More on Sunday's Tour

   Despite the possibility of a few sprinkles, the first run of the season is on!  The "Damn the torpedoes, who cares about a little rain, let's go!" run is on.  The group will meet at the Tim Hortons on lower Smythe Street Exhibition Grounds for a 9:45 departure (Sunday the 3rd of May).  The group can cross over to the north side either by the Westmorland St.  Bridge or the Princess Margaret Bridge (leaders choice) and head south through Maugerville.
Cross the Burton Bridge where folks from the south will be waiting on the other side (across from the Burton Court house) to join up with the main crowd.  We will continue to the coffee shop just past the TC highway turnoff (it's a Shell station?) for a quick TeaPee stop.  The tour will continue down the old highway to Saint John where we will rendezvous with the Saint John crowd at Ralph's place. Ralph has reservations at a local eatery for 12:30...maybe 1:00...whatever he decides.
Bob

1st Tour of the Season

It's time to shake the cobwebs out of the carbs and polish the wires.
The first run of the season will take place next Sunday (3rd May). It will consist of a jaunt to Saint John along the (hopefully not flooded) St. John River valley road (102) to Ralph's place. He will lead us to a nearby restaurant for lunch after which we can return at our leisure stopping at the picnic spot for tea and crumpets. Please RSVP soonest so that Ralph can inform the restaurantuer of our numbers.
Bob E.

Report on April 15 FABAC Meeting

The April FABAC meeting was attended by 26 members who assembled last evening at Dimitri’s in downtown Fredericton. With Prez Gary among the missing, David N proceeded to welcome those present. He began by giving an update on his battery tender over-wintering experiment which by all accounts worked quite nicely to the extent that it even improved the sound of the Triumph firing up for the initial start up. David then circulated a lovely model of a Morgan and gave a bit of a history of the Morgan on the occasion of the company’s 100th year anniversary.

Curry and Sherry and John and Shirley Ann have already booked motel rooms in anticipation of their attendance at the July PEI car show. They have booked at the Anne Shirley Motel in Cavendish. A show of hands indicated that several members were considering attending this year. Curry also mentioned that they are planning to attend the Rexton British car show as well and have booked their room for that event.

David reminded everyone that touring season is nearing and we should be thinking of our touring agenda.

The May FABAC meeting will be held at JIVES restaurant on Main Street on the northside. Pat S is to make the arrangements.

Bob S


Update: Another suggestion was from Bob E for a tour down to Saint John, meeting at Ralph's and touring from there. We should do this for sure.

Next FABAC Meeting May 20th

Wednesday, May 20th at Jives on Main Street, Nashwaaksis.

6:00 p.m.

Should be lots of LBCs out by then.

Phil Sends his Regrets -- Do you believe him?

Hi Dave:
I won't be able to enjoy the souvlaki at Dimitri's on the 15th. Presently on the more pleasant, weather wise, Left Coast. It looks like you folks are getting some nasty weather. A rather cool twelve degrees and damp here but the trees are in bloom and the rosebushes are well on their way.
Got snow tires for the Morgan? ;~)
Phil


These stories and photos keep floating around in Cyberspace

Ralph S. brings up the Old Barn story.
Earl S. found a site with a kazillion cars in depressing condition.
Need a project car? Happy viewing!

Bob's Rear End and Some Interesting Reading

I received this e-mail from Phil in response to Bob's experience:

Hi Dave:
I just looked at Bob's pic of his rear end--his Jag's rear end that is. A wonderful piece! He mentions Peter Egan, one of my favourite automotive AND motorcycle journalists. He has great columns in both Road and Track and Cycle World.

His new column, Side Glances, in Road and Track is spot on and written with the insight of a mechanic, enthusiast and humourist. Many of us will recognize the "Eight Stages of Restoration" from personal experience.
Phil

A bit about Jags in this Morgan year ;-)

Bob E sends this:

Peter Egan, the famous automotive journalist (and many time E-Type owner), once described the E-Type's rear end as follows:
"If you've never seen an exploded drawing of a Jaguar rear end, try to imagine an aerial depiction of China in which each person represents a shim, gasket, stud, locknut, spacer, spider gear, or bearing. Then imagine yourself, directors megaphone in hand, trying to organize
them all into some sort of differential folk dance. The shims alone defied census."

Bob continues: For the second time in my life I tackled one. I expected it to be easier this time--it wasn't. However, lash was successfully set, shims where carefully measured and installed, lockwire was twisted and brake lines bent.


Click on this photo for a beautiful enlargement
of beautiful machinery.

PEI International Motoring Festival

The website has an online registration form (under the menu item "Participants") Click here to keep in touch with the emerging plans.

Here is the official Press Release issued today (April 2)

Motoring Treasures assemble in Charlottetown
PEI International Motoring Festival taking place July 25-26

Charlottetown, April 2, 2009- Classic elegance will meet modern technology this summer as hundreds of motoring enthusiasts descend on the Island’s capital to showcase the treasures of the automobile industry, both past and present.

Set against the backdrop of the stunning waterfront in Historic Downtown Charlottetown, the PEI International Motoring Festival will celebrate the best in North American and Foreign make automobiles ranging from heritage vehicles to exotic cars. Moreover, brands not usually seen on Prince Edward Island will be displayed for the enjoyment of all.

Promoter Daniel Manibal, known on the Island for organizing Tour de PEI, is quick to point out that this is no ordinary car show. “The PEI International Motoring Festival will present a diverse assortment of vehicles from yesterday, today, and tomorrow- all in a single family-friendly festival. There will be something for everyone - from brand new Porsches and pristine old Mustangs, to antique British cars, you will have it all at the IMF!”

Entertainment including a radio-controlled race track, live Beatles tribute band, children’s activities and classic car movies will help to complete the Festival atmosphere.

The 2009 inaugural event is scheduled to take place July 25-26, in Confederation Landing Park.

In addition to the vehicle and vendor show, motoring enthusiasts will be given the unique opportunity to register for a professional racing course scheduled for the following weekend, August 1-2, 2009 in Slemon Park. Under the professional direction of instructors from Pole Position Driving School, participants will take part in driving lessons as well as lapping sessions on a 2km oval circuit on the Slemon Park airport tarmac. Benoit Bergeron, founder of Pole Position Driving School and a former Formula Atlantic racer, describes his new course as a “unique opportunity to perfect both security at the wheel and driving skill”.

For more information, including detailed schedules and online registration, please visit the PEI International Motoring Festival website, www.peiimf.com.

This is the Morgan Car Company's 100th Anniversary so here's more to read

Thanks to David R for passing along this link to an interesting Globe and Mail article.


Charles Morgan, grandson of the founder H.F. S. Morgan

PS: You probably have noted that I shall be featuring Morgans all year long. Then you'll come to understand why Jim W and I have been so smitten by them. And yes, I plan to have the green '68 Morgan SS out this year. :-)