm/s320/Switching+cars.jpg" t8="true" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Switching cars</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was a sad decision to make but probably the wisest. I have decided to continue the Rallye to Reno however and finish the challenge-- this time as navigator for Dick Lunney, editor of <i>Classic MG Magazine</i> in his MGB from Charlotte, NC. Now to figure out how to get a limping car and a little camping trailer from the OK Corral back to Michigan, 3-days drive away. <br />
<br />
As a brief post-script: While helping competitor Jerry Foster fix some wiring in his 1959 MGA, I received a phone call from Jim Johnson, long-time Internet acquaintance and recent face-to-face friend, informing me he had made arrangements for Morris to be stored in the most secure location in Dodge: a 1950's era concrete Civil Defence bunker designed to withstand Soviet attacks in the absence of Wyatt Earpe or Matt Dillon. I gues we can all sleep more safely.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CxIeDfZHeDhtH0RZje8B9bbQ5YONVgXo-qjxgYpFKrxwQ2KGVTuHQR2j7_VJBqstQOCTugoC3L16o5LimhFmO329eB8Fi4K5SHNOQHlBUWpegaOzFFbBQgq22RVfSt_2tEL8kVTeuXhg/s1600/Prather%2527s+shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1CxIeDfZHeDhtH0RZje8B9bbQ5YONVgXo-qjxgYpFKrxwQ2KGVTuHQR2j7_VJBqstQOCTugoC3L16o5LimhFmO329eB8Fi4K5SHNOQHlBUWpegaOzFFbBQgq22RVfSt_2tEL8kVTeuXhg/s400/Prather%2527s+shop.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prather's shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnOv39nK82jQyalcSTn3W622mmEfFh5pwgWpiwA7-bKIcNjViP635ZYiy2fyZpkX-B3XNMBHH-qW6_hQZd1t0wCjXeIgpTl7MWPVTjel5oOw0179OJOcq_wr1jXUlGfBNzJIWm4a4Uw4t/s1600/Prather%2527s+shop+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqnOv39nK82jQyalcSTn3W622mmEfFh5pwgWpiwA7-bKIcNjViP635ZYiy2fyZpkX-B3XNMBHH-qW6_hQZd1t0wCjXeIgpTl7MWPVTjel5oOw0179OJOcq_wr1jXUlGfBNzJIWm4a4Uw4t/s400/Prather%2527s+shop+1.jpg" t8="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Prather's shop</td></tr>
</tbody></table>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com2Dodge City, KS, USA37.7527982 -100.0170787000000137.7178807 -100.07367720000002 37.7877157 -99.9604802tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-18558569217350147782011-06-08T00:00:00.009-04:002011-06-20T10:06:43.250-04:00Kansas City Barbecue<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MzcfRBTvSVFui_YqCB0KL7_wuukmtiIv6IcYuU8YgLwF2_Z1NiJO7dl4k0RcXnpZpeTVbcf_39J3SJMMtynAr8c7fmh8wZCC6ZCdTmuhiKTsaFJvnijxOFrWV8ei6j38ECzsYUvvd6uq/s1600/Under+the+Arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5MzcfRBTvSVFui_YqCB0KL7_wuukmtiIv6IcYuU8YgLwF2_Z1NiJO7dl4k0RcXnpZpeTVbcf_39J3SJMMtynAr8c7fmh8wZCC6ZCdTmuhiKTsaFJvnijxOFrWV8ei6j38ECzsYUvvd6uq/s640/Under+the+Arch.jpg" t8="true" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Under the Arch at St. Louis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Although it was 99 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday afternoon when we pulled into downtown St. Louis, it was only in the mid-80's this morning when I repacked Morris in the sweltering hotel parking structure. All of the cars were gathered near the base of the famous Saarinen-designed arch on the downtown bank of the Mississippi River while a group photo was taken from a helicopter hovering overhead. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1p_4FzAnEaoYXxYgdF59A_kEXklF4QG_kGTvUS1nvRukYoA-L3mWaTAB1P8bc84gGrCCVVt-xEU5pQ9VDcDjLD4Rbb_D8pfspIQiJcN2j-mh4373VSv9OVtpxaSG2WaH3oGuZyYTAiw9/s1600/Rallye+participants.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv1p_4FzAnEaoYXxYgdF59A_kEXklF4QG_kGTvUS1nvRukYoA-L3mWaTAB1P8bc84gGrCCVVt-xEU5pQ9VDcDjLD4Rbb_D8pfspIQiJcN2j-mh4373VSv9OVtpxaSG2WaH3oGuZyYTAiw9/s200/Rallye+participants.jpg" t8="true" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rallye participants</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Some folks rode the elevator to the top of the arch, others enjoyed the historical museum, but I was anxious to get on the road.<br />
<br />
The MG ran flawlessly although there may be a problem developing with the starter solenoid. Fortunately, until 1956 all MG cars came equipped with a starting crank. No lie! It gives one a real sense of security. <br />
<br />
The run to Kansas City was through rolling Missouri countryside with most of the route being 2-lane highway circa 1960. Kansas City came over the horizon just in time for rush hour traffic and the usual metropolitan freeway clutter. The good news is that the Manley Ford-built XPAG motor did not over heat. In fact, it never exceeded 85 degrees centigrade-- a very good showing when the air temperature is close to 100. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExpcauM7647ibEh6GAVsZXVyyTIKGxJzb8QDoBAwKwNs09TtaJeKrIpNy9ryFn2H98jzwuqUiXuLtpjcQZ1uBaf367HMwX1Cg2EsDxWSVkRqvXFpWOsFnNwvBntZT3HizjrtMfZbJ4AL_/s1600/Missouri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExpcauM7647ibEh6GAVsZXVyyTIKGxJzb8QDoBAwKwNs09TtaJeKrIpNy9ryFn2H98jzwuqUiXuLtpjcQZ1uBaf367HMwX1Cg2EsDxWSVkRqvXFpWOsFnNwvBntZT3HizjrtMfZbJ4AL_/s320/Missouri.jpg" t8="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving through Missouri</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
</div>The Kansas City MG people and Victoria British, a major purveyor of parts for English cars, put on a wonderful catered spread of KC- style barbecue under a big tent on the VB front lawn. Everyone got a goody bag gift plus a 10% discount on over-the-counter parts. British cars seem to always be in need of parts so business was good for the folks at Vicky-Brit.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow morning at 7:30 we set off for Heartland Park Raceway and an opportunity to drive the track and then have coffee and rolls at the renowned shop of MG racer Kent Prather who continued to surprise the "serious" racing community with his penchant for winning the SCCA National RunOffs in a 40-year old MGA. Night time should find me on Wyatt Earp Blvd. in-- you guessed it-- Dodge City. Make mine sarsaparilla, bartender... and leave the bottle on the bar.johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-46003757679283832452011-06-06T21:57:00.000-04:002011-06-07T23:19:35.180-04:00Do Not Anger the Electrons!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-enqUOFHfGRNcCRbSZYLA8VxbQRzjkNzRGWRJLjqFq7cA8rjU279T-iSIQwXORQaf430vCjtq__O4gzsjhfgRNy7VImvnJI1XKIVkNM8wVUxrPxuSqCkxynsMR1_5JH6TKu9CsTHtCZj/s1600/scan0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh-enqUOFHfGRNcCRbSZYLA8VxbQRzjkNzRGWRJLjqFq7cA8rjU279T-iSIQwXORQaf430vCjtq__O4gzsjhfgRNy7VImvnJI1XKIVkNM8wVUxrPxuSqCkxynsMR1_5JH6TKu9CsTHtCZj/s320/scan0002.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The very same gremlins were at work on Sunday.<br />
Different car - Same garage!<br />
Picture drawn by Luke Deikis</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I admit it...I'm a bit of a Luddite. But I have given in to some modernization when it seemed in the service of better reliability or longevity. This was my agenda when a friend and I transistorized the fuel pump on Morris 25 years ago one afternoon while sitting in a motel room in Wildwood, NJ sipping Schmidt's beer and munching roasted garbanzos. But I have also learned that technology can come back to bite you later on. Solid state devices tend to fail without warning, stranding you at the worst moment, in the sleaziest neighborhood, or in front of the most surly trucker. Conversely, they sometimes choose to expire in unpredictable fits of opposition, stepping in and out of your life intermittently, intent on driving you bananas. <br />
<br />
A number of years ago, I replaced the electromechanical points and condenser in my ignition system with an optically tiggered transistorized "black box" that would never need adjustment and had no moving parts. It has worked flawlessly for at least 10 years. Last year I had a spare fuel pump professionally rebuilt. This would be good insurance on the rally, I reasoned, and my old pump could be a reliable spare part. Following the same logic, I sent out my voltage regulator to have its mysterious copper-wound bobbins and contacts replaced with even more mysterious transistors and diodes. Hey, these are the things that get rockets to the moon! I even decided I could be the only person I knew whose dash-mounted electric clock in his MG actually worked. More transistors.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV20e_HKhrBFo2VuLA8xGPSLBT1acDIZNNvUvfJ8Y-ScdoLp0d5sgJfy-mG8RfQfLkWs-Y60TQnlzXCm2rOZ4VzUtOJt_SsNji_aSr4Qh7fLN-BRVrJU5NaO9WGf-DSTGMHmky6jE0KkV/s1600/IMG_2668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV20e_HKhrBFo2VuLA8xGPSLBT1acDIZNNvUvfJ8Y-ScdoLp0d5sgJfy-mG8RfQfLkWs-Y60TQnlzXCm2rOZ4VzUtOJt_SsNji_aSr4Qh7fLN-BRVrJU5NaO9WGf-DSTGMHmky6jE0KkV/s320/IMG_2668.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;">This was PRE-installation!</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>How did it work, all this modernity? I have come to believe that Joseph Lucas, the Prince of Darkness, was getting cross with me for meddling. Five miles into testing my new motor, the transistorized regulator stopped regulating and had to be replaced with a genuine made in the U.K. mechnical control box. No, it won't miraculously limit overload of the generator, but it will make the little red light on my dashboard go out like it's supposed to, and keep the battery charged within certain limits. Then, last Saturday, the morning of my departure send-off at the Ypsilanti warehouse monthly coffee klatch, I started to experience an intermittent dying of the engine, as though the key were being turned off. This problem finally came back in spades as I was leaving for the rally with the car packed and my little camping trailer in tow. I literally made it 2 blocks. Dead in the water. <br />
<br />
Many hours later, with the help of friends Elliott Andrews and Eric Marshall, the gremlin was discovered to be an intermittent dead short in the ignition system hiding inside of that transistorized black box. A spare replacement box was no better. Fortunately, I had all of the little mechanical bits that came out of the distributor many years ago...for just such an eventuality. What I didn't have was the skill to diagnose and track down the problem in order to realize these old parts could make the car run again. Saved again by friends who worked on a very hot and humid afternoon to get me on my way.<br />
<br />
This is what I call an inauspicious beginning to a 3200-mile motor trip. But, by 6:30 pm on Sunday night, I was again on the road and heading south. My intention was to intersect the rally at Cincinnati which was the second night's stop. I pulled across the Covington bridge around midnight, just in time to get lost trying to follow the GPS. I got old-fashioned once again: Switched that abrasive woman off and asked directions at a gas station. <br />
<br />
Too late to scout out a place to camp, I took a room at the Holiday Inn, had a much needed shower, and got a few hours of shut eye before setting off in the morning for St. Louis. Hot, sunburned, and relatively happy, I checked into the Renaissance Center Hotel, found an Irish pub a block away, and enjoyed the hospitality of the St. Louis MG Club over a pint of Guiness. Joseph Lucas, are you listening? And the clock... it stopped after two days.johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-15350194672975732892011-06-05T11:22:00.001-04:002011-06-05T12:46:07.125-04:00...With a little help from your friends!When Carol and I bought Morris (the MGTD) in 1980, she took the keys and told me when I was finished with my dissertation, I could drive the car. Morris and Carol helped me to finish the commitment to achieve my PhD. Carol calls it the best investment she's ever made.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIaILMC9Q9KYeqhZyxJYxFlVvvV9P417lC2Xkv2P_YiSdgXsSDudG1WlWoVlWFf1o-2xO_X30Hv-cnUX_gNtp9Iv5FzMzYP74lWtzSks0OyTo45G6nS7JrpJi7phVZ-oGACAlmSCyx8V-/s1600/IMG_2749.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimIaILMC9Q9KYeqhZyxJYxFlVvvV9P417lC2Xkv2P_YiSdgXsSDudG1WlWoVlWFf1o-2xO_X30Hv-cnUX_gNtp9Iv5FzMzYP74lWtzSks0OyTo45G6nS7JrpJi7phVZ-oGACAlmSCyx8V-/s320/IMG_2749.JPG" width="320" /></a>When CURE agreed to work with me on the Rallye to Reno and the first pledge was made, I knew I had to complete the goal. Morris and CURE and all the wonderful people and sponsors who have pledged have kept me on track. Thank you so much. I'm ready to pull out the driveway once this blog is posted!<br />
<br />
I couldn't have gotten this far however without all the help from my friends. There are so many of you who gave advice and encouragement over the Internet, in the restaurants, on the streets and in your homes. Thank you. To those who got "recruited" to come to my garage, a special thank you. Your patience and expertise helped me to be able to live my dream.<br />
<br />
I'm not done! California or bust! I hope to raise more funds as I travel through the States. I'll be posting short updates along the route although I may not be very good about sending out alerts. And I'm planning on having the time of my life. <b><i>I get by with a lot of help from my friends.</i></b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vK4xJ_ydmgN127HHZu2JyXHyzfBLuo2qtoX9CeXSR81zzeHbqzT-X8rJFkgmheB_CPWYxJCh__v8cliZdaK70OEE_KeOPb7yqbvXCAIIKqDdduPZVMnt7ebavGZcccJB-86i3lYeK2og/s1600/IMG_2751.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vK4xJ_ydmgN127HHZu2JyXHyzfBLuo2qtoX9CeXSR81zzeHbqzT-X8rJFkgmheB_CPWYxJCh__v8cliZdaK70OEE_KeOPb7yqbvXCAIIKqDdduPZVMnt7ebavGZcccJB-86i3lYeK2og/s320/IMG_2751.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Thanks to all of you.<br />
--John Deikis<br />
Chelsea, MI<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A short break from the garage...Carol and I celebrating our 35th anniversary on May 30th.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last day at work. Told you guys I needed three months off!<br />
L to R: Wally Biber, MD, Nigel Johnsfolly, Bill Bloem, Ph.D.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2_NOwHTECIS0NQaB7v0U4z8OUA6qQqaMRNf6J1oZszE1U4hHNJHUOqkTV7XuQlhjOum9BjbjH16GCZk4oY5zSqshcG8qzKLBL2u4DCgD5kn_JnLs28Q6YQwMBmzhQRQHSMEit3kJTQSH/s400/IMG_2745.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Home Sweet Home!<br />
Believe it or not, this huge camper is designed to pull behind a motorcycle.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs2_NOwHTECIS0NQaB7v0U4z8OUA6qQqaMRNf6J1oZszE1U4hHNJHUOqkTV7XuQlhjOum9BjbjH16GCZk4oY5zSqshcG8qzKLBL2u4DCgD5kn_JnLs28Q6YQwMBmzhQRQHSMEit3kJTQSH/s1600/IMG_2745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiHDx3MPsknEmJtAWt3hfzx7QuuaxStFcUSHuiAk72TsTKzSYD1S2AZMm6zqLBo_5b3JWme6HW5M4Tkl4c2W7gYC7WkuxSpYftoUKeVV2qItptmWE3tkVRKe4Sk9a7SWlauql1-H3PFJh/s1600/IMG_2752.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQiHDx3MPsknEmJtAWt3hfzx7QuuaxStFcUSHuiAk72TsTKzSYD1S2AZMm6zqLBo_5b3JWme6HW5M4Tkl4c2W7gYC7WkuxSpYftoUKeVV2qItptmWE3tkVRKe4Sk9a7SWlauql1-H3PFJh/s400/IMG_2752.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">June 4, 2011: Send off from "The Ypsi Warehouse"<br />
"No more bullshit" ---David E. Davis, Jr.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIA6_4FhxQdhProiS30Xfr1vQMQOCnRt5uWNDTahpBV3IeyNmFydLBgsMh-zvspD8YZdQ3aqExjiqi4KplNehYReq753pC94JRylttANMyIPBJdbI4V2L0pUnAc5-s_WM9xDT8COR4zOfc/s1600/IMG_2684.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIA6_4FhxQdhProiS30Xfr1vQMQOCnRt5uWNDTahpBV3IeyNmFydLBgsMh-zvspD8YZdQ3aqExjiqi4KplNehYReq753pC94JRylttANMyIPBJdbI4V2L0pUnAc5-s_WM9xDT8COR4zOfc/s400/IMG_2684.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Help in the glove box: RAMBO!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-1493842788555235012011-05-18T22:15:00.001-04:002011-06-02T00:44:11.254-04:00Parts is Parts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKalw8p1CTKR9mSprIqtkVhwZrwwCFrIkSwXphcHdVkCzO6Ylfmwknv2L8H1bWq8ttZnOxOI3qtmSUg_c1w0bFBwwLNCpeyc91VwHlxZf8DMFpb0Bf8B11xq6igHaZ20F-UGBxBU3htWOT/s1600/IMG_2696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKalw8p1CTKR9mSprIqtkVhwZrwwCFrIkSwXphcHdVkCzO6Ylfmwknv2L8H1bWq8ttZnOxOI3qtmSUg_c1w0bFBwwLNCpeyc91VwHlxZf8DMFpb0Bf8B11xq6igHaZ20F-UGBxBU3htWOT/s320/IMG_2696.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>A modern Toyota has about 30,000 parts according to Wikipedia. An MG manufactured in the early 1950's has far fewer. For example, it has no windows. Although MG did introduce roll-up side glass as standard equipment in 1962, prior to that year you made do with "side curtains." These canvas and plastic screens, mounted to flimsy metal frames, were usually to be found in the garage or under the bed when needed out on the road. To be fair, the chaps at British Motor Corporation, successors to the MG Car Co., Ltd., intended these fitments be stowed in a virtually inaccessible box behind the car's "boot," which is just aft of the seat and over the rear axel. The boot-- also standard equipment on the MG-- is sized to hold a valise for two, three American shopping bags full of groceries, a well-behaved dog no larger than a beagle, or a 3-year old youngster sitting sideways. The child will thoroughly enjoy this specially-sized perch, but will eventually get an earache and begin to complain.<br />
<br />
The boot is a handy accessory but virtually inaccessible when the "hood" is "erected." The hood is a kind of truncated canvas top, resembling what we see on convertibles. But where the convertible is a car with a sort of fitted tent to protect the occupants, the hood on a British roadster is more akin to an umbrella. Consequently, were you to encounter the occassional English drizzle, you'd be expected to don a "mac," or a slicker, or perhaps an oiled cotton "Barbour jacket." Were it to get cold, you'd need a warm coat, a scarf, a fedora or some other woolen head covering, and gloves. Another piece of standard equipment on an early MG was a commodious glove box. It's where you keep your gloves when it's not cold, unless you leave them at home with the side curtains.<br />
<br />
British foul weather gear was not meant to create some sort of climate-controlled transportation lounge. You are, after all, motoring-- not lounging. Persons wanting to lounge book railway passage, sit in the back of their Daimler Vanden Plas saloon, or simply have another cigar at the club while waiting for the weather to change. A sports car, on the other hand, is about motoring. And therein lies its charm.<br />
<br />
Fewer parts should make a rebuild a simpler process but it's still a lot of work and always takes more time than I initially budget. What's disconcerting is when parts don't work right, don't fit right, or-- the most distressing possibility-- are unexplainably left over. These sneak into your field of vision just when you think you have completed an assembly. Fortunately, these are usually sundry washers, cotter pins, bolts and such that were hopefully replaced with newer hardware. Occasionally, they prove to be some essential gear, fastener, or doohickey that confronts those of us who aspire to be "mechanically adept" with our own humble limitations. This can be a somewhat unpleasant private event marked by pejorative expletives directed at oneself, but spoken by that cruel inner room mate who's always ready with a negative comment concerning one's competence, parentage, or native intelligence.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-OsLfF8HCAHqN4aJ4e-M1l8hoyPWndkcB7CuGsBDiQDNknyHcwAzLgoKXXueoOUBSVTuEo5S0Cb7D_oL5LHQP4PvHCz4LcBBcinDdRhX5PyJym8aLHYv9sKNjULGkneGG81Qb7ZwBOya/s1600/IMG_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh-OsLfF8HCAHqN4aJ4e-M1l8hoyPWndkcB7CuGsBDiQDNknyHcwAzLgoKXXueoOUBSVTuEo5S0Cb7D_oL5LHQP4PvHCz4LcBBcinDdRhX5PyJym8aLHYv9sKNjULGkneGG81Qb7ZwBOya/s640/IMG_0004.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm not really sure what this stuff is, but it was apparently not that important <br />
when we put the motor back in the car on Mothers' Day weekend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>And then there are the more public displays of inexperience, absent mindedness or stupidity. Like the time I drove my race car onto the grid at GingerMan Raceway only to discover a flaccid brake pedal under foot. In my mirror, I could see my crew chief, Rick Fisk, running after me waving in the air what looked for all the world to be a set of brake shoes. I believe he was shouting "Stop that car!" which was not going to be easy since I had omitted replacing the rear brakes after changing out a broken axel shaft. A visored helmet and racing gear do a good job of hiding a very red face.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA-MLGqwr_20AR4zoEPKzv5rUeMwUWjtyombZRgSKzP4-Z-PJnbgHXXj0FqVP3asfdWlC5fvbsiooj5wAzKeiWCSFRm4HecyWXXz9nu-BM-aIh7XkDYOniFPLUGz5zVgU7Ngwut8bqg13/s1600/IMG_2642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiA-MLGqwr_20AR4zoEPKzv5rUeMwUWjtyombZRgSKzP4-Z-PJnbgHXXj0FqVP3asfdWlC5fvbsiooj5wAzKeiWCSFRm4HecyWXXz9nu-BM-aIh7XkDYOniFPLUGz5zVgU7Ngwut8bqg13/s320/IMG_2642.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What goes must stop. Rebuilding the entire braking<br />
system is good insurance when mountain passes are anticipated.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_1KrrFHSjKVm7qLD6MjcINDGz9ztPPFrFdrnzSd8xuGP7yZ3MHUST31yVXZgn5b9hnmEY9Mk11cu7DkyORk093E7yuEyRdRpckt_4iVlpQUhlpOcn-Cd7V1x4eo0USAS4i-aHQMc0AQe/s1600/IMG_2646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU_1KrrFHSjKVm7qLD6MjcINDGz9ztPPFrFdrnzSd8xuGP7yZ3MHUST31yVXZgn5b9hnmEY9Mk11cu7DkyORk093E7yuEyRdRpckt_4iVlpQUhlpOcn-Cd7V1x4eo0USAS4i-aHQMc0AQe/s400/IMG_2646.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Authentic reproduction" British parts-- <br />
as only the Chinese could label them.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03AlCpo7FQ48IufI7yQ_PZL6bEwY3Zg3CCYJfYcGaJOI3M7n-0IlnfFI_0Il2N9aU7LhgvytBis6fSDa4qTo46bRKqZOOcAeTZvnfhfvmlb2dCbHT7qSDyDbU5hQFc63dstlrBIdV7kWQ/s1600/IMG_2671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03AlCpo7FQ48IufI7yQ_PZL6bEwY3Zg3CCYJfYcGaJOI3M7n-0IlnfFI_0Il2N9aU7LhgvytBis6fSDa4qTo46bRKqZOOcAeTZvnfhfvmlb2dCbHT7qSDyDbU5hQFc63dstlrBIdV7kWQ/s640/IMG_2671.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you follow this simple drawing and you remember your colors <br />
from primary school, automotive electrics are a walk in the park!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqajMSdqF3dXM1tMz7phLSxEr1-U0Yl4ArV6YPV_bL2ELSyu69eh4sPE3u4v1mF81cl9iaGz1psRR_BMqxgt41sNY4BArnD7ObRAsQgVfO881jTT32wMnaPOOs-FwzDcEenck2CXSwSm1/s1600/IMG_2669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqajMSdqF3dXM1tMz7phLSxEr1-U0Yl4ArV6YPV_bL2ELSyu69eh4sPE3u4v1mF81cl9iaGz1psRR_BMqxgt41sNY4BArnD7ObRAsQgVfO881jTT32wMnaPOOs-FwzDcEenck2CXSwSm1/s400/IMG_2669.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So, you replace an old yellow wire with a new yellow wire...</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrUBzVh4ydyXW9t4_hly7DvKZLUWeHTEY6BxstqymjiJMJ-Iu5DXCe7FGeMWG6E_Asti9uJVxuNqKltymMmD6dtsBMNptMNewYn36LqFN61fgNTpw6H82Ol_BSq4TfdLSF36Ru9QVavb0/s1600/IMG_2657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXrUBzVh4ydyXW9t4_hly7DvKZLUWeHTEY6BxstqymjiJMJ-Iu5DXCe7FGeMWG6E_Asti9uJVxuNqKltymMmD6dtsBMNptMNewYn36LqFN61fgNTpw6H82Ol_BSq4TfdLSF36Ru9QVavb0/s320/IMG_2657.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wait a minute! This doesn't look like the pretty drawing.<br />
Most of these wires are red!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqajMSdqF3dXM1tMz7phLSxEr1-U0Yl4ArV6YPV_bL2ELSyu69eh4sPE3u4v1mF81cl9iaGz1psRR_BMqxgt41sNY4BArnD7ObRAsQgVfO881jTT32wMnaPOOs-FwzDcEenck2CXSwSm1/s1600/IMG_2669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj03AlCpo7FQ48IufI7yQ_PZL6bEwY3Zg3CCYJfYcGaJOI3M7n-0IlnfFI_0Il2N9aU7LhgvytBis6fSDa4qTo46bRKqZOOcAeTZvnfhfvmlb2dCbHT7qSDyDbU5hQFc63dstlrBIdV7kWQ/s1600/IMG_2671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUNpmdM2eUipklAOMMULLoWO1NSx-obU72uP_XFhvmNsFCeAcyAwpZ6lLv9qSgMNMLWGsQeXDTkS6losWKwsQ6440y8mPkk44qN2DvdXR97HUR3q-vxZj0ATcWGKYE5dQq0UeXqV_IXN8/s1600/IMG_2663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUUNpmdM2eUipklAOMMULLoWO1NSx-obU72uP_XFhvmNsFCeAcyAwpZ6lLv9qSgMNMLWGsQeXDTkS6losWKwsQ6440y8mPkk44qN2DvdXR97HUR3q-vxZj0ATcWGKYE5dQq0UeXqV_IXN8/s320/IMG_2663.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If someone were to turn you upside down and then cruelly <br />
stuff you into the footwell of an old MG, this is what you would see.<br />
It's much prettier in the wiring diagram.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWXif3V9UHbFCETGxA3tjA6nNumUym7NUR27fVAiDonx0j5CnttHJvSznySUxzt4SQbjJrwj2cc_3BAQbtpsCfyhcWhyGpXkJDYRNoEMH3b2AQ44vixk51iq265ugJLPPlERcYFZPGW8a/s1600/IMG_2700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWXif3V9UHbFCETGxA3tjA6nNumUym7NUR27fVAiDonx0j5CnttHJvSznySUxzt4SQbjJrwj2cc_3BAQbtpsCfyhcWhyGpXkJDYRNoEMH3b2AQ44vixk51iq265ugJLPPlERcYFZPGW8a/s400/IMG_2700.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some parts get added to the project,<br />
like this coolant expansion tank from a 1968 MG</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCbTUxj9XzYE5BOoj7K-6SJWA9ap1YBRpvMwPv6BEieDvsb7YZV6HUiwygzta6WfoE0rBErfFBbNo9gGjegODlLz5-pqL8puhke6hyphenhyphen9Bz9QeouhK9hf70DbszMUclSZH7dBheGuJyHtCl/s1600/IMG_2676.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOCbTUxj9XzYE5BOoj7K-6SJWA9ap1YBRpvMwPv6BEieDvsb7YZV6HUiwygzta6WfoE0rBErfFBbNo9gGjegODlLz5-pqL8puhke6hyphenhyphen9Bz9QeouhK9hf70DbszMUclSZH7dBheGuJyHtCl/s200/IMG_2676.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Others parts get made from scratch.<br />
This just might be a trailer hitch.<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TaJvMUkFKSAk_17VS5X-ZYKh6HOB0gxosgY9Q15B8nUhuqxXoI5Iy4vc8hQC3ROMB6fyLSaPriFrWkOGMTNaOWL0TyEw6lLD74AqEdTJLXKJrwn5Dx-J-4YAYiRJFMlXNZQ02s1tptZs/s1600/IMG_2701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1TaJvMUkFKSAk_17VS5X-ZYKh6HOB0gxosgY9Q15B8nUhuqxXoI5Iy4vc8hQC3ROMB6fyLSaPriFrWkOGMTNaOWL0TyEw6lLD74AqEdTJLXKJrwn5Dx-J-4YAYiRJFMlXNZQ02s1tptZs/s320/IMG_2701.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-41952945752282685692011-05-04T00:15:00.005-04:002011-06-02T00:47:58.380-04:00Day 20: Heart Transplant<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75_gv-9Z513iOEuNbPBb_XZ2OhDOZ8rozPt37aSHvjEcD-xcGOru9dhx982brtxoqFjOh99-SV93vSBRZnZZ8mJtZwLNuWjn8ESc0gyvVnB5tgNs7_2FAJIFUM9FJ4Kcdf7NVW7KYIlI2/s1600/IMG_2677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj75_gv-9Z513iOEuNbPBb_XZ2OhDOZ8rozPt37aSHvjEcD-xcGOru9dhx982brtxoqFjOh99-SV93vSBRZnZZ8mJtZwLNuWjn8ESc0gyvVnB5tgNs7_2FAJIFUM9FJ4Kcdf7NVW7KYIlI2/s320/IMG_2677.JPG" width="320px"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you're not a mechanic, few things are as distressing as seeing your car with the engine removed. Where once nestled the beating heart of a running vehicle, now you have a gaping hole, wires and cables hanging, residuals dribbling, and goo in all the recesses otherwise obscured. The veins and arteries that carried necessary fluids and gasses in and out of this organ remain </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">in situ</span></i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">, tied off with bits of rope, bungee cords and zip ties. I've seen too much of this sort of carnage in my years as a vintage sports car racer and amateur engine builder. But never in "Morris," that steady family member who has lived in our garage for the past 30 years.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br>
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FHio-ODbNN5qXpJtTgumoityt_k49XZpdz7cfWv2Hu6f8Ft9AVHeO6lzlFhHO_gR6EZpj9OhxP_eFTrPZqDGnMnSiKbZUSXzEIb3mlOZEhUWgwLlW3sFHsrtIdEdqYJr8qtELaiMK-UP/s1600/Dancing+pistons.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167px" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0FHio-ODbNN5qXpJtTgumoityt_k49XZpdz7cfWv2Hu6f8Ft9AVHeO6lzlFhHO_gR6EZpj9OhxP_eFTrPZqDGnMnSiKbZUSXzEIb3mlOZEhUWgwLlW3sFHsrtIdEdqYJr8qtELaiMK-UP/s320/Dancing+pistons.gif" width="320px"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration: Peter Aschwanden (c)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This past Sunday, this sorry state of affairs took a major turn for the better. The MG was winched up on my trailer and hauled out to Manley Ford's shop in Milford, MI. There we spent the afternoon </span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2011/05/day-20-heart-transplant.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-23209986822396811292011-04-21T21:55:00.004-04:002011-05-04T00:19:09.813-04:00Day 30: Engineering and Art<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzyZmoaLGN-cgAc4Iw0p-XJv-5hlWBB4cMDmg-Y17FmPhd5SpwO1ikyt8eAMjOsu1tp_y8jlLHBNlFGFdBFZ74Nf6-M2TABlvpqF-3108VWirqTpA6btvqQyh1vT0BCDHGx45NCtzjhu6/s1600/IMG_2649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimzyZmoaLGN-cgAc4Iw0p-XJv-5hlWBB4cMDmg-Y17FmPhd5SpwO1ikyt8eAMjOsu1tp_y8jlLHBNlFGFdBFZ74Nf6-M2TABlvpqF-3108VWirqTpA6btvqQyh1vT0BCDHGx45NCtzjhu6/s320/IMG_2649.JPG" width="320"></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forged aluminum high compression piston<br>
by Ross Racing Pistons, El Segundo, CA</td></tr>
</tbody></table>I admit it. I have no idea how a photocopy machine takes a single sheet of paper from a stack, pulls, pushes, and rolls it into position, imprints it, flips it over, imprints yet something else again, collates it, spits it out, staples it, and presents it to an impatient onlooker who bristles that it took so long to get his copies. This is Rube Goldberg at his finest! <br>
<a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-30-engineering-and-art.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-73843775672404955462011-03-21T19:26:00.004-04:002011-04-23T14:19:31.417-04:00Day 60 and Dancing NakedHave you ever noticed how something can start out as fun and end up feeling like you're strapped across a table with a buzz saw moving ever closer? <br>
<br>
<div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEg6sq5u7roiAJjwJwyW0YHpQvvFTBG-uLdDVHKKKLzR0hr1CqiwPhQI-OAF9XqnzNMMd8a6ESuT9baTupw6gQ5XMZ6Mix1qjQaRORjPFa6Y9k8PDvt7Ou2gokRc__dOzyxIIuP7b48iY/s1600/The+Dream.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" r6="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUEg6sq5u7roiAJjwJwyW0YHpQvvFTBG-uLdDVHKKKLzR0hr1CqiwPhQI-OAF9XqnzNMMd8a6ESuT9baTupw6gQ5XMZ6Mix1qjQaRORjPFa6Y9k8PDvt7Ou2gokRc__dOzyxIIuP7b48iY/s320/The+Dream.gif" width="217"></a><br>
<div style="text-align: left;"></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illustration: www.peteraschwanden.com<br>
in "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>A simple question from Carol, "How's the MG coming along?" prodded me to sit down recently and sketch out a project plan. Starting to sound like work already. With less than two months to go, we counted up the estimated time for each identified task, applied Murphy's Law by multiplying it times 1.5, added the "Gintar Factor" which uses an arcane geometric formula that roughly doubles the estimate, and discovered the car will be ready on the <em>Fourth of July</em>. Too bad the rally starts 4th of June. <strong>Houston, we have a problem!</strong><br>
<strong></strong><br>
<strong></strong><a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2011/04/day-60-and-dancing-naked.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-25839529201127753512011-03-14T21:55:00.075-04:002011-04-18T12:28:18.645-04:0021st Century Already?!<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUdWbiQj5UlUj_vOTCcf8K0gV855ApcwNmWF8tn5M1hOyF7ILtRBvtBNvQID0CdXaqfbachh2LM1WaV5jllz-CoGf4sAq2WaO8dP5UzhUExqgsNhSvGYwMORyJuLMo5rP3i88BsR-68is/s1600/Waterford+paddock+closer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVUdWbiQj5UlUj_vOTCcf8K0gV855ApcwNmWF8tn5M1hOyF7ILtRBvtBNvQID0CdXaqfbachh2LM1WaV5jllz-CoGf4sAq2WaO8dP5UzhUExqgsNhSvGYwMORyJuLMo5rP3i88BsR-68is/s200/Waterford+paddock+closer.jpg" width="200"></a></div></div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br>
</div>The paddock at the Meadowbrook <br>
Historic Races, Waterford Hills, MI</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Several months ago I worked up the nerve to change my Facebook account from one identified by only a pseudonym to one that announced my real name, my interests, my cynical views on politics, religion, and ethnic identity, and even the names of my friends...or is it "friends,"...or maybe Friends. Are there Quakers reading this? My niece in Connecticut was kind enough to welcome me into the 21st century. How did I get this far without a PDA, an iPod, or a smartphone? Time to pen a Luddite screed? Hardly!</div></div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br>
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br>
</div></div></div><a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2011/03/is-it-21st-century-already.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-31105093338106562272011-02-14T00:31:00.008-05:002011-03-22T12:27:44.370-04:00The Thigh Bone's Connected to the Hip Bone...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What I don't understand is how an old car could run so well for thirty years with an engine full of worn out parts. And every part interacts with some other parts creating a symphony or, in my case, something that sounds more like a middle school orchestra trying to play Pachelbel's Canon. It sounds a bit like music; you can recognize the tune; but you really don't want to take this gang on a cross-country concert tour.</span><br>
<br>
<a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2011/02/thigh-bones-connected-to-hip-bone.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-66219467521902496912011-02-06T22:39:00.028-05:002011-05-18T14:04:59.903-04:00The Route<div class="post-body entry-content" style="color: #911a26; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 538px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">The old federal route known as US-50 has been called "the loneliest road in America." It looks like it won't be next June!</span></span><br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><a href="http://www.rallyetoreno.com/">http://www.rallyetoreno.com/</a> </span></div><div class="post-body entry-content" style="color: #911a26; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 18px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 538px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nfjnVPkKxwdQiTIGfQhSqtIt4R_zPsVq1wpPLoyGHrXhS3URvMEwl26rXKTH7fC_l4yzJdu7VPHAmuhFhdhp5ETnSpeVEWTgzK0y3FtA4VevPErrvmclbYeGe7piq71OcHM2oAm81HXs/s1600/RallyeToReno%252520Logo%25252075x150.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9nfjnVPkKxwdQiTIGfQhSqtIt4R_zPsVq1wpPLoyGHrXhS3URvMEwl26rXKTH7fC_l4yzJdu7VPHAmuhFhdhp5ETnSpeVEWTgzK0y3FtA4VevPErrvmclbYeGe7piq71OcHM2oAm81HXs/s1600/RallyeToReno%252520Logo%25252075x150.png"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Jamie Jensen, author of Road Trip USA<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black; font-family: Times; font-size: small; line-height: normal;"></span>(</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://www.roadtripusa.com/"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">http://www.roadtripusa.com/</span></a></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">) describes it as a "3200-mile odyssey from sea to shining sea....Along the route are some of the country's most magnificent landscapes: the Sierra Nevada and the </span></span><br>
<br>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;">Appalachian and Rocky Mountains, the endless farmlands of the Great Plains, and the desiccated deserts of Utah and Nevada....US-50 passes through literally hundreds of timeworn small towns, the great majority of which have survived despite the modern onslaught of Wal-Marts and fast-food franchises."</span></span> <br>
</div><a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2011/02/route.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-31472895530948224062011-02-02T15:13:00.004-05:002011-03-22T12:30:00.797-04:00Blizzard Blankets Michigan!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODyjsB2u7PLIKc9dPRuw58jqyJm0QMW35s3rNuXm1svlN8A8RVvZUExynMLfmK40MklY_PV_PaQ89M_aJQFVuf13dYoZJf-xZ7WMQ-g5k5pR6E_onh3ipmPmcNFG7Iphe3ljp3ts0Xp5n/s1600/image0011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODyjsB2u7PLIKc9dPRuw58jqyJm0QMW35s3rNuXm1svlN8A8RVvZUExynMLfmK40MklY_PV_PaQ89M_aJQFVuf13dYoZJf-xZ7WMQ-g5k5pR6E_onh3ipmPmcNFG7Iphe3ljp3ts0Xp5n/s320/image0011.jpg" width="240"></a></div>Last night a blizzard starting blowing through most of the Great Plains and northeastern part of the U.S. This afternoon, it's still snowing heavily. Not a great day for a 79-mile commute each way, so an opportunity to catch up on things at home.<br>
<br>
The motor to the TD is completely disassembled and the major components are at a local machine shop being measured this week. Bill Mikkelson, working out of his Chelsea-based shop,<br>
<br>
<a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2011/02/blizzard-blankets-michigan.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-86711167796666577032011-01-23T14:15:00.003-05:002011-03-22T12:32:44.926-04:00Day 125 and Counting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK10x9E-uAcIDoiG_iATVHX29YC_ThC21sTn_O9Z2dgxyhWzjUkfW0QYanYqwl6S4fzRadR9AbAeSD7tQbvDnmpqV5q2j8EIyhENSc_tTAM0E7r1e6woTp2tISmd8E4UT7y6xjzIABksRs/s1600/IMG_2634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK10x9E-uAcIDoiG_iATVHX29YC_ThC21sTn_O9Z2dgxyhWzjUkfW0QYanYqwl6S4fzRadR9AbAeSD7tQbvDnmpqV5q2j8EIyhENSc_tTAM0E7r1e6woTp2tISmd8E4UT7y6xjzIABksRs/s320/IMG_2634.JPG" width="240"></a></div>Last Sunday was 125 days from my planned "ready" date to have the 1953 MG TD on the road for break-in and testing. With the help and guidance of "brother" MG Vintage Racer Manley Ford, we pulled the engine in about four hours and accumulated a workbench full of grimy bits and pieces. Some of these went into plastic bags; some were too big and just got piled.<br>
<br>
<a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2011/01/day-125-and-counting.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-73326739987364661772011-01-09T23:46:00.009-05:002011-03-22T12:39:14.587-04:00New Year's Resolution<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #0b5394;">I've been making a list of everything that will need to be checked, overhauled or serviced to get this 59-year old automobile ready for a cross country journey. The plan was to start in January and spend each weekend in the garage. I've been told Ernest Hemingway began each day's work of writing by sharpening every pencil in the house. </span><br>
<a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-years-resolution.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-216754501694484532010-12-27T17:46:00.002-05:002011-03-16T00:15:42.965-04:00Christmas 2010<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 140%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 140%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">Excerpt from an article by Juliana Keeping, posted on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">AnnArbor.com</i> 12/23/10</span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 140%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> <a href="http://www.annarbor.com/news/cancer-survivor-returns-to-mott-childrens-hospital-to-spread-holiday-cheer/index.php">http://www.annarbor.com/news/cancer-survivor-returns-to-mott-childrens-hospital-to-spread-holiday-cheer/index.php</a></span></span><br>
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt; line-height: 140%;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 140%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="line-height: 140%;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">An 8-year-old Ann Arbor girl who spent last holiday season battling cancer returned to Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor on Wednesday. But this year, Mariel Almendras isn't a patient. She visited the hospital to spread some Christmas cheer to other children, delivering cards and Beanie Babies -- presents from not just Mariel but her friends at Ann Arbor's Dicken Elementary, in Cathy Cieglo’s second-grade class. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; line-height: 140%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br>
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white; border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; line-height: 140%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJR0xip9xKHfxQvPVNMxHX_oBXC2UwuPzfTQsWsOVpAzw-aCYXprOBsHkSImITp5-dhNgBiwKBPB1_k1VtLNqHc90OubHG9DHCXLMhpKVaczbPANSX9EAxjTZr_kL4172toc2hrs_hl_9/s1600/cancer+child.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="212" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJR0xip9xKHfxQvPVNMxHX_oBXC2UwuPzfTQsWsOVpAzw-aCYXprOBsHkSImITp5-dhNgBiwKBPB1_k1VtLNqHc90OubHG9DHCXLMhpKVaczbPANSX9EAxjTZr_kL4172toc2hrs_hl_9/s320/cancer+child.jpg" width="320"></span></a><span style="line-height: 140%;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mariel's first-grade class at Dicken did the same thing for her last year. The brightly colored batch of cards Mariel brought Wednesday were adorned with stickers and sparkles and candy canes, but more importantly, messages of support like “You’re a really good friend” and “Hope you feel better soon.” Small gestures like that meant a lot to the Almendras family last year, Mariel’s mother, Gemma, said. </span></span><br>
<span style="line-height: 140%;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></span></div><a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2010/12/christmas-2010.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-82429569890299725302010-12-15T15:24:00.004-05:002011-03-16T00:16:27.386-04:00Children's Cancer?<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394;">I have a personal interest in cancer. In 1998, I was diagnosed with cancer of the larynx. I faced the choice of surgery, which would have removed my vocal chords and cost me my voice, or radiation and chemo, which would have ended my ability to taste. Miraculously, my wife discovered that the nearby University of Michigan Hospital had been initiating early trials of laser surgery for throat cancer. Through the intervention of throat oncologist Dr. Gregory Wolfe and his team, I not only survived but also recovered full use of my voice after many months of speech therapy. </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Over the next 10 years, I was a regular visitor to the U of M Department of Otolaryngology's cancer clinic, first monthly, then quarterly and eventually just once per year. In 2008, after 10 years of regular follow-up evaluations, I was pronounced "cured." I'm sure many of the people I shared a waiting room with were not so fortunate. </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To this day, the most compelling memory of my years as a "cancer patient" is the image of the youngsters I saw while there. I had lived more than half of my life in good health, married to one woman, father of two sons, having traveled around the world, achieved a doctoral degree, and enjoyed hobbies and a successful professional career in health care. Children with cancer often don't get a chance like that. Before their lives really start, they face sickness, discomfort, the side effects of treatment, and the palpable sorrow of the families who suffer with them. Some never make it to their 2<sup>nd</sup> birthday. Some attend their senior prom having lost all their hair to the efforts at eradicating their illness. Not I, but these youngsters, truly faced the prospects of a life unfairly stolen by cancer. I had plenty of turns at bat. They don't even get to suit up.</span></span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8d5BEE88y1KZtjYf2XQHTjJFSVWCU0zPDvEs3-xhyphenhyphenediASKgCjDbEmxixUxrvRRSmg3zi6Ka-0GexHcRKVda7rYfKitS7vNwL02dmoSdS6vXYpLedYg2kaKt7Ksyo0IeWj87OmRWyunI/s1600/CURE+Assoc.+pic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8d5BEE88y1KZtjYf2XQHTjJFSVWCU0zPDvEs3-xhyphenhyphenediASKgCjDbEmxixUxrvRRSmg3zi6Ka-0GexHcRKVda7rYfKitS7vNwL02dmoSdS6vXYpLedYg2kaKt7Ksyo0IeWj87OmRWyunI/s320/CURE+Assoc.+pic.png" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 13pt;">The <em><span style="color: #741b47;">MG Drive for CURE</span></em> is a way to pursue my passion and also give something back.</span></div><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8845056349062580357.post-75542971131942949012010-11-12T00:38:00.018-05:002011-03-16T00:17:04.210-04:00The First Fifty Years<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://ih.constantcontact.com/fs014/1102919617772/img/945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTAJNvNkJSViMx9dvnTBvInAZCGGK4vMYaq-2tasp6y6w-iQVDHdnl6k8WCtzAhxC5mMpd2p_w8ObzKfefpuwnlTDXxaAuUPwE7S5jLHYcVpicJqORC-yr7xCcuMit6E8v13zCEL5C8Zh/s1600/Pedalcar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwTAJNvNkJSViMx9dvnTBvInAZCGGK4vMYaq-2tasp6y6w-iQVDHdnl6k8WCtzAhxC5mMpd2p_w8ObzKfefpuwnlTDXxaAuUPwE7S5jLHYcVpicJqORC-yr7xCcuMit6E8v13zCEL5C8Zh/s1600/Pedalcar.jpg"></a><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been told my first spoken word was "auto" but I don't remember that. I do remember being home sick in the 3rd grade and having the mother of an older kid give me a couple of copies of <em>Sports Car Graphic </em>magazine to cheer me up. I was familiar with the upright-radiator MG's and XK 120 Jags on used car lots at that time, was enthralled with bathtub Porsches, and had even seen a couple of "Blue Flame" 6-cylinder Corvettes, although they didn't make the the right sound for a performance car. Now I got to stare at these shapes of foreign intrigue: Austin-Healey, Allard, Aston-Martin, gullwing Mercedes 300, Ferrari. I was mesmerized! My older cousin's '49 Ford coupe with the glaspaks and fender skirts would never seem the same.</span><br>
<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div></div><a href="http://kidscure.blogspot.com/2010/11/first-fifty-years.html#more">Read more »</a>johnsfollyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05757344863264928124noreply@blogger.com2