Memories of the HMGCC by Wayne Moore

I was asked to jot down a few of my special memories from Dixie's and my days in the Houston MG Car Club, so here goes.

We joined the club in September of 1987. We were new to MGs but we were experienced in time-speed-distance rallies. A year or so after we became members there was a night rally planned for the club. We were excited, hoping to do well, maybe even to win the thing. That is, we were excited until we found out that one of our new members was a professional rallyist! This fellow had rallied in Mexico, South America, and other points north and south. To make matters worse he would be driving his showroom-new Porsche.

The night of the rally the young pro showed up with his rally clothes on, his beautiful Porsche, and his very lovely fiancée. He was to drive and she would be his navigator. Oh, well, we figured you can't win them all.

The rally began with the cars leaving the starting line three minutes apart. Truthfully, I can't remember how we did, but I remember that all of the cars finished; that is all of the cars except for one. You guessed it. The Porsche was nowhere to be seen. After an hour Mr. Pro was disqualified for being late.

Just as Dixie and I were preparing to leave for home the Porsche arrived at the finish line. The rallyist and his bride-to-be were literally screaming at each other. He was accusing her of not being able ot read or follow instructions and she was accusing him of...oh well, you get the picture. The end of the story is that the wedding was called off and we never saw either of them again.

Editor:  Competitive club rally events can be hazardous to relationships.  

Ralph was also a member of the Houston MG Car Club and a friend to many of us.  As more information becomes available we will pass it along.  Please keep Fay (Ralph's wife), Greg and Mary in your thoughts and prayers.

Attached is an update for the Driver's and the Safety Fast Award through the end of July 2024.

At the September, 2024 monthly meeting the Board of Directors recommended and the members in attendance approved a revision to the Club's Bylaws, Article III, Section (8) to revise the term that an individual serves in an officer position from two (2) to one (1) year.  

The Board of Directors recognizes that a two year commitment is overly burdensome and preventing many people from being able to serve the club in the officer roles.  It is believe that the reduced term of service will facilitate more members being able to participate..

The city of Shiner is as excited about our trip to the Spoetzl Brewery this weekend as we are.  This is obvious by the fact that the Shiner Gazette reached out to club member Jim Goldmeyer, who is coordinating the drive, to do a story.  

This event is unique in that we will have members of the MG car clubs in Austin and San Antonio joining us.

Click HERE to read the story.

All of our MGs have interesting history.  Some of it is recent, some long-forgotten, and some unique history goes all the way back to the day it left the factory.

One of our members, Chuck Quinn, has a 1952 MG TD that Skip Robbins layed hands on to keep it running well.  In the process of restoration, pieces of the wooden frame were found in poor condition and had to be replaced.  One of those tired wood pieces, in this photo, has the name and address of a factory staffer.  In this case, it was Dorothy Smith who neatly affixed her name and address.  Today, if she has survived, she would be in her 90’s or older.   I didn't  know that builder autographs were a feature of MGs.  Has anyone else seen such history in an MG?  

Simon Dix, webmaster for the NAMGBR website and general MG guru put together and recently shared this phenomenal article on the MGB Overdrive unit.  It's a must read (and bookmark) for anyone with an MGB Overdrive or anyone considering getting one!

https://mg-stuff.stlbrits.com/kb/mgb-overdrive-diagnostics/

Our hosting of a very excellent national meet of the North American MGB Register this year, in Katy, reminded me that we earlier hosted another national  meet, for the AMGBA.   In was June 1 and 2, 2001 in conjunction with our All British Motor Vehicle Exposition, which that year was held at Trader’s Village.   Ron Redding and I were credited with organizing the combined events.  

It was the Annual Meet of The American MGB Association which was formed in 1975 in New York City.   Our event in 2001 was their second time in Texas.  In 1986, the event was in San Antonio.  Candy and I attended it, even before joining the Houston MG Club in 1992.  As the photo attests, we came home with an award! 

Attorney Frank Ochal of Chicago was a key figure in the functioning of the AMGBA.  Unbeknownst to me, Frank died in December 2022 and the organization has since faltered.  Their website is no longer active.  Some information remains available at MGB.TIPS  

The North American MGB Register was formed in late 1990 as the result of a strong demand for a non-profit, democratic organization which would be run by MG enthusiasts, for MG enthusiasts. NAMGBR is completely managed and run by club members.  It is a 501(c)7 nonprofit organization registered with the IRS and incorporated in the state of Illinois. NAMGBR also sought and gained the approval and support of the MG Car Club of England, the original and oldest of all MG clubs. Consequently NAMGBR is the only national MGB organization in the United States, Mexico and Canada officially sanctioned by the MG Car Club.

Not quite AAA, but somewhat effective.

In June, three members of the Houston MG Car Club travelled to Dickenson, Texas to help out  club member, Ms. Katie Embesi, who owns a red 1976 MG Midget named “Patootie”.  Katie had concerns around a lack-luster response in acceleration, and a car that was running a bit rough. 

Rich Colwell, Ken Evesson and Bill Sysman arrived somewhat unprepared, being MGA owners, with  tools to adjust SU carbs, and lots of tools that were not needed at all.  However, as has been said: “fools venture where angels fear to tread.”  They had no experience with Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, but ventured ahead anyway.

The car needed a little attention, but started right up.  Under the bonnet was a host of air pollution equipment that none of them were familiar with.  The air cleaner was not clipped into place, but zip-tied.    

The Team began by checking for vacuum leaks (using aerosol carb cleaner) around the head and intake manifold, carburetor mounts, smog canisters, tubing, and fittings, and found none.

They looked at the choke assembly, and noted that it seemed to be sticky.  They exercised it and sprayed it liberally with carb cleaner, removing dirt/soot. 

Next, they removed the air cleaner (not sooted up).  Upon lifting the carburetor piston a tiny bit with a screwdriver, the idle rose and came back to an equilibrium idle.  This was a happy finding, as none of them had any experience with Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, and it appeared that the mixture was correct. The cable was also adjusted. 

Ken noted that the piston’s dashpot was empty.  They scrounged for 30 weight oil, added it and got resistance in the chamber. Now the car was running more steadily, and acceleration was responsive.

Next was a very noisy exhaust rattle.  A short-term solution: adding washers to the mounting system, tightening up supports, and creating a little clearance between the muffler and the body.   They saw the back-up lights not plugged in and attended to that.

 It became apparent that Katie is clearly one of us.  She dug into the Midget and learned her way around its electrical system.  In  short order she will develop expertise in Zenith-Stromberg carburetors, and then can teach us a few things. 

It was gratifying for the Team to hear the Midget running better, and for them to learn a little bit about another classic MG model.  Best of all, it was great to see a smile on the face of our motivated and capable Club member Katie Embesi.   Patootie’s future is well-assured.