Austin Healey Club of Oregon members planning to attend the August meeting faced a tough challenge getting to the meeting venue. The meeting was held at Gary Jackson’s beautiful home at Eagle Crest near Sisters, OR. The challenge faced by the travelers was extreme afternoon temperature, well into triple digits. Two groups of members left separately from Portland, two Healeys on Friday and three cars on Saturday. However, both groups were impeded by the high temperatures.

The Koebers and Hands started out in their Healeys about 3:15 PM Friday afternoon. George and Jaci covered only about four miles before the car quit with vapor lock and a fouled fuel filter. George contacted other members of the Koeber clan and was rescued when they brought a trailer to transport the Healey back home.

Bert and Betty made it a little further than the Koebers. The Hand Healey suffered from the vapors just passed the last I-5 off-ramp for Wilsonville. The car stalled and had to be pushed out of the right traffic lane by Betty and a good Samaritan who stopped to help. Another big help to Betty was the M&M Towing Company (503-682-3700). M&M apparently is experienced in dealing with collector cars. They provided a flatbed truck and kept the car well protected in their lot until later in the evening when Betty picked it up and drove it home. Betty said that M&M couldn’t have been more professional or caring. Unfortunately, Bert also suffered from heat related problems but much more serious than those that sidelined the Healey. Bert was transported to the hospital via ambulance. Fortunately, he was released later Friday evening. We understand Bert has recovered from heat stroke and is doing well this week at home.

Saturday morning the Schneiders and Jakobsens joined the Carters and Bob Wallace in Silverton to caravan over to Eagle Crest. The caravan was small but contained both Sprites and Big Healeys. Well… actually it contained one of each. Bringing up the rear of the group was the Schneider Green Dragon BJ9.

All went well for the little group at first. We even stopped for a lunch break at the Upper Arm picnic grounds of Detroit Reservoir. After lunch the automotive fun began as we reached the summit of Santiam

and the air temperature crept passed 107 degrees Fahrenheit. Bob Wallace’s 1960 Healey began suffering, the engine running rough and stumbling at idle. (See Bob’s piece. “Breakdown on the Santiam Pass” on this website). During the third stoppage in less than a mile the problem a new car joined our little caravan, John Wilson and Joan Wilson arrived. John correctly diagnosed the problem as vapor lock. It was decided to call the AAA and have Bob’s car taken to Gary Jackson’s where we knew there was cold beer, Healey expertise and tools. At this point the Carters, Jackosens and Schneiders left a very warm Bob standing by the crippled Healey and drove on to Gary’s. Subsequently, Bob’s car cooled down sufficiently to overcome the vapor lock. Bob got the Healey started, canceled the AAA tow and drove down to the meeting at Gary’s home.

During the meeting Gary and Jan served hours devours and after the meeting provided a dinner of tacos, enchilada casarole and other south-of-the-border treats. The latter included a key lime pie for dessert. The club members owe Gary and Jan a huge “thank you” for their generosity and hospitality which continued well into the evening.

On Sunday morning they continued their graciousness by serving brunch before members began the trip back to Portland. The homeward travels were less stressful than the previous day probably due to getting an early start in the coolness of the morning, smaller climb to the summit and a handful of wooden clothes pins.

One last note on the wonderful time we all had at Gary’s home. The Saturday evening activities may have become a little rowdy. I can’t comment on the details as I wasn’t there witness what actually happened, or who did what to who but the picture of George holding a reconfigured screen door does suggest it must have been interesting.

See more photos in the photo gallery.