Worth watching

A couple of items for Top Gear Fans (and who isn’t a fan?).  You have to endure several long ads before getting to the good stuff in the full 60 Minutes piece.
- Phil

Top Gear Out-takes
http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-20020472-10391709.html?tag=pop

The full 60 Minutes feature
http://www.cbs.com/primetime/60_minutes/video/?pid=9lNb2DlvD1YjtNeHQylZkZ7nU41w_mnI&vs=homepage&play=true

FABAC Meeting Notes from October 21 - Bob E.

     25 FABACians met at McGinnis Landing the 20th of Oct for our October dinner.  Considering that there hadn't been much interest expressed during the run last Sunday, the number of people was pleasantly surprising. 
     The Crumleys have offered their home for our Christmas party.  It will be a pot luck (as always) and everyone is asked to post your proposed dish (the food, not the girl) in the comments so that we can avoid any redundancies.  It'll be on the 12th of December at 6:00 PM.
     The club will attend the annual "Christmas in the Village" at Gagetown on the 28th of November.  Watch for details on the site.
     The November dinner will be on the 17th at Montana's restaurant (up near Knowledge park).
     David Nielsen reminded everyone that next year (2011) is FABAC's 10th anniversary.  He asked for ideas regarding celebrating it in style.
     Tim Ross brought several technical engineering books to give away.  They where quickly snatched up by all us gearheads. I propose that folks read the books then pass them on to others.
     I offer the following question: Why is David Nielsen always the last one to show up but the first one served? (DN: You will find out, Bob, when you are very old, very busy, and very important )

This will bring a smile to your face.

http://www.ktuu.com/news/ktuu-radio-flyer-car-092910,0,1784245.story
Thanks to Barb and Dwight for this one.

An interesting proposal from Joe H.

It is interesting that at Wednesday's meeting, I brought up that 2011 is FABAC's 10th anniversary and that we should do something special—like maybe go to Britain or something like that. Imagine my surprise when Joe emailed me this evening suggesting:
"I think someone should organize a group trip to the UK for this event next year—think we'd have any interest?  Sept 2011." (Check out the event he is suggesting below. It's fabulous!

http://www.motorsportretro.com/2010/10/video-the-rac-tt-from-the-2010-goodwood-revival/

So, let's get planning. Maybe Joe could confirm the dates and we'll work from there.

Morgans are made of wood

This has been floating around the web for quite some time and the Morgan factory has some great information on the process of hand-building Morgans.
Click here for a good start.
Here for a trip to the Morgan factory and lots of things to drool over.  :-)
(You can order one online I believe.)
Thanks to John B. for urging the dissemination of this info.

FABAC Meeting/Eating Wednesday

You heard it right, FABACians! During our meal on Sunday, it was easily determined that we could easily eat again by Wednesday! So, McGinnis Landing it is. 5:30 or 6:00 should do it.
Thanks to Jim B. for making the arrangements.

Report from Bob E. (He's doing lots of writing recently) on the Oktoberfest Tour

       "Bob....I've got six inches".  Bob Laroche told me as he offered some pictures.  I didn't know whether to congratulate him or offer him condolences.  I'd gotten to know Robert fairly well in the last couple of years but I thought that this was a bit too personal.  Hesitantly taking the pictures and looking at them I was relieved to see some blurry images of a large bug smeared on his Renault's (I'm sure Bob E. meant "Citroën's" - ed.) windscreen.  We discussed his entry in the bug splat contest as 17 cars fought for parking space at the gasthouse parking lot near Knightville.

Thanks from Dwight...

... (and CAA) for the assistance this Sunday and thanks to Curry and Robbie for the fuses. I think I have found (part of) the problem; loose wires into at least one of the inline fuse receptacles.
- Dwight

Adventures with Mr. Hogg Part II by Bob E.

       Gosh it's wonderful being a man!  Being able to throw caution to the wind and risk your life at any time for any frivolous reason certainly gives one a 'Joie de vivre'.  There I was, bent over a jack, under and behind a Lotus Europa in the process of being winched up a steep incline knowing that at any instant the hastily tied knot could come undone or the rusty support member to which the aforementioned  knot was tied to could snap and the Lotus would come screaming down the ramp, smash into me and carry my broken body into the back of the garage leaving me impaled on the wood stove that resided there.

Sunday Tour Bulletin

Important Note!
FABACians who are going to Giermindl Bavarian Restaurant on Sunday should know that they only accept payments in cash or cheque.
- Jim B.

October Fest Tour and Lunch Sunday 17th

 Giermindl Gasthof Old Bavarian Restaurant
1130 Knightville Road

This will be another home before dark run, rain or shine outing.
We'll gather at Ramada Inn (North side) Fredericton and leave at 11:00AM.
Via Rte 105 South to Jemseg; Rte 695 to Cambridge Narrows;
Rte 710 Codys-Long Creek;
Rte 10 South over Kierstead Mountain. (rest stop Berwick Irving)
Turn left onto Mount Middleton Rd; to Carsonville Rd; to Rte 890 Smith Creek Rd; to Knightville and Gasthof (civic # 1130) ETA 1:30 PM.

Please RSVP your intention on FABAC comment link.
Hope to see Saint John members join us for this event.

Jim B.

Most of us missed Owl's Head, Maine...

...but not Don Macaulay. Here's proof of his visit and why we should have been there.

Click here for more photos.

Apology - Oct.3 Tour To Stanley

     To those FABACians who were led by moi along a gravelled section of Rte. 625 to Stanley, I apologize.The error could have been avoided had I checked the road map more closely.

     Nobody complained to me, perhaps because the rest of the tour featured gorgeous fall colours and good food at Pam's Restaurant. Nevertheless, I apologize and will try not to make the same mistake in any future tours I organize.

John B.

A Thanksgiving weekend walk

The Nielsens enjoyed Mactaquac Park and saw the fungus amongus. See for yourself here.

One thing is obvious:

We FABACians must demand to hear the story behind this photo!
If you think this photo is nice, click on it to see an even larger version of Johanna and Bruce.

Three more photos from Johanna and Bruce of beautiful Tibet here.

What did you do on Saturday?

Stephen attended Fred's Fall Frolic 'Show N Shine' in Kars, sponsored by Fred Howland for the N.B. Antique Auto Club. Check here for some fine photos.

Report on Stanley Run by Bob E.

     An entourage of 15 cars purred along highway 8 headed towards Boiestown (and beyond) under sparkling skies and reasonably warm weather. My initial fears of being stuck at the side of the road with an empty clutch fluid reservoir had proven groundless (so far) and I relaxed and enjoyed the scenery.
     We'd met at the Timmies by the exhibition grounds and no less than 13 cars arrived to herald an unseasonably warm Sunday morning. For the first time in a long time the Nielsens brought their Morgan along resplendent in a valve job and (finally!) air cleaners. We were also joined by Judy and Brian Mills in their (decadently comfortable) Mercedes SLK. Since it was their first time we where pointedly nice to them. Know, however, that the long running British/German rivalry WILL raise it's head in the future. Be forewarned.
     We picked up a couple more along the way and meandered along the scenic Nashwaak River. Just as highway 8 began to get boring we turned off at Boiestown onto a secondary road, the 625. This was more like it—twisty, winding, and undulating—a perfect sporty car road. That is until the pavement ended dumping us unceremoniously onto a dirt road. It wasn't bad at first and (of course) we all expected it to end soon. Unfortunately the surface condition varied widely and in a scene reminiscent of a challenge from 'Top Gear' we occasionally found ourselves snaking along in first gear dodging award winning potholes and half buried rocks. This went along for far too long until (mercifully!) we arrived at Stanley and continued the FABAC tradition of over-running a small family restaurant. We didn't mind that the food took a while to arrive since we where all just so damned happy to be rid of that cursed gravel road. The trip home was shorter along the Royal Road. I took a detour to follow Joe Hine home to see the progress on his E-Type restoration (almost ready for paint!).
     Thanks and kudos to John Bowles for planning the day. The gravel road was only mildly irritating and will surely give us something to talk about at the next dinner.
- Bob E.
(And some photos from John B here and Phil here.)