HMGCC at the Lone Star Flight Museum at Ellington Field Joint Reserve Base

By Bob Crow

More than a dozen of our members arrived for breakfast at the Whiskey Cake Kitchen and Bar, Baybrook Mall on Saturday, November 10th. Several people took advantage of the chilly weather and arrived with tops down, heaters on, in the proper spirit of British motoring. Whiskey Cake offers a different breakfast /brunch sort of menu and folks at one end of the table - names withheld - enjoyed Mimosas while waiting for their eggs Benedict.   

As events coordinator, I'd foolishly assumed that breakfast would be over and we'd all be on the road for the short drive to Ellington and the Lone Star Flight Museum by 10am. Instead, perhaps lubricated by decent drink and tasty food, we were still sitting at the table talking and laughing when someone realized it was after 11!

After settling our bills, few instructions were needed for most to find their way to Ellington and the museum. I couldn't resist the offer to ride in Terry Charlton's modified V8 MGB and enjoyed the 'getting up to freeway speed' acceleration and beautiful V8 music.    

There was plenty of parking at the museum and in we all went. Lone Star Flight Museum really is one of the nicer aircraft exhibition spaces anywhere. We saw lots of very beautiful and interesting planes and enjoyed informative displays. Many of us saw the restored B-25 bomber that is based at the museum take off while we were there. What a magnificent noise those big old radial engines make when they lift the big bird into the air! 

I want to add a special thanks to my friend Ron, a veteran hero helicopter pilot, for coming along and explaining how the heck helicopters can fly. I spent over two hours in the museum and barely saw half of it. Maybe we can come here again.

Fifteen hardy souls attended, five of whom drive MGs. They are: Gordon Bard (1972 MGB), Paul Brown, Terry Charlton (1963 modified MGB), Rick Coblents, Bob and Elke Crow, Dwight and Candy Dawson, Greg Fleischer (1971 MGB), Ray Holtzapple, Marilyn Proctor (1977 MGB), Bob and Kathy Schroder, and Fred and Lisa Whitla (1977 MGB).

From the club:  THANK YOU to Bob Crow for coordinating this event.  The Houston MG Car Club is an all volunteer organization and is only as good as we the members make it.  If anyone is interested in coordinating a future event you can volunteer by sending an email to the Mike Woodward, Events Coordinator,through the club's email HoustonMGCarClub@gmail.com or speaking to him at a future event.

Yesterday we received the following email from Sharon Rushing.  Please keep Sharon and her entire family in your thoughts and prayers.  As you will note in her message, Sharon would very much appreciate it if a couple of us were able to attend the services, driving your car.

Dear MG Car Club Members,

My father, John Rushing, and I were able to join your club for many events and he truly loved every minute of it.  He just officially joined last month.  Unfortunately I have to share the sad news that my father passed away last week.  I wanted to let everyone know and to make a request for anyone who is willing and able to attend the services this Saturday for my father.  He would be so pleased to have MG’s there.  He was especially fond of the yellow MG TC owned by John, I believe.  There is also a couple that lived near us in NW Houston, but I can’t find the paper where I wrote their number.  Honestly it all still feels like a horrible dream.  

Feel free to pass along this information to everyone. 

Here is the service info:
John Bryan Rushing Jr., of Jersey Village, TX, b. Jan 29, 1932 Hemphill, TX, passed away at 86 on Nov 7, 2018 in Houston. All are welcome to attend the service, on Saturday, November 17 from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at McWilliams Funeral Home, 706 Bremond St, Hempstead, (979) 826-2421.

Thank you for accepting him into your group.  It was truly one of the highlights.

The Houston MG Car Club was proud to make a donation to the Russ Seto Scholarship Fund from the proceeds of this year’s Houston All British Car Day.  The Russ Seto Scholarship was established by the Texas Triumph Register to provide financial support to people who are pursuing an education in automotive technology.  To learn more about the scholarship click HERE.

Mike Gentry, Chairman of the Houston MG Car Club, presenting a check to Fred Wagner of the Texas Triumph Register for the Russ Seto Memorial Fund.

Wire wheels provide great performance and a great look for our British classics, but they don't come without their own set of challenges.  The attached article from Classic Motorsports Magazine provides excellent "what to do" and "how to do it" advice for those of you who cherish wire wheels (and for those of us who are in a love - hate relationship with them.)

https://classicmotorsports.com/articles/wire-wheels-classic-cars/

Did you know that Flat Bernard loves to travel, especially if he can check out great cars.  I also hear he doesn't mind traveling on airplanes, visiting sites with great views and despite his slim build, he loves a good dinner on occasion.  His problem is, that he doesn't have any transportation of his own and relies on Houston MG Car Club members to take him along with us when we travel.  Bringing Flat Bernard on your trips is a great way to share your adventures with the club.  If you will simply take a few photos of Flat Bernard in interesting places, and provide a brief story, we will post your adventures here in the ROARS.  If you would like to take Flat Bernard along with you contact Dwight Dawson, our membership chair, and he will send Bernard over to your house with his bags packed. 

Photos by Dale Schiller

Most recently Flat Bernard was at the Houston All British Car Days.  He seems to have taken a fancy to the MGA's.

By Dave Renner

The 29^th Houston All British Car Day, sponsored by the Houston MG Car Club, was held October 20, 2018 in Katy, Texas. The undaunted participants gathered under cool grey skies but no rain fell at the show to dampen spirits. Fifty classic British cars representing thirteen marques were on display for the approving crowds at Katy Market Day to enjoy.

The entries read like a Who’s Who of British auto legends. The more familiar badges of MG and Triumph, Aston Martin and Austin Healey, Jaguar and Range Rover, Morris Minor, Morris Mini and Mini Cooper shared the tarmac with less often seen TVR, Berkeley, Sunbeam and Shelby Cobra. They were dazzling, charming, beautiful and unique-- history lessons on wheels, with the expected oil drips, leather upholstery smells and engine roars to add ambiance to the experience.

The Best of Show award went to Arnel Brown for his lovely 1953 MGTD, which sports a very rare and stylish, period correct hard top. It was a standout in a sterling crowd. The cars owned by Albert Amato (1966 Austin Healey Sprite Mk III), Peter Ferrer (2010 Jaguar XKR) and Nancy Money (1976 TR6) were placed into the Premier Class.

Arnel Brown’s 1953 MGTD also won first in the MGTD category, with Ron Redding taking second with his 1952 MGTD. Barry Jones took first place in the MGTC class with his 1947 MGTC. In the MGTF category, Alex Chaykoski (1954 MGTF) was awarded first place and Glenn and Fran Carpenter (1954 MGTF) garnered second place. Jim Early (1962 MGA MK ll) and Mike Gentry (1960 MGA 1600) shared first place in the MGA class while Roald Lokken (MGA 1600) and Don Lantz (MGA 1600) shared third place.

In the MGB Chrome Bumper class, Terry Myers (1971 MGB) took first place, Dale Schiller (1972 MGB) took second place and Dwight Dawson (1973 MGB) took third place. In the MGB GT class, Nick Roccaforte (1973 MGB GT) took first place, with Roger Sykes (1974 MGB GT) awarded second place. In the MGB Rubber Bumper category Ray Matocha (1979 MGB) took first place, Robert Gilbert (1975 MGB) took second, and Kim Michael Wittenberg (1977 MGB) took third place. Susan and Keith Cannon (1971 MG Midget) took first place in the MG Midget class.

Clark McKinley was awarded first place in the Triumph TR2 & 3 class with his 1959 TR3A. David Smith (1967 TR4A) took first place and Mike Hado (1965 TR4A) took second in the Triumph TR4 & 250 class. In the Triumph TR6 category, Gary Myers (1976 TR6) won first place, Timothy Maxwell (1974 TR6) placed second and Mike Rouse (1971 TR6) was awarded third place.

Greg Chronowski took first place in the Austin Healey 100 class with his 1954 AH 100 roadster. Marc Dickson took first in the Austin Healey 3000 category with his 1967 AH 3000 BJ8. Jorn Schrenus took first place in the Land Rover class with his 1983 Range Rover Vogue. Michael Thingstad took first place in the British Luxury class with his 2008 Aston Martin Vantage.

Keith Ryder (2018 Jaguar F-Type) was awarded first place in the Jaguar 1969 and newer class. John Ramsey (2003 Jaguar XK8) placed second and Matt Cox (2014 XJ-R) took third in that class. Michael Carter took first place in British Modified class with his 1958 Berkeley SE492. The 1967 Sunbeam Alpine owned by Shannon Hodell was awarded first place in the Sunbeam category.

Hal McGinnis (2006 Mini Cooper S JCW) took first in the New Mini class and James and Tebbi Mayes (1966 Morris Mini Traveller) took first place in the Mini category. Michael and Stephanie Woodward (1961 Morris Minor 1000) took first place in the British Special Interest class. Peter Ferrer (1965 Shelby Cobra) took second place with Steve Russell (1974 TVR 2500M) taking third place in the British Special Interest class.

Proceeds from the show support the Russ Seto Memorial Scholarship, which is given to support the education of future automotive technicians.

2018 HABCD Award Winner Photos

Views of the Show

By Dave Renner

I was reading an article today about driving seldom used classic cars with out-of-date tires. The writer was bemoaning the expense of fitting new tires when the ones on the car still looked good. It reminded me of a frightening experience I had some years ago that made me a believer in up-to-date rolling stock.

One summer, I drove a church van loaded with summer camp kids on the way home from a fun week. The van had "good looking" tires, according to the person charged with maintaining it. When a tire blew at highway speed I was just lucky to bring it to a safe halt with no injuries to the 14 people on board. Another old tire shredded a few miles down the road as we limped home at considerably reduced speed. Again no injuries occurred, but I have been a zealot about tires ever since.

It is one thing to endanger yourself, but quite another to endanger others. We replaced decent looking tires on our MGA when we purchased it last year because the codes said the ones on the front were from 1987 and the ones on the back from 1982. Not taking any chances, thank you. Sometimes you don’t get a second chance to be safe.

Dave & Linda Renner’s MGA with new tires

As reported in yesterday's article on the GoF, Flat Bernard had a very busy visit to Waco.  He really loved seeing all the cars.

By Dwight Dawson

The Houston MG Car Club was represented at this year’s statewide gathering of MGs by Glenn and Fran Carpenter, Bob and Kim Chalker, Alex Chaykoski, Dwight and Candy Dawson, Rob and Shelly Ficalora, Bob and Kathy Schroeder, Ron Redding, Mike and Stephanie Woodward, John and Nancy Youens, and Jane and Cole LeMaster.  

About the GOF

(Pronounced Gee Oh Eff) Twice yearly since 1964 the members of the New England MG T Register have gathered to enjoy the magic of the MG marque and the people who own them. The first GOFs were billed as a "low key weekend to enjoy the cars and new friends." And it is much the same now. The GOF provides owners of MG T series and other early MG variants a chance to gather for a weekend of tours, talk and tire kicking.

Our Texas GOF has been coordinated by the Dallas club, Texas MG Register, for many years. To join them for the 2018 event, 3 Houston MGBs met at Hwy 290 and FM 1488 and caravanned 190 miles along the country roads to Waco. Drivers were Woodward, Dawson and Chalker. Greg Fleischer even made the trip out to 1488 in his B to see us off. Others from Houston arrived in Waco with their MGs safely secured in trailers.  

Upon our Friday morning arrival, there were various venues for beer, wine, burgers, and more. Dinner was organized for the Houston group at Outback Steak House. I was impressed with them for the food and because you could actually HEAR conversations at the table. Some good restaurant design at work that ensured a fun evening with good friends. 

 

Saturday morning provided light rain for the Show Parade on the hilly, twisty, tree-lined MG-style roads just out of town to Bosque River Park. For the first time, the show itself was held in a parking garage—different, but it worked out great and included a sumptuous box lunch. After the show there was an optional event to Balcones, a whiskey distillery in Waco. Ask Bob Chalker for details about it! He and Kim also toured the Dr. Pepper plant. Back at the hotel, with the rain picking up, several of us enjoyed adult beverages and snacks in the lobby.  

The Saturday banquet was at the Baylor Club in McLane Stadium. We enjoyed a great Baylor buffet dinner. The evening continued with awards and intermittent offerings of auction items. A very rare 1937 MG VA Salon owned by Wayne Kube from Plano, Texas won the award for Show Favorite. I had a short ride in it and can report it was a luxury ride in its day. The unique interior features, like the fold out windshield, are impressive.

It seemed that Honorary Member Flat Bernard had a high-time and was always where the action was. 

The following HMGCC cars were AWARD WINNERS: 

Ulrichs’ 1953 MG TD Octagon of Honor. 

Chaykoski’s 1954 MG TF 1st place Premier Class;

Redding’s 1975 MGB 4th place Premier Class;

Ficaloras’ 1976 MGB V8 1st place VARIANT MG; 

Chalkers’ 1972 MGB 2nd place Chrome Bumper

Woodward’s 1980 MGB 2nd place Rubber Bumper

Rob and Kathy Schroeder took 2nd place in the rally.   

The drivers from Houston accumulated about 430 miles traveling to and from the 2018 GOF.  

Houston MG Car Club members breaking bread together on Friday night

Ficaloras' MGB V8 took 1st place in the Variant class

Rain, rain go away....

A highlight of the show was this 1937 VA Salon.  

Glenn Carpenter spiffing up his 1954 MG TF

Bob & Kim Chalker with their 2nd place trophy in the Chrome Bumper class

Alex Chaykoski accepting his 1st place in the Premier class for his 1954 MG TF