Although this special edition magazine is a little costly ($20.00) it is well worth it.  The text and pictures cover 225 pages and 114 classic British sports cars produced between 1936 and 2005.  Marques featured include AC, Allard, Austin-Healey, Daimler, Ginetta, Jaguar, Jensen-Healey, Lotus, Marcos MG, Morgan, Reliant, Sunbeam, Triumph, and TVR.  The history and specifications of each variant of all the marques are covered in considerable detail.

I especially enjoyed the opening paragraph of the Healey 100/6 discussion.  It asked a question regarding the test for “Britishness” of the cars.  The author concluded that with regard to cars, a Big Healey is clearly a contender in the classic stakes, highlighting the “rugged charm, racous engine note and captivating looks six-cylinder Austin Healeys are so quintessentially English they could merit a question in the UK citizenship quiz.”

I purchased my copy of the magazine at Border’s but I am sure it is available at Barnes and Nobel as well.

I needed a custom length speedometer cable made for my BJ8 the other day and started looking around online for a shop. There is one called Speedometer Service in NW Portland that has been in business since the 30’s. They made up the cable while I waited. I then found out that they say they can repair Smiths instruments!I just sent one to the east coast to be repaired. They also saved me $100 by making me a new speedo angle drive for my Toyota 5-speed. The person I worked with was Andrew Fink. He did the work and was very cooperative and helpful. The address is: 3551 NW Front Ave.,Portland,OR, 503-227-5567

I’m seeking a Club member to take over from me as one of the AHCO’s two representatives on the ABFM organizing committee for the 2010 meet.  I’m in my third year in the job and, as much as I’ve enjoyed it, I need to move on and plan to resign after we complete this year’s meet.

The ABFM organizing committee is a great group of people to work with (you likely already know many of them).  Our active participation on the committee and in the meet is important because proceeds from the ABFM provide a significant amount of revenue to our Club.  As many of you already know, we are responsible for the timely counting of the People’s Choice ballots.  This position on the ABFM committee is responsible for organizing and carrying out that job.  I have begun writing up a guide to the job and, if you volunteer now, you can learn from me during this year’s meet (sorry, we’re all out of Ginsu knife sets).  The job itself requires attending committee meetings about once a month between April and August, about two days of preparation before the ABFM, and most all day Saturday at the ABFM with a team of about 20 other Club volunteers.  Contact me at (503) 364-6789 or mach@toast.net if you would like to inquire further, ask questions, or apply for the job.

Thanks

After serving as its caretaker for the past few years, I’m now seeking a new home for the Club’’s library of printed material.  The library consists of four bookcases of print copies of our Healey Northwest newsletters, as well as newsletters from many other Austin Healy clubs throughout the US and around the world going back to the 1970s.  If you are interested in providing a home for this valuable and interesting Club asset, please contact me at (503) 364-6789 or mach@toast.net.  I’ll be glad to help with the move.

Saturday morning, a little after Oh Dark Thirty, low clouds were threatening, Larry Clemenson and I met at the Starbuck’s parking lot on SW Roy Rogers Rd.  We met there so we could drive into the Sherwood Cruisin together.  We had both pre-registered so that we could use the preferred fast lane into downtown Sherwood and get preferential parking in a good spot plus stay together.  Once we were parked we buttoned up the tonneaus in case it decided to rain and walked around a little to check out the other cars.  There were quite a few other early birds and as the morning wore on the streets filled with lots of cool machines, mostly heavily modified hot rods.  However, there were very few British cars but ours were the only Healeys.  There was one MG T-sumthin’ and one MGB but it had a monster 8 cylinder engine and lake pipes hung below the doors. Read more »

Is the problem real? Yes, yes, yes it is a real problem for our flat tappet engines.  At the June meeting John Wilson reported serious damage to one of his engines not long after a re-build.  The failure was due to an inadequate amount of ZDDP in the oil.  This raised the question of how do we get ZDDP in our engine oil.  I gave a report at the club meeting some months ago after having researched the question.  I have several reference reports I can send to members if  I receive an me an email requesting them.  In the meantime the following provides a concise summary answering the question.   See the last lines especially.

How do I get oil with ZDDP in it?

•You can buy non-American Petroleum Institute (API) certified oil
o Look for ZDDP at 0.12% or 1200 PPM on label
o Viscosity 20W-50
o Appropriate for vehicles driven frequently

• You can buy oil formulated for classic cars (Moss 220-810, 220-815)
o Typically with ZDDP at 0.12% or 1200 PPM
o Viscosity 20W-50
o Addition rust & corrosion inhibitors
o Appropriate for vehicles driven less frequently

• You can buy API certified oil and add a ZDDP supplement (Moss 220-805, 220-908)
o API SM oil with 0.08% or 800 PPM
o Viscosity 20W-50
o Add 4 oz ZDDPlus to 4 quarts to get 0.14-0.15% (1400-1500 PPM) ZDDP
o    Add 4 oz ZDDPlus to 5 quarts to get 0.11-0.12% (1100-1200 PPM) ZDDP
o    Add 6 oz ZDDPlus to 7-8 quarts to get 0.11-0.12% (1100-1200 PPM) ZDDP
for a Healey oil and filter change

Seven Healeys driven by an equal number of bleary-eyed gentleman, accompanied by bright-eyed navigators prepared in the Oregon dampness to depart  on a tour to The Dalles.   We met at the Fred Meyer at the junction of highways 205 and 224.  As warned, George began to lead us off on the tour promptly at 08:00.  I nearly had to leave Marilynne to wander in Freddie’s for the day as she had gone inside and when George says we leave at 08:00 he bloody well means it.  Read more »

Actually, I think we all do.

The group met at I-205 exit 12 and departed at 8AM with George and Jaci Koeber leading the way. We had a rest stop at Government Camp before meeting up with Kent and Judy Lambert , John Stanley,Steve and Bonnie Tate,Art Larson and Bruce Tuckerand at Hwy.44 and 35.
Judy and Kent hosted a wonderful tour on back roads toward The Dalles. The group made an interesting stop in Dufur to view the historical displays. We enjoyed the beautiful and changing scenery of Mount Hood National Forest and the rolling hills of grass beyond. Spectacular!
Lunch was in The Dalles at Spooky’s followed by the club meeting. It was then on to the Columbia River Interpretive Center for some education about local history. Afterward Kent insisted that we stop for ice cream in Mosier at a place called Route 30. The ice cream was delicious and the Porsche displays were very interesting. Everyone had to admit it was a good idea.
The weather was great, we had a good turnout of about 24 people and seven Healeys and everyone enjoyed a beautiful “Healey “ day.
Thanks again to Judy and Kent Lambert.

Submitted by Judy and John Carter, June 7, 2009