When we got to a certain point in the restoration of my BT7, I was asked by Tom and Geno if I wanted side mirrors mounted. My initial reaction was “No Way!” Too much time and effort was put into making the fenders perfect to drill holes in them. They suggested that I mount mirrors in the side curtain sockets instead. Since I don’t drive the car in inclement weather (not by choice anyway) and I don’t have side curtains (or a top for that matter) it seemed like a perfect solution.

At the last club event several participents admired my mirrors so I thought I would describe how to do this. I wish it was a difficult task, but it isn’t. They really just bolt on.

First here are some photos of the mirrors on the car.

While not a classic look, I think they look right at home. They are motorcycle mirrors. It took a while to find somewhere to buy ones that I liked. I started by looking around in the local motorcycle shops. There were some great looking mirrors, but I really did not want the words “Harley Davidson” on my Healey. Most of the mirrors I found were branded. So I went on-line to look.

I found these at http://www.bargainbikergear.com/. They had quite a selection. These were not too expensive (under $40 per mirror).

They fit either right or left hand and come with an assortment of different length mounting bolts. Here is a picture of the pieces.
There are only three pieces. The mirror, a nylon washer and an allen head bolt. You have to supply the allen wrench. So installation is a snap. Slide the bolt up through the side curtain socket, put the nylon washer over it, and then screw on the mirror.

Here is a photo that shows all the pieces installed:

Thats all there is to it.

Over the years with the club I have noticed a few unfortunate things that seem to happen on club tours.  I feel sorry for the poor car or cars that end up being last in the tour group.  ”Tail-end Charlie” is in an unfortunate position. It is likely that He or she is going to get caught behind a slow truck or get stopped by a yellow traffic light  as it turns to vibrant, “Ahh crap!!!” red while the rest of the tour disappears over the horizon.  I saw it happen last weekend.  

As we left the Battle Ground Safeway, most of the group got out, through the light, around the corner and down the road.  However, two of us did not.  I wasn’t worried.  I had listened to the driver’s meeting instructions, had been to Yacolt before and sort of knew the way.  When the light finally turned green and we could make the turn, the BJ8 behind me fire-walled the throttle as soon as he completed the turn, blew by me, his exhaust pipes yowling as he tried desperatly to catch the tour group.  Seven miles later he missed the turn on Rock Creek Road to Yacolt. Fortunately, he did make it to the train by some route, partly by luck but not because he was part of a tour.  

 Another thing I have observed is that the lead cars often drive faster than necessary.  Even if they are driving no faster than the speed limit, the guys at the end of the tour group are forced to drive faster than the speed limit to keep up.  I know this sounds nuts but it is true.  But if you get slowed or stopped by a traffic condition you then have to drive faster to make up for the time you lost.  There are a couple of steps that we could take to relieve the poor guys at the back of the tour pack.  

First, I think there should always be a map of the tour route.  If the last car gets split off from the tour at least they can get to the meeting. Second, if the tour leaders notice the group has become split, they could pull over and wait for the tail-enders to catch up.  Certainly, some tour leaders have done this but sometimes the split happens without being detected.  To deal with this we could use 2-way radios, one in the lead car and one in the tail-end car.  If a split occurs the tail-end car could call the lead car and ask him to wait.  I know we used to rely on CB radios for tour communications but this practice seems to have waned.   I have a pair of inexpensive handi-talkies I have used in family multi-car travels that work fine.  Perhaps we could start using these or something similar.  

Just a few thoughts.

Mark Schneider

PS: read about the tour and see some photos

The meeting will be at Gary Jackson house at Eagle Crest Resort (588 Widgeon Rd, Redmond OR, Phone 541-923-9766). The day will start at 10:30 with a tour led by John Wilson. We will gather at the Safeway store in downtown Silverton and proceed from there. Please be filled up with gas and ready to depart prior to 10:30. There is a planed stop along the way for a picnic, so bring a light lunch. You can call John at 541-221-9213 if you have questions.

The tour should arrive at Eagle Crest around 2:00 with the meeting around 3:00 followed by a Mexican Fiesta with all of the timings. Lodging has been arranged at the Redmond Inn Motel (541-548-1091) for August 16 at a Rate of $65.00 +Tax. Be sure to say you are with the Austin Healey Group. Any room not reserved by August 4 will be released, so be sure to call early.

There will also be a Sunday brunch, location yet to be determined, before everyone takes off for home. So come on over to the sunny side of Oregon for a great weekend in the sun.

I’m sure others will post their thoughts on this club outing, but in my view it was a great day. The weather was overcast which kept it from getting too hot, perfect driving weather. We had a good turn out (I forgot to count how many Healeys showed up, there were at least seven.) The drive up to Yacolt was along the Lewis river. We all arrived without incident and boarded the train for a relaxing excursion. Thanks to Doug and Tammy Auburg for hosting this outing.

More photos are in the gallery. Click any of the above pictures to view the gallery. If you have photos from this outing, email them to Bob Wallace and he will post them in the gallery.

For a history of the railroad…

THE HISTORY OF THE CPRR

There had been on-going discussion about the need for a railroad out of Vancouver for quite some time since the completion of the trans-continental railroad. The first person to take action was L.M. Hidden, a Vancouver businessman. Hidden was involved in farming, brick making, hotel operation and philanthropic endeavors. Hidden was also involved in Clark County activities and helped form the Clark County Fair Association. –> read more at the The Chelatchie Prairie Railroad (BYCX) web site.

March 2007 Healey Northwest

There will be a backroads driving tour with lunch along the way to McMenamin’s Olympic Club in Centralia,WA. We have reserved 15 queen rooms at $60 plus 8% WA tax. You may choose the Roy Gardner Package for $134. This includes your room, a bottle of Edgefield wine, free billiards, free admission to the theatre,$40 towards dinner for two, and $20 towards breakfast for two. We plan on having our own car-related movie showing in the theatre between 4 and 5:30. There are many shops on Main St. for antiques and other goodies.There are only 15 rooms available so get your reservation in early! The number is 1-866-736-5164. Make sure to tell them you are with the Austin Healey group.

Trip to Centralia,WA(approx. 100 miles)

We are spending the night at McMenamin’s 1908 Olympic Club, the railroad hotel. It’s the legacy of countless gamplers, jackpots, revenuers raids, dark secrets deeply buried and a famous bandit’s bravado.
Now the Austin Healey Club has the opportunity to make it’s mark.
Details:
9:45 AM-meet off I-5, Exit 7 at the Burger King on the right. Depart at 10:00 AM

10:00- Continue on I-5 20 miles to Exit 27. Regroup following signs to Bebel Truck Stop (Shell station on left)

10:30- Depart and follow scenic back country roads to lunch in Castle Rock

1:00- Take scenic roads to Centralia

For hotel reservations call 1-866-736-5164
Mention the Austin Healey Club and pick a room for $60 or a package. We are getting the Ray Gardner Great Escape Package. Also, mention if you are a light sleeper as this is a train depot.

John and Judy Carter

Ask many former owners of 1960s British sports cars about problem areas on their steeds, and they will likely digress into horror stories concerning the dreaded SU carburetors. In most cases though, they’d be wrong.

The SU carburetor, far from being high maintenance or temperamental, is one of the best designed carburetors of all time, and it simply thrives on neglect. In fact, the principal reason it is blamed for so many maladies is that it is conveniently perched beside the engine where it can be easily misadjusted by ham-fisted mechanics often unaware that the real gremlins usually live in the worrisome Lucas “Prince of Darkness” electrical systems common in older British iron. Those in the know realize that the humble SU can be made to feed anything from economical grocery-getters to fire-breathing racing cars. Some lemon!

Read more –>

From youtube. For the Sprite owners in the club.

Club member of many years, Robert Lingle Rounsefell, 75, passed away Saturday, May 10, 2008, at his home in Wendell after a brief illness.
He was born July 5, 1932, at Portland, Ore., to Harry N. Rounsefell and Ruth M. Rounsefell. His childhood years were in east Texas and Damascus, Ore. He graduated from the eighth grade at Union School, a country school where his mother had attended before him and later his children and a granddaughter. He graduated from high school at Gresham, Ore., with the class of 1950. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on Dec. 8, 1950, where he attended Radioman Class “A” School, then worked as a radio operator and cryptographer. He then advanced to rank of RMSN. He served at Yokosuka and Tokyo, Japan, and with the Amphibians Squadron No. 2 and was honorably discharged on Sept. 13, 1954, and is a Korean veteran.

In the fall of 1955, his friends talked him into attending the College of Idaho, which he has many times said that this was the best thing that happened to him. There he met Ilene Coleman, and they were married June 24, 1956, at the Wendell Presbyterian-Baptist Church by the Rev. Ira Smith. He was member of the Boring, Ore., Volunteer Fire Department, Gooding BPOE, Wendell American Legion, Wendell Veterans of Foreign Wars, Gooding County Historical Society, Wendell Optimist Club, Idaho British Car Club and Oregon Austin Healey Club.
He is survived by his wife, Ilene; and children, Katrina (Pat) Lawson of Naples, Italy, K.C. (Jeannie) Rounsefell of Aiken, S.C., and Audra (Mark) Gibson of Palm Coast, Fla. Grandchildren are Anna Kidney of Eugene, Ore., Grant, Faye and Garrett Lawson, all of Italy, Stella and Walker Rounsefell of South Carolina, Maeghan Malone of Virginia, Mark-Anthony, Maria Gibson, and John and Stu Jennings, all of Florida. He was preceded in death by his brother, James L. Rounsefell.
A private family burial will be at the Wendell Cemetery. An open house will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, May 16, at the Rounsefell Residence, 510 Second Ave. W. in Wendell.
In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to be sent to the Optimist International sponsored Childhood Cancer PNWD, Bob Rounsefell Memorial Fund, 38954 Proctor Blvd., No. 353, Sandy, OR 97055.