|
Week end at Bernie’s 02
by Fred Williams
It was a hot July weekend when we decided to do a garage tour and investigate the condition of Bernie Clark’s much talked about TR-4. To this point all I have ever seen of this car was the Carbs that Bruce and I rebuilt several ears ago at the Tune-up Clinic. So it was time for Bernie to put up (preferably beer) or get a real car (and still give us beer). I am proud to say that there is a real Bernie’s TR-4 and it is now in running condition.
Once arriving at Bernie’s (somewhere between here and the other side of God’s country) the first thing we noticed the refrigerator in the far corner. So far - so good! After examining the car we decided that it needed tuned and the carburetor jets adjusted. Dan Harkus did the tune up and I started on the carbs. We had things dialed-in in short order and then went for a test run ( after replacing the steering knuckle). We figured out why the horn did not work (the grounding straps were missing from the steering column).
Ever thing now seems to be running fine. We surmised that all the car needs now is the interior installed as well as some wiring to pass inspection - and driven. That part we left up to Bernie!
Hey Bernie! - How about an update?
On The Mark
continued from page one
What happened to the rotor over a five mile distance to make it stop working? We finally got Wil and Tom back to TRF where Wil promptly purchased a pocket full of rotors, just in case, till he could track down the cause. Wil, let us know what you’ve found out.
After our rescue, the afternoon was just about over, so it was over to the drive-in for a nice picnic dinner, visiting with friends, watching the movies, nice relaxing evening. What a great weekend, but Sunday ’s car show is my favorite event. Checking out the cars and talking about cars. The only problem, it was hot. I didn’t stick around for the awards, I was pretty well done by 3:00 and headed for home. I heard several members did well at the awards ceremony, Jim Shaw’s TR2 got a 1st, Dave and Joyce Parks’ TR3 a 2nd, and Ed Major’s TR250 a 2nd. Good job.
What a great show, thanks to The Roadster Factory, Charles Runyan, John Swauger and ever body else for hosting a great event. Can’t wait till next year.
This month we have several events planned. The first is our annual Anniversary Run. Please notice the date has been changed to the 14th. Hope ever one knows that this is our 25th anniversary and comes out to celebrate. Richard Dick has planned a nice run that will end up at his home for a picnic. See Richard’s article for all the details but please plan to attend.
Second up, on September 21st is another “Dogs with the Fogs” afternoon. FOG 1 and FOG 2, aka Ed and Harve Woods will again host this event. This was such a great event last year; make sure you come out again.
Up coming events to mark on your calendar, we have a General Business meeting scheduled for October 11th at the 911th and Donald Harkus has volunteered to host the Fall Leaf Tour. Watch next month’s newsletter for more details on both events. Lastly, I almost hate to mention it but Sherry is actually planning the Holiday Party, so watch the calendar for a date.
See a soon. |
|
The Vintage
Triumph Register
by Bruce Stutzman
The following is a commentary from Mike Cook, the Editor of The Vintage Triumph that appeared in the Spring 2002 issue. How man WPTA members belong to (and thereby support) our national club? My guess is not many. We all should! Blow the dust off our wallets and send $30 (the annual dues) to membership secretary Bill Lynn. 100 Pine Tree Lane, Riverwoods, Il 60015. The VTR website is
www.vtr.org
Uncle VTR Needs You!
And Lindberg’s comments on page 1938 are great news. Well over 100 registered for VTR 2002 b the end of April. Hotel rooms filling up fast. A second riverboat cruise has been booked. The enthusiasm is inspiring. It makes one think, “All is well with VTR!”
Hold on! Despite the obvious health interest in TR activities in North America, VTR membership has declined several hundred over the past couple of ears. VTR is responding to member needs, and we have an improved magazine, published on schedule with regular color editorial, but member-ship has not even stayed level. What’s going on?
Last year, I walked into a VTR chapter meeting with a stack of The Vintage Triumph. Half of the members immediately surrounded me, grabbing copies. Was it a brand-new issue? No; it has been mailed a month previously. Had their copies gone astray in the mail? No; They were not VTR members! Not even the club president! When I asked why not, one said, “I only join in the years I go to the Convention.”
Most had no real answer.
Nearly two and one-half million Triumphs were built. As of TVT issue #81, we had approximately 2,100 members in VTR. As a comparison, about 250,000 Austin-Healey cars were built. In North America, there are two national Healey clubs with a membership totaling more than 5,000. What is the difference? Healey club folks all belong to their national club as well as their local group. Jaguar hasn’t yet built a million cars, but the Jaguar Clubs of North America has more then 6,000 members, and they require that local club members join the national organization.
We have no statistics on the total membership of VTR Chapters and Zones but let’s assume that, like the chapter above, about half belong to VTR. Just multiply the issue #81 mailing figure, and you get a potential VTR membership of 4,200, minimum. That’s still low but it would be a start. It may not yet be the time for VTR to require that all local club members join up, BUT it is certainly timely for all Chapters and Zones to support their national club and urge all of their members to send their $30 to VTR.
Congratulations
What do . . .
Jim Shaw
Dave Hershberger
Dave Parks
Ed Major
Bob Wyner
Mark Phillips
Bill Kern
Dan McGowan
Brad Mooney
Denis Poland
have in common?
They are all WPTA members and they all won trophies at British Car Day 2002.
|